Guanghan Fairy did not refuse. Having already tasted a cup at the wine shop, she knew how delightful the wine truly was. Nor had she forgotten the matter at hand—she needed to offer Qin Xuan her critique.
Holding the jade cup, she took a tiny sip and savored it attentively. Then she took another dainty sip, relishing the nuances with care.
Qin Xuan drained his cup in a single draft and stood savoring the aftertaste, trying to perceive what the Wine Tribulation Immortal had felt and thought when brewing it. When he finally collected his thoughts a long while later, he found the peerless fairy beside him still sipping at a leisurely pace.
Before Qin Xuan could even ask, she exhaled softly with wine-scented breath and murmured, "I've heard people say that the fiercer the wine, the richer its flavor. Yet the Wine Immortal's brew seems to carry a hint of sweetness.
"My mother once told me that in this life, whether as a mortal or in pursuit of the Dao, one ought not let too many vexations weigh on the heart. With an open heart, every corner is a haven of peace, and anywhere can be home amid the clouds and waters.
"The Wine Immortal has lived from the primordial era to the present day, so he must bear many burdens. Yet his wine is not harsh at all." Qin Xuan mused thoughtfully, noticing the rosy flush spreading across her cheeks. "Such mild wine suits you well, Fairy."
Ji Qingni knew he was teasing her low alcohol tolerance. Not bothering to argue, she simply downed the remainder of the wine in one gulp. It was truly delicious...
She retrieved a folding fan and fluttered it gently before her face, shot Qin Xuan a glance, and went off to wash the spirit fruits in the courtyard. She knew nothing about brewing, and unable to offer any constructive advice, she preferred to hold her tongue lest she mislead Master Winemaker Qin.
Qin Xuan lingered in deep contemplation. For a long while, he failed to deduce from a single flagon what the Wine Immortal truly sought.
For now, his priority was to brew the wine for their upcoming delivery to Wine Immortal Tower. If technique was lacking, quantity and quality would compensate.
If he had nothing else in abundance, he at least had a plentiful supply of spirit water.
Assigned by the Wine Immortal to wash the spirit fruits, Ji Qingni possessed the ability to purge them of death qi. By channeling an ancient spirit-tempering secret art from the Ancient Immortal Province, she could imbue the plump red fruits in the backyard with even richer spiritual essence.
Qin Xuan drew a large bucket of water from the well and soaked the cleansed fruits in the spirit water. Curious, Guanghan Fairy asked, "What are you doing?"
Qin Xuan put on an air of mystery. "A secret brewing art, passed down only within the family, never to outsiders."
Ji Qingni peered into the water. Assuming it was indeed his personal secret, she pressed no further.
Night fell.
Once again, a demonic entity knocked on the gate from outside. They paid it no heed. Like the monk from before, the creature merely called out and made no attempt to force its way in. As long as one remained inside and resisted temptation, no harm would come.
The next morning, Shen Yunfei and his cohort passed by their front gate again. Upon their leopard cart lay a corpse.
Another weak-willed soul had forfeited their own spirit.
The matter puzzled Qin Xuan.
When a spotted Spanish mackerel was consumed by a Qi Refining cultivator, even if the cultivator fell to demonic corruption and died, it helped the Wine Tribulation Immortal dissolve a sliver of demonic obsession. Yet having the townspeople's souls devoured was plainly detrimental to the functioning of Wine Immortal Town. If the Wine Immortal's true purpose had simply been to devour souls, he could have seized them by sheer force; no one could possibly resist him.
When he voiced his doubts to Ji Qingni, she had her own speculations, but could provide no definitive answer.
Three days later, Qin Xuan laid out the spirit-soaked fruits on bamboo mats to dry. Afterward, he gradually transferred them into a stone mortar.
Using a wooden pestle, he crushed and mashed them, pounding the peel, pulp, and juice together without removing the skins or pits, continuing until the fruit was thoroughly pulped and juicy. The resulting juice was not particularly sweet.
Qin Xuan was unfamiliar with this variety of spirit fruit from Wine Immortal Town and could not identify its species. However, according to the old steward, it had to be used for the wine. Recalling the flavor of the brew gifted by the Wine Immortal, he brought out some hawthorn berries.
Crushing a handful, he used the Tianyi True Water art to extract their sweet nectar and blended it into the spirit fruit juice.
Seeing this, Ji Qingni also took several spirit fruits from her treasure pouch and handed them over. Every single one was brimming with the dense spiritual qi of the Ancient Immortal Province in the Nine Heavens.
Qin Xuan's eyes lit up. "We'll save these for the next batch. I'll keep them safe for now."
