Chapter Twenty-Nine: Merriment Over Wine

When the flames on his body gradually subsided, he looked around in confusion.

“Madman? Did you die too...?”

“No, I’m not dead yet...”

“Hahaha...”

Lin Cheng: “...”

Watching Lin Hu flail his arms and legs with excitement, Lin Cheng was speechless.

“Hurry up and change...” he said, taking a set of clothes from his storage space and tossing them to Lin Hu.

Seeing this, Lin Hu quickly looked down at himself, and was so startled that he hastily covered a certain part!

Lin Cheng: “Enough, stop covering... it’s so small...”

Lin Hu’s face flushed red, and he made a contemptuous gesture at Lin Cheng.

After changing clothes and quietly listening to Lin Cheng recount what had happened, Lin Hu learned everything that had transpired while he was unconscious.

When he heard that Xiao Cui had cried for him, he began to flail about again, his heart aching with joy as he thought of her.

Upon learning that he now possessed a fire-attribute spiritual root and could cultivate, Lin Cheng quickly held him down, lest he start thrashing again.

“Wait a second, Madman... I... I just obtained my spiritual root, but I feel a powerful force inside me...” Lin Hu sensed the changes in his body and quickly looked to Lin Cheng, discovering an immense strength within.

Lin Cheng carefully felt it and exclaimed in delight, “Mid-stage True Qi Realm, fourth tier... You already possess cultivation at the fourth tier of the mid-stage True Qi Realm...”

Lin Hu: “Ah... How did that happen?”

Lin Cheng glanced at the Jade Spirit Pool and pondered, “Perhaps you absorbed the vast energy from the Jade Spirit Pool, which allowed you to break through to the fourth tier in one leap...”

He patted Lin Hu’s shoulder enviously. “You really received a great fortune today!”

He thought to himself that when his own pill sea opened, he didn’t have such pure energy to absorb.

“Lin Hu, you’re awake...”

As the two were marveling, Xiao Cui’s delighted voice came from outside.

Although the perimeter of the Jade Spirit Pool was shielded by a restrictive formation, Lin Hu’s pig-like cries had still alerted those outside.

Seeing Xiao Cui run in, Lin Hu hurriedly stretched out his arms invitingly...

But what greeted him was Xiao Cui’s playful anger.

“Shameless...” she said, her cheeks flushed as she stamped her foot and turned to leave...

“No, wait... Xiao Cui, I was wrong, I was just so happy to see you...” Lin Hu anxiously grabbed Xiao Cui’s hand.

“You...”

Embarrassed, Xiao Cui shook off his hand and fled, leaving Tian Hui and Xu Xin’er, who had just stepped in, staring after her in confusion.

Lin Cheng’s eyes widened as he fixed his gaze on Lin Hu’s hand, thinking to himself that this guy was really bold!

Lin Hu, coming to his senses, realized his loss of composure and quickly changed the subject upon seeing the newcomers. “Junior Lin Hu greets Elder Tian Hui. Thank you for saving me...”

“Elder’s life-saving grace, Lin Hu will never forget!”

Tian Hui waved her hand dismissively.

She sized up Lin Hu, astonished. “Fourth tier of True Qi Realm!”

Her eyes were filled with surprise and disbelief.

Lin Hu scratched his head, uncertain. “Maybe it’s due to Elder’s Jade Spirit Pool liquid. Not only did it heal my wounds, but it also fully awakened my incomplete spiritual root...”

“Elder’s kindness is like giving me new life. If you ever need anything, I will do so without hesitation, even at the cost of my life!”

Hearing this, Tian Hui smiled. “That’s not necessary... In the past, you saved my disciple Xiao Cui; saving your life was only right...”

This made Lin Hu feel embarrassed, and he blurted out, “Elder, rest assured, I’ll definitely protect Xiao Cui in the future...”

His sudden declaration left the three of them stunned.

------

Hidden Sword Peak, beside the mountain stream.

A roaring bonfire sent the aroma of roasting meat into the air.

The golden roasted whole lamb glistened with oil, its mouthwatering scent making everyone crave a taste.

The group sat together, holding fragrant, exquisite wine, taking hearty gulps from time to time, savoring the moment.

The three young women chatted quietly, arms linked, and their cheerful laughter mingled with the men’s boisterous banter.

Niu Shisan: “Not bad, Fatty... You just closed your eyes, lay down, and when you opened them, your cultivation instantly caught up with me and Pang Bo...”

Pang Bo: “Exactly, one nap and you’re at the fourth tier of True Qi Realm. Comparing people really can drive you mad...”

The two shook their heads in mock frustration.

Lin Hu: “How about... next time the two of you try lying down?”

Both: “...”

Watching their antics, Lin Cheng smiled and shook his head.

He turned to Wang Shan, downed a bowl of nectar wine, wiped the corner of his mouth, and asked with a smile, “Senior Brother Wang, have you been enjoying yourself these days?”

Wang Shan took another gulp, waved his hand, and said, “Don’t mention it... That damned Ling Xuan—I just knew the elders’ delay in rescuing us last time meant someone was playing tricks behind the scenes... It was that bastard...”

Lin Cheng asked, puzzled, “Ling Xuan? Isn’t he a core disciple of Jade Sun Peak...?”

Wang Shan nodded. “That’s him... Although he’s a core disciple, his reputation on the peak is far below mine...”

“Because of that, he’s always seen me as a thorn in his side...”

Lin Cheng: “So Ling Xuan really is a petty-minded fellow...”

Wang Shan: “Exactly. Usually I can’t be bothered, since we walk different paths... But this time, if it weren’t for you, I really would’ve fallen into his trap...”

“Are you talking about Ling Xuan from Jade Sun Peak?” Xiao Cui hopped over, hearing Wang Shan mention Ling Xuan again.

Wang Shan: “What’s wrong, Junior Sister Xiao Cui? Do you know him?”

Xiao Cui: “I’d rather not. That annoying fly has blocked Xin’er’s path several times...”

Hearing this, Lin Cheng grew anxious and quickly asked, “Xiao Cui, what happened...?”

Just as Xiao Cui was about to answer, Xu Xin’er pulled Han Meng over.

Xu Xin’er: “It’s not as bad as Xiao Cui says, really... He’s just invited me to Jade Sun Peak a few times...”

Han Meng couldn’t help but tap Xu Xin’er’s head and pouted, “He’s probably got his eye on you. The invitation is just an excuse—what he really wants is your heart, you silly girl!”

Lin Hu, who was joking around with Niu Shisan and Pang Bo, heard the commotion and, before Lin Cheng could react, immediately jumped in.

“Damn it, whoever tries to steal Madman’s girl, I’ll be the first to take him down...” he said, rolling up his sleeves.

“Count me in...”

“Me too...”

...

True brothers!

Remembering how Ling Xuan almost made him and Wang Shan fall in Black Mountain Town last time, Lin Cheng couldn’t help but feel some resentment.

Xu Xin’er’s cheeks turned crimson at their words.

Grease dripped onto the fire, sizzling with a sharp hiss.

Lin Cheng quickly stepped forward, took out a small knife, sliced off a piece of lean meat from the leg, and handed it to Xu Xin’er.

“For you...”

At this, the crowd burst into uproarious laughter.

Seeing Lin Cheng’s embarrassed expression, everyone laughed heartily.

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