Fifty li beyond Black Wind Stronghold, in a cave among barren mountains.
Outside the cave, the autumn rain was gradually subsiding. Inside, a campfire crackled, illuminating two young faces weathered by hardship.
Hong Longxiang clutched a roast rabbit, glistening with oil and charred to savory perfection, devouring it as though he hadn't eaten in three days and three nights—which, in truth, was almost exactly the case.
Beside him, Jiang Che took small sips from a worn leather pouch of cheap wine, watching his junior brother's nearly frantic eating with complicated eyes.
"Slow down, no one's fighting you for it."
Jiang Che couldn't help but urge, passing over the wine pouch. "Take a sip to wash it down, don't choke."
Hong Longxiang gave a muffled grunt of acknowledgment, grabbed the pouch, and took a huge gulp—only to be sent into a coughing fit by the harsh bite of the cheap liquor, tears streaming from his eyes.
Yet his hands never stopped moving.
Jiang Che sighed inwardly, a pang of bitterness rising in his chest.
These past fifteen years, though he himself had wandered destitute, he'd at least managed to keep fed and clothed.
Looking at Hong Longxiang's eating, it was clear that even a full meal was a luxury for him.
"Senior Brother..." Hong Longxiang finally gnawed the last bone clean, licking his fingers with lingering satisfaction.
The way he called him "Senior Brother" was utterly heartfelt.
Then, somewhat embarrassed, he smiled. "Don't laugh at me."
"It's just been... a really long time since I've had proper meat."
Jiang Che waved his hand and fished two hard, dry buns from his storage pouch, offering them over.
"I understand. In times like these... just staying alive is hard enough."
He paused, his tone growing heavy. "Especially for people like us..."
The moment those four words—"people like us"—left his mouth, the atmosphere in the cave turned somber.
Hong Longxiang accepted the buns and chewed slowly, his gaze turning sharp.
"Senior Brother, how did you survive these fifteen years?"
"And our senior sister... the others... any news?"
Jiang Che let out a long breath and tossed another branch into the fire, the flames dancing across his weary face.
"I was born into a small sect in the southwest," he said, his voice low. "But right after I was born, the sect was struck by an earthfire, and the casualties were devastating."
He gave a bitter laugh. "The sect members saw me as a 'Disaster Star' who had brought the calamity upon them..."
"My parents in this life didn't abandon me, but they couldn't protect me either. They could only smuggle me out of the sect in the dead of night, hiding wherever we could."
"As for the others..." Jiang Che shook his head, worry clouding his features. "With the disaster star rumors spreading everywhere, they're probably no better off than us. What about you?"
Hong Longxiang clenched his fists.
"I was born to a merchant family in Cold Crow City, and they threw me out as a Disaster Star. An old beggar saved me and raised me."
"For fifteen years, I dragged him from place to place—staying alive was sheer luck. The old man passed away three days ago... I buried him in a pauper's grave."
"Couldn't even afford a proper headstone."
Silence fell over the cave, broken only by the crackling of the firewood.
After a long while, Jiang Che finally spoke. "It seems we've fallen behind. The Holy Dynasty is clearly a puppet propped up by the Upper Realm!"
"The so-called Holy Emperor Qin Ao has likely been under the Upper Realm's control all along—he might even be a chess piece they planted from the start!"
A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. "Those Ten Holy Sons... aren't they just chess pieces born alongside us?"
Hong Longxiang's head snapped up.
"Senior Brother, you're saying... the Holy Dynasty's Holy Sons are actually those Immortal Venerables from the Upper Realm?"
"Nine times out of ten!"
"I've heard that the sects in Central Plains that haven't yet been conquered have banded together and formed the 'Anti-Saint Alliance,'" Jiang Che continued.
"That place is the last pure land in the Spirit Realm, the final gathering ground for the Lower Realm's forces. Many cultivators who refuse to submit have headed to Central Plains."
"Anti-Saint Alliance?" A glint of light flashed in Hong Longxiang's eyes. "Central Plains... they might go there too."
Jiang Che nodded firmly. "So we must press forward without hesitation!"
