Duobao and the others followed behind Tongtian, curiosity written all over their faces.
They all wanted to see what method their master had to make Gu Changqing forsake the allure of drinking and head to the Demon Court instead.
But a moment later, they were dumbfounded.
Tongtian arrived at Gu Changqing's Cave Abode.
Seeing Gu Changqing sprawled on the ground without a shred of dignity, still gulping down wine from time to time, Tongtian showed no anger.
"Hehe, my disciple Changqing!"
"I am about to take your fellow disciples to the Demon Court to attend the heavenly marriage ceremony."
"Would you be interested in joining us?"
Tongtian asked with a beaming smile.
At his words, Gu Changqing "exhausted all his strength" just to raise his head and look at them, thoroughly drunk.
"Uh... no, no!"
"What heavenly marriage ceremony could be as interesting as drinking?"
Seeing this, Duobao and the others thought, Just as expected.
Tongtian nodded as well, seemingly having no intention of persuading him further.
"In that case, I won't force you."
With that, Tongtian prepared to turn and leave.
Duobao and the others gaped.
That was it?
It was over already?
The "method" their master had mentioned was simply to ask him so casually?
Yet just as they stood there utterly bewildered, Tongtian sighed and spoke, whether deliberately or otherwise.
"What a pity, though..."
"I heard that the Demon Court has a fine wine brewed from flat peaches, supplemented with numerous Spirit Roots and immortal herbs."
"It seems only the rest of us will get to enjoy such a blessing."
The moment those words rang out-
Gu Changqing, who had already collapsed drunkenly on the ground, suddenly jolted.
"What? There's wine?"
"And it's brewed from flat peaches?"
"Hehe, wait, Master! Your disciple would like to experience such a magnificent banquet too."
At that moment, though Gu Changqing still reeked of wine, his eyes shone brighter than ever.
Before his words had even faded, he took several steps and reached Tongtian's side as swiftly as lightning, ready to accompany the group.
Duobao and the others looked utterly bewildered, unable to process Gu Changqing's sudden change in attitude.
Just then, Tongtian gave a subtle, knowing smile and slipped them a discreet glance.
Seeing this, Duobao and the others understood at once.
So this had been Master Tongtian's intention all along.
Talking to Gu Changqing about making his name resound throughout heaven and earth or meeting Mighty Experts was utterly useless.
All they needed to do was tell him there was fine wine in the Demon Court.
Still, Duobao and the others had their doubts.
Once they reached the Demon Court, wouldn't their junior brother Changqing drink himself senseless?
That would disgrace the Interception Sect too.
But Tongtian said nothing more. Looking pleased with himself, he swept up the Nine Personal Disciples and immediately set off for the Demon Court.
A sage's cultivation was terrifying beyond compare!
In just a few short breaths, they arrived Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Today, the Demon Court was also flourishing as never before.
Divine radiance blazed, and immortal light flowed!
Auspicious clouds rose, and blessed light surged forth!
Mighty Experts such as Zhen Yuanzi and Ancestor Hong Yun had long since gathered there.
Seeing Tongtian descend, everyone hurried to bow in greeting.
This was the reverence and respect owed to a sage, and no one dared neglect it.
Even their hosts, Di Jun and Taiyi, dared not show the slightest discourtesy. They hurriedly manifested before him and bowed deeply.
All beneath the sages were ants; the Demon Emperor and Eastern Emperor were no exception.
Tongtian merely waved a hand indifferently, signaling for the countless Mighty Experts to dispense with the formalities, then paid them no further attention.
Just then, a burst of laughter rang out.
"Haha, has our third brother arrived?"
"Let your elder brother see what sort of genius your newly accepted fifth Personal Disciple is!"
As those words rang out, a figure clad in sumptuous Daoist robes, his imposing aura towering to the heavens, descended before them.
"Greetings, Senior Uncle Yuanshi!"
Duobao and the others hurriedly bowed.
Indeed!
The newcomer was none other than Yuanshi, one of the Three Pure Ones and Tongtian's elder brother.
Tongtian smiled and immediately motioned for Gu Changqing to greet Yuanshi.
"Hehe, Elder Brother Yuanshi!"
"This is my disciple Changqing. He was originally an Outer Sect disciple of the Interception Sect and was only recently promoted to Personal Disciple."
Yuanshi's gaze fell upon Gu Changqing.
But after only a cursory look, Yuanshi could not help frowning slightly.
Gu Changqing's eyelids drooped, his body swayed, and he looked utterly listless.
Where was even a trace of the bearing expected of a sage's disciple?
Just then, Gu Changqing lifted his Wine Gourd as though no one else were present and swallowed another mouthful of fine wine.
A rich aroma of wine spread with it.
How could Yuanshi fail to understand now?
This was no mere listlessness.
He was clearly already drunk.
Yuanshi's face darkened, his brows knitted tightly, and he spoke with visible displeasure.
"Third Brother, this is your so-called fifth Personal Disciple?"
"Hmph. As I see it, he is nothing but a dissolute drunkard who never lets go of his wine and can barely think straight."
"I told you long ago that your so-called teaching without discrimination was nothing but a fool's dream."
"That is precisely why your Jie Sect Disciples are a jumble of wheat and weeds. Now even your Personal Disciples have become this bizarre spectacle."
Yuanshi's words were cutting indeed.
Every word disparaged the Interception Sect, leaving Duobao and the others looking deeply affronted.
Everyone knew Yuanshi was proud and haughty, and had always looked down upon Jie Sect Disciples.
Simply because most Jie Sect Disciples were demon creatures who had assumed human form, he called them "Wretches Born from Wombs and Eggs, Those Wearing Scales and Armor," his words steeped in contempt.
And today, Gu Changqing's behavior had given Yuanshi an excuse to make an issue of it.
Because of Gu Changqing alone, he had condemned the entire Interception Sect as utterly worthless.
He belittled the Interception Sect to elevate the Chan Sect.
He had spared Tongtian not a shred of dignity.
Tongtian's expression darkened, and he was about to speak.
But Gu Changqing, despite looking thoroughly drunk, spoke first.
"Haha, Senior Uncle Yuanshi, you are mistaken!"
"Only by teaching without discrimination can our Interception Sect embrace a hundred rivers like the sea and achieve Ten Thousand Immortals Paying Homage."
"Moreover, Master Tongtian is broad-minded and embraces every disciple's individuality. That allows ten thousand paths to bloom together in our Interception Sect, bringing it true prosperity."
"By contrast... uh... those traditions with supposedly strict rules only make their disciples cling to old conventions, lifeless and stagnant, no different from walking corpses."
As he spoke, Gu Changqing brimmed with spirited confidence, as though surveying the realm and boldly pronouncing its fate.
When his words fell, he cast a seemingly casual glance toward the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Sect standing off to the side.
A barely perceptible trace of mockery flashed in his eyes.
Dead silence!
The vast Demon Court instantly fell into utter silence.
Gaze after gaze turned toward Gu Changqing, filled with disbelief.
Good heavens!
What had they just witnessed today?
A mere Jie Sect Disciple had actually spoken out with force, made a shocking declaration, and fiercely rebuked Sage Yuanshi?!
This scene was utterly explosive!
Before you continue