Chapter 118: Sandy Bestows a Treasure, The Old Demon Blocks the Path!

"Junior brother, how long will you be gone this time?"

In front of the gates of Wuzhuang Temple, Mingyue looked at Lu Wufei, who had once again donned the black dharma robe he had gifted him, noting the distinguished air about him.

"Three to five years at the shortest, and..." Lu Wufei looked at Mingyue’s expectant expression and smiled, pausing slightly before adding, "perhaps thirty or fifty years at the longest."

"Thirty or fifty years!" Mingyue’s eyes widened, and he exclaimed, "You haven't even been at the temple for that long since you first joined, and you’re going to be gone for decades?"

"Have you no conscience? Can you bear to leave Senior Brother and me to do another thirty or fifty years of chores?"

Hearing Mingyue’s disgruntled tone, Xiaobai, who was perched on Lu Wufei’s shoulder, opened its mouth and chimed in, "Zhi-zhi-zhi."

"Look, Junior Brother, even Xiaobai can't stand it."

"See, Xiaobai? I knew you were worth the trouble," Mingyue said with delight. He reached into his robes, pulled out a string of crystal-clear fruits, and tossed them toward the little creature. "Catch!"

Xiaobai raised its short arms, easily caught the fruit, clamped it in its mouth, and immediately pressed its palms together, bowing toward Mingyue in gratitude. "Zhi!"

Watching Xiaobai, Mingyue grew even fonder of it. "Junior Brother, if you’re too busy to come back, that’s fine, but at least send Xiaobai back. I really like it."

"Zhi-zhi-zhi," Xiaobai replied, its mouth still busy with the fruit.

"Three to five years at the minimum, maybe a decade or so," Lu Wufei said, looking at his two senior brothers. "I returned in such a rush last time, and there are many matters still awaiting me."

"Besides, this journey eastward is long, and I don't know how long it will take to find the opportunity for breakthrough that Master mentioned."

"I can only promise that once I have finished my business, I will return as soon as possible to see Master and you two."

Hearing the sincerity in Lu Wufei’s voice, Mingyue stopped joking. "Don't take my words to heart, Junior Brother. Focus on your business first. My senior brother and I will always be here waiting for you. Just remember to come back when you are tired."

Lu Wufei nodded immediately. "Of course, I wouldn't take it to heart."

Qingfeng then spoke up, "Junior Brother, when seeking an opportunity for breakthrough, do not be impatient, and do not force it. Let things take their natural course."

"Just as Mingyue said, Mingyue, myself, the other brothers, and Master will always be here."

"If you encounter trouble, don't feel the need to be brave. A momentary victory or defeat means nothing; your own safety is what matters most."

Lu Wufei nodded. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. I will keep it in mind!"

He bowed to Qingfeng and Mingyue once more. "Take care, Senior Brothers. Farewell!"

On his shoulder, Xiaobai also bowed. "Zhi-zhi-zhi."

Qingfeng and Mingyue returned the gesture. "Travel safely, Junior Brother."

"Goodbye, Xiaobai."

"Zhi-zhi-zhi."

After the farewells, Lu Wufei did not mount a cloud as he usually did. Instead, he turned and, with Xiaobai, walked step by step down Mount Wanshou.

Behind him, as Mingyue watched his junior brother’s figure disappear around a corner, he sighed, "In the blink of an eye, Junior Brother’s cultivation has caught up with ours. He’s almost a Human Immortal."

"Indeed," Qingfeng sighed. "Junior Brother has been incredibly focused on his cultivation during these twenty years back on the mountain. He is gifted, and having experienced the trials of the mortal world, it is no surprise he has made such progress."

"Do you remember when Junior Brother returned last time?"

Mingyue nodded. "Of course. He was severely wounded."

"If such a high price is the only way to achieve such great progress, then I would rather not have it." Thinking of the stories his junior brother had told him—of fighting and struggling against various demons—Mingyue shivered at the thought of it being himself, and he shook his head vigorously.

"Exactly," Qingfeng said, smiling at Mingyue’s reaction. "We admire the things Junior Brother has experienced and endured."

"That is not something we can learn, but we should work hard on our own cultivation as well."

"Otherwise, when Junior Brother returns next, he will surely be a Human Immortal."

"It wouldn't look good if the latest arrival were to become a Human Immortal before us."

Mingyue nodded in agreement. "Senior Brother is right, but... are we still going fishing today?"

Qingfeng nodded immediately. "Of course! If I don't catch anything today, I shall cast my rod and return to cultivation."

"Let's go, lest we waste the time."

