Chapter 50 Like a lamb entering a tiger's den, but using this as an excuse to get him drunk was also true. ...

After a period of rest, we set off again.

Bitao not only kept a close eye on Lin Xuantu, but also showed great concern for her other senior and junior brothers.

Bitao was adept at gathering friends and understanding people's hearts. Under the guise of "cultivation," she would chat with one person and offer advice to another.

Soon, the junior brothers and sisters unconsciously gathered around Bitao.

The whole trip was filled with jokes and banter, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

Several times, the joyful laughter and frolicking around Bitao became so loud that Wei Danxin also looked in her direction.

Every time, Bitao would give him a flirtatious look.

Wei Danxin would frown every time she was "provoked".

Before long, they reached the main road, a dilapidated and abandoned official road in the mortal world, with weeds growing on both sides and vines intertwined.

They bought horses and donkeys from local mortals, and also got two carts to pull their injured junior brothers and sisters who were unable to walk. Only then did they make their way towards the Supreme Sword Sect.

The return journey was relatively smooth, and we encountered some cultivators from other sects.

Most of them were in groups, wearing various styles and colors of sect uniforms. Some had received missions and were about to do them, while others had already returned with their loot.

They all rode horses.

However, at least the other side was properly dressed; it is very rare for them to be in such a sorry state with so many casualties.

As the senior disciple, Wei Danxin was the one who approached and negotiated with the people he encountered along the way.

Bitao rode on the only old horse, carefully observing and discerning the faces of these people.

Some small sects also have cultivators gathering in groups of three to five, but these groups are generally small and can only capture some lone, wandering ghosts to exchange for a couple of yellow-grade spirit stones, which they carefully save for their own use. They are completely unable to support their cultivation.

The sects that can form teams of a certain size and hunt down a large number of fierce ghosts in exchange for mid-grade or high-grade spirit stones for cultivation are nothing more than a few: the Thunder Sect's body cultivators, the Taixu Tower's array cultivators, the Seven Star Palace's talisman cultivators... as well as the Supreme Sword Sect, and the cultivators who lead teams in the Wenxin Pavilion that issue missions.

"Junior Brother Nineteen has perished? Where in Mount Moran? We at Taixu Tower have learned of this and will send people there..."

Wei Danxin was reporting to the array cultivators of Taixu Tower about the cultivators who had died under the flock of wounded soul birds on Mount Moran.

The cultivator from Taixu Tower was wearing a Yin-Yang robe with wide sleeves and a star map design, but the color of the robe was somewhat dull and old due to excessive washing.

He was a senior brother who often led the team in Taixu Tower. He looked like an ordinary middle-aged man.

Deep vertical lines ran between his brows, but upon hearing of the fall of his nineteenth junior brother, his expression did not show excessive grief.

He simply sighed, as if it were a common occurrence: "You guys were too impulsive to go on this mission without doing any prior reconnaissance."

"The Wenxin Pavilion received the mortal's plea for help several months ago. At that time, there were only a dozen or so Soul-Wounding Birds on Mount Moran."

Wei Danxin was already feeling guilty, so she naturally took all the blame upon herself.

After all, it was him who formed the team, and the array cultivators from Taixu Tower only followed him into the mountains because of his high success rate in past missions.

It was the senior brother from Taixu Tower who comforted Wei Danxin instead.

"In this world, countless souls have died unjustly, and flocks of wounded birds are everywhere... You don't need to worry too much. Cultivators are meant to fight against fate, and death and the dissipation of the soul are just the most common things..."

Bitao didn't listen carefully to what the two said afterward.

She silently made notes on the familiar cultivators, mentally tracing their origins and identifying which celestial rank they belonged to in the Nine Heavens.

After bidding farewell to the cultivators, Wei Danxin led the group back onto the main road, but at an inconspicuous intersection, they turned back into the mountains.

This time, they hadn't gone far when they encountered an overlapping Nine Palaces Spirit Locking Array.

Wei Danxin, leading the group, walked ahead with her horse, her steps shifting and changing shape, drawing everyone into the formation.

After the battle, the world suddenly opened up before them.

Bitao finally felt a real sense of entering the Xuanxing Realm of Cultivation.

Before us, a rainbow bridge spans the ravine, leading straight to the mountain peak, where cascading springs murmur like jade, and the shadows of clouds, pines, and cranes linger.

