Big Brother! Second Brother!

Inside Wuzhuang Temple, the atmosphere instantly shifted from grief to something akin to an overly enthusiastic family reunion.

Zhenyuanzi held Chen Song's hand, his eyes still red, but a grin stretched from ear to ear. "My good brother! Today, we become sworn brothers of different surnames. We shall inform heaven and earth and share all fortune and misfortune!" With a wave of his sleeve, the incense table in the temple rose on its own. Three sticks of incense ignited without fire, their fragrant smoke curling upwards towards the heavens, marking a simple yet heartfelt ceremony.

Chen Song was so moved by the sincerity (and generosity) of this top-tier figure of the Great Wilderness that he almost teared up – mainly thinking about his future unlimited access to Ginseng Fruits.

"Big Brother!" Chen Song's shout was filled with genuine emotion, more spirited than when he called his master, Laozi.

"Second Brother!" Zhenyuanzi's reply was even more robust, as if he had found a long-lost brother, one who also happened to possess the means to save his dear friend.

As soon as the ceremony concluded, Zhenyuanzi began showering Chen Song with "brotherly benefits."

He first had Qingfeng and Mingyue bring out two large jade platters piled high with glistening, plump Ginseng Fruits, emitting an alluring Dao Charm. There were twenty of them! The aroma made Big White, who was nearby, stare intently, its tail wagging as if powered by a motor, a small puddle of drool forming on the ground.

"Second Brother, take these as snacks for now. You can pick more from the tree after you're done! Treat it like your own!" Zhenyuanzi declared magnanimously.

"Woof woof! My dear uncle! Absolutely my dear uncle!" Big White yelped and pounced forward, only to have its tail stomped on by Chen Song's quick hand. "Have some dignity! Aren't you embarrassed!"

Zhenyuanzi chuckled at the sight and then produced another item. It was a palm-sized seal, neither gold nor jade, entirely earthy yellow, exuding a heavy and stable aura. Intricate patterns of mountains and earth veins were carved all over it.

"Second Brother, this is a subsidiary seal of the 'Earth Book'."

Zhenyuanzi solemnly placed the seal into Chen Song's hand. "With this seal, you can mobilize a portion of the Great Wilderness's earth vein power. It can be used for defense, burrowing, or even briefly borrowing terrain to set up formations. This seal is a gift for you, my second brother, as a token of my regard and a symbol of our bond."

Chen Song took the subsidiary seal, which was heavy both physically and metaphorically. He felt the immense power of the earth contained within and was overjoyed. What a treasure! This is practically the Great Wilderness version of a super-permission key combined with a defensive artifact!

Before he could even express his thanks, Big White at his feet could no longer contain itself. It stood on its hind legs, nudging the subsidiary seal with its wet nose, its doggy eyes full of longing. "Woof! Boss! This treasure smells... it smells like it can grow lots and lots of delicious food! Can... can we tie a rope to it and hang it around my neck? I promise I won't lose it!"

Chen Song: "..." He looked at Big White speechlessly. "Do you think this is a dog tag? Tying a rope to it! This is a subsidiary seal of the Earth Book! It can mobilize earth vein power! If you hang it around your neck, do you want to become a mobile mountain range?"

Zhenyuanzi, however, burst into laughter, finding the dog-nephew incredibly endearing. "No matter, no matter. If Nephew Dog likes it, you can play with it. As long as you don't activate its power, it's fine as an accessory."

He was clearly in high spirits, finding even Big White pleasing to the eye.

Big White immediately cheered. Under Chen Song's stern gaze, it switched to carefully holding the subsidiary seal with its paws and retreated to a corner to figure out how to match it with its collar.

The host and guest sat down again, the atmosphere completely changed. Zhenyuanzi held the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd as if it were his entire world. The grief on his face had been significantly lessened by hope, but the deep hatred in his eyes had not vanished.

"Second Brother," Zhenyuanzi's voice lowered. "Hongyun's revenge is a debt of blood that must be repaid! When I find a breakthrough and stabilize my realm, I will personally ascend to the Heavenly Court, shatter the North Sea, and slay my enemies with my own hands!"

Chen Song popped a roasted pine nut he had brought himself and said slowly, "Big Brother, revenge is certainly necessary. But as the saying goes, a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years. For us cultivators, we have plenty of time. Think about it, Di Jun and Taiyi, their power is immense now, and the Demon Race Heavenly Court is at its zenith. A direct confrontation, even with your great Spiritual Power and the Earth Book's aid, might not yield a complete victory. Instead, it might alert them, or even... well, you understand."

