Gathering

Xin Feng immediately got into a conversation with Hao Ren the moment they got inside. He had missed all his adventures with Hao Ren and felt really bored as he didn't have too many friends who understands him as much as Hao Ren did. He finally noticed the little wolf following by Hao Ren after some time.

"Wow Hao Ren, you have a beast now?" Xin Feng asked as he took glances at Xiao who was lying calmly by the side.

"Oh, this is Xiao. His mother died while saving me in the forest, so I decided to take care of him" Hao Ren said while pointing at Xiao. He knew just how much trouble this little guy can cause, and is currently happy because he is behaving himself since they got into the house.

Hao Ren recounted the story of what happened in the forest, omitting the part of the inheritance as usual. Xin Feng was scared on hearing that Hao Ren almost died in the forest.

"Hao Ren, do you remember Di Ba?" Xin Feng asked Hao Ren suddenly.

"Yes, the son of the town chief right?" Hao Ren replied. Although he didn't quite remember his face, he still remembered him from the time he visited the training ground.

"He joined Flaming Valley not long after you left for the Silver Lining sect" Xin Feng told Hao Ren about how Di Ba joining Flaming Valley caused a storm in the entire town. It was wildly known that Hao Ren didn't join the Silver Lining sect as a disciple, but as a guest who would leave at any time.

"Oh" Hao Ren gave a nonchalant response. Xin Feng knew Hao Ren well and knew he wasn't really interested in Di Ba.

"Well, he came back recently and even brought some of his fellow disciples over to the Chief's manor. I heard he would be hosting a gathering for all the young martial artist in the town. And there would also be a sparring session, if anyone performs well, he might have a chance to join the Flaming Valley" Xin Feng said while looking at Hao Ren

"Oh" Hao Ren just replied with a nod

"I heard Di Ba has a good relationship with the son of Flaming Valley's sect leader. It was said he even came along with Di Ba" Xin Feng said.

Xin Feng was surprised by Hao Ren's disinterested attitude towards their current topic. Usually, any martial artist would like to challenge himself with those of his peers to see how far he has grown and also to fulfill his own ego.

"Do you plan on attending?" Hao Ren asked Xin Feng with a smile.

"Of course, although I don't have any plans of joining Flaming Valley, I still want those punks to know how strong I am" Xin Feng said valiantly

Hao Ren looked at him with a smile and didn't really bother about it. Since Xin Feng said he wanted to go, he will accompany him there since it has been long they hanged out together.

"Hao Ren, what realm are you currently in" Xin Feng asked curiously

Hao Ren smiled and looked at him, 'If he knows I'm already in the Foundation Realm, he'll definitely flip out'

"I'm not really strong" Hao Ren evaded the question while giving Xin Feng a mysterious smile

Xin Feng looked at Hao Ren and couldn't help but grumble to himself for how Hao Ren was being so mysterious

"If you don't want to say, why act so mysterious. Humph!" Xin Feng said grumpily.

Hao Ren laughed on seeing how Xin Feng's face looked as he grumbled

Xiao just looked at them without much interest, what really got his attention since he entered the house was the smell of food he had picked up just after entering. He was waiting for when they would bring food over for Hao Ren. He had given Hao Ren some signals, so he could eat something but Hao Ren just acted like he didn't see him.

'Humph, useless fellow' Xiao complained

After waiting for some time and seeing Hao Ren not making a move, he couldn't stand it anymore and decided he had to get some delicious food. He got up from where he was laying and behaved like the little cub he was, and looked at Xin Feng's mother with his big eyes.

She immediately got attracted to the adorable little wolf in front of her and carried him, immediately seeing his first step was successful, Xiao decided it was time to go for the next phase of the plan. He started making a whimpering sound as if to say he was dead hungry.

When Hao Ren noticed this, he gritted his teeth in anger towards Xiao's shamelessness. 'How can he act this way just because he wanted food'.

When Xin Feng's mother noticed how Xiao was acting, she smiled and looked at him, "Are you hungry?"

When Xiao heard the question, he nodded his head violently to indicate how hungry he was. Xin Feng's mother dropped Xiao before heading to bring some food she prepared for him.

Immediately she brought the food over, Xiao pounced on the food and gobbled down everything in the plate quickly. He looked at her with pleading eyes as if saying he wanted more. She laughed on seeing Xiao's antics and immediately got him a second dish.

When Hao Ren noticed this, he couldn't help but scold Xiao in his heart. 'At least have some shame' He has always known that Xiao loved food a lot, he still remembered how Xiao stole meat while they were in the forest.

At the end, Xiao finally stopped eating after gobbling down 5 plates. Xin Feng and his mother were shocked by his eating capabilities.

"How can his little belly contain so much food" Xin Feng suddenly blurted out

Hao Ren was quite embarrassed because of this. Xiao on the other hand, just didn't care how they looked at him. So long as he eats his fill, he is satisfied.

Hao Ren stayed at Xin Feng's place till it was time to head over for the gathering. He was enthusiastic about it though, if not for Xin Feng saying he wanted to head over, he wouldn't have even thought of going.