The courtyard, which had bustled for most of the day, finally grew quiet again as the night deepened.
The Old Locust Tree still rustled in the wind, but the fragrance of tea around it had faded.
After receiving Si Chen's "same-realm" instruction, Xie Changsheng, Zhou Yan, Song Chi, and Luo Hongyi had all hurried back to their respective side halls before long.
It had been exhilarating, certainly, but the pain had been just as real.
More importantly, they had truly gained a great deal this time. Failing to seize the chance to enter seclusion and reflect on such an unparalleled immortal opportunity would have been a criminal waste.
They all understood that the flames of war engulfing the Myriad Heavens and Worlds were far from extinguished.
Growing stronger was the only thing they could do now-and something they had to accomplish.
Compared with those ascetics in seclusion, however, Li Tiezhu had spent a much busier afternoon.
After leaving Si Chen's courtyard, he had made three full circuits of Undying Mountain, his face glowing.
He bragged animatedly to everyone he met.
According to him, his master's snow-white hair was merely a disguise born of returning to simplicity. In reality, his Divine Abilities remained invincible!
Wasn't that obvious? Even Black Mountain, Martial Uncle Red Wind, and the others combined had been beaten into complete submission.
It had to be said that although the boy usually seemed unreliable, his embellished "rumor-busting" had indeed put everyone considerably more at ease.
Some of Undying Mountain's former vitality returned as well.
No one was happier than Gray Gray.
After listening to Tiezhu's account with donkey ears pricked, it had immediately huffed and puffed its way over beside Si Chen's rocking chair.
Now it was snoring happily, its two rows of big white teeth bared even in