Chu Ling'er was startled, then saddened. If Chu Hao had not been poisoned, this sword art alone would have been enough for him to gain the Chu clan's high regard, listing him among the talents destined for focused cultivation.
"Sister, there's no need to cling to such regrets."
"Everything will get better."
Chu Hao, as if having perceived the despondency in Chu Ling'er's heart, spoke to comfort her.
He had performed the Gale Sword Technique earlier to merely exercise his body. After all, he had just advanced a stage, and this body had long been neglected due to the toxin, so a bit of exercise was necessary for his body to operate smoothly.
After performing that sword art, Chu Hao further solidified his understanding of the immense difference between the two tiers of cultivation techniques. If he had used the amount of energy this body possessed before to perform the Gale Sword Technique, he would likely have collapsed from exhaustion halfway through, due to depleted energy. But now, he could execute the complete sword art without breaking a single sweat.
As for cultivating the Gale Sword Technique to its peak? Chu Hao did not consider it a significant feat at all. It was merely a Peerless-grade Mortal-tier technique; how could it possibly pose an obstacle to someone with his Heavenly Venerate Realm insight?
"Little brother, I was just thinking about something else."
Chu Ling'er quickly said, afraid of making Chu Hao recall his past painful experiences. After all, Chu Hao had been poisoned, and not only had to endure daily agony but also had to watch his painstakingly cultivated realm slowly slip away.
Even though Chu Hao was different now, Chu Ling'er's concern for him remained unchanged. This made Chu Hao's heart feel very warm.
"Sister, in truth, this matter is insignificant. If a cultivation realm is lost, it can always be cultivated anew. After all, we always fall and then rise again, don't we?"
Chu Hao spoke with a calm and unhurried tone.
"Though I have encountered many misfortunes, I have also met with good fortune. Besides, if one wishes to climb to a higher position, why fear scratched hands?"
"Cultivation, becoming a cultivator, is precisely this: a difficult and winding path. This is the truth."
Chu Ling'er had never paid attention to such philosophies, as she had always merely sought to exist day by day. Chu Hao's words, however, were strangely compelling.
Suddenly, Chu Hao turned his head towards the door.
"Someone is here."
As soon as he finished speaking, a light knock sounded from outside the room.
"Is Chu Ling'er here? Young Master Wen Bing wishes to invite you for a visit."
"Wen Bing? Is it that fellow?"
Chu Ling'er frowned. She had refused Wen Bing countless times, yet that young master clung to her like a leech. Moreover, he had harmed her once, leading her into a trap.
Clearly, Chu Ling'er did not wish to heed Wen Bing's invitation. Chu Hao, however, placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her.
"Constantly avoiding him like this is not the optimal solution. It would be better if we went to see what tricks he intends to play, and then find a way to counter them."
"Yes, as you wish."
Chu Ling'er held immense trust in Chu Hao.
The location was still at the Drunken Immortal Tower, but not in the two siblings' cramped, shabby room, but in a chamber reserved for esteemed guests.
In the center sat a table laden with expensive dishes, their enticing aromas filling the air, yet no one seated there touched their chopsticks.
Chu Hao and Chu Ling'er sat side-by-side, facing them were four other individuals. Seated prominently among the four, seemingly the central figure to whom the other three deferred, was none other than Wen Bing.
To Wen Bing's right sat a youth of similar age. Although he said nothing, his arrogant demeanor emanated from every gesture and subtle movement. And it seemed this person indeed had the right to be arrogant, for his aura was almost on par with a Great Grandmaster Realm cultivator like Wen Bing.
To Wen Bing's left, surprisingly, were none other than Zhao Feng and Li Ming.
"Chu Ling'er, I am delighted you have come. I have heard about yesterday's incident, so I sought out Zhao Feng and Li Ming to inquire about it. Both of them have expressed their willingness to apologize."
Wen Bing spoke softly, his every word exuding impeccable grace.
"Chu Ling'er, we apologize to you for yesterday's matter."
Zhao Feng and Li Ming quickly offered their apologies. But this only made Chu Ling'er frown. How could such a superficial apology compare to the humiliation she endured yesterday and the pain her brother was forced to suffer?
What angered her even more was that since entering the room, and even while apologizing, they focused solely on her, treating Chu Hao, who was beside her, as if he did not exist.
However, a dilemma arose. They had offered an apology, and Chu Ling'er dared not demand anything further, for she had nothing to back her up.
"Very well, let us consider yesterday's matter a misunderstanding. Today's meal is also to apologize to Chu Ling'er. She has a kind heart, so I'm sure she will not dwell on it with the two of you."
Wen Bing smiled amicably, but his first sentence dismissed all of Chu Ling'er's grievances. In Chu Hao's eyes, this was clearly a tacit command that no one dared to defy.
"This is a person with a benevolent exterior but a cunning interior."
Chu Hao mused. But such cunning, to him, was akin to being completely exposed.
"Enough of these unpleasant matters. Chu Ling'er, allow me to introduce Young Master Xiao Yan, my closest friend. He is also a talented young individual of Jade City, and his master is none other than Jade City's Alchemist, Venerable Wan Qing."
Wen Bing spoke, gesturing towards the youth seated to his right.
"Alchemist Venerable Wan Qing?"