Mutual Admiration

As Yi Feng's words fell, the entire scene fell into utter silence.

A deathly stillness.

Even the faint rustling of leaves scraping against the ground seemed to echo clearly in everyone's ears.

One by one, as if electrified, the crowd fixed their fervent gazes upon Yi Feng.

Their eyes brimmed with admiration, reverence, and awe.

For his speech had struck their souls with an immense impact.

"Bravo!"

"Excellently spoken."

Finally, after that brief silence, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

"That was truly remarkable."

"Indeed, the character and ideals of a hero are beyond what we ordinary folk could ever fathom."

"He is a pillar of our human race!"

"What a profound saying—'Death may be as light as a feather, or as weighty as Mount Tai.'"

"If not for the burdens I carry, I’d wish to follow in this hero’s footsteps without hesitation!"

"Though I yearn to emulate him, upon reflection, I realize I could never measure up."

The crowd buzzed with waves of discussion.

Some burned with passion, others clenched their teeth in silent frustration, while a few, inspired by Yi Feng, stepped forward on the spot to enlist.

Yet, among all those moved by Yi Feng’s words, none were more stirred than the elderly man in charge of recruitment from the Poison Mist Isle.

Leaning on his cane, he trembled by the entrance, tears welling in his eyes.

The poison masters of the Poison Mist Isle toiled day and night, forsaking rest, dedicating themselves to humanity’s grand cause—researching tirelessly to fend off potential invasions by demonic forces. Though they were revered and well-compensated, the truth was...

No one truly understood their suffering.

The Poison Mist Isle, a base for developing lethal toxins, was devoid of life—no living creatures on the island or even in its vicinity. The poison masters lived joyless lives, enduring the noxious fumes of their concoctions every waking moment.

Rarely leaving the island, they were met with fear and avoidance—people recoiled at the mere mention of their origin, terrified of contamination. Even their mission to use poison as a defense against future demonic invasions was met with skepticism and opposition, accused of risking human lives and polluting the environment.

This recruitment task, a thankless duty, had accustomed him to cold indifference.

At this thought, the old man wiped away a tear and sighed heavily at the sky...

But today, at last, someone understood the silent sacrifices of these poison masters for humanity’s future.

Someone had given voice to their hardships.

Someone recognized their worth.

As Yi Feng had said, many of the island’s poison masters were once renowned figures, great luminaries who now labored in obscurity, their brilliance hidden, their contributions unsung.

"Young master, please accept this old man’s gratitude once more."

Overcome with emotion, the elder clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Yi Feng.

Yi Feng swiftly stepped forward to steady him.

He knew the act had to be convincing—after all, his path to the Yellow Springs depended entirely on this very man.

Feigning emotion, he reddened his eyes and grasped the elder’s hands solemnly. "Elder, I am unworthy of such respect. If anyone should bow, it is I to you."

"Your silent sacrifices for humanity’s future are a noble endeavor, a selfless devotion. ‘The silkworm labors until death to spin its silk; the candle burns to ashes before its tears dry.’ These words could not better describe your efforts."

With that, Yi Feng cupped his hands and bowed respectfully to the elder.

Moved by the sight, the surrounding crowd followed suit, their hands clasped in reverence.

"Elder, please accept our respects as well."

"Good, good, good..."

"Hahaha..."

"What a fitting verse—‘The silkworm labors until death to spin its silk; the candle burns to ashes before its tears dry.’"

Overwhelmed by the sudden recognition, the elder trembled with joy, shaking off his attendant’s supporting hand. He spread his arms and laughed heartily at the sky.

"With these words alone, even if we old bones perish on that accursed isle, it will have been worth it!"

"Worth every sacrifice!"

Watching the elder, Yi Feng felt an unexpected pang of genuine respect.

His once-indifferent gaze now held true reverence.

Yet, he did not forget his purpose. Gripping the elder’s hand, he spoke with earnest determination: "So, I implore you—grant my request. Let me test your poisons!"

"Very well, very well!"

The elder clasped Yi Feng’s hand tightly, his last reservations dissolving.

"What a fine young man."

High above, a robed elder hovered unseen in the sky.

The air around him seemed to warp, blending him seamlessly into the space—so perfectly concealed that none below noticed his presence.

From this vantage, he observed every detail of the recruitment scene unfolding on the street.

Had Yi Feng looked up, he might have recognized this figure—the same venomous old man who had played chess with him on Moonlit Isle, offered to take him as a disciple, and gifted him a life-saving talisman.

"Boy, I never imagined your resolve would surpass even mine."

The old man nodded in approval. "With your ability to obtain the Death Inheritance and your level of enlightenment, few are truly worthy of being your master!"

"You’ve only made me more eager to take you as my disciple."

Unable to contain his satisfaction, the old man stroked his beard, beaming with pride.

"However, this lad has already successfully registered for the Heavenly Poison Island trial, and the purpose of Heavenly Poison Island is indeed for the greater good of humanity. I cannot interfere with his participation just because I wish to take him as my disciple—that would only harm his state of mind."

"But I can’t just let him die either."

Frowning again, the old man crossed his arms and sank into deep thought.

After a long while, he finally reached a decision. "In that case, I’ll register as well and follow him closely to protect him. When he’s on the verge of death from poisoning, I’ll pull him back. That way, I won’t disrupt the trial, nor will I let him perish."

Under the old man’s enthusiastic urging, Yi Feng successfully completed his registration.

A few others in the crowd, inspired by Yi Feng’s 'poisoned chicken soup' speech, also signed up—though they had the heart for it, they lacked the strength.

After all, unless one reached a certain level of cultivation, encountering a Dao Mirror expert was no ordinary matter.

Just as Yi Feng and the old man were content with the outcome and the onlookers dispersed in admiration, another elder, wearing a bamboo hat, suddenly descended and approached the registration desk.

"No need for questions or explanations. All for the sake of humanity’s greater cause!"

The newcomer directly borrowed Yi Feng’s impassioned words, delivering a rousing speech of his own.

As he finished, the elder beneath the hat instinctively glanced toward Yi Feng.

Coincidentally, Yi Feng also turned his gaze in his direction.

Through the veil of the bamboo hat, their eyes met.

I only spoke of ‘greater cause’ to recruit him as my disciple. Compared to this young man who truly acts for righteousness, I, his future master, fall short.

Truly, this lad is admirable!

The elder thought to himself...

I only seek death to achieve immortality through rebirth—my grand words were just a pretense. Compared to this elder who genuinely fights for righteousness, I’m nothing but a sham.

This old man is truly respectable!

Yi Feng reflected inwardly...

With this realization, the two exchanged a solemn nod.

"Mutual admiration—heroes truly recognize one another!"

The elder overseeing the registration, witnessing the profound gaze between the two, couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Hearing this, the elder beneath the hat flushed with embarrassment.

Yi Feng coughed awkwardly, tilting his head up to stare at the sky.

Still, slow as it was and despite the occasional hiccups, the quality of the moment remained intact.