Chapter Seventy-One: Within One's Means

The disciples exchanged uncertain glances; among them, a few who understood the situation could probably guess Liu Xin’s intentions, but none dared to speak up. Although Liu Xin was clearly outmatched by Li Zhiwei, he was at least an elder's disciple, a status that still set him above most present.

Noticing several junior sisters glancing her way, Chen Yuan, however, toyed with her wine cup as if oblivious, appearing entirely unbothered.

A short-haired young woman, unable to hide her dissatisfaction, hesitated for a moment before rising and reprimanding, “Senior Brother Liu, you’ve had too much to drink!”

Liu Xin pretended not to hear, his gaze fixed steadily on the young man seated at the end.

The tension gradually faded from Wang Yao’s face; his bearing shifted, and his eyes met Liu Xin’s with calm composure. He could accept any jest, but never a slight against Qingshan.

The disciples nearby looked on in mild surprise. The young man, timid and reserved just a moment before, now carried a sharply different air, cold and commanding.

“Senior Sister Chen, say something, won’t you?” The short-haired girl frowned and cast a glance at the gentle cultivator, wondering if she truly didn’t see what had prompted Liu Xin’s provocation.

“Don’t worry,” Chen Yuan set down her cup, glancing lightly at her, “they won’t come to blows.”

Sure enough, just as Liu Xin seemed about to say more, a calm yet authoritative voice sounded from behind him: “Sit down.”

The words weren’t loud, but brooked no argument.

Even if he was still unwilling, Liu Xin had no choice but to sit back down, sulking.

Li Zhiwei placed the wine flask gently before him, then looked up at Wang Yao with a light laugh. “It’s my failing as a mentor. When we return, I’ll see he is properly disciplined. I hope you won’t take offense, Junior Brother.”

Wang Yao was silent for a moment, then withdrew the spiritual energy that had begun to gather in his palm. “You’re too kind.”

The others hurriedly steered the conversation to lighter topics, trying to restore the warmth to the gathering. Yet, no matter what they said, an odd tension lingered. Here and there, a whisper drifted through the air: “Is there really a Lesser Qingshan among the sect’s peaks?”

This wasn’t deliberate provocation—they genuinely hadn’t heard of such a place. With over a hundred peaks spanning thousands of miles, it was not unusual for some to be forgotten. Still, when the whispers reached Wang Yao, they stung.

Liu Xin stared blankly at the flask before him, left there by his senior brother. Suddenly, he seemed to understand something. Sometimes, venting anger didn’t require fists.

He raised the flask abruptly. “Earlier, my words were reckless. Please don’t take them to heart, Junior Brother Wang. Allow me to toast you first!”

He tilted his head back and drained the six-tael flask in one go.

Wiping his mouth, Liu Xin glanced toward the end of the table, where everyone’s attention was now fixed.

Wang Yao closed his eyes.

The whispers had begun to unsettle him.

When he opened them again, he slowly reached out and grasped the wine flask on the table.

Qingshan needed no proof from a cup of wine, but he needed this moment to calm his mind.

He lifted the cup; the sharp bite of the liquor spread through his mouth, burning his throat.

“Well done!” The crowd erupted in applause and laughter.

It was only the beginning.

The two drank as if locked in a silent contest.

Flask after flask disappeared.

It was as if the whole courtyard had been steeped in wine.

Amidst the crowd, Chen Yuan smiled faintly. She knew she was not particularly beautiful, so she had learned to use her strengths—an expressive glance, a few words of concern. After all, even those who pursued immortality were, at heart, still men. She excelled at reaping the benefits of such understanding.

Li Zhiwei sat quietly, his gaze sweeping past Chen Yuan before coming to rest on Wang Yao. His ethereal bearing seemed entirely out of place amid the heavy scent of wine. He remained only out of curiosity for the young man.

The short-haired girl turned away in a huff. “Idiots,” she muttered, though it was unclear at whom.

Wang Yao’s cheeks flushed ever deeper, but his gaze grew only clearer.

This was Dongli Mountain, and the man seated above must be the peak’s steward; there was nothing he could do here. Even so, he refused to lose to the one who had insulted him, not even in something as trivial as a drinking contest.

By the time four or five empty flasks had accumulated before him, a wave of nausea threatened to overwhelm him, and he pressed his hands firmly to the table.

Seeing this, Liu Xin sneered.

Finally, the short-haired girl rose and turned to Chen Yuan. “Congratulations on your breakthrough, Senior Sister. It’s a small token, but please accept it. I still have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now.”

With that, she produced a small box from her storage pouch and handed it over.

Chen Yuan grasped her hand. “What’s the rush? Stay a while longer.”

If there were no bystanders, things would lose much of their meaning.

Du Juan bit her lip. She could guess her senior sister’s intentions and couldn’t help but feel a twinge of contempt, though she dared not voice it, and sat back down in silent displeasure.

As expected, after her gesture, the other disciples followed suit, presenting their own gifts in turn. It was tradition among the peaks—not for the value, but for the sentiment.

Chen Yuan thanked each in turn, but her attention never left Liu Xin and Wang Yao.

Sensing her gaze, Liu Xin was delighted. She was clearly giving him a hint.

It seemed, in Senior Sister Chen’s eyes, he was truly different from the rest.

He set down his flask and swaggered forward, shooting Wang Yao a taunting glance.

“With the competition approaching, there’s not much more I can say. This blue porcelain talisman is something I chose with care from the South Hall; it steadies the mind and serves as protection.”

He opened the box in his hand, drawing gasps from those around him. Liu Xin basked in their admiration.

Three spirit stones were enough to keep most ordinary disciples busy for over a year—his gesture was nothing if not generous.

For the first time, Chen Yuan’s smile seemed genuine. “Thank you, Senior Brother Liu,” she said sweetly.

“It’s just a trifle, hardly worth mentioning,” Liu Xin replied, feigning nonchalance even as his heart ached. He was usually extravagant and had little saved; he’d borrowed this talisman from Senior Brother Li. But if it won Chen Yuan’s favor and embarrassed that other disciple, it was worth it—a double victory.

Now, only two guests remained who had not yet offered their congratulations.

Li Zhiwei, as a steward, had already honored them with his presence; no one dared hope for more.

Thus, almost all eyes turned to Wang Yao.

Seeing no change in his expression, Chen Yuan felt a flicker of anticipation. This junior brother was no pauper—he was of substantial means. She had heard it herself at the South Hall: a single trip outside the sect had earned him over a hundred merit points, and later he had presented rare ebony heartwood.

She had deliberately allowed the two to quarrel, all for this moment.

Competition was a man’s nature. Since Wang Yao hadn’t backed down, he must believe what he had was no less valuable than Liu Xin’s gift.

As everyone looked to him, Wang Yao recalled the smooth, blue-glowing pill, and slowly rose, searching his robes.

A wooden box appeared in his palm.

“Congratulations on your breakthrough, Senior Sister.”

He seemed a bit unsteady, as if the drink had gotten to him.

“Careful,” Chen Yuan smiled wryly, steadying him. “You’re not even from Dongli Peak—there’s no need for a gift. Don’t put your senior sister in a difficult position…”

“What could he possibly give?” Liu Xin interjected, jealousy flickering in his eyes as he mocked Wang Yao.

“It’s the thought that counts, not the gift,” Chen Yuan replied, displeased, and opened the box.

Inside was a beautiful hairpin.

Her smile slowly faded as she gazed at it in silence. After a long pause, she released her grip and said quietly, “Thank you, Junior Brother Wang.”