As the sun set in the west, the clouds were ablaze with a fiery red.

Inside the Qiong Feng Pavilion.

Gu Feng hosted a grand banquet, inviting Ye Tianchen and others.

The maids replaced the cold dishes with fresh ones, and a variety of immortal fruits, delicacies, and celestial wines were all available.

After the incident, Manager Wu was rescued by Jiu Long, and Gu Feng sent a medical officer from the Imperial City to treat his injuries.

Fortunately, there was no serious damage, just some disrupted breathing and slightly damaged meridians, which would recover after a few days of rest.

However, his Mysterious Rank cultivation artifact, the golden abacus, was completely ruined, causing Manager Wu some heartache.

With a wave of his hand, Gu Feng allocated a large sum of money to Manager Wu, telling him to find some top-quality materials when he had time and have a new one crafted. Although materials were easy to find, high-level artifact refiners were hard to come by. But as long as one was willing to spend spirit stones, it wasn't a problem.

Having survived the ordeal, everyone drank heartily and celebrated with great joy.

Relieved from the burden of being hunted, Ye Tianchen was finally able to relax, enjoying the feast with Gu Feng and indulging himself.

His junior sister, Song Zhishan, couldn't hold her liquor and, after drinking too much, offered to dance for everyone. She almost ended up stripping off all her clothes, but Manager Wu, seeing the situation getting out of control, quickly ordered the maids to escort her away.

This caused Gu Feng and Ye Tianchen to burst into laughter.

Watching Ye Tianchen laugh so freely, almost to the point of tears, Gu Feng knew that over the years, he had been fleeing with his junior sister, living a life of constant danger and exhaustion. Now, having laid down his burdens, his laughter was mixed with tears, filled with the bitterness and hardships that only he could truly understand.

Before they knew it, it was late at night. Manager Wu, being older and injured, was sent to rest by Gu Feng. As for Jiu Long, he turned out to be a formidable drinker, and after eating and drinking his fill, he returned to his room without needing any prompting from Gu Feng.

After several rounds of drinks, the excitement began to wane.

In the sky, the stars were sparse around the bright moon, and the night breeze carried a faint fragrance.

On the rooftop, Gu Feng lay sprawled out, looking up at the sky, while Ye Tianchen sat beside him, silently drinking from a wine jug.

The crescent moon hung high, casting a silver glow as white as jade.

Bathed in the moonlight, Gu Feng recalled a famous poem from his past life and couldn't help but recite it softly: "Before my bed, the bright moonlight, I suspect it is frost on the ground. I raise my head to gaze at the bright moon, and lower it to think of my hometown..."

"Good poem."

Ye Tianchen took a sip of wine, his eyes filled with memories: "I raise my head to gaze at the bright moon, and lower it to think of my hometown... My hometown, I wonder what it is like now?"

His hometown, Phoenix Cry Village—Pine Sword Sect, had long been razed to the ground by Murong Zhengyi, the City Lord of Fire Phoenix City. The entire village and sect, six hundred and thirty-eight people, were all annihilated, except for him and his junior sister.

"What are your plans for the future?" Gu Feng asked.

Ye Tianchen's gaze was distant as he replied softly, "I don't know, maybe I'll travel the world."

Sitting up, Gu Feng smiled and said, "Have you considered staying in Heroic Spirit City?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Gu, but I must decline."

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Shaking his head, Ye Tianchen slowly stood up: "The world is vast, and the Eastern Region Divine Continent is but a drop in the ocean. If I want to improve my strength and avenge my enemies, I must venture out and explore."

Gu Feng fell silent, recalling a famous saying from his past life—"The world is so big, I want to see it..."

Ye Tianchen wasn't wrong. The Eastern Region Divine Continent seemed large, but it was only one of the four continents.

To the south, the Southern Plains were overrun by demon cultivators, with fierce and rugged people and endless yellow sands!

To the west, the Western Region of Canaan was filled with Buddhist chants, compassion for all beings, and flowers blooming with every step!

To the north, the Northern Wilderness was home to secret techniques of witchcraft and ghostly sorcery, with dense forests and rugged terrain!

And then there was the legendary Boundless Sea, full of hidden masters and countless secret treasures! Immortal tombs were scattered everywhere!

For a prodigy like Ye Tianchen, to break through in cultivation and settle his blood feud with Murong Zhengyi, he had to venture into the world, seeking a glimmer of hope amidst danger!

Remaining in one place would only lead to complacency and a wasted life!

But Gu Feng was different. His roots were here, in Heroic Spirit City! His path of cultivation was also different from Ye Tianchen's; he had his own journey to undertake!

Perhaps one day, Gu Feng would also leave this small Eastern Region Divine Continent to experience the myriad wonders of the world.

But not now!

Draining the wine jug in one gulp, Ye Tianchen took something out of his storage bag and silently handed it to Gu Feng.

Gu Feng took it and saw that it was a small, ancient-looking broken sword.

The material of the broken sword seemed like jade yet not jade, like wood yet not wood, with a smooth and polished surface, faintly exuding a sense of sword intent. Holding it, Gu Feng even felt a slight sting.

Ye Tianchen smiled slightly and said, "Brother Gu, words cannot express my gratitude. I found this ancient immortal treasure in an immortal tomb deep within the Qilian Mountains, three hundred miles from Fire Phoenix City. It contains a sword formation method. Study it carefully, and you will surely gain something in the future."