Guanghan Fairy hummed softly in assent, unbothered by his little embezzlement. She merely recounted in a gentle voice, "South of Zhongzhou, there once existed the great Dongyang Sect. Its disciples often cultivated the Wanyu Immortal Cavern Abode, a portable realm capable of nurturing spirit fruits. Later, during the Primordial Great Kalpa, it collapsed, and Immortal Baihua of the Dongyang Sect perished. Nevertheless, the legacy Immortal Baihua left behind flowed eastward and survives to this day."
Realization dawned on Qin Xuan. "The Ji family?"
"Yes. My family has an orchard full of various spirit fruits. Any true disciple would certainly get their fill." The Tea Fairy clearly harbored an unconcealed desire to lure him home with her.
Qin Xuan played along obligingly. "Your family's estate sounds mesmerizing, Fairy. I'd love to visit and see it for myself."
After a bit more idle banter, he transferred the pulp and juice into clean clay vats until they were just over seventy percent full. Sealing the mouths with lotus leaves bound by magic power, he fastened bamboo lids tightly over them, preparing six vats in total—a number traditionally considered auspicious.
Over the next three days, he stirred the mixture once daily with a wooden rod.
Eight days later, he filtered out the dregs to collect the wine. Utilizing the Tianyi True Water art made the task extraordinarily convenient. He poured the fruit wine into clean clay jars, sealing them to age. His brewing method was thoroughly rustic, lacking any special recipe like the Yudu wine he had brewed before.
Observing his practiced hands, Ji Qingni felt a surge of reassurance. The Little Sword Immortal might talk flamboyantly, but he proved quite dependable when it came to getting things done. Aging the fruit wine for several dozen days would bring them right to the delivery date for Wine Immortal Tower.
Qin Xuan, however, was not so relaxed. He had no idea how long he would remain trapped in this Dao sanctuary, and brewing would be his daily routine throughout that time. His urgent priority was to secure at least an average evaluation from the wine tasters to ensure he could idle away his days safely in the Ascension Ground. As such, he temporarily suppressed his curiosity to explore the town.
On the twentieth day of brewing, Qin Xuan and Ji Qingni paid another visit to Master Bear. Master Bear had compiled all the brewing knowledge from the wine shop into a booklet and handed it to Qin Xuan. Afterward, the Black Bear Monster gazed up at the sky, pressed his palms together, and said, "Benefactor Qin, through Chan contemplation of everything within this wine shop over recent days, this poor monk has gained a subtle realization."
Qin Xuan took on a solemn expression. "What guidance do you have for me, Master?"
Master Bear sighed wistfully. "The wine-blending methods recorded in the shop are manifold, yet not a single one has ever satisfied the Wine Immortal. Every one of those methods was left behind by previous winemakers. The Wine Immortal is bitterly searching for something within the wine. That, perhaps, is the true reason he established this Ascension Ground."
Both Qin Xuan and Ji Qingni fell into contemplation.
This differed somewhat from their initial assumption; they had believed every detail of Wine Immortal Town served solely to help the Wine Immortal dissolve his tribulation.
Master Bear, however, believed the Wine Immortal's intent was pure: it was all for the sake of wine. Just as Qin Xuan was about to share his thoughts, an astonishing scene unfolded.
Master Bear's entire body began to glow, and he sat cross-legged in the wine shop to meditate. He had actually received a boon from the Ascension Ground!
The two left the shop, conversing all the way back to their courtyard.
Inspired by Master Bear's words, an idea formed in Qin Xuan's mind, and he cleared out an open space in the pavilion.
Ji Qingni watched his preparations.
Before long, he set up a furnace meant for pill refinement, simmered a clay pot over it, and placed a celadon dish nearby filled with paper-thin slices of fish lightly salted for a brief marination.
This was the fish he had bought by the southern river.
"You're really going to eat it?"
Glancing at the wary Guanghan Fairy, Qin Xuan replied, "I bought it, so naturally I must eat it."
Ji Qingni shook her head gently and took a step forward to advise him. "This fish contains the magic power of a Tribulation Immortal, yet it only cost a single immortal cowrie. There must be something amiss."
Qin Xuan shook his head as well. "At first, I thought so too. But after hearing what the master said, I feel this might have been left behind deliberately by the Wine Immortal. A demonic obsession resides within the fish, born of delusion. Through that delusion, we might just uncover some hidden truth."
As he spoke, he slipped the Heart-Cleansing Pill into his palm simply as a safeguard.
With an inner fiend residing within his Taiyin Aperture, he was not afraid of demonic obsessions. According to Jin Tu, only those of great willpower could endure this fish, which meant it was still within a Qi Refining cultivator's tolerance. The Wine Immortal's intention was clearly not to kill anyone who ate it.
