Under Jun Changxiao’s full efforts at rescue, Gu Zhaoxi finally survived, then lay in bed wrapped entirely in bandages, his eyes staring at the ceiling filled with emptiness and dullness.
A month of soul torment, erosion by three thousand poisons, and burning by supremely pure and rigid flames—experiencing the entire process was truly a fate worse than death!
“Little brother.”
Sitting by the bedside, Jun Changxiao wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, saying: “Surviving great calamity and brothers reuniting is indeed a joyous occasion, but you can’t keep shedding tears.”
Gu Zhaoxi weakly raised his hand, pointing toward the door, producing a hoarse voice from his throat: “Let… me be alone for a while, I want to be quiet…”
“Who’s Quiet?”
“…”
God, please come save me!
Although Gu Zhaoxi had experienced multiple torments, he had a good foundation after all, and after just half a month of recuperation, he recovered completely.
Because he hadn’t died, even after healing he didn’t become stronger, and his fear of death had actually intensified. Especially whenever he dreamed of Er Ya, he would wake from the nightmare, startled and drenched in sweat.
This plagued him like a nightmare for several days before gradually improving.
“Little brother.”
One day, Jun Changxiao specially prepared a feast at his residence, saying: “You and I parted in the lower realm over ten years ago. Today we must drink until we’re completely drunk!”
“Good!”
Gu Zhaoxi readily agreed.
“A Niu.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Sit down.”
“Yes.”
Ye Xingchen took his seat, a flash of pride passing through his eyes.
This time he had been sent by the Sect Master to entertain guests, with only one purpose—to let the other party drink to their heart’s content!
Jun Changxiao raised his wine bowl: “To our reunion, cheers!”
“Come!”
Gu Zhaoxi stood up, then tilted his head back and drank a bowl of wine, praising: “Good wine!”
“Little brother is an expert!”
“Not bad, not bad.”
“This disciple of mine has earned the nickname Supreme of the Wine Dao. You two can compete a bit.”
“Oh?”
Gu Zhaoxi’s eyes showed surprise.
Ye Xingchen stood up, coolly brought over a jar of wine, saying: “Using bowls is troublesome, better to use jars.”
“This…”
Gu Zhaoxi was immediately put in a difficult position.
“Of course.”
Ye Xingchen added: “You’re the guest, do as you please!”
With that, he lifted the wine jar with one hand, gulping it down in large mouthfuls, his manner indescribably bold and carefree.
“Too amazing!” Gu Zhaoxi exclaimed in admiration.
“Bang!”
The wine jar was set down.
The corners of Ye Xingchen’s mouth curled up slightly, as if saying: I can’t beat you in a fight, but can’t I outdrink you?
A Niu, you’re getting cocky.
“Come!”
Just then, Gu Zhaoxi grabbed a jar of wine from beside him, then tilted his head back and gulped it down, quickly draining it completely. Still unsatisfied, he then placed two more jars on the table.
Jun Changxiao was instantly dumbfounded.
This was an entire jar of Drunken Life and Dreaming Death, which had been improved multiple times by Lan Kang. Even the Wine Demon of years past couldn’t withstand it, yet little brother not only was fine after drinking it, but actually looked more spirited!
A master!
Ye Xingchen’s brows furrowed immediately.
“Bang! Bang!”
Two wine jars were placed on the table as he said: “Come!”
“Please!”
Gu Zhaoxi placed one foot on the chair, waving his hand to toss the two wine jars into the air where they hung upside down, the wine merging and flowing like a waterfall. Then he tilted his head back and opened his mouth, gulping it down.
The expression on Ye Xingchen’s face immediately became spectacular.
This was a master among masters!
…
Half an hour later.
Gu Zhaoxi walked out of the hall, straightening his collar before leaving.
The camera panned away to look inside, where A Niu was sprawled under the table, one hand resting on an empty wine jar, muttering hazily: “I… I can still drink… I’m not… drunk yet…”
Same location—first Young Master Yuan KO’d Hall Master Bai, now Gu Zhaoxi KO’d Ye Xingchen!
“Sigh.”
Jun Changxiao walked out, shaking his head: “How embarrassing.”
Can’t fight him, can’t outdrink him.
A Niu completely defeated.
