The moon shone clear and bright as the two exchanged drinks, chatting idly about everything under the sun.
As the bright moon shifted across the sky, a plate of peanuts gradually disappeared as well.
There were no words of farewell. They simply finished the wine they had brought, then Yuyang Daozi rose and waved. Chu Xingchen nodded, and that served as their goodbye.
But after Yuyang Daozi left, Chu Xingchen remained seated, watching the bright moon that seemed about to set.
Chu Xingchen was not thinking about the Individual Battle or anything of the sort. He had simply remembered that it had been some time since he last saw his disciples.
He wondered how construction of the Branch Sect was progressing, whether Li Yingling could keep up with all the work, whether Xiaobaiqing missed him, and whether Cui Hao had caused any trouble.
Li Xingtian, Lin Luoyu, Qinghe, who came over to visit and work, and that silly-looking Green Snake.
He wondered whether Ning Qianqian and Ning Kun had grown accustomed to Central Province.
Chu Xingchen gazed at the bright moon. Without realizing it, he too had gained reasons he could not lose.
The Individual Battle did not immediately follow the Team Competition. Instead, a few days were set aside for rest and recovery.
Yet everyone except Chu Xingchen seemed to be clutching at the Buddha's feet at the last moment.
It was completely impossible to get Yuyang Daozi to come out anymore. Word had it that he was training like mad, determined to defeat that fellow with a price marker stuck in his head, offering it for sale-Xu Jin.
Someone else was even more unhinged-Yan Yun had voluntarily sought out Bai Xuanling for training.
Chu Xingchen also had the good fortune to witness Bai Xuanling's grand training method.