Gratitude Is Gratitude; Hatred Is Hatred! . . .
The appearance of the dan beads was nothing short of astonishing.
The three senior gentlemen had never laid eyes on Life Origin Dan of such exceptional quality. In this very moment, they were left flabbergasted by the incredible sight before them. The very notion that these precious dan beads were real had them second-guessing their reality.
Lei Dadi's hands trembled as he carefully tipped the contents of the bottle onto his palm. The misty dan beads rolled gently, shrouded in a dense mist. They were dan beads of the highest quality. For the three grandmasters, it felt too good to be true.
In their wildest dreams, they had never imagined possessing such exquisite dan beads. The men were nearly incredulous, convinced they were part of a fantastical dream.
Lei Dadi's hands quivered as he marveled at the six misty dan beads. The beads seemed to come to life, radiating an ethereal mist that enveloped the room. They were indeed misty dan beads.
[Can this be real? Could it be that I'm not dreaming? The sheer luxury of these dan beads is overwhelming.]
The fingers of the three elders were trembling, their emotions stirring as they contemplated the treasure before them.
Six misty dan beads—almost too much to fathom.
The dan beads rolled gently in their hands, and as they did, the mist began to fill the room.
...
Cha Eun Xiao remained silent. He respected the three grandmasters' emotions and knew they wouldn't want others to witness their vulnerability. To honor their wishes, he stepped out of the room, his demeanor solemn.
He understood the complexity of the situation.
Revenge and gratitude were separate matters.
The three factions were his adversaries, having caused him and his brother immense pain. Revenge was inevitable. However, it wasn't his desire to let the three old men die simply because of his animosity toward the three factions. They had shown him kindness and support.
These were two distinct principles, gratitude and revenge.
Cha Eun Xiao firmly adhered to his own principles. He couldn't be devoid of conscience.
He felt a deep sense of satisfaction in following his heart.
After a while, the three grandmasters emerged from the room. They appeared much improved, their morbid aura completely dissipated. Instead, they radiated a robust and indomitable energy that defied description.
The dan beads had worked wonders.
Lei Dadi gazed at Cha Eun Xiao for an extended moment, his eyes filled with complexity. He sighed and said, "Six misty Life Origin Dan beads... What an extraordinary stroke of fortune... Cha Eun Xiao, we are deeply indebted to you."
Yun Piaoliu offered a wry smile. "I could never have imagined that a recently recruited disciple would provide us with such invaluable assistance. With these six dan beads, we have the potential to lead vibrant lives for another fifty years."
The three old gentlemen shook their heads and shared a hearty laugh.
Cha Eun Xiao anticipated the three grandmasters might inquire about the source of the dan beads, but curiously, they remained silent. It was evident they harbored no interest in the origin of these exceptional treasures. They didn't press further or question whether he possessed more of such dan beads.
Cha Eun Xiao sensed that the three grandmasters trusted his explanation. He breathed a sigh of relief and elaborated, "Before my ascension, I was my master's disciple, who was also a Sky Origin Stage cultivator. The art of dan-making runs deep in my veins, and I don't intend to abandon it. In fact, I hope to become skilled enough to craft more Life Origin Dan beads for you. My former dan-making master often told me that my aptitude in dan-making exceeded that of martial arts. Perhaps, by dedicating myself to this art, I could one day reintroduce legendary supreme dans to the world."
Lei Dadi smiled and interjected, "That's enough, Cha Eun Xiao. We are more than content with the dan beads that have granted us extended lives. Your primary focus should be on advancing your cultivation. The competition within the sect is fierce, and it's time for you to immerse yourself in it."
Feng Wuying, however, offered a solemn warning, "Never reveal your proficiency in dan-making, or claim to excel in it more than martial arts. The Qing-Yun Realm values strength above all else. Showing off in the field of dan-making might bring you more trouble than you'd ever want."
Yun Piaoliu emphasized a singular purpose, saying, "Henceforth, your sole mission is to rise to the highest echelons, no matter where you are. Strive for excellence!"
Cha Eun Xiao nodded in agreement. "Yes, Masters. I will refrain from discussing my dan-making skills and concentrate entirely on martial arts. I'll become the best in the sect."
Feng Wuying provided further guidance, cautioning, "Be prepared for the initial hardships. You may face defeat in the early days due to your current cultivation level. However, do not lose heart. We believe you will overcome these challenges. It simply takes time."
Cha Eun Xiao affirmed, "Yes, Master."
Yun Piaoliu reminded him, "You are at the mid-stage of Spirit Origin Stage, and when interacting with others, remember you are the disciple of Xiao Mufei and Fang Dalong. You are Cha Chongxiao."
Lei Dadi, although reluctant to part with his only exceptional disciple, reluctantly accepted the situation. He said, "That's enough chit-chat. It's time to get going."
His decision was based on Cha Chongxiao's safety, regardless of his inner displeasure.
As Cha Chongxiao departed, the three grandmasters watched in silence. He descended the mountain, his robes billowing gracefully in the wind, leaving the three men to heave collective sighs.
"Our disciple is a walking enigma," Lei Dadi commented with a hint of confusion. "I believed his aptitude in martial arts was the most astounding revelation, but now he reveals he's a supreme dan-maker. What could this possibly signify?"
Feng Wuying dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand. "It's irrelevant. The more secrets he carries, the better. I don't mind him harboring a few mysteries. In fact, it's quite befitting of him. Who is a man without secrets?"
Yun Piaoliu narrowed his eyes and addressed Lei Dadi, saying, "Do you not harbor your own secrets? Remember the year you fell in love with our senior disciple sister? You kept that affection hidden within your heart. We just chose not to reveal it. So, think twice before casting stones."
Lei Dadi blushed crimson and snapped, "You scoundrel! Your words are utter nonsense! Why don't you take yourself out of my sight immediately?"
With a snort, Yun Piaoliu concluded, "At any rate, it's a positive thing that Cha Chongxiao possesses a few secrets. We should respect his privacy. Besides, we mustn't forget that he has shown immense kindness to us, particularly by gifting us the Life Origin Dan beads. If anyone suggests he's acting against us, I would refuse to believe it."
Lei Dadi fumed, "You're talking nonsense! Do you think I need you to remind me of something so self-evident? Did you assume I couldn't grasp such basic concepts? I merely wanted to ensure you two don't pressure him into revealing what he'd rather keep concealed! Do you comprehend?"
The three grandmasters continued their banter, their voices echoing through the serene surroundings.