Yu Nuo's expression remained unchanged, but his cultivation had already advanced to the late Core Formation stage.

When the two of them descended into the Dragon Shadow Pond years ago, they were both only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Now, in the blink of an eye, several years had passed. Zhou Yin had just reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, while Yu Nuo had surprisingly reached the late Core Formation stage.

In just a few short years, he had advanced from the middle Foundation Establishment stage to the late Core Formation stage, crossing an entire realm. Such a cultivation speed was unheard of, not only in the present world, but even if Zhou Yin lived for several thousand more years, he had never heard of such a genius.

After his initial surprise, Yu Nuo laughed heartily and stepped forward to grasp Zhou Yin's hand, "Brother Zhou, I never thought we would meet again after parting ways back then!"

Zhou Yin nodded, "Long time no see."

Seeing the gap in their cultivation levels, Yu Nuo couldn't help but say, "Brother Zhou, since we parted ways back then, we must have had different experiences. I didn't expect that when we met again, you would have changed quite a bit too. I suppose you must have been diligently cultivating every day?"

His words were full of self-satisfaction and even had a hint of condescension.

Zhou Yin said, "I have been diligent in my cultivation."

Yu Nuo revealed a knowing smile, "However, the path of cultivation requires both innate talent and opportunities. Neither can be lacking. In my opinion, Brother Zhou, your innate talent is barely passable, but you lack opportunities. Don't you agree?"

Zhou Yin made an affirmative sound, "Indeed, I lack opportunities."

Yu Nuo said, "Brother Zhou, don't belittle yourself. These things can't be forced. If you diligently study and practice like me, and also encounter opportunities, sooner or later you'll be able to glimpse a corner of the great Dao."

How could he not be pleased with himself?

Back when Yu Nuo met Zhou Yin in the Pingnan Army, although Zhou Yin was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he was knowledgeable and experienced, often making Yu Nuo feel ashamed of his own inadequacy. The two of them were just passing acquaintances and didn't have a deep friendship.

However, not only was Zhou Yin's background a mystery, he also had a demon beast companion that could speak human language, making Yu Nuo both envious and a bit jealous. Although he never expressed it, he always felt a bit dissatisfied in his heart.

Later, in front of that mysterious dragon head, the two of them each chose a magic treasure. Zhou Yin's whereabouts became unknown and there was no news of him since then. However, Yu Nuo had his own unique experiences.

He never expected that upon reuniting after a long separation, Zhou Yin's cultivation would have fallen far behind his own. Not only that, but in the entire Taichu Continent, cultivators with such rapid cultivation progress like him were extremely rare. This made Yu Nuo even more convinced that his own cultivation method was correct.

"Brother Zhou, where is your Kite?" Yu Nuo asked probingly. Now that his own cultivation was much higher than Zhou Yin's, if that Gu Yaun was spiritually intelligent, it would surely prefer to follow him rather than Zhou Yin.

"It ran away," Zhou Yin said.

"Really?" Yu Nuo didn't quite believe it.

"Yes, one night I dreamed that it thought my cultivation was too low and I wasn't worthy of being its master. When I woke up, it was gone."

How could Zhou Yin not see through Yu Nuo's thoughts? It's just that he was accustomed to speaking with a blank expression. Even if he was spouting nonsense, it would seem a bit more believable than others.

Seeing that his eyes didn't waver and his expression remained unchanged, Yu Nuo finally started to believe it a little. He couldn't help sighing with regret, "What a pity, what a pity! That was a demon beast that could speak human language. It might have even been able to transform into a mount!"

On one hand, he secretly blamed Zhou Yin for wasting a precious creature. He thought that if it were him, the outcome would have been different.

Zhou Yin remained silent, but Yu Nuo remembered the more important matter at hand.

"How did you also enter this place?"

"I followed a friend in to train and ended up here. Senior, in your opinion, what should we do?"

According to the rules of the Taichu Continent, those with lower cultivation had to respectfully address those with higher cultivation as "senior".

For someone like Yu Nuo, being called "senior" was obviously more comfortable than titles like "Chief" or "Martial Brother".

Sure enough, Yu Nuo's mood improved quite a bit and the smile on his face became more amiable, "We are close friends who have gone through hardships together. Brother Zhou, there's no need for humility." He made some insincere pleasantries, then asked, "Did you enter alone, or...?"

Zhou Yin said, "I came with another companion, a Nascent Soul cultivator. He also arrived here."

Yu Nuo's eyes lit up, "Where is he now?"

Zhou Yin said, "The city lord summoned him."

Yu Nuo nodded, "That makes sense. Cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage can receive an audience with the city lord."

