Xue Jiang was drinking with his dad, while their mother was preparing dinner.

“You know, Xiao Jiang, now that you're home, you should help more around the house. Preparing dinner for Old Yang all these years is tiring. If he wasn’t such a bad cook, I would have forced him to do it by now.” Bao Qing says with a sigh.

Xue Jiang lets out a chuckle. “I'll prepare dinner tomorrow. I was actually thinking of getting into the chef business, but I'm not quite sure where I should be looking for ingredients.” He says, recalling his previous plans.

Xue Yang’s eyes brighten. “The chef business? That’s great! You can cook dinner each night then! As for ingredients, that’s easy. Weren’t you just at the Demon Gathering Forest? There should be plenty of ingredients there, and it’s safe enough for someone of your level. It’s said that there are a few Nascent Soul level creatures, but I haven’t heard any news about it lately. As long as you’re careful, you should be fine.” He explains, before taking a sip of his rice wine.

Xue Jiang rubs his chin. “Hmm. The Demon Gathering Forest; perhaps…” He says, considering whether he was prepared enough for the risk.

Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening is heard.

“Mom, are you here? I brought someone to visit!” Xue Jian calls out.

Bao Qing’s eyes widen, and she hurriedly goes to the door. “Ah, Xiao Jian, you’re home! Who have you brought? Such a pretty lady!” She exclaims, giving her son a hug, while examining their guest.

Xin Ying bows her head. “Hello, Aunt Bao. I’m Xin Ying, a friend of Xue Jian’s.” She says, her cheeks slightly red.

Bao Qing lets out a smile. “Well, I hope you’ll be friends for a long time. Come, I’ll prepare more for dinner.” She says, leading the way into the house.

Xue Jian follows after Bao Qing and enters the dining room with Xin Ying, when his eyes meet Xue Jiang’s. He couldn’t help but let out a small smile. “Older brother, you’re back. You’ve made a breakthrough as well.” He says, upon seeing Xue Jiang.

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Xue Jiang lets out a smile, and scratches his chin. In truth, as the older brother, he was somewhat embarrassed at his slow progress. “Hah, I got by with some luck.” He says, not getting too deep into the matter.

“Come, sit.” Bao Qing says, gesturing for the two to take a seat.

Xue Yang pours another glass of rice wine for Xue Jian and places it before him. “So, how’s the sect? What brings you around this time around. Don’t tell us you came to introduce your future wife?” He says with a laugh.

Xue Jian’s cheeks flush red as he takes the glass of rice wine and drinks the whole thing to hide his shame. “Hmm, we just came by to thank Xue Jiang for defending us at the Flood Dragon Restaurant. Though I could have handled it myself, he freed us from raising a hand.” He says, changing the subject.

“Thanks for your help, Brother Jiang.” Xin Ying says with a slight bow.

Xue Jiang lets out a bitter smile. “No need to thank me; the matter was mostly resolved by Wang Tian.” He says, somewhat embarrassed to be thanked for something trivial.

Xue Yang takes a sip of his cup, listening to the two. “So what brings you to the city?” He asks. He knew it had to be something; Xue Jian was usually busy with some sort of sect matter.

Xue Jian pours himself another glass as he explains. “The True Sword sect is gathering several inner disciples to perform a spirit contracting ceremony at the Demon Gathering Forest; if we’re lucky and chosen by a spirit, we’ll be able to form a contract.” He says.

Xue Yang’s eyes brighten. “Hmm, a spirit contract; that’s a good thing. The guys at the city guard who have one are able to cultivate much faster than the others; not to mention the weird abilities they’re able to gain.” He says, recalling his experience.

Xue Jian turns to Xue Jiang, pondering a thought. “Since you’ve become a Core Formation expert, why don’t you come back to the sect? Once the sect elders understand that your future path of cultivation is still open, I’m sure they’d be willing to let you become an inner disciple.” He says, suggesting a possibility.

Xue Jiang takes a sip of his cup, his cheeks becoming slightly hot from the alcohol. “It is something I’ve considered, but alas, I’ve somewhat grown accustomed to the freedom in being a loose cultivator. If I’m restricted by a sect now, it may somewhat limit my progress.” He says, explaining his thoughts on the matter. With the way it stood, the remnants of the Dragon Blood Cult was providing a way forward for his cultivation, and if Xue Jiang continued to progress, it’s possible that he can continue to follow the trail to the deeper secrets of the Dragon Blood Cult. If he was limited by a sect, pursuing this matter would become more difficult.

Xue Jian takes another sip. “Just think about it. There’s no rush to this matter. But I should let you know, the resources for inner disciples are much more abundant than for the outer disciples. If you’re unable to sustain the cost of resources for your cultivation, the True Sword sect is a valid road to walk.” He says, explaining, before letting the matter rest.

Xue Jiang takes another sip of his cup, thinking of his future plans. It seems he and his brother were both heading to the Demon Gathering Forest. He was wondering if they should go together, but as Xue Jiang looks at Xin Ying, he couldn’t help but shake his head. He could think of much better things to do than being a third wheel for his brother and his girlfriend.

“Come, the appetizer's are ready. Xue Jiang help with the dishes.” Bao Qing says, gesturing to Xue Jiang.

Xue Jiang quickly stands and hurries to help with the dishes.