Meeting Senior Yi Again

"Hurry up and go in, why are you just standing there dumbfounded at the door?"

A voice called out from behind—it was Zui Wuya striding over.

Wei Donghai wanted to speak but hesitated, unsure of his words.

"I, I…"

Seeing his junior brother’s indecisive expression, Zui Wuya scolded him with exasperation.

"What’s with the stuttering?"

"Are you reluctant to part with those treasures? Junior Brother, let me be frank—Senior Yi Feng has granted us a heaven-sent opportunity. Though he seeks no repayment for his kindness, we mustn’t be stingy!"

"With divine swords protecting us, our strength has soared. We must elevate our mindset too! If we can’t even let go of these trivial things, wouldn’t we disappoint Senior Yi Feng?"

Hearing the misunderstanding, Wei Donghai quickly defended himself.

"No! How could I be that kind of person?"

"Just now, I thought I saw Senior Yi Feng… right at the entrance of the courtyard ahead…"

Zui Wuya paused, then burst into laughter.

"Senior Yi Feng?"

"Hah! Senior Yi Feng left with those extraterrestrial visitors days ago. Given their cultivation, they’ve likely traveled to unimaginably distant lands by now. How could you possibly see him here?"

"Are you sleepwalking or something?"

Wei Donghai’s face flushed with embarrassment, but he still muttered stubbornly.

"But… I really thought I saw him."

Zui Wuya eyed him skeptically and pushed the gate open.

The tranquil courtyard showed no signs of activity. Dust had settled on the stone table, clearly untouched for days. With Fu Nantian still in the Ancient Corridor, the scene confirmed Yi Feng’s absence.

Zui Wuya turned back with a mocking grin.

"See? Does this look like anyone’s here?"

"Senior Yi Feng left with those three outsiders days ago. They must be far beyond this village by now—there’s no way he’d still be around!"

Faced with evidence and his senior brother’s insistence, Wei Donghai finally relented, scratching his head awkwardly.

"You’re right… I must’ve been seeing things."

"Let’s just leave the treasures and hurry back to meditate. We’ve absorbed so much Dao energy—it’s time to refine and integrate it properly."

"With these divine swords, our combat power will surely skyrocket!"

Finally steering the conversation back on track, Zui Wuya nodded seriously.

"Exactly. We’re the weakest in cultivation, so our potential for growth is the greatest. Let’s quietly refine this Dao energy first—we’ll shock everyone later!"

With that, the two brothers, each harboring their own schemes, stepped into Yi Feng’s house.

"Junior Brother, don’t hold back now…"

Zui Wuya feigned generosity, though inwardly he was smug. Having offered dozens of dragon whiskers, he was certain Senior Yi Feng would favor him more.

"Senior Brother, you flatter me. I may not match you, but I’m no miser either!"

Wei Donghai played humble, but his hidden agenda was even more cunning—he’d left behind over a hundred rare treasures, along with a jug of wine tucked secretly in his spatial ring. His modest words masked a competitive spirit worthy of a true overachiever.

After arranging their offerings, the two exchanged knowing smiles and departed together.

……

The Boundless Dark Domain.

With a soft "whoosh," Yi Feng reappeared astride his steed, Manman.

Surveying the vaguely familiar scenery and spotting the flying vessel overhead, he exhaled in relief, silently congratulating himself on preserving his reputation as a guide.

Seeing only demon carcasses littering the area and no other disturbances, Yi Feng recalled Manman and prepared to nap while waiting.

Suddenly, three streaks of light shot toward him from different directions, materializing into the trio of experts.

The leading woman, her gaze icy, spoke with detached indifference.

"Where did you go just now?"

"This place is fraught with danger, teeming with savage demons. At your half-Saint cultivation, you lack the means to protect yourself. Reckless exploration could cost you your life—even the three of us might not reach you in time."

Seeing that Yi Feng seemed unharmed by sheer luck, she lost interest in further questions and turned away with a dismissive command.

"Enough. Let’s keep moving."

With those words, her jade-like foot stepped onto the flying vessel, the other two following closely behind.

Though her attitude was less than warm, her intentions weren’t malicious. Yi Feng didn’t protest and boarded the vessel with them, soaring once more through the black mist.

For days, the vessel streaked like a comet across the sky.

Yet Yi Feng no longer marveled as he had before.

After witnessing Manman’s capabilities, the flying vessel now seemed utterly mundane. Its once-astonishing speed felt sluggish, the landscapes below and misty surroundings passing by in clear, unhurried detail.

Gone was the thrill of riding Manman—the instant arrivals, the heart-pounding excitement. Now, it felt like plodding along on an oxcart, lulling him into drowsy boredom.

With nothing to do, Yi Feng stole glances at the trio.

The aloof woman remained as detached as ever, and her companions were no different—all immersed in silent meditation, indifferent to their surroundings, exuding an air of lofty detachment.

But after days of watching them meditate without a single pause to hunt demons, Yi Feng grew restless. Even his stock of local eggs couldn’t stave off the monotony anymore.

Seeing their ascetic disinterest in worldly pleasures, Yi Feng hatched a mischievous plan.

Why not sneak back for a proper meal?

The idea took root, growing more appealing by the second.

Quietly summoning Manman at the vessel’s edge, he mounted with another soft "whoosh."

The sound was faint, drowned entirely by the rushing wind—no louder than a fly’s buzz, nearly imperceptible.

In a flash, Yi Feng was back in the village.

The familiar kitchen, the peaceful courtyard—everything radiated comfort and the warmth of life.

After much practice, he’d grown adept with the Old Man’s cooking tools. Soon, a bowl of dragon-whisker noodles and two poached eggs sat before him.

One delicious meal later, his energy was fully restored.

He didn’t need to guess—the dragon whiskers were undoubtedly left by Wei Donghai. Only that Old Man had hunted with him before. The village’s kindness never failed to touch him.

A post-meal cup of tea soothed and refreshed.

Satiated and content, Yi Feng stretched lazily under the sun outside his door, reveling in another successful slacking-off session. Just as he was about to summon Manman for the return trip—

Wei Donghai emerged from seclusion.

After two or three days of refining, he’d nearly fully integrated the Dao energy absorbed in the Ancient Corridor. His power had surged, leaving him immensely satisfied.

He was on his way to Fu Nantian’s courtyard to tidy up for Senior Yi Feng’s eventual return—a small gesture of gratitude.

But before arriving, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

The carefree stretch, the radiant smile like the first dawn of spring—every movement and expression carried an indescribable aura of transcendent ease.

That person…

It was Senior Yi Feng!