Chapter 1446: The Price Of A Drink

After a chance encounter and a hearty drink, everything returned to normal.

Yi Feng remained immersed in his rigorous cultivation. His mindset in this life was exceptionally mature, and the mundane affairs of the world could no longer affect his path of cultivation. No matter how interesting the black-clad man from before had been, he was, at best, just a passerby who had once shared a drink with him.

At least, that's what Yi Feng thought.

Over the next two months, Yi Feng continued to devote himself to the pursuit of the Dao. He either ventured out to search for legendary secret realms or traveled across provinces to spar with the prodigies of major sects. His cultivation level steadily rose, and his fame grew with it.

As Yi Feng grew stronger, more and more people admired him. Many female cultivators even sought him out, and wherever he went, a group of young women would soon follow.

As the saying goes, "Fame is as dangerous for a man as fattening is for a pig." Though the words were crude, the sentiment was true, and Yi Feng deeply felt the truth of it. He was increasingly troubled by the attention.

Thus, every time Yi Feng finished a sparring match or emerged from a secret realm, he would quickly leave the area, disappearing without a trace from the prying eyes of the martial world.

With his cultivation level surpassing most in the region, almost no one could track him, and very few had ever seen his true face. Yet, his fame only grew more exaggerated, and his admirers became countless.

Though Yi Feng's presence in the martial world was rare, his legends were everywhere.

Amidst this overwhelming adoration, the world's admiration for him grew increasingly exaggerated. Some even waited for long periods near the sect where Yi Feng had originated, lying in ambush for his return.

Sensing all of this, Yi Feng could only shake his head and sigh. He knew that returning to his sect for a visit was now a luxury. Only by quietly returning to his small courtyard at the foot of the mountain could he find some peace and quiet.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the eighth day of the third month.

As the seasons transitioned from spring to summer, the sun had just begun to rise, its rays filtering through the blooming peach blossoms outside the courtyard and scattering across the windowsill.

Seeing this scene, Yi Feng, who had just opened his eyes, felt his mood lighten.

He got up, dressed, and prepared to practice his sword techniques amidst the sea of flowers before setting off to spar with another prodigy from a major sect.

But just as he opened the door, he found someone lying under the eaves in front of his house. The person was clad in the same loose black robes as before, and his face still bore that same carefree, unrestrained smile.

At a glance, Yi Feng recognized the man.

It was the same shameless youth he had once shared a drink with.

However, today the man's face was pale, and a golden arrow was embedded in his chest, suggesting he was seriously injured. It seemed that every time they met, this guy was wounded, and each time it was worse than the last.

Before Yi Feng could speak, the man laughed and said, "I'll rest for a bit and then leave, just rest for a bit..."

Though he said this, he didn't speak another word.

But his eyes couldn't help but glance toward the inside of the house, as if searching for something. It seemed his injuries were serious, but not life-threatening.

Yi Feng understood immediately.

Without saying anything unnecessary, he went back inside, fetched a jug of wine, and placed it on the stone table in the courtyard.

As he was about to leave, Yi Feng remembered a resolution he had made earlier and casually left a message.

"A jug of peach blossom wine, the price is three taels and three maces."

After saying this, he hurried away.

Yi Feng still had to challenge stronger prodigies, and the black-clad man was too injured today to drink as they had before. Though their unexpected reunion was a pleasant surprise, it still left a hint of regret.

Such was the way of the martial world, and such was life. Nine out of ten things did not go as one wished, and who knew if they would meet again or have another chance to drink together.

After parting ways, Yi Feng headed to the Tianjian Sect in Lingzhou to challenge their top disciple, Luo Yunshan. As always, he was unstoppable, his sword techniques reaching perfection. His fame was destined to spread across the land.

When he returned, it was already dusk the next day.

The small courtyard, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, was as peaceful and quiet as ever.

The only sign that the shameless fellow had been there was a few traces of blood in the courtyard. Otherwise, nothing had changed.

As Yi Feng stepped into the courtyard, he noticed a note left on the stone table, held down by a few scattered pieces of silver to prevent the spring breeze from blowing it away.

