Brothers Reunited

Ji Haoyuan?

Almost instinctively, Han Penghu and Han Pengfeng both thought of that name.

The next moment, the same question arose in all three of their minds.

How was that possible?

Someone who had only broken through to Foundation Establishment a few years ago—and had done so at the advanced age of a hundred—how could he possess such formidable strength?

One had to know that Han Pengshan was no weakling among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He carried one offensive spiritual artifact and two defensive spiritual artifacts.

In terms of equipment alone, he already surpassed many cultivators of the same level.

What was more, Han Pengshan had advanced to Foundation Establishment nearly a full sixty years ago.

Whether in combat experience or the depth of his spiritual power, he could be considered outstanding among Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivators.

Yet even someone like him, when facing Ji Haoyuan, had felt as though he were confronting a veteran Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator, utterly without the strength to resist.

Had the entire Han Family not stood behind him, forcing Ji Haoyuan to show some consideration for his own family, Han Pengshan truly might not have made it back today.

At that thought, the emotions in their hearts gradually settled, and all their faces turned incomparably grave.

A short while later.

Han Pengshan spoke reluctantly. "Big Brother, what should we do next?

Are we really just going to let this matter go?

Are we really going to hand that Cloud Iron Ore Vein over to them?"

Hearing Han Pengshan's words, Han Penghu immediately shook his head with a dark expression.

"Of course we won't let it end like this.

He beat you into that state. Even if I agreed to let it go, you wouldn't agree, would you?"

At this point, Han Penghu paused slightly before continuing in a cold voice:

"Still, given the Han Family's current situation, we truly lack the strength to trouble the Ji Family again anytime soon, much less contend with them for that Cloud Iron Ore Vein.

After all, you both know that our struggle with the Feng Family has not yet ended.

If we go to war with the Ji Family now, we will inevitably suffer another heavy loss.

However...

It will not be so easy for the Ji Family to take over that Cloud Iron Ore Vein in peace and quiet.

Second Brother..."

As he spoke, Han Penghu turned to Han Pengfeng and said:

"Go spread the news about that Cloud Iron Ore Vein at once.

I want to see whether the Zhang Family and Liu Family, who share Nanning Prefecture with the Ji Family, can still sit still when the time comes.

And those who once bore grudges and entanglements with the Ji Family—will they really be willing to watch the Ji Family rise to power once more?"

"Yes, Brother."

Han Pengfeng immediately nodded.

About half a day later.

Inside the Temporary Cave Dwelling, Ji Haoyuan successfully erased the Spiritual Sense imprint on Han Pengshan's Storage Pouch.

He swept his gaze over its contents and discovered that his gains from Han Pengshan this time were far inferior to what he had obtained from Sun Renzheng that day.

First were the Spirit Stones.

As a veteran Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Han Family, Han Pengshan had only a mere two thousand Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch.

Then there were the Pills, spiritual herbs, and Treasure Materials. There were not many of those either, amounting to only about one-fifth of what had been in Sun Renzheng's Storage Pouch.

It seemed that fellow had used most of his resources to improve himself.

Had it not been for that Tier 2 Low-Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact he had dropped earlier, Ji Haoyuan would have found this haul rather shabby.

Hmm...?

Suddenly.

Ji Haoyuan's gaze fell upon an inconspicuous corner inside the Storage Pouch.

There, lying quietly, was an object made of special paper.

With a thought from Ji Haoyuan.

The object made of special paper immediately appeared in his hand.

What was this?

Ji Haoyuan's eyes narrowed.

Surprise rose in his heart.

For he discovered that this object made of special paper was actually a map.

The map was clearly incomplete, with many missing sections.

Ji Haoyuan studied it carefully for a long time, yet still could not determine where the location depicted on the map was.

However, he could be certain that this map was no ordinary thing.

Because he had now recognized that the material used to make it was the hide of some Rank 2 demonic beast.

He could not yet determine exactly what kind of Demon Beast it had been, but judging from the aura he could sense from it, this hide had undoubtedly come from a Rank 2 demonic beast.

Who could have such extravagant means?

To draw a map, they had actually used the hide of a Rank 2 demonic beast.

That was an existence comparable to Foundation Establishment cultivators like them.

If he had the chance to complete this map, perhaps he might obtain some opportunity from it.

But before that, the map was temporarily of no use.

No wonder Han Pengshan had thought so little of it and casually tossed it into a corner of his Storage Pouch.

These thoughts flashed through his mind.

It was then that he suddenly sensed the restrictions around his Temporary Cave Dwelling being disturbed.

He immediately put away the Storage Pouch and opened the restrictions of the Temporary Cave Dwelling.

Very soon, he saw someone outside whom he had not expected to see.

"Big Brother, why are you here?"

The person standing before him was none other than his eldest brother, Ji Haohuan.

After several years apart, Ji Haohuan had clearly grown even more aged.

It was evident that he truly did not have much Lifespan left.

At this moment, he stood at the entrance of Ji Haoyuan's Temporary Cave Dwelling, looking at him with a smile.

"Ahoyuan, have you forgotten?

You sent a Message Talisman earlier, asking someone to make you a copy of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation passed down by our Ji Family.

So here I am, personally delivering these things to you."

That was true.

This concerned the Hundred Arts of Cultivation inherited by their Ji Family.

Although the things within were not especially precious in the eyes of high-level cultivators.

They were still a part of the Ji Family's foundation.

The contents involved were naturally far from ordinary, so they could not simply send someone at random to deliver them.

Ji Haohuan, as Ji Haoyuan's own elder brother, was naturally the most suitable person for the task.

Still, Ji Haohuan was already advanced in years. This journey must have been no small burden for him.

Concern could not help rising in Ji Haoyuan's heart, and he said with concern:

"Big Brother, leave such matters to others in the future. Stay in the family as much as possible and take proper care of your health."

At those words, Ji Haohuan merely smiled and waved his hand.

"

"It's nothing.

Your brother has remained in the family for several decades already.

Now that I finally have the chance, I should naturally come out and take a walk.

Otherwise, I fear that even if I wish to come out for a walk again in the future, I may no longer have the chance."

Ji Haohuan spoke those words lightly, even with a hint of jest.

Yet when they fell upon Ji Haoyuan's ears, an inexplicable ache rose in his heart.

After thinking for a moment, Ji Haoyuan could not help saying to Ji Haohuan:

"Big Brother, give me some more time. Later, I will visit the major markets and even Crimson Cloud Immortal City under the Crimson Cloud Sect to see whether there are any spiritual treasures that can extend one's Lifespan.

If there are, I will certainly find a way to obtain them for you."