A figure slowly moved forward.
Each step seemed cautious, the ground beneath them soft.
They approached Fatty.
The figure slowly stopped.
"Brother."
The figure continuously shook Fatty's body.
Fatty, who had been sound asleep, opened his eyes slightly.
"Who is it, so annoying? Fatty is in the middle of swinging with Feifei."
Fatty mumbled, his gaze slowly opening.
When he saw the person in front of him, he immediately sat up.
"It's you? What do you want? Still want to fight Fatty?"
Fatty looked at the person before him, his face showing a touch of seriousness.
The newcomer was none other than Mo Erhan.
He wore a thick padded jacket, his face serious.
In the darkness, Fatty couldn't quite make out his expression.
"Uh, brother, can we talk outside?"
Mo Erhan looked at Fatty, his eyes showing urgency.
Fatty glanced at Wang Banyue beside him, who nodded.
Then, he followed Mo Erhan out of the small cabin.
Unexpectedly, the moment they stepped out, Mo Erhan suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud.
"Master above, please accept your disciple's bow."
Mo Erhan called out earnestly.
Fatty was instantly stunned.
He rubbed the corner of his eye.
"Uh, wiping sweat, are you out of your mind? What are you doing?"
Fatty was surprised, his face showing bewilderment.
This was the first time anyone had bowed to him, especially to take him as a master. Fatty, feeling he could barely take care of himself, lacked the confidence to take care of anyone else.
"Today, you defeated me with such ease, and I realized there's always someone better."
"I admire you and wish to be your disciple."
"Please accept me."
Mo Erhan looked at Fatty, his eyes full of sincerity.
Ever since Fatty defeated him, Mo Erhan's heart had been unsettled.
He couldn't sleep that night, which led him to make the decision to find Fatty.
Fatty looked at Mo Erhan kneeling below and sighed.
"Alas, although Fatty is the number one genius, there are family rules. I never take disciples, so you should find someone else."
As Fatty spoke, he waved his hand and walked back into the house.
Mo Erhan watched Fatty's departing figure, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
He did not pursue, for Mo Erhan had his own pride.
At this moment, on the mountaintop, an old man stood at the edge.
He had witnessed everything.
His eyes held disappointment, and also relief.
He was disappointed that Mo Erhan would seek to be a disciple of an outsider.
He was relieved, however, that Fatty had not accepted.
"Mo Erhan, you've disappointed me greatly."
The old man murmured, his brow furrowing slightly.
Fatty returned to the room, burrowed into his covers, and fell asleep.
The next morning.
Zhang Tian woke up early.
The air quality in Tibet was excellent, and in the morning, one could witness breathtaking scenery, which helped Zhang Tian relax.
After Zhang Tian woke up, Hu Bayi and the others also emerged from the cabin one by one.
"When do we set off?"
Hu Bayi approached Zhang Tian, his gaze fixed on the slowly rising sun in the distance.
"Now. Wake up Fatty and the others, get ready to depart."
Zhang Tian said.
Hu Bayi nodded, and he and Shirley Yang split up to rouse the others.
White snow-capped mountains, like natural ramparts, encircled the Tianshan Mountains.
And around the snow-capped mountains was an endless expanse of white.
The ground was white, and even the distance was white.
It felt like a sacred land.
"Boss, why are you up so early?"
Fatty rubbed his eyes, having been led out of the cabin by Hu Bayi.
"Sleeping too much isn't good."
Zhang Tian said simply, then stood atop a small hill.
At this time, Mo Erhan and the other villagers also began to stir.
The villagers gradually became busy.
Because it was winter, they needed to prepare ample fodder and food for the livestock, so they rose early to find wood in the distance.
"Sir, shouldn't you sleep a little longer?"
Seeing Zhang Tian and his group starting to assemble, Mo Erhan looked surprised.
"No, we've obtained what we wanted. We must thank you all."
As Zhang Tian spoke, he slowly took out a small box.
He did not give Mo Erhan anything for cultivation, because Zhang Tian knew that someone did not want Mo Erhan and the villagers to follow in his footsteps.
"This is a token of our gratitude."
Zhang Tian said, handing the small box over.
Mo Erhan's face flushed with shame.
"Sir, I cannot accept this. We haven't helped you much."
Mo Erhan said, attempting to return the box, but Zhang Tian refused.
"Please accept it, otherwise I'll feel bad too."
As he spoke, Wu Tianzhen and Wang Banyue also emerged from the house.
Wu Tianzhen had been awake all night, contemplating how to get through the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda.
Wang Banyue, on the other hand, had slept soundly.
Seeing the group fully assembled, Zhang Tian patted Mo Erhan on the shoulder.
"There's no need to chase distant dreams. Staying home can also be a good choice."
With that, Zhang Tian waved his hand, and everyone began to descend the mountain towards the village.
Mo Erhan was a bit bewildered, not fully understanding Zhang Tian's meaning.
However, he still followed behind Zhang Tian; he had to see them off.
Zhang Qilin followed behind the group, his steps slow, his gaze fixed on their rear.
On a mountain behind them, an old man was watching the scene.
Zhang Qilin nodded slightly to the old man.
Then, he slowly put on his hat.
His dark figure stood out starkly against the snow-covered mountains.
The old man watched Zhang Qilin, his eyelids twitching slightly.
"I knew this child looked familiar; I've met him before."
The old man murmured, looking at Zhang Qilin.
He had felt a sense of familiarity from Zhang Qilin before.
Now, it seemed, he was indeed the same person from decades ago.
"I didn't expect him to return. Alas, I wonder if he can enter again this time."
"However, his strength has improved considerably. Is it because he's following that child?"
The old man mused, his gaze turning to Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian sensed he was being watched and turned to smile at the old man.
"This child has great potential, and seems to possess the Qilin blood. His talent is not inferior to his."
"It seems there will be something interesting to watch in the future."
The old man's lips curved into a slight smile.
He thought his life was nearing its end, but unexpectedly, in his old age, his life was just beginning.
Zhang Tian and his team had captured the old man's interest greatly.
Soon, Zhang Tian and the others' figures had disappeared from the village.
Outside the village, Mo Erhan wanted to see them off.
"No need to see us off. Thank you."
Zhang Tian said, waving at Mo Erhan, and their figures gradually vanished into the snow.
Watching Zhang Tian and his group disappear, Mo Erhan sighed inwardly.
It seemed he would not have the chance to become as powerful as Fatty. Mo Erhan felt a pang of regret.
After they had gone some distance, Zhang Tian produced horses.
Everyone mounted their steeds, and their figures slowly disappeared across the white plains.
"Boss, did we forget something?"
Fatty asked Zhang Tian.
"Hmm? What?"