The Hundredth Disciple

Yi Feng patted Wu Tian on the shoulder, his voice gentle. "These years have been hard on you too."

"From today onward, you are my hundredth official disciple."

Wu Tian stood frozen in place.

As an apprentice disciple, though he held no complaints, he always felt inferior to these senior brothers and sisters.

Finally, the day had come when he, Wu Tian, would become a full disciple.

Wu Tian felt a knot loosen in his chest; his dream had at last come true.

It all seemed somewhat unreal.

His nose stung, and hot tears welled in his eyes.

He knelt and kowtowed, choking out: "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master!"

In that moment, Wu Tian felt the sensation of his forehead striking the ground, knowing this was no dream.

All his past efforts had not been in vain; he had finally earned his master's recognition.

Yi Feng stood up, helped him to his feet, and patted his head, speaking warmly: "Don’t cry. This is a day for joy. So many senior brothers and sisters are waiting for you to toast them."

Wu Tian wiped his tears with his sleeve, revealing a brilliant smile.

The assembled senior brothers and sisters rejoiced for Wu Tian from the bottom of their hearts.

They had always acknowledged him; this youngest junior brother was now truly one of them.

"Xiao Ji Er, don’t just stand there—go toast Senior Brother Zhong Qing!" Deadfish-eyed Bai Qiyu urged. "I’ll tell you the story of 'down-to-earth' later."

"Cheers! Art is all in a toast—later, we brothers will blow one together!"

After bowing to Yi Feng, Wu Tian returned to his seat.

"Senior brothers and sisters, here I come!" Wu Tian laughed, raising his cup.

Yi Feng looked on with delight at his hundred beloved disciples.

He thought of his Divine Sword, which had turned into a system, wondering where it was wandering now.

The task from days past was finally complete today.

Yi Feng felt a strange sense of relief in his heart, as if fulfilling a long-held promise.

He looked at Lu Dasheng and smiled: "Old Lu, now that my disciples are back, I’m afraid you’ll have to foot the bill tonight!"

"Sir, being able to invite you and your disciples is my honor, Lu Dasheng. Eat and drink well—tonight, no one goes home sober!"

Lu Dasheng raised a wine jar, toasting the crowd.

"Let me, Lu Dasheng, drink first to show the way."

"Gulp, gulp, gulp."

Lu Dasheng downed an entire jar in one go.

The atmosphere ignited once more.

Yi Feng recalled the days of carousing in Warm Wine City within the virtual world, the faces of those three companions flashing through his mind.

He wondered where they were roaming now.

He lifted a wine jar, drinking with the same wild abandon as back then—no restraints, no distinctions of rank, as if among friends reunited after long absence.

Everyone drank to their heart’s content.

They laughed heartily, all answering Lu Dasheng’s call, and started another round of drinking contests.

Xiao Ji Er, buoyed by good fortune, began enthusiastically making the rounds.

Li Tai Bai raised an eyebrow at the crowd, sneering.

"I can take on ten!"

Hong Fengkuang, overjoyed for Wu Tian, hugged his wine jar and drank alone, soon nearing intoxication.

His face flushed crimson, his gaze bleary, and he spoke in fits and starts: "Brothers... and sisters... today is a happy day. Let me perform for you: 'I am what I am, a fireworks display of different colors!'"

With that, he shot into the sky and began exploding himself with a series of booming blasts.

The crowd watched, speechless.

Jia Jiaqin complained: "Can you do anything besides self-destruct? How boring. Master, fellow disciples, fellow villagers—let me perform a little something to liven things up!"

"Yes!"

The crowd cheered and applauded.

Jia Jiaqin waved his hand, and his Beast Troupe made a stunning appearance.

Ten golden dragons, ten fire phoenixes, ten jade qilins, and ten armored basilisks materialized high in the sky.

They arranged themselves in various formations, spewing water and fire, dancing and weaving rainbows and neon effects.

Someone turned on a loudspeaker again, playing a rhythmic, hypnotic dance track.

"The horizon of the vast sky is my love, Sui wei, Sui wei, Sui wei..."

