Mortal: My name is Ma Liang, and I also possess a magic brush.

Xiang Zhili listened to the poem recited by Ma Liang and fell into deep thought.

"Just what kind of strength does this kid possess in the Spirit Realm? To be able to evoke such a profound sense of vicissitude..."

Xiang Zhili summoned the "Great Evolution Manual" from his storage ring, weighed it in his hand, and hesitated for a moment.

"Never mind, let's observe for a while longer."

He then put away his cultivation technique and continued to use his divine sense to observe Ma Liang's actions.

……

Ma Liang and Han Li drank together for a while longer, chatting about various things within their sects, before Han Li put down his wine cup.

"Senior Brother Ma, it's getting late, I should head back to the herb garden. If I stay out too long, Uncle Ma will scold me."

By this time, Ma Liang was already somewhat drunk. He had drunk most of the three jugs of wine, while Han Li had only drunk a little.

He waved his hand slurredly and said to Han Li, "Han Li, you're just too reserved. Alright, alright, go back now. We'll drink again sometime."

Han Li stood up and clasped his hands in greeting: "Then, Senior Brother Ma, I'll head back now."

Just as he was about to turn around, Ma Liang suddenly raised his hand and called out to him, "Hey, wait a minute."

He then took out a communication talisman from his storage bag and handed it to Han Li, saying, "Han Li, if you need anything in the future, feel free to communicate with me via voice transmission. You should also keep a communication talisman for future convenience."

Han Li hesitated for a moment, then didn't reach out to take it.

Looking at him, Ma Liang said, "You little rascal?"

He waved his hand and stated directly, "Junior Brother Han, don't take it to heart. I might need to buy some herbs from you again in the future."

Han Li then realized, "Oh, it's because Junior Brother didn't realize it for a moment."

As he spoke, he took out a communication talisman from his storage bag and handed it over with both hands.

Ma Liang took the communication talisman and casually stuffed it into his storage bag. "Alright, you can go back now."

He picked up the wine glass on the table and drank another glass by himself.

Han Li noticed that the man seemed to have something on his mind, but knowing he wasn't good at offering advice, he didn't say much. He simply clasped his hands in a fist salute again, pushed open the door, and left.

As soon as Han Li left, Ma Liang rubbed his throbbing temples, took out a Soul Nourishing Pill from his storage bag, and swallowed it.

He stared at the wine jug on the table. "My spirit is already weak; I really can't drink any more wine..."

But his hand moved uncontrollably to pour another glass, which he then tilted his head back and gulped down.

The moment the liquor entered his throat, the intoxication surged up completely. He slammed his head on the table and soon began to snore evenly as he fell asleep.

Han Li had just arrived at the entrance of the wine pavilion when he paused. Not far away stood a familiar figure—it was Chen Qiaoqian.

Chen Qiaoqian also noticed him, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "Junior Brother Han, are you here for a drink? Why are you alone?"

"I came with Senior Brother Ma. He's still upstairs. I had to go back to the sect first," Han Li replied truthfully.

Chen Qiaoqian nodded and was about to turn around when Han Li called her back.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked the question that had been bothering him: "Junior Sister Chen, is there something you need that you've come here alone?"

"This Qingfeng Zuige is a property of my Chen family. I'm here to handle some trivial matters," Chen Qiaoqian explained.

Han Li was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected that this wine pavilion was actually owned by the Chen family. As expected, a large family had a profound foundation.

"I see. Junior Sister Chen, since you have things to attend to, I'll head back to the sect now."

After saying that, he had only taken two steps when Chen Qiaoqian's voice came from behind him: "Senior Brother Han, wait! I have something I want to ask you."

Han Li's heart stirred slightly. "What guidance do you have, Junior Sister Chen?"

Chen Qiaoqian stepped forward and looked at him. "A few months ago, didn't you leave the sect and not return until very late?"

Upon hearing this, Han Li instantly recalled the events of that night, then pursed his lips. "Yes, I came to the market to browse around, bought some things I needed for cultivation, and then went back. Is there something wrong?"

Chen Qiaoqian pressed further, "Didn't anything unusual happen on your way back?"

Han Li's expression remained unchanged. "No."

