Chapter 64: Each Has Its Difficulties

As Li Zimei's soft voice echoed, Xu Xiaohui in the private room involuntarily widened her eyes, turning to look at Xu Qing. She couldn't be blamed for not recognizing him; the Xu Qing in her memory was covered in grime and looked utterly filthy.

Yet, the person now standing at the private room door had a tall and slender build, straight as a pine. Long black hair casually draped over his shoulders, exuding an indescribable air of elegance, especially his captivating face. He was exquisitely handsome. His sculpted face had distinct features. Beneath a pair of sword-like eyebrows were slender, icy eyes, dark and profound. The subtle glint in his gaze and the spiritual energy radiating from him commanded immediate respect.

"It's me," Xu Qing confirmed with a nod.

Xu Xiaohui's pretty face flushed slightly. She picked up her wine glass and took a drink, trying to conceal her inner turmoil.

Beside her, Zhou Qingpeng laughed heartily and stepped forward to greet him. "Junior Brother Xu Qing, please have a seat."

Xu Qing politely cupped his fist before sitting down, his gaze sweeping over the three. Compared to the inherent coldness and brutality within the sect, these three disciples, who had joined at the same time as him, clearly still retained some warmth and kindness. However, the sect's environment had clearly changed them. For example, while Zhou Qingpeng appeared jovial, Xu Qing could still detect the hidden fatigue in his expression. He also carried a certain weariness, a maturity gained from experiencing difficult events.

As for Xu Xiaohui, Xu Qing found her changes hard to describe. He just felt she seemed to be increasingly resembling the woman from the feather tent in the scavenger camp. Only Li Zimei had changed little, yet amidst her self-consciousness and timidity, her eyes now held more vigilance and caution. It was as if anyone around her made her wary.

Time slowly passed. As they engaged in simple conversation, the room's atmosphere gradually livened up with their shared reflections, even though Xu Qing mostly remained silent. After all, they had been in the sect for only a short time. However, it was mostly Zhou Qingpeng and Xu Xiaohui who chatted and laughed. Li Zimei, like Xu Qing, remained silent, occasionally looking at Xu Qing with clear awkwardness and self-consciousness.

Soon, Zhou Qingpeng, having had a few more drinks, spoke with a sigh of emotion. "Actually, before entering the sect, I knew a little about it, but only after truly arriving did I realize that hearing about it is vastly different from experiencing it firsthand. In the Seven Blood Eyes... it's incredibly difficult to live well. A single moment of carelessness, and you're dead."

"You must have similar feelings, right? ... Junior Brother Xu Qing, I still don't know which department you were assigned to. I went to the Maritime Defense Division, and Xiaohui is very capable; she acquired a magic boat in a short time and was assigned to the Dispatch Division."

Hearing this, Xu Xiaohui, who was beside him, gave a complex smile and nodded.

"I'm in the Demon Hunt Division," Xu Qing said softly, feeling a little uncomfortable with the atmosphere, which seemed to contradict the indifference and brutality prevalent outside.

"The Demon Hunt Division?" Xu Xiaohui's eyes lit up again.

Li Zimei, standing nearby, showed a hint of envy in her eyes. Compared to Xu Xiaohui, even though she no longer dressed like a filthy scavenger, she remained very ordinary, and thus often kept her head bowed. For her, among the four who joined at the same time, three had acquired magic boats, while she remained ordinary. This made her feel a great deal of pressure sitting there.

"Junior Brother Xu Qing, you actually joined the Demon Hunt Division! A few days ago, your division pulled off a major operation; thousands of Night Dove heads were hung on the city wall. Everyone's been talking about it these past few days. By the way, with your blood-qi shadow transformation strength from the entrance test, did you participate in that operation?"

Hearing this, Zhou Qingpeng's expression shifted slightly. He had seen Xu Qing once before and felt his spiritual energy fluctuations. Just now, he'd noticed they seemed even stronger, so he probed again. "However, such large-scale missions are extremely risky. Junior Brother Xu Qing, although your body refinement is impressive, magical arts are ultimately the most potent. As newcomers, having just entered the sect, our main focus should be on survival and cultivation. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future to demonstrate our abilities."

Xu Qing glanced at Zhou Qingpeng, sensing his probing. He actually felt that these three fellow disciples were good-natured and harbored no malicious intent, which was another reason he was willing to come, besides his interest in the Ghost Desire Horseshoe Crab. So he simply nodded, remaining silent.

"The Demon Hunt Division of the Seventh Peak, just like our Maritime Defense Division, is full of formidable individuals. Oh, Junior Brother Xu Qing, I heard that a remarkable person emerged from your Demon Hunt Division's recent operation."

