Blood?

Isn't this a bit too tense?

Do I really look like someone who would be so petty because of a difference in cultivation?

Or is it, not ordinary blood?

Li Ye remained silent, just glanced at the Third Senior Brother, who also said nothing, and that drop of blood was quietly collected by the Spiritual Mechanism Vine, going completely unnoticed by Yang Ke.

Afterward, Li Ye went to find Su Ya.

It was quite odd, actually.

Su Ya had been in seclusion ever since forming his Golden Core.

It's not that he hasn't been consolidating his Golden Core cultivation for so long, or that he doesn't want to come out, but rather because his sister Su Yu dumped a whole bunch of various materials on him to refine pills.

When Li Ye called for him, his eyes were unfocused, and he walked with a lack of energy, looking at Li Ye with a somewhat resentful gaze.

"..."

Li Ye felt a chill from being stared at like that and asked:

"What's wrong? You look like you've just come back from Wanchun Pavilion, but I'm not someone from Wanchun Pavilion, so why look at me like that?"

Su Ya sighed deeply: "It's just your timing. I was just about to take on sect tasks after forming my Golden Core, and on top of that, you handed me all those materials at once, so I've been refining pills day and night nonstop.

I guess I'll have to refine more in the future, even specializing in crafting and teaching these new pills of yours, but I'm not going to train any disciple!"

Though he was not yet sixty, why should he already be teaching disciples? He wanted to enjoy a few more carefree centuries before finding a few satisfactory disciples to teach slowly.

Li Ye was once again left speechless.

This new type of pill, whether for material distribution or sales, was prioritized, not to mention generating achievements through innovation. Su Ya's complaint, if spread around, would get him surrounded and criticized by many alchemists.

Truly benefiting but still complaining.

"Then take a good rest for a while."

"By the way, just now with Yang Ke..."

As they walked, Li Ye recounted what had happened with Yang Ke, his tone filled with a hint of regret.

Could it be that now that he had just formed his Golden Core, he was already facing the disparity in status that cultivation brings, and losing a friend?

Back when they were in the East Pole Yang Sea, he had a great impression of Yang Ke and had considered him a friend.

How could such a situation arise so suddenly?

Upon hearing this, Su Ya stopped feigning nonchalance, frowning: "I've long heard that as one's cultivation increases, the number of friends around them decreases.

Yet Yang Ke's talent isn't lacking, and his background isn't lacking; forming his Golden Core was only a matter of time, and we can help out, so why would he say such things?"

This made Li Ye also furrow his brow.

He was aware of Yang Ke's talent, and even in the past, he didn't show deliberate reverence in the face of Golden Core cultivators, but now it seemed like he was intentionally creating distance.

But honestly, for cultivators like them, cultivation is just a matter of time, unless...

Su Ya and Li Ye exchanged glances, speaking in unison:

"Did he suffer some hidden injury preventing him from breaking through to Golden Core?"

If that's the case, then it's indeed troublesome.

Even though the Merfolk Tribe is part of the Spirit Race of the Four Seasons Sect, the gap between the Spirit Race and true disciples is still quite large, with many core benefits they cannot enjoy.

And Li Ye and Su Ya certainly cannot violate the rules to help him—just as Su Ya couldn't help Li Ye directly purchase pills to heal meridian damage in the past.

It's the rules.

Between disciples and non-disciples lies a thick barrier.

And Yang Ke has a father at the Nascent Soul level, yet even he couldn't heal him; surely it's not a simple issue.

The two exchanged looks once more, and Li Ye suspected the problem lay with that drop of blood; initially, he thought it was Yang Ke injuring himself from overexertion, but now it seemed different.

They could only wait to see what happened back home.

If the other party genuinely wanted to end this friendship, he would reciprocate the help received during his time in the East Pole Yang Sea.

Then, it wouldn't matter anymore.

Let's wait and see.

…

Above East Lake.

The Bamboo Wood Ants had already erected a bridge leading directly to the heart of the lake and a quaint, elegant pavilion.

Who knows what these creatures had eaten; the pavilion stood in the midst of the water and mist, surprisingly not with a pure green bamboo hue but a vibrant golden color.

Amidst the deep lake waters, the mist, and the daylight pouring from the sky, it appeared even more ethereal.

Their architectural skills were improving immensely.

Even the Third Senior Brother praised:

"Isn't this much more impressive than those Luban Dogs and other Spirit Beasts within the sect?"

"It's alright," Li Ye calmly extended his hand in invitation, "let's sit down and talk; the beavers are already preparing the food."

The Third Senior Brother knew full well Li Ye was showing off.

But he didn't expose him; after all, it was Li Ye going through the trouble, so he simply sat down confidently, then turned his gaze to Yang Ke, who seemed hesitant and timid.

"I have a good relationship with your sister."

"And you have a good relationship with my junior brother, so why be so timid?"

This question was quite direct.

But given his status, it was fitting to ask.

Faced with the stern gaze of True Man Chen, with Su Ya and Li Ye watching him, Yang Ke opened his mouth but lowered his head and said:

"I have the Merfolk Tribe's Moon Phobia."

"I'm afraid I'll never be able to break through to Golden Core in this life."

Moon Phobia?

Such an oddly named ailment, carrying an eerie and spine-chilling aura with it.

"Hiss." The Third Senior Brother showed a startled expression: "So this means your Yangyao clan was really cursed by Ancestor Wangshu?"

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