NOVPUBFacing Sikong Zhan and Sikong Huang, who had once fought alongside him and shared hardships with him, Su Changkong was not petty—even going so far as to stupendously generous, presenting them each with a Divine Seed.
Even if the compatibility of the Divine Seeds with them was not high, Su Changkong helped them refine them, which was greatly beneficial to them.
However, Sikong Zhan and Sikong Huang refused.
Sikong Zhan smiled and said, "Younger brother, I know that you are now a notable figure in the Flame Empire, and you can even gift Divine Seeds to others, but I cannot accept... You have already given us so much, and our Giant Whale Gang in Ink Forest Prefecture City has had quite a good life and development. Keeping our feet on the ground is enough."
Sikong Zhan did not accept the Divine Seed offered by Su Changkong; not only was a Divine Seed too precious and not something Su Changkong could readily give away, Sikong Zhan could not calmly accept it.
Secondly, Sikong Zhan only wished to manage the Giant Whale Gang’s small territory well, rather than reach for the stars, believing that the Gang probably could not keep up with such rapid expansion. Despite the potential to prosper swiftly, it was merely superficial prosperity, which could lead to a repeat of the past events of Meng Sang’s coup once they died while meditating or encountered accidents.
A Divine Seed could instead provoke the covetousness of those with intentions.
"Younger brother, it would be good if you visit the Giant Whale Gang more often and reunite with us," agreed Sikong Huang with a nod, herself not having much ambition either, content to determine her own fate, without being overly demanding about unattainable things.
Su Changkong probably also understood the mentality of Sikong Huang and Sikong Zhan.
This was like an ordinary person, who has always lived honestly, suddenly having a huge benefit fall into their lap. An ordinary person used to the simple life might not be willing to endure the lifestyle changes brought by this benefit, making their familiar life completely strange.
"Alright then, but keep these Longevity Pills and Beauty Preserving Pills; these are some Pill Medicines I refined in my spare time and are of no use to me."
Su Changkong did not force them to accept anything they were unwilling to, and instead took out some Spirit Pills, some that increased lifespan and some that improved physical constitution. For Su Changkong, who had already entered the Saint realm, unless it was a Holy Pill, they were useless, so he gifted some to Sikong Huang and Sikong Zhan as parting gifts.
This time, Sikong Zhan and Sikong Huang did not refuse and accepted them.
After staying a month in the Giant Whale Gang, Su Changkong gave some pointers to Sikong Zhan and Sikong Huang on Martial Arts.
After all, whether it was Sikong Zhan’s Whale Technique or Sikong Huang’s Wind Thunder Archery, Su Changkong knew both and had practiced them to a level unprecedented in the history of the Giant Whale Gang, so teaching them some insights and techniques was highly beneficial to them.
A month later, Su Changkong bid farewell and left.
Sikong Huang and Sikong Zhan personally saw him off.
Watching the retreating figure of Su Changkong, Sikong Huang’s expression was somewhat somber, while Sikong Zhan sighed and shook his head. However, there was no need to insist on the unattainable, as time could erase all regrets.
Leaving the Giant Whale Gang, Su Changkong went to Black Iron Manor, his first home and the starting point of his Martial Arts journey.
Su Changkong did not disturb Black Iron Manor but secretly observed it.
"Familiar faces...there are hardly any left," Su Changkong noted. In Black Iron Manor, people he used to know like Yang Chao had already disappeared without a trace. For ordinary people, two or three decades was the time to move from their prime into old age and retire to enjoy life.
Even the Manor Lord, Mo Tie, was now completely grey-haired and seldom managed the manor’s affairs, spending his days leisurely drinking tea and gardening, looking quite relaxed and in good spirits.
And his son, Mo Gang, who was about a ten-year-old boy when Su Changkong last visited, had now grown up and taken over Mo Tie’s position. Thanks to Su Changkong helping him alter his physique at a young age, his Martial Arts Cultivation was impressive and he had made a name for himself in the surrounding area of Clearwater City.
"Black Iron Manor... is doing quite well."
Su Changkong silently nodded.
At night, Su Changkong quietly entered the Black Iron Manor and, while Mo Tie and Mo Gang were sound asleep, he used the extremely pure and fully vibrant Heaven Silkworm True Qi to help them refine their bodies.
After the refining with Heaven Silkworm True Qi, the aged Mo Tie was healthy and could live to over a hundred years without any problems, while Mo Gang, who had been rigorously practicing Martial Arts, had all his internal injuries completely healed.
Black Iron Manor was doing very well, and there was nothing that needed his attention.
After finishing all this, Su Changkong quietly left, and this time, he mounted a white crane and headed toward the Flame Empire, beyond the nine nations.
Ancient Holy Country, that was a distant land, known and aspired to by many Martial Artists, yet unreachable by most, even in the eyes of Saint Warriors, a place bustling with strong individuals and ever-thriving Ancient Sects and Clans!
Saint Warriors, Ancient Sects, Ancient Clans, and even some ancient strong figures among the myriad of beings would be returning there—it was sure to be a world of stirring excitement!
And Su Changkong was confident that he would not be inferior to them!
"Ancient Holy Country! Here I come, Su Changkong!"
After settling some lingering worries and seeing some old friends, Su Changkong did not stay any longer and headed for the Ancient Holy Country, his eyes fiery with passion, his heart extremely excited, looking forward to reaching further and higher, all the way to the ultimate realm he sought!