Although there are no jade palaces and flying pavilions with painted red, there are rocky gates and pine paths, bamboo fences and thatched cottages, chessboards with stars falling, and hanging nails in the mountains.

It's like a secluded paradise.

Bitao loves mountains!

She dismounted, bid farewell to her fellow disciples, and walked directly across the suspension bridge to the courtyard where Yue Qingyao lived—Tianshui Courtyard.

Tianshui Courtyard is surrounded by bamboo fences, with winding paths leading to secluded spots. Wind chimes hang from the four corners of the eaves, and when the mountain wind blows, the chimes ring out crisply.

Bitao went to find the Taoist Master Yue Junya.

According to my memory of Yue Qingyao's habits, there was no etiquette between mother and daughter.

As soon as she entered the door, she called out, "Mother! Mother, I'm home—"

At that moment, Yue Junya was leaning against the soft couch, her eyes lowered, eating snacks and sipping tea.

Startled by his "good daughter's" shout, his fingers trembled, and the pastry fell onto the tatami mat.

She sighed deeply and sat up.

He turned his peach blossom eyes toward the doorway, clearly trying to put on a stern expression, but despite his attempts to pull his face apart, the doting smile at the corners of his mouth was impossible to hide.

Bitao grew naturally, and never had a mother in her life.

In Yue Qingyao's memory, her mother, Bitao, seemed like a fleeting image on a silver screen, never quite real.

Bitao was genuinely curious about what kind of mother Heaven had given her.

As immortals, they are born with the ability to purify their minds and break through obstacles. The three tribulations that Heaven has ordered them to undergo are all related to human love and affection.

If one is to become obsessed with the immortal realm, simply sealing away one's past life has a very subtle effect, and anyone with a little bit of awareness will soon notice the clues.

The only thing that can truly make someone fall into the "love tribulation" is to transform the deepest desires in the hearts of the immortals into reality.

During the first competition, Bitao secretly regarded her mother-in-law as her own family.

However, her mother-in-law was cold and indifferent, and Bitao did not feel any warmth from her. Moreover, as a celestial being, she was ultimately "different from the other party."

As she rushed into the room, she saw the Daoist Master Yue Junya sitting on the soft couch. Bitao subconsciously narrowed her peach blossom eyes.

After looking at Bitao, Yue Junya's actions were exactly the same as Bitao's, and she also narrowed her peach blossom eyes, which were almost identical.

The "mother" and "daughter" looked at each other for a moment, both unable to suppress their laughter.

"What are you standing there laughing for? Come over here and let me see you."

Bitao walked towards Buerdaoren and looked at her "mother" carefully.

Unlike the typical young and vigorous appearance of celestial beings, the Daoist Bu Er was already middle-aged, yet she possessed an elegant and graceful demeanor.

She was as beautiful as a peach blossom, yet her gaze was both dignified and commanding.

Looking into her peach blossom eyes, Bitao felt as if she were seeing the "mother" she had once imagined appear right before her eyes.

After all, Bitao grew up wild and could only imagine her mother in her own image when she fantasized about her.

The current relationship between Bu Er Dao Ren and Bi Tao is like that of flowers in full bloom and flowers in their twilight.

The mother and daughter are practically identical, as if they truly came from the same source.

Bitao couldn't even muster any sense of distance or wariness towards her.

Bitao sat on the edge of the couch, and Le Junya reached out her soft palm and touched Bitao's cheek.

The fragrant scent drifted into Bitao's nostrils through Le Junya's sleeve. The scent was nothing special, yet it was also very, very special.

It's as if it's the scent that all mothers in the world carry.

Le Junya spoke again, her eyes full of tenderness, her voice overflowing with affection: "My darling, were you hurt this time? Let your mother take a look..."

Bitao closed her eyes briefly and let out a soft sigh.

She gritted her teeth. If it weren't for the fact that her lightning curse seal had been broken and she was now clear-headed, and hadn't confused her identity with Yue Qingyao, and if Bitao hadn't understood her, she would have fallen into this "worldly mortal realm" that was tailor-made for her.

Even though Bitao was awake, she couldn't help but hold the palm of the Taoist priest Yue Junya, rubbing her soft, cloud-like flesh, and said, "Mother, I am not injured. Senior Brother sacrificed himself to protect us, and most of us returned safely."

