Chapter 1069: Savor the Meaning Within

Lu Qingshu's gaze was fixed intensely on the Daoist beggar, silently noting the Daoist's appearance.

At that moment, he suddenly felt goosebumps rise all over him, a chill surging from his feet to the top of his head.

Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and drank the cup of tea. He then looked toward Elder Xun and said, "I've drunk the tea. Is this to your satisfaction?"

He believed this humiliation he had endured as a Loose Immortal was already more than enough to let the matter rest. There could be no further actions taken against him.

"You didn't seem to have enjoyed it just now. What's the matter? Is the tea here not good? Have we wronged you?" Elder Xun said indifferently.

Lu Qingshu's face tightened slightly, and he replied in a low voice, "That's not it. The tea here... is quite good."

The crowd looked on with uneasy expressions. They never imagined that one day they would witness a Loose Immortal sword cultivator get treated this way. It felt almost surreal. They could hardly believe this was reality.

The sword cultivators present were filled with anger, their eyes burning with fury. The scene struck a chord within them, evoking memories of when orthodox cultivators in Prison Wind had looked down on them. It was as though they had returned to that time when they were disrespected.

"Oh? You think it's good tea?" Elder Xun's eyes lit up, and he immediately withdrew the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag. "Take a seat. Drink for a few days and savor the meaning behind it."

Lu Qingshu stared at Elder Xun in silence for a long while. Finally, he cast a sharp glance at Li Changsheng, then slowly walked over to the tea table and sat down.

"Why are you still standing? Isn't it a joy to have friends coming from afar? As the elder here, let me show some hospitality to this friend," Elder Xun said, looking toward Zhou Bufan and the others.

Zhou Bufan and the others trembled all over. With pale faces, they sat down.

Seeing that Lu Qingshu did not choose to resist but instead followed in Zhou Bufan and the others' footsteps, the sword cultivators felt a mix of emotions. They didn't know what to say.

Elder Xun's gaze fell on Ouyang Xuanzhen and the other two. "You three... why don't you come down and have a drink as well?"

The three of them shook slightly.

Dragon Sovereign cupped his hands and said, "Elder, I won't drink the tea. I only came here today to see if there's anything I can help with. After all, we are all disciples of the Daoist sect."

After speaking, he transformed into a streak of light and landed near Immortal Peak King and the others, showing an air of standing with the Three Thousand Dao Sect, sharing life and death.

Immortal King Gu Xi did the same.

However, when Ouyang Xuanzhen attempted to follow suit, he was suddenly pulled beside Lu Qingshu by some force. When he regained his senses, he found himself seated with a steaming cup of tea placed in front of him.

Ouyang Xuanzhen was dumbfounded, and he exclaimed, "Elder, what is the meaning of this?!"

Elder Xun smiled faintly. "I heard you were very enthusiastic about guiding them? Since you're so enthusiastic, the Three Thousand Dao Sect isn't lacking in manners. Naturally, we should reciprocate your courtesy. Drink it. No need to hold back."

Ouyang Xuanzhen's face shifted between pale and green as he stared blankly at the cup in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the figures in the air.

Li Changsheng and the others weren't from the Central Continent Empire, but those from the Incense Sect and Immortal Worshipping Sect, especially the Immortal Kings were familiar faces. These were people he often met. If he drank this cup of "tea" right before them, his reputation would be utterly ruined.

"Drink it," Lu Qingshu said, glancing at Ouyang Xuanzhen.

Lu Qingshu raised his cup and drank it in one go.

A hint of despair flashed in Ouyang Xuanzhen's eyes. Slowly, he raised the teacup and brought it to his lips.

Li Daoye had a faint smile on his face as he watched the scene play out. "After today, I wonder if these guys will dare to act recklessly in the Three Thousand Dao Sect again."

Elder Xun's gaze suddenly shifted to Li Changsheng. "By the way, what brought you all rushing to the Three Thousand Dao Sect this time?"

Li Changsheng thought for a moment and then replied, "We were just passing through, came to take a look. Fang Chen had some issues in Prison Wind, so we wanted to see if he had returned."

"He said the patriarch had an accident?"

The disciples of the Three Thousand Dao Sect exchanged glances.

Wasn't the patriarch already back here? He looked completely unharmed.

They subconsciously turned their gaze behind them and saw Fang Chen walking out of the crowd, approaching Elder Xun.

With a smile, Fang Chen cupped his hands toward Li Changsheng and said, "Patriarch Li, I'm lucky to have returned here. Looks like you've been worried about me."

"..."

Li Changsheng's gaze wavered as he stared at Fang Chen.

Lu Qingshu's eyes immediately flashed with a murderous intent, and he crushed the teacup in his hand.

Elder Xun's eyes narrowed sharply. "What's the matter? Is the tea not to your liking? Bring him the tea barrel!"

A large tea barrel was immediately placed before Lu Qingshu. Seeing this, his expression wavered between anger and calm. After a while, he managed to suppress the fury in his heart and held back his impulse to act.

The Immortal Peak King cast his gaze on Fang Chen. However, he knew that this wasn't the time to talk and remained silent.

"Looks like you're fine. That's good. I was worried that you'd get into trouble, and the old man would come after me for an explanation," Li Changsheng replied with a smile.

From there, the atmosphere remained tense as the days passed.

As long as Elder Xun didn't speak, no one present could leave.

After more than ten days, Xu Qingsong and the others finally arrived.

"Isn't that...?"

The cultivators of the Great Expansion Dao Sect were stunned. They had rushed here in haste, only to find their own patriarch and Zhou Bufan drinking tea with the others!

A look of disbelief spread on their faces. They knew that the tea they were drinking was no ordinary tea.

Xu Qingsong couldn't believe his eyes. He had expected to witness the Three Thousand Dao Sect being pushed around, but what he saw instead was completely unexpected. He still vividly remembered what was in the teacup!

"Sure enough, the patriarch has arrived..."

Hua Miaoqing and the others stood at a distance, not approaching. They looked at Elder Xun sitting among the powerful figures, exuding an air of leisure.

Everyone silently breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts.

"Fang Chen is here as well."

Everyone's gaze immediately fell upon Fang Chen, their expressions shifting slightly. After the Lixiao incident, they had already suspected that Fang Chen was Instructor Fang from the Desolate Academy. Seeing him again now naturally stirred up mixed emotions.

Xu Qingsong clenched his fists tightly, glaring at Fang Chen. "Clearly a dead end.... How did things end up like this...?"

Noticing this, Xu Siqiu sent a transmission, "

My son, do not be angry. We must keep a low profile for now and plan carefully.

"

"

You are right, Father.

"

Xu Qingsong quickly adjusted his mindset, silently standing among the crowd, not daring to reveal himself.

At that moment, Li Changsheng said, "Elder Xun, it's getting late. I think... is it time to end this now?"

"Indeed." Elder Xun nodded. "I've entertained all of you for so many days and delayed my cultivation a bit. Let's call it a day. Safe travels, everyone."

Without saying another word, Lu Qingshu stood up and left, not even waiting for Li Changsheng and the others.

Li Changsheng cupped his hands in respect, then led the group of sword cultivators to follow him.

Ouyang Xuanzhen wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, looking at Elder Xun with a strained smile. "Elder Xun, I—"

"Leave," said Elder Xun with a laugh.

"Yes."

Ouyang Xuanzhen nodded and quickly left.

With his departure, the cultivators of the Great Expansion Dao Sect naturally followed suit.

What had once been a lively scene in the Three Thousand Dao Sect grew quiet again.