In the courtyard, Zhao Tiezhu's reaction upon hearing the rumors of "Western Desert Golden Sand City" and the "Indestructible Diamond Body" was far more intense than Xiao Qi had anticipated.
This honest, straightforward, and even somewhat slow-witted burly man now seemed like an ignited volcano, his dark face flushed red from excitement. His large hands, like palm-leaf fans, were tightly clenched, joints cracking with snapping sounds. He suddenly took a big step forward, the bluestone tiles on the ground slightly trembling, his voice carrying a trace of trembling from extreme longing:
"Brother Qi! Let's go! We must go!"
His eyes were burning hot, as if two flames were blazing, staring intently at Xiao Qi, his tone almost pleading: "That's the 'Indestructible Diamond Body'! When I... when I was struggling in the rogue cultivator circles, I heard some old body cultivators mention it. They said it's a legendary technique on our body cultivator's path! It's the supreme secret art that ancient Buddhist great powers used to forge their golden bodies and prove the Bodhi path! They say when trained to a profound level, the flesh becomes the strongest treasure—impervious to water and fire, unaffected by all methods. Every punch and kick holds tremendous power, and one can even withstand heavenly lightning without damage!"
He grew more excited as he spoke, waving his thick arms: "Brother Qi, look at me. This 'Diamond Subduing Demon Divine Ability' I'm practicing follows a fierce path—it's powerful enough in fights, but I always feel... something's missing. Like it has only the skeletal frame, lacking the core essence of 'immortality and indestructibility'! When encountering truly sharp treasures or strange spells, this body of mine still isn't enough! If... if I could learn the 'Indestructible Diamond Body,' even just the basics, I feel my Dao could truly continue! In the future... I could better help Brother Qi shoulder burdens, instead of always letting you take the front every time!"
By the end, this tower-like man's voice was somewhat choked, his eyes slightly red. He remembered that feeling of powerlessness facing the Mystic Ice Pavilion elder in the Northern Plains, remembered how Xiao Qi always took the greatest risks charging at the front in every fierce battle. He craved power, craved a truly powerful physique that could shoulder a piece of the sky! This wasn't just a desire to become stronger, but contained brotherly affection and responsibility.
Xiao Qi listened quietly, watching the pure and blazing yearning in Zhao Tiezhu's eyes, deeply moved in his heart. He understood this desire for power—especially for a body cultivator, a powerful body was their foundation for establishing themselves, the cornerstone of their Dao path. Since following him, Zhao Tiezhu had been loyal and devoted, working tirelessly, fighting side by side through many life-and-death battles. This friendship, he had long remembered in his heart.
At the same time, Zhao Tiezhu's words also awakened him.
Xiao Qi looked inward at himself. His body's strength, from multiple fortuitous encounters, spiritual power feedback, and tempering in the Northern Plains extreme environment, indeed far exceeded same-level cultivators, even no less than some Foundation Establishment cultivators specializing in body refining. But this was more a "passive" improvement result, like unpolished jade—having hardness and toughness but lacking systematic guidance and sublimation, failing to thoroughly excavate the body's potential to form a kind of "active," instinctive power.
His combat methods mainly relied on sword Dao, Purification Source, Southern Ming Li Fire, etc. His body was more of a vessel for carrying spiritual power and a final line of defense. If he could obtain a top-tier body refining secret technique and systematically cultivate it, truly developing this body with huge potential, making it an integrated offensive and defensive "human-shaped treasure" that moved like his own arm, then his comprehensive strength would surely see a qualitative leap.
At that time, having an indestructible diamond body for close combat, Red Flame Guardian sword intent for ranged attacks, Purification Southern Ming Li Fire for the unpredictable, supplemented by exquisite movement techniques... his Dao would be more complete, with almost no weaknesses. Facing stronger enemies, especially Golden Core or even Nascent Soul cultivators he might encounter in the future, a powerful body was often the key to determining life and death.
Moreover, as Zhao Tiezhu said, the Western Desert environment was harsh—wind and sand, drought, poisonous creatures, and quicksand everywhere. That in itself was an extreme test of will and body. Searching for an ancient city in that environment was itself a rare form of tempering, perhaps further stimulating his potential and making final preparations for Core Formation.
Thinking of this, Xiao Qi no longer hesitated. Looking at Zhao Tiezhu, whose breathing was rapid from excitement, he showed a gentle yet firm smile, reaching out to pat his iron-solid shoulder.
"Alright." One word, clear and powerful.
Zhao Tiezhu was first stunned, then enormous joy like a flood crashed through all tension and anticipation. He suddenly grinned wide, showing two rows of white teeth. He wanted to laugh loudly but feared disturbing others, so he could only forcefully pound his chest, issuing muffled "dong dong" sounds to express that excitement about to overflow.
"Brother Qi! Thank you! I... I will definitely practice well! I absolutely won't embarrass you!" he promised incoherently.
The rabbit spirit on his shoulder also seemed infected by this emotion, no longer gnawing its fruit but standing up on its hind legs, using its small paws to pat its tiny chest like Zhao Tiezhu, making "squeak squeak" sounds as if saying it wanted to go treasure hunting too.
Xiao Qi looked at this person and rabbit, his smile deepening. He turned his gaze westward, as if he could penetrate layers of houses and mountains to see that vast, mysterious, and dangerous Death Sand Sea.
"We'll rest here another three days." Xiao Qi collected his smile, speaking seriously, "Tiezhu, your primary task these three days is to thoroughly stabilize your Foundation Establishment middle stage realm and familiarize yourself with your new power. Don't be impatient. I'll prepare some pills and talismans for handling the Western Desert's special environment. In three days, we set out."
"Yes! Brother Qi!" Zhao Tiezhu straightened his back, answering loudly, his eyes full of infinite longing and fighting spirit for the future.
A body cultivator's ultimate dream, brothers fighting side by side, and the pursuit of greater power intertwined, becoming the firm determination to head to the Western Desert. The brief rest in Wangbei City was about to end. A new journey toward the depths of yellow sand, searching for the lost Buddhist body refining secret canon, was already in sight.