Ji Qingni pondered his reasoning as a savory aroma wafted up. She watched him draw ginger slices and Sichuan peppercorns from his treasure pouch to sprinkle into the pot, then dip the fish slices with bamboo chopsticks, swirling them through the billowing steam. While blanching the fish, Qin Xuan said to the lovely maiden before him, "Fairy Ji, if I succumb to madness and perish, seeing as we're companions, feel free to take whatever you wish from my treasure pouch without any guilt.
"When the old ape comes tomorrow, please pass a message to Shen Yunfei. Tell him that the title 'Immortal of Wind and Moon' he mentioned last time wasn't quite fitting; my stele should read 'Spring and Autumn Immortal.' I study the Spring and Autumn Annals, entirely untainted by worldly romance—let no one besmirch my name."
He wore a desolate expression, looking as though he harbored lingering attachments to this world.
Ji Qingni rolled her eyes. Had she not heard him narrate *The Little Fox Fairy Snapping Her Fan Under the Moon* with such vivid animation, she might have actually believed him. With her acute intelligence, she instantly saw that he possessed absolute confidence, but rather than calling him out, she played along with a quiet nod.
Finishing his words, Qin Xuan popped a slice of mackerel into his mouth. It was silky smooth, bursting with rich savory flavor.
He channeled the Elixir Dew Flying Transformation Scripture. In a breath, the fish dissolved into a cloud of gray mist, which condensed under the scripture's circulation into a single drop of gray elixir dew exuding a faint fragrance of wine.
Normally, this elixir dew would fall directly into the spring of his Flowery Pool. Yet instead...
It hovered above the Flowery Pool, and before long, a gray silhouette emerged from within.
Once the gray shadow appeared, the elixir dew turned milky white and dripped into the Flowery Pool, giving rise to a surge of pure magic power. The gray shadow remained, emitting a low murmur.
The inner fiend inside his Taiyin Aperture grew restless. Qin Xuan could not clearly make out the murmured words, but streams of delusional thoughts burrowed into his mind, stoking his demonic inclinations. It was a bizarre, unpredictable art.
Those delusional thoughts unfolded in strict order, almost like the transmission of a secret technique, compelling one to comprehend and practice it instinctively. The moment the delusions arose, Qin Xuan severed them with a thought, striving to discern the murmur throughout the process.
Gradually, he discovered a knack: Mo Jianli's Wild Sword Formula proved exceptionally effective, using sword intent to sever the demonic threads.
Through meditative visualization, he realized that the demonic obsession in this single slice of fish posed virtually no threat to him. Confident in his assessment, he finally released his inner fiend.
The inner fiend emerged from his Taiyin Aperture into the Flowery Pool, pursued the gray silhouette for a moment, seized it, and refined it away in one bite.
Qin Xuan sensed a burst of emotion transmitted from the fiend, as if it were saying, *Master, delicious! More!*
The fiend had never shown an appetite for things like spectral wraiths or ancient ghosts, yet a sliver of demonic obsession within a Tribulation Immortal's magic power had whetted its hunger. Unfortunately, the fiend could not convey the information embedded within the obsession.
Qin Xuan formed his own judgment, recalled it to the Taiyin Aperture, and focused on completely refining the magic power from the fish.
After about half the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Ji Qingni saw Qin Xuan open his eyes. Guanghan Fairy's expression turned quite intriguing.
She watched him pick up his chopsticks and start blanching more fish.
One slice, two slices... he was practically feasting. Over the course of three hours, Qin Xuan consumed more than half of the fish.
He reached his own limit, and the inner fiend was stuffed as well. All that magic power was refined into his Flowery Pool, causing the spirit spring within to expand steadily outward, enlarging the pool itself and thickening his foundation.
Hovering above the Flowery Pool were wisps of spiritual mist slowly dispersing. They belonged to the Tribulation Immortal's magic power, not demonic obsessions, yet they resisted absorption. The mist gave Qin Xuan a faint sense of familiarity.
He pondered it repeatedly. With a shift of thought, he drew a wisp of Taibai Mysterious Wind Fiend-Qi from a bamboo tube in his treasure pouch. Previously, refining this earth fiend-qi had been an excruciatingly slow process.
Yet the moment he stimulated it with magic power, a sudden change occurred: those unabsorbable wisps of spiritual mist surged forward!
Instantly, the Taibai Mysterious Wind Fiend-Qi was absorbed by his Dao Lotus at several times its usual speed. Wonderful!
Enlightenment struck him at once.
The unabsorbable mist was actually Heavenly Tiangang refined by the Wine Tribulation Immortal! The familiarity stemmed from the bronze divine beast zun, which contained Central Dipper Heavenly Tiangang. Tiangang naturally accelerated earth fiend-qi—how could it not be fast?
