178: Chapter 178 The Gray-Robed Old Man

Although red wine has a low alcohol content, it has a strong aftereffect. At first, Wen Ruyu didn't feel anything, but later on, her cheeks grew redder and redder until she eventually slumped onto the table and fell asleep.

“Xiao Chen, your wine is truly good. Let's keep going.”

Wen Qing was also a bit drunk and couldn't stop himself. Although Xiao Yuchen had also drunk a lot, this was the Cultivation World after all; lacking a sense of security, he used his Spiritual Qi to expel the alcohol from his body.

Before long, Wen Qing was also lying on the table asleep. Seeing this, Xiao Yuchen was somewhat speechless. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to carry them into their rooms.

Xiao Yuchen cleared his mind of stray thoughts and picked Wen Ruyu up in his arms to take her to her room. Watching the sleeping beauty, Xiao Yuchen's breathing quickened slightly.

However, he naturally couldn't do anything beastly. He covered Wen Ruyu with a blanket and left the room, though it felt a bit like being less than a beast to do so.

After he left the room, Wen Ruyu opened her eyes, her emotions complicated. Rationally, she naturally didn't want Xiao Yuchen to be a beast and do something to her while she was drunk.

But subjectively, she felt a bit disappointed. She thought she had some charm, yet Xiao Yuchen hadn't made any improper moves even after drinking; it suggested her charm was insufficient.

Xiao Yuchen naturally didn't know Wen Ruyu was faking sleep. He returned to the courtyard and carried Wen Qing into his room on his back. Why on his back? Because carrying a man into a room in his arms would feel a bit strange.

After sending both of them to their respective rooms, Xiao Yuchen returned to clean up.

He had cooked too many dishes and had barely eaten any himself, so there were many leftovers.

Just as he was clearing the leftovers, his brow furrowed slightly. He felt someone watching him from the surroundings.

However, no matter how he used his Divine Sense to investigate, he found nothing.

“What's going on? Did I sense it wrong?”

Xiao Yuchen shook his head with a bitter smile and continued cleaning. Just then, an old man in grey cloth suddenly appeared before him; his speed was even faster than his Spirit Illusion Steps.

Xiao Yuchen's pupils constricted. He quickly retreated and stared at the old man warily.

“Little kid, not bad. Even though this old man hid so well, you still noticed me.”

“Who are you?”

Xiao Yuchen was a bit nervous. Because he cultivated the Great Desolation Spirit Swallowing Technique, he was exceptionally sensitive to the energy of heaven and earth. Even for those much stronger than him, he could usually see through their cultivation. Yet, he couldn't see the cultivation of the grey-clothed old man at all, which meant the old man's strength had at least reached the Void Tempering stage.

“Hahaha, little friend, no need to be nervous. I mean no harm. This old man was wandering by and was attracted by the aroma here. Do you happen to have good wine?”

“Oh, I do have wine. Senior, if you don't mind, please sit down and have a drink.”

Xiao Yuchen knew that even if he used all his trump cards, he would be no match for the old man. If the old man had no ill intent, that was for the best.

“Good, then this old man won't be polite.”

The grey-clothed old man sat before Xiao Yuchen. Xiao Yuchen prepared a new cup and utensils for him, then opened a bottle of Moutai and poured a cup for the old man.

“Mm, this wine is so fragrant. This old man has drunk wine for many years, but I've never smelled such fragrant wine. Little friend, the items you have here are also quite strange. This old man has wandered through several great prefectures, yet this is the first time I've seen them.”

Although the old man was curious, his experience was clearly much greater than that of the Wen father and daughter; he wasn't as shocked as one might imagine.

“Mm, these are all products from my hometown. The Spiritual Qi back home is thin, so everyone has no interest in cultivation and instead likes to tinker with these little gadgets.”

“Mm, that lifestyle isn't bad. I must have a taste.”

Like Wen Qing, the grey-clothed old man downed the cup in one go.

“Mm, this wine leaves a lingering fragrance between the teeth and has a real kick. I haven't drunk such strong liquor in many years.” The old man fell into deep thought, as if remembering something.

However, hearing the old man's words, Xiao Yuchen's brow furrowed slightly.

“You've drunk such strong liquor before?”

Xiao Yuchen felt that the Cultivation World shouldn't be able to brew wine with such a high alcohol content.

“I drank it once. The taste was similar to this, though not as good. I drank it at a friend's place, but thinking about it now, I haven't seen that friend in several years.”

As the old man spoke, he poured himself another cup and downed it once more.

“Refreshing, truly too refreshing.”

Saying that, the old man picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of food.

“Mm, little friend, your cooking is also quite good. No wonder those two were so excited earlier. This old man didn't wait in vain.”

“You were here from the beginning? Then why didn't you come out earlier? We couldn't finish it all anyway, we could have just eaten together.”

Xiao Yuchen was greatly shocked. He hadn't noticed a thing earlier. Crucially, this old man was so powerful yet so reasonable; it seemed the Cultivation World wasn't as terrifying as he had imagined.

“Mm, seeing you eating and drinking, I didn't feel right interrupting. If it weren't for my stomach growling, which caused a ripple in Spiritual Qi, you wouldn't have noticed me.”

“However, while the food is good, it doesn't hold much temptation for me. If possible, little friend, could you give me two bottles of wine? This gourd of mine has long been empty.”

Following the old man's words, Xiao Yuchen noticed the wine gourd he carried. It was clear the man was a true wine lover.

“No problem, this Junior still has some left.”

Saying so, Xiao Yuchen took out a case of Moutai and a case of Wuliangye from the System Space and handed them to the old man.

“These two cases are for you. If you finish them, you can come find me for more. These dishes have gone cold and the flavor has changed; if you like, I can cook a few more fresh ones for you.”

Xiao Yuchen acted very warmly. He was a newcomer and didn't understand the situation here. Getting to know such a powerhouse would be beneficial for him, and the key was that he had plenty of wine.

“Mm, good, good, good. Little friend is indeed loyal. I'll take the wine, but forget about the dishes. I have things to do today. If we meet again, I'll definitely have a few more drinks with you.”

“But I can't take your wine for nothing. I happened to obtain a Cultivation Technique, so I'll give it to you.”

Hearing the old man's words, Xiao Yuchen's face lit up with joy. Trading two cases of liquor for a Cultivation Technique was too good a deal. Crucially, a technique given by someone of this level would definitely not be ordinary.

“Thank you for the gift, Senior.” Xiao Yuchen bowed and cupped his fists toward the grey-clothed old man.

“No need to be polite. We shall meet again if fate permits. Farewell.”

The grey-clothed old man put the two cases of wine into his Storage Ring and then vanished on the spot.

Looking at the direction where the grey-clothed old man had disappeared, Xiao Yuchen fell into thought. According to Wen Qing, the Sect Masters of the Four Great Sects in Xiyue Prefecture were only at the Void Tempering stage. So who was this old man? Could he be one of those Sect Masters?

After thinking for a long time, Xiao Yuchen couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it. As long as the other party had no ill intent, there was no problem.

Once the grey-clothed old man was far away, Xiao Yuchen finally picked up the Cultivation Technique and took a look. He was instantly drawn in by the name of the technique.

“One Qi Transforms into Three Purities!”

With curiosity, Xiao Yuchen opened the Cultivation Technique and carefully checked its introduction.

It turned out that One Qi Transforms into Three Purities was a technique that allowed one to Cultivate two Clones. The technique was divided into three Ranks: Entering the Hall, Perfection, and Peak Mastery.