A Pot of Wine, a Sword, a Spring Breeze, and a Drunken Rest

The sun set behind the green mountains, and the evening glow blazed brilliantly.

The lake shimmered in the evening light.

Two small boats were tied up along the shore, rocking gently atop the rippling orange waves.

As moonlight reflected across the water, a bright moon suddenly emerged.

Lin Che sat alone atop a tree branch, gazing at the clear moon and gentle breeze. He shrugged and sighed. "Such a beautiful scene, yet no beauty to share it with. What a pity."

As the saying went, beautiful scenery suited beautiful women, and clear winds accompanied dancing steps.

Yet there was only one man here.

A jug of wine, a sword, a spring breeze—drink until thoroughly drunk.

"Clear winds accompany clouds as sun and moon appear; candle flames and stars illuminate the heavens. Willow moon, peerless Drunken Sword Immortal—only one man remains at peace..."

Carried away by emotion, Lin Che could not help throwing back several deep draughts of Bamboo Forest wine. Then he drew the sword at his waist, spun, and landed steadily upon the lake's surface. His white robe fluttered despite the lack of wind, while his ink-black hair flew behind him.

As ripples spread across the lake, the longsword in his hand danced as though startled.

Every swing of the sword made heaven and earth tremble.

Sword Qi soared into the clouds.

The lake boiled, and bamboo leaves from all around were drawn in by the Sword Qi, forming a vortex over a hundred meters high.

It was an unparalleled display of elegance.

As the bamboo leaves drifted down, the surging Sword Qi from before completely vanished.

Lin Che calmly raised his wine gourd as if he had seen nothing at all and took a light sip.

"I heard there's an herb in Wutan City that can enhance the fragrance of wine when steeped in it." Lin Che shook his empty wine gourd and decided to make a trip to Wutan City.

As it happened, there was something else he needed to retrieve.

For a transcender like Lin Che, the importance of the Ancient Jade went without saying. It was the key to whether he could break through into the Dou Di realm.

Back then, Tou She Ancient God had left countless Heavenly Grade Dou Skills and cultivation techniques within his cave mansion. He had also hidden an Emperor Grade Nascent Pill there, along with Tou She Ancient God's inheritance. Obtaining any one of them would make a future breakthrough well within reach.

Moreover, Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion contained fine wines that had been treasured for many years. If he obtained them, he could drink to his heart's content.

Under the moonlight, Lin Che vanished from the spot like a ghostly shadow.

Jia Ma Empire, Wutan City.

By the time Lin Che arrived in Wutan City, the previously clear night sky had suddenly erupted in a torrential downpour. Puddles had gathered throughout the streets, and there was barely anyone on the road.

As one of Wutan City's three great families, the Xiao Family was currently holding its annual Dou Qi testing day.

Back then, the Xiao Clan had once held a place even on the Central Continent. But after Xiao Xuan had spared no cost in his attempt to break through into the Dou Di realm, the Xiao Clan had declined drastically.

In the end, the remaining members of the Xiao Clan came to the Jia Ma Empire to reproduce and survive. Then Xiao Zhan's father died unexpectedly, and the Xiao Family grew increasingly impoverished. Eventually, they moved to this wretched place called Wutan City, competing with the other two families for the property market.

"Dou Qi, third stage. Low grade!"

The Xiao Family elder looked at the mark on the stone tablet before him and coldly announced the result.

The youth standing before the testing monument clenched his fists. Mocking voices continuously rang out around him, and some even sneered openly.

"Is that all? The genius of the past has fallen, and all that remains is this trash."

"Exactly. If we'd known this would happen, he should've given the resources to us back then. We might have already broken through to Dou Zhe by now."

"If it were me, I would've left the family long ago. The family doesn't raise idlers."

The youth slowly raised his head, revealing a somewhat delicate and immature face. His dark eyes blankly swept over the mocking peers around him.

Sure enough, in this world, strength was all that mattered.

Three years.

Over those three years of cold stares and indifference, he had clearly seen these people for what they were. When he had been glorious, they had rushed to flatter him. Now that his Dou Qi had vanished, the demons in their hearts had been exposed.

Xiao Yan clenched his fists as his gaze passed over every face. Then he turned toward his father, whose face was full of disappointment, and a trace of pain rose in his heart.

Still no good?

"Yan'er, Father has always believed in you. One day, you will return to your peak."

The speaker was a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious gray robes. His strides carried a certain majesty, while his thick brows added a touch of heroic spirit to his face.

This man was none other than the Xiao Family patriarch, Xiao Yan's biological father, Xiao Zhan!

Xiao Zhan knew the pain in his son's heart. He gently patted his shoulder and comforted him.

"I hope so..." Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile. If it were possible, who would be willing to become a cripple?

Thinking back to when he had been his father's pride, he had shone so brilliantly. Looking back on it now, it all felt like a dream.

"Patriarch, Patriarch!" Just then, a steward elder of the Xiao Family ran over and hurriedly said, "Patriarch, a senior wishes to see you."

"This senior calls himself Immortal of Wine Lin Che. His strength seems to be above the Da Dou Shi level, and his aura is even more terrifying than yours, Patriarch."

"See me?" Xiao Zhan furrowed his brow upon hearing this. He had never heard the name Immortal of Wine Lin Che anywhere in Wutan City, yet he somehow felt unable to refuse. He immediately said, "Invite this senior to the family's main hall."

"Yes!"

Xiao Zhan shifted his gaze to Xiao Yan and said softly, "Yan'er, you should go take a look as well. Perhaps there may be a way to treat your current inability to gather Dou Qi."

"All right." Xiao Yan nodded, deciding to follow his father to the family's main hall.

By this time, the Xiao Family elders had already gathered together, and the Outer Sect Steward from earlier had informed them of the matter.

Upon learning that the visitor was an expert above the Da Dou Shi level, they naturally came in person to investigate.

The White-Clad Man appeared out of thin air like a ghost.

The Bamboo Paper Umbrella obscured the man's face. The Xiao Family disciples could not make out his appearance at all and could only whisper among themselves, wondering who this senior might be.

Lin Che slowly walked over. With every step he took, water splashed beneath his feet, yet his footsteps were so light that they were nearly soundless. Only the patter of rain striking the umbrella's surface could be heard clearly.

Xiao Zhan hurried forward and cupped his hands. "I am Xiao Zhan, the current head of the Xiao Family. May I ask what brings you here, Senior?"

"I'm looking for something." Lin Che moved aside the oil-paper umbrella in his hand, revealing a refined face before the Xiao Family disciples.

His features were well-defined, and he was strikingly handsome. Clad in snow-white robes, he seemed like pale feathers dancing lightly, brushing past the dust of the mortal world.

The sight of such a breathtaking young man left everyone momentarily stunned.

So handsome...

Looking across the entire Jia Ma Empire, if anyone could find someone more handsome than him, I'd admit defeat!

The pouring rain transformed into mist around him before finally dissipating.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan immediately realized that the man before him was far from ordinary. He promptly gestured for him to enter, not daring to show the slightest discourtesy. "Please come in, Senior."

"Mm." Lin Che nodded slightly, his gaze shifting toward where Xiao Yan stood. So this is Xiao Yan of the Three-Year Pact?