The speaker was Xiao Fan.
He was usually unrestrained and unconventional, yet he valued loyalty and righteousness.
These days, traveling with Ye Qingyun, he had developed a strong bond of brotherhood.
Especially during Dao discussions, he often benefited greatly and had long admired this calm, green-robed young man.
Ye Qingyun nodded, took a small sip from his cup, but his gaze remained fixed on the window.
Su Yun and Zhong Tianyi were sitting on the floor, drinking and chatting, sometimes whispering, sometimes laughing loudly, as if they were old friends.
However, he did not know that Jiang Ye's heart was also in turmoil at this moment.
Jiang Ye's wine cup trembled slightly in his hand, the spiritual wine clear and fragrant, its Qi slowly entering his body, seemingly cleansing his meridians.
Facing Zhong Tianyi's words, he always responded appropriately, neither humble nor arrogant, his demeanor as gentle as jade.
But a cold glint quietly flashed through his heart: "That 'Soul Light Reversion' technique just now, though small in scale, with the number of Cultivators gathered in Jinglong City today, it must have already fallen into the eyes of those with intentions."
"Even though this Immeasurable Primordial True Classic only revealed a remnant move, it's enough to incite others' covetousness."
His gaze swept downstairs.
Indeed, several auras quietly took their seats, dressed differently but connected by their Qi, all disguised members of Various Great Dao Lineages.
"Heh heh, these are all here to befriend me, I suppose..."
With Su Yun's identity as a direct descendant of the Su Family, who would dare to forcefully seize it?
The Su Family was connected to his mother.
Although Su Hongye didn't care much for the Su Family, they were, after all, Bloodline relatives, and with Su Qingmeng's connection, no one dared to be presumptuous.
Su Hongye had long lost interest in the Su Family.
Rather, ever since his birth, his heart had been entirely with Jiang Ye and his father; otherwise, he wouldn't have been stationed in the Jiang Clan after the dark turmoil.
Thinking of this, he sneered inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged, merely taking a light sip of clear wine and calmly saying: "Brother Zhong, the Cultivators here are numerous and complex, and chaos has yet to erupt, yet we are here drinking and discussing the Dao, which is quite pleasant."
Zhong Tianyi also raised his cup and said: "Brother Su's temperament is indeed rare."
Zhong Tianyi and Su Yun drank several cups together, their words filled with admiration.
Though they had just met, they were like old acquaintances, unconstrained by formalities.
They spoke not of Dao Lineages, but only of pleasantries.
But gradually, the topic shifted to the Divine Soul secret technique from earlier.
Zhong Tianyi poured a cup of spiritual wine, took a light sip, and suddenly spoke: "Brother Su, regarding that Divine Soul technique just now, I dare to say that it is probably close to the Legacy of ancient deification."
"At that moment, my Sea of Consciousness stirred slightly, and my Sword Intent was difficult to condense... It felt as if a vast righteous Qi descended from the heavens, suppressing my distracting thoughts and purifying my Divine Soul."
At this point, he couldn't help but sit up straight, his tone solemn: "May I ask, Brother Su, is this technique... a secret of the Su Family?"
Jiang Ye heard this, smiled faintly, his expression gentle, and said unhurriedly: "Brother Zhong worries too much; this technique was obtained by chance and is not a direct Legacy of the Su Family."
He smiled freely, raised his cup, and took a hearty drink, saying: "All methods in the world can be comprehended, but the friendship between people is hard to find."
"Brother Zhong is so open and willing to drink and discuss the Dao with me, without private intentions or hidden sharpness."
"This temperament is truly rare!"
His voice was not loud, but it carried a serene and distant quality, like a wisp of clear breeze sweeping through ancient mountains and forests.
The next moment, Jiang Ye lightly flicked his finger, and a wisp of pale white light suddenly emanated from his fingertip, as gentle as moonlight, silently landing between Zhong Tianyi's eyebrows.
Zhong Tianyi was initially startled, his Primordial Spirit involuntarily agitated for a moment, but he quickly suppressed the fluctuation.
He did not refuse.
Because he believed that this direct descendant of the Su Family would not harm him in broad daylight.
Especially since he was no ordinary Cultivator; his identity as a True Disciple of the Haotian Sword Sect was not to be underestimated.
If something were to happen here, the person behind it would have to weigh the consequences.
The stream of light entered his mind, like the Milky Way pouring down, with ethereal immortal music.
In an instant, an ancient and profound Dao text slowly unfolded in his Divine Sea.
