Wei Zhongran, from above, also saw Li Yan, and a familiar voice transmitted directly into Li Yan's mind.
"It's good that you're back. I have some matters to attend to first. Come find me in the evening."
The voice transmission ended there.
Li Yan understood the meaning behind Wei Zhongran's words; he likely wanted to ask about the details of the mission he had just completed.
But having just returned from a great battle, they would surely need to discuss subsequent plans, especially the Nascent Soul cultivators. That was why Great Master Liaoyuan and the others had departed immediately after only a brief meeting with the lower-level cultivators.
As a bridge between the upper and lower echelons, Wei Zhongran had many matters to communicate. Not only did he need to receive instructions for the upcoming tasks, but he also had to carefully arrange for the cultivators who were injured to varying degrees.
The injured cultivators Li Yan and the others had seen on the edge of the "Northern Abyss Mountain God Tiger's" back were all relatively lightly wounded. Even someone like Elder Chigong had not been placed in a Spirit-Storing Pouch.
In this battle, besides those who had fallen, it was unknown how many cultivators would be fortunate enough to have their divine soul attached to their golden core, which would at least allow them a chance at rebirth through possession.
However, there were surely some here whose golden cores were on the verge of collapse.
Perhaps those who could be sent back to the sect would be sent back, allowing them to entrust final matters to their disciples before choosing to undergo corpse liberation and step onto the path of reincarnation.
By the time Li Yan returned to his cave residence, he and Bai Rou had already parted ways. Bai Rou told Li Yan that Elder Chigong's physical body was severely injured, but his divine soul was unharmed.
Compared to those whose names appeared on the golden celestial curtain but had not fallen, such injuries could only be considered light.
With more medicinal pills and quiet meditation, he would eventually recover. However, Li Yan estimated that it would take at least three to five years, or even ten, for Elder Chigong to fully regain his vitality.
On his way back, Li Yan saw many Foundation Establishment cultivators with bloodshot eyes. Some were dazed, while others emanated waves of killing intent.
Many of these people went directly to the twelve Golden Core cultivators at the front, pleading for something in low voices.
Li Yan didn't need to listen closely to know that they were begging for a way to send news back to their respective sects. After all, those who had fallen might have been their ancestors or the pillars of their sects.
But they were all sternly rebuked by the Golden Core cultivators. Under the current circumstances, even if one was wealthy enough to possess a Ten-Thousand-Li Voice Transmission Talisman, they were not allowed to send any news out.
Such an act would only cause greater panic and serve no other purpose.
After returning to his cave residence, Li Yan saw that it was already the Hour of the Snake. There wasn't enough time left until evening to cultivate properly.
He thought of going to the "Earthen Patch" space to check on the Snow Mosquito King's cultivation progress. Enhancing the Snow Mosquito King's strength was a pressing matter; Li Yan needed to acquire as many life-saving trump cards as he could, as quickly as possible.
Just as Li Yan was about to enter the "Earthen Patch" space, his movements came to a sudden halt. He then looked towards the entrance of his cave residence, a strange look flashing in his eyes.
'To think he also came to Windy Cool Mountain. I didn't see him at the Front Mountain just now. But why would he come to see me?'
Though he thought this, he had already stood up. A clear voice came from outside the cave.
"Brother Li, you should be inside. I saw you and Miss Bai part ways just now, so I came to find you a short while later!"
Outside Li Yan's cave residence, the mist within the formation restriction churned, and a small path was revealed. Then, the entrance to the cave opened, and Li Yan walked out briskly.
He first jokingly scolded the person who had spoken, "Bu Luo, how can you speak such nonsense? Your mouth will be the cause of your troubles one day. Senior Sister Bai and I are just good friends."
Then, his expression turned serious, and he bowed to the person behind Bu Luo.
"Li Yan pays his respects to Senior Zuo. Forgive this junior for my lack of courtesy in not welcoming your esteemed arrival."
At this moment, two people were standing in front of Li Yan's cave: a book-boy and a scholar in a green robe.
The book-boy was naturally Bu Luo. The other person, however, was a surprise to Li Yan. It was the same green-robed scholar he had met outside the "Northern Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda" and by the Red Maple Pool.
At the time, this person had given Li Yan the greatest sense of danger because he couldn't see through his cultivation realm at all.
But after getting to know Bu Luo, he had learned that this person was the world-renowned Zuo Qiudan of the Sage Prefecture, also known as "He Who Divides Yin and Yang in Two."
The famous alchemy master who was infinitely close to the rank of Alchemy Grandmaster, capable of refining fifth-grade medicinal pills, and the one most likely to become the fourth Alchemy Grandmaster in the world—Zuo Qiudan.
And through Bu Luo, Li Yan also knew that this person, like his own master, had reached the formidable Pseudo-Nascent Soul Realm.
"Little Friend Li, there's no need for such formalities. It is I who have come unannounced, which is rather abrupt. I hope I am not disturbing your quiet cultivation."
Zuo Qiudan was scholarly and handsome, and his demeanor was extremely humble. One could not feel any of the imposing presence of a senior from him.
'With such a humble personality, how did Bu Luo develop a character that is both naive and arrogant? That's truly strange.'
Li Yan thought this to himself, but a smile had already appeared on his face.
"Senior's words are too kind to this junior. Please, come in. This is but a temporary dwelling, very simple. I hope Senior will not find it lacking."
Since the guest was at his door, and Li Yan couldn't guess Zuo Qiudan's intentions, there was no point in racking his brains over it.
He was an intelligent person and would not give others reason to talk. He quickly made way for them.
