📖 Chapter 1018 - A Pair of Good Brothers!

13 Jul, 2023

After passing down his order, Wang Baole waited for seven full days before Xie Haiyang finally rushed over. Xie Haiyang couldn’t be blamed for his lateness; in fact, he was quite far from the Scorching Spirit Civilization in the first place. Being able to arrive in seven days was already the best he could do, and that was still with the cooperation of half the Raging Flame Galaxy’s Eternal Star Realm cultivators. Otherwise, it would have taken him half a month at the least, probably even longer.

Fortunately, Wang Baole wasn’t impatient. For the past seven days, he sat cross-legged in meditation outside the Scorching Spirit Civilization’s Eternal Star, consolidating his cultivation base and familiarizing himself more with the usage of the Star-Sealing Art.

Finally, when Wang Baole’s mastery over the Star-Sealing Art reached the point where he could both expand it in an instant to use as an offensive divine ability and contract it to surround his body as armor, Xie Haiyang arrived.

When Xie Haiyang stepped into the Scorching Spirit Civilization and sensed the astonishing fluctuations rolling off Wang Baole’s body, he was extremely shocked.

It had been quite a while since they’d last met, and the difference in Wang Baole’s cultivation base compared to their previous meeting was like the difference between heaven and earth. Moreover, he could see that the Eternal Star Realm cultivators around Wang Baole were bowing deferentially, as if they would go to war with a single word. All of this made Xie Haiyang realize that Wang Baole’s status was already completely different from before!

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Xie Haiyang inhaled deeply and immediately adjusted his mentality. After approaching, he immediately shouted loudly.

“Xie Haiyang greets the Raging Flame Galaxy’s Sixteenth Young Master!” With that, Xie Haiyang cupped his fists and bowed deeply.

As soon as Xie Haiyang spoke, Wang Baole slowly opened his eyes and rose from his cross-legged position. A smile appeared on his face, and he laughed loudly as he returned Xie Haiyang’s greetings.

“Brother Haiyang, why so polite? We’re old friends, you and I, so there’s no need for all this.” Wang Baole stepped forward and helped Xie Haiyang up with a smile. His eyes seemed to carry infinite sincerity.

“If not for Brother Haiyang’s help over the years, I wouldn’t have been able to reach where I am today. Brother Haiyang, I won’t bow to you, and you don’t have to bow to me either.”

Xie Haiyang instantly seemed incredibly moved, and he gripped Wang Baole’s arm.

“This Xie’s help wasn’t much. Your current achievements are all due to your own ability, Brother Baole. There’s no need to belittle yourself like this!”

"Brother Haiyang!"

"Brother Baole!"

Both of them spoke loudly and with warm gazes, like old friends who hadn’t seen each other for many years. Their voices were filled with happiness and laughter as they chatted with each other. When the Eternal Star Realm cultivators in the surroundings looked at this scene, they felt that the two were obviously extremely close friends, as well as humble gentlemen who supported and respected each other without claiming any credit.

But in reality… these onlookers didn’t understand Xie Haiyang and Wang Baole. Xie Haiyang seemed enthusiastic, but there was some sourness in his heart. After all, Wang Baole had changed far too much since the last time they met. Back then, he was just a Spirit Immortal Realm cultivator, but now, he was already in the middle stage of the Planet Realm. Xie Haiyang had some protective measures left by his family’s patriarch, but even still, Wang Baole’s aura made him feel apprehensive.

And this complete transformation in Wang Baole’s cultivation base, aside from his new identity as the Flame Patriarch’s disciple, was obviously because of his experiences in the Starfall Realm.

And the two words “Starfall Realm” were precisely what made Xie Haiyang feel unhappy!

Back then, an unexpected situation cropped up on his father’s side, so he had to abandon his previous plans and rush over to deal with it. If he had been able to keep to his original plans, the Violet Gold Civilization’s spot for the Starfall Realm… would have gone to him!

Whether he sold it or gifted it away, he would definitely have obtained huge benefits. But now…

In any case, all of that was in the past already. As a businessman, Xie Haiyang was able to adjust his mood quickly. He put away the bitterness in his heart and plastered a picture-perfect business smile on his face.

At the same time, his thoughts turned rapidly, thinking about how to use his previous business relationship with Wang Baole to achieve his goal.

Wang Baole obviously noticed the fakeness of Xie Haiyang’s smile, but he didn’t mind. After all, his own smile, though not a business one, was less due to Xie Haiyang himself and more because of the possible benefits that his arrival symbolized. Indeed, Wang Baole was sorely lacking in Mortal Planets at the moment, and Xie Haiyang would surely be able to help him.