Picking up the note, he saw that the blood-written characters had long since dried, turning a dark red.

"I'm a bit short on cash lately, so I only have two taels and three maces. I owe you one tael. I'll pay you back next time we drink together!"

Reading the straightforward words, Yi Feng smiled faintly.

This guy still had some pride. Though he was a bit shameless and strapped for cash, he was true to his word and had actually paid for the wine.

Next time...

Muttering these amusing words, Yi Feng weighed the silver pieces in his hand before tucking them into his sleeve. He casually discarded the note, letting it drift away with the spring breeze.

Looking back at the empty courtyard gate, his gaze followed the note as it floated through the blooming peach blossoms. A glimmer of anticipation appeared in Yi Feng's eyes.

He had thought they would meet again soon.

But little did he know, this parting would last a long time.

Spring turned to autumn, winter gave way to spring, and in the blink of an eye, a year had passed.

Yi Feng seemed to have fully immersed himself in this new life, as if he had been reborn. He was now the White-robed Sword God of this lifetime, his body, mind, and insights all fused into one.

In this short year, Yi Feng had grown continuously, devoting himself to the pursuit of even greater sword techniques. He had already sparred with almost every notable figure in the surrounding provinces, and there were no longer any opponents who could challenge him.

He was now the undisputed top junior of Nanli Country, his fame at its peak.

Every cultivator knew of Yi Feng, and even the children playing in the streets could recite the recent poems praising him.

"His sword energy spans thirty thousand miles, his blade's light chills nineteen provinces!"

With such fame and cultivation, the entire martial world of Nanli Country revered Yi Feng. Even the elders of many sects treated him as an equal.

Under the collective expectations of the sects, Yi Feng was nominated to represent Nanli Country in the selection process for the Xueyue Holy Land. As expected, he quickly became a Holy Son of the Xueyue Holy Land.

For a time, Yi Feng's influence was unmatched. His status and reputation reached their peak, and any cultivation resource he desired was within easy reach. The entire Nanli Country was determined to pool the strength of its hundred sects to ensure Yi Feng's rise to greatness!

While it was rare to offer help in times of need, it was common to add flowers to a brocade. After Yi Feng's destined rise, many sects went out of their way to curry favor with him. Though they had their own ulterior motives, they still contributed significant resources.

In fact, the ten major sects joined forces to build a Holy King Palace for Yi Feng, filled with resources donated by various sects. They even sent elite disciples to serve him, ensuring he could focus on his cultivation in peace as he awaited the day of the selection.

Amidst this overwhelming display of goodwill, Yi Feng could no longer stay in his small courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

He was well aware of the sects' intentions, but the vast amount of cultivation resources they offered was too significant to ignore. Since they were offering, why should he refuse?

At most, he would find a way to repay their kindness in the future. The martial world was always filled with such social intricacies, and the exchange of benefits was commonplace.

Thus, Yi Feng moved into the Holy King Palace under the watchful eyes of countless admirers. For a time, countless people sought an audience with him, but all were turned away at the palace gates.

Outside the Holy King Palace, many prodigies stopped to gaze at the palace, unwilling to leave.

Meanwhile, Yi Feng, the object of countless admirers, sat alone by a jade table in the garden, lost in thought as he gazed at the blooming peach blossoms.

It was another year of blossoms.

He couldn't help but think of a certain person and the one tael of silver that had been on his mind.

Amidst the superficial social niceties, that simple friendship seemed especially precious. He couldn't remember the last time he had drunk so freely as he had that day...

Perhaps in this lifetime, he would never have such a chance again.

As the ancients said, "It's lonely at the top." Yi Feng couldn't help but feel the truth of those words.

Just as Yi Feng was lost in his thoughts, a subordinate approached and reported, "Holy King, there is a black-clad man at the palace gates requesting an audience. He rudely demanded a drink, claiming to be an old friend of yours. The man seems unremarkable, yet he dares to speak so arrogantly. Should I go and teach him a lesson..."

The subordinate grew more indignant as he spoke, seemingly on the verge of losing his temper.

Hearing this, Yi Feng smiled and raised his eyes.

"No need. Bring him in."