### Chapter 21: Before Parting Ways
Staring at the Purple Demon Gourd in Lin Yi's hand, Yan Shizong gaped. "Not even a top-tier artifact explosion damaged it? What *is* this gourd? Is it really just mid-grade?"
Lin Yi grinned, tucking the gourd into his storage bag. He stepped toward Yan, extending his arms. "You've earned a break! Let me take her." Before Yan could protest, Lin Yi took the unconscious Zhang Ziyan from him.
Yan's mind raced, fixated on the gourd. "That thing is evil. It must be a demonic artifact, forged by fiends. We should destroy it."
"Destroy it? Are you mad?" Lin Yi exclaimed. "A weapon that powerful—wasting it would be a sin! Besides, it's mine now. My call, not yours."
"It's *demonic*!" Yan insisted, alarmed.
"Demonic, schmemonic! Who made the rule that black qi equals evil? Do you think any cultivator's artifacts are spotless?" Lin Yi snapped. He'd finally gotten a mid-grade artifact—one that could nullify other tools, no less. He'd never part with it.
Yan fell silent. Lin Yi had a point; no one could claim moral purity in their tools.
"Sigh, you've never struggled. In the immortal world, it's survival of the fittest. Strength keeps you alive—no one cares if your tools are 'righteous' or 'demonic.' Power silences critics. *Living* is what matters," Lin Yi said, rare gravity in his tone.
Yan had grown up in Mengxuan Sect, rising to core disciple despite his fourth-level cultivation—a historic feat. This was his first trip outside, a trial. Meeting Lin Yi's group and entering Yunmeng Marsh had been his baptism of fire.
"You'll understand someday," Lin Yi clapped his shoulder. "Sun's setting. Let's find shelter for the night."
"Where?" Yan asked.
Lin Yi pointed to the nearest mountain. "Carve a small cave there. Good enough."
Naturally, digging fell to Yan. Lin Yi was "busy"—cradling the unconscious beauty, after all. Who else could care for her? Certainly not Yan, in Lin Yi's opinion.
Savoring the feel of her delicate frame against his, Lin Yi followed as Yan hacked a three-person cave into the hillside with his sword.
Inside, Lin Yi set Zhang Ziyan down. "You meditate. I'll help her recover."
Yan, low on spiritual energy from the chase, nodded gratefully. He'd drained himself fleeing Dong's group. Lin Yi, relying more on physical strength, still had energy to spare—even at second-level.
Yan sat cross-legged, cultivating in silence.
Lin Yi pressed his palms to Zhang Ziyan's back, channeling his energy into her. Her body, starved of spiritual power, drank it in greedily. But as a second-level cultivator, his reserves were meager—hardly enough for a fifth-level修士.
A quarter-hour later, he faltered.
"Stop," a voice breathed—soft, lazy, and weak, like wind chimes.
Zhang Ziyan had woken. She'd sensed her least favorite teammate healing her, a wave of complex emotions washing over her.
Lin Yi pulled back.
"Thank you," she said, meeting his gaze. For that moment, he felt satisfied. Her eyes held no disdain—only gratitude. It thrilled him more than holding her.
"A good sign," he thought, grinning傻乎乎.
"I'll meditate," she said, voice cold again. Clearly, small talk wasn't on her mind.
"Oh," Lin Yi mumbled, retreating to a corner. His joy fizzled. *Just a fluke.*
He closed his eyes, practicing the Longevity Technique. He'd stop soon anyway—he wasn't fool enough to drain himself for a stranger.
The night passed in silence.
Dawn light seeped through the cave's vine curtain, rousing them. Zhang Ziyan and Yan looked refreshed, their energy restored. Lin Yi, too, brimmed with vitality—his cultivation had even inched closer to third-level.
"Beautiful day!" Lin Yi stretched outside, beaming.
Zhang Ziyan and Yan joined him.
"Xu Lin, Daoist Zhang and I are heading back. What about you?" Yan asked. Despite their bickering, they'd fought side by side. He silently prayed Lin Yi would stay—another minute with him felt like torture.