However, he refused to admit defeat. He struggled to stand up, swaying as he walked down Dragon Head Peak, mouth constantly mumbling: “I… I’m not drunk… I… I’m not drunk…”
“Hmm?”
In the Spirit Beast Peak great hall, Purple Scale Demon King, who was discussing important matters, frowned and looked toward the main entrance, seeing a staggering figure approaching.
“Not good!”
Bull Elder’s face changed dramatically: “He’s coming, he’s coming again!”
“All personnel, be on alert!”
“No! All personnel, special-level alert!”
…
After that drinking session, Gu Zhaoxi finally emerged from his psychological shadow.
However, the next day he urgently found Jun Changxiao to discuss serious matters, saying: “Big brother, do you have a grudge against Empress Ling Yao?”
“I do!”
Setting aside that matter with Ye Xingchen, back in the Plane Battlefield she had ‘taken care’ of him quite a bit, so they could be considered enemies.
“So that’s it!”
Gu Zhaoxi slapped his forehead: “No wonder that woman made me come to your sect as a spy!”
“Spy?”
Jun Changxiao said: “What do you mean?”
Gu Zhaoxi hurriedly explained the agreement he had with Empress Ling Yao.
He didn’t care about any contractual obligations—he would definitely speak the truth and not hide anything, since they were sworn brothers after all!
After understanding the whole story, Jun Changxiao’s eyes gradually grew cold.
Because of the system’s hardcore restrictions on the sect, he wasn’t afraid of others sending spies, but for Empress Ling Yao to do this, she definitely had some sinister intent!
Wait!
This woman was from the Realm Hall, and the array in Demon Mist Forest was also set up by the Realm Hall. Could the Demon King suddenly breaking through the seal and escaping be related to her?
The system said: “Very likely.”
“I understand!”
Jun Changxiao said: “Empress Ling Yao has a grudge against A Niu, so she took the opportunity to break the seal to eliminate him!”
“Damn!”
“As expected of a scheming woman!”
“Little brother.”
Jun Changxiao asked: “How do you two contact each other?”
Gu Zhaoxi shook his head: “She only told me to join the Eternal Sect.”
“That simple?”
“Yes.”
“…”
Jun Changxiao fell silent.
The system said: “A scheming woman naturally wouldn’t tell your brother more. Who knows, there might be new instructions later.”
“Right.”
Jun Changxiao stroked his chin: “Since she’s sending a spy, then let’s grant her wish!”
“Little brother.”
“Are you willing to become a member of my Eternal Sect?”
Gu Zhaoxi was initially quite reluctant, only coming because of the agreement, but now that he had recovered his memories and learned the sect was built by his big brother, he naturally had no objections.
However…
He said somewhat bitterly: “Big brother, I’m a Rebel. If I join your sect, it will inevitably bring endless trouble.”
Jun Changxiao put his hand on his shoulder: “Little brother, have you forgotten what I said in the Nine Layers of Hell?”
What he said?
Gu Zhaoxi tried hard to recall, then suddenly realized: “Right, you’re also a Rebel!”
“So.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Join my sect, and together we two will turn the upper realm upside down, ensuring the Realm Hall never has a peaceful day!”
“Good!”
Gu Zhaoxi said boldly.
Jun Changxiao took out the entry form, went through the procedures, and stamped it with the great seal.
Thus, the Eternal Sect gained another fierce general, and a sworn brother at that. What trouble they would bring to the upper realm in the future remained to be seen!
The next day.
Jun Changxiao summoned all the disciples and introduced Gu Zhaoxi in detail.
So this youth was the Sect Master’s brother. If calculated by seniority, wouldn’t that make him—
“Greetings, Master Uncle!” the disciples shouted in unison.
Back in the Iron Bones Clanging Sect, the original master had two senior brothers, but because they left the sect, the sect had never had any senior or junior uncles. Gu Zhaoxi’s arrival filled this gap.
Actually, Black and White Rakshasa could also be considered senior uncles, but because they served as Protectors, disciples usually addressed them by their titles.
…
“Little brother, what’s your current cultivation level?”
“Eight-Revolution Core Formation Realm.”
“Perfect timing. The sect has many tasks recently. I’ll trouble you and the two Protectors Black and White Rakshasa to assist them in completion.”
“Good!”
—