Chapter 99: Spirit Wine and Delicacies Mess People Up
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The interior of the pleasure boat was not luxurious. Instead, it was simple and reserved. The furnishings only had a screen and more than ten jade tables placed on both sides. The screen was embroidered with the beautiful scenery of Qingyang Lake. The water was sparkling, and it looked like a master painter.
Chong Ji invited Shopkeeper Qu and the Foundation Establishment Guests to sit at the second jade table on the left. When it was Shen Ping’s turn, Shopkeeper Qu still mentioned it.
“Old Qu, if you let Talisman Master Shen sit here, he might not be able to sit still. I think it’s better to sit with my useless disciples.” As he spoke, Chong Ji waved at a disciple who was talking to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at the jade table on the right.
This disciple walked over. He cupped his hands to Shopkeeper Qu and bowed to the other Foundation Establishment Guests. Then, he smiled at Shen Ping and said, “You must be the Talisman Master Shen that Master mentioned. I’m finally lucky to see you today.”
Chong Ji laughed and said, “My eldest disciple’s surname is Di, and his name is Shouye. He was the one I mentioned who liked to study the Dao of Talismans. Although my disciple has already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, his personality is unstable. In the future, he might have to trouble Talisman Master Shen.”
Shen Ping subconsciously looked over. Although this disciple of Guest Elder Chong looked ordinary, his aura was sharp, making people not dare to look at him directly. He must be as good at fighting as Guest Elder Chong.
He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, “Senior Chong is too polite. If Senior Di is free in the future, I can communicate with Senior Di at any time.”
They exchanged pleasantries.
Di Shouye brought Shen Ping to the jade table at the end of the left edge. He smiled gently and said, “Talisman Master Shen, my junior brothers and sisters are still preparing delicacies and spirit wine at the bottom of the pleasure boat. Later, when the guests come one after another, they will sit at this table. Today, my master arranged it. I’ll have to trouble you to make do.”
Shen Ping said immediately, “Senior Chong’s arrangements are suitable. I’ll just sit here.”
As a Qi Refinement cultivator, he did not feel at ease sitting at the same table as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Guest Elder Chong probably considered this and arranged for his disciples to sit at the banquet.
As Foundation Establishment Cultivators arrived, the spiritual pressure in the pleasure boat became heavier. Shen Ping quickly realized that the beautiful screen was actually a special array formation that could suppress this spiritual pressure, making him not feel any discomfort.
“Fellow Daoist Fu, it’s been many years since we last met. You and Fellow Daoist Le have finally returned to Qingyang City.”
After a while, Shen Ping heard a familiar voice and looked up. It was actually the neighbor next door. He had also come to participate in the small banquet this time, but he had only brought his Dao companion and not his daughter.
He walked into the pleasure boat. Array Master Fu and his Dao companion, Fellow Daoist Le, noticed Shen Ping. Surprise appeared in their eyes one after another. They knew that Shen Ping was a guest elder of the True Treasure Pavilion, but he was only a Qi Refinement cultivator. How could he come to such a banquet?
The two of them did not greet each other. After sitting at the jade table on the right, they nodded at Shen Ping.
It was almost noon. Most of the invited Foundation Establishment Cultivators had already arrived.
Guest Elder Chong and the other disciples also served fine wine and delicacies one after another. Then, they sat at Shen Ping’s jade table. Four disciples. There were two men and two women. Their appearances were relatively ordinary. Their words were very polite and enthusiastic.
Suddenly, an extremely oppressive Dharmic aura came from outside.
A Golden Core Perfected had arrived.
All the Foundation Establishment Cultivators on the pleasure boat stood up. Shen Ping and the four disciples hurriedly stood up.
“Perfected Zhu.”
“Fellow Daoist Chong, your disciple is holding the banquet for Foundation Establishment today, so I won’t go in. I’ll leave after drinking a cup of spirit wine. When you form your Golden Core, we have to drink a few cups!”
Perfected Zhu’s hearty laughter rang out. In just a few dozen breaths, this tyrannical and oppressive Dharmic aura disappeared.
But then, Shen Ping stood up four times in a row. Among them, there were two auras that he found familiar. They seemed to be Golden Cores in the True Treasure Pavilion.
“Senior Chong is amazing!”
“These Golden Cores are all showing respect to Senior Chong.”
“That’s right. Senior Chong is still very famous in the Foundation Establishment Realm in Qingyang City.”
Some Foundation Establishment Cultivators did not hide their voices and discussed softly. The four guest disciples sitting beside Shen Ping revealed proud expressions.
It was past noon. No other cultivators arrived. The banquet began.
“Fellow Daoists, you’re showing respect by participating in my disciple’s Foundation Establishment banquet. Let’s not talk too much. Let’s have a drink to thank everyone!” Chong Ji first thanked them. Then, his disciple, Di Shouye, walked to every jade table to thank them. At the same time, he could be considered to have known these Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
At Shen Ping’s table, the four disciples toasted their senior brother one after another.
Ill
Talisman Master Shen. Senior Qu specially instructed you to take a sip of this Ice Dew Jade Treasure Wine.” Di Shouye handed him a wine glass.
Shen Ping immediately sensed the gazes of Foundation Establishment Cultivators converging. He smiled bitterly in his heart and could only take it and drink it in one gulp. The spirit wine entered his stomach. Coldness spread throughout his body.
Immediately after, spiritual energy rose. Before he could sense it carefully, the spiritual energy in his dantian actually strengthened a little. Even his Niwan Palace’s divine sense seemed to have been nurtured and instantly felt refreshed.
“Good wine!” He could not help but blurt out.
The four disciples beside him revealed envious expressions. This was spirit wine brewed by a Golden Core. They were not qualified to drink it.
