Zhao Li summarized everything he had learned over the years and sighed inwardly, realizing he still had a long way to go and couldn't afford to be arrogant.
Putting everything else aside, Zhao Li knew that in the future, Xiao Yan would create several Eighth Grade and Ninth Grade Pills on his own. But as for himself, not only had he not created any, he hadn't even refined a single proper Eighth Grade Pill. The difference wasn't just a little bit.
"Brother Zhao Li, are you there?"
Zhao Li was still thinking about his next steps when a knocking sound interrupted his thoughts. Zhao Li snapped back to attention and heard Li Ming's voice.
Zhao Li opened the door and saw that Li Ming had changed his clothes. Looking at him, he seemed younger and much more energetic, completely different from the slick merchant he was in the caravan.
Zhao Li even suspected he had mistaken the person, blinking and taking a few extra glances before saying in surprise, "Brother Li, you look like a completely different person! With this appearance, I don't know how many girls' eyes you'll catch!"
Seeing Zhao Li's disbelieving expression, Li Ming couldn't help but laugh, then heard Zhao Li praising him.
Li Ming laughed, but when he heard what Zhao Li said next, his expression suddenly froze, looking extremely comical.
He subconsciously looked around, then leaned closer to Zhao Li and whispered, "Brother Zhao Li, I'll admit it if you say I'm handsome, but don't slander me! If your sister-in-law hears this, she won't spare me!"
Zhao Li understood and laughed, grasping Li Ming's meaning, but seeing him like this was truly hard to resist.
Seeing Li Ming's appearance, Zhao Li laughed for a while, then proactively changed the subject and asked about Li Ming's purpose for coming.
"Right, Brother Li, do you need something from me this late?"
Zhao Li was indeed a little confused about Li Ming's sudden visit.
"Brother Zhao Li, what are you saying? Does that mean I can't look for you if there's nothing wrong? You're a guest in my house, what kind of behavior would it be to just leave you here?"
Hearing this, Li Ming put on a hurt expression, but he quickly became serious, no longer fooling around, and stated his intention. He had come to invite Zhao Li to explore the Heavenly Profound Night Market, which was considered a major feature of Tianxuan City.
"Let's go, your brother here will take you around Tianxuan City. If you see anything you like, just take it, don't be polite with me."
Without waiting for Zhao Li to refuse, he had already put his arm around Zhao Li's shoulder and led him out.
He dared to say that because he naturally understood that Zhao Li wouldn't trick him without reason.
Li Ming knew Zhao Li's character somewhat after spending these past few days together.
Zhao Li felt quite helpless, letting Li Ming pull him along towards Tianxuan City.
Under the lamplight, two shadows with arms around each other's shoulders were cast, gradually stretching longer and longer until they disappeared within the courtyard.
...
Twinkling lights, bustling streets, a never-ending flow of people, and busy traffic were all essential components of Tianxuan City's night view. Together with the sparkling stars in the night sky and the colorful stream of vehicles, they formed a beautiful, prosperous, and lively picture of a bustling night market.
Zhao Li was pulled along by Li Ming. Since he couldn't resist, he might as well enjoy it. He quickly blended into the crowd with Li Ming, becoming part of the night market scene.
Li Ming took Zhao Li to the lively streets of Tianxuan City. Seeing that Zhao Li was unfamiliar and had no specific destination, he pulled him around to wander aimlessly.
With Li Ming, a local, leading the way, Zhao Li got to witness the prosperity of Tianxuan City.
"Brother Zhao Li, you sit and wait for a bit. You must try our specialty grilled skewers here in Tianxuan City. This kind of Magical Beast is unique to the area around Tianxuan City."
As the night grew deeper, Li Ming saw a barbecue stall. He pushed through the crowd with Zhao Li, managed to snag a round table, and after seating Zhao Li, went to order the skewers himself.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Li felt a moment of nostalgia. This scene seemed to transport him back to his school days, when he would gather with his dormmates for a late-night snack.
