Mountain wind brushed through the forest, bringing the fresh scent of grass and trees, also dispersing the some blood smell and savage aura from the brief conflict just passed. On the public road, Tang Xiaoqi still walked unhurriedly, only now there was also a tall, sturdy shadow following closely behind.
Zhao Tiezhu followed about three steps behind Tang Xiaoqi, not daring to get too close and appear disrespectful, yet also not daring to fall too far behind and get lost. He tried his best to straighten his back, wanting to appear more spirited and reliable. But on his simple face still lingered the relief from near-death and boundless gratitude and reverence for that blue-robed figure ahead.
He secretly observed this mysterious Senior. Senior looked very young, features ordinary (the Omni-Shadow Cloak effect), aura calm, walking like an ordinary scholar. If not for personally witnessed, he would never believe that such a seemingly ordinary person could make those four arrogant Flaming Sun Family scions run away with their tails between their legs with just a thread of pressure.
"Senior... Senior," Zhao Tiezhu hesitated briefly, then gathered courage to speak, his voice with a hint of nervousness: "I... I have not yet asked for Senior's respected name."
Tang Xiaoqi's steps did not pause, did not even turn his head, only calmly responded: "I have the surname Tang." He did not give his full name. In the Central Plains, Tang Xiaoqi or World-Purifying True Lord might be unknown. Being cautious was always wise.
"So it is Tang Senior." Zhao Tiezhu respectfully answered, his heart thinking this Tang Senior was powerful yet seemingly very easy-going, unlike those arrogant cultivators he had met before.
The two walked in silence for a while. Zhao Tiezhu was a restless character. Plus curious about his savior, after a while he could not help but speak again. This time he relaxed a bit more, talking more: "Tang Senior, are you also going to Tian Shu City for that Asking the Way assembly? I heard it is incredible. The most powerful geniuses under heaven will all be there."
"Mm." Xiao Qi simply responded.
"Senior will definitely shine brilliantly." Zhao Tiezhu's tone was certain, carrying blind worship: "Someone as powerful as you must be far better than those family disciples and sect geniuses."
Xiao Qi could not help smiling upon hearing this, shaking his head, not continuing. This Zhao Tiezhu was simple-minded and direct.
Seeing the Senior did not object, Zhao Tiezhu relaxed even more, beginning to chatter about his experiences. He came from a remote small mountain village. His ancestors were all hunters. Accidentallypicked up aincomplete body-cultivator technique in the mountains, thisjust began cultivation. Because he had no master, no resources, completely self-taught and tempered through fighting demon beasts in the mountains, he suffered greatly. He managed to cultivate to Foundation Establishment late stage. Hearing about the assembly at Tian Shu City, he sold everything he had, traveled all the way, just wanting to see the world.
His story was plain and unadorned, even somewhat bitter, yet revealed a spirit of perseverance. Xiao Qi listened quietly, occasionally responding, his impression of this frank body cultivator rising. To cultivate to Foundation Establishment late stage under such difficult conditions, this man's perseverance and nature were both top-notch.
"Senior, are you hungry? I still have somecoarse grain cakes I baked myself. Do not despise them." Zhao Tiezhu was about to dig into his seemingly worn-out storage bag.
"No need." Xiao Qi stopped him, casually taking out two pills emanating faint fragrance and abundant spiritual energy from his storage ring, handing one to Zhao Tiezhu. "Eat this."
Zhao Tiezhu took that round pill like jade. Feeling the pure spiritual energy within, his eyes went wide. He had never even seen, let alone eaten, pills of such quality. He carefully held it, somewhat at a loss: "Senior... this is too precious."
"Take it. I have many more." Xiao Qi's tone was calm, eating the other one himself.
Only then did Zhao Tiezhu gratefully put the Fasting Pill in his mouth. The pill dissolved upon touching his tongue, a warm current instantly filled his limbs and torso. Not only was his hunger gone, but the physical exhaustion from the previous battle and some residual internal injuries from after Xiao Qi treated him seemed to also improve greatly. His gratitude toward this Tang Senior reached the extreme. He silently swore to repay this kindness someday.
Having Zhao Tiezhu's chatterbox by his side made the journey seem less monotonous. Though simple, he had been outside in the world for years, his experience quite broad. Regarding customs, strange stories, and oddities of various Central Plains places, he knew quite a bit. With him explaining, Xiao Qi's understanding of the Central Plains cultivation world also deepened.