"That's good. Your mother has been waiting for you. She has already asked the kitchen to make your favorite roasted pig's trotters."

"Shall I have the food served now?"

Bitao initially wanted to resist, but upon hearing the words "roasted pig's trotters," her lips went numb.

She's been living a life of hardship since yesterday, trying to get even a single wild peach, and now her stomach is rumbling and churning.

Heaven's will is mighty; perhaps this is the source of her "love, separation, and unrequited love."

One meal, under the "corruption" of the mother, Le Junya, who perfectly matched the image of a mother.

She ate four plump, crispy pig's trotters.

The bones inside were all removed by the Taoist priest himself.

I also drank some boiled peach blossom wine.

Bitao, swaying gently, carried the wine jug, tilted her head back, and took a sip of sweet wine, its fragrance lingering on her teeth and cheeks.

It's not the wine that intoxicates, but the person themselves.

In the bamboo grove courtyard, as the wind blew and the bells rang, she danced in circles around her mother, entertaining her with her colorful clothes.

The thought arises that "if I could live my life like this, even as an ordinary person, it would be wonderful."

Fortunately, Bitao got dizzy from spinning around and fell against the fence, scraping her calf.

The blood finally brought her from the brink of unconscious depravity back to a state of lucidity.

Bitao got up and walked to Le Junya, who was sitting in the courtyard watching her dance. She squatted down at Le Junya's feet and rested her still-warm face on Le Junya's lap.

Her voice was sweet and adorable as she said, "Mother... I've discovered that my eldest brother is exceptionally good, and incredibly capable. During this exorcism, he protected everyone. He's so amazing, so handsome..."

Bitao was slightly drunk, and also acted out a bit.

The innocent and straightforward girl said, "Mother, I really want to marry him."

The Taoist Priest: "..."

"My dear daughter...are you drunk?"

“No…” Bitao said shyly, rubbing against Bu Er Dao Ren’s knee and twisting back and forth, “He is just very, very good… I want him.”

"Mother, I want him! Please help me, please help me!"

Bitao simply sat down on the ground and shook Bu Er Dao Ren's leg.

Le Junya's expression was indescribable.

"Didn't you like your fourth junior brother, Lin Xuantu? That old scoundrel Wei Xiao already agreed to arrange a marriage for the two of you, so why do you now want his son?"

"His son is indeed of noble character, but he's already engaged to his second apprentice. You tell me..."

"Mother, I don't care!"

Bitao shook Le Junya's knees violently, "I want him! I want him!"

"Fourth junior brother is very cute, but eldest senior brother is also very heroic..."

"Mother, I want them all."

Bitao seemed troubled, her flushed cheeks revealing a greedy expression: "Can't I have them all?"

"You have to help me think of a way. Mother, you're the best. Mothers are the best in the whole world... There are so many people in the world, can't I even have two?"

Almost everything Bitao achieved in her life was through her hard work and cunning.

She had never tried to act this way before, relying solely on "family ties" to beg others for help in achieving her goals.

Half of her time was spent verifying how much of her yearning could be understood by the Heavenly Dao and how much of it could be made real, while the other half was giving the Daoist Yue Junya a "preemptive warning."

She absolutely must have Mingguang, no matter what it takes.

Mingguang's ethical principles were hard to overcome, so he could only ask the Daoist Junya to give up her engagement with Wei Xiao, the leader of the Supreme Sword Sect.

Of course, she also put on this show for the people in the Nine Heavens Silver Net who were monitoring her, so that they would think she was a person of bad character, who bullied others and was a lecherous woman.

Bitao thought that even if Le Junya eventually agreed to "Le Qingyao's" absurd request, she would at least teach her a lesson.

However, Bitao never expected that not everything in this world requires elaborate scheming.

Not all the other sides require strenuous rowing to reach.

Some people don't even need to know anything; all they need to do is be someone's child, their darling, and they can get whatever they want.

Even the most absurd and immoral desires, or even just a despicable thought of lust, will be indulged and satisfied without restraint.

As she carried a food box and walked briskly toward Yanlan Courtyard, where Wei Danxin lived, she couldn't help but look up at the sky.

Who is really enjoying these good days?

