Ziluo smiled warmly at everyone and continued, “If the person the spoon points to doesn’t want to answer my question,” she tapped her fingers, and the wine jar on the table began to float and tip, pouring wine into the white porcelain bowl until it was almost overflowing, “then they must drink a bowl of wine as punishment. The person who answers the question will then spin the spoon and it will point to the next person.”
Zanxing suddenly realized this was basically Truth or Dare from the cultivation world.
“The person answering the question must not lie,” Ziluo added with a smile, “otherwise the spoon won’t spin.”
Tian Fangfang remarked, “This game sounds quite novel.”
“In that case, Senior Sister Ziluo, please start!” Men Dong eagerly spoke up. “I have a whole bunch of questions I want to ask!”
“Alright.” Ziluo smiled, covered the spoon with her hand, paused for a moment, gave it a slight press, and then released it.
The silver spoon spun like a little windmill in the breeze, initially speeding up rapidly, making it hard for the eyes to follow, and then gradually slowing down until it finally came to a stop.
The silver handle of the spoon was pointing straight at Men Dong.
Men Dong was stunned. “Me?”
“Ah, it’s actually Junior Brother Men. In that case, I’ll ask you first. Make sure you don’t have trouble answering.”
Men Dong confidently patted his chest, causing the two pink lotus flowers on his head to bob slightly. “I’ll answer anything. There’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Ziluo gave a sly smile and asked, “Is that so? Junior Brother Men, tell everyone, who do you dislike the most?”
“I dislike…” Men Dong was momentarily at a loss for words.
Who he disliked, saying it out loud would offend someone! Not to mention his fellow disciples—after all, they all came from the same mountain, and it was awkward to speak ill of someone. The only outsider was Gu Baiying’s future partner, whom he would have to respectfully address as ‘Auntie.’ Speaking badly about her would surely result in future trouble.
This question was truly devious!
After thinking it over, the boy slammed the table, causing the bowl of Floating Dream Wine to land in front of him. He picked it up with both hands and drank it all in one go.
Taiyan Sect was a serious cultivation sect, and the Floating Dream Wine prepared for the disciples was brewed in the Li Danshu Hall. Unlike ordinary wine, which could harm the body, this wine was made with various spiritual herbs and was more like a nourishing tonic. Therefore, even children like Men Dong could drink it, though the taste was a bit bitter to him, not as sweet as syrup.
After finishing the drink, Men Dong grimaced at the bitterness, took a breath, and, in a show of defiance, grabbed the silver spoon. “Now it’s my turn!”
Glug—
The silver spoon pointed at Mu Cengxiao.
Men Dong’s eyes lit up. Without waiting for Mu Cengxiao to speak, he immediately asked, “Senior Brother Mu, what kind of woman do you like? Is it the gentle and soft type, the cold and aloof type, or the one with a heart more beautiful than her appearance?”
“Cough, cough, cough—” Zanxing, who had been nibbling on a piece of rose pastry, nearly choked upon hearing this.
Men Dong was truly audacious, asking such a question without any concern for awkwardness. The implication was too obvious, and if Zanxing guessed correctly, the “heart more beautiful than appearance” referred to her?
Heart more beautiful than appearance… heart more beautiful than appearance?
Was she really so unattractive?
Gu Baiying cast a cold glance at Zanxing, his expression unusually calm.
Liu Yunxin was somewhat surprised by Men Dong’s question and widened her eyes slightly. Meng Ying, as if not hearing their conversation, calmly sipped tea. Mu Cengxiao, looking uncomfortable, hesitated before pouring himself a bowl of Floating Dream Wine and drinking it silently.
He avoided answering the question.
Men Dong was immediately disappointed. “Why aren’t you answering?”
Zanxing was also a bit disappointed, as she was curious about how Mu Cengxiao, who liked both the red and white roses, would handle such a situation.
The spoon continued to spin.
Glug— This time, it pointed to Pu Tao.
The young girl was momentarily stunned, then graciously smiled and said, “It’s my turn. Go ahead, ask anything.”
Tian Fangfang let out a sigh of relief. Zanxing understood his relief. They would have to cultivate together in the future, so secrets and gossip could become awkward when they met again. Outsiders were different; they wouldn’t visit the Xiang Ling Sect often, and with Mu Cengxiao’s character, it was unlikely he would ask anything shocking or difficult.
As Zanxing thought this, she heard Mu Cengxiao’s voice:
“May I ask, Fellow Cultivator Pu Tao, what was the reason for the dissolution of the engagement between the Sect Master and Lady Rong Shuang?”
Zanxing: “……”
She didn’t expect Mu Cengxiao to be like this.
Mu Cengxiao’s question was indeed the highlight of the evening. The matter between the Sect Master and Lady Rong Shuang had long been a mystery and source of curiosity among Taiyan Sect disciples. The more something is avoided, the more it sparks interest, especially when it involves figures as striking as Master Shaoyang and the beautiful Rong Shuang. It was a topic ripe for conversation.
Everyone’s eyes were intently fixed on Pu Tao. Even Meng Ying, who usually shunned such mundane matters, paused her tea drinking.
Pu Tao’s smile had long since faded, and after a moment, she forced a weak grin and said, “I’ll just drink.”
Another bowl of Floating Dream Wine was emptied.
The spoon continued to spin. Up until now, no questions had been answered, only more drinking. Zanxing wondered if no one could ask a simple question—just to get things going.
Just then, Men Dong’s voice rang out: “It’s time for the Senior Uncle! Pu Tao, you must ask a good question!”
Zanxing looked up, and indeed, the silver spoon had pointed to Gu Baiying. He seemed somewhat impatient but didn’t want to leave in the middle of the game. He forced himself to remain and said, “Ask away.”
Pu Tao, however, hesitated before asking. After a moment, she looked at Gu Baiying and, feigning nonchalance, asked, “Fellow Cultivator Gu, do you have someone you care about?”
Zanxing was taken aback.
The night breeze stirred, carrying faint fragrances. The beautiful girl’s charming smile and her gaze at the handsome young man made her affection obvious to even the most oblivious observer.
Zanxing suddenly remembered that during their time in Li’er Country, although Pu Tao often clashed with Gu Baiying, she was always attentive to him. Despite Gu Baiying’s gruff exterior, he was soft-hearted, responsible, and rather handsome—a combination that would naturally attract admiration from ordinary young women.
Wasn’t this the classic case of a ‘lovers’ quarrel’?
She should have been a relaxed observer, even adding to the teasing. However…
For some reason, she felt a bit downcast.
Meanwhile, Men Dong, eager to stir up trouble, shouted, “Pu Tao, what kind of question is that? Can Senior Uncle even have someone he cares about? Good question, but let’s not ask it again next time.”