Demon Cultivator with Celestial Book
Chapter 326 - 237: A Jug of Red Dust Brew, My Way to Cultivate True Nature
"This victory was entirely thanks to the Daoist. It was not my achievement alone."
Jiang Yi’s eyebrows raised slightly. ’This True Inheritance from Li Peak actually understands how the world works,’ he thought. ’He knows that when a job is done well, the credit goes to the leader.’
He brushed the topic aside, saying,
"For the next round of Magical Combat, our sect gets to choose the opponent. Brother Feng, why don’t you invite Senior Sister Qu, True Inheritance Yuan, True Inheritance Gu, and True Inheritance Zhou to come? We can all discuss it together."
Feng Yuan was inwardly surprised. ’For the next round of Magical Combat, shouldn’t we just send out Junior Brother Yuan to secure a decisive victory?’
After this battle, he was completely convinced of Jiang Yi’s superiority. He believed the Daoist was anything but ordinary, possessing a natural Dao Wisdom that could almost rival Ning Hechu, who had subdued all eight peaks.
Thus, he accepted the command. He took out a golden messaging arrow, which transformed into a whistling streak of light and flew toward the encampments of the eight peaks.
「A moment later.」
Except for True Inheritance Zhou Shiyu of Xun Peak, who sent his regrets, Gu Changling, Qu Liu’er, and Yuan Xiao all arrived at the Grand Wei Treasure Palace.
"Greetings, Daoist."
Everyone stepped inside. Seeing Jiang Yi seated at the head of the hall, they immediately clasped their hands and bowed in unison.
This scene elicited completely different feelings from True Master Xuanmiao and Shao Guansu.
The former felt that Xiao Jiang had finally established a firm foothold in the Innate Sect after all he had been through.
The latter, however, marveled at the Daoist’s brilliant methods. Having Feng Yuan, who had just returned from a great victory, summon the other True Inheritances was an indirect way of telling the outside world that he, the Daoist, was worthy of his title and not just an empty figurehead.
’Pledging my allegiance to the Changming Heavenly Lake and working for the Daoist might have been a brilliant move.’
Shao Guansu was a meticulous thinker. ’Although becoming a True Monarch within a sixty-year cycle and attaining a Golden Position is as difficult as ascending to heaven... but given Daoist Jiang’s current foundation, if he doesn’t insist on seizing the position of Great Daoist Lord, it might not be entirely hopeless.’
’When I return to the clan, I must speak with the clan head and have the Shao Clan bind itself even more closely to the Changming Heavenly Lake.’
Shao Guansu’s eyes flickered as he secretly made up his mind.
’Only by showing my stance before the Daoist achieves the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm will it count as a shrewd investment.’
Jiang Yi was unaware of what others were thinking. His reason for having Feng Yuan summon the other True Inheritances was actually for a different purpose.
"Brother Yuan, what are your chances of victory against Fu Lizi?"
Yuan Xiao, who had just stepped into the main hall, looked surprised. His brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out.
"Forty-sixty. Fu Lizi is known as ’True Master Duobao.’ He’s incredibly wealthy, so there’s no guarantee he doesn’t have a true treasure on hand. In a real Magical Combat, I can’t say I’d be certain to win."
Feng Yuan and Gu Changling exchanged a look, also discerning the Daoist’s intentions from Yuan Xiao’s words.
’Forty-sixty.’
Jiang Yi was lost in thought, undecided. He then looked at Qu Liu’er of Kan Peak.
"Senior Sister Qu, are you confident you can take a Talisman Decree from Xu Wan?"
Qu Liu’er lifted her sharp, delicate chin.
"It shouldn’t be difficult. Thanks to the Daoist’s help, I was able to draw upon the Light of Chronos to comprehend my Daoist Techniques."
"Xu Wan of the Taifu Sect cultivates Profound Qi and is known as ’Fairy Yaoyue.’ I’ve long wanted to experience her skills."
Jiang Yi nodded slowly and added,
"Our sect is the host. Taking only three of the six Talisman Decrees probably isn’t enough."
"As I see it, why not have Senior Sister Qu challenge Xu Wan in the next round? Win or lose, that will only leave True Inheritance Yuan and Fu Lizi."
"If we win both matches, well, the Taifu Sect will have returned in defeat."
However, of the six Talisman Decrees for entering the [Juku Continent], one had to be set aside for the Dharma Lineages under the Ancestral Sects as an Opportunity and a prize.
In other words, if Jiang Yi’s plan succeeded, the Taifu Sect would only be able to obtain a single Talisman Decree.
Yuan Xiao mulled it over for a long time before speaking.
"It’s worth a try."
Jiang Yi nodded. [Golden Virtue] Cultivators were practically sword fanatics; they had never feared anyone in Magical Combat.
He instructed,
"True Inheritance Yuan, if you fight Fu Lizi, you must aim for speed. End it quickly."
Yuan Xiao laughed.
"My thoughts align with the Daoist’s."
...
...
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Three more chimes of a golden bell rang out. A streak of watery light arched across the sky. With graceful lotus steps, Qu Liu’er, her figure lithe and elegant, swept into the [Xiangyun Heaven].
Her otherworldly beauty and grace left the crowd below dazzled and utterly entranced.
"Qu Liu’er of Kan Peak asks for guidance from fellow Daoist Xu of the Taifu Sect."
Qu Liu’er’s soft, gentle voice carried across the entire giant island, causing the faces of the Taifu Sect’s True Inheritances to change.
Fu Lizi sighed.
"What we feared has come to pass. That Daoist Jiang has a huge appetite, wanting to swallow four Talisman Decrees in one go."
