Chapter 221: Enlightenment through Drunken Discourse

More than a year later.

In the southwest of Guyun Continent, a stretch of continuous mountains spanned countless thousands of miles.

The entire mountain range, whether ground or peaks, displayed a vivid crimson color, and within the mountains were densely packed countless volcanic craters, from time to time spewing out fiery red magma pillars.

One pillar of fire after another shot into the sky, a magnificent sight, with constant rumbling sounds, and the sky was filled with crimson fire clouds, the air thick with the rich smell of sulfur.

Deep in the mountains, pits and holes were densely packed like a beehive, scattered among the valleys.

This place was precisely Fire Cloud Ridge.

A green shadow flickered in midair, and Han Li's figure materialized out of nowhere. He glanced around, then flew down toward the mine below.

Ten-odd days later.

Deep underground in Fire Cloud Ridge, within a certain giant mine shaft, two figures, one large and one small, were flying up and down, now together, now apart, locked in fierce combat.

Each collision produced a tremendous noise, causing the entire mountain belly to shake violently, and countless stones of all sizes rained down like rain.

The smaller figure was none other than Han Li. At this moment, he was wreathed in green light, striking out fist shadows with his bare hands.

The giant figure was a crimson lizard, seven or eight zhang in size. Though it appeared agile and occasionally spat out scorching flames, it could not land a single hit on Han Li.

On the contrary, every time Han Li's fist landed on its body, it would crack the seemingly indestructible crimson scales.

Before long, this formidable crimson lizard was already covered in wounds, with many scales shattered across its body.

The beast had long wanted to retreat, but Han Li's movements were like a clinging bone, giving it no chance.

"Bang!"

Han Li threw another punch. This time, for some reason, the crimson lizard did not dodge or evade, and was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into a cave wall.

At the spot on its back where the fist had struck, a large patch of scales was completely shattered, blood streaming down.

Just as the crimson lizard neared the cave wall, it suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a stream of crimson flames, instantly melting the wall into rolling magma.

The lizard's body blurred, and it was about to burrow into the magma.

But at that moment, a huge black blade light shot over, appearing behind the lizard's wounded back as if slow but actually fast, and a surge of law power poured out, transforming into a tremendous force that landed on its body.

Deprived of the protection of its scales, the crimson lizard's body was neatly split in two by the blade light and fell. Then the blade light blurred and turned, and a dozen black blade lights flashed past, shredding its Nascent Soul before it could escape.

Han Li beckoned with one hand, and the black long blade flew back.

This crimson giant lizard was the culprit behind the disappearances in this mine. Its strength was not particularly great, but its scales were indestructible, and it could easily melt rock walls to travel through the ground and walls, launching sneak attacks that were hard to guard against.

Even he had spent half a month before finally cornering the beast here.

From the beast's lower belly, pieces of crimson crystal the size of a human head rolled out, scattering all over the ground.

The crystals were translucent, with a flame-like red light flickering at their center, emitting an intensely hot temperature, like red-hot charcoal, but millions of times hotter.

"So this is Fire Essence Crystal..." Han Li landed, picked up a crystal, and murmured to himself.

His palm seemed completely unaffected by the crystal's scorching heat.

Han Li glanced at it, then waved his hand to collect all the Fire Essence Crystals on the ground.

His gaze then swept over the lizard's body. He lightly swung his black blade a few times, cutting off its four claws and storing them away, then transformed into a green rainbow and shot off in one direction of the mine.

...

More than a year later.

At the entrance of the Tai Xuan side hall, a figure hurried over. It was Han Li, returning from his long journey.

Looking at the building before him, he let out a light breath. He had already completed two tasks. As long as he finished one more, he could devote the next hundred-plus years to his own affairs.

Han Li stepped inside and was about to speak when he suddenly paused.

The hall was empty. The gray-robed old man was not there.

After a moment's thought, he turned and walked out, stopping a young attendant who happened to be passing by outside.

"Greetings, Elder." The young attendant, seeing Han Li's elder robes, quickly bowed.

"Do you know where the elder of this side hall has gone?" Han Li asked.

"Oh, you mean Elder Hu Yan. He should be at the Hundred Wines Manor on Hundred Wines Peak right now." The young attendant paused, then pointed to a nearby peak.

From here, one could vaguely see a cluster of buildings at the summit.

"Hundred Wines Manor..."

Han Li murmured to himself, a strange expression flickering across his face. He dismissed the young attendant with a wave and flew directly toward that peak without another word.

He soon landed on the peak, looking at a large courtyard with vermilion gates and white walls. Above the gate were written four large characters: "Hundred Wines Manor," in a bold, flowing script like dragons and snakes.

But the four characters were somewhat messy, as if written casually after a heavy drinking bout.

Han Li hesitated, then extended his spiritual sense. He raised an eyebrow—the gray-robed old man was indeed inside.

He straightened his clothes, pushed open the gate, and walked in.

The courtyard contained a large patio, with rows of potted plants on either side, similar to those in the side hall, planted with various spiritual herbs and flowers, not only rich in spiritual energy but also emitting a dense fragrance.