Chen Qiaoqian stared at him, seeing that his face was expressionless and she couldn't see any flaws. Considering his current cultivation level, she finally relented and said, "It's alright, Junior Brother Han, you can go back now."

Han Li clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around and took two steps. A flash of spiritual light appeared under his feet, and he mounted his flying magic weapon, transforming into a streak of light and quickly flying away towards the sect.

Chen Qiaoqian watched his departing figure, "It shouldn't be him... With his cultivation level, he's no match for that guy surnamed Lu."

After saying that, he shook his head, turned around, and walked into the wine pavilion.

As soon as she entered, the restaurant manager rushed to greet her, "Miss, what brings you here?"

"Nothing much, just came to check on some things."

The shopkeeper quickly led the way, saying, "Miss, please come inside."

As the two walked inside, Chen Qiaoqian recalled Han Li's words from earlier.

"Senior Brother Han has always been taciturn and doesn't like to socialize. He's like a block of wood. How come he's suddenly drinking with someone?"

She paused, then asked the innkeeper, "Who was that person who just left with? Which private room were they drinking in?"

The innkeeper thought for a moment, "Miss is referring to that cultivator! He's still in the private room on the second floor! The servant went to check just now and said that the young master seemed to be drunk and didn't respond."

"Take me to see it."

The shopkeeper dared not delay and quickly led the way.

A moment later, the two arrived outside the private room on the second floor.

Chen Qiaoqian knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside, so she gently pushed the door open.

The private room was filled with the smell of alcohol. The table was a mess of cups and plates, with food scattered everywhere. The wine pot was overturned on the floor, and the wine was running down the edge of the table, soaking most of the tablecloth.

Ma Liang was fast asleep, lying among the cups and plates.

Chen Qiaoqian frowned first, fanned the strong smell of alcohol around her with her hand, and then her gaze fell on Ma Liang, who was lying on the table.

"This person looks completely unfamiliar."

She discreetly released a wisp of her divine sense to probe, but found nothing unusual. She then asked the shopkeeper beside her, "Do you remember this person?"

The innkeeper looked embarrassed. "Miss, the restaurant serves too many cultivators every day, I really can't remember them all. Please forgive me."

"Never mind." Chen Qiaoqian waved her hand. "Did they pay the bill for this table? How many spirit stones did they spend in total?"

"The bill hasn't been settled yet."

"A total of eighty-nine low-grade spirit stones."

Chen Qiaoqian initially wanted to say that the debt would be settled directly, but then she thought that she didn't know this person at all, so she changed her mind and said, "It's alright."

After saying that, she closed the door to the private room and said to the innkeeper, "Come on, I have some things to tell you."

……

Ma Liang was awakened.

He groggily opened his eyes and saw the waiter beside him, calling out repeatedly, "Immortal Master, Immortal Master, wake up!"

He propped himself up on the table, rubbing his throbbing head. "This liquor of yours really has a strong aftereffect."

The servant breathed a sigh of relief. "Immortal Master, you're finally awake!"

Ma Liang composed himself. "How long did I sleep?"

The servant quickly replied, "Immortal Master, you slept for a very long time, a full three days!"

As he spoke, he even held up three fingers to demonstrate.

"Huh?" Ma Liang's eyes widened, and he slapped his cheeks, looking utterly incredulous. "What? I slept for three days?"

The waiter scratched his head, looking puzzled. "I don't understand either! Our wine is good, but guests usually only stay for one day at most. You've stayed for three days, which is really rare. The manager was worried something might happen to you, so he sent me to wake you up."

Ma Liang closed his eyes and rested for a moment, then understood. It was probably his own soul that had caused him to sleep for so long.

He opened his eyes and waved his hand: "Alright, I understand. How many spirit stones are there on my table in total?"

"Sir, your table originally cost eighty-nine low-grade spirit stones, but since you've been occupying the private room for three days, an additional service fee will be charged, bringing the total to one hundred and fifteen stones."

Ma Liang didn't care at all, and casually took out a spirit stone from his storage bag and handed it to the servant.

He stumbled as he stood up, swaying for a moment before regaining his balance.

The servant stepped forward to help, but Ma Liang suddenly jumped back to avoid it.

"Don't touch me!"