Chapter Fifty-Five: Gaining a Little Brother

Shi Feichen’s face was ashen, his heart gripped by the desire for death. He collapsed onto Su Yizhao’s shoulder, facing Chi Xiangdong.

At that moment, seeing Chi Xiangdong rushing toward them, a flicker of joy flashed in his eyes.

Gathering the last remnants of his profound energy, Shi Feichen instantly shifted behind Su Yizhao and lunged at Chi Xiangdong.

Su Yizhao realized what was happening, but it was too late.

Chi Xiangdong clearly hadn’t expected Shi Feichen to step in his way either—his expression changed dramatically in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, the two were about to collide. One was resolved to die; the other, intent on attack. The outcome seemed all but certain.

Su Yizhao only had time to turn his head and saw the two crash together.

Even with the cultivation of the Profound Body Technique, his elder senior brother’s level couldn’t be very high. Under these circumstances, he would surely be crushed to pieces.

He closed his eyes.

Scenes from the past, when elder senior brother had risked his life to save him, flashed rapidly through his mind.

He had already decided in his heart how Chi Xiangdong would die by a thousand cuts.

One breath. Two.

Why was there no sound of collision?

Su Yizhao opened his eyes in disbelief.

They were… embracing?

Could it be…?

Impossible. He was certain his senior brother’s tastes were not in question!

All the cultivators around them froze in shock.

They saw Chi Xiangdong tightly holding Shi Feichen, flying backward through the air.

He held him with such care, as if afraid that the slightest force would harm his grievously wounded lover.

Only after flying more than ten yards did Chi Xiangdong finally ease their momentum, and both landed steadily on the ground.

“Why? Why?” Shi Feichen was mortified and furious, struggling desperately in his arms. “Kill me! No—let go of me first!”

Chi Xiangdong’s expression was cautious; despite Shi Feichen’s struggles, he dared not let go. He looked up at Su Yizhao.

Su Yizhao, astonished, gave a slight nod.

Chi Xiangdong’s gaze shifted again; he released Shi Feichen and leapt forward, cupping his fists. “Fellow Daoist Su, may I speak to you in secret?”

Su Yizhao nodded.

“Young and outstanding as you are, I, Chi Xiangdong, wish to follow you and journey the path of cultivation together!”

Chi Xiangdong’s transmitted voice echoed in Su Yizhao’s ears.

His eyes widened with even deeper astonishment.

Cultivation itself is a struggle against the heavens.

Which cultivator does not possess a resolute heart?

Even within a sect, hierarchy is rare; rank is determined by cultivation, not seniority.

Without strength, no one will obey you!

And now, this man wanted to follow him?

He hadn’t come charging at him to kill—he was desperate to pledge allegiance?

Chi Xiangdong remained bowed, hands clasped in respect.

Though Su Yizhao couldn’t see his eyes, he could feel the sincerity.

Very well, then.

Perhaps this man might actually be useful.

He must have connections with the outside world, and likely knows it well.

He would accept him.

With that, Su Yizhao replied by voice transmission, “Though you have this intention, Brother Chi, I am still young and dare not assume the weight of being followed.”

Chi Xiangdong replied anxiously, “Since when has age determined rank among cultivators? In this world, only strength matters. Like your senior brother—who cultivates but to seek the path and eternal life?”

The path and immortality?

Once again, the path and immortality!

Until now, Su Yizhao had never truly considered the ultimate goal of cultivation.

Was it really only for immortality?

“The road of cultivation is perilous and fraught with hardship. I am willing to face the dangers first, and if men’s hearts prove treacherous, I will bear the blame for you!” Chi Xiangdong seemed ready to swear an oath to the heavens.

Though Su Yizhao had already made up his mind, it was the first time he’d encountered such a thing, so his face showed hesitation, as if he still wanted to decline.

Chi Xiangdong declared fiercely, “If you disdain me, then kill me now!”

That—

Su Yizhao had no choice but to agree, “Very well. Then, Brother Chi, rise. Let’s not talk of following—I say we journey together, but let us not speak again of killing and fighting; it ruins the mood!”

Chi Xiangdong straightened up, a smile finally breaking on his face.

Ruins the mood!

With lives lost at every turn, was there any mood left to speak of?

“Senior brother, come with us. You were deceived; to seek the path and immortality is fine, but betraying your sect is not the way!” Su Yizhao said to Shi Feichen.

“To seek the path and immortality… betrayal of the sect…” Shi Feichen echoed, muttering to himself.

“Brother Chi, lead the way!” Su Yizhao swept with his spiritual sense, and a small boat appeared before them.

Chi Xiangdong took it, his face alight with joy.

He brushed his hand over it, erasing the previous spiritual mark and inscribing his own.

With a few quick gestures, the boat floated up and began to grow.

Within a few breaths, a flying ship, forty to fifty yards long, appeared before them.

Chi Xiangdong leapt aboard, exclaiming, “The Tang Wen! This is a Tang family ship—faster than you can imagine! Come aboard, quickly!”

Su Yizhao pulled Shi Feichen and flew up.

“You’re not planning to sell us, are you?” some of the cultivators below hesitated, not daring to board.

Su Yizhao smiled. “Don’t worry. Once we’re out, we’re all from the same homeland. Why would I sell you?”

“Really?” they asked.

Chi Xiangdong blushed, snapping, “If Fellow Daoist Su says you won’t be sold, then you won’t! If you keep dithering, maybe I will sell you!”

At that, everyone hurriedly boarded.

The ship was indeed large; more than twenty cultivators crowded toward the stern, keeping their distance.

Chi Xiangdong, excited, piloted the great ship. It rose slowly into the sky, and only after the forest below had shrunk to a black patch did he steer it, albeit crookedly, eastward.

“Brother Chi, do you actually know how to operate this thing?” Su Yizhao and Shi Feichen sat cross-legged on deck. “It’s not just slow—it’s flying sideways!”

Chi Xiangdong flushed, hastily replied, “First time, first time! I’ll get the hang of it soon. A divine weapon-class ship! I can’t believe I get to pilot one myself!”

Seeing how immersed he was in his excitement, Su Yizhao let him be.

He began to meditate, cultivating to heal his wounds.

His soul had suffered most.

Within his Purple Palace, the soul figure’s body was as thin as mist, the result of excessive spiritual depletion.

Attacking or defending, soul power was always consumed.

After this battle, his reserves were nearly exhausted.

The soul figure sat cross-legged, reciting incantations and circulating the Profound Soul Technique. Wisps of soul energy began to gather in the Purple Palace.

The ship picked up speed, shooting across the forest canopy like a meteor.

Ten days later, Su Yizhao had changed into a fresh Daoist robe.

His spirit restored, he felt more invigorated than ever.

Shi Feichen remained silent, sitting cross-legged, his body covered in wounds, none treated.

Su Yizhao gazed at him in silence for several breaths.

If he could pull himself together, he would still be the elder brother he once knew.

If not, he would be lost.

Su Yizhao stood and walked to the bow.

Chi Xiangdong stood there, looking ahead calmly into the distance.

It was time for a proper talk.

At that moment, a ripple spread through the air ahead.

A violent boom followed, echoing in everyone’s ears.

Chi Xiangdong spun around, alarmed. “There are cultivators fighting up ahead—let’s hope they’re not from the Tang family!”