When life goes your way, drink your fill; never let a golden goblet face the moon empty!

Tongtian pointed at Gu Changqing, choking with anger.

Spendthrift!

A spendthrift through and through!

"Do you know what rank of treasure that Moon Laurel Blossom is?"

"It stands alongside the Yellow Central Plum and ginseng fruit!"

"For disciples like you, it has immensely powerful effects."

"Not only can it raise your cultivation and strengthen your talent, but the supreme yin energy within the Moon Laurel Blossom makes it a top-grade remedy for healing injuries and tempering the body!"

"You... you actually brewed it into wine?"

"What a wanton waste of heaven's treasures!"

Tongtian continued his tirade, heart aching with distress.

As a Sage, he knew the uses of the world's finest spiritual roots and immortal fruits as intimately as his own household treasures.

The Lunar Laurel's blossoms were of little use to a Sage.

But for a young disciple like Gu Changqing, they were unquestionably rare, top-grade treasures.

Even Duobao, the Sage's foremost direct disciple, might advance an entire realm if he received the nourishment of a single Moon Laurel Blossom.

Yet now, such a supreme spiritual blossom had been brewed into wine.

In Tongtian's eyes, however fragrant this Moon Laurel wine might be, it merely satisfied the appetite.

A heaven-sent opportunity had been rendered utterly worthless by Gu Changqing.

No wonder Tongtian was so furious.

Tongtian's words also brought realization to the disciples of the Interception Sect.

Moon Laurel Blossom?

None of them were strangers to that name.

Even the youngest disciples knew how extraordinary it was.

After all, throughout the ages, only Taiyin Star had nurtured a single Moon Laurel Tree that bore Moon Laurel Blossoms.

And that supreme-grade innate spiritual root was under the care of the two goddesses of Taiyin.

Watching Gu Changqing remain immersed in his fine wine, they grimaced inwardly.

This fellow truly disregarded every consequence when it came to wine.

He had angered their master Tongtian this time. He had really brought disaster upon himself.

The Three Xiao, however, seemed rather unconcerned.

"The goddesses of Taiyin are said to be beings all living creatures can only admire from afar, never approach!"

"Could Junior Brother Changqing have some friendship with the two goddesses?"

Yunxiao spoke with keen interest.

Compared with his brewing wine from a Moon Laurel Blossom, she seemed more interested in how Gu Changqing had obtained it.

Hearing this, Zhao Gongming shot Yunxiao a displeased glare.

Why do you sound as though you actually admire Junior Brother Changqing?

Zhao Gongming was quite unlike the Three Xiao.

He gazed darkly at the thoroughly drunk Gu Changqing and said coldly:

"Hmph, it seems Junior Brother Changqing is beyond saving!"

"All he does is drink, never listening to Master's teachings, and he pays no attention to anything in the outside world!"

"Only such ignorance could lead him to treat a Moon Laurel Blossom like an ordinary spiritual root or immortal herb and brew it into wine!"

Gu Changqing's various unusual qualities had originally earned him a measure of Zhao Gongming's goodwill.

But today's incident had swept that goodwill away completely.

Zhao Gongming's tone was one of angry rebuke.

In truth, though, he was frustrated that iron would not become steel.

After all, would it not be far better to use a supreme treasure like the Moon Laurel Blossom to raise his cultivation?

What none of them knew was this.

When Gu Changqing brewed any spiritual root or immortal fruit into wine, none of its medicinal potency was lost.

On the contrary, under the blessing of the Great Dao of Wine, its potency could be fully unleashed, without wasting a trace of the spiritual root's effects.

However, possessing the Great Dao of Wine was Gu Changqing's greatest secret, one he could not reveal to anyone.

An Outer Sect disciple possessing a complete Great Dao would be far too shocking.

Hearing Zhao Gongming's words, Gu Changqing immediately took offense.

He clambered up from the wine jar with what seemed like considerable effort.

Another mouthful of Moon Laurel wine went down his throat, seeming to restore some of his vigor.

Only then did Gu Changqing look at Zhao Gongming and the others through bleary, drunken eyes and retort:

"You're mistaken, Junior Brother Gongming!"

"Have you never heard... hic... when life goes your way, drink your fill; never let a golden goblet face the moon empty?!"

"That Moon Laurel Blossom was only a flower, in the end. Brewing it into wine was how I put it to its fullest use and lived up to its reputation as a supreme-grade innate spiritual root!"

Gu Changqing gave a thoroughly drunken grin, then continued:

"Besides, I already told the goddesses Xihe and Changxi that I wanted the Moon Laurel Blossom to brew wine!"

"They... didn't raise any objections either."

Hearing Gu Changqing's self-assured defense, Zhao Gongming's brows shot up in anger.

Yet he had no answer.

It was clear enough from Gu Changqing's words.

He had obtained this Moon Laurel Blossom by visiting Taiyin Star and asking Xihe and Changxi for it.

In other words, this opportunity belonged to Gu Changqing.

There truly was nothing to fault in his choosing to brew it into wine.

Although Zhao Gongming felt the sting of that waste, he could hardly say anything more.

Tongtian was even more helpless.

He stared at Gu Changqing for a moment, his face full of anger.

However much he said, the Moon Laurel Blossom had already become wine. There was no undoing it.

Then Tongtian snorted coldly, swept his sleeve, and left.

Everyone wore a helpless expression.

Even their master had been driven away in anger.

Naturally, they had no hope of talking Gu Changqing around.

After a moment of silence, Duobao finally spoke in a grave voice:

"Junior Brother Changqing, you... we're only trying to do what's best for you!"

"Yet you're so addicted to drink that you truly fail to recognize goodwill!"

Hearing this, Gu Changqing showed not a trace of shame.

Instead, with a proud expression, he said with a grin:

"Hehe, no one in this world understands me."

"It seems I alone must enjoy the pleasures of this fine wine!"

His manner made Duobao's expression stiffen once again.

He said no more and left with Zhao Gongming and the others, his face filled with disappointment.

The other disciples lingered no longer, all departing with shaking heads and sighs.

Yet when Gu Changqing glanced up, he discovered that Bixiao had not left. She was still standing blankly in place, staring in a daze at the Moon Laurel wine in his hand.

"Hehe, are you interested in my wine, Senior Sister Bixiao?"

Gu Changqing asked with a smile.

Hearing him, Bixiao responded instinctively:

"Junior Brother Changqing, that wine looks delicious!"

"Could... could I have a taste?"

The instant the words left her mouth, Bixiao jolted in surprise.

Did... did I really just say that?

Even Bixiao herself was startled.

But the Moon Laurel wine's fragrance was so refreshing, seeping into her heart, that she simply could not move her feet.

At her words, Gu Changqing burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, vast though heaven and earth may be, great though the Interception Sect may be, you're the one who truly understands me, Senior Sister Bixiao!"

"One such kindred spirit is enough!"

As he spoke, a jade cup appeared in Gu Changqing's hand.

He poured the Moon Laurel wine into it, drop by drop.

Then Gu Changqing held it out before Bixiao.

Bixiao could no longer spare a thought for anything else.

The fragrance of the wine had already wafted into her mouth and nose.

To leave such fine wine undrunk would be the true waste of heaven's treasures.

Bixiao drained the cup in a single gulp.

In an instant, magical power thundered through Bixiao's body, and her aura rose steadily higher.

Her face filled with astonishment and awe.

"This..."