The two locked eyes, each seeing the other's resolve.
As prodigies of the Lower Realm, they bore a mission—they could not simply sink into despair. Going to Central Plains and joining the Anti-Saint Alliance was their only way out.
"Senior Brother," Hong Longxiang said suddenly, his voice firm. "Let's go to Central Plains!"
Seeing the flame reignite in Hong Longxiang's eyes, Jiang Che was infected by it as well.
"Alright! We go to Central Plains! We'll find the others!"
With their minds made up, both felt a weight lift from their chests.
The next morning, the rain had stopped and the sky cleared.
They gathered their meager belongings and set off toward the northeast, heading for Central Plains. Jiang Che's cultivation was higher, so he rode his sword and carried Hong Longxiang through the air—not fast, but far better than trekking on foot.
Seven days later, they arrived at the first major city on the border of Central Plains—Wangzhou City.
This city was a vital stronghold on the Anti-Saint Alliance's front line. Its defenses were tight, the atmosphere tense, but order was maintained within—a stark contrast to the chaos under the Holy Dynasty's rule.
At the city gates, recruitment notices from the Anti-Saint Alliance were posted, specifically welcoming righteous cultivators from all factions to join the fight against the Holy Dynasty.
After paying the entrance fee and stepping inside, the long-absent warmth of everyday life washed over them.
Shops lined both sides of the streets, vendors hawking their wares in endless calls. Though everyone wore worried expressions, at least they could go about their lives normally.
"Let's find a place to get some hot food first," Jiang Che suggested. "We've been sleeping rough these past days—it's time to treat our stomachs a little."
Hong Longxiang naturally had no objections. They found a small eatery that looked clean enough and ordered a few home-style dishes and a pot of warm wine.
When the steaming food was set on the table, Hong Longxiang's eyes went wide.
The braised pork was rich but not greasy, the stir-fried seasonal vegetables a vivid emerald green, the fresh mushroom soup fragrant and inviting...
These were luxuries he hadn't dared imagine in fifteen years.
He abandoned all pretense of decorum, grabbed his chopsticks, and stuffed food into his mouth even more savagely than back in the mountain cave—like a refugee who'd been starving for lifetimes.
Jiang Che held his wine cup, watching Hong Longxiang's nearly frantic eating, the ache in his heart deepening.
This kid... what kind of life had he been living all these years? Probably hadn't had a single decent meal, had he?
He thought about how, despite his own fallen circumstances, he could at least eat his fill occasionally. Looking at Hong Longxiang, it was clear the man had been fighting for survival day in and day out.
"Slow down, slow down..." Jiang Che couldn't resist urging again, picking up a few pieces of meat and placing them in Hong Longxiang's bowl.
"Now that we've found each other, stick with me. I can't promise wealth and glory, but at least you won't go hungry anymore."
Hong Longxiang's mouth was stuffed with food, nodding in muffled agreement, yet the corners of his eyes grew moist.
How long... how long had it been since someone cared for him like this?
The days in the Lower Realm went without saying. And here in the Spirit Realm, ever since the old beggar passed, he'd been all alone again.
Jiang Che looked at him, suddenly reminded of something, and said softly, "I wonder how Eldest Senior Brother and Junior Sister are doing now..."
Those years at the Immortal Spirit Holy Land in the Lower Realm—the sect had been harmonious, fellow disciples supporting one another. How had they ever known such lonely helplessness?
Eldest Senior Brother was steady and wise, Junior Sister's talent was unparalleled...
If things had gone smoothly for them, they must have made their mark by now, right?
"Hope they're safe and haven't fallen into the Holy Dynasty's clutches." Hong Longxiang swallowed his food and said quietly, "Once we establish ourselves in Central Plains, we'll find a way to look for news of them."
"Mm." Jiang Che nodded heavily, raising his cup. "Come on—to our reunion, and to better days ahead. Cheers!"
"Senior Brother, you really are an optimist. Cheers!"
"It's just my nature."
The cups clinked with a clear, crisp sound.
Outside the window, the sky above Wangzhou City remained overcast, but a faint sliver of light seemed to be fighting its way through the clouds.
...
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