Zhang Yan nodded and said, "Indeed."
Elder Gong also nodded, his smile waning slightly as he said, "The Small Cold Realm only opens its cave mansion at midnight every day. I have plenty of fine wine here; why not have a few cups first? It’s not too late to go when the time comes."
Elder Gong mentioned his stock of fine wine several times, leading Zhang Yan to suspect there might be something special about it. However, he chose not to dwell on the matter. Elder Gong was the longest-living and most senior figure at the Merit Institute, so cultivating a good relationship with him would certainly be beneficial. Zhang Yan gladly agreed.
The two rode the wind, heading toward a Flying Pavilion located in the South Position. On the ninth floor of the pavilion was Elder Gong’s secluded residence. Though the spiritual energy within the Merit Institute was not abundant and could only rival that of a typical Blessed Land, Elder Gong seemed unconcerned.
After entering the Nascent Soul Third Realm, Elder Gong had lived for hundreds of years, feeling that his longevity was nearing its end. In earlier years, he had considered entering a Small Realm for a life-or-death seclusion in hopes of breaking through to a higher realm. However, he had gradually come to accept his fate. Thus, he chose to take up a position at the Merit Institute, spending his days fishing, visiting friends, and enjoying wine and leisure.
Passing through the main gate and entering the inner hall, Zhang Yan glanced around. Elder Gong’s residence was a refined and elegant place, surrounded by lush green bamboo and flowing spring water. Strange stones clustered around a cloud pavilion, and several yellow orioles perched on tree branches, chirping incessantly. Near the entrance hung a horizontal bar upon which rested a white-feathered parrot, its eyes half-closed as if dozing off.
Seeing this, Elder Gong grew furious and shouted, "Your master is back, you wretch! Why aren’t you calling out?"
The white parrot shivered and immediately screeched, "Master has returned! Master has returned!"
Elder Gong’s face twitched, and he raised his hand threateningly. The frightened parrot flew into the forest, shouting, "Master, don’t hit me! Don’t hit me! I know I was wrong! I know I was wrong!"
Watching this, Zhang Yan couldn’t help but smile. Yet within his heart, he sighed. Elder Gong’s life may seem carefree, but how long could such days of ease truly last? Time flew by in an instant—hundreds, even thousands of years—and no matter how pleasant the moment, without immortality, all was but fleeting clouds and empty dreams.
Few visited Elder Gong’s residence, so Zhang Yan’s arrival was met with enthusiastic hospitality. Elder Gong pulled Zhang Yan into the pavilion and clapped his hands. Several white-furred monkeys promptly hopped into the pavilion, carrying a jar of fine wine.
Noticing the seal was broken, Elder Gong chided, "These damned creatures have stolen a sip again!"
He pointed a finger, and seemingly from nowhere, a pair of wine cups fell onto the table. The wine jar rose into the air, tilting to pour its contents and filling the cups to the brim.
Raising his cup, Elder Gong said, "Come, Junior Brother Zhang. Let us drink to our hearts’ content."
With a slight smile, Zhang Yan shook his sleeve, lifted one of the cups, clinked it against Elder Gong’s, and drank. The moment the wine entered his stomach, he felt a warm stream of energy coursing through his body, spreading heat, opening his pores, and bringing a faint sense of drunkenness.
He felt surprised. Cultivators had Qi Veins flowing throughout their bodies and subsisted on nature’s spiritual energy. No matter how much wine they drank, it left no effect. Yet, just one sip of this wine had produced such a remarkable sensation—this wine was undoubtedly extraordinary.
With apparent pride, Elder Gong said, "What do you think, Junior Brother Zhang? This wine is called Rejuvenation Wine. Drinking it can dispel yin wind and cold energy, strengthen inner vitality, and prepare you for the Small Cold Realm, where perpetual snow and ice will chill you to your very bones. Without this wine to drive away the cold, you wouldn’t make it through."
Smiling, Zhang Yan said, "So it’s Elder Gong’s thoughtful intention. Then I must have a few more cups."
Elder Gong grew even more pleased and said, "Drink as much as you want! This wine—I have plenty of it here."
The two drank wine while discussing sect matters. Elder Gong, being a Nascent Soul True Master, was an invaluable resource for Zhang Yan to resolve many cultivation-related puzzles, and Elder Gong readily shared his knowledge.
As the hour approached its end, Elder Gong glanced at the sky and brought forth a Golden Sword. With a flick of his hand, it flew out of the pavilion, heading north. He then remarked, "Junior Brother Zhang, in an hour, the Small Cold Realm will open its cave mansion. You should prepare to go. Oh, and there’s something else..."
He pulled a delicate, exquisitely crafted flask from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Yan, speaking in a mysterious tone, "This Spring Bottle can hold the water of an entire river. Right now, it’s filled with Rejuvenation Wine. Consider it my gift to you. But remember, don’t let Yuan Daoist seize it."
Without hesitation, Zhang Yan accepted the flask, bowed, and said, "I’ve inconvenienced Elder Gong greatly by coming here today."
Elder Gong laughed heartily and said, "No need for formalities. Just remember to visit me, this old fool, often in the future."
After bowing deeply once more, Zhang Yan prepared to leave. Elder Gong stopped him, saying, "Wait. Take the remaining half jar of wine with you and give it to Old Man Yuan."
Zhang Yan glanced at the previously opened wine jar, surprised. "Half a jar?"
Elder Gong seemed to have anticipated this question and smugly explained, "If you give him too much, he won’t treasure it. I want to tantalize him, make him itch with frustration. Otherwise, he’ll act as if the heavens revolve around him. Trust me—just say you hid some for him. You’ll benefit from it, mark my words."
Understanding, Zhang Yan nodded, waved his sleeve to store the half jar of wine, bid farewell to Elder Gong, and rose on a cloud to head toward the Small Cold Realm.
The Small Cold Realm was a Small Realm Cave Heaven. Its cave mansion was located atop Separation Peak, in the northernmost area of Dragon Abyss Marsh. The peak, perpetually bleak and frigid, was devoid of birds. Under the night’s shadow, it seemed even more desolate and cold.
After traveling for an hour, Zhang Yan finally arrived. At the summit stood a vast stele, five zhang high. Landing beside it, he observed its weathered surface and the overgrown weeds surrounding it. The inscriptions had long faded and become unrecognizable, but a hastily scrawled line in the bottom corner remained legible: "Turn back swiftly, dear friend; this realm is danger-bound. The wind here cuts like knives; even nine lives won’t get around."
Smirking faintly, Zhang Yan turned his gaze forward and saw, atop a high cliff, a palace with a solitary lamp flickering inside. The light teetered as if ready to extinguish at any moment. Zhang Yan called out loudly, "Elder Yuan, are you there? Zhang Yan wishes to meet!" Latest content publıshed on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
...(To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)