Chapter 443: Yunxiao Gets Drunk

Who would have thought that Yu Ding, who seemed the most honest, was actually the most perceptive?

Standing at the entrance of the back hall of the Haishen Temple in Anshui City, Li Changshou's paper effigy, disguised as an old immortal, took a slight breath, watching the several *xianren* depart on their clouds.

The aroma of immortal brew mingled with the hustle and bustle of the mortal world, giving Li Changshou a sense of detachment, as if he were in another realm.

Looking back at everything that had happened before he embarked on his cultivation path, he couldn't help but feel that it was still...

Not steady enough.

He had narrowly escaped being erased by the Heavenly Dao so many times and had almost become dust in the great calamity on countless occasions!

Things like the "Tongyuan Duokou Qiankun Mailbox," which were flashy but impractical, should be set aside for now. His most urgent task was to develop a small device to monitor his own state.

— To constantly check if he was being influenced by the great calamity and if his actions differed from before.

He had anticipated that tribulation clouds could affect a cultivator's emotions and judgments, so he had prepared the Empty Bright Dao Heart as a defense. Yet, he hadn't realized he needed a self-inspection mechanism!

His steadiness was far from comprehensive!

From now until the signing of the Investiture of the Gods list at Zixiao Palace, he would just need to suppress the rebellious demon clans on the northern continent's borders and help the Heavenly Court with some recruitment activities.

The rest of his time should be devoted to perfecting his own Dao—this would be his greatest trump card from now on!

One of them, at least.

Turning around, he flicked his sleeve, and the tables, chairs, and dishes in the back hall turned to dust. Li Changshou's paper effigy burrowed into the earth, and his mind began pondering several interconnected issues.

How could he further enhance Xiaoqiong Peak's defensive capabilities, and how could he prevent enemies from targeting Ling'e and the others?

Going to the Heavenly Court?

It seemed straightforward, but it hid enormous risks, as the Heavenly Court was the place most deeply influenced by the Heavenly Dao.

In this vast Honghuang world, there was no true safe haven—everything was relative. He could only push his control to ninety-eight percent at best.

He also needed to arrange matters for those one hundred and eight demon soldier predecessors in Anshui City.

If any of them recovered from their demonic state and were willing to be hired by him at a high salary as "security staff" for their retirement, it could be a good thing.

Life and death are no trivial matters; staying alive is the most basic right of any living being.

To protect those around him, he would have to go all out to persuade these old human heroes, even if it meant bearing some guilt.

His mind returned to the underground chamber on Xiaoqiong Peak. He stretched lazily, then beckoned to the side, and eight jade talismans flew over, assembling into the shape of a *bagua* and radiating streams of light.

A dense, three-dimensional diagram appeared before Li Changshou—it was the structural blueprint for Xiaoqiong Peak's defensive array system.

"Hmm, next up is to work on the satellite fire platforms."

As for materials, he didn't need to worry. He had already promised the Holy Mother five hundred of something, so he could just draw more and acquire some innate earth or the like.

Wait, does that five hundred refer to five hundred pages?

Pages...

Li Changshou pressed his hand to his forehead, feeling a bit unwell.

He could almost see the goddess by the pond giggling sneakily and envisioning his miserable state in the near future.

He hadn't clarified it back then!

If she really confined him for five hundred years...

With the Holy Mother's divine abilities, it might not be all bad. He could accelerate his cultivation relatively and gain insights into his own Dao while drawing.

Since it has come to this, he might as well accept it.

Li Changshou fetched paper and brush, writing a couplet to showcase his current exceptional "poetic prowess."

Upper line: All matters steady, ten thousand matters steady, every matter steady.

Lower line: Small emergencies urgent, minor waves wild, eventually hung on the wall.

Horizontal scroll: Rarely gets ahead.

After writing it, Li Changshou savored it carefully, nodding in satisfaction. He used immortal power to mount the couplet and hung it beside his large "steady" character.

