"Hmm—?"
La Shiwu, standing behind Li Biao, whipped his head around and glared at the four people on the fishing platform behind them. "What are you doing!"
The young man surnamed Hong slowly rose. A squirrel-like little beast crawled out of his sleeve. Stroking it, he smiled. "My apologies. This little fellow is unruly. It accidentally let a trace of magical power slip out just now."
The little beast was called a Windfan Mouse. It could summon wind blades sharp enough to sever a tree too thick for a man to wrap his arms around. Though it posed no threat to accomplished cultivators, its adorable appearance made it a popular pet.
La Shiwu refused to accept that. "I think you did it on purpose!"
Li Biao reached out and stopped him. "Forget it."
La Shiwu froze. "Biao, you—"
He could scarcely believe it. The Li Biao of old had never been so willing to swallow his anger.
He did not know that something had weighed on Li Biao's heart all these years: if he had not called First Day over back then, perhaps their reunion would not have been like this.
Seeing this, the young man surnamed Hong raised an eyebrow. "How about this? I'll compensate you."
Li Biao waved a hand.
A female cultivator beside Hong Chengge snorted. "Senior Brother Hong is a disciple of Whisperwind Island. His grandmaster is Hong Tian—"
Hong Chengge coughed softly and looked at Li Biao with a smile. "I am Hong Chengge."
His tone was gentle, but his gaze held a hint of appraisal. "May I ask your names?"
La Shiwu frowned. Whisperwind Island? Hong Tian... He seemed to recall someone.
Whisperwind Island's Hong Tianyan had once been one of its three great elders. Now, having survived the first nine heavenly tribulation, he