Chapter 1929: Seven Gourd Hermit

Fifteen minutes later, Wang Changsheng and Huang Yun'er appeared in front of a seven-story azure pavilion. A rich fragrance wafted from inside. The pavilion's plaque bore three large golden characters: "Drunken Immortal Pavilion." Many cultivators were entering and exiting.

According to Huang Yun'er, Drunken Immortal Pavilion was established by the Chen cultivating family, whose main business was brewing wine. The Chen family's legacy stretched back over three thousand years. In the Xuanyin Continent, a shop open for a thousand years couldn't be considered an "old shop"; only those with at least three thousand years of history earned that title, as shops older than a millennium were abundant.

"Uncle Wang," Huang Yun'er explained, a look of longing on her face, "the spiritual wine sold by the Chen family is quite famous in the Xuanyin Continent. The Chen family has three particularly renowned spiritual wines, with 'Dragon-Tiger Struggle' being the most famous. It's said to enhance vital energy and refine the physical body, purportedly brewed from the spiritual bones of a sixth-tier flood dragon and a demonic tiger."

Wang Changsheng nodded and started walking towards Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Just then, a somewhat disheveled figure suddenly rushed out of the pavilion, stumbling. Wang Changsheng's gaze swept over the figure, surprise flashing in his eyes, and he quickly made way.

This was an old man, nine feet tall, wearing a blue Daoist robe and a lotus crown. Seven flying swords, their scabbards bound to his back with hemp rope, were on his person. The blue-robed elder had a square face, white hair at his temples, and a face full of the marks of time. His eyes were somewhat cloudy, and he exuded an aura as vast as the ocean, clearly a Void Refinement cultivator. Six shimmering gourds were tied to the blue-robed elder's waist, and he held a red gourd in his hand, continuously pouring wine into his mouth, reeking of alcohol. The blue-robed elder swayed left and right, as if drunk, yet also not entirely so. As he walked, passersby scattered, seemingly accustomed to his presence.

"Uncle Wang," Huang Yun'er transmitted, "that's the Seven Gourd Hermit. He possesses a set of sky-reaching spiritual treasure-level flying swords and is skilled in sword manipulation. This person originally had a promising future, with a high chance of advancing to the Integration stage. However, something happened later, and he became a drunkard, spending his days in intoxication, his cultivation stagnant."

"The Seven Gourd Hermit!" Wang Changsheng secretly nodded. The faces of Huang Fugui and Fang Mu involuntarily appeared in his mind; those two were also extraordinary individuals, comparable to the Seven Gourd Hermit.

Upon entering Drunken Immortal Pavilion, a middle-aged steward approached and respectfully asked, "Venerable Senior, how may I assist you?"

"I heard your shop's 'Thousand Flower Drunken' is quite good. I'd like to buy a jar," Wang Changsheng stated directly. Thousand Flower Drunken was a sixth-tier spiritual wine, effective in enhancing magical power, and beneficial even for Void Refinement cultivators.

"Thousand Flower Drunken? Are you here to pick up an order, Senior? All sixth-tier spiritual wines require advance reservation, and stock won't be available for another century. If you're looking for a gift, our new 'Seven Star Eagle' wine is quite good," the middle-aged steward introduced enthusiastically.

"Seven Star Eagle? And Snow Lotus Dew? That kind of spiritual wine has a very good taste," Huang Yun'er asked.

"Of course, we have it. It's 100,000 spirit stones per jar. Snow Lotus Dew is brewed primarily from two-thousand-year-old Cold Moon Snow Lotuses and hundreds of century-old spiritual herbs. It's always been a bestseller in our shop," the middle-aged steward introduced enthusiastically.

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, "Then I'll take two jars of Snow Lotus Dew!" The middle-aged steward acknowledged and turned to leave.

Wang Changsheng stood waiting. Shelves displayed a large number of wine jars and pots, and the air was filled with a rich wine aroma. A silver-skirted young woman descended from upstairs and walked past Wang Changsheng. Surprise flashed in Wang Changsheng's eyes. He had just encountered this woman in Seven Star Tower not long ago and now met her here again. Few female cultivators enjoyed drinking alcohol; most likely bought it as a gift.

Not long after, the middle-aged man returned, holding two exquisite wine jars. Wang Changsheng paid the spirit stones and left with Huang Yun'er. They circled the market, purchasing gifts.

A massive blue tower, over a hundred zhang tall, had its lower half embedded within a towering peak. At the foot of the mountain stood a stone stele over ten zhang tall, bearing the three large characters "Profound Moon Peak." Only disciples of Zhenhai Palace were permitted to enter or exit Profound Moon Peak; other cultivators operated within the market at its base.

At the summit of Profound Moon Peak lay a ten-thousand-mu bluestone plaza. Directly in front of it was a magnificent blue palace, its plaque emblazoned with the three golden characters "Profound Moon Palace." Numerous buildings dotted the mountainside, serving as residences and training grounds for Zhenhai Palace disciples.

The main hall was spacious and bright. A plump, fair-skinned old man in a red robe sat on the main seat. The red-robed elder had a round face and small eyes, his belly full of flab, his neck obscured by fat. He had a kindly expression and appeared approachable. A silver-skirted young woman sat nearby, a faint smile on her face.

"Junior Sister Song, why are you on Profound Moon Island instead of cultivating at the main altar? Is there anything I, your senior brother, can do for you?" the red-robed elder said politely. His name was Song Feng, and he was stationed at Profound Moon Island with Li Ruxue. From his tone, it was clear the silver-skirted young woman's identity was extraordinary.

"Nothing in particular, just strolling around. I heard from Junior Nephew Li that Senior Brother Song intends to forge a heavy treasure. I have a slight understanding of artifact forging and would like to assist Senior Brother Song to improve my own forging skills," the silver-skirted young woman said, her voice sweet and pleasant to the ear.

"Assist me?" Song Feng looked troubled. This heavy treasure was crucial for his future tribulations. He had spent over a thousand years just collecting the materials and didn't want any mistakes.

"If it's inconvenient for Senior Brother Song, then never mind. Enjoy your spiritual wine." The silver-skirted young woman rose to take her leave.

"Wait, Junior Sister Song, stay, stay. I actually need someone to assist me. Please stay!" Song Feng quickly spoke, persuading the silver-skirted young woman to stay.

"I knew Senior Brother Song was the best! Oh, and you're not to tell anyone my identity, to avoid unnecessary trouble," the silver-skirted young woman reminded him, delighted.

"Understood. If you don't say anything, they wouldn't dare ask too many questions," Song Feng agreed.

Just then, a respectful male voice suddenly came from outside: "Master, Junior Brother Wang from Profound Moon Island is here to pay his respects."

"Profound Moon Island? Let him in!" Song Feng instructed. He knew that Profound Moon Island had two new Spirit Transformation cultivators and was aware of their background. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were fresh blood for the Ascension faction. Even if they had been assisted in ascending to the Xuanyang Realm, the Ascension faction would value them. The reason was simple: Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were accomplishments of the Spirit Ascension Platform.

"Wasn't Junior Nephew Sun stationed at Profound Moon Island? Has there been a change so soon?" the silver-skirted young woman asked curiously.

"Junior Nephew Sun returned to the main altar for secluded cultivation. Junior Nephew Wang was transferred from the main altar," Song Feng explained.

Soon, Wang Changsheng walked in. When he saw the silver-skirted young woman, his heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected her to be here as well.

"This is Junior Sister Song; there are no outsiders," Song Feng introduced.