With that, Qingfeng strode back toward the temple gates.

"Wait for me, Senior Brother!" Mingyue called out.

***

At the foot of the mountain, after descending the last white stone step, Lu Wufei looked back once at the majestic, towering Mount Wanshou.

He then summoned a cloud beneath his feet and flew rapidly into the distance.

Five days later, mist covered the horizon. The Liusha River was approaching. Lu Wufei descended toward the river.

For the past eleven years, he had intended to visit Sha Wujing every three years for a drink, but after meeting Xiaobai—who had spent nine years enduring countless hardships to reach Mount Wanshou, only to arrive heavily wounded—Lu Wufei had retreated into the temple.

He had dedicated himself entirely to cultivation and had not left the mountain to drink with Sha Wujing since.

Eleven years had passed in the blink of an eye. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Core stage; he was only one step away from entering the realm of the Human Immortal and shedding his mortal coil.

As he had told his senior brothers, he did not know how long it would take to find his opportunity for breakthrough on this eastward journey.

Perhaps he would find it as soon as he left, or perhaps it would take twenty years or more.

Thus, he felt he had to drink with his friend, Sha Wujing, before heading east, as he did not know when he would return.

"Friend Sha!" Lu Wufei called out as he reached the sky above the Liusha River.

The words had barely left his lips when a booming voice rose from beneath the water. A figure shot out from the Liusha River and appeared before Lu Wufei in an instant.

With red hair and a beard, a blue face, fangs, a height of four meters, and a string of skulls hanging around his neck, the terrifying figure was none other than Sha Wujing.

Seeing Lu Wufei, Sha Wujing’s face lit up with joy. "Friend Lu, it has been a long time!"

"Eleven years and three months," Lu Wufei said with a smile. "Cultivation takes time."

"Indeed. I had forgotten that you were still in the Golden Core stage. My apologies, my apologies," Sha Wujing said, realizing his mistake and looking apologetic. "You must prioritize your cultivation."

However, after a closer look, he realized Lu Wufei’s aura was full and rounded—a sign of an impending breakthrough. "Congratulations, Friend Lu!"

"Let’s not talk of that now. Let us drink!" Lu Wufei laughed and flew toward the nearby mountain forest.

As for why they didn't drink in the Liusha River, it was because the environment there was too harsh. Lu Wufei could handle it, but staying for a long time was uncomfortable. More importantly, for Sha Wujing, living at the bottom of the Liusha River was akin to being a prisoner. One could not enjoy a drink and meat with a friend in such a wretched place.

Soon, they arrived at the foot of a mountain near the river—the very place where they had shared their first drink.

They built a fire, set up a pot, and added the meat. Before long, the bonfire was blazing, and the stew began to bubble.

Lu Wufei added several seasonings, and with a wave of his hand, ten large jars of wine appeared on the ground.

"Come," Sha Wujing said, breaking the seals and filling two large bowls to the brim. He raised his bowl. "Friend Lu, thank you for coming to see me. I am not good with words; everything is in the wine."

"Haha!" Hearing the familiar words, Lu Wufei laughed. "Come, Friend Sha, there is no need for such formalities between us."

They clinked bowls and downed the wine in one go.

"Zhi-zhi." Attracted by the aroma of the wine, Xiaobai poked its head out from Lu Wufei’s chest.

Sha Wujing smiled when he saw it. "Is this the little mouse that was too afraid to come near us when we first met?"

Lu Wufei nodded. "This is Friend Sha," he said to Xiaobai, which had quickly climbed onto his shoulder.

Hearing this, Xiaobai stood up and bowed toward Sha Wujing. "Zhi-zhi-zhi."

"Haha, a clever little spiritual beast!" Sha Wujing laughed. He reached into his robes and pulled out a crystal-clear bead the size of a small grape. "I have no great treasures, but this bead is something I refined by collecting the essence and the surging power of the Liusha River. It has both offensive and defensive properties, and it allows one to travel underwater. Consider it a meeting gift for the little one."

The bead flew to Xiaobai. It widened its eyes in delight, but it didn't take it immediately, looking instead at its father.

Lu Wufei saw that it was a dharma treasure, and such a small, useful item was perfect for Xiaobai. He nodded. "Take it. Friend Sha is not an outsider."

Xiaobai squeaked excitedly, grabbed the bead, and then, remembering what its father had taught it, tucked the bead under its foot and bowed to Sha Wujing.

"Haha, truly a clever little one," Sha Wujing said, raising his bowl again. "You were right, Friend Lu, this is worth three bowls!"

