Chapter Three: The Immortal’s Intoxication

On this day, Li Tian paused amidst a beautiful mountain forest. From his storage ring, he retrieved large chunks of dragon meat, along with various precious spiritual ingredients, as well as pots, bowls, and utensils crafted from rare materials. Using the true solar fire, he began to cook, adding assorted spiritual herbs and elixirs. Years of experience rendered his actions deft and practiced; with a wave of his sleeve, the savory dragon stew was soon ready, rich and delicious, its aroma spreading for miles.

Li Tian conjured a stone table and chairs with a flick of his hand. Just as he was about to enjoy his meal, he sensed someone approaching. Casting out his divine sense, he instantly surveyed the surrounding hundreds of miles. Not far away, a slightly plump Daoist was hurrying through the air, obviously drawn by the scent of dragon stew. Realizing he was being watched, the Daoist offered a sheepish smile, his expression innocent and harmless.

Li Tian did not know the stranger’s identity, but following the principle that a visitor is a guest, he said, “A chance meeting is fate. Won’t you share this meal with me, fellow Daoist?”

“With pleasure!” The Daoist grinned and nodded eagerly. In a flash, he stood before Li Tian and bowed. “Zhenyuanzi greets you, fellow Daoist.”

So, it was Zhenyuanzi. Li Tian thought this to himself, but his face remained composed, and he returned the courtesy with a smile.

“So it is Daoist Zhenyuanzi. I am the Supreme Emperor of Sublime Sumeru Mystical Law. You may call me Supreme Heaven.”

With a grand wave of his hand, another chair appeared opposite him at the stone table, and an extra set of utensils materialized as well. Li Tian was, of course, familiar with Zhenyuanzi—the so-called Ancestor of Earthly Immortals, famed for his hospitality, and whose origins were nearly equal to his own. He possessed the Book of the Earth, one of the top ten innate spiritual treasures, and the Ginseng Fruit Tree, likewise one of the ten great innate spiritual roots.

Knowing the man before him was indeed Zhenyuanzi, Li Tian felt a genuine desire to befriend him—though, truth be told, he was most eager to taste the legendary ginseng fruit.

“Please, Daoist Zhenyuanzi.”

“My thanks, Supreme Heaven.” Zhenyuanzi’s eyes gleamed with longing for the dragon stew. After expressing his gratitude, he buried himself in the feast, devouring the stew with gusto. In no time, Li Tian’s cooking was gone without a trace. At last, Zhenyuanzi sheepishly licked his lips and said awkwardly, “I have never tasted anything so delicious. Forgive my manners, fellow Daoist.”

“It’s a trifle, nothing worth mentioning.” Li Tian waved his hand casually.

Zhenyuanzi bowed again, then voiced his curiosity: “May I ask, what kind of meat was that? I have never encountered its like.”

Li Tian did not conceal the truth. With a smile, he replied, “It was dragon meat.”

“D-dragon meat?” Zhenyuanzi was struck with alarm. “How could you possibly…?”

At this time, the dragon clan was at the height of their power, and all creatures under heaven feared them. Learning that he had just eaten dragon meat, Zhenyuanzi was truly frightened, terrified the dragons might discover his involvement and seek revenge.

“It’s nothing,” Li Tian said, understanding Zhenyuanzi’s concerns, a trace of amusement at his lips. “I’ve been hunted by the dragon clan for over a thousand years and am still quite well, am I not?”

“You are truly bold, fellow Daoist. I cannot compare.” Zhenyuanzi wiped the cold sweat from his brow, secretly thinking, I actually ate dragon meat… If the dragon clan finds out, will I survive? No, I must cling tightly to this one’s side—he’s a man feared not even by the dragons themselves!

His mind racing, Zhenyuanzi quickly decided to invite Li Tian to his own abode. “Fellow Daoist, my temple is nearby. Why not come stay as my guest for a while?”

Li Tian had already harbored such intentions and now nodded at once. “Excellent!”

“Then, fellow Daoist, come with me!” Overjoyed, Zhenyuanzi led the way.

Li Tian waved his hand, collecting his belongings, and followed behind. Before long, the two arrived at a Daoist temple. As they landed, two young attendants hurried out to greet them. “Greetings, Master.”

“Go and bring ten ginseng fruits. We have an honored guest,” Zhenyuanzi ordered, waving them off and inviting Li Tian inside. His heart, however, ached, for he had only twenty or thirty ginseng fruits left, and this would consume nearly half his stock.

“Oh? Ginseng fruits?” Li Tian feigned great delight. “Daoist, do you mean the ginseng fruit, one of the ten great innate spiritual roots?”

“Exactly. You are indeed well-versed, fellow Daoist.” Seeing Li Tian’s excitement, Zhenyuanzi’s vanity was greatly satisfied; for a moment, he forgot his heartache and began to expound proudly, “The ginseng fruit is exceedingly rare—three thousand years to bloom, three thousand to bear fruit, and another three thousand to ripen. It takes ten thousand years to yield just thirty fruits. What’s more, it falls at the touch of metal, withers at the touch of wood, dissolves at the touch of water, burns at the touch of fire, and sinks into earth…”

Watching Zhenyuanzi’s enthusiastic explanation, Li Tian could not help but smile. “It seems I am truly blessed with good fortune today.”

The two sat down. Soon, the attendants returned, bearing the ginseng fruits. Li Tian looked up to see that each fruit was about the size of a palm, rosy and tender, shaped like a newborn infant, with distinct features—astonishingly lifelike.

“Please, fellow Daoist.”

Each of them took five fruits. Zhenyuanzi beamed as he urged Li Tian to partake. Li Tian picked one up and bit into the “head”—it melted instantly on his tongue, leaving a refreshing sweetness. At his level, of course, there was no special effect, only delightful flavor.

After eating two, Li Tian could not bear to waste the rest. After some thought, he waved his hand and produced a sealed jar of spiritual wine, which he set on the table.

“Daoist, this wine was brewed by a band of monkey demons, using various spiritual ingredients over thousands of years. It is called Immortal’s Drunkenness. By a stroke of fortune, it came into my possession. Today, I offer it to you in friendship.”

“You are too generous, Daoist. In that case, I shall be bold and accept.” Zhenyuanzi licked his lips, clearly drawn by the fragrance of the wine.

Smiling, Li Tian lifted the jar and poured two cups. “Please, Daoist.”

“Cheers.” Zhenyuanzi drank the cup in one gulp, astonishing Li Tian.

“What fine wine!” Zhenyuanzi sighed in bliss. Channeling his power, he drew the wine directly from the jar into his mouth, leaving Li Tian dumbstruck. Just as Li Tian was about to intervene, Zhenyuanzi had already emptied the jar.

“What marvelous wine…” Zhenyuanzi burped, then, muddled and dazed, collapsed onto the table.

“Daoist?” Li Tian called softly, but Zhenyuanzi was already unconscious, utterly unresponsive.

Li Tian shook his head with a wry smile. “Immortal’s Drunkenness indeed lives up to its name.”

Gazing at the few remaining ginseng fruits before him, a wicked thought suddenly sprang up in Li Tian’s heart—one that grew stronger and refused to be suppressed.