She crossed the long suspension bridge and turned at the entrance of a stone tablet called "Yanlan".

Then he put down the food box and took out something wrapped in a handkerchief from his bosom.

Bitao found a large rock, placed the object on it, and then found a rock about the size of a human head, which she smashed hard against the object wrapped in the handkerchief.

With a loud "bang," the sound of shattering gold and breaking jade rang out.

Bitao was forced to take two steps back by the heavenly rules implied in "that thing".

But soon, two beams of light, one red and one white, flew out from the pile of broken things in the handkerchief and flew off in different directions toward the sky.

Bitao picked up the handkerchief and shook it; the thing completely shattered into a pile of broken stones.

She smiled, tucked her handkerchief into her pocket, continued carrying the food box, and stepped into the Yanlan Courtyard.

The name Yanlanyuan sounds like a dream, but the actual furnishings are quite different from its name.

Most of the land here is carved out of natural mountains, with wedges driven through the rocks, creating stone beds and cloud screens.

Most of the trees in the courtyard had been pruned, leaving only a very simple medicinal herb garden and tea stove, exuding a solemn, rigid, cold, and uninteresting atmosphere.

This is very much in line with Mingguang's style.

His Xuanhui Palace in the Nine Heavens was magnificent, grand and imposing.

However, Bitao knew that he himself had never been to most of these places.

He remained steadfast in his small, secluded place year after year, living a simple life. This simplicity wasn't intentional; rather, he simply disliked overly ornate things.

In the entire rear hall of Xuanhui Palace, the only thing that could be described as complicated and messy was the desk where he handled official documents from all realms.

When Bitao was still a small peach branch, she often worked on official documents, ate, or played with Mingguang on it.

Thinking of the past, Bitao smiled and her steps became lighter.

However, she was soon stopped by an array in front of a stone screen.

The person inside was meditating to heal their injuries and using the internal medicine when they suddenly felt their courtyard's restrictions being triggered. They opened their eyes and subconsciously furrowed their brow.

Actually, very few people come here.

The "Jietian Mountain" where the Supreme Sword Sect is stationed is very large.

There weren't many fellow disciples, and everyone occupied their own space. Apart from those who were very close to each other and would gather together to cultivate, no one would wander around other people's spaces.

Although Wei Danxin was the senior disciple, he rarely interacted with or befriended others, except for leading his disciples in cultivation and training on a daily basis.

Even when he went to the canteen to get his meals every day, he always went alone.

He was born cold-hearted and oblivious to worldly affairs, with his mind solely focused on cultivation and inheriting and promoting his sect.

He has a heart of stone.

Zhang Yuluan, who has been coming over quite frequently lately, often finds various excuses to strike up a conversation.

Although Wei Danxin was engaged to her, he had no romantic feelings for her whatsoever and avoided her whenever possible.

Although he could not disobey his father's orders, he had no reason not to agree for the sake of the sect.

However, Wei Danxin was completely unable to have any romantic relationship with Zhang Yuluan.

Now that the restriction has been triggered again, and at this time when the sky is already dark, he doesn't even intend to pay attention to it, pretending that he didn't hear it.

If Zhang Yuluan accidentally triggered the restriction and no one paid attention to her, she would know that she had been neglected. She was always gentle and soft-hearted, so she would bite her lip, look aggrieved, and leave quietly.

But for some reason today, after Wei Danxin ignored it, the restriction subsided for a while, but was triggered again.

Moreover, it's a recurring cycle, neither too fast nor too slow, constantly touching the heart.

Wei Danxin could only get up from her meditation, walk to the door, and look outside.

There was a figure standing in the courtyard that surprised him.

Wei Danxin's figure was hidden in the shadows behind the stone chamber, her expression extremely indifferent, even somewhat gloomy.

Compared to Zhang Yuluan, Wei Danxin wanted to see this person even less.

If it weren't for her, Wei Danxin wouldn't have had to agree to such an absurd marriage.

Relying on her power as the Daoist of No Eternity, she not only coerced Lin Xuantu, but also tried to influence her father's thoughts and speak recklessly about his marriage.

His father told him to get along well with his stepsister, but every time she came, she either swaggered around or made provocative remarks.

Wei Danxin stood motionless at the door, watching helplessly as she triggered the restriction time and time again.

