Li Yu crouched near the pile of fish, casually inspecting one with a practiced eye. He grabbed a few sticks from the ground and started assembling them into a crude firepit, all the while maintaining his usual lazy demeanor.
Li Hao, still catching his breath from his fishing spree, tilted his head curiously. "Senior Li Yu, do you know how to grill fish?"
"Of course," Li Yu said confidently, smirking. "Grilling fish is an essential skill. Didn't they teach you that in… uh, life school or something?"
Li Hao blinked, clearly puzzled, but didn't question further. He quietly watched as Li Yu fiddled with the sticks, seemingly trying to create a spark by rubbing two rocks together.
"Starting a fire is all about technique," Li Yu said, his voice full of mock seriousness. "Just a little patience and—"
Before he could finish, he discreetly flicked his finger, sending a tiny burst of energy to ignite the dry twigs. A small flame flickered to life, quickly growing into a stable fire.
Li Hao's eyes widened. "Wow, you did it so fast! You really are amazing, Senior!"
Li Yu chuckled, leaning back smugly. "Naturally. I told you". As the fire crackled, Li Yu skewered a couple of fish on sticks and positioned them over the flames, he carefully rotated the skewered fish over the fire, letting the golden-brown skin sizzle and crisp. The smell was divine, and for a brief moment, even he felt satisfied with the results of his "hard work."
Li Hao, sitting cross-legged nearby, looked at the steaming fish with a mix of awe and hunger. He glanced at Li Yu, his expression shy but filled with gratitude. "Thank you for letting me use the spear, Senior. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to catch anything."
Li Yu waved a hand dismissively, his tone light. "Don't mention it, kid. You did all the hard work. I just lent you a stick." He handed one of the grilled fish skewers to Li Hao, who accepted it with wide eyes.
As they ate in comfortable silence, Li Yu suddenly looked at the boy with mild curiosity. "By the way, kid, what's your name?"
Li Hao paused mid-bite, blinking in surprise. "M-My name? It's Li Hao."
"Li Hao, huh?" Li Yu leaned back, savoring his fish as he mulled over the name. "Not bad. Simple. Easy to remember." He smirked. "At least you don't have one of those ridiculously long, flowery names like 'Heaven-Splitting Dragon Claw of the Nine Suns' or whatever."
Li Hao chuckled softly, unsure if Li Yu was joking. "It's just a name my parents gave me. Nothing special."
Li Yu raised an eyebrow. "Nothing special? You managed to catch enough fish to feed a whole town in one go. If that's 'nothing special,' I'd hate to see what counts as 'ordinary' to you."
Li Hao flushed, lowering his gaze. "I just got lucky."
"Maybe," Li Yu said, tearing off another piece of fish. "Or maybe you're better than you think. Guess we'll find out soon enough."
Li Hao looked up at him, a flicker of hope in his eyes. For the first time, the boy felt like someone was looking at him with genuine interest—not pity, not disdain, but a faint acknowledgment of his potential.
Li Yu, on the other hand, simply enjoyed his fish, completely unaware of the subtle impact his words had just made.
He tossed the stripped fish skewer aside and stretched lazily, "Not bad, kid. You've got a knack for fishing, and the grilling wasn't half bad either—if I do say so myself."
Li Hao smiled faintly, brushing crumbs off his hands. He sat up straighter when Li Yu turned to him with a curious look.
"So, how old are you, Li Hao?"
"I'm fourteen," Li Hao answered earnestly.
"Fourteen, huh? Pretty young," Li Yu mused, tapping his chin. His tone shifted slightly, as if testing the waters. "Tell me, kid, ever think about cultivation?"
Li Hao's eyes widened, a spark of excitement flashing in them. "Of course! It's been my dream ever since I was little." His voice was soft but firm, carrying a sense of longing.
Li Yu raised an eyebrow. "Then why haven't you joined a sect yet? There are probably plenty around here."
Li Hao hesitated, his expression dimming. He glanced down at his hands, twisting them nervously. "It's… because my family is poor. We can barely afford food, let alone the fees to join a sect. And even if I did… I'm afraid to leave them."
Li Yu's gaze sharpened slightly, though his tone remained casual. "Afraid? Why?"
Li Hao hesitated for a moment before answering quietly, "My father is sick. He can't work anymore, and my mother has to take care of him and my little sister. If I leave, they'll have no one to help gather food or firewood. I can't… I can't abandon them like that."
For the first time, Li Yu's lazy smirk faded slightly. He studied the boy in front of him—the frail frame, the tired eyes, the quiet strength hidden beneath the surface. Li Hao wasn't just some starry-eyed kid dreaming of cultivation; he was someone burdened by responsibilities far beyond his years.
"Huh," Li Yu finally said, leaning back and crossing his arms behind his head. "That's a tough spot."
For a moment, the two sat in silence, the crackling fire the only sound between them. Li Yu seemed lost in thought, while Li Hao quietly watched him, wondering what the eccentric man would say next.
Li Yu shifted his gaze back to the boy, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Hey, Li Hao, how about this—why don't you join my sect?"
Li Hao's eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening and closing as if he didn't know how to respond. "Y-Your sect?" he stammered. "You mean… you're a sect master?"
Li Yu casually scratched the back of his head, his tone nonchalant. "Well, technically, yeah. It's called the Lonely Peak Sect. It's, uh… pretty exclusive."
Li Hao blinked, his emotions warring between excitement and doubt. "I… I would love to join a sect, but…" His voice trailed off, and he looked down, gripping his knees tightly.
"But what?" Li Yu asked, tilting his head.
Li Hao hesitated before finally speaking. "I can't leave my family behind. My father is still sick, and they need me to help…"
Li Yu leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand. "Your father's sick, huh? What happened to him?"
Li Hao's face darkened. "It was a few months ago. He went hunting in the forest and accidentally ran into a Foundation Building beast. He barely escaped with his life, but… whatever injury he got, it hasn't healed. He's been getting weaker ever since."
Li Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone suddenly thoughtful. "A Foundation Building beast, huh? Sounds serious. What if I told you I might be able to help?"
Li Hao's head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You… you can help him?"
Li Yu shrugged lazily, though a glimmer of confidence sparkled in his silver eyes. "I can take a look. No promises, but I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. Maybe I can figure out what's wrong."
Li Hao stared at him, his emotions a whirlwind of hope and caution. "Really? You'd do that for us?"
"Sure," Li Yu said, standing up and stretching as if it were no big deal. "But first, I need to see your dad. Lead the way, kid."
Li Hao hesitated for a moment before nodding firmly. "Alright. My house isn't far from here. I'll take you there!"
Li Yu smirked, brushing his hands off. "That's the spirit. Let's go see if this sect master can pull off a miracle or two."