Deep within the bamboo forest of the back mountains.
Shen Xian followed Wang Yu through the dense bamboo grove, and his view suddenly opened up.
A natural stone platform jutted out from the cliff face, overlooking the entire Divine Wood Sect valley. The last rays of the setting sun spilled over the sea of clouds, dyeing the entire valley golden.
"How about it? Not a bad spot, right?" Wang Yu plopped down on the stone platform and patted the space beside him. "Whenever I get tired from sword practice, I come here to just space out."
Shen Xian glanced around and noticed several shallow sword marks carved into the edge of the platform, with a few empty wine jars placed nearby.
He smiled faintly. "It seems Brother Wang frequents this place quite often."
On the way here, the other had repeatedly insisted that Shen Xian not call him "Senior Brother," saying he didn't deserve the title. Since Wang Yu was older, Shen Xian simply settled on calling him "Brother Wang."
"Naturally," Wang Yu said, pulling a gourd of wine from his robes and taking a swig. "This place is quiet, no one bothers you. Perfect for thinking things over."
He suddenly lowered his voice. "Junior Brother Shen, I got the feeling those guys today didn't have good intentions toward you. You need to be extra careful."
Shen Xian raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What makes you say that, Brother Wang?"
"Instinct." Wang Yu scratched his head. "I've been in the Divine Wood Sect for five years. I can pretty much tell what someone's like at a glance. Zhao Ming appears gentle and refined on the surface, but he's actually narrow-minded; Zhou Ziling seems diligent, but he's actually deeply envious; as for Qian An..."
He paused, a flicker of complexity in his eyes. "That guy hides his true self the deepest."
Wang Yu had spent no small amount of time with these three and naturally had some understanding of their natures.
Shen Xian nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Why are you telling me this, Brother Wang?"
Wang Yu grinned broadly. "I just like your vibe. Besides, I, Wang Yu, have always acted openly and aboveboard. I can't stand those petty schemers who play dirty tricks behind people's backs."
"Of course..."
He changed tack, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "...the main reason is you're the direct descendant of the Shen Family, and your Elder Brother is the sect's Holy Son. Someone like me, born from a minor clan's lesser line, with neither high status nor outstanding talent—naturally, I'd want to curry favor with you."
"If I befriend you and am fortunate enough to follow you in the future, wouldn't that mean an endless supply of Drunken Immortal Wine?"
Wang Yu was obsessed with wine, cherishing every fine vintage. His initial approach to Shen Xian had also been partly motivated by a desire to try the Drunken Immortal Wine. After all, the Shen Family's Drunken Immortal Wine was famous throughout the Azure Province.
But it was expensive; he couldn't bring himself to buy it.
Shen Xian wasn't stingy. He raised his hand and produced a jade vial, offering it over.
Dealing with someone whose motives were this clear-cut was simpler.
Wang Yu carefully cradled the Drunken Immortal Wine, then suddenly leaned in close to Shen Xian with a mysterious air. "Junior Brother Shen, do you know the best way to drink this Drunken Immortal Wine?"
Without waiting for an answer, he pulled out an oddly-shaped bronze wine cup from his robes.
The cup was covered in an ancient-looking patina, its surface carved with intricate runes that shimmered faintly under the moonlight.
"This is my family heirloom—the Nine Revolutions Wine-Warming Cup." Wang Yu shook the cup proudly. "Using it to warm wine can unleash one hundred percent of a spirit wine's efficacy."
As he spoke, he poured the Drunken Immortal Wine into the cup and gathered a wisp of spiritual power at his fingertip to tap its base.
Instantly, the runes on the bronze cup lit up one by one. The aroma of the wine intensified severalfold instantly, spreading through the bamboo forest.
Shen Xian raised an eyebrow slightly. "Brother Wang's family heirloom artifact is quite unique."
Even he, as a direct descendant of the Shen Family, didn't know about this drinking method. Most of the time, he just took a small sip or two; he wasn't like this guy who had researched it so thoroughly.
"Heh heh." Wang Yu scratched his head, a hint of nostalgia appearing on his face. "My Wang Family ancestors were also artifact refining masters; it's just that by my generation, we've declined. This wine cup is the only keepsake my father left me."
He gently swirled the cup in his hand, a flash of loneliness in his eyes. "My father loved drinking more than anything when he was alive. He always said one must seize joy when life offers it..."
Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly threw his head back and drained the cup in one gulp, plastering a smile back on his face. "Come on, come on! Junior Brother Shen, you try some too!"
Shen Xian took the cup and noticed a hideous scar peeking out from Wang Yu's wrist.
