"Pay respects to Senior Li." Song Qingxing had always treated Li Yuxia with the respect due an elder.
After nearly sixty years apart, Li Yuxia had advanced further, breaking through to the Middle Golden Core Stage. Seeing Song Qingxing return safely, he could not suppress the smile on his face.
"Rise, rise.
"You have already broken through to the Golden Core Stage. Calling me Senior is no longer appropriate; we should address each other as fellow Daoists.
"This old man truly did not misjudge you. To carve your way out from among so many trial-takers and become one of the only two survivors—no wonder Zhengchun's sect sent you to bring him home. I wonder, where is Brother Zhengchun's body?"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Yuxia asked the question that concerned him most.
"Someone gathered Senior Bai's remains. His body was not damaged, and this junior has already brought him back."
As he spoke, Song Qingxing "invited" Bai Zhengchun's body out.
Watching the friend who had once fought beside him become a cold corpse, turbulent emotions surged through Li Yuxia's heart. As he counted the wounds on the other man's body, some deep and some shallow, his eyes could not help reddening. Did not know how many of those wounds had been borne to cover his retreat.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist." Li Yuxia solemnly bowed. Song Qingxing stepped aside rather than accept it and said in a deep voice, "He was an elder of mine. Recovering his body was only proper. Senior need not do this."
"If not for Fellow Daoist, Li would likely have carried this regret for life. You deserve this bow.
"Also, Li has an unreasonable request. I wish to escort Brother Zhengchun's body home, personally erect a monument for him, and offer him a stick of