I just hope she runs out of patience soon, and whatever she brings, she can just toss it at the door and leave, just like before.

However, his plans for today are destined to fail.

Bitao has feelings and love for Mingguang, and even more so, she has great patience.

She wasn't in a hurry. Anyway, the night was long, and she was already here, right at his doorstep. How could he possibly run away?

She triggered the restriction once, waited for a long time, and when no one came out, she triggered it again.

Bitao knew that he must have already noticed that someone was outside, but he was deliberately not opening the door.

The thought that he was hiding there watching her made Bitao's lips curl up into a bright smile.

The two remained deadlocked for a while, but in the end, Wei Danxin was defeated.

He stepped out of the gate and into the courtyard, where he met Bitao's smiling eyes. He knew he wouldn't inexplicably reach out and hit the smiling person.

He spoke, his voice calm yet indifferent: "What is it?"

Through the still-unsolved array, Bitao traced the familiar outline of Mingguang.

The courtyard was extremely dark, with no lights on, but cultivators could see without being affected by the light or the sky.

Bitao could clearly see Mingguang's pale gold eyes that seemed to freeze a thousand miles away, as well as his long eyelashes that didn't quite match his cold and aloof appearance.

Bitao moved the food box she was carrying and said, "Mother asked me if I was injured on this trip to exorcise evil spirits. I wasn't seriously injured, but I told Mother that my brother was very badly injured."

Bitao said slowly, “My mother ordered me to bring ‘Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir’ to heal my brother’s injuries.”

Even Wei Danxin was stunned after hearing this.

The Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir is the highest quality, purest, and fastest-acting healing elixir in the cultivation world today.

It is said that this was created a thousand years ago by a drunken alchemist who loved to drink. No one could replicate it, and it has long been extinct.

It's already a rare privilege for each sect leader to possess even a small amount of these items; they are only brought out when faced with a major calamity, when the dead are brought back to life.

Ordinary elixirs contain many impurities and are tainted with evil spirits; they can only be used after being refined.

However, this top-grade Flowing Elixir Wine is almost like a spiritual substance that enters the body; it is said that drinking some of it can bring the dead back to life.

He had only suffered some soul damage when dealing with the Soul-Wounding Bird. His father also possessed this Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir, but he would never casually bestow it upon him to heal his wounds.

Bitao smiled and said, "Open the formation, I will protect my 'brother'."

Wei Danxin remained unmoved. Regardless of whether it was true or false, his minor injury was not something he needed to use the Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir Wine.

However, he did step forward and walked to the side of the formation, politely saying to his 'stepsister', "Please thank Master Bu Er for me, but the Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir Wine is far too precious."

"I have already taken a mid-grade healing pill. I just need to slowly digest and recover. I will be fine in a few days."

"The Taoist of No Two? Isn't it a bit too polite of you to call me brother?"

“When my mother marries your father, we will be one family.”

Bitao winked at Wei Danxin and said, "I was ignorant before, but this time when I went into the mountains to exorcise evil spirits, my brother protected me very well. I am not an ungrateful person."

"This fine wine is a gift I specially asked my mother for as an apology."

"I apologize to my elder brother and hope that he will not hold my narrow-mindedness against me for causing him so much trouble."

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if we, siblings, father, and mother could build our sect together in the future?"

Wei Danxin still didn't believe what his stepsister said, because she was usually arrogant and domineering, and her words were always harsh. She had always disliked him more than she respected him.

Why did you suddenly try to make up with him?

He hesitated for a moment, but quickly declined, even taking a step back and saying, "No need, my injury is really not serious, and you don't need to... worry about it."

The immortals high above the nine heavens witnessed this scene and were all deeply gratified.

"Fortunately, Mingguang Xuanxian was very vigilant."

"Well done, Mingguang Xuanxian! Don't fall for it! Don't open the barrier!"

"Aaaaaah—she's a bad person! A bad person! Immortal Mingguang, please don't let her in!"

"What kind of pervert is knocking on the door? How terrifying, hahaha..."

"I'm curious about what she's trying to do... I followed up on what she said to the Daoist Bu Er. But the Daoist Bu Er didn't promise to help her in any way; he just gave her a Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir, saying it could heal injuries. Is she going to use it to beg for peace and appease people?"

