Xiao Hua's heart warmed. A friend who sent charcoal in the snow was a true friend; Cui Hongshen's acquaintances were probably nothing more than fair-weather drinking companions!
"Are... are you all right?" Xun Shu looked Xiao Hua up and down. A thousand words seemed lodged in her throat, and she could not utter even half a syllable. After holding them in for a long while, she managed only these few words... Yet those few words poured out all the concern and longing she had carried for more than a decade.
"I... am very well!" Xiao Hua smiled. A comfortable, utterly unrestrained feeling rose within his heart. "More than a decade of war... has benefited me greatly!"
"Ah, yes, you are well. I should have known that from the start!" Xun Shu sighed. "You cut a swath through the Dao Sword Great Battle, and now your reputation blazes like the noonday sun. Within our Thunder Control Sect, apart from Ancestor Wuming, I fear you are next in line! Every battle report that came at intervals mentioned..."
As she spoke to this point, Xun Shu's face reddened slightly, and she did not continue.
Xiao Hua understood clearly. Needless to say, Xun Shu had paid attention to every battle report because she wanted news of him.
An indescribable trust rose in Xiao Hua's heart. Smiling, he said, "Hehe, shameful, shameful. It was nothing special, nothing special!"
"Nothing special??" Xun Shu was slightly stunned, but then her eyes brightened. Covering her mouth, she laughed. "I... should have thought of it! Back then, you were already so formidable before even reaching Foundation Establishment. Now that you are already at the mid Foundation Establishment stage..."
"Perhaps forming a Golden Core... is possible too?" Xiao Hua felt a small surge of pride. This was also the first