The clearmoon vine was worthy of being a top-tier king medicine. It worked excellently and immediately restored Elder Zhen Peng's crippled meridians. In fact, it did more than that. Elder Zhen Peng's meridians were also enlarged, pushing his second-stage Skysoar Realm cultivation level to the third stage.
But that wasn't too surprising since after cultivating a high-tier cultivation method given by Xiang Shaoyun, he had reached late second-stage Skysoar Realm long ago. The clearmoon vine gave him that little push he needed to enter the third stage.
Although Elder Zhen Peng had grown in strength, Xiang Shaoyun could sense that he was in a different frame of mind now. Back when Elder Zhen Peng had first entered the Skysoar Realm, he immediately wanted to become Xiang Shaoyun's follower to pursue more strength.
Now, the only thing he wanted was to return and rebuild the Martial Hall Palace. All his focus was on the Martial Hall Palace. The more Elder Zhen Peng behaved like that, the worse Xiang Shaoyun felt, feeling like he was the ultimate sinner who had caused the fall of Martial Hall Palace.
"Elder Zhen Peng, Senior Brother Zi Changhe and a few others will be here soon as well. Do you want to wait for them before leaving?" asked Xiang Shaoyun, trying to make Elder Zhen Peng stay for a bit longer.
"No, I will go back first to search for any surviving disciples and see if they are willing to return to the Martial Hall Palace," said Elder Zhen Peng stubbornly.
"Ok, then. I have some spirit crystals and other treasures here as well. Consider them my support in helping rebuild the Martial Hall Palace," said Xiang Shaoyun as he handed Elder Zhen Peng a storage ring.
It was a storage ring he had obtained from one of Linggu Haonan's subordinates, and it was filled with a decent amount of treasures.
Elder Zhen Peng rejected it. "No, I can't accept more things from you."
"Elder Zhen Peng, are you still blaming me? This will only make me feel worse," said Xiang Shaoyun with a sigh.
Elder Zhen Peng hesitated for a bit before answering, "No, I am not blaming you."
"If you really don't blame me, you should accept this ring. It won't be easy to rebuild the Martial Hall Palace empty-handed," persuaded Xiang Shaoyun.
"Fine." Elder Zhen Peng reluctantly accepted the ring. "If possible, I really don't want the same thing to happen to the new Martial Hall Palace."
He then flew away from the Chen Clan.
Looking at Elder Zhen Peng's departing back, Xiang Shaoyun said inwardly, Don't worry. I won't let those traitors have another chance to disturb your peace.
Not long after Elder Zhen Peng left, Zi Changhe arrived with Wang Zhenchuan and Xia Liuhui. As Xiang Shaoyun had previously informed the Chen Clan about their arrival, they were able to enter unimpeded and were brought to him.
The three were astonished to find that Xiang Shaoyun was actually residing in one of the most important spots within the Chen Clan, but at the same time, they felt that this was how it should be. After all, Xiang Shaoyun was a person with a powerful background. Even with Emperors among their ranks, the Chen Clan would still have to serve him carefully.
"Senior brother, you're here," greeted Xiang Shaoyun.
The three were about to return the greeting when they saw Ye Chaomu standing behind Xiang Shaoyun. The sight of her stunned all three of them, as if they had been frozen. She was as beautiful as the luminous moon, filled with boundless charm that no men could resist.
"Hello, everyone. I am Ye Chaomu, his little sister," said Ye Chaomu with her arms wrapped around Xiang Shaoyun's arm.
"Yes, she's my little sister," Xiang Shaoyun said.
Ye Chaomu corrected, "No, I'm his godsister."
"Why are you speaking nonsense?" Xiang Shaoyun grumbled.
"But I'm telling the truth!" said Ye Chaomu with a pout.
"So pretty," Xia Liuhui couldn't help but to praise her.
"Hehe, thank you for your praise," said Ye Chaomu with a satisfied smile.
"N-no, you don't have to thank me for that. I'm telling the truth. You are the prettiest woman I have ever seen," said Xia Liuhui, speaking in a coarse manner.
"Is that so? But my big brother does not think so," said Ye Chaomu who shot Xiang Shaoyun a glare.
"Don't mind her. She has always been a naughty girl," said Xiang Shaoyun with an awkward look. He then introduced the three to Ye Chaomu.
As he made the introduction, she greeted them politely one by one without any air of arrogance a young lady of an influential clan would usually have. The three's impression of her improved, especially so for Xia Liuhui, who was completely smitten by now.
After serving the three tea, Xiang Shaoyun went straight to the point. "Have you reached a decision?"
"Both me and Zhenchuan have decided to not be a burden to you, so we won't be leaving. We know ourselves well. We will be nothing but deadweights if we go with you," said Zi Changhe seriously.
They knew that following Xiang Shaoyun might bring them more benefits, but they also understood they would only bring him more trouble because he would have to take care of them as well. That might not be what Xiang Shaoyun needed right now.
"How about you, Xia Liuhui?" Xia Liuhui asked.
"Boss, I...I want to go back home and see how things are there," said Xia Liuhui hesitantly.
"Go home?" Xiang Shaoyun blanked out. That was a decision he had never expected.
"Yes, it has been three years since I last went back. I really want to go back before deciding what to do next," said Xia Liuhui with a nod.
"That's understandable. I should have thought of that. Maybe I should visit your family with you as well," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"There's no need for that. My home is located in a remote village. It's practically a forest," said Xia Liuhui, lacking confidence.
Xiang Shaoyun grumbled resentfully, "Are you abandoning your boss? The parents of my brother are also my parents. What's wrong about me visiting them?"
"Ok, then," Xia Liuhui agreed reluctantly.
Next, Xiang Shaoyun looked at Zi Changhe and said, "Since you have already made up your mind, I will respect it, senior brother. I have some gifts for you two here. They will be helpful for your future cultivation."
Again, Xiang Shaoyun took out a storage ring. He was truly quite generous today. Zi Changhe was hesitant in accepting the ring, but he had no choice but to take it after Xiang Shaoyun stuffed it into his hand.
"Alright, we will drink to our heart's content today. May we meet again in the future," said Xiang Shaoyun, suddenly melancholic.
The three before him were the first friends he had made after leaving the Ziling Sect. He still remembered how he wanted to become Zi Changhe's disciple when they had first met. Wang Zhenchuan, the martial nephew he had gotten out of nowhere, had been a decent friend as well.
After parting, it would be unknown if they would ever meet again in the future.
Today, they drank.
The day after, it was time to leave.
Xiang Shaoyun did not forget the Chen Clan, as he gave Chen Jiayan a tier-6 battle technique before leaving. That would be considered his way of thanking them for hosting him.
"Senior brother, take care," yelled Xiang Shaoyun toward Zi Changhe and Wang Zhenchuan, who were now on their way back to the Cloud Margin Pavilion.