Xu Wan gathered her robes and bowed.
"Senior Brother Fu, I shall go now."
Fu Lizi, helpless, could only nod.
"Junior Sister Xu, you must be extremely careful. True Monarch Cunyuan Cunjing of Kan Peak’s Grotto-Heaven is a top-tier existence who has plucked a Dao Fruit."
"Qu Liu’er is her disciple. Her [Water Virtue] Merit must be profound. If you are no match for her, you can simply withdraw."
Xu Wan’s body transformed into mist and rosy clouds. In an ethereal instant, she had already landed mid-sky, taking her position.
"Fellow Daoist Qu, please."
Jiang Yi noticed that the several Innate Sect True Inheritances present had all perked up, watching with keen anticipation.
He thought to himself:
’As expected, a fight between women always draws the most attention. It’s much more interesting to watch.’
Immediately after, he chuckled lightly and said,
"Everyone, please be seated. There isn’t much to offer you in the hall, only a pot of ’Thousand Glories, Ten Thousand Reds.’ I hope you won’t find it lacking."
Gu Changling and Feng Yuan were clearly the ascetic types, not given to indulgence.
Yuan Xiao, however, was different. He had once proclaimed his love for fine wine and immortal brews, for dreaming of goddesses at night, for Magical Combat and formation battles, for Refining Techniques and practicing cultivation, and for longevity and the path of Cultivation.
He styled himself the "Five Loves True Master."
Hearing there was wine to be had, Yuan Xiao laughed heartily.
"It would be disrespectful of me to refuse the Daoist’s kind offer."
This Thousand Glories, Ten Thousand Reds was no ordinary wine; it possessed a unique quality.
The wine came from the Fragrance-Sending Cave on Mount Fangchun, brewed from the spirit fruits of twelve different immortal flowers.
Legend had it that a single cup would plunge the drinker into an illusory realm. There, one might see a bevy of beauties, slender and curvaceous, and either enjoy blissful pleasure with them; experience a heart-wrenching, unforgettable romance; or feel a thousand sorrows and ten thousand hatreds, tasting both joy and grief.
This liquor had another name: "Red Dust Brew."
The meaning was that one cup down the throat was like having rolled through the mortal world, its flavors endless.
Gu Changling smiled and said,
"My heavy injuries have not yet healed, so I cannot drink. I’ll leave it for Junior Brother Yuan."
Feng Yuan also said,
"I just fought a grueling battle with Yu Changqing and my Magical Power has not yet recovered. I’m afraid I won’t be able to partake. I can only watch Junior Brother Yuan enjoy it."
Yuan Xiao, seated at his place, pointed at Gu Changling and Feng Yuan and said,
"You two senior brothers are nothing like members of the Demon Dao! You’re so proper and old-fashioned, so diligent in your studies. You’re like ancient Daoist masters—boring, so boring!"
Then, he took the pot of Red Dust Brew that was brought over and laughed with abandon.
"Many thanks to the Daoist for the wine! The path I, Yuan, seek is one where I can slay mighty foes, drink hearty wine, and spend the night with a goddess. Only then is the hardship of Cultivation not in vain."
With that, Yuan Xiao tilted his head back and drank. The clear liquor flowed like a single thread down his throat.
Foundation Establishment True Masters had long since shed their Mortal Bodies; ordinary mortal appetites could no longer satisfy them at all.
Only the various kinds of qi generated by heaven and earth could "sate their cravings."
Upon drinking the Thousand Glories, Ten Thousand Reds, Yuan Xiao’s gaze immediately grew dazed, as if he had fallen into a dream.
The surrounding scenery faded away. He seemed to be in a wealthy, noble household of bell chimes and lavish feasts. He grew up with his childhood sweetheart, surrounded by slender, delicate beauties and buxom, dignified consorts.
Red sleeves added incense to the burner, zithers played in harmony, and he enjoyed the bliss of having multiple beautiful companions—all sorts of pleasures presented themselves one after another.
At times, he was a scholar who passed the imperial examinations and became the top scorer; at others, he was a valiant and formidable Great General, slaying enemies and storming fortifications.
Wisps of the Red Dust’s aura, like a hundred knots of sorrow, tumbled onto his Dao Foundation, seeping into his heart like morning dew.
By the time Yuan Xiao opened his eyes again, it was as if he had lived through three lifetimes.
In those dreams, there were women who loved him steadfastly, their devotion never wavering.
There were also women whose love turned to hate, becoming his bitter rivals.
And some even killed their beloved with their own hands for the sake of fame, fortune, or power.
All these different feelings intertwined in his mind, leaving Yuan Xiao feeling faintly tipsy.
After a long moment, he let out a long breath, his gaze becoming as clear and firm as iron.
"What a fine wine!"
Jiang Yi, sitting at the head of the hall, rested his cheek on one hand, a look of approval in his eyes.
’This True Inheritance from Zhen Peak is truly extraordinary. He drank an entire pot of the Red Dust Brew, yet it couldn’t intoxicate his heart or bewilder his soul.’
"Since I have received a pot of fine wine from the Daoist, I shall win another Talisman Decree for the Daoist in return."
Seeing that Qu Liu’er had already returned to the Grand Wei Treasure Palace with a gleaming golden Talisman Decree in her hand, Yuan Xiao knew her battle was a success. It was his turn.
Immediately, he leaped into the air and flew into the minor realm opened by the True Monarch.
"Yuan Xiao of Zhen Peak has cultivated a single sword. I invite fellow Daoist Fu Lizi to test its edge!"