Many early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators revealed envy and surprise in their eyes. They originally thought that Shen Ping was Senior Chong’s new disciple, but they did not expect him to be a guest elder of the True Treasure Pavilion.
After sitting down, Shen Ping felt waves of coldness attack him again. The spiritual energy in his dantian automatically circulated. It was only after a round of thanks that the effects of the wine finally disappeared.
He pondered carefully and felt that the aftertaste was endless. In fact, if there was such spirit wine in the wooden barrel…
Just as he was fantasizing, wisps of fog suddenly surged out from the screen. Mist filled the air. Waves surged towards his face. In an instant, the entire pleasure boat spread out on the sparkling lake.
Under the setting sun, spiritual fish were swimming. From time to time, they would rush out of the water and draw beautiful arcs.
“I’ve prepared the wine and delicacies. Fellow Daoists, please be more casual.” Chong Ji laughed in a straightforward voice.
The atmosphere in the pleasure boat immediately became much more relaxed.
The Foundation Establishment Cultivators on the left and right admired the beautiful scenery while chatting with each other.
An hour passed.
The smell of alcohol was strong. The sky above the pleasure boat was filled with resplendent light. The fog and waves suddenly changed, and immortal fog curled up.
Immediately after, a colorful ribbon extended out of the immortal fog as if it had appeared out of thin air. Before the surrounding Foundation Establishment cultivators could react, a graceful and enchanting figure walked out step by step on the immortal fog with her crystal clear feet. Her skin was fair and red, and the smile on her face seemed to have thousands of autumn waters and endless magnificent mountains and rivers.
The curves in front of the corset undulated.
The sound of the zither was played. Colorful ribbons fluttered as she danced. Her graceful dance revealed endless charm.
“Good!
II
“Haha, I know this dance. It’s Fairy Cai Yue’s Solitary Dance under the Moon.”
“I never expected that the dance technique of the Mystic Immortal Pavilion’s Fairy Cai Shang would be so difficult to distinguish from reality!”
“Senior Chong, you’re so considerate!”
“It’s worth it to be able to invite Fairy Cai Shang over!”
“Mystic Immortal Pavilion has three thousand beauties, but they can’t compare to Fairy Cai Shang’s graceful dance.”
The Foundation Establishment Cultivators on both sides could not help but clap and cheer. Shen Ping also immersed himself in admiring it.
Not long after he arrived in Qingyang City, he had heard of the famous Mystic Immortal Pavilion. Compared to the former Heavenly Sound Pavilion of the Cloud Mountain Parlour, the Mystic Immortal Pavilion undoubtedly valued talent and appearance more. Although he had never been there, he had occasionally heard Shopkeeper Qu mention it a few times. Every time he mentioned it, he was full of praise.
Now that he looked at it, they lived up to their reputation! No matter if it was her looks or figure, although she couldn’t be said to be gorgeous, she could still be considered one in a million.
“If I can dance with Fairy Cai Shang, my life will not be in vain.”
Shen Ping heard the murmurs beside him. The other disciples looked down on him. The disciple’s face turned red as he hurriedly said, “I-I’m just spouting nonsense.”
“Fairy Cai Shang is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Junior Brother, don’t have such thoughts in the future. It’ll only embarrass you.”
“Yes, yes.”
It was three in the afternoon when the lively banquet ended. Most of the cultivators boarded the flying ship and returned to Qingyang City. Shopkeeper Qu was still talking to Chong Ji, so Shen Ping could only wait. After all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators on the pleasure boat left, Fairy Cai Shang walked out.
She had removed her makeup, but her appearance was still extraordinary. She walked leisurely to Chong Ji and bowed slightly. “Thank you for your invitation, Senior Chong. I’ll take my leave first.”
With that, she turned around and left.
Shopkeeper Qu stood up when he saw this and cupped his hands. “Senior Chong, it’s time for us to leave. I heard that you’re bringing your disciples out to train. I don’t know when we’ll meet again.”
Chong Ji shook his head. “It’s only for a few years. At most, it’ll take more than ten years. It won’t be too long.”
The two of them exchanged a few more words. Shopkeeper Qu called Shen Ping and the other guest elders over and left.
The few of them bade each other farewell back in Qingyang City.
It was almost five o’clock. Shen Ping had just walked halfway through Huiquan Alley when the cloud fir trees on both sides swayed with the cold wind. His drunkenness was mostly gone.
Recalling the small banquet of Guest Elder Chong this time, he felt quite satisfied. Not only did he drink a cup of Golden Core’s spirit wine, but he also admired a solo dance under the moon and saw the famous Fairy Cai Shang of the Mystic Immortal Pavilion.
Moreover, the arrangement and attitude of Guest Elder Chong really made him feel like he was bathing in the spring breeze.
He looked up and gazed at the sunset that was gradually dyed red.
Shen Ping thought of the Golden Sun Sect. He shook his head and smiled, thinking to himself that he had unknowingly reached this level. He was in a good mood. He quickened his pace. When he reached a corner, he suddenly saw a familiar figure from the corner of his eye.
It was Fairy Cai Shang on the pleasure boat. She seemed to be walking slowly.
He was surprised. He hesitated and went forward to cup his hands and bow. “Fairy Caishang, I…”
“Who are you?” Fairy Cai Shang stopped in her tracks and looked sideways. She said indifferently and left.
As he looked at her back, Shen Ping slowly lowered his awkward hand. He was just being polite. He stood on the spot for a while. He sighed softly. “Perhaps this is the Foundation Establishment Realm!”
His originally agitated emotions completely calmed down at this moment. He turned around and walked towards the small courtyard in Huiquan Alley. The light of the setting sun shone down. It accentuated that cautious face.
Don’t be arrogant.
Don’t be unrestrained.
No matter what, he was only a Qi Refinement cultivator..