Daily life of a cultivation judge Chapter 1463: Hopes on the fourth(2)

A sigh escaped Han Bai inwardly as his gaze fell upon Fan Jie. The individual before him, now radiating an unsettling, volatile ruthlessness that even made Han Bai and Meng Song uneasy, had once been a spirit brimming with joy, a carefree dreamer, utterly devoted and deeply compassionate towards those in his circle.

"Brother Wunlai, on the day we lost you, it wasn't merely you that vanished from our lives," Han Bai mused with a touch of regret.

That very day marked a profound transformation for Fan Jie, shaping him into the man he was now. Chen Wunlai's demise meant Fan Jie had not only lost a sworn brother but also a piece of himself: the dreamer who once aspired to ascend to the Soul Formation Realm by mastering the Saber Dao, intending to bring his brethren along to that pinnacle and witness the world's marvels together. In place of that dreamer emerged a Fan Jie consumed by an insatiable thirst for vengeance and bloodlust, willing to sacrifice even fellow members of the Vast Blue.

Perhaps Han Bai, Meng Song, and Lai Bingwen might be spared due to their shared past, but Han Bai harbored no illusions that everyone else was safe. Even Fan Jie's own disciples were not exempt; if their deaths served a purpose, Fan Jie would unhesitatingly orchestrate them.

Not only his bonds of camaraderie and affection for his close circle deteriorated, but his very cultivation path suffered. Drowned in the tempest of his anger and quest for retribution, Fan Jie's bloodlust propelled him to the forefront of every conflict, some of which he himself had initiated. To be equitable, they had all succumbed to their rage after Chen Wunlai's death, allowing it to dictate their actions for a considerable period, but eventually, the fury subsided. Fan Jie, however, never found that cooling; the inferno persisted. As he plunged deeper into its flames, a heavy toll was exacted, his dream of attaining the Soul Formation Realm being the ultimate sacrifice.

While most in their original cohort believed Chen Wunlai possessed the superior talent, Han Bai held a differing view. In his assessment, Fan Jie's inherent talent was in no way inferior to Chen Wunlai's. Had their fated inheritance been one intertwined with the Saber Dao, Fan Jie would have ascended with equal ferocity. After all, their cultivation paces had consistently been neck and neck, but Chen Wunlai benefited from an alchemy inheritance, whereas Fan Jie had navigated his path solely through his own deductions.

"If only Chen Wunlai had not perished, how vastly different circumstances might be," Han Bai lamented. Fan Jie would not have transformed into the cold, merciless figure he was today, and the Vast Blue...

Han Bai's thoughts meandered towards an alternate future. The nearer he approached his own end, the more he found himself adrift in the fascination of that other reality, far removed from his present existence. Would Fan Jie have reached the Soul Formation Realm? If he had, then Chen Wunlai would have too, elevating the Vast Blue to the status of a Rank One powerhouse, boasting two Soul Formation experts. What a spectacle that would have been! At the very least, in such a future, he might have met his end with tranquility and contentment, rather than the ceaseless anxiety, sorrow, and regret that currently burdened his soul.

As matters stood, the Vast Blue, for which they had endured immense sacrifices, appeared to be on a trajectory towards dissolution alongside them, its demise potentially precipitated by the opportunistic vultures circling in wait, or perhaps by.... Han Bai's concentration snapped back with force as his gaze locked onto the man seated opposite him.

Presently, the sole viable strategy to safeguard the Vast Blue rested with the last remaining founder, Lai Bingwen. While he might not have possessed the innate gifts of Fan Jie or Chen Wunlai, his talent surpassed that of Han Bai and Meng Song, and crucially, he had a longer lifespan compared to all three of them. He had nearly seven centuries remaining, which, though not particularly substantial in the grand scale of cultivators, offered him sufficient time to strive for the Domain Realm. Should that prove unattainable, the years would at least permit him to aim for the Quasi Stage. Even without being a fully established Domain expert, he would then possess the strength to ward off their adversaries, and the augmented lifespan accompanying such a cultivation level would be significant indeed.

Every asset they possessed, coupled with every favor and obligation they could leverage, was channeled exclusively into Lai Bingwen.

Han Bai couldn't help but ponder the potential benefit such a potent wine might offer Lai Bingwen and their carefully laid plans. Meng Song appeared to share this contemplation, as Han Bai noticed her gaze subtly shift towards him, and both, as if connected by a shared thought, exhaled internally. Despite their dire straits, they lacked the audacity or sheer brazenness to request a share of the wine from Yang Qing for Lai Bingwen. Not even Fan Jie, for all his recklessness, seemed inclined to dare such a thing. And Han Bai could discern that he, too, had entertained the same notion the very instant the wine touched his lips.

Oblivious to their musings, Yang Qing offered Han Bai a smile, responding, "I always strive to uphold my word. I vowed to provide you with an unforgettable wine the next time we shared a drink. All I am doing now is fulfilling that pledge. No more, no less."

Han Bai observed Yang Qing intently following that declaration, eventually letting out a sigh and clasping his fists in a gesture of respect toward him. "It appears I was the one with a limited perspective, viewing things through a calculating mind. Please accept my apologies."

"Think nothing of it," Yang Qing replied, making a dismissive motion with his hand. Just then, a platter materialized on the table, laden with Amber Orange Gentle Yang Pineapples and Silver Ice Tear Guavas—five of each.

"Since Daoist Friend Tang Xiadan seemed to relish them greatly, and they complement the wine splendidly..." Yang Qing indicated the spread on the table, then gestured to the others present. "Kindly grant me some face and partake freely."

"I cultivated them myself within my dwelling," he further explained, letting his eyes subtly sweep across the table before resting with a hint of intention on Tang Xiadan. "I would be most grateful for your assessment of their taste and quality. Four palates are better than one, after all. Please, help yourselves."

It's time to ascertain my assumptions, Yang Qing mused inwardly, now that the trap had been meticulously laid.