Hearing that Li Changle, the Daoist Alcohol and Meat, was visiting, Tao Qian subconsciously harbored some doubts.
But at the gathering, the reaction of the Nursing Woman Bird Demons was significant.
They only heard several sharp and distorted "coo coo coo" sounds. The Bird Demons all showed a look of panic; at the same time, they knocked over many wine cups and Jade Plates. Wine and fruits scattered everywhere. One of them, with the most exaggerated reaction, even flapped its wings, wanting to fly away directly.
Tao Qian immediately furrowed his brows at this scene and locked his gaze onto the Bird Demons, asking softly,
"I've confirmed with a Forbidden Technique that the visitor is indeed my Alcohol and Meat Uncle. You seem rather frightened of him? Have you had interactions before?"
Tao Qian had just asked when he saw the Bird Demons frantically shaking their heads.
They clamored to deny it,
"No, no, absolutely not."
"Coo coo coo... We dare not, dare not, that is..."
"Young Master, don't overthink it; we were just startled to suddenly hear of an Immortal Master visiting."
"The hour is almost up; we will take our leave first, so as not to bother Young Master from entertaining the Immortal Master."
The Nursing Woman Bird Demons, who had been quite intense in their talk, now planned to leave the gathering.
Had they not shown such expressions and abnormally reacted, Tao Qian might have let them go.
At that moment, Tao Qian suddenly interrupted,
"Ladies, please wait a moment. I have yet to hear about the first True Disciple's Daoist name and deeds. This mystery cannot be kept; otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
"Dou Dou, please entertain the ladies. I will go and receive the Alcohol and Meat Uncle."
After uttering these few sentences, Tao Qian did not give the Bird Demons any chance to reply.
With a swift movement, he disappeared from the gathering, reappearing above the Dragon Marsh.
Steam rose, and mist fluttered between.
Tao Qian soon encountered Li Changle, the Daoist Alcohol and Meat once more. He still had that greasy face, still wore the crown that only the Emperor could wear, and still looked overly indulgent, as if he could die from excess at any moment. However, this time, there were no extravagant processions or luxurious Dragon Chariots.
This peculiar Daoist was now riding a clump of Fragrant Cloud, watching with interest the lively scene of Jiushou Training inside the Dragon Marsh.
Upon seeing Tao Qian appear, the Daoist immediately smiled brilliantly and praised,
"Tao Qian, my nephew-disciple, you truly deserve the attention of the eldest brother. Your Divine Skills are indeed extraordinary, having tamed that Nine-Headed Beast in just one night."
"Though it's just a Snake from the Transcend Mortality Realm, its talented bloodline is also remarkable. It has many advantages from occupying this great swamp for many years and can fight against most Cavernous Mystery Realm cultivators. Even if I personally took action, I might not be able to subdue it in a short time."
"I just knew it, my eldest brother is always lazy. How sudden it was for him to think of taking a disciple. He truly has a visionary eye. Duobao, Duobao, he has found another treasure indeed."
One would expect Tao Qian to be thrilled to be praised so by a senior from his sect.
However, at this moment, he felt an indescribable abnormality.
During their last meeting, the Daoist Alcohol and Meat was also friendly, but it seemed to be out of respect for Duobao True Monarch's sake, not this warm.
Tao Qian thought to himself while still modestly saying, "Uncle, your praise is too generous. To subdue this Jiushou, I relied on external help, not my own Cultivation."
Tao Qian thought that after this exchange of pleasantries, they should get to the main topic.
Unexpectedly, the Daoist Alcohol and Meat continued along Tao Qian's words by saying,
"Nephew, no need to be so modest. After you left yesterday, a Heterodox Practitioner from Within Southern Yue arrived at our island with an Ultimate Happiness Token to enjoy himself. He happened to mention you. Your various deeds in Southern Yue indeed opened my eyes. Had I known earlier, perhaps I would have competed with the eldest brother for you as a disciple."
"The external help you mentioned must be the Buddha Bird Relics, refined by the Human Dao Destiny."
"That relic is indeed rare, and its power is extraordinary, but to fully utilize it, one must master the Superior Buddhism from the Great Freedom Temple."
"I just remembered that many years ago, those monks from the Great Freedom Temple sent some Magic Skills to the Scripture Hall, one of which was the 'Great Freedom Nirvana Divine Spell,' perfect for controlling that relic."
"However, that Divine Spell relies entirely on sudden insight into Karma; if not a Buddha's son, one cannot master it."
"Nephew, did you master it in one day?"
During the conversation, Tao Qian could distinctly feel that this seemingly always sleepy Alcohol and Meat Uncle had opened his cloudy eyes, a look of intense eagerness shining on him.
At this moment, Tao Qian's doubts deepened.
Nevertheless, he could only steel himself, nodding his head to indicate he had indeed mastered the Divine Spell.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he nodded, he saw Li Changle appear in front of him in an instant, a greasy, meat- and alcohol-scented hand grabbing Tao Qian's arm forcefully.
All the earlier elaborate, verbose talk seemed just to lead to this moment.
Tao Qian immediately saw the crown trembling in front of him, the bead curtain below Li Changle's face trembling, and heard him laughing heartily,
"Nephew, you truly are a genius. Come, come, come, follow your uncle to enjoy ourselves."