"Primordial Boundlessness, Primal Unity; Soul Light Transforms into Dao, Thoughts Move Three Thousand; Ten Thousand Tribulations Undying, Reverse Derivation to True..."
Each word, each phrase, echoed as if from eternity.
Zhong Tianyi's entire body trembled, as if his mind had sunk above the heavens, placing him amidst the ancient star rivers.
His Divine Soul was like a star, operating in the vast Void Realm, with immeasurable Qi condensing.
In an instant, his inner Primordial Spirit actually began to circulate automatically, subtly resonating with the Dao text.
Boom!
In the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, a faint light quietly lit up, as if a star had just opened, and his Divine Soul became clear.
Zhong Tianyi's face was shaken, his eyes revealing shock, awe, and disbelief.
Although others did not know the details, the vast aura that emanated from him at that moment was enough to alarm many surrounding Cultivators.
"Oh? Zhong Tianyi's Qi has changed!"
"What Divine Ability insight did he just gain? I just saw Su Yun point a stream of light at his glabella!"
"Hiss... Could it be the Dao formula for that Divine Soul technique?"
For a moment, countless gazes simultaneously fell upon the young men sitting opposite each other.
Inside the wine tower, the clamor abruptly ceased, leaving only the overflowing fragrance of spiritual wine and the gentle rustle of clothes.
Jiang Ye secretly chuckled in his heart; if it weren't for him applying a trace of vast creation power, Zhong Tianyi would never have had such an epiphany.
However, that was as far as it went, because the content he gave was only a small, introductory part of the Dao text.
Moreover, it was incomplete.
With Zhong Tianyi's talent, he would never be able to find the loopholes and then enter the Dao.
Even if he did enter, he wouldn't be able to cultivate without the subsequent content.
Yet Jiang Ye's expression remained as usual; he merely smiled faintly, raised his cup, and said: "Brother Zhong, this method is extremely profound, even I have only just begun to grasp it not long ago."
"If Brother Zhong can gain some insights in the future, you are welcome to visit my Su Family as a guest; I will certainly impart everything without reservation, and we can jointly comprehend it. Wouldn't that be delightful?"
As soon as these words were spoken, a low murmur immediately erupted around the wine tower.
Admiration, envy, and awe converged in everyone's eyes, and their gazes toward Zhong Tianyi now held a hint of apprehension.
To be favored by a direct descendant of the Su Family and be taught a Dao formula, he would likely advance further and achieve greater things in the future.
"Su Yun... is truly generous and unrestrained."
"If we don't befriend such a person, we might regret it deeply in the future."
In an instant, several Cultivators slowly stepped forward, attempting to strike up a conversation, wishing to befriend Jiang Ye.
Among them were many wearing the attire of Various Great Dao Lineages, and there was even a Prodigy from the Tianluo Sect, clad in a purple-gold robes, about to step forward.
But Jiang Ye merely waved his hand and said calmly:
"I appreciate everyone's kind intentions."
"However, this technique arises from Destiny and cannot be forced; Brother Zhong and I are compatible in temperament, hence this Destiny. If forced, one would lose their Dao Heart."
With that, he smiled gently, refined and elegant, making it difficult for anyone to feel dislike.
The person from the Tianluo Sect hesitated slightly upon hearing this, then cupped his hands and retreated.
The scene was quiet, yet undercurrents surged.
Although the crowd did not obtain the Dao text, they developed respect for the elegant demeanor and generous spirit of this direct descendant of the Su Family.
Zhong Tianyi had by now regained his composure; he took a deep breath and slowly bowed: "Brother Su's kindness, I, Zhong, will engrave in my heart and will surely repay it in the future."
Jiang Ye lightly raised his wine cup and smiled: "Brother Zhong, there's no need to be so polite; we met like old friends, and our acquaintance over wine is also Destiny."
Just as the atmosphere was harmonious, a green-robed figure walked to the table.
Ye Qingyun.
His expression was calm, his eyes clear as water, and he slightly cupped his hands forward, his voice gentle yet carrying a hint of sincerity: "Brother Su, I, Ye, boldly wish to offer a toast."
"Meeting today, I have had many feelings after witnessing the Divine Soul technique Brother Su performed."
"I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to ask for some guidance, to comprehend the wonders of the Divine Soul Dao?"
This sentence, though not loud, was steady in every word.
Jiang Ye turned to look, their eyes meeting.
His eyes were calm, but his heart stirred slightly.
"The fish, finally took the bait."