Li Ming came over with the skewers and handed them to Zhao Li. Seeing that he didn't take them, he raised his hand and waved it in front of Zhao Li's eyes, calling out a few times.
"Brother Zhao Li, what's wrong?"
Zhao Li snapped back to attention, grinned, looking a little embarrassed, and said softly, "I'm fine, I just missed home a little."
He then took the meat skewers Li Ming handed him and put them in his mouth. As he chewed, Zhao Li felt a lump in his throat.
A stranger in a strange land, the more I miss my family during festivals.
So that was it.
Zhao Li understood.
But he could never go back. Those scenes could only remain in his memory.
Everyone has a hometown, and everyone's hometown has a bright moon. Everyone loves the moon in their hometown. In Zhao Li's memory, that moon seemed even brighter.
Seeing Zhao Li like this, Li Ming fell silent and didn't disturb him.
After a long while, Zhao Li composed himself, scratched his head, smiled at Li Ming, feeling a little awkward, and pointed at the skewers, as if nothing had happened, and said to Li Ming, "Brother Li, you've seen me at my weakest. These skewers are really good, thank you for treating me, Brother Li."
Li Ming didn't know what Zhao Li had been thinking about in that short time, but he felt that Zhao Li seemed to have changed completely.
Hearing Zhao Li's words, he shook his head and laughed.
"Brother Zhao Li, what are you talking about? It's only human nature, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. These skewers are a specialty of Tianxuan City, they're definitely good! They're delicious, just eat more, there's plenty."
Li Ming pushed the skewers towards Zhao Li. Then he took out some drinks and asked, "Want some?"
Immediately, the two exchanged smiles and continued to feast.
The night grew deeper, and the streets emptied considerably. The autumn wind blew, bringing a touch of coolness that invigorated them both.
Supporting each other, the two walked down the street.
Their outing tonight, though brief, had brought them much closer.
Perhaps Li Ming was drunk, or perhaps he was just pretending, using the opportunity to say things he normally wouldn't.
"Brother Zhao Li, you're an Alchemist, aren't you? I really envy that profession, it's just a shame I have no connection to it."
Zhao Li didn't answer, and Li Ming continued talking to himself, seemingly full of emotion.
"Brother Zhao Li, you're so young, yet you're already a Fourth Rank Alchemist. Your future is truly limitless. I wonder what kind of master could teach such an outstanding disciple like you. I really want to see what kind of person such a senior is."
Zhao Li didn't know that the Li Family was seeking an Alchemist to save their ancestor's life. He simply assumed Li Ming envied the status of an Alchemist and was speaking from the heart while drunk.
However, hearing Li Ming's words and thinking of the old man who was like a grandfather to him, Zhao Li couldn't help but smile.
It had been a long time since he'd seen that somewhat lovable old man.
Tonight, Zhao Li had once again come to understand many things, and his state of mind had improved further.
"Master, how are you doing? I wonder if you've gotten your wish and reached the Eighth Grade?"
Zhao Li looked up at the moon, thinking of Lin Lan, wondering if he had succeeded all these years.
Shaking his head, he put away his thoughts and said proudly,
"My Master, he's just a lovable old man who loves to study Alchemy Technique, but he's also the best Master in this world."
After that, there was silence. The two stumbled and swayed all the way back to the Li Family.
...
Early the next morning, Zhao Li finished his cultivation and got up early to tidy himself up.
Pushing open the window, the morning breeze blew across his face, clearing Zhao Li's thoughts even further.
"I should speed things up."
Yesterday's events had indeed made Zhao Li feel a sense of urgency to return. He planned to go to Holy Pill City to study for a while as soon as possible, then go to White Cloud City to see the Yun Family that his Master had mentioned, and after that, hurry back to Great Qian to see them.
Anyway, there was nothing for him in Tianxuan City, and Zhao Li didn't plan to stay here much longer. He didn't know how long it would take to get from here to Holy Pill City.
Zhao Li also didn't want to waste time here unnecessarily. There was no time like the present, so he might as well leave today.
Having made his decision, Zhao Li packed his things, preparing to say goodbye to Li Ming.
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