"Although many disciples under my name are quite useless, as your Master, I must plan ahead for them. It's essential to flatter you, the major disciple of the Duobao lineage. You left too hurriedly last time; this time you must agree no matter what."
"Speaking of which, your Uncle Daoist Alcohol and Meat also once stayed in Southern Yue for a period of time, and once, taken by a whim, he left behind a fascinating Cultivation Method there."
"That spell, it's called..."
As he spoke, Tao Qian suddenly sensed a fluctuation of Divine Thought sweeping through his body, and immediately a Record emerged in his mind.
[Undergoing the Spirit Treasure Soul View Technique... Partial Immunity!]
Tao Qian had just seen this Record when annoyance surged in his heart, and his expression changed accordingly.
Daoist Alcohol and Meat, Li Changle, underwent an even greater change. It seemed as if he sensed something; his corpulent body suddenly froze, and then his eyes widened as if a certain speculation in the depths of his heart had finally been confirmed. Expressions of astonishment, ecstasy, and consolation flashed one by one through his eyes.
He couldn't even bother to cover up such an obvious abnormality, and even went so far as to say, half to himself,
"Having the fortune of Human Dao and also practicing cultivation... That's enough, enough to create perfect chaos."
"Could this be my opportunity, a chance of survival from despair? If I could start over, I wouldn't have to drag this broken body into absolute conflict."
As the second sentence came out, Tao Qian witnessed Li Changle come to life, as if revived. Initially somewhat lifeless and decrepit, his aura suddenly erupted violently.
However, at the same time, Tao Qian also perceived something familiar within these auras.
Incredible as it was,
Tao Qian indeed sensed such auras that should not exist, emanating from an Elder of the Spirit Treasure Sect of the Cavernous Mystery Realm.
This instantly made him wary. He not only communicated with the Buddha Bird Relics in his heart but was also ready to use the newly-mastered Mystic Netherworld True Water Prohibition Skill through Divine Thought at any moment. Although he didn't yet know what means Uncle Li Changle had, Tao Qian thought that these two combined were enough for him to stand a fight in the Cavernous Mystery Realm.
But before Tao Qian could actually do anything, Daoist Alcohol and Meat suddenly turned his head, his gaze staring intensely at him.
Then, with a voice full of longing, he said to Tao Qian,
"I felt an instant connection with my nephew, although it might be presumptuous of me to say this, I believe it might be fated."
"Your uncle has an opportunity to offer you, and indeed, I'm asking for your help. Not to hide from my nephew, my Dao Foundation was damaged early on, and due to my origins, some stubborn causalities have anchored themselves onto me. After wasting so many years, I am now at the point of complete exhaustion, with nowhere left to turn."
"However, if my nephew is willing to help me take on..."
Before Daoist Alcohol and Meat could finish his third sentence, he suddenly experienced some unforeseen change.
Tao Qian watched as his mouth abruptly shut, his face turning beet red, his body trembling violently, but no matter what, he couldn't utter another word.
Despite an extremely powerful aura bursting from inside him trying to counter some sort of formidable pressure descending upon him, the result was only him staggering a step, releasing Tao Qian and allowing his crown to fall, after which he opened his mouth and vomited a large mouthful of foul-smelling blood.
Tao Qian's brows furrowed tighter, as he forcefully suppressed his anger and, seemingly out of concern, quickly stepped forward to support him.
He perceived, just in those brief moments of change, the aura of this Alcohol and Meat Uncle weakening at a terrifying speed.
If he wanted to probe more details about this Daoist, now was the best opportunity.
As he drew near, Tao Qian could even smell a rank odor hidden beneath the aroma of meat and alcohol.
"Uncle Li, what is happening to you?"
As soon as Tao Qian touched him, he seemed extremely ashamed, as if he could no longer face anyone.
He covered his face with his loose black hair, struggled out of Tao Qian's arm, and then respectfully bowed toward a certain spot in the void. When he finished his bow, his large, fatty body visibly withered and stooped in an instant.
From beneath his hair, a voice now hoarse spoke,
"My nephew need not worry about me. Please do not take what I said earlier to heart."
"Today your uncle had too much to drink and spoke nonsense here."
"Shame, shame, let us leave it be."
As he spoke, still covering his face with his hair, he clumsily mounted the Fragrant Clouds and departed.
But in that instant, a complex Record burst forth in Tao Qian's mind, being sorted by his Mutated Soul.
Tao Qian momentarily dazed, then saw an image that shook him deeply.
The Daoist Alcohol and Meat who was clearly standing on the Fragrant Clouds, had in Tao Qian's eyes, suddenly transformed.
It was shockingly a fish, a giant, colorful fish, supported by fetid clouds, its body rotting all over, its flesh regenerating within the wounds and producing continuously gaping, foul-smelling maws, swimming forward while constantly emitting sounds of pain and resentment...
Despite the horrifying image vanishing in a flash,
At that moment, a memory long buried in Tao Qian's mind vividly resurfaced.
Recalling the conversation they had just had, a Cultivation Method that Tao Qian had almost forgotten came to mind.
"Immortal Fish Technique!"
"Daoist Alcohol and Meat, Li Changle, he also cultivated the Immortal Fish Technique?"
As this thought emerged, Tao Qian's mind roared to life.