As the Tiangang accelerated the earth fiend-qi, it dispersed as well, but wisps of it were incorporated into Qin Xuan's Dao Lotus. This short span of time equated to several years of bitter cultivation for an ordinary person.
Opening his eyes, Qin Xuan's thoughts drifted.
This fish was truly an extraordinary treasure! The Ascension Ground lived up to its name as a realm of fortuitous encounters; no wonder the sword fanatic of Zhongzhou and True Lord Yuanhai had charged in of their own accord. If this place were entirely peaceful, he would gladly stay much longer.
Glancing aside, he noticed Fairy Ji had also begun eating the fish.
Taking only a single bite, she held her breath, concentrated her mind, and sat in meditation to circulate her energy.
The moment her technique took effect, Ji Qingni's demeanor transformed drastically. Her jade countenance, fair as frost and snow, took on a frigid sheen, turning her into an icy fairy who kept the world at arm's length. This was likely an orthodox scripture from the Ancient Immortal Province. Qin Xuan observed quietly until dusk.
The iceberg before him seemed to thaw abruptly. Her captivating face brightened like a spring breeze, regaining its radiant warmth. Then, she looked at Qin Xuan with a peculiar gaze.
Only after eating the fish did she realize how terrifying the demonic obsession inside truly was, making Qin Xuan's eating speed utterly incomprehensible to her.
A fleeting sense of defeat crossed Guanghan Fairy's heart. She smiled and turned to serious business. "It seems you were right. The murmured voice within the demonic obsession must have been left by the Wine Tribulation Immortal."
Qin Xuan asked, "Can you hear it clearly?"
Ji Qingni nodded slightly. "I can, but it will take a considerable amount of time. While listening to the murmur, I have to suppress the delusions in my mind." *Worthy of a great sect's disciple,* Qin Xuan marveled inwardly.
Just then, a flash of spiritual light erupted from Ji Qingni's wrist, and a streak of black light flew forth. Puzzled, Qin Xuan caught a black leaf in his hand. "What is this?"
"This is a secret art for interrogating inner demons, known as the Heavenly Demon Shell," Ji Qingni said. "Once you master it, you will be able to hear the murmurs clearly. If we cast the technique together, we can speed up our progress and obtain the information left by the Tribulation Immortal."
Qin Xuan scrutinized the black leaf, feeling enlightened. No wonder he had been unable to make out the words.
She cautioned him further, "This is a technique from the demon sects and very easy to practice astray. You must exercise extreme care."
Qin Xuan did not decline. Circulating his magic power, a mental thought manifested, and the moment he scanned the leaf, a seventy-three-character Heavenly Demon formula imprinted itself into his mind. He savored it briefly and returned the leaf.
Ji Qingni then explained the nuances of the technique, such as the meaning behind 'to hear the heavenly voice, one must first destroy human hearing,' and 'all mortal sounds are delusion; only heavenly sound is truth.' Listening to her, Qin Xuan realized the extraordinary origin of the Heavenly Demon Shell.
Those capable of making deals with Grandpa Fox had to be spectral wraiths, ancient ghosts, pestilence demons, or heavenly demons. Entities like heavenly demons could survive amidst tribulation qi and tempt Qi Refining cultivators.
A founding patriarch of the demon sects had once created the *Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Scripture*, which turned the tables by tempting heavenly demons to extract their secrets of evading assimilation by the heavenly Dao. Later, when this patriarch perished, the demon scripture scattered, and one portion was collected by the Dongyang Sect of Zhongzhou. The Ji family's heritage originated from this long-dissolved sect.
"Fairy Ji, this technique is immensely valuable."
A meaningful smile graced Ji Qingni's pretty face. "My family's immortal scroll is called *Wanhua True Talismans*. This heavenly demon art harmonizes quite well with the scroll, so it was preserved. Though it is not our foundational scripture, like your brewing method, it is passed down only within the family, never to outsiders. However... the current circumstances are exceptional. The information in the demonic obsession might help us leave this Dao sanctuary. I feel your temperament is well-suited to cultivate this art, and interrogating the demonic obsession together gives us a better chance."
In the blink of an eye, night fell once more.
While explaining the Heavenly Demon Shell, Ji Qingni even produced several tea leaves to help him master it swiftly.
This led Qin Xuan to reflect inwardly: *Chacha is truly a fine person, well worth knowing.*
Over the following month or so, the two devoured six spotted Spanish mackerels, employing the Heavenly Demon Shell together to interrogate the demonic obsessions. Bit by bit, they pieced together a coherent picture.