"Apparently, there's a formidable individual in your Demon Hunt Division's Xuan Department. I don't know his name, but I heard this person actually killed an enemy leader at the Great Perfection of Condensation Qi stage. He was the only non-captain-level individual in this operation to slay an enemy leader. I imagine only someone who has mastered the 'Sea Transformation Scripture' to its peak could achieve such a feat. With such a meritorious deed, I hear he's in line for a promotion."

Zhou Qingpeng spoke with genuine admiration in his eyes. This statement was no longer a probe, but sincere envy. In his understanding, this couldn't be related to Xu Qing. Although Xu Qing's body refinement was strong and he could transform his blood-qi into a shadow, Zhou Qingpeng, having cultivated the 'Sea Transformation Scripture,' had realized how potent its magical arts were, making it easy to dispatch body refiners. Furthermore, the Demon Hunt Division was full of powerful cultivators. Even though he had previously sensed Xu Qing's strong spiritual energy fluctuations from the 'Sea Transformation Scripture' at the pharmacy, he still didn't connect it with someone emerging from the ranks of the Demon Hunt Division's many powerful cultivators to kill an enemy leader at the Great Perfection of Condensation Qi stage.

"I've heard about that too; it's been circulating widely these past few days. I think he's from Xuan Department, Team Six," Xu Xiaohui said with a smile, serving dishes to both Xu Qing and Zhou Qingpeng. Indeed, disciples from various departments of the Seventh Peak had been discussing the Demon Hunt Division's recent operation against the Night Dove, especially the exceptional individuals who stood out during the mission.

Xu Qing was a little surprised. His focus these past few days had been on finding the right moment to kill the Merman youth, so he hadn't paid attention to these matters. This was the first time he'd heard these outside rumors, and also the first time he'd learned about a possible promotion.

"That has nothing to do with us. For us... survival is key." Zhou Qingpeng sighed, touching a not-yet-fully-healed scar on his leg. He then looked up, saw Xu Qing's continued silence, and spoke earnestly. "Junior Brother Xu Qing, you can't always be so solitary. You need to change your personality and learn to be more adaptable. Consider offering gifts to your superiors; that's how you gain protection and improve your chances of survival."

Xu Qing nodded upon hearing this. He was not good with words and didn't know what to say, so for most of the meal, he simply listened. Zhou Qingpeng gradually regained his former cheerfulness from before entering the sect, occasionally raising his cup with laughter, steering the mood of the room.

During this time, Zhou Qingpeng, clearly having had too much to drink, began to boast about his accomplishments. He boasted about his harmonious relationship with his current superior in the Maritime Defense Division, how many friends he had made there, and the conveniences he had gained. He even grandly offered to help Xu Xiaohui expand her social network. Of course, he didn't forget to repeatedly advise Xu Qing to change his ways. To Li Zimei, he offered to inquire if the Maritime Defense Division needed any more laborers, wanting to recommend her.

"My superior promised me that if my assessment performance is good this time, he'll introduce me to Senior Brother Ding Xiaohai. You know Senior Brother Ding, right? He's considered the top Qi Refiner of our Seventh Peak." Zhou Qingpeng was inwardly very proud, and Xu Xiaohui, beside him, flattered him with smiles, making the atmosphere in the private room even more harmonious.

Xu Qing also smiled and raised his cup in congratulations. He didn't dislike Zhou Qingpeng; everyone had their own way of living. Xu Xiaohui's rapid acquisition of a magic boat suggested her own capabilities. As for Li Zimei, Xu Qing wasn't adept at communication, but he thought that for her to recognize him at first sight, her observational skills must be extremely keen.

The meal lasted for nearly an hour.

After three rounds of drinks, it was late into the night. Zhou Qingpeng grew even more intoxicated. As the meal concluded, Zhou Qingpeng handed the Ghost Desire Horseshoe Crab to Xu Qing. Before Xu Qing could offer payment, Zhou Qingpeng waved his hand. "My family is doing fine. Consider this a gift between friends."

Xu Qing glanced at the bag containing the Ghost Desire Horseshoe Crab, then noticed the sincerity in Zhou Qingpeng's expression — he truly intended it as a gift. After a moment's thought, Xu Qing decided not to insist on paying, instead cupping his fist in thanks.

The four walked out of the private room and reached the restaurant entrance. Zhou Qingpeng looked at Xu Qing and spoke with a smile. "Junior Brother Xu Qing, I'm from the Kun Department of the Maritime Defense Division. I still don't know which department of the Demon Hunt Division you're in. Let's keep in touch more often, and I'll come find you for a chat when I'm free. Since we joined at the same time, we must interact more. In this indifferent sect, we can trust each other the most. We must stick together and move forward."

Xu Qing nodded in response. "I'm from the Xuan Department."

