“Boom!”
“Boom!”
Within the Life-Death Secret Realm, powerful spiritual energy erupted, shaking space itself until it trembled. Phantasmal spirit beasts were killed one after another by fist shadows until they all disappeared.
Ye Xingchen stopped. He was already drenched in sweat.
He had long since reached peak Martial Emperor. Training in the Life-Death Secret Realm had almost no effect, but to pursue even the slightest improvement, he continued to torment himself madly.
Since his rebirth, Ye Xingchen had always maintained strict requirements and training, comprehensively molding his physique, soul, and attributes.
Though he hadn’t yet reached his previous life’s cultivation level, his current strength had long surpassed the same realm from back then—it could even be described as leaving it eighteen streets behind.
A Niu exemplified that success came not only from innate aptitude but also from diligent effort, while Gou Sheng exemplified that success meant—if you don’t work hard, it’s fine, I can still cheat.
Of course, it wasn’t that Jun Changxiao didn’t want to work hard, but as a Sect Master, he was destined not to live only for himself but had to dedicate himself to the entire sect.
Gou Sheng’s heart was bitter, but Gou Sheng didn’t say it.
“Whoosh!”
After a brief rest, Ye Xingchen walked out of the Life-Death Secret Realm.
Just as he was about to enter the adjacent Nine Heavens Secret Realm, Jun Changxiao’s voice reached his ears: “A Niu, come to the great hall.”
“…”
Ye Xingchen’s brow furrowed slightly. A sense of unease immediately rose in his heart.
The Sect Master’s summons couldn’t be ignored by a disciple, so after brief hesitation, he headed toward the great hall. But just as he walked in, he immediately felt several gazes fall upon him, with powerful auras like raging waves!
Experts!
Super experts!
Ye Xingchen forcibly suppressed his shock and focused his senses. He discovered three martial artists with profound auras sitting in the lower seats—one with nine swords on the table, one reeking of alcohol, and one holding an iron brush.
“Everyone.”
Jun Changxiao said: “This is my most valued disciple, Ye Xingchen.”
If it were Li Qingyang or Xiao Zuiji hearing the words ‘most valued,’ they’d definitely feel incredibly pleased. But the Night Emperor’s sense of unease grew even stronger.
Yi Feixue, the Wine Demon, and Xing Yunzi all scrutinized this Eternal Sect disciple carefully and thoroughly. The more they looked, the more they felt his strength didn’t seem very high. Could he truly deserve the title ‘Supreme’?
“Xingchen.”
Jun Changxiao said: “These three wish to exchange pointers with you.”
“Fine.”
Ye Xingchen said proudly.
Though internally uneasy, though he knew the three were formidable, the Night Emperor’s proud backbone remained. The Night Emperor’s dignity remained. He wouldn’t show any fear.
…
In the dining hall.
The previously proud Ye Xingchen now had a vivid expression on his face, because the alcohol-reeking fellow’s ‘exchange of pointers’ was actually… a drinking contest!
No way!
This couldn’t work!
A Niu immediately chickened out and transmitted: “Sect Master, I…”
“This Sect Master said you’re the Alcohol Dao Supreme. Having boasted like this, you have to make it work somehow.” Jun Changxiao transmitted back seriously.
Gah!
Ye Xingchen’s facial muscles instantly froze.
What’s my alcohol tolerance—don’t you have any idea? Yet you called me the Alcohol Dao Supreme. Was this boasting or deliberately setting me up!
“Friend!”
The Wine Demon placed one leg on a chair and said boldly: “Shall we drink straight from jars or use bowls!”
Forced onto the chopping block, Ye Xingchen could only steel himself. But drinking straight from jars was definitely unrealistic—his strength didn’t allow it—so he said: “Bowls!”
“Yi Hei, Er Hei!”
Jun Changxiao snapped his fingers: “Bring bowls!”
“Yes!”
Yi Hei and Er Hei walked up and placed two bowls on the table.
Ye Xingchen’s eyes widened immediately because the bowls were as large as washbasins.
“Sect Master!”
He went crazy: “When did the dining hall have such large bowls? I’ve never seen them before!”
