Han Bai couldn't help but sigh inwardly as he looked at Fan Jie. The man before him, currently marked by a ruthlessness with an unstable edge to it, to the point that even Han Bai and Meng Song were wary of him, had once been a jovial, carefree dreamer, loyal to a fault and deeply caring of those around him.

Brother Wunlai, the day we lost you, it wasn't just you we lost, Han Bai thought ruefully. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

That was the day that truly changed Fan Jie, transforming him into what he is today. Fan Jie hadn't just lost his sworn brother. A part of who he was had died alongside Chen Wunlai: the dreamer who had once envisioned reaching the Soul Formation Realm through the way of the saber, carrying his brothers and sisters to that peak, and experiencing the wonders of the world alongside them. In that dreamer's place came a Fan Jie so consumed by bloodlust, anger, and vengeance that he would not hesitate to sacrifice fellow members of the Vast Blue.

Perhaps he might spare Han Bai, Meng Song, and Lai Bingwen on account of their shared history, but Han Bai had no doubt that everyone else was fair game. Not even Fan Jie's personal disciples were exempt. If their deaths could serve a purpose, Fan Jie would not hesitate to use them.

It wasn't only his sense of camaraderie and regard for those close to him that he lost, but also his cultivation path. So consumed by anger and vengeance, Fan Jie's thirst for blood drove him to the front line of every battle, with some of those battles being ones he had instigated himself. To be fair, they had all been like that after Chen Wunlai died, so consumed by rage that it guided their every action for quite some time, but eventually they cooled down. Fan Jie never did. That fire kept burning, and as he sank deeper into it, it claimed a price from him, and that price was his dream of reaching the Soul Formation Realm.

Most from their original group believed Chen Wunlai had the greatest talent among them, but Han Bai thought otherwise. In his estimation, Fan Jie's talent was no less than Chen Wunlai's. Had the inheritance they stumbled into been one tied to the Saber Dao, Fan Jie would have soared with the same intensity. After all, the cultivation speed of those two had always been relatively close, but Chen Wunlai had an alchemy inheritance to draw from, whereas Fan Jie had relied entirely on his own insights.

If Chen Wunlai had not died, how different things could have been, Han Bai lamented. Fan Jie would not have become the cold, ruthless person he is today, and the Vast Blue...

Han Bai's mind drifted to that version of the future. The closer he drew to his end, the more he found himself lost in the wonder of that other world rather than his present reality. Would Fan Jie have reached the Soul Formation Realm? If he had, then Chen Wunlai would have too, and that meant the Vast Blue would have become a Rank One powerhouse with two soul formation experts. What a sight that would have been. At least in such a future, he would have met his end with peace and joy instead of the endless worry, lament, and regret that currently weighed his heart.

As things stood, the Vast Blue they had sacrificed so much for looked to be well on its way to dying alongside them, with its end likely to be brought about by the vultures lying in wait for their opportune moment to swoop in, or by.... Han Bai's attention snapped back as his gaze settled on the man sitting across from him.

At the moment, the only safe way to preserve the Vast Blue was through the last founder, Lai Bingwen. He may not have had Fan Jie's or Chen Wunlai's talent, but he at least had better talent than himself and Meng Song, and longer to live when compared to all three of them. He had close to seven hundred years left, which, though it couldn't be considered much by cultivators, was at least enough for him to try and reach the Domain Realm, and if that proved impossible, the years were at least enough for him to try for the Quasi Stage. At least then, even without being a fully fledged Domain expert, he would have the strength to deter their enemies, and there was the added lifespan that came with it that would be no small thing.

Every resource they had and every favor and debt they could call on was poured wholly into Lai Bingwen.

Han Bai couldn't help but wonder what a lifesaver such a wine would be for Lai Bingwen and their plans. Meng Song seemed to be entertaining the same thought, as Han Bai caught the look in her eyes when she subtly glanced his way, and both of them, as though sharing the same mind, sighed inwardly. As desperate as they were, they didn't have near enough gall or shamelessness to ask Yang Qing to share some with Lai Bingwen. Not even Fan Jie, with all his recklessness, seemed to dare. And Han Bai could tell that he, too, had the same thoughts the instant that wine touched his lips.

Yang Qing, unaware of their thoughts, smiled at Han Bai as he answered, "I always endeavor to keep my promises. I promised you a memorable wine the next time we drank together. All I'm doing is making good on that promise. Nothing more, nothing less."

Han Bai looked intently at Yang Qing after that reply before finally sighing and cupping his fists toward him. "Seems I was the narrow-minded one, looking through the lens of a calculating heart. I apologize."

"Think nothing of it," said Yang Qing, lightly waving his hand. As he did, a tray of Amber Orange Gentle Yang Pineapples and Silver Ice Tear Guavas appeared on the table. Five of each.

"Since Fellow Daoist Tang Xiadan seemed to love them so much, and they pair well with the wine..." Yang Qing gestured to the table, then to the others. "Please give me some face and don't hold back."

"I grew them personally in my abode," he added, letting his gaze drift around the table before settling subtly on Tang Xiadan. "I would appreciate your opinions on the flavor and the quality. Four mouths are better than one. So please, help yourselves."

Time to see if I'm right, Yang Qing thought, now that the bait had been set.