A sliver of the Wine Tribulation Immortal's delusion had seemingly been uncovered by them. The murmurs repeatedly mentioned: "Ancient Youzhou, homeland, Heart Lake Sea..."
Ji Qingni's reaction was muted; she focused on the words 'Heart Lake Sea,' as the river south of town, clear within yet murky without, was known as the Heart Lake Sea. But when Qin Xuan heard "Ancient Youzhou, homeland...", his thoughts flew to Patriarch Geng's residence and Senior Chen Yin, who was tied to the Tortoise-Back Diagram.
Back then, it was Chen Yin who had given him an ancient bird-script chant, which, with the help of the ancient mirror, had yielded the Taiyin Soul Transformation Art. Senior Chen Yin's homeland was also in Youzhou—the Qiuping Chen Clan...
*Could the Wine Immortal and Senior Chen Yin hail from the same place?*
Though doubts swirled in his mind, Qin Xuan could only keep them to himself, daring not inquire of the Wine Immortal.
"Little Sword Immortal Qin, what are you pondering?" Ji Qingni noticed his unusually solemn expression.
Qin Xuan replied, "The wine is finished, and in seven days, we must head to Wine Immortal Tower. I'm feeling a bit uneasy."
It was only human nature; the wine tasters' evaluation seemed to decide their fate. Ji Qingni offered no empty consolations.
After a moment's thought, she gestured toward the backyard. "Let's open a vat and taste it first. If it tastes terrible, there's still a workaround. We can find a small flagon and mix in the remaining wine gifted to you by the Wine Immortal. After all, it's not being presented to the Wine Immortal himself this time. Since those tasters know the Wine Immortal's preferences, they won't dare criticize his own brew. You might even secure a top rating. With the immortal cowrie reward, you can buy more of the Wine Immortal's brew from that master's shop, keeping up the cycle until the wine gathering commences. That will buy you plenty of time to experiment with other brewing methods."
Qin Xuan's eyes widened as he stared at the eloquent Guanghan Fairy. "Did you plan this all along?"
"Just preparing for the worst," she said, producing her bronze token. "If you're tainted by tribulation qi, I, the one washing spirit fruits here, will suffer along with you."
Qin Xuan said no more and headed straight to the shaded corner of the backyard.
He brought out two jade cups, broke the seal of a vat, and used the Tianyi True Water art to draw the clear brew from the top into the cups. Handing one to Ji Qingni, he remarked casually, "Home-brewed; it shouldn't be fierce."
Qin Xuan took a small sip, then drained it in one go. The wine entered smoothly, leaving a sweet aftertaste infused with a rich, refreshing aroma. It felt surprisingly good. The unique variety of local spirit fruits had yielded a flavor far exceeding Qin Xuan's expectations.
Beside him, Guanghan Fairy took a sip, her eyes lighting up as well. "How is it?"
"I don't know how to evaluate it, but it's very delicious."
Qin Xuan smiled. "Another cup?"
Ji Qingni hesitated briefly. Looking at the vat, she felt her own hard work was poured into it. Over the past two months, she had been waiting as well, harboring no hope of attaining profound Dao revelations in this Ascension Ground. Simply escaping alive would be a blessing.
Naturally, she had held great expectations for the wine Qin Xuan brewed. Whatever the Wine Immortal might think of it, she found it delightful. Extending her jade hand, she accepted another cup drawn by Qin Xuan, temporarily forgetting her mother's teachings.
Cup after cup, they drank together, discussing the differences in flavor between this wine and the one gifted by the Wine Immortal, brainstorming ways to improve it.
Before they knew it, they had emptied the entire vat. Yet, utterly unforeseen...
The wine packed a tremendous delayed punch, surging up like a flash flood!
The intoxicating force grew increasingly fierce, forcing Qin Xuan to circulate his magic power to suppress it. Alas, within this Dao sanctuary, enveloped by the Wine Immortal's profound Dao, his magic power proved entirely ineffective against it.
Dizzily, Qin Xuan glanced toward the front gate to ensure it was bolted shut, then collapsed beneath a spirit fruit tree. In his haze...
He saw Guanghan Fairy taking unsteady steps, her cheeks flushed like morning glow upon snow, her eyes half-open and glistening like dawn stars. "Qin... Qin Xuan..."
She desperately wanted to ask: *Didn't you say this wine wasn't fierce?*
Before she could finish her sentence, she stumbled, dropping the jade cup from her hand. Her dark tresses tumbled halfway down as she slumped against Qin Xuan's shoulder.
*Amidst spirit fruit fragrance, the jade cup lies bare;*
*Drunken fairy reclines, blushing and fair.*
*Breeze sways tree shadows where two figures rest;*
*Moon hangs in branches, deep dreams in the breast...*
Leaning against each other, the two soon fell fast asleep...