"I also think that Fairy Bitao can't do much. Even after her cultivation was suppressed, Fairy Mingguang's cultivation level is still much higher than hers."

"What's there to worry about? So what if she's lustful? She's been chasing Mingguang Xuanxian for so many years, spent over three hundred years in the Immortal Prison, and still hasn't even managed to touch a single hair on his head."

"Hahahaha... I'm laughing so hard! I've been chasing after immortal positions everywhere, and everyone's caught up in love and hate! Even the Celestial Immortal Yun Chuan has proposed to the young widow! And he got rejected! More competition like this, I love watching, hahahaha—"

"I suggest that the Heavenly Realm hold this event once a year, with all the immortals descending to the mortal realm to experience the tribulations of love. It could be just like a play..."

...

Bitao was not at all surprised to see Mingguang so wary and resistant.

He's just so hard to deal with.

After all, all the beautiful, noble, excellent, and rare things in this world are not so easy to obtain.

How can a priceless treasure be obtained so easily?

However... seeing him back down, Bitao quickly and cleverly changed her excuse.

“Brother,” Bitao called out to him, “Alright, actually it’s just a tiny bit of Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir Wine.”

Bitao reached out and pinched a very short distance between two fingers, saying, "I only need a tiny bit."

"My mother won't give me too much, but she said that this little bit will definitely be enough for you to heal your injuries and regulate your meridians."

"Don't you want to recover as soon as possible so you can continue teaming up to earn spirit stones for cultivation?"

"And... sigh..."

Bitao sighed and scratched her head, saying, "Brother, you have such keen insight; you've seen right through me."

"I brought this over because I need your help."

Bitao said, "Brother, please accept it without worry. My request is very simple. I only hope that you will hold up the vow stone for me at my engagement ceremony."

Bitao said, "If my brother holds the oath stone for my engagement ceremony with Lin Xuantu, others will think that our family is harmonious and will not dare to underestimate the Supreme Sword Sect, right?"

Sure enough, this explanation made Wei Danxin believe it to some extent.

His stepsister caused so much trouble for Lin Xuantu.

The father did indeed promise to hold an engagement ceremony for them after he returned from this experience.

As for the matter of him holding the Oath Stone, even if his stepsister didn't ask him for help, he would still do it if his father asked.

Therefore, Wei Danxin finally relented.

"Give it to me." It's a top-grade elixir, why not take it?

Moreover, Wei Danxin has always been diligent in cultivation and does need to recover her body as soon as possible so that she can quickly receive the mission to exchange for spirit stones.

He lifted the restriction, but still stood in the doorway, showing no intention of letting Bitao in.

He reached out to take the food box that Bitao was carrying.

Bitao didn't hold on to it and handed it to him.

But she didn't leave; instead, she stood there and said, "Shall I protect my brother?"

"No need." Wei Danxin took the things, but then realized her tone was a bit stiff.

He added, "I can do it myself."

Bitao remained standing there, not moving.

Wei Danxin looked down at her, seeing her smiling brightly, but didn't understand why.

Bitao said, "Mother said that once the Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir Wine is stored in a specially designed array wine pot, it needs to be consumed as soon as possible."

“I’ve been carrying this all the way here, and you’ve refused to open the door. The medicine must have lost much of its effect by now.”

Bitao's voice was faint and eerie in the night, urging, "Hurry up and drink it."

Upon hearing this, Wei Danxin opened the food box.

The array above the food box dissipated, and in an instant, spiritual light radiated outwards. In a very small wine cup, there was half a cup of "Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir Brew".

The aroma of the wine, mixed with a refreshing fragrance, soared straight to the heavens. Wei Danxin had consumed all the top-grade elixirs, but none possessed the purest and richest spiritual energy as this half-cup of "elixir brew."

This thing cannot be faked.

It seems that his stepsister, who is about to get Lin Xuantu, has finally stopped causing trouble and has indeed come to make amends with him today.

Without hesitation, Wei Danxin picked up the wine cup, brought it to her lips, and tilted her head back to drink it down.

It was as if a long river of spiritual energy had instantly flowed into his mouth. He opened his eyes slightly, intending to say to his stepsister, "You can go back now."

But when he opened his mouth, he couldn't make a sound.

The vast spiritual energy rushed towards his internal organs and meridians like a river flowing into the sea. If it was not channeled and blocked, his meridians might soon be washed away and torn apart.

