### Chapter 139: Visiting Friends and Family  

Since this was a training expedition away from the sect, returning too early might lead to complications.

It would be better to visit some friends and family first and return to the sect when the time was right.

If He Song remembered correctly, Zhao Lin was still in the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.

After He Song and Wei Fan had joined the Earth Sect, Zhao Lin was the only close friend He Song had left in the market.

He hadn't forgotten this talisman master who had helped him on numerous occasions. 

Soon, a few days later, He Song returned to the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market and met up with Zhao Lin.

After a long conversation, the two exchanged updates on their recent lives.

Zhao Lin's cultivation had now reached the sixth layer of Qi Refining.

When they had first met over a decade ago, Zhao Lin's cultivation had been higher than He Song's.

Back then, He Song was at the third layer of Qi Refining, while Zhao Lin was at the fourth.

This was why Meng Guan had entrusted Zhao Lin with the management of the Spirit Medicine Pavilion. 

However, more than a decade had passed in the blink of an eye.

He Song's cultivation had now broken through to the seventh layer of Qi Refining, and he had made significant progress within that layer.

Zhao Lin, despite being a talisman master with no shortage of resources, had been surpassed by He Song in terms of cultivation. 

Since He Song had set up the Spirit Gathering Formation, his cultivation speed had increased dramatically.

Combined with his almost reckless consumption of resources to boost his cultivation, He Song's progress had been exceptionally fast.

Even as a talisman master, Zhao Lin couldn't keep up with He Song's pace. 

That said, Zhao Lin was now a well-known talisman master in the area.

He had advanced further on the path of talisman crafting than He Song and was earning more and more spirit stones. 

When Zhao Lin learned that He Song had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining, and that Meng Guan had successfully built his foundation and become a Foundation Establishment expert, he couldn't help but sigh.

Many years ago, Zhao Lin and Meng Guan had also been close friends.

Although their relationship wasn't as tight as the small circle formed by He Song and Meng Guan, it was still much stronger than that of ordinary friends.

The fact that Meng Guan had entrusted Zhao Lin with the management of the Spirit Medicine Pavilion before leaving was a testament to their bond. 

However, after Meng Guan left the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market to work in the Red Spirit Gold Mine, their relationship gradually faded.

They hadn't been in contact for a long time.

Now, hearing that his old friend, who had once helped him so much, had become a Foundation Establishment expert while their relationship had grown distant, Zhao Lin's mood was understandably somber. 

After a moment of melancholy, Zhao Lin returned to his usual calm demeanor. Raising his teacup toward the direction of the Earth Sect, he sighed and said, "Such is fate. I have no face to ask Brother Meng for anything now, but I will always remember the kindness he showed me." 

With that, Zhao Lin drained his cup and quickly changed the subject to other amusing topics, as if trying to put the matter behind him.

Seeing this, He Song decided not to bring it up again and simply continued to keep him company. 

Relationships between people require nurturing. If too much time passes without contact, the bond naturally weakens. This was the case with Zhao Lin and Meng Guan. 

After reconnecting with Zhao Lin, He Song prepared to leave a few days later.

However, as he was about to depart, an image flashed through his mind—a little girl running toward him, asking for candy. 

Pausing in his steps, He Song sighed and made his way to the outer district of the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.

The little girl who had once loved asking him for candy had stepped onto the path of cultivation years ago and had grown into a graceful young woman.

The last time they had met, she had helped him snap out of a moment of confusion.

Now, several years had passed since their last meeting, and He Song wondered how she was doing. 

Walking through the streets of the outer district, He Song scanned the area, searching for that familiar figure.

However, after a long while, he still hadn't found her. 

After some more searching, He Song stopped and took out a sheet of paper.

Since he couldn't find her, he decided to arrange a meeting place and wait for her to come.

Using his spiritual energy, he carved the address of a nearby teahouse onto the paper, inviting Su Yan to meet him there.

With a flick of his finger, the paper transformed into a message paper crane and flew off into the distance. 

Watching the crane disappear, He Song turned and entered the teahouse. 

Not long after, Su Yan arrived. As she entered the teahouse and spotted He Song, her eyes lit up. 

"Brother Song!" she called out, waving at him before hurrying over. 

He Song looked at her, his eyes flashing with spiritual light.

To his surprise, he noticed that Su Yan's cultivation had reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining.

For a moment, he was stunned, but he quickly realized that it wasn't all that shocking.

It had been eight years since they last met.

Going from the first to the fourth layer of Qi Refining in eight years wasn't particularly extraordinary.

Even He Song himself had gone from the first to the fourth layer in seven years. 

Still, Su Yan's progress made He Song reflect on how fast time seemed to be passing.

The early stages of Qi Refining were indeed quick to progress through. 

As he recalled the second time he had met Su Yan and looked at her now, still as youthful as ever, He Song felt as if an entire lifetime had passed. 

After catching up with Su Yan and offering her some guidance on the questions she casually asked, He Song spent a few more days in the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.

Finally, he bid farewell to Su Yan and Zhao Lin and left the market. 

A day later, He Song arrived at Green Wall Immortal City.

After meeting with Zhao Lin and realizing he still had time before returning to the sect, He Song decided to visit Green Wall Immortal City to personally thank True Person Clear Moon, Pinger, and Chu Shuangshuang. 

When He Song and Wei Fan had first joined the Earth Sect, it was True Person Clear Moon who had spoken on their behalf, ensuring they received Foundation Establishment Pills.

Although the pills had been gifted by the Sect Master, True Person Clear Moon's influence had played a significant role.

Therefore, now that he had some free time, He Song wanted to express his gratitude in person. 

True Person Clear Moon had been stationed in Green Wall Immortal City for a long time, so this was the place to find her.

After entering the city, He Song selected three valuable gifts, spending a total of fifteen hundred spirit stones.

One thousand spirit stones' worth of gifts were for True Person Clear Moon, while the remaining five hundred were divided between Pinger and Chu Shuangshuang. 

Although fifteen hundred spirit stones couldn't compare to the value of even a single Foundation Establishment Pill, it was still a heartfelt gesture. 

(End of Chapter) 

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