Chapter 8: The Wine Immortal Appears

Yuan Qing, Xuan Ya, you're ranked second and sixth in cultivation among this generation of disciples. Why are you both rushing off to gather herbs?

And then there's Du Lin Peak's Liu Yan Er, Xiao Ling Peak's Wang Qi... well, they're both in the top twenty talents of this generation. Why are they all hurrying to Luan Chang Bao Lin? Has our sect become so stingy with its young disciples?

Bei Ju Lu Continent isn't some safe place— no one went there the last two times...

Hmm?"

In the corner of Bai Fan Hall, the female immortal, reeking of alcohol, tilted her head slightly. She glared at Li Changshou, who stood behind the four dazzling young disciples, then glanced down at the bamboo strip in her hand, looked back up at Li Changshou, and repeated this twice. Her expression gradually darkened.

"Xiao Qiong Peak, Li Changshou.

What’s your cultivation level? Why go to Luan Chang Bao Lin when you're only at Hua Shen nine tier?

Go on, shoo! Go fight those shrimp demons in the East Sea instead!"

This female immortal spoke bluntly and without any regard for politeness, but her words were entirely reasonable, clearly out of concern for Li Changshou's safety.

She had a large and small wine gourd hanging from her waist, and her outfit was very simple: long pants, a short shirt, and shoulder-length light brown hair. Among the sea of female cultivators with their long, flowing black hair, she was quite the rarity.

In terms of appearance and demeanor, she resembled a menial disciple who had been overworked and given up on themselves within the sect.

Fortunately, the cloth strip tied around her slender waist, the hemp short shirt that looked ready to burst at the seams, and the occasional traces of pressure emanating from her body all indicated that she was a formidable female immortal.

This person was Daoist Jiu Jiu, a disciple of Po Tian Peak. She appeared to be in her early twenties but was actually eight or nine hundred years old, having achieved immortality over six hundred years ago. Among her peers who entered the sect at the same time, she was outstanding and now capable of handling major tasks independently.

She was the only sect guardian accompanying them to Luan Chang Bao Lin in Bei Ju Lu Continent, which spoke volumes about her exceptional strength.

Li Changshou maintained a serious expression and bowed with cupped hands to this renowned wine immortal. "Jiu Shishu, this disciple needs to find a few medicinal herbs, one of which can only be found in Bei Ju Lu Continent. I'll have to trouble you this time."

"What herbs?"

Jiu Jiu curled her lip, her otherwise beautiful face showing a hint of disdain. "I have some connection with your master, so I'll give you this. Take it to find Qi Ling Elder at Dao Zang Pavilion."

As she spoke, Jiu Jiu rummaged through her wine-stained short shirt and tossed a jade piece to Li Changshou.

"Just say it's from my monthly allowance. Go get the herbs you need!

Is Bei Ju Lu Continent a place for someone at Hua Shen nine tier?

If you really die there, I'd get docked ten years' worth of wine money, and your crybaby master would probably come whining to me...

Ugh, just thinking about it is annoying!"

The two men and two women nearby looked slightly surprised, their gazes falling on the jade piece.

Was this an elder's identity jade token, given so casually to a non-peak disciple at Hua Shen nine tier?

"Shishu," Li Changshou said with a bitter smile, stepping forward with the jade piece and handing it back to the female immortal, "If I had a choice, this disciple wouldn't want to risk going to Bei Ju Lu Continent, but this time it's unavoidable. According to sect rules, Shishu can't refuse a disciple's request for external training, so please allow it."

Jiu Jiu frowned slightly, staring at the junior bowing before her, and snorted as she snatched the jade piece back.

"Really! You there, Yuan Qing, Xuan Ya."

The girl in the fiery red immortal skirt and the refined young cultivator both cupped their hands and responded, "This disciple is here!"

Jiu Jiu said irritably, "If you two have the extra capacity, keep an eye on him."

"This disciple accepts the order," You Qin Xuan Ya replied impassively.

"Shishu, rest assured," Yuan Qing said, casting a kindly glance at Li Changshou with a warm smile at the corner of his mouth. "I'll take good care of Changshou Shidi."

Jiu Jiu couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead and grumbled at Li Changshou, "He's been in the sect longer than both you and Xuan Ya.

Honestly, Li Changshou, how did you manage it? Cultivating for over a hundred years and still not reaching Fan Xu realm... Oh, well.

Given the conditions on Xiao Qiong Peak, it's already impressive that you can keep up with most disciples."

"Uh," Yuan Qing looked embarrassed but quickly bowed. "Apologies, Changshou Shixiong, please don't take offense."

Li Changshou shook his head with a smile, feeling a touch of emotion in his heart.

The expressionless woman, the warm-hearted man—they made quite the pair...

But it had nothing to do with him.

Li Changshou suddenly sensed two gazes that weren't particularly friendly. He didn't bother investigating and calmly thanked Jiu Jiu, then turned to bow to You Qin Xuan Ya and Yuan Qing before stepping back to stand quietly behind the four.

Those gazes, of course, came from the other two.

Liu Yan Er, in her light yellow dress, and Wang Qi, in his green daoist robe, were both top-ranked Fan Xu realm talents of this generation, promising immortal seedlings.

Though their looks held no goodwill, there wasn't much malice either—just a bit of disdain.

Li Changshou stood quietly, listening to the continuous whooshing sounds outside as batches of disciples took to the skies under the protection of various immortals.