He didn't care that his stepsister was still by his side. He immediately sat down cross-legged and used his power to gather the pure spiritual energy that had entered his body.

As she had said, Bitao sat down cross-legged directly opposite him, and mobilized the wood spirit to protect him and help him guide the spiritual energy.

Sensing the wood spirit entering her body, Wei Danxin opened her eyes and glanced at the person opposite her.

Bitao smiled gently at him as before and reassured him, "Don't worry about using it, I'm here."

Wei Danxin then entered a meditative state.

The spiritual energy in this world is depleted, and the spiritual veins are broken. Cultivators must rely entirely on the four grades of spirit stones: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.

The quantity of these spirit stones is also limited. Yellow-grade spirit stones are relatively easy to obtain, but they contain too many impurities and are difficult to use for cultivation.

The remaining grades of spirit stones are almost entirely controlled by the major sects and the Wenxin Pavilion.

If they want to cultivate, they need to find ways to exchange for spirit stones, and they also need to accumulate spirit stones on a daily basis in order to use them when they advance in their cultivation level.

As Wei Danxin's biological son, Mingguang was not short of yellow-grade and black-grade spirit stones.

However, items from the Earth grade upwards are extremely rare, as their spiritual energy becomes purer and more abundant, making them easier to utilize. They are also rare items for Wei Danxin.

He had saved up some Earth-grade spirit stones for future advancement, and he also had two Heaven-grade spirit stones, but he kept them for emergencies to save his life.

Normally, all the spirit stones he absorbs are of the highest grade, and after removing impurities, he can barely utilize them.

Whether it's spirit stones or elixirs, anything related to the word "heaven" is extremely precious.

This half-bowl of "Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir Brew" can be said to be the highest quality spiritual energy that Wei Danxin has absorbed in the past few years.

In that short moment of entering his body, his cultivation at the lower level of Earthly Realm began to subtly become complete.

From harmony to wavering, and from wavering comes advancement.

He was like a thirsty traveler, treasuring spiritual energy as a source of water, and wholeheartedly drawing upon it to nourish his meridians.

He didn't realize that the person protecting him had opened their eyes at some point.

Looking into his eyes, the gentle, ingratiating gaze that seemed to be trying to "make amends" gradually softened, revealing the hidden and suppressed undercurrents beneath his oblivious expression.

The truth, once revealed, was exposed as if the truth of possession and plunder had come to light.

Bitao even felt like whistling.

She came late at night, speaking softly and gently, using diversionary tactics to distract Mingguang and lower his guard.

Like luring a golden crow with shimmering feathers into a cage, they carefully prepared a palatable "snack" for him.

They even made the chains and locks the same color as his feathers to confuse his vision, and finally waited until he crawled into the cage.

Next, all she had to do was tighten the chains and lower the cage door, and he would have nowhere to escape!

Those who have been tracking Bitao on the Milky Way have yet to figure out what she is trying to do.

Some people even thought she was quite boring, just bluffing, but it turned out she really came to give gifts and curry favor.

Unfortunately, Mingguang Xuanxian had treated her coldly in the Heavenly Realm, and it was even less likely that he would treat her differently in the mortal realm because of this half cup of Flowing Elixir Wine.

The crowd, finding it boring, dispersed to watch the other immortals make fools of themselves.

Only Zhu Ming, and Bi Tao's servants who were instructed beforehand to seek out You Tian and Zhu Ming if they had any business, were still watching.

They were familiar with Bitao's determined expression.

And at this moment, her expression was one of unprecedented pride and satisfaction.

She sat opposite Mingguang, looking at him inch by inch, no longer hiding the deep emotions in her eyes.

"What exactly is she trying to do?" Doctor Wu had never witnessed Bitao's obsession with Mingguang and was somewhat puzzled.

However, Taiji, who was not far from him, had by chance witnessed how Bitao had coerced and seduced that male immortal.

He was somewhat restless, his yin-yang eyes seeming to have nowhere to go, scanning everywhere.

He devoted his life to studying medicine, pursued the fairy Bitao, severed ties with his family, and even abandoned all human desires.

But he never imagined that the fairy Bitao he was pursuing was actually a fairy with intense love and hate, and even a somewhat unrestrained and philandering nature...