The underground chamber now felt even richer in literary atmosphere.

He walked to the portrait of Taishang Laojun, lit three sticks of incense, and bowed deeply, then placed the Qiankun Ruler, the Xuanhuang Pagoda, and the Lidi Flame Banner on the altar table.

The pagoda spirit said:

"Remember to call out before a fight."

The three treasures flickered gently and then vanished.

Li Changshou sensed the methods of the Saint, though faint and swift, the profound principles within were incredibly deep.

This was a realm accumulated over countless ages; he could only take a few shortcuts through sudden enlightenments.

It made him feel quite ashamed.

As he pondered his next detailed plan, four words suddenly surfaced in his heart:

Go with the flow.

This wasn't a reminder from anyone; it was Li Changshou's own realization after all these experiences. He finally grasped a bit of the true meaning and involuntarily closed his eyes in contemplation.

A daily sudden enlightenment, complete.

A moment later, Li Changshou smiled slightly, absorbing all the insights, and took a step forward, his gait much lighter.

His spiritual sense twitched, as if something good was about to happen.

His immortal awareness, always extended, directly captured that fleeting graceful figure thirty thousand *li* away!

Before he could confirm the identity of the white shadow, a voice transmission entered his heart, bypassing all array barriers...

"Can I bring Big Brother and Third Sister to Duxian Sect? I'll instruct them not to reveal your origins."

Yunxiao!

Li Changshou chuckled lightly and nodded without hesitation.

If I don't treat friends sincerely, how can they treat me sincerely?

The disciples of Duxian Sect's disguises were already inadequate and didn't match his current status, so it wasn't worth upsetting Yunxiao over it.

However, he shouldn't expose the situation on Xiaoqiong Peak, to avoid making Zhao Gongming and Qiongxiao uncomfortable.

After transmitting a message to Ling'e, Li Changshou personally went to Black Pool Peak to prepare a grand banquet with the renowned chef for the disciples of Renjiao and the ancient handsome demon, Bai Ze.

In the thatched hut, Ling'e giggled a bit nervously.

Rescue the Unhappy Plan, second wave: Great powers edition!

When Li Changshou saw Bai Ze, the senior's previous quirky attire immediately came to mind.

Bai Ze raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly at Li Changshou, deliberately striking a pose.

"Aiya, what a handsome lad."

With a bang, a half-*zhang*-diameter round stone flew out, smashing Bai Ze away directly.

Using the same joke twice!

Ahem, no.

"Mr. Bai, I've put up with you for too long!"

"Hahahaha!"

Bai Ze laughed as he returned, as Li Changshou hadn't used much force, so he was unharmed.

"Jokes, all jokes, hahahaha!

I'm just joining in the fun with a few young folks, loosening up my muscles. The Water God's Dao Heart is already fine, and I, as a humble Daoist, am well aware of that."

"Let's cook," Li Changshou said, walking away with his hands behind his back to the newly expanded "kitchen palace." "I shouldn't have taught you those playful tunes."

Bai Ze smiled and followed, stroking his goatee. "Do we have distinguished guests arriving?"

"Ling'e invited Yunxiao to visit the peak earlier," Li Changshou replied with a smile. "Just now, Yunxiao asked if she could bring Senior Gongming and Qiongxiao along, and I agreed."

"Oh?"

Bai Ze exclaimed in surprise: "You're not avoiding them anymore?"

"I can't avoid it anymore," Li Changshou shook his head, skillfully putting on an apron. "Eight dishes per person—do we have enough ingredients?"

Bai Ze laughed: "I'll send a message for Ling'e to select a few spirit beasts from Xiaoqiong Peak. This time, I'll handle the meat dishes, and you, Water God, can do the vegetarian ones. How about that?"

"Excellent."

Li Changshou agreed and began washing the utensils skillfully.

