Yuyang, Bao'an Commandery.
Sun Terrace Mountain, Stone Sheep Palace, Danqiu Hall.
"You needn't have troubled yourself to come and see me, sir."
Xu Shiren smiled as he spoke, his face somewhat pale, coughing from time to time.
"Our two sects are brothers. There's no need for such words. With injuries this severe, fellow Daoist, has your fetus suffered any harm?"
Cheng Xinzhan asked.
Xu Shiren shook his head.
"Nothing serious."
Nothing serious meant there was harm.
Cheng Xinzhan took a jade box out of the Void Realm, handed it over, and said,
"This is a Longevity Rock Pill. I refined it myself. It can consolidate qi and stabilize the fetus. Don't be so quick to refuse, fellow Daoist. I know Luofu Mountain is the Southern Ridge's alchemical sect and surely has better pills, but this is a small token of my regard. Please accept it."
Before Xu Shiren could voice his refusal, Cheng Xinzhan cut him off. Sensing Cheng Xinzhan's concern, and since the pill had been personally refined by him, Xu Shiren could hardly say anything more. He accepted it with repeated thanks, then smiled and said,
"Word of your alchemy at Feixia Mountain, with alchemical clouds ceaselessly rising and wondrous phenomena appearing one after another, has long since spread throughout Lingnan. However fine Luofu Mountain's pills may be, few can compare with your handiwork."
"You're too kind."
Cheng Xinzhan smiled at this, then brought up another matter.
"Fellow Daoist, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Please go ahead, sir."
"I'd like to ask about the situation on Parasol Tree Mountain. Do you happen to know the details?"
"Parasol Tree Mountain?"
Xu Shiren's eyes lit up, and his voice suddenly grew spirited.
"Is Three Pure Ones Mountain going to retake Parasol Tree Mountain?!"
Cheng Xinzhan replied,
"A branch