***
Seven days later.
North of Wine Immortal Town, at the foot of the rear mountain.
"What is your wine called?"
Amidst over a hundred fluttering wine banners and pennants, Qin Xuan tore his gaze away from Wine Immortal Tower—the town's tallest four-story structure—and looked at the silver-haired elder before him.
It was none other than Chang Qing, the steward appointed by the Wine Tribulation Immortal who had given him the golden token.
"He's asking you a question."
Seeing Qin Xuan dazed, Ji Qingni tapped his forearm lightly with her fan.
Qin Xuan pointed to the wine jar in his hands and said to the frail yet dignified elder, "Senior, I call it 'Drunken Stupor and Dreams of Death.'"
"Why?" The elder smiled and asked, "Doesn't 'Drunken Stupor and Dreams of Death' sound rather absurd?"
Qin Xuan immediately replied, "My 'Drunken Stupor and Dreams of Death' is by no means absurd. It represents stealing a floating, blissful intoxication to briefly forget the rules of heaven and earth. Shouldn't an immortal of wine be carefree and unrestrained?"
Hearing this, the elder nodded repeatedly in approval.
The words "floating, blissful intoxication" reached Guanghan Fairy's ears, prompting her to unfurl her folding fan and screen her face slightly. That day, she had truly been drunk into a floating bliss, sleeping beside a certain someone for an entire day and night.
In all her years of cultivation, she had never lost her composure so thoroughly. Her mother had been entirely right: wine was not to be touched.
And yet... that wine had been sweet and truly delicious...
Ji Qingni possessed a resilient mindset and refused to burden herself with worries. After that day's lapse, both had tacitly avoided mentioning it.
Now, hearing Qin Xuan's veiled reference, she wanted nothing more than to scold him. It had clearly been an extraordinarily potent brew, yet he had tricked her into drinking so much.
However, in the presence of the Wine Immortal's steward, she swallowed her words.
"Follow this old man."
The elder led the way, with Qin Xuan and Ji Qingni trailing behind.
Guides like the elder were numerous in the surroundings, and many winemakers had gathered as well. Qin Xuan spotted Master Jin Guan and Mountain God Tan, though they were not walking the same path.
"Senior, are the wine tasters like yourself?"
"No," the elder said. "While you were brewing wine these past two months, the wine tasters were studying the wines left behind by the Wine Immortal."
In other words, most of these wine tasters were also newcomers to this place. Qin Xuan frowned slightly. "In that case, wouldn't there be errors in judgment?"
"No matter," the elder said. "The Wine Immortal arranged it this way because even he has forgotten the taste of that heart-intoxicating fine brew. You assume those wine tasters might err, but perhaps they are the ones who are right.
"Naturally, their evaluations carry consequences for merit and fault, so there is no need to worry about anyone judging recklessly."
*So that's how it is.*
After outlining the rules, the elder led them into the interior of Wine Immortal Tower. There were six pathways, corresponding to six different wine tasters.
When Qin Xuan looked at the wine tasters seated at their stations, his expression turned distinctly peculiar.
The taster on the far left was a red-crowned, white-feathered crane. Its wings were crossed and its neck held high in the solemn posture of a master sommelier. The moment the white crane spotted Qin Xuan, it averted its gaze to avoid suspicion, as though saying: *This crane does not know this Qin Zihou.*
Knowing the tasting rules, Qin Xuan saw the white crane and immediately shot Ji Qingni a glance that said, *We've got this.* There was someone on his side among the judges!
At that moment, the old steward reiterated the rules:
"There are six wine tasters on each occasion; you may choose one yourself. Prepare two cups of wine. The taster will drink one cup. If an evaluation of 'superior' or 'inferior' is given, the other cup may be summoned away directly by the Wine Immortal."
The old steward's meaning was crystal clear: the Dao sanctuary had no fear of participants choosing acquaintances. There were three tiers of evaluation: superior, average, and inferior. Qin Xuan thought to himself that scraping by with an 'average' would suffice. With neither reward nor punishment, he could continue idling away his time.
Of the six wine tasters, the white crane sat on the far left. On the right, he recognized two figures: one was Lady Soul Snatcher, a great demon from Hawk's Beak Mountain, and the other was Elder Ji An from his own Yuansong Temple. The remaining three were unfamiliar.
As Qin Xuan walked forward, Ji An and Lady Soul Snatcher both glanced at him without showing any emotion. Arriving through another passage slightly behind Qin Xuan was a tall young man.
Two months ago outside the prince's tomb, Qin Xuan had met him—Xiang Bin, Lai Jing's disciple, who had arrogantly invited him to enter the tomb together. Now, they had indeed 'entered the tomb together.'