Soon, Ling'e arrived with immortal power, bringing several carefully selected spirit beasts, including one that had been tormented by Xiong Lingli before, leaving it in a depressed state... the long-necked sheep.

Ding-ding-clang, the three of them bustled about inside and outside the kitchen palace.

Since Bai Ze came to Duxian Sect, Ling'e no longer had to cook, so she was just helping the two competitive chefs.

The path of conquering her senior brother with delicious food was something Ling'e had given up on years ago.

She was the one who had been conquered!

After half an hour of busyness, Ling'e set up four low tables by the pond, laid out carpets, lit two palace lamps by the lake, and arranged exquisite jade tableware. She also began preparing the paper effigy orchestra's performance for the evening.

A true master of atmosphere.

As dusk fell, a light laugh echoed by the pond, and a patch of white mist appeared on the water's surface.

A certain silky and smooth protective mountain array: utterly lacking dignity.

The mist thickened, the universe trembled slightly, and a graceful figure stepped across the lake.

Ling'e looked up, her eyes lighting up at first.

The newcomer was, of course, Yunxiao.

Even though they had met before, she still stirred the heart profoundly.

Her graceful figure was alluring without being seductive, her curves delicate without being provocative. She wore a long skirt of white rainbow gauze, draped in a shawl made of condensed clouds, with three thousand strands of hair cascading like a waterfall, simply tied in a cloud chignon.

"Yunxiao sister!"

Ling'e called softly, quickly getting up from where she knelt by the zither and rushing over.

Suddenly, a light laugh came from behind Yunxiao—it was a young woman in a light purple long skirt, with a beautiful face and about sixty percent similarity to Yunxiao, but with lively sparkles in her eyes. It was Qiongxiao.

Qiongxiao laughed: "Sister, have we gained another sworn sister?"

Before Yunxiao could respond, and before Ling'e could introduce, a hearty laugh echoed from the mist, and Zhao Gongming, clad in armor, stepped across the water, causing the universe's fluctuations to cease.

Zhao Gongming laughed: "Eating in the morning and evening in one day—two meals with Changgeng. Wonderful, wonderful!"

Yunxiao lightly tapped her jade foot and drifted to the shore on a breeze, bowing slightly to Ling'e, who hurriedly returned the courtesy.

Yunxiao said gently: "E, let me introduce you. This is my big brother, Gongming, the first wisp of pure wind in the heavens, who's been close to us sisters since ancient times.

This is my third sister, Qiongxiao, who loves to tease others, so you should be careful around her."

Qiongxiao couldn't help but mutter: "Sis, you're really something—treating your husband's junior sister as the closest."

"Hahahaha!"

Zhao Gongming roared with laughter and added: "This isn't just Changgeng's junior sister; she might become his Dao companion in the future, oh."

"What!?"

Qiongxiao's eyes widened, and she pulled out her Golden Jiao Scissors. "I'll snip that flirtatious turnip!"

Yunxiao frowned slightly, looking a bit helpless as she glanced at Zhao Gongming and Qiongxiao.

Zhao Gongming immediately stopped laughing, and Qiongxiao hid the scissors behind her back, her full anger turning into a bit of grievance. "Of course, that depends on whether sis agrees..."

Ling'e blinked, finding Yunxiao so gentle yet somehow so authoritative.

However, Ling'e was quickly overwhelmed by the scene.

Three of the eight great disciples of Jiejiao had arrived!

Her senior brother's social circle was truly unmatched.

"Senior Gongming, Senior Qiongxiao, please take your seats," Ling'e said hurriedly. "My senior brother and Mr. Bai are busy in the kitchen; the dishes should be ready soon, so they couldn't come out to greet you in time."

Yunxiao said softly: "It's fine; you don't need to be nervous, E."

Zhao Gongming smiled with narrowed eyes: "Just call me big bro. I'm old friends with your senior brother and was the first in Jiejiao to befriend him!"

