Hometown Delicacies

Yi Feng grew even more nostalgic about his past life when asked, unable to help but gaze up at the vast sky with a look of longing.

“Dragon whisker noodles…”

“That’s a delicacy from my hometown, true to its name.”

Clang!

Wei Donghai’s heart skipped a beat in shock.

Dragon whiskers were an incredibly precious sacred treasure—just one strand was enough to ignite bloodshed beyond the borders. And yet, this senior actually ate them as noodles! How many strands must have gone into a single meal?

By this logic, today’s harvest was clearly insufficient!

This was an unimaginably terrifying feat…

The gap between them was like heaven and earth!

Imagining a bowl of golden dragon whisker noodles, Wei Donghai felt a chill run down his spine.

But when he looked at Yi Feng, he saw that deep, starry gaze full of wistful emotion—as if he had witnessed the rise and fall of countless ages, as if he had lived through a hundred lifetimes, unfathomably profound.

Wei Donghai couldn’t help but fall into deep contemplation and yearning, carefully savoring every word the senior had spoken.

“A hometown delicacy.”

Mulling over these words, he glanced again at the senior who stood quietly, eyes fixed on the starry sky.

Could it be…

Suddenly,

Wei Donghai’s eyes widened in terror, as if he had just realized a horrifying truth!

Gasp!

Even as a Fifth-Rank Saint, he was stunned into silence!

He hastily covered his half-bald mouth, his face draining of color in fright!

Fortunately, Yi Feng was lost in his own homesickness and didn’t notice.

Watching that calm, serene figure standing there, Wei Donghai was completely in awe and finally understood—this senior was an unimaginable, peerless master.

A Saint taking on disciples.

Recalling his earlier jest, he blushed deeply with shame.

Overwhelmed with emotion and reverence, Wei Donghai’s eyes shone with admiration, and the long-buried wish in his heart seemed to be stirred awake.

If this senior were to act, success would surely be swift and assured.

After hesitating for a few moments, he nervously dared to speak.

“Yi… Brother Yi, meeting you today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes. If you happen to have some free time recently, would you be interested in venturing out to the outside world?”

“I’m ashamed to say this, but I have a favor to ask…”

Yi Feng turned back at the sound of his voice.

Curiosity piqued, he asked,

“Where to?”

Just that casual question ignited a surge of hope and honor in Wei Donghai’s heart, his excitement soaring instantly!

He quickly replied truthfully, “It’s the rumored Return to the Ancient Corridor. I shouldn’t have asked, but something extremely important was lost there, and I’m utterly helpless…”

Wei Donghai knew well the terror of the Return to the Ancient Corridor and naturally dared not conceal anything.

This senior had already bestowed him a great opportunity—an immense kindness. Facing such a deadly place, refusal would be understandable.

Grateful beyond words, how could he repay kindness with resentment?

Yet, before Wei Donghai could finish his anxious plea,

Yi Feng sighed silently, a hint of disappointment and loneliness in his voice.

“Oh.”

“So that’s it. Though I’ve passed through a few times and found it rather dull, since you’re looking for something, and I have nothing better to do, I’ll accompany you.”

Hiss…

Those words sent a tremor through Wei Donghai’s body!

His heart was like a towering wave, leaving him utterly speechless for a long while.

He gazed up in deep reverence.

All he could do was bow and thank him.

“Thank you, thank you, Brother Yi!”

No wonder this senior was truly extraordinary.

The perilous ancient corridor, a place so dangerous, had already been traversed several times—yet it now felt utterly mundane!

Such cultivation prowess was truly terrifying beyond measure!

Filled with overwhelming excitement, Wei Donghai was somewhat at a loss, hastily stepping aside in the void with utmost courtesy, inviting his senior to lead the way.

If not for his limited talent and advanced age, knowing he was unlikely to catch the master’s eye, he would have knelt on the spot to become a disciple!

Seeing the serious demeanor,

Yi Feng no longer hesitated and stepped into the void ahead.

Once again, they returned to the village.

At the gate, after expressing heartfelt thanks and agreeing to set out for the ancient corridor the next day, Wei Donghai bowed repeatedly before respectfully taking his leave, not daring to overstay his welcome.

