Di Jun's words made the Ten Demon Saints and the others pale.
"What? Who dared to be so bold as to ruin Your Majesty's heavenly marriage?"
"Our Demon Court has no quarrel with the Interception Sect. Why would a Jie Sect Disciple damage our Demon Court's fortune?"
"Could it have been Duobao or one of the Saint's other personal disciples?"
Everyone spoke over one another, their fury beyond restraint.
For the Demon Court as it stood, the fortune and merit brought by the heavenly marriage would be enough to lift them to new heights.
It would also give them a greater chance of victory against the Witch Clan in the future.
Therefore, naturally, they were unwilling to miss such a Great Fortuitous Opportunity.
They took it for granted that only personal disciples such as Duobao would possess both the ability and the audacity to do such a thing.
Yet Di Jun shook his head at their words.
"No, it was not Duobao or any of the other personal disciples!"
"It was... a disciple called the Wine Sword Immortal!"
As he spoke, Di Jun wore an odd expression himself.
The name Wine Sword Immortal was utterly unfamiliar to him, too.
The Ten Demon Saints and the others exchanged bewildered looks.
"The Wine Sword Immortal? Does the Interception Sect have such a disciple?"
"Never mind the personal disciples-we have never heard that name even among their elite disciples."
"Hmph, it seems he is nothing more than some nameless brat."
"To dare damage our Demon Court's fortune like this-he truly has no idea how high heaven is or how deep the earth runs."
If it had been someone of Duobao's standing, the Demon Court might have had many reservations.
But none of them had ever heard the name Wine Sword Immortal before.
For a moment, their anger burned even hotter.
Bai Ze, one of the Ten Demon Saints, spoke up directly.
"We shall go to the Interception Sect at once and demand answers from this so-called Wine Sword Immortal."
"We swear to make the Interception Sect give us an explanation."
Bai Ze's words drew nods from everyone.
Exactly!
The Demon Court could hardly swallow its anger and suffer in silence.
Besides, Saint Tongtian surely would not care about an unknown disciple.
This time, they would make that Wine Sword Immortal pay and teach him the might of the Demon Court.
Di Jun and Tai Yi rose without a word.
Then, taking the Ten Demon Saints with them, they left the Thirty-Three Heavens and headed toward Golden Ao Island.
Meanwhile.
Inside Biyou Palace.
Tongtian sat upon his saintly throne.
Below him, the Eight Great Personal Disciples, including Duobao, Zhao Gongming, and the Three Xiao, had gathered.
"I intend to promote my disciple Changqing to an Inner Sect personal disciple."
"What do you think?"
Tongtian voiced his intention.
The difference between a personal disciple and an Outer Sect disciple was like that between clouds and mud.
Duobao and the others had attained their positions through ample strength and talent.
That was why Tongtian sought the opinions of the Eight Great Personal Disciples.
His words startled them.
Promote an Outer Sect disciple to a Saint's personal disciple?
Such a thing had never happened in the Interception Sect, or even in any Saint's Lineage.
Bixiao, one of the Three Xiao, was the first to express her stance.
"Yes, yes! Junior Brother Changqing is free-spirited and unfettered, incomparably dashing."
"If he becomes Master's personal disciple, we can be even closer to him."
In truth, even now, Bixiao still vividly remembered the Moon Laurel Fine Wine from that day.
She had also told Zhao Gongming and the others about the improvement she had gained after drinking it.
Unfortunately, they did not believe her at all, assuming she was merely making excuses for Gu Changqing's excessive drinking.
Sure enough, Zhao Gongming spoke up now.
"Master, this disciple believes it would be inappropriate!"
"Our standing as disciples was determined when we entered your tutelage. There has never been a precedent for promoting someone from the Outer Sect to a personal disciple."
"Furthermore, our youngest junior brother Changqing drinks to excess all day. Making him a personal disciple would also undermine the dignity of our Interception Sect."
Zhao Gongming's words were merciless.
He spoke out of concern for the Interception Sect's rules and dignity.
But his own resentment played a part as well.
An Inner Sect personal disciple?
Wouldn't that place Gu Changqing above both Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao?
After all, although they were personal disciples too, they were only elite disciples of the Outer Sect.
Zhao Gongming had always believed that strength reigned supreme and respected only the truly strong.
Clearly, Gu Changqing did not yet belong among them.
Tongtian did not grow angry at his words, merely smiling faintly.
"Hehe, my disciple Changqing's excessive drinking is indeed an unseemly sight."
"But as for his strength, I fear it will exceed all your imaginations."
"I am not one to cling rigidly to old rules. For an exceptional person, I can establish a precedent."
Their faces filled with astonishment at these words.
Exceed all their imaginations?
What did that mean?
Could Gu Changqing actually be stronger than personal disciples like them?
Moreover, their master Tongtian was willing to establish a precedent for Gu Changqing.
Duobao and the others were deeply surprised that he valued Gu Changqing so highly.
Besides, if Tongtian had already made up his mind, his disciples could hardly say anything more.
But just then.
A resounding shout suddenly rang out beyond Golden Ao Island.
"Our respects to Saint Tongtian!"
"Di Jun and Taiyi have come to visit, accompanied by the Ten Demon Saints!"
Tongtian's expression shifted at these words, then grew somewhat puzzled.
Di Jun and Taiyi?
Why had those two suddenly come to the Interception Sect?
Before this, the two sides had never had any dealings, much less any friendship.
Suddenly, something occurred to Tongtian, and he cast a meaningful glance toward Gu Changqing's cave abode.
Could this be because of Gu Changqing again?
After all, Xihe and Changxi had previously come specifically to visit Gu Changqing.
And their conversation had involved the heavenly marriage.
With that thought in mind, Tongtian wasted no words.
He immediately waved his hand, opening the Interception Sect Protective Formation to allow Di Jun, Taiyi, and the others inside.
Before long, Di Jun, Taiyi, and the Ten Demon Saints appeared in Biyou Palace.
"What brings you all to our Interception Sect?"
Tongtian glanced indifferently at the Demon Court's visitors and asked in a calm voice.
There was no need for pleasantries between them.
At his question, the forthright Taiyi said:
"Saint Tongtian, my elder brother Di Jun was destined for a heavenly marriage with the Taiyin Goddess."
"But now, a disciple of the Interception Sect called the Wine Sword Immortal has ruined it."
"May I ask whether you are aware of this, Saint?"
Tongtian and the others were dumbfounded by these words.
Ruined the heavenly marriage?
Then Xihe and Changxi had really refused?
This...
Could it be merely because of those few 'drunken words' Gu Changqing had spoken earlier?
What charm did this fellow possess, that just a few words could make Xihe and Changxi believe him without question?
Duobao and the others marveled inwardly.
At that moment, Tongtian gave a helpless chuckle.
Sure enough, his earlier guess had been correct. The Demon Court's visitors had come because of Gu Changqing as well.
He brushed his broad sleeve, and the stars wheeled as space shifted.
In the blink of an eye, everyone stood inside Gu Changqing's cave abode.
Fortunately, Gu Changqing was not lying unconscious in a drunken stupor this time.
He looked at Tongtian and the others in confusion.
"Master Tongtian?"
"Oh? Who might these fellow Daoists be?"
As Gu Changqing spoke, the reek of alcohol wafting from him made Di Jun, Taiyi, and the others frown deeply.
"You are the Wine Sword Immortal?!"
Taiyi asked coldly.
"Oh? You've heard of me too?"
"Hehe, indeed. I am the Interception Sect's Wine Sword Immortal!"
Hearing Gu Changqing's reply, Taiyi grew even angrier.
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