Cheers

A broad river stretched between the two banks, its clear waters reflecting the azure sky as the warm sun poured down, accompanied by a gentle breeze.

The scenery here was enough to lift anyone's spirits. A bamboo raft glided across the water, leaving ripples in its wake as it drifted leisurely downstream.

"Though this is the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, dangers still lurk everywhere. Even I can't guarantee a safe return, so you really didn’t need to come along."

Under the raft's canopy, Chu Xingchen reclined lazily, his gaze shifting to Xie Lingyu, who stood at the stern, gently guiding the raft with a long bamboo pole.

Xie Lingyu wore a flowing white dress, her movements graceful as she swayed the emerald-green pole. Her expression was calm, almost indifferent, yet she blended seamlessly with the surrounding mountains and waters.

She withdrew the pole and set it down on the raft. As a child, she had always wanted to try steering a boat, but she never had the chance. If she had ever taken a pole to play with while out with Qinghe, she would have been teased mercilessly.

This was the perfect opportunity. Even if Chu Xingchen saw her indulging in this childish whim, it didn’t matter—he wouldn’t mock her.

Still… it wasn’t as fun as she had imagined. Perhaps it was because she was no longer a child.

Xie Lingyu stepped toward the canopy but didn’t enter, instead lowering her gaze slightly to look at Chu Xingchen, who still wore a languid expression.

"You handle your business, I’ll wander as I please. What makes you think I came because of you?"

Chu Xingchen nodded in satisfaction. "Fine. Once we dock, I’ll go take care of my affairs, and you can wander to your heart’s content. I’ll contact you when I’m done."

Xie Lingyu didn’t respond. Instead, she raised a hand, summoning a small current of river water to splash toward Chu Xingchen.

He reacted swiftly. Though he knew Xie Lingyu was only teasing, he had no desire to be drenched. Using his abilities to deflect it would feel like bullying, so he simply sidestepped, vanishing from the raft in an instant and reappearing above the river.

Xie Lingyu’s eyes followed him, only to hear Chu Xingchen call out in a clear voice:

"Brother Yuyang, you’ve arrived yet still hide yourself. What exactly are you hoping to see?"

Xie Lingyu’s reaction was immediate—she dispersed the water she had been controlling and scanned the surroundings, but she couldn’t detect Daoist Yuyang’s presence.

Given the vast difference in their cultivation, it was no surprise she couldn’t sense him.

But when her gaze returned to Chu Xingchen, she noticed the faintly teasing smirk on his face.

"Chu Xingchen!" Xie Lingyu glared. "You lied to me."

Chu Xingchen feigned innocence. "When did I lie? You can’t just throw accusations around. Everyone knows my word is as good as gold—what I say is what I mean."

"Then where is Daoist Yuyang?"

Behind Xie Lingyu, several tendrils of river water rose, as if ready to drench Chu Xingchen if she didn’t get a satisfactory answer.

But just then, a voice sounded from the shore.

"I am here. I merely waited to reveal myself, thinking you two still had matters to discuss. I didn’t wish to interrupt."

Xie Lingyu turned to see Daoist Yuyang standing on the riverbank, watching them with mild curiosity. The water behind her dissipated, and without another word, she stepped into the canopy, as if pretending the earlier exchange had never happened.

Chu Xingchen didn’t comment either. Ignoring Daoist Yuyang on the shore, he stepped forward and settled into the canopy beside Xie Lingyu, who had curled up slightly, resting her cheek on her arm.

"Don’t be angry with me. You’re the one who didn’t believe me," Chu Xingchen said lightly.

Xie Lingyu remained silent for a moment before giving a small nod, as if conceding the point.

Chu Xingchen couldn’t help but chuckle. Xie Lingyu was surprisingly easy to tease—as long as you had logic on your side, she wouldn’t hold a grudge. Once her mood improved, she rarely revisited past grievances.

This was often how things went when Chu Xingchen employed his silver tongue and she couldn’t counter him.

Of course, if his sophistry went too far, Xie Lingyu wouldn’t just disagree—she would be genuinely upset.

She had her own principles and lived by them steadfastly.

"You called me here, yet now you leave me standing outside, not even sparing me a glance. Is this how little you regard me?"

Outside the canopy, Daoist Yuyang remained where he was, his tone tinged with resignation.

Chu Xingchen gave Xie Lingyu’s head a light pat before stepping out.

"Brother Yuyang, surely you understand that some matters take precedence over others?"

Daoist Yuyang’s lips curled in amusement. "Indeed, Brother Chu speaks wisely. Compared to her, I suppose I should be left waiting."

Chu Xingchen clapped a heavy hand on Daoist Yuyang’s shoulder and transmitted a voice message:

"Enough. If you provoke her further, I’ll have to help her beat you up. Don’t think she wouldn’t dare."

Only then did Daoist Yuyang remember—Xie Lingyu was a true disciple of the White Profound Spirit Sect.

He schooled his expression and turned his gaze to the river. "I assume you didn’t summon me here just to share a drink, especially not in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent."

"Of course I truly meant to invite you for a drink."

With a sincere expression, Chu Xingchen retrieved a bottle from his spatial ring—the Tianyan Sect’s finest specialty, Spring Warmth.

The jade-green bottle was sealed with a talisman radiating spiritual energy. Chu Xingchen peeled it off, and instantly, an intoxicatingly mellow aroma wafted out, carried by the river breeze.

Daoist Yuyang’s eyes brightened in recognition. "Spring Warmth?"

Chu Xingchen arched a brow in confirmation.

He had specifically asked Yanyun for this before setting out, using the simple excuse that no one would lend a hand without proper libations.

Perhaps because Yanyun truly didn’t drink, he hadn’t questioned it, simply handing over a generous portion.

Daoist Yuyang licked his lips subtly but held back his eagerness.

The finer the wine, the heavier the favor it accompanied.

If the task were trivial, there wouldn’t even be wine.

Rumor had it that even within the Tianyan Sect, Spring Warmth was in short supply—never sold externally, known only to sect members.

Chu Xingchen watched as Daoist Yuyang’s gaze drifted to the river, his tone deliberately casual.

"You think refusing to drink will get you out of helping me?"

Daoist Yuyang sighed and looked up as Chu Xingchen gave the bottle a playful shake.

"Fine, pour me a cup. If I leave you to run wild in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent alone, the consequences would be far worse."

Satisfied, Chu Xingchen retrieved two cups, handing one to Daoist Yuyang before filling it.

Just as Daoist Yuyang raised it to savor the legendary aroma, Chu Xingchen stopped him with a raised hand.

"Wait before drinking."

Daoist Yuyang paused, puzzled, but seeing Chu Xingchen’s serious expression, he complied.

The raft continued downstream, now moving faster.

A moment later, Daoist Yuyang sensed something and glanced at Chu Xingchen.

Chu Xingchen poured himself a cup, then raised the bottle in a toast.

"I descend from the clouds to share in the affairs of this mortal world."

"Gentlemen, let us drink this wine and march toward the future together."

With those words, Chu Xingchen flung the wine bottle into the air, sending its exquisite nectar splashing upward. At the same moment, the river surged, enveloping the scattered droplets of wine in its embrace.

Chu Xingchen then retrieved a jade stone given by Yanyun from his spatial ring and declared:

"I am Jiuxuan. I invite you all to partake in this celestial wine."

The jade suddenly radiated a pure, luminous glow, and an ethereal aura wafted into the air.

In the next instant, countless voices echoed in response from all directions:

"As you command!"