Published: March 2, 2025
Chapter 232: Follow-Up and Harvest (Combined Chapter)
That day, Geng Yuanzhang handed over his insights to Liu Yu, and Liu Yu now passed them on to Yan Kai.
Setting aside other reasons, the most fundamental one was that they both hailed from the same branch of the outer courtyard, which fostered a sense of recognition, and thus he gifted his foundation establishment insights.
This could be considered a form of "inheritance" between the branches of the outer courtyard.
Yan Kai was someone who managed to stumble upon information related to void refinement stage experts, and one couldn't help but marvel at his good fortune; it was indeed a stroke of luck.
In the two missions, the qi refinement stage disciples had suffered heavy casualties, yet he had repeatedly escaped death.
Instead, he had also gained some small opportunities, and the bottleneck of foundation establishment was unlikely to impede him.
In summary, this was a casual move; if he successfully established his foundation, it would naturally be worth Liu Yu’s effort to befriend him.
If he failed, there would be no need for further interaction.
As various thoughts flashed through his mind, Liu Yu unknowingly walked to the side hall where foundation establishment stage cultivators accepted and submitted missions, and then he entered.
Inside the hall, several cultivators were already waiting, and as Liu Yu looked closely, he recognized Zhou Zhuofeng and the other cultivators who had executed the mission.
Zhou Zhuofeng still appeared calm and composed, looking as if he had easily shaken off his pursuers.
Another was that "low-key ordinary" foundation establishment stage senior brother, whose aura seemed somewhat disordered, indicating he had sustained some injuries.
As for the Senior Sister Lin, who had wielded a superior spiritual artifact with great prowess, her figure was nowhere to be seen.
Given her retreat speed at the late foundation establishment stage, she should have returned to Moonlit City long ago after escaping danger.
Considering what they had last seen, where she was pursued by Ma Jinlian and Ma Jinhua, it seemed she might not have fared well.
Being a late foundation establishment cultivator, Senior Sister Lin's rewards for defeating enemies were undoubtedly higher compared to that low-key senior brother.
Liu Yu thought to himself as he approached Zhou Zhuofeng and slightly cupped his hands in greeting:
"Senior Brother Zhou."
Zhou Zhuofeng had already noticed Liu Yu when he was in sight.
He hadn’t expected that a foundation establishment early stage junior brother would return to Moonlit City before the foundation establishment mid stage peers were seen.
Moreover, Liu Yu's aura was stable, showing no signs of injury, indicating he had some "skills."
A hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Zhuofeng's eyes as he nodded slightly and said, "This mission was perilous, deeply penetrating enemy territory."
"Junior Brother Liu, being able to return safely to Moonlit City suggests your strength has likely surpassed many peers of the same level."
"Regardless, it's good that you are back."
With the atmosphere lifted, Liu Yu flattered, "Not at all, it’s mainly Senior Brother Zhou's credit."
"If it weren't for your efforts to hold off Ma Jinlian and her brother, we would have likely fallen apart long ago."
A smile appeared on Zhou Zhuofeng's face, clearly appreciating the words, but he remained humble.
For a moment, Liu Yu felt Zhou Zhuofeng appeared much more agreeable, and he no longer maintained the "three heroes and four talents" demeanor.
As for that low-key late foundation establishment peer, he merely glanced at the two without any intention of joining the conversation, seemingly disdainful of such "false courtesy," a true ascetic.
"Junior Brother Liu, currently only the three of us have safely returned."
"But not long has passed; we will wait here until noon to see if any more peers return."
"Once it reaches noon, you all can return to rest, and I will report the task situation to the elder council."