Watching the old man’s excited figure vanish into the distance, Yi Feng couldn’t help but smile wryly.

He had only given up half a handful of dragon whiskers and still had to be guided along the way.

Yet the old man was so polite, even returning half of it in the end—what kind of person was this? Truly an honest soul.

Gazing at the hundred or so dragon whiskers in his hand,

Yi Feng smiled faintly, filled with a sense of accomplishment and gain. Leisurely, he turned back into the courtyard and busied himself preparing the day’s side dishes to accompany the wine.

The small courtyard kitchen was warm and peaceful.

But in the village, everything had already taken a twisted turn!

Not long after leaving the village entrance,

Seeing no one around, Wei Donghai quickly hid the dragon whiskers and suddenly broke into a sprint, not daring to tear open space and disturb his senior again.

His divine sense relayed words, while his legs spun like electric fans!

Dust billowed as he rushed straight toward the back mountain.

When he arrived, standing at the foot of the mountain by the pavilion at the forest’s edge,

Several figures tore through the void and appeared, each looking as if they’d seen a ghost—first stunned, then breaking into mocking laughter!

“This… pfft!”

“Old Wei, have you gone crazy? Running here like a mere mortal?”

“How’d the disciple recruitment go? Judging by your stance, could it be you succeeded?”

“Hmph, if he made the first move and took in a junior as a disciple, what’s so hard about that?”

“Well, even if he got lucky, with that kind of talent, there’s nothing to brag about.”

“Let him have his moment in the spotlight. It’s all just teasing Fu Nantian anyway—anyone else would be the same.”

Old friends jeered with unmistakable hints of bitterness.

In the past, Wei Donghai would have retaliated fiercely, battling for pride—this was their usual pastime in seclusion, their way of enjoying their leisure.

But now, Wei Donghai had come to understand the truth.

Naturally, he no longer cared about their taunts, nor did he take the ignorant remarks about his senior’s disciple seriously.

Moreover, since his senior had come here, it seemed Fu Nantian was unaware of his true strength. This clearly suggested a desire for secrecy—how could he dare reveal such secrets?

With intense focus, Wei Donghai revealed the secret weighing on his heart.

“Friends, this matter is no longer important!”

“In two days, I will venture into the ancient corridor to search for a lost treasure. Is there anyone willing to accompany me?”

At these words, the old men’s expressions changed dramatically.

“Are you mad?”

“Failing to recruit a disciple doesn’t mean you have to seek death yourself!”

“Exactly! Your treasure was lost deep within the ancient corridor. When we were young and reckless, we nearly perished there. Even now, with our greatly improved cultivation, it remains incredibly dangerous!”

The atmosphere grew heavy with tension.

Wei Donghai smiled faintly and spoke, revealing a bit of the inside story.

“Everyone, there’s no need to panic. This journey holds no danger—in fact, it might bring a rare opportunity!”

Yet, no one believed Wei Donghai’s words.

In the blink of an eye,

Several elders voiced their objections before one after another vanishing into the void.

Only his senior brother, Zui Wuya, who usually went woodcutting with him, solemnly promised,

“I never expected that after all these years, you’re still so fixated.”

“Since your heart won’t let go, I’ll accompany you this time. No matter the outcome, you mustn’t linger on this any longer afterward!”

Feeling the deep bond of brotherhood, Wei Donghai was deeply moved.

At the same time, he was grateful for his senior brother’s wisdom!

“Senior Brother! Trust me, this time we’ll definitely succeed, and you’ll gain a rare opportunity as well!”

Opportunity.

Opportunity my foot…

For the sake of years of regret, this junior brother was close to losing his mind. What kind of karma had he brought upon himself?

Zui Wuya’s face was filled with helplessness and a complicated expression.

“Hmm…”

Though helpless, Zui Wuya had already prepared for the worst.

The dangers lurking deep within the ancient corridor were unimaginable; they had to bring enough life-saving treasures, even the long-forgotten, life-bound sacred artifact had to see the light of day again.

This journey would be a fight for survival against all odds.

Ah, who asked him to have such a troublesome junior brother!