Ever since Wu Xuantian and Shi Hao had returned to Shi Village, one after the other, the village had changed even more. Nothing remained of the unremarkable little settlement it had once been.
Unlike Wu Xuantian, Shi Hao wanted to turn Shi Village into a haven, so he brought back many fine things from the outside world.
Wu Xuantian had nothing to say about it. Everyone had their own ideas.
Now that Shi Hao had returned from the Heaven Mending Pavilion, the Willow Deity was preparing to give him his second baptism and told him to make ready over the next few days.
Beneath the willow tree, Wu Xuantian sat quietly with his legs crossed, his body at one with heaven and earth. A faint golden radiance rose from him, glinting with the cold sheen of metal.
He had given the Immortal Spring to the Willow Deity, but she had taken only half. He absorbed the remainder for his cultivation.
The Immortal Spring held an extraordinarily potent divine nature and was remarkable for its power of immortality. Even the Willow Deity praised it.
After drinking the Immortal Spring, Wu Xuantian spent day and night refining and absorbing it, contemplating the immortal divinity within.
Nearby, a fat, earth-yellow chicken sprawled beside the willow's roots, looking thoroughly at ease.
It was an Eight Treasures Chicken, one of the eight delicacies of primordial times. Legend said it was a peerless dish that only gods could taste. Shi Hao had caught it outside and brought it back—apparently after snatching it from the Rain Clan.
The Rain Clan had turned against the Heaven Mending Pavilion when one of its outposts was destroyed, and had joined the forces besieging it. With old and new grudges to settle, Shi Hao had set his sights on them.
Besides