Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

At this point, Dongfang Shuo drank another cup and sighed deeply.

"This Peach Banquet, though called a grand event, is in reality a battlefield."

Those powerful figures openly discuss scriptures and doctrines, but secretly they are vying for fortune, status, and the right to speak.

The next minor celestial official, caught in the middle, felt as if he were walking on thin ice.

He looked at Li Yan, his eyes already showing signs of intoxication, yet also revealing a clearer understanding.

"Master Li, do you know who is the most difficult person to decide on on that list?"

Li Yan shook his head.

Dongfang Shuo lowered his voice: "It's Zhen Yuanzi from Wuzhuang Temple."

The ancestor of the Earthly Immortals, of the same generation as the Three Pure Ones, yet not listed in the Heavenly Court's register of immortals.

Even if you send him an invitation, he might not come.

Even if we don't give it to him, he might still come.

Whether or not to send out invitations, and whether or not to arrange seating, are all matters of skill.

Sun Wukong frowned upon hearing this: "What's so difficult about that? Just send it, whether he comes or not is his business."

Dongfang Shuo smiled wryly: "Great Sage, you are unaware of this."

If Zhen Yuanzi doesn't come, people will say that the Heavenly Court couldn't persuade him to come, and that they've lost face.

If he comes, where should he sit?

Below the Three Pure Ones?

Above the Four Emperors?

This disrupts the rules.

Li Yan listened and secretly made a mental note of it.

Dongfang Shuo's seemingly drunken ramblings were actually full of insights into human relationships and social customs in Heaven.

If you can listen to more from him, you will have more confidence in your future actions.

Thinking of this, Li Yan smiled slightly, reached out and took the jade pot, and put the lid back on.

"Sir, it is getting late. This humble Taoist priest and the King should return to our residence."

Dongfang Shuo was taken aback, his wine cup held in mid-air, staring blankly at the jade pot that had been taken away.

"This... Master Li, this wine..."

Li Yan put the jade pot into his sleeve, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Sir, please drink slowly. This Drunken Immortal Brew of mine is too strong. You have already drunk several cups. Drinking more may harm your spleen and stomach."

Another day, I will bring another pot so that we can savor it slowly together.

After saying that, he winked at Sun Wukong.

Although Sun Wukong did not understand the meaning, he still stood up and bowed, saying:

"Mr. Dongfang, I apologize for bothering you today. Let's meet again another day!"

The two turned and walked towards the door.

Dongfang Shuo opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

He stared at the empty tabletop, then at the jade pot that had been taken away, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes.

Having lived for thousands of years, when have I ever been so tantalized?

The wine had only been drunk three cups, and just as its flavor was beginning to intensify, it was abruptly stopped.

It's like when you're reading a book and it's about to reach a crucial point, the book is suddenly closed.

When the game of chess reached a crucial point, the chessboard was overturned.

Dongfang Shuo felt like he was being scratched by cat claws, but he had to pretend to be nonchalant on the surface.

He forced a laugh, cupped his hands, and said, "In that case, please take your leave. I... will meet you another day."

Li Yan and Sun Wukong left the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and headed towards the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's Mansion.

The moonlight, like water, spilled over the palaces and pavilions of the heavenly court, coating them with a layer of silvery radiance.

Sun Wukong, who had been holding back all the way, finally entered the mansion and closed the gate, and couldn't help but ask:

"Brother, why did you take that wine away just now?"

I, Old Sun, see that Dongfang Shuo clearly still wants to drink and has much more to say.

"Does Your Majesty know who Dongfang Shuo is?"

Sun Wukong said, "The celestial official in charge of the Peach Banquet."

Li Yan shook his head: "Not only."

This person is a disciple of the Eastern Emperor and also a student of the Queen Mother. He has been in the Heavenly Court for thousands of years and is knowledgeable and worldly-wise.

If you beg someone like that, they might not be willing to genuinely help you.

But if you keep him hanging on, he'll actually come looking for you.

Sun Wukong's golden eyes flashed: "Brother, is this a ploy to lure me in?"

Li Yan laughed and said, "Your Majesty is indeed wise."

Dongfang Shuo was a heavy drinker and had a lot of pent-up feelings, so this was the time when he most wanted to confide in someone.