Of course, Zhao Tiezhu fully utilized his strong strength advantage. When the road was difficult, he actively went ahead to clear obstacles. When camping was needed, he rushed to find firewood, clear campsites. When he noticed Xiao Qi's shoulder rabbit spirit (he had not noticed it at first, later realizing this rabbit seemed full of spiritual intelligence), he even tried to find some fresh grass to curry favor. The result was the rabbit spirit disdainfully turning its head away.
Xiao Qi observed all this, neither stopping nor commenting. He could see Zhao Tiezhu did these things to repay him. He accepted calmly while also feeling having such a diligent, frank companion indeed saved him much trouble.
On this day, the two arrived at a wide river. They needed to cross. There were no bridges on the river, only some ferry boats. The crossing point was crowded with people, cultivators and mortals mixed, waiting for ferries.
During the waiting, the conversation of several cultivators at the side drifted into Xiao Qi's ears.
"Did you hear? A new fierce person appeared on the Hidden Dragon List. From the Southern Frontier, called something Gu Poison Master. They say his Gu techniques are divine. Supposedly he once killed an Nascent Soul early-stage old monster with Gu poisoning at Golden Core late stage."
"Not only that. The Sword Son of the Eastern Territory's Heavenly Sword Sect has also emerged from closed-door training. They say his Immaculate Sword Body has reached great completion. His sword intent soars to the heavens. This Tian Shu City assembly, I bet he is aiming for the top ten."
"Top ten? I think top five is possible. Do not forget that freak the Ninth Prince from Central Zhou. They say he bears the Imperial Qi of the Purple Polaris passed down secretly by the royal family. Unmatched at the same level."
Zhao Tiezhu also listened intently. His face showed longing yet also some discouragement, said softly to Xiao Qi: "Senior, listen. These geniuses are all so powerful. Compared to them, I am like a firefly next to the moon."
Xiao Qi glanced at him, said calmly: "Dao contests compare not temporary highs and lows, but who can go farther. Nature, perseverance, fortune — all indispensable. Do not undervalue yourself."
Zhao Tiezhu trembled all over upon hearing this, like being awakened, quickly bowed: "Senior's lesson is right. I was wrong."
Just then, the ferry docked. The crowd began to stir. Some higher-cultivation or well-connected cultivators started pushing forward disorderly to board first, causing chaos and cursing.
A richly dressed young lord, surrounded by several guards,arrogantly pushed people aside, wanting to board first. A woman holding a child was shoved, nearly falling. The child was scared and burst out crying.
Zhao Tiezhu saw this, his brow furrowed. Thesense of justice in his simple nature immediately rose. Instinctively he was about to step forward to reason.
Xiao Qi, however, reached out and gently pressed his shoulder, shaking his head slightly.
Zhao Tiezhu looked at Xiao Qi in confusion.
Xiao Qi's gaze was calm as he watched that young lord and his guards board until they disappeared into the cabin, only then releasing his hand, said softly: "foolish bravery solves nothing fundamental. Look at the boatman. Did he dare obstruct them?"
Zhao Tiezhu looked at the boatman, who ignored the chaos, only lowering his head, silently collecting fares. He suddenly understood Xiao Qi's meaning. In this cultivation world, strength and background were reason. Without sufficient strength, rashly standing out would not only fail to help others but bring disaster upon oneself and them.
He scratched his head, somewhat ashamed: "Senior, I was impulsive."
Xiao Qi patted his shoulder: "Having a kind heart is good, but one must act within one's means, plan then move."
Zhao Tiezhu nodded heavily, firmly remembering these words. He felt following Tang Senior, he was not only safe but could also learn much about worldly wisdom.
The two orderly boarded the next ferry with the crowd.
Standing at the bow, gazing at the rushing great river below and the even more prosperous, aura-stronger region beyond the riverbank, Tang Xiaoqi's gaze was distant.
Having Zhao Tiezhu as a companion added some worldly bustle to the journey, also letting him see the struggles and perseverance of bottom-tier cultivators in this world. This was no small benefit to his comprehension of worldly affairs and tempering his Dao-heart.
And Zhao Tiezhu tightly followed Tang Xiaoqi, looking at that tall, straight back, his heart filled with solidity and hope. He believed that following Tang Senior, he would surely reach Tian Shu City, would surely see that even broader world.
Traveling together, the road ahead was still long, but it seemed, no longer so lonely.