But in the end, he couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked, "What are your plans?"

Zhou Yin said, "We are new here and unfamiliar with everything. We wanted to hear your opinion."

Yu Nuo asked, "Have you eaten anything here yet?"

Zhou Yin said, "Not yet."

Yu Nuo breathed a sigh of relief, "Then what are your intentions?"

Zhou Yin said, "If we can leave, that would naturally be best. If not, staying here is also fine."

Yu Nuo asked, "If you can leave, are you willing to give up the spiritual medicines, magic treasures, and beautiful maidservants here?"

Zhou Yin said, "No matter how good it is, it can't compare to the freedom outside."

After beating around the bush, Yu Nuo finally got the answer he wanted. He secretly transmitted a message to him, "The walls have ears here, so it's not convenient to discuss in depth. I'll come to your place at midnight tonight."

But he laughed out loud and said, "Now I have the fortune of being favored by the city lord and have been promoted to be in charge of the northern district of Cloud Dream City. I must fulfill my duties loyally and have you all submit to the city lord's command and serve him well.

No matter how good the outside world is, you are only at the Foundation Establishment stage. How can it compare to living carefree and happy here? As long as you can please the city lord, you can have whatever you want."

Zhou Yin knew he was doing this on purpose, so he echoed a few words in agreement.

The two of them talked for a long time before Zhou Yin took his leave.

Exiting the North Hall and arriving at the inner city gate, he saw Zhou Chen standing there, seeming to have waited for a long time. However, he stood with his hands behind his back, his posture graceful and pleasing to the eye.

Zhou Yin stared at his back for a long time and suddenly felt that his appearance shouldn't be like this.

Zhou Chen seemed to sense something and turned around. The moment he saw Zhou Yin, he revealed an extremely delighted smile.

"Did you wait a long time?" Zhou Yin asked.

"No," Zhou Chen smiled. "I saw many interesting things and was just about to go back and share them with you."

Zhou Yin asked, "Guess who I saw?"

Zhou Chen was immersed in his rare smile and had no interest in caring about anything else. He absent-mindedly asked, "Who?"

"Yu Nuo."

Zhou Chen paused, "The one from under the Dragon Shadow Pond...?"

Zhou Yin: "Mm."

Zhou Chen wrinkled his brows in disgust. "That person is utterly detestable. He treated me like a beast and even coveted me!"

Zhou Yin made an "oh" sound.

Zhou Chen: "Ah Yin, someone wants to snatch me away from you. How can you not be angry at all?!"

Zhou Yin smiled noncommittally, "Right now, I'm more interested in something else."

His smile was completely different from before. Zhou Chen's hair stood on end.

Zhou Yin said slowly, "Your current appearance, it's not real, right?"

Zhou Chen: "..."

After a long while, Zhou Chen adjusted his state of mind and raised what he considered to be a charming smile that could captivate all living beings.

"Ah Yin, listen to me, I can explain."

Zhou Yin: "Let's hear it then."

Zhou Chen: "The Rejuvenation Pill can modify appearances and there's something fishy going on here so I took one before entering and even brought two fellow demonic cultivators with me but then later ran into you and forgot about it and then later wanted to explain but was afraid you'd be angry that's how it is the end!"

He said it all in one breath, then carefully looked at Zhou Yin.

Zhou Yin's eyes were tinged with a bit of amusement, but he deliberately turned his head to avoid looking at him.

"Are you angry?" Zhou Chen was a little apprehensive.

The Vermilion Bird had the same lifespan as ancient deities and an extremely proud sense of self-esteem, absolutely not allowing anyone to show the slightest irreverence, let alone trample on it. But to Zhou Chen, Zhou Yin was different. From the moment he ended his long slumber, the first person he saw was him.

The days spent together, no matter how ordinary, made him feel happy. This affection, condensed from adoration and love, gradually seeped into his blood and flesh. Even after Zhou Chen transformed and returned to the demon beast clan, in the midnight dreams, even if he couldn't remember Zhou Yin's face clearly, he would always dream of sleeping soundly in someone's arms.

So in the depths of his heart, Zhou Yin was unique.

Even after countless eons, he would never find someone like Zhou Yin again.

Willing to put down the Vermilion Bird's proud heart, laughing, scolding, being subservient in front of him, all just to stay by his side, to make him happy, to win a smile from him.

Hearing a hint of barely detectable unease in Zhou Chen's words, Zhou Yin didn't tease him anymore. Putting away his smile, he brought up the serious matter.

"Yu Nuo has turned from the Dao to the demonic path and become a demonic cultivator."