The night in Spirit Creek Village was eerily quiet. Pale moonlight cast a silvery glow over the village well, lending an otherworldly hue to the scene. Dare Drake Tran stood by the well, sensing a familiar energy drawing near.
"You've come…" A female voice echoed behind him. "The fallen Celestial Master…"
"That voice…" He turned, but only saw a figure cloaked in black, face hidden in shadow.
"You should be careful…" the figure continued. "The cave you're staying in… was once used by the demonic path to cultivate dark energy. Zhu Bajie didn't come here by accident."
"The demonic path? Zhu Bajie? Why…"
"There's no time to explain. But if you want to know more…" The figure held out an old, weathered map. "The Abandoned Shrine north of the village—that's where it all began."
[System: New Quest Unlocked—"Secrets of the Abandoned Shrine"
Difficulty: ???
Reward: ???
Note: "It seems… things are more complicated than you thought!"]
"Wait!" He wanted to ask more, but the shadow had already disappeared into the darkness, leaving only a warning behind:
"Be careful… what you're about to face is not as simple as it seems…"
Returning to the cave, feeling a weight on his mind, Dare resolved to cultivate immediately. The carvings on the cave walls seemed to glow under the thin beam of moonlight seeping through a crack.
"If there's demonic energy here…" he thought, "I can use it to break through faster…"
[System: Warning! Risky Method! Success Rate: 50%
Deviation Rate: 49%
Other Possibilities: 1% (Cave may explode)
Note: "Are you sure? You don't want to… try something safer?"]
"I am a Celestial Master!" He sneered. "Even if I have fallen, my thousand years of experience weren't for nothing!"
[Livestream started…]
Dare settled into a cross-legged position, drawing a deep breath. The cave air was thick with a strange energy—a blend of pure spiritual Qi, chaotic demonic energy, and… a strong aroma of alcohol.
[TinyFairy2k: "Are you cultivating… or drinking?"]
[Guest1810: "Plot twist: cultivating while partying!"]
[CelestialPalace_001: "Interesting… let's see how you handle this."]
"First…" he murmured. "I need to separate the two energies…"
**[System: Special Cultivation Method Activated—"Drunken Immortal Technique – Modified"
Ingredients:
• 40% Pure Qi
• 30% Refined Demonic Energy
• 30% Heavenly Wine Aroma
Note: "This recipe… is more unique than the cocktails in the Celestial Palace!"]**
The Qi and demonic energy were like boiling water and ice, fundamentally incompatible. But according to the carvings on the walls, Zhu Bajie had found a way—using wine as a catalyst!
"That's it…" Dare realized. "Zhu Bajie wasn't just drinking for fun. He was studying a way to purify demonic energy!"
[TinyFairy2k: "Mind = Blown!"]
[Guest1810: "Wine isn't for drinking—it's for… cleansing?"]
[Viewers: 100,000+]
He began circulating the energy along the strange pathways etched on the walls. Pure Qi surged like a fountain, demonic energy roared like a wild beast, and the wine aroma… made his head spin a little.
"Focus!" He grit his teeth. "I am a Celestial Master; I won't lose to a bottle of wine!"
[System: Warning! Signs of intoxication detected!
Alertness: -20%
Daring: +50%
Note: "Seems the Heavenly Wine… is still pretty strong!"]
Suddenly, a loud hum filled his mind as the three energies began swirling together, forming a bizarre vortex. Golden Qi, pitch-black demonic energy, and the… pinkish wine aura?
"Combine!" he shouted, his entire body trembling. "The Three Energies Fusion!"
BOOM!
A small explosion echoed, filling the cave with smoke. As the haze cleared…
[System: Congratulations! Breakthrough Successful!
New Level: Qi Refining, Stage 3
Method: One-of-a-Kind (Patent Pending)
Side Effect: Slightly… intoxicated
Note: "Who knew Qi, demonic energy, and wine could… be friends?"]
"I did it!" He attempted to stand up in celebration, but his legs wobbled. "Ugh… why does the ceiling keep spinning…"
[TinyFairy2k: "You're drunk!"]
[Guest1810: "Best cultivation moments ever!"]
[CelestialPalace_001: "Intriguing… very intriguing…"]
Just then, a cold sensation ran down his spine. A powerful presence was approaching, carrying a familiar aura of…
BANG BANG BANG!
A loud knocking echoed from the attic above.
"Immortal!" Ani's panicked voice called. "The demonic path… they're gathering at the Abandoned Shrine! And the old Daoist is there too!"
**[System: Urgent Warning!
High-level energy detectedConcentration of demonic energyCurrent Condition: 50% Drunk + Freshly Broken Through
Note: "This… might be a long night…"]**
"Zhu Bajie…" Dare mumbled, stumbling as he stood, still feeling dizzy. "What on earth are you doing…"
[CelestialPalace_002: "Things… are about to begin."]
Dare steadied himself against the cave wall. The lingering effects of his unique cultivation method hadn't faded entirely, making the world around him seem to sway.
"Ani!" he called up. "What did you see at the shrine?"
"There's… green light! And I can hear the old Daoist laughing… but it sounds strange…"
**[System: Situation Analysis
Intoxication: 50% (fading gradually)New Level UnstableDanger Imminent
Suggested Action: Rest to sober up
Reality: Knowing you, that's unlikely…]**
"Hey!" Dare glared at the screen. "I may be a bit tipsy, but I'm still… still…"
"Still what, Immortal?" Ani asked, bewildered.
"Uh… nothing." Dare cleared his throat. "I'm… just communicating with the Heavenly Court!"
[TinyFairy2k: "Lying +1"]
[Guest1810: "Limited edition—Drunken Immortal!"]
[Viewers: 200,000+]
Suddenly, a familiar laugh echoed from afar. It was Zhu Bajie's hearty laugh, but laced with an eerie undertone of demonic energy.
"Not good…" Dare frowned. "Something's not right with Zhu Bajie…"
[System: Emergency Quest Activated—"Rescue Zhu Bajie?"
Difficulty: Extremely High
Success Rate: ???
Note: "In your current state… you might need some luck!"]
"Ani, go home and rest," Dare instructed, his voice steadying. "Leave this… to me."
"But… Immortal, you've just finished cultivating and…"
"It's fine." He smiled faintly. "After all, I am a Celestial Master… I mean, an Immortal!"
[CelestialPalace_001: "Still as arrogant as ever…"]
[CelestialPalace_002: "Be cautious… not everything is as it seems."]
Dare stepped out of the cave, the cool night breeze helping clear his mind a bit. The newfound energy coursing through him was familiar, a feeling he hadn't felt in ages.
"All right…" He looked toward the eerie green glow flickering in the distance. "Zhu Bajie, whatever trouble you're in… I'll figure it out."
**[System: End of Chapter Summary
Cultivation Level: Qi Refining, Stage 3 (brand new)Intoxication: 20% remainingNew Quest: Investigate the Abandoned ShrineDanger: RisingNew Adventure: Beginning…]**
The night deepened, and the moon seemed to pale against the strange lights coming from the Abandoned Shrine. A Celestial Master, both tipsy and freshly empowered, stumbled toward the danger, beginning a journey that just might… change everything.
[CelestialPalace_001: "Things… are about to begin."]
[CelestialPalace_002: "The fate of all realms… may be decided from here."]
The darkened village of Spirit Creek bore witness to the first steps of a new journey—one where the lines between immortal and demon, good and evil, right and wrong… might not be so clear anymore.