Her expression was the same as when she kissed that celestial tablet that day.

Sure enough, the next moment, Bitao leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Mingguang's brow.

Mingguang sat there, his brows relaxed, oblivious and unresponsive.

"Ahem..." Doctor Wu pointed at the silver net and asked, "That...that Xuanxian, is he a couple with Bitao?"

Zhu Ming glanced at him: "No."

But I estimate it will happen soon.

Zhu Ming knew that Bi Tao never did anything meaningless. Even when she was in the Heavenly Realm trying to please Ming Guang, she usually achieved her own goals along the way.

For example, she made Mingguang the target of the conflict between the ancient immortal clan and Youtian, and she planned everything for Mingguang. She even calculated that Mingguang would see Kunyi when he missed his mother. However, she was also using Mingguang's reputation and status to build momentum for herself.

Her current power in the heavens is entirely of her own making.

Bitao kissed Mingguang twice.

A small mole on her forehead, then... on her jawline.

Hi Xiaohong.

We meet again.

We can finally see each other more often from now on.

Bitao smiled.

Just as her smile blossomed, Mingguang suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes were a clear, pale gold, shining like the sun in the sky.

However, it was empty and desolate, with lingering spiritual energy surging within, bringing with it a sweeping, overwhelming intoxication.

Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir Wine

It is both cinnabar and wine.

The alchemy was real, healing his injuries was real, regulating his meridians was real, and repairing him was real.

But the real reason was also to get him drunk.

Bitao reached out and touched his cheek.

Mingguang sat there, neither dodging nor avoiding.

Bitao's fingers lingered on his handsome, unparalleled features, while his eyes stared blankly, as if he were willing.

After a moment, Bitao stopped and helped Mingguang to his feet.

His eyes were open, but his consciousness was scattered.

According to Yue Junya, the Daoist of the Second Rank, this half-cup of wine is enough to make a cultivator at the Earthly Realm Extreme level drunk for a whole night, unaware of what day it is, or even what he did while drunk.

The Taoist priest himself has tried it.

That night, she burned down the mountain behind her palace and captured dozens of evil spirits, tying them to the treetops as kites.

However, in this life, Mingguang was far from possessing the abilities of the Daoist Bu'er.

For the first time in his life, he was completely drunk, his steps unsteady, and he was as obedient as a puppet that could only be manipulated.

He should have been unconscious.

However, the spiritual energy of the Heavenly Grade Flowing Elixir stirred his already fragile meridians, making it impossible for him to completely faint.

Bitao led him slowly into the house.

Mingguang followed obediently behind Bitao, step by step.

Because he couldn't even walk steadily on his own and couldn't concentrate his mind to deal with the situation, he instinctively lowered his head and leaned on Bitao's shoulder, which could support him.

He buried his head blankly in her neck, his golden eyes wide open, and staggered as he leaned on her as they entered the room.

Above the Milky Way, everything was now in chaos.

The supporters of Mingguang Xuanxian went completely mad.

"So that's what she was planning! Aaaaaaah—"

"How could this be?! How could this be! What on earth did she use to lure Mingguang Xuanxian into drinking this?!!"

"How despicable! I can't accept what she's planning to do next! Ugh, I can't accept it—"

"Mingguang Xuanxian looked like she'd lost her soul. Oh my god, she's so cute, still perched on someone's shoulder..."

"Is this a competition, or an opportunity for lustful demons to humiliate people?! I cannot accept this! That is a Bright Light Immortal, does the Heavenly Dao of the Myriad Realms really not care?!"

"Ahhh no no no no no no no no no no—"

"I only care whether what happens below will be broadcast on Yinhan Gu...hehehe."

"What are you all yelling about? This competition has been all about 'love tribulations' all along. You don't really think love tribulations are just about talking, do you?"

"If separation from loved ones isn't heart-wrenching and excruciating, how can it be called a true separation?"

"If it's not about spending a lifetime searching for something that's like a mirage but never attaining it, then how can it be considered unattainable?"

"If one does not harbor resentment to the bone but have to swallow one's anger, how can it be considered a meeting of those one hates?"

"...I don't know how those 'love tribulations' should be experienced, but I do know that the current situation is called 'a lamb entering a tiger's den,' right?"

It's like a lamb entering a tiger's den.