The crowd’s fervor reignited.

The Five Black Brothers stumbled out, drunk.

"Let us perform a piece for everyone!"

With the magical music, they began to bounce.

Some clapped, some stepped in little shuffles, some lifted a golden coffin up and down, partying wildly.

Driven by the atmosphere and alcohol, everyone joined in the wild revelry.

The scene seemed straight out of an open-air disco hall.

Just as the atmosphere peaked, Wu Yonghong, slurring from drink, called out: "Sir, please forgive me for interrupting your enjoyment, but give me a chance, a moment of your time. I want to confess my love to the one my heart desires!"

Boom!

The site burst into wild applause and a thunderous wave of cheers.

"Wu Yonghong, rise up!"

"Wu Yonghong, rise up!"

...

Everyone’s eyes turned to Wu Yonghong.

Wu Yonghong produced a rose like a magician.

He stepped forward, strutting with a unique dance move, moving to the rhythm—one step, two step—until he reached a woman standing nearby.

The woman covered her mouth with one hand in surprise, looking as if she was on the verge of suffocation in disbelief.

She subconsciously covered her heaving chest with the other hand, her eyes full of tenderness and a deep blush of shyness.

Wu Yonghong's expression became extremely solemn.

He said affectionately, "A Zhen, I still remember the scene when we first met. That day, you were wearing your pajamas and opened the window. A stick hit me on the head.

I looked up, and with just that one glance, I was completely conquered by your beauty and fell head over heels for you. Your beautiful eyes and the face that blossomed like a flower when you smiled are all deeply engraved in my heart.

I still remember the first words you said to me: 'Please throw my rolling pin up.' At that moment, I just wanted to throw my heart up to you!

From then on, I've been missing you every single moment. I want to take care of you and give you happiness. Please say yes to me, A Zhen..."

Wu Yonghong took out a ring with deep affection and knelt down on one knee.

"Get together!"

"Say yes to him!"

"Get together and say yes to him!"

...

There were people whistling, shouting their support at the top of their lungs, setting off fireworks, and applauding enthusiastically at the scene.

Everyone was egging them on and helping Wu Yonghong.

The woman was extremely touched, with tears of joy welling up in her eyes.

She whispered, "A Hong, actually, I've had feelings for you for a long time. I'm willing!"

The scene erupted into another round of high - pitched and enthusiastic cheers.

Wu Yonghong was overjoyed and quickly put the ring on the woman's ring finger.

However, he found that the woman's ring finger was too thick.

He had a sudden inspiration and put the ring on her little finger.

"A Zhen, I'll have a wedding ring custom - made for you. Wearing this ring on your little finger is like making a pinky promise that we'll be together for a hundred years."

"Okay, A Hong. I'll do whatever you say..."

The two embraced each other in front of everyone.

The lovers finally got married.

Yi Feng watched this scene with a smile on his lips, sincerely happy for Wu Yonghong's late - in - life romance.

He looked up at the stars in the distant sky, and a beautiful figure appeared in his mind.

Yi Feng said silently in his heart, "I've made you wait for too long. We'll be together soon. Wait for me. I won't break my promise this time."

The bright moon hung in the sky, casting silver rays everywhere.

One lovesickness, two places of idle sorrow. It just left the brow but climbed onto the heart.

Everyone kept drinking, time slowly passed by, and the joy continued.

Late at night.

A large number of people passed out on the beach by the lake.

There were still a few people here and there, boasting and drinking at their respective tables, and several fellow disciples were playing finger - guessing games.

"Fifteen, twenty, twenty - five!"

"Fifteen, twenty, thirty!"

A few drunk old men hugged each other and lay on the beach, grinding their teeth, passing gas, and smacking their lips.

The evening breeze blew across the lake, and a small boat was moored by the shore.

The vast starry sky was reflected on the calm lake surface and caught Yi Feng's eye.

"Drunk, I don't know the sky is on the water; a boat full of star - dreams presses on the Milky Way."

Yi Feng stood with his hands behind his back, quietly looking at the beautiful scene in front of him, with a serene smile on his face.