Chapter 573: Drowning One’s Sorrows in Wine |
"Oh? How many senior brothers do you have?"
Ning Qi became curious.
He had only heard her and Wang Zhengqian talk about it, but had no idea how many senior brothers she actually had.
"There are three in total. The eldest senior brother is Xu Haoran, the second senior brother is Liu Baifeng, and the third senior brother is Xu Wenlong."
"The one you met is the third senior brother. Of the other two, one has gone out to gain experience."
"The remaining one is my second senior brother. He likes to drink for leisure and usually hangs around the nearby small towns."
Xu Qingqiu said with a smile.
"Oh? So you want me to meet your senior brother."
Ning Qi already understood her intention.
"Once we get there, we need more people to act effectively."
Xu Qingqiu continued, "Let's go."
"Alright!"
Ning Qi agreed, then followed her as they left.
Just as they reached the Mountain Gate, they saw a familiar face.
It was Gao Yunze.
"Junior Sister!"
Seeing Xu Qingqiu from afar, he rushed over excitedly.
"Who's your junior sister? We're not from the same master-disciple line."
When Xu Qingqiu saw him, she showed a look of disgust.
However, for the sake of face, she didn't directly turn hostile.
"We're from the same sect, how can we not be senior brother and junior sister?"
"Our masters are both disciples of the Sect Master."
Gao Yunze smiled and began to explain.
"Ning Qi, let's go."
Xu Qingqiu ignored him, instead gesturing to Ning Qi, preparing to leave with him.
"Alright."
Ning Qi didn't waste words, directly agreeing before following her to leave.
They prepared to descend the mountain.
"Wait!"
Seeing this, Gao Yunze immediately stepped forward to block their way.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
Xu Qingqiu was instantly displeased, her eyes fixed on him.
"Who is this person? Why can he wander around our Myriad Swords Sect freely?"
"Has he reported to our Enforcement Hall?"
Gao Yunze glanced at Ning Qi, then said with a serious tone, "Junior Sister, have you forgotten our rules?"
"The rules are for ordinary people. I'm my master's personal disciple. I can bring whoever I want. Is that any of your business?"
Xu Qingqiu glared at him, then continued, "Put away your official airs. Go show off to unrelated people, don't try to exert authority over me."
"Junior Sister, don't forget our agreement."
Gao Yunze looked at Ning Qi, then shifted his gaze back to Xu Qingqiu. "We have a marriage engagement."
"Gao Yunze, get this straight. That was just our masters' drunken joke."
"If you want me to marry you, don't even think about it in your next life."
Xu Qingqiu was immediately displeased. After glaring at him, she gestured to Ning Qi. "Let's go."
"Alright!"
Ning Qi calmly agreed, then followed her as they left.
After the two descended the mountain, Ning Qi finally smiled and said, "It seems Miss Xu is quite charming within the Myriad Swords Sect."
"Someone is pursuing you so passionately."
"Please don't mention him, I'm getting a headache just thinking about him."
Xu Qingqiu shook her head, showing a helpless expression. "If I had the chance, I'd rather never see him again."
"Don't say that. People like him still have value. They can be utilized well."
Ning Qi joked with a smile.
"Then you use him. I don't dare. He's like sticky plaster—once it sticks, you're in trouble."
Xu Qingqiu quickly shook her head, showing a helpless look. "If you'd met him earlier, you'd know how troublesome he is."
"Are we going to descend the mountain all the way from here?"
Ning Qi had lost interest in this person.
Looking at the mountain path ahead, he asked with a smile.
There was still some distance to descend from here, but it was all scenic with beautiful mountains and clear waters.
Truly a good place to relax.
"Yes, the distance is quite short, so we don't need teleportation."
Xu Qingqiu also regained her composure, then led Ning Qi to continue descending the mountain.
After they both descended, they didn't notice several people following behind them.
Among them was Gao Yunze.
But they paid no attention, heading directly toward the foot of the mountain.
The two soon arrived outside a small town.
"Quite lively."
Ning Qi glanced around and couldn't help but smile.
This small town seemed considerably larger than ordinary towns.
There were also many Cultivators here.
"These people built this town for the disciples of our Myriad Swords Sect."
"Our usual demand for resources is huge. They come here to do business with us, which is convenient for us, and they can also make a profit."
Xu Qingqiu explained to Ning Qi, "Among them, there are even businessmen from other Lower Realms."
"Oh? They'll really go anywhere to earn some Spirit Stones."