Seeing Qin Xuan, Xiang Bin displayed the pride of an Upper Court inner disciple looking down upon a Lower Court disciple, mixed with hostility toward a rival faction within the sect. At the same time, he curled his lips in a sneer that seemed to say: *You ran fast that day, yet didn't you end up inside all the same?*
However, in such a setting, Xiang Bin dared not step out of line beyond subtle expressions. Aware of the rules, he carried his wine and looked toward Elder Ji An of Yuansong Temple.
Through Pan Ang, Ji An had attached himself to the Luogu Peak lineage, serving as Lai Jing's capable henchman and handling matters with far more dedication than Shen Yunfei or Zhou Cang.
Now, with one brewing wine and the other tasting it, they formed a perfect pair. Xiang Bin exchanged a knowing glance with Ji An.
Qin Xuan naturally selected the white crane. Someone ahead was currently having their wine evaluated.
From seven or eight zhang away, Qin Xuan exchanged glances with the white crane. Transmission of sound was impossible within the tower, so everything relied on mutual understanding. The white crane looked at him, then at Ji Qingni beside him.
Just then, before the tasting platform, a large toad tasked with announcing results called out, "Hou Xiao, average!"
A burly man let out a breath of relief and brushed past Qin Xuan.
The old steward reminded him, "Your turn."
"Yes."
Qin Xuan presented his wine.
Of the two cups, one was consumed by the white crane. After drinking, it savored the flavor for a moment and promptly delivered its evaluation.
Sensing the verdict, the large toad on the platform bellowed, "Qin Xuan, superior!"
The moment the words rang out, every gaze in the hall converged upon him.
Even the old man from the Murong clan of Great Yan watched with rapt attention from the back of the crowd. Several dozen people had stepped up today, and apart from one 'inferior,' all the rest had been rated 'average.' Whether an evaluation was 'superior' or 'inferior,' that second cup stood a chance of being summoned away by the Wine Immortal.
The winemakers harbored trepidation, and the wine tasters feared making mistakes. Consequently, no one handed out ratings recklessly.
Gazes darted between Qin Xuan and the white crane. The first 'superior' evaluation had appeared.
None of them believed the Wine Immortal's preferred brew could be crafted so easily; doing so in a mere two months was simply impossible. This man and crane were pulling chestnuts from the fire!
They were likely gambling—gambling that the Wine Immortal would not manifest easily.
Upon a golden stone before the tasting platform, three large toads appeared. Together, they held Qin Xuan's second cup aloft toward the sky, awaiting the Wine Immortal's response.
Xiang Bin beside them, along with Master Jin Guan, Mountain God Tan, Captain Lu, and others nearby, watched the spectacle while muttering under their breath. They dearly hoped the Wine Immortal would summon the cup away.
Yet after ten breaths, the three toads lowered the wine. Jealousy flared in several onlookers: these two fellows had gambled and won!
Master Jin Guan, Captain Lu, and others looked disappointed, greed stirring within them.
Qin Xuan relaxed, not having expected the white crane to pull such a stunt. Frowning, he looked toward the white crane, but the creature wore an expression of regret, gazing up at the ceiling with profound disappointment.
The next instant, with a flash of radiance, a hefty string of shells materialized in Qin Xuan's hand—a full one hundred immortal cowries! Ji Qingni, bound to him through her bronze token, received twenty immortal cowries.
As the taster, a ring of immortal cowries was draped around the white crane's neck, sparking envy in many eyes.
Murmurs rippled through the perimeter, while Ji An, Lady Soul Snatcher, and the other tasters on the platform wore subtle shifts in expression. Seizing the moment, Xiang Bin confidently presented his wine.
After draining the cup, Ji An found the brew extraordinarily potent. Once swallowed, wine fumes flooded his chest and viscera—a drink impossible for an ordinary person to brew.
Knowing Xiang Bin's background, Ji An felt confident, further emboldened by the successful precedent set by Qin Xuan and the white crane. He exchanged a confirming look with Xiang Bin.
Sensing the verdict, the large toad shouted, "Xiang Bin, superior!"
Once again, the scene of three toads holding a wine cup aloft appeared.
By the ninth breath, there was still no reaction. Elder Ji An and Xiang Bin were practically beaming, a fortune in immortal cowries within their grasp.
Yet at the tenth breath, everyone watched in shock as the three toads burst into golden light and transformed into three golden-wax figures, while the wine vanished!
A desolate, ancient aura descended. Merely catching a wisp of it caused hairs to stand on end, sending tremors through their very souls.
This wisp of aura belonged to an enlightened being from before the Great Kalpa! Unconsciously, the crowd held their breath.
