Chapter 113: Friends on the Path, Returning to Ba Yun Sect

The dramatic changes at Medicine King Valley, and the threat of the entire Eastern Continent descending into chaos, had a profound impact on both Yu Xian and Zheng Huo.

However, it didn’t concern them too much.

After all, when the sky falls, it is the tall ones who bear the burden.

If Yu Xian were the tall one, given his nature, he would undoubtedly shoulder the responsibility.

But as things stood, neither he nor Zheng Huo could be considered tall.

They were mere ants in the face of such a grand calamity.

If the Eastern Continent truly descended into chaos, with Sky Demons rising and threatening to wipe out all life, they would have no means of escape or defense.

Their Foundation Establishment cultivation level was far too weak to resist such a catastrophe.

Only cultivators of the Core Formation stage or higher might have a chance to flee across the ocean to another continent.

Yu Xian and Zheng Huo had flown nonstop for an entire day, exhausting most of their spiritual energy, before they finally stopped.

They had already covered more than 2,000 miles, leaving Medicine King Valley far behind.

Yu Xian’s expression was serious, while Zheng Huo, despite his usual confidence, was visibly shaken, often glancing over his shoulder, afraid that the Sky Demons might be chasing them.

They landed in a remote mountain forest.

Zheng Huo wiped the sweat from his brow and asked, “Brother, do you think we should keep flying?”

Though his body still had some energy left, Zheng Huo wanted to continue, flying without rest for a few more days to get farther from Medicine King Valley. He wouldn’t feel safe until they were at least 10,000 miles away.

Yu Xian also wiped his forehead and shook his head. “Brother, I can’t fly any further…”

Zheng Huo froze, then remembered that Yu Xian’s cultivation level was still only at the peak of Qi Condensation, unlike his own.

He sighed inwardly, then forced a smile. “Alright, let’s take a break then. We’ll rest, and once you’ve recovered, we can keep going!”

Yu Xian didn’t seem too worried, and calmly began circulating his energy. “The Sky Demons are indeed frightening, but in Medicine King Valley, there are seven Nascent Soul cultivators, dozens of Core Formation experts, and thousands of Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation disciples. They’re fighting hard, so it’s possible that the Sky Demons are already being held back.”

Zheng Huo nodded lightly, though the worry in his eyes didn’t disappear. He hoped the cultivators in Medicine King Valley could set aside their grudges and work together to defeat the demons.

“But if they can’t stop them, it will ultimately fall to us,” Yu Xian added quietly. “So we must cultivate diligently. The stronger we become before the Sky Demons arrive, the better our chances of surviving.”

Zheng Huo’s gaze grew serious, and he exhaled deeply, as though expelling the fear from his chest. “You’re right, brother! I’ve wasted decades of my life. If I hadn’t understood what you’re saying now, I would have only kept focusing on trivial things. It’s my own strength that matters most!”

He then sat down cross-legged and began to meditate, focusing on restoring his spiritual energy while also continuing his cultivation.

Yu Xian, however, turned slightly and gazed toward Medicine King Valley with a hint of worry in his eyes.

He hoped his master wasn’t involved in the conflict, and that the Sky Demons wouldn’t harm him.

After a while, Yu Xian’s anxiety faded as he focused entirely on his cultivation.

He closed his eyes and began circulating his Wan Shou Wood Spring Technique, feeling the spiritual energy rush through him. Three wooden vines shot out from his body, writhing in the air as they joined his cultivation.

About an hour later, Zheng Huo’s voice interrupted his concentration.

“Brother, how are you feeling? Have you recovered yet?”

Yu Xian opened his eyes, glancing at Zheng Huo.

Zheng Huo was smiling, but the urgency in his eyes couldn’t be concealed.

He really wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

Yu Xian sighed softly.

Zheng Huo was a good person, and his friendship was sincere, but if he kept traveling with him, he would inevitably be affected by his emotions. His anxiety and impatience would bring negative energy to Yu Xian, causing him to become restless and uneasy.