Ning Qi nodded, looking at the small town ahead. "So your place here still has some value."
"Of course. Our place is the Lower Realm closest to the fourteenth zone."
"We could enter the fourteenth region at any time."
Xu Qingqiu said seriously, "As long as one of the three sects here produces another person with Half-Step Golden Immortal strength, or if our Sect Master directly breaks through to Golden Immortal strength."
"Then we'll have that qualification."
"You mean, if within my True Martial Spirit Realm, I become the first person to reach Golden Immortal strength, wouldn't we enter the fourteenth region before you?"
Hearing her say this, Ning Qi immediately thought of a question.
"Yes, that's right, but this step is very difficult."
"Without absolute strength, it can't be done!"
Xu Qingqiu looked at Ning Qi. "You're at Celestial Immortal strength now?"
Ning Qi's question had actually reminded her.
All along, she hadn't known Ning Qi's true strength.
It was his words that sparked her curiosity.
She wanted to see what strength Ning Qi actually possessed.
"Correct."
Regarding this, Ning Qi didn't hide it either, since they were going to the Realm Sea Battlefield.
Once they got there, he would definitely display his strength.
"You're actually at Celestial Immortal strength? I remember seeing you fight before, but you were only at Peak True Immortal strength."
Xu Qingqiu looked at Ning Qi strangely.
Her pretty face was full of disbelief.
"Mmm, later I received Di Xi's inheritance, and that's how I broke through."
Ning Qi spread his hands.
He skipped over the details, not mentioning that this was entirely achieved through his own efforts.
"No wonder my master was so angry. So that's how it is."
"If they had obtained it, I'm afraid our Myriad Swords Sect would have gained another Expert with Celestial Immortal strength."
Hearing him say this, Xu Qingqiu couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
She never expected that a single inheritance could allow someone to directly break through to Celestial Immortal strength.
"Oh? Then wouldn't your master hate me?"
Ning Qi started joking.
"No, he doesn't even know who you are."
Xu Qingqiu giggled softly. "I won't let him know, otherwise it would cause trouble for you again."
"Then I should thank you!"
Ning Qi smiled along, then looked ahead.
Unconsciously, the two had already entered the small town.
The streets here were bustling with people, exceptionally lively.
"My senior brother should be at Deshun Restaurant. Let's go."
Xu Qingqiu glanced ahead, then led Ning Qi further inside.
Ning Qi didn't say anything, just followed closely behind.
The two soon arrived in front of a restaurant. When they got there, the Shop Assistants all recognized Xu Qingqiu.
"Immortal, here to find your senior brother?"
A shop assistant smiled warmly at Xu Qingqiu, then proactively began leading the way.
"I knew he'd be here."
Xu Qingqiu followed the shop assistant while also motioning for Ning Qi to keep up.
Ning Qi followed her forward, then continued upstairs.
After the two reached the upper floor, they stopped before a Private Room.
"Immortal, your junior sister is here."
The shop assistant reached the door and respectfully announced.
"Oh? Junior Sister is here."
Soon, a light voice came from inside the Private Room. "Come in quickly."
Soon, a young man came to open the door.
Ning Qi also looked over.
This was a young man who appeared somewhat thin and frail, giving an overall impression of weakness.
However, the sharp glint in his eyes told Ning Qi this person wasn't to be trifled with either.
Around him, waves of sharp Aura were surging, though clearly suppressed with great effort.
From this, it was evident he was also an Expert.
"Senior Brother, let me introduce you. This is Ning Qi, whom I've mentioned to you. He came to play with me!"
Xu Qingqiu proactively introduced him. "Ning Qi, this is my senior brother."
"Senior Brother Liu, pleased to meet you!"
Ning Qi clasped his fists in greeting.
"So it's Young Master Ning. I've long heard of your great name."
Liu Baifeng smiled, pointing to a stool. "Please sit."
Ning Qi and Xu Qingqiu sat down together like this.
"Shop assistant, bring a few more plates of good wine and dishes!"
Liu Baifeng called out toward the door again.
"Alright."
The shop assistant agreed, then directly left.
"Junior Sister, did you come find your senior brother for something?"
After sitting down, Liu Baifeng poured wine for both of them.
Then he asked with interest.
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Xu Qingqiu didn't beat around the bush, directly saying, "We want to go to the Realm Sea Battlefield, but we don't have enough people. So we wanted to ask Senior Brother to help and come with us."
"That way, Master will feel at ease, and we can also go seek opportunities."