Xiang Bin trembled, seized by intense excitement. He possessed utter confidence in his wine.
Daoist Ou of Luogu Peak was not only skilled at raising pigeons, but was also a master winemaker. He maintained close ties with Lai Jing. As Lai Jing's disciple, Xiang Bin had enjoyed prime access, learning the brewing craft from Daoist Ou to curry favor with the elders. Even the peak master had praised Daoist Ou's wine for its potency.
At this moment, another thought surfaced in his mind. He turned toward Qin Xuan, an abrupt surge of exhilaration filling his chest.
*The Wine Immortal did not summon Qin Xuan's wine, yet he summoned mine! What does that mean? It means my wine has earned the Wine Immortal's approval!*
*Master sent me to crush this kid's arrogance, but there's no longer any need for that. If I gain the Wine Immortal's favor, why would I care about this brat?*
The more he thought, the more convinced he became. As the master of this Dao sanctuary, the Wine Immortal could perceive everything here with a single thought; summoning his wine had to be deliberate.
Holding his breath, he harbored a sliver of dread alongside boundless ambition. Nearby, Ji An's heart pounded with similar fervor.
And yet...
A callous, indifferent word fell upon everyone's hearts: "Inferior."
At that exact moment, Qin Xuan's cup of wine also vanished from the platform. The three toads turned to golden wax, their auras briefly connecting with this small world, and they gazed upward in sheer trembling awe.
Fan Da, Fan Xun, and Elder Tao of Toad Mountain could scarcely believe their eyes!
Through a hazy image, they caught sight of a silhouetted figure shrouded in mist, a gourd slung across his body, draining Qin Xuan's cup of wine in a single gulp. Then, a voice drifted down:
"Superior!"
A thick string of shells instantly appeared in Qin Xuan's hands—a full two hundred immortal cowries. Ji Qingni received fifty immortal cowries.
Another ring of immortal cowries was draped around the white crane's neck.
The onlookers stood dumbfounded, never imagining such an outcome!
Right then, a terrifying event unfolded. Two gray currents of air descended, striking Ji An and Xiang Bin respectively!
Ji An let out a grotesque shriek, his eyes turning blood-red in an instant. Transforming into a red demonic silhouette, he bolted outward as the crowd scrambled aside. Howling and lunging madly, Ji An charged straight toward the rear mountain.
Xiang Bin possessed greater cultivation and foundation than Ji An. Knowing his fate, his mind crumbled on the spot. With bloodshot pupils, he roared toward the heights of Wine Immortal Tower, "Senior Wine Immortal! My wine has received great praise from the elders of Guanjiang Mountain! How could I possibly lose to him?!"
This roar was both an outcry of indignation and a desperate attempt to state his pedigree—his sole chance at survival.
No voice sounded from the sky above Wine Immortal Tower, yet subtle shifts occurred within the hall. Xiang Bin, about to shout once more, found himself unable to utter a sound...
His body dissolved like bursting foam, soundlessly scattering into motes of light. Before anyone could react, his body and soul were utterly annihilated. Xiang Bin was erased.
He had been an inner disciple of Guanjiang Mountain with deep connections on Luogu Peak. Such status would allow him to converse as an equal even with elders of other sects around Yunzhou Prefecture, yet here, calling him an ant was no exaggeration.
An ancient Tribulation Immortal who had survived from the primordial era to the present day had no scruples whatsoever.
The surrounding cultivators bowed their heads, shivering in terror. Those who had harbored thoughts of exploiting loopholes discarded them completely.
Many recognized Qin Xuan's identity.
After all, he had gained immense fame in the city recently, and had stood toe-to-toe against several major factions before the light barrier of the Prince of Pingyuan's tomb shattered, drawing widespread attention.
Who would have guessed that upon arriving here, he would actually know how to brew wine? Furthermore, he had brewed a wine that satisfied the Wine Immortal!
It seemed there was truth to the saying that one who understood romance understood wine.
Ji An's seat was promptly filled by a replacement. The old steward displayed no emotional fluctuation, signaling for the wine tastings in Wine Immortal Tower to proceed. Turning toward Qin Xuan, he smiled and said:
"To win the praise of the Wine Immortal makes you the first in a thousand years.
"Moreover, this is your very first time brewing wine, which makes it truly extraordinary. In all my years here, this old man has never witnessed such an occurrence. No wonder it is called 'Drunken Stupor and Dreams of Death'—there is profound truth in that name."
Not far away, the three large toads had witnessed the entire ordeal and heard the old steward's words.
The elder seemed to be saying that the Breeze and Moon Little Sword Immortal of the Eastern Ascendant Continent was the first person in a millennium acknowledged by the Wine Immortal.
Chapter 90