He also extended a wisp of his spiritual sense to check the storage instruments on his person.

This wasn't just about being organized; he kept his pills, instruments, and other items categorized. The contents of these instruments were actually identical, with pills, instruments, spirit stones, and so on divided equally into three sets.

The ring on his left wrist was his main storage instrument; for extra caution, the pendant around his neck was a backup; and for even more contingencies, the pouch tied to his thigh was another layer of backup...

When going out for training, being overprepared was always wise, especially for a dangerous place like Bei Ju Lu Continent.

This time, Li Changshou had brought along most of his possessions.

The rest, he had given to his junior sister for protection.

...

Half a day later, a massive gourd slowly rose into the air in front of the hall.

Jiu Jiu Immortal stood with her arms crossed at the mouth of the gourd, exuding quite an imposing presence. The several young disciples stood steadily at various points on the gourd.

Once the gourd flew out of the grand array, Jiu Jiu formed seals with her hands, and the gourd emitted faint green light, forming a thin membrane around it to block the external wind.

Then, she pointed a finger toward the northwest, and the gourd began to accelerate smoothly.

"Relax, everyone, don't be so tense. Once we're out of the sect gates, there aren't as many rules."

Jiu Jiu yawned and sat down casually at the gourd's mouth, dangling her legs over the edges without a care, then grabbed the wine gourd from her waist. A satisfied smile already played on her lips.

She took a slow sip, and a slight flush appeared on her cheeks. She muffled a soft sigh into the wind, radiating an air of contentment and comfort. Then, she turned to size up the five young disciples behind her.

Farthest from her was Li Changshou, sitting at the rear of the gourd.

He kept a small distance from the others, his body tense, not meditating like the rest. Instead, his left fingertip pressed against two yellow paper talismans.

Liu Yan Er and Wang Qi were in the middle of the gourd, quietly regulating their breath.

Closest to Jiu Jiu was You Qin Xuan Ya, sitting just a foot behind her with her large sword laid across her front.

Behind You Qin Xuan Ya, the elegant Yuan Qing said warmly, "Shimei, this time I'll definitely help you find the Yan Huo Ming Xin Grass."

You Qin Xuan Ya furrowed her brow slightly and replied coolly, "Yuan Qing Shixiong, there's no need to trouble yourself. This is my own path of cultivation; I don't require interference from others."

Yuan Qing smiled gently. "Having one more person always means one more chance."

You Qin Xuan Ya said nothing more and continued her meditation, flames-like auras swirling around her, her beauty flawless from every angle.

"Tch," Jiu Jiu chuckled as she watched, raising an eyebrow at Yuan Qing.

Yuan Qing made a helpless expression and continued meditating three feet behind You Qin Xuan Ya, his smile fading gradually.

'Tsk, another case of the leaves having feelings while the flowing water remains indifferent.'

Jiu Jiu took another sip of her immortal brew, savoring it endlessly, but reluctantly hung the gourd back at her waist.

She leaned against the edge of the gourd's mouth, gazing up at the clouds drifting in the blue sky, lost in thought for a moment.

After flying like this for a while, Jiu Jiu couldn't resist reaching for her waist gourd again, but hesitated and stopped herself. She muttered, "It'll take two or three days to reach Bei Ju Lu Continent. Are you all just going to sit there meditating?

That Wang Qi, sing a little tune for your shishu."

"Jiu Shishu..." Wang Qi replied hastily from behind, "I don't know any tunes."

Jiu Jiu immediately looked disappointed. "Then who does? Changshou, how about you?"

Li Changshou shook his head gravely and used a voice transmission to remind Jiu Jiu, "Shishu, there seems to be a figure in the clouds above and behind us."

"Hmm?"

Jiu Jiu glanced up and transmitted back nonchalantly, "In the vast Five Parts Continent, there are countless cultivators who can fly through the air. Don't make a fuss; we're not far from Du Xian Gate yet."

Even so, Jiu Jiu spread out her immortal sense, and soon the large gourd began to slow down steadily.

A moment later, the gourd hovered motionless in the air. Jiu Jiu remained lounging casually as she called out loudly, "I wonder what business the daoist friend in the clouds has for following us so long?"

Instantly, the four disciples on the gourd opened their eyes, while Li Changshou, who had been watching the rear, slipped his right hand into his sleeve and gripped his storage instrument.

From the clouds behind, a burly figure flew out. He wore chainmail armor, had a rugged face, and exuded a solid, heavy aura. A massive board axe hung on his back.

'An immortal?'

Li Changshou sensed carefully; this person seemed to have achieved immortality not long ago and didn't exert much pressure on him.

From a hundred zhang away, the burly man cupped his fists toward Jiu Jiu and boomed, "I am the palace guard commander of Hong Lin Kingdom in East Divine State, here specifically to protect the Sixth Princess. If I've offended you, I ask the immortal to forgive it!"

"Sixth Princess?"

Jiu Jiu tilted her head and glanced at the two female disciples behind her.

Li Changshou's gaze unconsciously fell on Liu Yan Er, whose face was slightly round and had a down-to-earth air, but Liu Yan Er turned to look at the other young female disciple instead...

You Qin Xuan Ya spoke in an extremely cool tone:

"Go back. There's no need to trouble yourself for me."

Princess? Palace guard commander?

Appearing just as they headed to Bei Ju Lu Continent?

Li Changshou's nose twitched slightly, catching a whiff of... some kind of plot.