Han Li swept his gaze over them, and his eyes brightened slightly.

In one pot not far away was a green spiritual herb, over a zhang tall, covered with clusters of yellow beans.

These beans were quite similar to the Soldier Beans he had snatched from two Mahayana cultivators of the Heavenly Ghost Sect back then.

Han Li's heart stirred. He examined them for a good while before withdrawing his gaze and walking to a hall in the courtyard, where he knocked on the door.

"Elder Hu Yan, junior Li Feiyu requests an audience."

Having said this, he stood outside the door and waited.

After a moment, the hall door creaked open, and a rich aroma of wine wafted out. Elder Hu Yan's face was flushed, his eyes drowsy, holding a verdant wine cup.

"Oh, it's you. Back so soon?" Elder Hu Yan drained the cup of fine wine in one gulp, smacked his lips, and then said nonchalantly.

Having said this, he turned and staggered inside, lying down on a recliner, picked up a nearby jadeite wine flask, refilled his jade cup, and drank again, tilting his head back.

"What excellent wine..." Elder Hu Yan let out a satisfied sigh.

Han Li walked slowly into the room, looking at the drunken old man before him. He frowned slightly, then relaxed and spoke:

"Elder Hu Yan, I have completed the task. It was a crimson lizard on the verge of breaking through to the True Immortal realm that had infiltrated Fire Cloud Ridge. I have eliminated it."

"Oh, I've already received the message... Not bad, kid... You handled it cleanly." Elder Hu Yan didn't even glance at Han Li, pouring himself two more cups as he spoke.

"Thank you for the praise, Elder. I would like to take on the next task." Han Li cupped his hands toward the old man and said.

"Kid, what's the hurry! Having cultivated for ten thousand years, survived the tribulation to become an immortal, and obtained boundless longevity, what is it for? To move mountains and fill seas, to summon clouds and rain? Or to be revered by the world, to roam freely between heaven and earth? These are all fleeting clouds, far inferior to this cup of 'Forgetful Nectar' in my hand! Come, come, keep me company with a drink before we talk about anything else." Elder Hu Yan laughed heartily, produced another wine cup from somewhere, filled it, and patted a chair beside him.

Although Han Li was reluctant to waste time here, he seemed to think of something and sat down, picking up the wine cup.

"In that case, I'll trouble you."

"That's right! Sing with wine, seize the day—that is my way of being an immortal! Cheers!" Elder Hu Yan clinked his cup with Han Li's and drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing this, Han Li also tilted his head back and drank the contents.

As the sip of fine wine entered his throat, it was sweet and smooth, first cool then warm. A surge of heat rose from his dantian, spreading through his limbs and bones, leaving his entire body relaxed and numb.

This feeling was as if he had suddenly ascended on a cloud, with celestial music ringing in his ears, and a sense of floating immortality washing over him.

"Excellent wine!" Han Li blurted out.

"Haha, refreshing! People often say wine leads to chaos, but little do they know that only after getting drunk can one act freely. Among the three thousand great paths and the myriad flavors of life, perhaps only after being enlightened by the nectar can one truly understand! Though we cultivate immortality, this Dao cannot be attained without enlightenment! Come, come, drink." Elder Hu Yan laughed heartily, pouring another full cup for himself and Han Li.

Hearing these words, Han Li's heart stirred.

The drunken old man's words, though seemingly rambling, seemed to contain some profound meaning.

Since returning to the Immortal Realm, he had been cautious at every step, always on guard, unable to face the myriad things of this world openly. This feeling was vastly different from the carefree immortal he had once envisioned.

But this sense of loss and oppression, upon meeting this drunken old man, seemed to be dispelled by his cup of wine and words, giving him a feeling of sudden clarity, and he couldn't help but agree with them.

From a village boy, he had cultivated step by step to this day, always under pressure. Was relentless, desperate cultivation the only meaning of his existence?

Since he had attained immortality and could live as long as heaven and earth, and now resided in a great sect with millions of miles of territory, perhaps he should seize the day and enjoy himself properly.

Moreover, perhaps by letting go of some burdens, he could get closer to the Great Dao...

"No, that's not right!"

He shook his head violently, casting aside all these thoughts.

Back when he first entered the Immortal Realm, perhaps it was precisely because he mistakenly believed that the Great Dao was achieved and he could roam freely in the immortal world that he was ambushed, severely injured, lost his memory, and lost his Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords, Crab Daoist, and so on. Otherwise, with his usual cautious nature, how could he have suffered such a great fall?

Now that he had just gained a foothold, how could he let down his guard and repeat the same mistake, causing ten thousand years of cultivation to be destroyed in a single day?

This Immortal Realm, though seemingly peaceful on the surface, was actually turbulent and fraught with danger. He must be even more careful to have a chance of achieving the Great Dao one day!

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, sending a cold sweat down his back, but at the same time, some belief in his heart became unconsciously more steadfast.

"Senior, this is Green Pear Wine, isn't it? Truly a top-notch wine." Han Li raised his cup and drank, praising it loudly again, but his eyes had become clear and sharp.

At this moment, the seductive celestial music in his ears had somehow faded away.