“Just had someone go down the mountain to buy them.” Jun Changxiao said.
“…”
Ye Xingchen’s mouth immediately twitched.
Setting me up!
Definitely setting me up!
“Splash!”
Yi Hei and Er Hei were responsible for filling the bowls.
Smelling the fragrant wine aroma, the Wine Demon’s drool flowed out. He then raised his bowl: “I’ll drink first in respect!”
“Glug glug glug!”
With that, he tilted his head back and drank heartily, utterly carefree.
“Wow!” Standing outside the dining hall, Su Xiaomo and the others said in disbelief: “So fierce?”
“…”
Ye Xingchen’s expression changed repeatedly.
“Slam!”
The Wine Demon put down his empty bowl and cupped his hands: “Please advise…” Just as he finished speaking, his head hit the ground and he passed out drunk.
“Hahaha!”
“I thought that guy was amazing—turns out one bowl knocked him out!”
Su Xiaomo and the others burst into laughter.
Jun Changxiao was puzzled.
When drinking in hell, that guy managed at least one jar. This time, though the bowl was a bit large, he shouldn’t have passed out directly.
“Sect Master.”
Lan Kang transmitted: “He drank the improved second-generation Drunken Life and Dreaming Death. It has stronger spiritual energy absorption effects, so the alcohol potency is also much greater.”
Jun Changxiao understood: “I see.”
“You two.”
He looked at Yi Feixue and Xing Yunzi who were acting as referees and declared: “This is my Eternal Sect’s special brew. Disciples normally drink it like water. The Wine Demon got knocked out drunk from one bowl. The victor should be clear, right?”
“It’s clear.”
Yi Feixue cupped his hands: “Your sect’s disciple has won.”
“…”
Ye Xingchen nearly flipped over.
He won without even drinking the wine. What kind of contest was this!
Could you be a bit more professional? Could you show some respect!
The Night Emperor’s fury immediately surged in his heart. He directly grabbed the washbasin-sized bowl, tilted his head back and went “glug glug glug,” draining it clean. Then, face flushed red and swaying unsteadily, he stood up and roared: “I can still drink!”
Jun Changxiao was surprised and opened his mouth wide.
Drinking so much alcohol, he could actually stand up and didn’t directly collapse. During this Sect Master’s absence, his alcohol tolerance had clearly improved significantly!
“Thud!”
Suddenly, Ye Xingchen toppled to the ground, completely unconscious from alcohol.
But he was still mumbling deliriously: “I… won’t go to the livestock pen… I won’t go… Spirit Beast Peak… I’ll go… to my bed…”
“Sigh.”
Su Xiaomo and the others shook their heads.
They had seen this situation many times since the Sect Master left.
Ye Xingchen truly couldn’t handle alcohol. However, the Drunken Life and Dreaming Death modified by Lan Kang could greatly increase the speed of attribute absorption, so after a difficult internal struggle, he began training his alcohol tolerance daily.
The wine gourd filled with alcohol—a sip morning, noon, and night.
Just like that, during the several months Jun Changxiao was away, A Niu passed out drunk time and time again, and his tolerance improved bit by bit.
Yes.
Ye Xingchen still got drunk.
But under the condition of drinking the same bowl of alcohol, being able to stand up and outlast the Wine Demon by a moment, even saying one more word, represented his true victory!
Behind this man’s success were countless times being carried back from the livestock pen and Spirit Beast Peak by Li Qingyang.
Remember this.
The Night Emperor must not be insulted!
“Facing the wind head-on, sailing against the current!” Watching A Niu being carried away by Li Qingyang and others, Jun Changxiao stood with hands behind his back, saying with immense pride: “This is the disciple this Sect Master values most. This is the Eternal Sect’s inextinguishable spirit!”
…
Night fell.
In the livestock pen, layers of formations appeared. Hundreds of disciples jointly maintained vigilance.
At the Spirit Beast Peak’s Spirit Beast Hall, all rooms were tightly locked. Niu Lao and other spirit beasts stood ready as if facing a great enemy.
“He’s coming! He’s coming! He’s here again!”
Under the bright moon, a swaying shadow approached.
—