Sometimes, it was best for both parties to part ways, not because of any malice, but because being together would hinder both of their growth.

Even with close friends, brothers, or family, separation wasn’t always a regret—it could be a positive step toward mutual improvement.

After realizing this, Yu Xian smiled.

He let go of the burden in his heart and said, “Brother, how about you go back to your marketplace first? I’ll catch up with you after a while. Does that sound good?”

Zheng Huo froze for a moment. His smile faltered, and he stammered, “Well… brother, I wasn’t trying to rush you… I just… I just thought…”

Yu Xian raised his hand with a warm smile. “I understand. I’m not upset at all. I just think that since you’re faster than me, and your marketplace is more than 300,000 miles away, you’ll be able to find peace there. As for me, I need to search for my master. We can’t stay tethered to each other forever.”

Zheng Huo hesitated, not knowing how to respond.

He realized that if he insisted on staying with Yu Xian, it would seem insincere, especially when his true desire was to leave as quickly as possible.

Finally, he nodded gravely. “Brother, no need for more words. We’re friends, forever. If you need anything, just come to my Little Fire Marketplace!”

With that, he bowed deeply to Yu Xian and turned to leave.

“Wait, Brother Zheng,” Yu Xian called out just as Zheng Huo was about to walk away.

Zheng Huo turned in confusion, and Yu Xian waved his hand, smiling.

A long whinny echoed through the air, and a Flame Steed, its hooves alight with faint flames, appeared before them.

Zheng Huo’s eyes widened in shock. “A Flame Steed!?”

His surprise quickly turned to astonishment as he realized that the steed had materialized from nowhere.

Yu Xian smiled. “Yes, it’s a Flame Steed. I’m giving it to you to ride, but I don’t have any spiritual beast pills for it. You’ll need to gather some meat for it along the way.”

Zheng Huo stared at Yu Xian in stunned silence.

A spiritual beast bag? That was an extremely rare item, even more precious than a high-grade storage pouch. Only a cultivator at the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage would possess one, and yet Yu Xian had one. This was beyond Zheng Huo’s imagination.

Who was Yu Xian’s master? Could it be a Nascent Soul powerhouse from the Bai Yun Sect?

But even then, it seemed odd that such a high-level cultivator would entrust a spiritual beast bag to a mere Qi Condensation disciple.

Zheng Huo quickly suppressed his desire, feeling a hint of shame for his greed.

He bowed deeply to Yu Xian. “Thank you, brother! Take care of yourself.”

“Take care, Brother Zheng,” Yu Xian replied with a smile and a wave.

Zheng Huo mounted the Flame Steed, finding his direction and galloping off at full speed.

Yu Xian watched him disappear into the distance, letting out a soft sigh before closing his eyes again.

Two more days passed, during which there was no sign of the Sky Demons coming after them.

It seemed that the battle in Medicine King Valley was intense, and most of the Sky Demons had been contained for now.

Yu Xian opened his eyes, feeling completely restored, and turned to look toward Medicine King Valley.

He could no longer sense anything from this distance, but he knew the Sky Demons were still out there.

If they weren’t eradicated soon, those demons would only grow stronger.

Yu Xian made up his mind. He waved his hand, summoning his Cloud Heron, which let out a long cry.

The heron had been restless after months of confinement.

Yu Xian gently patted its feathers and fed it a few spiritual beast pills before taking off into the air.

The heron soared with Yu Xian, rising hundreds of feet into the sky, flying low to avoid detection.

The last time Yu Xian had flown this high, it had drawn too much attention, but now, with the chaos unfolding at Medicine King Valley, it was safer to keep a low profile.

Yu Xian knew that his master would likely think him dead after the Sky Demon outbreak, so returning near Bai Yun Sect might be his best chance to find clues about his master’s whereabouts.

At the same time, it was the perfect opportunity to focus on his cultivation.

This time, he would seek a quiet place to meditate and thoroughly comprehend the Wan Shou Wood Spring Technique, Wood Vine Magic, and Great Elixir Body Refining techniques.

He would push himself to reach the Foundation Establishment stage!