He paused, observing Zhenyuanzi's expression, and continued to subtly guide him:

"The general trend of the Great Wilderness is like the tide; it ebbs and flows. The Demon Race may seem prosperous now, with immense Destiny, but reaching the peak often precedes decline, which is a natural law of the Heavenly Dao. Look at the Witch Race, aren't they also watching from the sidelines, coveting it? Some conflicts are inherently etched into their very being and will erupt sooner or later. Why should we rush to be the first to act, to expend our strength for others? It's better to wait and see, to accumulate strength in secret. When their internal problems arise, or... well, when the Heavenly Dao deems it's their time to exit, we can then act in accordance with the situation. Wouldn't that be more effortless and more effective?"

Chen Song spoke vaguely, but his meaning was clear: the Demon Race would eventually fall. They should just wait to pick up the pieces, not rush to their doom.

Zhenyuanzi, as the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, had his own senses regarding the Destiny of heaven and earth.

His mind had been clouded by hatred before. Now, with Chen Song's guidance, it was like a sudden enlightenment. Indeed, although the Demon Race's Destiny was strong, it was not monolithic. The conflict with the Witch Race was intensifying daily, and there were many internal problems... The cycle of the Heavenly Dao, retribution is inevitable. Why should he rush and risk his life?

He looked deeply at Chen Song, profoundly shaken. This newly recognized second brother, though seemingly lazy and occasionally unreliable, possessed a terrifying insight into the trends of the Great Wilderness!

Even a veteran powerhouse like himself, without this reminder, had not seen this clearly. Could it be... that the Three Pure Ones had secretly taught him? Or was this child born with the ability to perceive heavenly secrets?

Regardless, Zhenyuanzi felt that becoming brothers with Chen Song was the right move! It not only brought hope for Hongyun's revival but also saved him from a potential calamity caused by impulsive actions.

This wasn't just gaining a brother; it was like finding a guiding light and a super lucky star!

"What Second Brother said... makes a lot of sense!" Zhenyuanzi let out a long sigh. The frantic flames of revenge in his eyes subsided slightly, transforming into a deeper, more resolute cold glint. "I was too fixated. Revenge must be planned carefully. Nurturing Hongyun's remnant soul is not a task for a single day. Since you obtained the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd, keep it. However, the matter of nurturing our old friend Hongyun's remnant soul will trouble you greatly. I... I shall take this opportunity to improve my strength and await the opportune moment!"

"Ah, Big Brother, these are minor matters. Please rest assured, I will handle it. There will definitely be opportunities to seek a sliver of life for Senior Hongyun in the future," Chen Song patted his chest and guaranteed.

Zhenyuanzi looked at Chen Song, more and more satisfied the longer he looked, feeling that this brother was truly a worthwhile gain, a massive profit! He couldn't help but pat Chen Song's shoulder again. "With Second Brother here, I feel much more at ease!"

Chen Song winced as his shoulder was patted, but inwardly he was beaming. Nailed it! I've appeased my generous Big Brother, avoided potential trouble for myself, and secured long-term Ginseng Fruit supply and the right to use the subsidiary seal of the Earth Book.

He glanced at Big White in the corner, who was trying to gnaw on the subsidiary seal as a teething toy, and sighed helplessly. He grabbed a few Ginseng Fruits and stuffed them into his robes, cupping his hands towards Zhenyuanzi.

"It's good that Big Brother can see reason. Then, little brother won't disturb you further. I still need to continue my travels, and by the way, find a mount for Second Martial Uncle."

Zhenyuanzi found everything about Chen Song pleasing at the moment. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "Second Brother, feel free to attend to your business! Wuzhuang Temple is always open for you! Ginseng Fruits are plentiful! Keep the subsidiary seal of the Earth Book safe, and if you encounter trouble, remember to call for Big Brother!"

"Certainly, certainly!" Chen Song replied with a smile, then kicked Big White, who was still wrestling with the subsidiary seal. "Let's go, you silly dog! Stop chewing! That thing will break your teeth!"

Big White reluctantly put down the subsidiary seal, picked up the largest Ginseng Fruit, and trotted after Chen Song, yipping indistinctly, "Goodbye, Uncle Zhenyuanzi! I'll visit you again next time! Bringing my new dog tag... ah, no, the subsidiary seal of the Earth Book!"

Chen Song stumbled, quickly pulling the embarrassing creature along, and ascended into the sky, making a swift escape.