They learned that Li Ping had returned.
Before long, Zhang Tie and Gu Musheng came to visit him together.
In truth, back when they were all Qi Refining cultivators, the two had not been particularly close. There had even been some unpleasantness over who would reach Foundation Establishment first.
But so much time had passed that they had long since forgotten those grievances. Instead, they stood shoulder to shoulder, united as they looked ahead.
Moreover, their children had grown into adults over the years and married into one another's families, binding them even closer together.
Still, they continued to hold their eldest brother in great respect.
This was not merely because he had once helped them reach Foundation Establishment. More importantly, he was now a Foundation Establishment middle-stage cultivator.
The moment he saw Li Ping, Zhang Tie smiled and said, "Eldest Brother, congratulations on reaching the Foundation Establishment middle stage."
Gu Musheng smiled as well, offering his congratulations alongside Zhang Tie.
Two years ago, immediately after his breakthrough, Li Ping had taken Yan Hengchuan with him to capture Yan Liming without meeting Zhang Tie, Gu Musheng, or the others.
Before leaving, however-
He had deliberately left Zhang Tie and the others a letter, mentioning his breakthrough to the middle stage and his need to go away for a while.
Thus, the other four cultivators of the Shared Boat Association now all knew that Li Ping had reached the Foundation Establishment middle stage.
Li Ping nodded with a smile and led the two into the pavilion to sit.
Then he asked how they had been doing lately.
Gu Musheng shook his head, unwilling to say much, but Zhang Tie sighed and began airing his grievances. "Eldest Brother, life hasn't been easy for us lately."
Li Ping was puzzled. "Haven't you established