In the end, this was how their relationship had always been. After adjusting his mood, Xie Haiyang realized that Wang Baole’s value was far greater than before, meaning that his previous investment was all the more useful.

From Wang Baole’s point of view, although Xie Haiyang would never be able to become a close friend, this sort of relationship of mutual benefits was the most stable. Thus, after learning that Xie Haiyang wanted to pay respects to the Flame Patriarch, Wang Baole immediately suggested that they travel together to the Raging Flame Chief Planet.

“Brother Baole, this Xie won’t stand on ceremony then.” Xie Haiyang laughed and chatted happily with Wang Baole as a huge number of Raging Flame Galaxy cultivators escorted them back to the Raging Flame Chief Planet. On the way, the two reminisced on past events, and their conversation inadvertently turned to the Starfall Realm.

“Brother Baole, something interesting happened recently. Someone came and asked me if I had an elder brother named Xie Dalu. I told him that I don’t have any elder brothers named Xie Dalu, but I do have a younger brother with that name.” As he spoke, Xie Haiyang gave Wang Baole a half-smile. He wasn’t trying to make things difficult for Wang Baole; rather, he was hinting that since Wang Baole had used the name of the Xie Family, he owed Xie Haiyang a favor.

Wang Baole laughed when he heard that.

“I’ve let Brother Haiyang see a poor side of me. Back then, there was a reason for that… And after I returned, I had to deal with an urgent matter, so I wasn’t able to inform you immediately. But you don’t mind, do you? After all, the reason I was able to get a spot on the quota for the Starfall Realm was thanks to your help.” Wang Baole returned Xie Haiyang’s half-smile. His words contained an explanation, but they also contained a deeper meaning. After all, whether it was with the matter of the Divine Eye royal family’s tomb or the later request for rescue, Xie Haiyang had been plotting behind Wang Baole’s back, trying to use Wang Baole in order to snatch a spot on the quota for himself. Thus, both of them had used each other, and the theoretical “favor” didn’t exist.

Xie Haiyang laughed when he heard those words, and his expression didn’t fluctuate at all. However, he no longer talked about the Starfall Realm and instead started reminiscing on their previous days in the Federation.

Wang Baole also smiled, and the two continued sighing and talking about past events. Finally, when the Raging Flame Chief Planet appeared in the distance, Xie Haiyang seemingly casually mentioned the topic of cultivation. Wang Baole blinked and responded just as casually.

“After coming to the Raging Flame Galaxy, I finally realized that cultivation could be so expensive. Just my Star-Sealing Art alone already requires ten thousand Mortal Planets.” Wang Baole could already tell that Xie Haiyang had something to ask of him. Thus, although he didn’t know what exactly Xie Haiyang needed, he directly spoke his own needs.

‘So much?’ Xie Haiyang was inwardly shocked, thinking that Wang Baole was like a greedy lion, demanding ten thousand Mortal Planets the moment he opened his mouth. ‘I haven’t even asked my own favor yet!’

But none of his thoughts showed on his face. Instead, he revealed an awkward expression as he spoke.

“Brother Baole, I’ll keep an eye out for you, but ten thousand Mortal Planets won’t be cheap. However, we’re brothers, so I’ll give it my best. In any case, if you need Mortal Planets… I happen to have one on me right now, just treat it as a gift for our reunion.” With that, Xie Haiyang took out a storage pouch and handed it to Wang Baole.

Wang Baole didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted the pouch. When he scanned it, he was surprised to see that there really was a Mortal Planet inside. Although it was only one, the value of a Mortal Planet was astonishing. Thus, this gift’s value wasn’t small at all, making Wang Baole narrow his eyes.

It was clear that Xie Haiyang’s request was definitely something big. Wang Baole patted the storage pouch, but instead of putting it away immediately, he turned to look at Xie Haiyang.

“Brother Haiyang, be honest with me. What do you need me to do?”

Xie Haiyang smiled. After a moment of thought, he opened his mouth and spoke softly.

“Brother Baole, in fact, I need you to introduce me to one of your senior disciples… and if necessary, please put in a good word for me. After the matter is settled, I’ll give you another Mortal Planet.”

Wang Baole was taken aback for a moment. His eyebrows involuntarily twitched upward. His senior disciples were actually his master, but it wasn’t like he could just tell Xie Haiyang that. At the same time, although one or two Mortal Planets were valuable, they weren’t quite valuable enough for him to put in a good word to his senior disciples. Although it could be considered returning a favor, the sincerity was a little lacking… But after thinking about it, Wang Baole still responded.

“Which of those senior brothers or sisters do you want to meet?”