Wang Yu followed his gaze and tugged at his sleeve nonchalantly. "That's from a furnace explosion three years ago while I was studying artifact refining at Reflection Cliff. Back then I was testing a new idea—blew up seventeen furnaces in three months! Elder Li was so mad his beard stood on end!"
He burst into hearty laughter that echoed through the bamboo grove.
Under the moonlight, this seemingly carefree young man had a glint of stubborn determination in his eyes.
Shen Xian sipped the Drunken Immortal Wine thoughtfully.
The Divine Wood Sect was extremely strict with its disciples. Any disciple who had been admitted for less than three years was required to attend morning lectures to temper their state of mind.
Even Shen Xian was no exception.
So early in the morning, Qian An was already waiting outside for him.
"Junior Brother Shen, all sect morning lectures are held at Red Leaf Courtyard. Let me take you there," he said with a smile on his face.
Shen Xian glanced at the courtyard next door. That guy drank too much yesterday and was still snoring away soundly.
"Alright." Shen Xian did not refuse.
This person seemed to have similar motives to Wang Yu's. If handled well, it could be beneficial for him as well.
A thin morning mist shrouded Green Bamboo Peak as Shen Xian stepped onto Qian An's magical artifact and soared through the air toward Red Leaf Peak in the inner sect.
After landing atop the peak, they walked toward a cluster of buildings ahead.
Small groups of inner sect disciples walked toward them from opposite directions. Upon seeing Shen Xian, they all unconsciously slowed their pace.
"Is that... the direct descendant of the Shen Family?" "Shh! Keep your voice down..." "I heard he's only at the Qi Refining Realm cultivation..."
Whispers came from all directions. Though deliberately hushed, every word clearly reached Shen Xian's ears.
Qian An kept a smile plastered on his face as if he hadn't heard anything, but he subtly quickened his pace.
Shen Xian remained expressionless as usual; his gaze swept calmly over those whispering disciples.
Anyone caught by his glance immediately fell silent; some even flusteredly lowered their heads—but they couldn't quite hide flashes of disdain in their eyes.
These people had reached their current positions through relentless daily cultivation; now they saw someone merely at the Qi Refining Realm who didn't need any effort—just relying on family background—to easily stand before them.
How could they not feel jealous inside?
All roads lead to Rome; some are born there. This psychological imbalance affected these hardworking sect disciples far too much.
"Don't mind them, Junior Brother Shen," Qian An forced out two dry laughs. "These people haven't seen much..."
Shen Xian gave a slight nod.
After passing several buildings, Red Leaf Courtyard came into view ahead.
This ancient courtyard featured dark blue bricks and black tiles; bronze wind chimes hung from its eaves, tinkling softly in the morning breeze.
Several duty disciples stood before the courtyard gate, checking name lists.
"Shen Xian?" A duty disciple with stern features looked up, letting his gaze linger briefly on Shen Xian before curling his lip almost imperceptibly. "Newly admitted?"
Qian An hurried forward. "Senior Brother Zhou, this is..."
"I know, I know," Duty Disciple Zhou interrupted impatiently. "Direct descendant of the Shen Family, right?"
He deliberately raised his voice. "According to the rules, new disciples must undergo a cultivation progress check."
The surroundings immediately fell silent; everyone’s gaze converged upon them.
Checking cultivation level was a routine procedure, but Duty Disciple Zhou making such a public spectacle clearly intended to embarrass Shen Xian.
"Please proceed," Shen Xian said calmly, extending his wrist.
Duty Disciple Zhou pulled out a piece of spirit-measuring jade and pressed it against Shen Xian's wrist.
The jade emitted a faint glow, indicating a Qi Refining Realm fifth layer cultivation level. After breaking through the Golden Core realm, his external manifestation had changed too—no longer the second layer of Qi Refining, but the fifth.
"Mid-stage Qi Refining..." Duty Disciple Zhou drawled, his tone sneering. He was about to launch a sarcastic remark when a sudden commotion erupted behind him.
The crowd automatically parted ways, revealing a green-robed elder approaching with hands clasped behind his back.
Duty Disciple Zhou’s expression changed. He hurriedly put away the spirit-measuring jade and respectfully bowed. "Elder Sun!"
This person was the dean of Red Leaf Courtyard and also today’s morning lecture speaker.
Elder Sun nodded faintly, letting his gaze linger for a moment upon Shen Xian. "So this is the young lad from the Shen Family?"
"Reporting to the Elder, yes indeed," replied Duty Disciple Zhou, his tone instantly much more respectful.
Elder Sun said nothing further and strode directly into the courtyard grounds instead.
But this interruption made it difficult for Zhou to continue harassing Shen Xian, so he reluctantly allowed him passage, sulkily stepping aside.