“Why… is Shen Li so determined to recruit the Grand Witch?” Chen Yin asked, his speech slightly slurred, his eyes unfocused.
The masked man, satisfied with Chen Yin’s apparent intoxication, lowered his guard and said, “Shen Li discovered a powerful Heavenly Dao Fragnt in a secret realm, but finding a suitable host is difficult. The Grand Witch is an exceptional talent, perfect for becoming a Chosen One. Recruiting her would be a huge boon for Shen Li.”
That made sense.
Which ant he had to prevent her from joining them. Chen Yin started formulating a plan.
“My turn.”
The masked man, seeing Chen Yin’s drunken state, beca more casual and playful.
“How strong are you? Do you really think you can stand against the Divine Son?”
Chen Yin thought for a mont, then said seriously, “I’m very strong. I haven’t seen the Divine Son’s true form, but as long as he’s still within the confines of this world, I’m not afraid of him.”
“Even if he has the Heavenly Dao Fragnt?”
“Even if he does.” Chen Yin’s tone was firm and unwavering.
The masked man was curious about the source of his confidence.
But he seed relieved by Chen Yin’s words, even teasing him lightly, “Drinking twelve jars without stopping is quite a feat. But I think you’ve reached your limit.”
“I enjoyed our drink tonight. I hope to see you drunk again soti—”
“You’re mistaken.”
Chen Yin shook his head, his eyes surprisingly clear despite his drunken deanor. “I can still ask one more question.”
The masked man frowned. “You want to drink more?”
“Of course.”
“Even I’m not confident I can handle fifteen jars.”
“Maybe I’m just a better drinker than you.” Chen Yin grinned.
His words seed to pique the masked man’s competitive spirit. He narrowed his eyes and gestured towards the wine.
“Then continue.”
Chen Yin drank three more jars in quick succession.
Fifteen jars in total.
“Why is Shen Li so eager to expand its power? What are you planning?”
The masked man hesitated, then asked, “Have you heard of the Triennial Day?”
Chen Yin shook his head.
“Every twelve years is a cycle. The Triennial Day is a specific point in ti that occurs every thirty-six years.”
“I’m a new mber, so I haven’t witnessed it myself. But I’ve heard… it’s a ti when the barrier between heaven and earth is at its weakest.”
He shook his head. “The Divine Son hasn’t revealed much. But he assured us that… although the Triennial Day just passed less than a year ago, there’s been so unusual celestial activity. There will be a second Triennial Day this year. And this ti, there will be a ‘Heavenly Tribulation.’ Only those who join Shen Li will receive divine protection and survive.”
“And this second Triennial Day,” the masked man looked at Chen Yin intently, “is just over two months away.”
Chen Yin fell into deep thought.
…This aligned with what Master had said.
It seed the masked man was telling the truth. Master’s insistence on him and Xiang’er reaching the Grand Clarity Realm must have been in preparation for this event.
Just over two months.
Shen Li was preparing for the Triennial Day. And so was Master.
It seed this matter was more serious than he had imagined.
This Triennial Day felt like a prelude to a final battle.
“I understand. Your question?”
“I have no more questions.”
“Then I’ll continue.”
Chen Yin reached for another jar of wine.
This ti, even the masked man couldn’t bear to watch. He moved the jar away and frowned.
“That’s enough. You’re drunk.”
“But you wanted to see drunk.”
Chen Yin’s cheeks were flushed, his breath reeking of alcohol, but he was still smiling.
“Aren’t you happy now?”
The masked man was speechless, then finally said, “I… I don’t want you to die here. I’d lose a drinking buddy.”
“Haha, you worry too much. Cultivators don’t die from drinking.”
He lifted a jar and drained it in one gulp.
The masked man wanted to stop him but hesitated, just watching him with a complicated expression.
He was starting to regret this.
This guy was crazy, willing to drink himself to death for a few answers.
Two more jars. Three more jars.
Eighteen jars of potent spirit wine in total.
Chen Yin’s body was swaying, his movents unsteady, his face flushed.
The masked man was thinking of a way to stop him when Chen Yin spoke.
“This… is my last question.”
The masked man’s eyes lit up. “Good.”
“You’re a mber of Shen Li.”
Chen Yin took a deep breath, as if trying to focus his muddled mind.
“Why… are you willing to tell all this?”
The masked man fell silent.
Chen Yin waited patiently, even in his drunken state, unafraid of the masked figure before him.
Finally, after a long hesitation, the masked man mumbled,
“…I don’t want you to die.”
“Are you afraid I’ll die at the hands of Shen Li?”
“I know you’re strong. But it’s not about cultivation. You have no idea what Shen Li is truly capable of. The power of the Heavenly Dao Fragnt is far beyond your imagination.”
Chen Yin hiccuped and chuckled.
“How do you know what I can or cannot imagine?”
The masked man didn’t answer.
Chen Yin stood up unsteadily, swaying so much that the masked man thought he might fall and instinctively reached out to steady him.
But Chen Yin just brushed off his robe and said, his voice surprisingly clear,
“Do you know, my friend?”
“You remind of soone I used to know.”
The masked figure looked up abruptly.
“She was a very interesting person. Impulsive, illogical, carefree, and unrestrained.”
“She loved drinking, the color red, and rainy days.”
“She was the most unique person I’ve ever t. But I haven’t heard from her in a long ti.”
“Your bold and unrestrained nature reminds of her.”
The masked man stared at him intently, saying nothing.
But Chen Yin just hiccuped, his eyes clouded with a drunken haze.
After saying those words, he collapsed backward.
The masked man instinctively caught him and looked at his unconscious form, his expression unreadable.
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