"The Xuan Department? The same department as that formidable person! He's from Team Six. Junior Brother Xu Qing, which team are you on?" Zhou Qingpeng's sobriety returned somewhat upon hearing this, and Xu Xiaohui beside him was also surprised.

Xu Qing looked at Zhou Qingpeng, Xu Xiaohui, and then at Li Zimei, whose gaze was fixed on him, and hesitated. "I'm also from Team Six..."

Zhou Qingpeng's eyes widened, and he paused in stunned silence. Xu Xiaohui's face showed disbelief as she uttered a surprised remark. "The same department and team as that formidable person? And it seems that formidable person's surname is also Xu..."

Before she finished speaking, even with her slower reactions, Xu Xiaohui suddenly realized something and froze in place.

"It seems a team only has about twenty-odd people..." Zhou Qingpeng whispered, now completely sober.

Only Li Zimei looked at Xu Qing with a mix of shock and dawning realization. In fact, the first time she had seen Xu Qing earlier, she had keenly noticed the lingering smell of blood on him.

The atmosphere around them suddenly fell silent. After a moment, Zhou Qingpeng let out a hearty laugh, cupping his fist towards Xu Qing to mask his inner astonishment. Xu Xiaohui, meanwhile, looked dazed, gazing at Xu Qing as if she wanted to speak, but ultimately held her tongue.

Soon, everyone, each lost in their own thoughts, quickly dispersed. After they dispersed, Zhou Qingpeng shivered. With a mix of disbelief and anticipation in his eyes, he immediately pulled out his identity token to inquire, wanting to know how many individuals named Xu were in Xuan Department, Team Six...

Xu Qing watched his fellow disciples disperse into the night and turned to leave. But after only a few steps, he seemed to sense something, turning back to look at the restaurant. There was a small, thin figure at the restaurant entrance, timidly discussing something with a waiter, who seemed a little impatient.

"You're a sect disciple after all, don't make things difficult for me. The food you just ate has already been cleared away. If you wanted to pack it, you should have said so earlier."

This slender figure was Li Zimei. She had left and returned, and now, hearing the waiter's words, her expression turned a little bitter.

Xu Qing watched this scene. After a moment of silence, he walked over. As he approached, Li Zimei immediately noticed him. Seeing Xu Qing, her face instantly flushed crimson, then turned pale. She stood there stunned, her body subtly trembling, her pride overwhelmed.

"They shouldn't have cleared it so quickly, right?" Xu Qing walked closer, looked at the waiter, and spoke calmly.

The waiter quickly scanned Xu Qing. Having encountered many disciples in the restaurant, he vaguely sensed that this person was not to be trifled with, so his attitude became more respectful. "They likely haven't," he said, and quickly went inside. A short while later, he reappeared with a packed box in his hand and handed it to Li Zimei.

Li Zimei thanked him softly, standing there in extreme awkwardness. She had left and returned precisely because she didn't want to be seen. Her pride made her bite her lip so hard it almost bled.

"It's alright," Xu Qing said calmly. "Food shouldn't be wasted. When I was young, I ate so many leftovers from others' homes; sometimes we even had to fight just to get something to eat."

Li Zimei looked up at Xu Qing, her mouth open, but she could only nod, unable to speak. In the moonlight, a breeze stirred, lifting Li Zimei's hair and revealing a deep, usually hidden scar on her neck.

Gazing at Li Zimei, Xu Qing, for some reason, thought of the little girl from the scavenger camp and also sensed a strong, unusual aura emanating from Li Zimei. Disciples who hadn't acquired a magic boat had modest incomes, but that was only when compared to those who possessed one. Compared to commoners, their income was still quite good. Therefore, Li Zimei's condition shouldn't be this way, unless she was using all her income to exchange for contribution points to buy a magic boat, practicing extreme frugality.

After a moment of silence, Xu Qing took out a few white pills he had refined from his leather pouch and placed them in Li Zimei's hand. "Keep it up. I want to see the day you acquire your magic boat."

With that, Xu Qing turned and departed. Everyone has their own way of living. He could not offer much help; everything was a matter of personal choice.

Li Zimei stared blankly at Xu Qing's retreating figure. After a long moment, she lowered her head to look at the white pills in her hand, an indescribable warmth stirring deep within her heart. In this cold world, within this cruel sect, she felt such warmth for the very first time. She remained silent for a moment, and when she finally looked up again, her eyes were filled with gratitude. She was grateful for the white pills, but even more so for the encouraging words. Her pride meant she neither needed sympathy nor tolerated pity, but she truly needed encouragement.

"Thank you. I will definitely acquire a magic boat!"

Another two chapters, totaling over 8,000 words. Compared to the update pace of my previous books during similar periods, this one has broken records... In just 27 days since publication, nearly 260,000 words have been released. And I'm very happy writing it!