I stopped him from finishing his sentence and prevented him from drinking enough.

After he returns, he will surely toss and turn, unable to sleep. Then he will come looking for us.

Sun Wukong laughed heartily, "Brother, that was truly a brilliant move! Shall we wait here in the manor?"

Li Yan shook his head: "No rush. Your Majesty, please go and rest first."

I suspect that Dongfang Shuo will come tonight. However, he will likely arrive after midnight.

Sun Wukong asked, "Why is it after midnight?"

Li Yan said, "At midnight, the first yang energy is born, which is the time when the energies of heaven and earth combine."

Dongfang Shuo had cultivated Taoism for thousands of years and knew that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was most active at this time, making it the most suitable time to comprehend profound mysteries.

If he had something on his mind, he should have come at this time.

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong seemed to be deep in thought.

The two entered the main hall, where Li Yan sat cross-legged, closing his eyes and concentrating.

Although Sun Wukong had something on his mind, he also learned to sit cross-legged and close his eyes to regulate his breathing.

But the monkey couldn't sit still. In less than half an hour, it opened its eyes, looked around, and then closed them again.

After repeating this several times, he finally lost his patience, got up and went to the backyard to tease the peach trees.

Li Yan ignored him and focused on regulating his breathing.

My mind sank into the cave, where I saw the twelve-petaled golden lotus slowly rotating.

On the petals, those mysterious symbols and characters flowed endlessly.

The original power of the Lion Camel King and the Roc Demon King has been completely refined and integrated into the lotus flower.

Beside the lotus flower, the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, the Canglang Dao Scripture, and the Dragon Roar Sword floated silently, enveloped in golden light, nurturing their spiritual essence.

In the Demon Imprisonment Valley, the thousands of lesser demons have gradually settled down.

In Anleyuan, the monkeys were frolicking happily among the fruit trees.

Little Drill Wind squatted on the tallest tree, holding a big peach, his face covered in juice as he ate it.

Looking at all this, Li Yan felt a surge of satisfaction.

This is his grotto.

Although it is only a small world with a radius of nine thousand miles, it is already full of life.

If we can go a step further and evolve into a thousand worlds, that would be a true world.

At that time, he will have a foothold in this world of Journey to the West.

While pondering, Li Yan looked toward the side of the lotus flower.

The Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, the Canglang Dao Scripture, and the Dragon Roar Sword, after being nurtured for so long, have regained their spirituality.

With a thought, Li Yan first took the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl.

The Sea-Stabilizing Pearls are innate spiritual treasures, totaling twenty-four.

He only had one, but the Daoist principles contained within it were already vast and boundless.

He focused his mind into the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl and found that his vision suddenly opened up to a vast ocean.

The sea surface was calm and smooth as a mirror.

But Li Yan knew that beneath this calm lay a power capable of overturning heaven and earth.

The so-called "stabilizing the sea" refers to stabilizing the sea of ​​the mind, which is also the sea of ​​consciousness.

"People draw their inspiration from still water rather than flowing water."

In the flowing water, the waves rise and fall, and everything reflected in the water is distorted and deformed.

Only still water can reflect the true nature of all things.

The essence of this Dinghai Pearl lies in the word "fixed".

Li Yan sat cross-legged, visualizing the waveless sea with his mind.

In the beginning, my mind was in turmoil, like waves and billows, causing the sea to ripple and become restless.

This is the work of the conscious mind.

Therefore, one silently practices the Dharma, introspecting one's mind, yet finding no mind within; outwardly observing one's form, yet finding no form within form.

When viewed from afar, the object appears as nothing. Once these three understandings are grasped, only emptiness remains.

When a thought arises, one becomes aware of it; once aware, it is empty.

I don't know how many times I emptied my mind or how many times I slept, but the chaotic thoughts gradually calmed down.

Finally, at a certain moment, Li Yan's mind became completely clear.

In that instant, the calm sea within the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl shone brightly.

A profound and mysterious Daoist aura rose from the sea and entered Li Yan's Niwan Palace.

He realized that water is extremely soft and weak, adaptable to any shape, and formless.

However, the rage of water is extremely powerful and strong, capable of destroying mountains and splitting rocks, and devouring all things.

It can be both gentle and firm, both still and dynamic.