"Oh? Junior Sister, why did you suddenly think of going to such a place?"
"I remember when Eldest Senior Brother asked you to go before, you weren't interested at all!"
Hearing her say this, Liu Baifeng couldn't help but become curious.
"Then just say whether you'll go or not!"
Xu Qingqiu deliberately put on airs.
"If Junior Sister invites me, how could I not go?"
"Senior Brother only has you as a junior sister."
Hearing her say this, Liu Baifeng couldn't help but smile.
"You know what's good for you!"
Hearing him agree, Xu Qingqiu was immediately happy.
She even considerately picked up some food for him. "Senior Brother, eat more."
"You only serve food to Senior Brother when you need him."
Liu Baifeng said with feigned annoyance.
"Senior Brother, what are you saying? Even if there's nothing, you'd still get some."
Xu Qingqiu stuck out her tongue, saying playfully, "Senior Brother, I also want to bring Ning Qi along!"
Only at this point did she state her fundamental purpose clearly.
"Oh?"
Hearing her say this, Liu Baifeng immediately understood what was going on.
The one who really wanted to go probably wasn't her, but this Ning Qi she had mentioned countless times.
"Senior Brother, is it convenient?"
Ning Qi asked with a smile at this point.
Clearly, he didn't want to cause trouble for others because of this.
"Why wouldn't it be convenient?"
"As long as Junior Sister can go, she can bring whoever she likes."
"But we must agree that once we're there, don't cause trouble. That place is too dangerous."
"The slightest carelessness could lead to our complete annihilation."
Liu Baifeng looked at Ning Qi seriously. "Before understanding the situation, you must absolutely follow our arrangements."
"No problem, everything will be arranged by Senior Brother."
Ning Qi nodded, already acknowledging his status.
After all, he was acquainted with Xu Qingqiu. Since he was her senior brother, he was also like a brother to Ning Qi.
Regarding their words, Ning Qi didn't argue.
After all, what they said wasn't wrong.
"Good, that's refreshing!"
"Then let's make this trip!"
Liu Baifeng nodded with a smile. "What a pity. For the next few months, we won't have any alcohol to drink."
"Senior Brother, once we're there, there will still be opportunities!"
Xu Qingqiu followed up.
"That's different. It's not in a tavern, the feeling isn't the same."
"Drinking outside is completely different."
Liu Baifeng shook his head, then sighed. "However, compared to going on this trip with Junior Sister, even not drinking for several years would be fine."
"Senior Brother is still the best to me!"
Xu Qingqiu said, moved.
At this moment, the shop assistants began serving dishes.
"These are their signature dishes. Have a good taste!"
"In a month, we won't be able to eat them anymore!"
Liu Baifeng proactively invited both of them to eat.
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony!"
As Ning Qi spoke, he picked up some food and began tasting it.
"How is it? Delicious, right!"
Liu Baifeng watched him take a bite and said expectantly.
"Delicious, not bad!"
"Senior Brother's recommendation is truly different!"
Ning Qi also gave him full face, beginning to praise generously.
"Come, let's have a toast."
Xu Qingqiu proactively raised her wine cup, inviting both to drink together.
"Alright, cheers!"
"......"
Ning Qi and Liu Baifeng also raised their wine cups, drinking together.
The three soon began chatting about everything under the sun, talking happily.
"Senior Brother, it's getting late. Are you going back or staying here?"
After finishing the entire table of dinner, Xu Qingqiu looked at the sky and asked.
"You two go back. I'll stay here."
Liu Baifeng shook his head, showing no intention of leaving.
"But it's getting late too!"
Xu Qingqiu still didn't give up, wanting to take him back.
"No need, Junior Sister!"
"You go back first. I'll come find you tomorrow."
However, Liu Baifeng showed no intention of following them back.
"Then we'll go back."
Xu Qingqiu couldn't persuade him, so she could only agree.
"Senior Brother, see you another day!"
Ning Qi also stood up, clasping his fists as he spoke.
"Young Master Ning, see you another day!"
Liu Baifeng also clasped his fists, swaying as he stood up.
He saw them to the door.
"Senior Brother, we're really leaving now."
Xu Qingqiu turned her head to glance at him again, then called out.
"Alright, go on!"
Liu Baifeng just waved his hand.
Then he watched as the two left.
After they went downstairs, Ning Qi instead showed a curious expression. "Has your senior brother experienced something? Always drinking to drown his sorrows?"