Ling'e thought: I've heard my senior brother complain plenty about how you dragged him into Jiejiao's pit.

"Big bro Gongming..."

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Gongming fished out a white jade flute from his sleeve. "I heard from your second sister that you love music, so I'll give this to you. That way, your senior brother won't scold me for being stingy."

Not refusing gifts was a fine tradition of Xiaoqiong Peak!

Ling'e accepted the flute with both hands and bowed in thanks.

Qiongxiao interjected: "I didn't prepare a gift in advance, but if you run into trouble later, just mention my name, and I'll help you once. How about that?"

Ling'e smiled: "Thank you, Immortal."

From the kitchen palace, Li Changshou and Bai Ze were already carrying several steaming jade platters with immortal power, slowly approaching and inviting everyone to sit.

Yunxiao bowed to Li Changshou, who put away his apron and returned a Daoist salute, then greeted Gongming and Qiongxiao.

With two paper effigies playing music and Bai Ze using his divine abilities to make the pond glow softly, Li Changshou, as the host, raised his cup in a toast...

Thus, the immortal banquet began.

Li Changshou, Bai Ze, and Zhao Gongming sat on one side, while Yunxiao, Ling'e, and Qiongxiao sat on the other.

Before long, Bai Ze and Zhao Gongming were chatting enthusiastically, as if they had met too late; Qiongxiao and Ling'e also quickly became familiar, and Qiongxiao, who had planned to give Ling'e a hard time, couldn't bring herself to do it.

When Qiongxiao tasted a few bites of Li Changshou's cooking...

"Second sis, marry him!"

Qiongxiao gave a thumbs-up, her eyes sparkling as she said, "Ding! What a great catch!"

Yunxiao frowned slightly, and Qiongxiao quickly lowered her head to eat.

Yunxiao admonished: "Everything needs to proceed step by step. If you have this much free time, why not listen more to what they're discussing? That's the most important thing right now."

Qiongxiao tilted her ear and heard her big brother Zhao Gongming say:

"Every great calamity brings killing karma. What do you think, Mr. Bai, where will the killing karma fall this time?"

"It's hard to say," Bai Ze replied, taking a sip from his cup. "The calamity is meant to weaken the power of living beings. Who it affects depends on their own destiny, fortune, and connection to the calamity, with countless variables at play."

Li Changshou added: "Mr. Bai is right, big bro. Remember to discuss anything you do with me later.

It's not just me giving you advice; Mr. Bai, as a wise figure from the ancient Yao Court, has many ingenious strategies."

"Ah."

Bai Ze waved his hand. "Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning. Just a bit of superficial knowledge."

Li Changshou winked at Zhao Gongming, who immediately understood.

Bai Ze was good at strategy and might not like being overly praised.

Qiongxiao suddenly asked: "Mr. Bai, how does the ancient Kunpeng Demon Master compare to you in terms of intellect?"

"Kunpeng is cunning, skilled in schemes and quick thinking, but not great at grand strategies. His intellect is top-tier, but not the absolute best."

Bai Ze's eyes carried a hint of reminiscence. "I've clashed with him countless times... of course, within the Yao Court.

He's somewhat stubborn, and because of that, he has no real loyalty to the Yao Court or the demon race—he sees them as mere tools, with no sense of right or wrong, only what's beneficial or not to himself.

Such experts are the hardest to deal with."

Yunxiao looked at Li Changshou and cautioned: "If you encounter Kunpeng, prioritize self-protection and call for reinforcements before confronting him."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile and said warmly: "You all should do the same—don't let the calamity's fate influence you when facing strong enemies."

"Good, good," Qiongxiao waved her delicate hand, stirring up trouble as usual. "Let's drink and have fun. Why discuss such heavy topics?

Come on, sister, I'll toast you."

Yunxiao asked, puzzled: "Why toast me?"

But she still picked up her jade cup and drank with her sworn sister.

Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming exchanged a glance; Li Changshou's eyes held a question, and Zhao Gongming nodded subtly.

And so, a session of persuading Yunxiao to drink began.

But today, Li Changshou witnessed something astonishing about Yunxiao.

They had all agreed not to use immortal power, Dao rhythms, or primordial spirit to neutralize the alcohol, yet Yunxiao remained sober no matter how much she drank, completely contrary to the intelligence Qiongxiao had provided before.

Perhaps innate beings had different concepts from later-born ones.

Before long, Qiongxiao lay on the carpet, her face flushed, letting out a burp;

Bai Ze was dizzy-eyed, mumbling and slumped on the table;

Zhao Gongming's face turned red, and he wandered off to hug a tree, singing songs in the wind.

Ling'e was also overwhelmed by the drink, propping up her forehead and murmuring.

At that moment, Yunxiao's face was slightly flushed as she locked eyes with Li Changshou and suddenly covered her mouth with a light laugh.

This laugh was like a blooming flower, so radiant under the moonlight and the pond's gentle glow that it was intoxicating.

Yunxiao said: "You few, were trying to get me drunk, weren't you?"

"Well..."

Li Changshou chuckled in embarrassment.

"But I won, didn't I?"

Yunxiao lifted her chin slightly, her beautiful eyes full of triumph. "I've gotten drunk and made a fool of myself before, and my second and third sisters teased me about it, so I specially trained my tolerance.

Hmm, your brew is delicious."

As she spoke, she placed the jade cup by her cheek, gazing at Li Changshou with a smile, her eyes bright.

Li Changshou raised his cup and asked gently: "Want more?"

"No, any more and I'd really get drunk," Yunxiao shook her head lightly. "When I'm drunk, I always like to dance, which isn't very proper. I need to set an example for Qiongxiao and Bixiao."

Li Changshou laughed: "I'd kind of like to see that."

"Then," Yunxiao thought for a moment, casually pointing to bind Bai Ze, Zhao Gongming, and Qiongxiao with a cloud, then rose gracefully and said to Li Changshou, "Just this once."

As she spoke, this fairy hummed a light tune and floated to the pond, not disturbing the water at all, stepping into the moonlight at the center.

The flowing water played like music, the breeze stirred the heart.

With a turn, she began to dance under the moon, her jade arms swaying lightly, her shawl fluttering, and mist rising over the pond.

Full of emotion, she waved her hands; her double sleeves intertwined gracefully.

Yunxiao's eyes grew a bit hazy, her movements fluid and gentle. As her skirt swayed like a divine bird circling, her figure danced, embodying the pinnacle of what a fairy and a woman could be.

Li Changshou watched, entranced, his mind clear and free of distractions.

Footsteps sounded softly beside him, and he realized this was part of the arrangement Ling'e and Yunxiao had made earlier.

Ling'e hugged her jade zither to the pond's edge, closed her eyes to focus, her cute face full of rapture as her fingers plucked gently, the music blending seamlessly with Yunxiao's dance.

Li Changshou leaned back, supporting himself with his hands on the carpet, enjoying this rare sight, a serene smile on his lips.

From now on, he must steadily protect them through the Investiture of the Gods calamity.

Even if it meant contending with the heavens.

Ahem, more like, as with Lu Ya's death, balancing with the Heavenly Dao, negotiating, and doing more to save the four outer disciples of Jiejiao from the calamity.

Directly challenging the Heavenly Dao after the Witch-Demon Calamity in Honghuang...

Better to think about how to leave Honghuang and become neighbors with those octopuses in the Chaos Sea!

Li Changshou suppressed these messy thoughts and continued to gaze at the beautiful scene before him, losing himself in it once more.

This was quite a nice dance.

This normal range of "dancing" was beautiful and heart-stirring, but faintly... a little disappointing.

He had half-expected some rare spectacle like a fairy rave, or something.