Raising an eyebrow, Gu Feng quickly sent his divine sense into the broken sword, only to see countless characters and symbols emerge, with a small figure dancing gracefully. A profound sword intent followed, attacking his sea of consciousness, its sharpness and murderous intent almost tearing his consciousness apart!

Quickly withdrawing his divine sense, Gu Feng broke out in a cold sweat. His cultivation was only at the third stage of Qi Refining, and he couldn't handle it yet. But this thing was definitely valuable! No wonder Murong Zhengyi pursued Ye Tianchen so relentlessly!

An innocent man gets into trouble because of his wealth! In the end, it was just a matter of interests!

"This is too much..." Gu Feng said, feigning modesty, but he quickly stored the broken sword in his ring storage: "Since it's a kind gesture from my dear brother, I'll accept it."

Ye Tianchen watched and smiled without saying a word.

"Brother Gu, you have more secrets than I do," Ye Tianchen suddenly remarked with interest.

Startled, Gu Feng fell into deep thought. It was true; he had many secrets.

What kind of person was his mother? Why did she leave a remnant soul in his body!?

The Innate Dao Embryo within him had been dormant, and judging by Gu Huaisheng's frantic reaction, it must be of great value!

The "Heavenly Insight Mysterious Embryo Strategy" jade slip left by his mother's remnant soul still lay quietly in his ring storage. What was its origin, and what was its use?

Why did the Divine King, whom he had never met, favor him?

Gu Feng felt as if he was inexplicably caught in the center of a massive vortex, filled with danger yet also with the unknown!

After a while, he rolled his eyes silently, leaped up, stretched lazily, and smiled: "I'm used to being laid-back. Secrets or no secrets, I'll take it one step at a time. When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten."

Ye Tianchen nodded in agreement. In this vast world of cultivation, who could truly control their own destiny? Everything was predetermined!

The best way was to enjoy the present and live well in the moment, so as not to have lived in vain!

The two continued to drink under the night sky.

Gu Feng also gifted some spirit stones and spirit pills, which were quite valuable, though naturally not as impressive as the broken sword.

The night passed without further words.

The next morning.

Outside Heroic Spirit City, in front of the city gate.

Gu Feng, accompanied by Jiu Long and Manager Wu, escorted Ye Tianchen to the city gate. Beyond this point lay the Seven Kill Valley and the No Return Mountain, five thousand miles away.

Entering the valley meant facing the Seven Kill Demon Cave, a treacherous path of no return.

This was a song used by mortals in Heroic Spirit City to scare their mischievous children. Though not as dangerous as it sounded, the Seven Kill Valley was indeed filled with demonic beasts and dark forces, and ordinary cultivators dared not enter.

"Brother Gu, a thousand miles of escort must end in farewell. Let us part ways here!" Ye Tianchen, holding his junior sister Song Zhishan's hand, was about to ride the sword light towards Seven Kill Valley, aiming for "Falling Sword City" thousands of miles away!

It was said that the Ouyang family in Falling Sword City was dedicated to practicing the art of swordsmanship, and everyone in the family was a master of sword cultivation, making it an ideal place for Ye Tianchen to hone his Dao heart and sword intent.

"Wait, dear brother!"

At the moment of parting, Gu Feng felt a surge of emotion, and his habit of showing off kicked in again. He called out to Ye Tianchen and then gestured to Manager Wu behind him.

Manager Wu, following orders, quickly brought a bowl of wine that had been prepared in advance and handed it to the two.

"More drinking?" Ye Tianchen smiled wryly, feeling that he had drunk more in the past two days than he had in his entire life.

"This bowl of wine is different from before!"

Gu Feng bent down, grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground, and sprinkled it into Ye Tianchen's bowl.

Seeing Ye Tianchen frown, Gu Feng explained, "Though you were born in Fire Phoenix City, the Divine King has registered your cultivation status in Heroic Spirit City as of yesterday, so this city is also half your hometown!"

Raising the cup before him, Gu Feng continued, "As you leave on this long journey, who knows when we brothers will meet again. Drink this wine, and remember, cherish even a pinch of soil from your hometown over a thousand pieces of gold from elsewhere! In Heroic Spirit City, I will always have a place for you!"

Ye Tianchen's eyes reddened. He had never read "Journey to the West," nor had he heard the story of Emperor Tang Taizong's farewell to the monk. Deeply moved, he drank the bowl of wine in one go!

"Farewell!"

With a flick of his wrist, he shattered the bowl, took his junior sister by the hand, and rode the sword light into the depths of No Return Mountain!

A ray of sunlight broke through the mountain ridge, shining on Gu Feng's face, while the trees in the forest outside the city rustled in the wind, and the sound of a shepherd's flute drifted from the village.

Gu Feng watched the departing sword light in silence for a long time.

"Young master..." Manager Wu couldn't hold back and called softly.

"The morning breeze brushes the willows, the flute sounds fade, a jug of wine to savor the remaining joy..." Gu Feng murmured to himself. Though carefree by nature, he disliked the sorrow of parting. After a moment, his eyes filled with determination, and he said, "Let's go! Back home to prepare for work!"

With a flourish of his long sleeves, he turned and headed back into the city.

Jiu Long quickly followed, asking, "What work?"

Gu Feng turned back with a deep smile: "Raising an army!"