Cultivation arts devour one another, ninth layer of foundation establishment! Natal sword essence, the might of icefire

After that, the Spirit Wine Tower seethed with excitement and heated conversation. Caught up in their emotions, everyone spoke with far less caution, allowing Lin Chang to seize the opportunity to glean more news about the fighting at the front, the movements of the Song Kingdom cultivators, and the latest turmoil in Blackwind Ridge.

Only when the moon rose above the treetops, after they had eaten and drunk their fill, did Lin Changheng bid farewell to the two cultivators, one tall and one short. The three walked to the tavern entrance together.

"Brother Li, you've paid for us again. I really feel bad about this," the tall cultivator surnamed Zhao said with a smile, cupping his hands.

"Yes, yes! Next time, I'll definitely be the host and take you somewhere better, Brother Li!" the short cultivator surnamed Qian hurriedly agreed.

Lin Changheng waved a hand with a smile, his tone casual. "Brother Zhao, Brother Qian, you're too polite. A little wine is hardly worth mentioning. Talking freely with you both and learning about the situation has benefited me greatly. Between brothers, there's no need to count such things."

His sincere smile and comforting words made Zhao and Qian feel even more strongly that this "Fellow Daoist Li" was generous and well worth befriending.

After a few more pleasantries, Lin Changheng cupped his hands in farewell and made to leave. But after just two steps, he paused slightly, as though suddenly remembering some insignificant matter.

Turning back, he asked with apparent casualness, his voice just loud enough for both men to hear, "Oh, right, Brother Zhao, Brother Qian, why haven't we seen Old Zhang today? With one of our new drinking companions missing, something feels off."

Zhao paused, not expecting Brother Li to care so much about Old Zhang, then smiled.