When Xiao Hua followed Xiangyang into Zhai Hongshen's cave residence, he discovered that although the entrance outside was not large, the interior was enormous—one-third larger even than Helpless's cave residence.
Xiao Hua could not see the innermost parts of the cave residence, but several jade chairs stood at the head of the hall, occupied by Helpless, Zhuo, and several other cultivators. Beside them were jade tables laden with spiritual fruits and spiritual wine. Along both sides of the hall, cultivators sat in two rows of jade chairs—Zhai Hongshen and the others among them. Zhai Hongshen was speaking quietly with these cultivators, smiling softly from time to time, seemingly paying no heed to Xiao Hua's arrival.
Near the jade tables beside Zhai Hongshen and the others were spiritual herbs whose fragrance wafted through the air. Even bright, beautiful flowers adorned the surrounding hall!
"Damn it, they really do have some standing!" Xiao Hua sighed as he took in the pleasing sight.
"Why have you only arrived now?" Xiangyang, seated in one of the chairs at the head of the hall, asked coldly.
Xiao Hua did not dare delay. He hurried forward, bowed, and said, "This disciple is untalented. I have been in seclusion during this period, and the communication talisman sent by Eldest Senior Brother..."
"Hmph! Even if you were in seclusion, you still had to receive communication talismans. If this old man had sent one, would you have dared not come?" Helpless demanded again.
"This disciple..."
But before Xiao Hua could finish, Helpless cut him off again. "Since you have been away for years and gone through life and death, yet still failed to establish your foundation, you should have stopped to reflect on why you cannot establish your foundation! How can someone like you, who only knows how to