"Brother Li, you're being too formal. My young master is not one for trivialities. He just came to see you, the benefactor who saved my life."
Bu Luo couldn't stand the two of them being so polite and spoke up before Zuo Qiudan could.
Zuo Qiudan seemed to be used to Bu Luo's behavior. He shook his head at Li Yan with a helpless expression and, without further pleasantries, stepped into the cave residence.
Bu Luo, on the other hand, gave Li Yan a "hehe" smile. Li Yan finally understood the purpose of their visit, but he was still surprised. Zuo Qiudan was no ordinary Golden Core cultivator. He was an extremely rare alchemy master on the entire Desolate Moon Continent, with a status not much lower than a Nascent Soul cultivator, and was even more respected than some.
For such a minor matter, it would have been a great honor for him to have Bu Luo convey his thanks verbally. Yet he had come in person for such a small thing.
'Could Bu Luo be his son?'
The thought suddenly popped into Li Yan's head. He then chuckled to himself and followed the two into the cave.
Inside the cave, Zuo Qiudan looked around and then calmly sat down in the host's seat. He knew that only by doing so would Li Yan feel more at ease.
Otherwise, should he sit in a subordinate seat? In that case, Li Yan would only be able to stand with his hands at his sides and would not dare to sit down and act as the host.
As expected, Li Yan visibly relaxed. He then served tea.
"This junior only has simple tea here. I have no wine to offer Senior."
After serving the tea, Li Yan smiled faintly, then retreated to a subordinate seat and sat down, his attitude neither servile nor overbearing.
Bu Luo had already casually chosen a stone stool in a subordinate seat and was looking around at the layout of Li Yan's cave.
Zuo Qiudan looked at the well-mannered Li Yan before him, then at the fidgeting Bu Luo, and sighed inwardly.
'His temperament is truly unchangeable.'
Then Zuo Qiudan took a light sip of the tea. It was ordinary tea, not the kind of spirit tea steeped with spirit plants that could benefit a cultivator's cultivation. Looking at the extremely simple furnishings here, he knew that Li Yan was an ascetic among cultivators, one who did not prioritize enjoyment. This made his impression of Li Yan even better. With Li Yan's status as a disciple of one of the Four Great Sects, and the youngest disciple of Little Bamboo Peak's Wei Zhongran, he could have easily made this place resplendent.
Putting down the teacup, Zuo Qiudan smiled at Li Yan.
"Li Yan, you need not be so polite. In many ways, you and I share some immortal fate. Firstly, your master and I are good friends. I wonder if Zhongran has ever mentioned this to you? We once traveled the world together, and we both held great admiration for each other. Thinking back on it now, it was truly a time of carefree camaraderie and righteous vengeance. Secondly, you saved Bu Luo's life in the 'Northern Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda,' so I owe you a debt of gratitude. Though Bu Luo is not my son, he is no different from one to me. It's just that I am not good at disciplining him, which has made him arrogant and unpredictable, frequently causing trouble."
At this, he shot Bu Luo a harsh glare.
"I heard that on the way here with the conscripted cultivators, you were constantly fighting with others. With such a personality, you will sooner or later bring disaster upon yourself. Later today, I will confiscate one of the magical treasures from your bamboo basket. If you show improvement in the future, you may have it back. Otherwise, from now on, whenever I hear of you causing trouble on your own accord, I will take away one of your magical treasures. Of course, I will not touch any magical treasures you obtain on your own. Do you understand!"
Bu Luo had been very happy to see his young master suddenly today.
When he returned to his cave, he found his young master already standing there. Bu Luo was especially excited, as he hadn't seen his young master for a long time.
After seeing him, Zuo Qiudan had unexpectedly asked if Li Yan was here, saying he wanted to meet this little friend. Overjoyed, Bu Luo had brought him here directly.
He knew that his young master had always been clear about gratitude and grudges, and that he would surely give Li Yan many benefits today. He was also happy for Li Yan, as Li Yan was one of his few friends.
But unexpectedly, right at the peak of his excitement, his young master and Li Yan's conversation had suddenly changed topics, and in the next moment, he was to be punished by having a magical treasure taken from his bamboo basket.
Bu Luo was instantly dumbfounded. He hurriedly tried to explain.
"Young Master, you can't blame me for that. That Qiao Baiye, he…"
But he didn't finish before he immediately shut his mouth. Zuo Qiudan was looking at him again, just calmly looking at him, with no anger on his face.
But Bu Luo knew that this was his young master's usual expression after making a decision, which meant that the matter was absolutely unchangeable. He could only wear a miserable expression and not dare to argue further.
Suddenly, his eyes darted around, and he cast a pleading look at Li Yan.
At this moment, Li Yan was still digesting what Zuo Qiudan had said earlier.
'He… he knows my master? And they even adventured together?'
Sensing Bu Luo's gaze, Li Yan came back to his senses and found it amusing.
'This is your own business. Why should I, an outsider, get involved?'
He just smiled and said nothing, pretending not to see, his eyes straight ahead. His appearance made Bu Luo a little disappointed.
Sure enough, Zuo Qiudan turned back to Li Yan.
"Bu Luo, this matter is not up for discussion. Little Friend Li, I shouldn't have dealt with this in front of you, but I haven't seen Bu Luo for a long time either and came straight here just now. I have other matters to attend to later and must leave, so I can only do this for now. This is the third time we've met. I've seen you twice before, outside the 'Northern Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda' and by the Red Maple Pool. I suppose this is the only time I've come specifically to find you, hehe!"