"I thank you on Xiaobai's behalf, Friend Sha," Lu Wufei said, raising his bowl. "Cheers!"

He would have refused a treasure for himself, but for Xiaobai, and given that it was such a fitting gift, he had no reason to decline.

"Friend Lu, the little one has already thanked me," Sha Wujing said with a laugh, raising his bowl again.

"Cheers!"

After three bowls, Lu Wufei asked, "Friend Sha, it seems there is one more skull on your necklace than there was last time."

Sha Wujing swallowed a chunk of meat and pulled at the skulls around his neck. "You mean these? Another monk came to the bank last year wanting to cross. I couldn't help myself and ate him. His head fell into the water, but it wouldn't sink, so I strung it up. I keep encountering these monks on pilgrimages—I don't know where they all come from, and why their skulls don't sink. I don't understand, I don't understand."

Sha Wujing shook his head and continued eating. Lu Wufei replied casually, though he thought to himself, *You will find out in time.*

The belated meal lasted until the next morning.

When they had finished, Lu Wufei bowed. "Friend Sha, I must take my leave. I will come to see you again next time."

Sha Wujing, satisfied, bowed back. "Take care, Friend Lu. I will be here waiting for you."

***

After the farewell, Lu Wufei flew straight toward the high sky on the other side of the Liusha River.

Behind him, Sha Wujing watched until Lu Wufei’s figure vanished into the sky, then stepped back into the mists of the Liusha River.

*Whoosh.* The wind whistled past his ears.

After crossing the territory of the Liusha River and entering the land of Nanzhan Buzhou, Lu Wufei continued flying forward.

This time, he did not intend to use the "Golden Light of Earth-Travel" to speed up his journey. His master had said his opportunity for breakthrough lay in traveling eastward, which meant he should travel by journeying, not just by flying blindly.

"Zhi." As he flew through the clouds, he looked at Xiaobai, who was playing happily with the bead Sha Wujing had given it.

"Let me see," Lu Wufei said, reaching out.

Xiaobai handed the bead to him and waited with wide, dark eyes.

"A mid-grade dharma treasure." Lu Wufei felt the aura of the bead and was surprised by its quality. He knew that dharma treasures were rare, but considering Sha Wujing had been an official in the Heavenly Court for many years before being banished, it was not entirely unexpected.

The bead was heavy, crystalline on the surface, with water swirling inside. Just as Sha Wujing had described, it was a treasure refined over many years by condensing the essence of the Liusha River.

After careful examination, Lu Wufei realized Sha Wujing had not exaggerated. It was effective both offensively and defensively. With Xiaobai at the mid-stage of the Demon General realm, even an average Demon Commander would find it difficult to break through its defense. Combined with the water essence, it was incredibly practical.

Sha Wujing’s gift was quite generous. Lu Wufei kept it in mind. He sighed inwardly; although he had seized many weapons, none were really suitable for Xiaobai. He had very few other treasures. While his own gear was sufficient for now, he lacked the means to provide for his other brothers.

*Perhaps I should try the way of weapon refining,* he thought. *With my interface, the progress bars, and experience points, it should be relatively easy.*

With that thought in mind, Lu Wufei stopped worrying and began teaching Xiaobai how to refine the bead. Before long, Xiaobai was able to use it with ease.

Watching Xiaobai play with the bead, Lu Wufei stroked its head. Looking at the endless mountain ranges ahead, he could not help but think of the crow demon, Red-Skin, Huang Gui, and the others from Wandashan.

Through the little one, he knew they had all survived that great battle, but it had been twenty years, and they had not reached out in his dreams as they once had.

And his sworn brother, Bai Yunxiao—he wondered how he was doing and if he had been implicated because of him. However, given the attitude of the Yellow Wind Demon toward him, he suspected the old demon would not do anything to his sworn brother. He never would have expected the Yellow Wind Demon to become the new ancestor sought by the three demon kings of the Dahuang Mountains.

Leaving Wuzhuang Temple brought many memories flooding back.

In the days that followed, Lu Wufei traveled slowly, with no sense of urgency.

Five months later, just as Lu Wufei was about to leave the vast mountain range that bordered the Liusha River and the boundary between Nanzhan Buzhou and Xiniu Hezhou, a short figure suddenly appeared on a craggy peak directly in his path.

"Hey, kid! You know you have to pay a protection fee to pass through here, right?"

As soon as the short figure spoke, a massive, overwhelming aura surged toward him like a tidal wave. Lu Wufei’s expression changed instantly. He recognized this aura—it was the same old demon who had blocked his path and tried to rob him when he was on his way to the Flower-Fruit Mountain!