The key to this lies in the word "fixed".

"Stability" means that one's mind and nature remain unmoved.

If one's mind is steadfast, then gentleness is true gentleness, and firmness is true firmness.

When still, it is truly still; when in motion, it is truly in motion.

Like the sea, when calm it can reflect the sun, moon and stars, but when turbulent it can capsize boats and ships.

Between calm and turbulence, the essence of the sea never changes.

This is the true meaning of calming the sea: when the mind is calm, the sea is calm; when the mind is restless, the sea is restless.

In an instant.

The Daoist essence of the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl formed a subtle connection with his grotto-heaven world.

Within the grotto, the mountains and rivers spanning nine thousand miles suddenly trembled slightly.

Several rivers suddenly appeared out of nowhere on the earth.

The river meanders and flows, converging into a lake, where the water ripples and reflects the sky and clouds.

The vast land of China, spanning nine thousand miles, gains an extra touch of elegance because of this "Sea-Stabilizing Pearl."

Li Yan was delighted, but remained outwardly calm.

He knew that comprehending the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl was only the first step.

The real highlight is the Canglang Daojing.

He turned his attention to the Canglang Daojing (a Daoist scripture).

The two characters "Canglang" are written with bold and unrestrained strokes, like the surging of a river and the surging of the sea.

Li Yan probed his mind and felt a vast torrent of information rushing in from all directions.

This scripture is the general outline of the virtue of water.

The waters of the Canglang River, whether clear or turbid, follow the Way; whether deep or shallow, they also follow the principle.

The Canglang Daojing is divided into three volumes.

The first volume discusses the nature of water, the second volume discusses the functions of water, and the third volume discusses the spirit of water.

The first volume begins with a line from the Tao Te Ching.

"The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without striving, and dwells in places that others disdain, thus it is close to the Way."

Li Yan pondered the sentence carefully and felt that it was like a general outline, encompassing all the characteristics of water.

Water possesses five virtues: gentleness, humility, tolerance, adaptability, and constancy.

Li Yan studied and comprehended these five virtues one by one, and integrated them into his understanding.

He gradually discovered that these five virtues were not only a description of water, but also a guide for spiritual practice.

The way of gentleness lies in non-contention. Do not contend with others, do not contend with nature, follow the natural order, and you will be in harmony with the natural way.

Humility is the way to apply oneself; it means having an open mind and a humble heart. By not being complacent or arrogant, one can make continuous progress.

Only by encompassing all things can one move in harmony with the universe.

By adapting to change and responding to circumstances, one can be inexhaustible in the face of endless changes.

Persistence is key; perseverance is essential. Like water dripping on a stone, with enough time and effort, one will eventually achieve perfection.

Having grasped this point, Li Yan experienced another moment of enlightenment.

Inside the cave, the newly formed river suddenly became lively.

The river possessed a certain spirit, meandering and swirling across the land, flowing to lower places and bypassing obstacles.

Li Yan continued to study the middle volume, focusing on the power of water.

This volume discusses the various uses of water.

Irrigation, washing, boating, cooking, medicine making, alchemy... it encompasses everything in the world related to water.

But at its core, water is the foundation of our future.

"Heaven generates water, and earth completes it."

Water is the first of the five elements and the origin of all things.

Without water, there is no spiritual practice.

Within the human body, essence is water, blood is water, bodily fluids are water, and even true energy and magical power are essentially water.

Li Yan suddenly realized.

He reflected on his cultivation over the past few days. Although he had made rapid progress, his foundation was somewhat unstable.

The reason is that he focused too much on the cultivation of fire, refining essence into qi, and transforming qi into spirit, all of which involved using fire to refine things.

However, the importance of water temperature control was overlooked.

Fire is dry and can refine things, while water is moist and can nourish things; neither can be lacking.

If only the raging fire remains, it is like ten suns in the sky, scorching everything;

If only the raging waves remain, like endless torrential rain, all living beings will perish.

Only when water and fire are in balance, and yin and yang are in harmony, can life continue endlessly.

Li Yan incorporated this understanding into his cultivation.

He felt that the true essence and magical power in his dantian had become more mellow and dense.

Within the grotto, lush green grass and trees grew on both banks of the river.

The vegetation spread out, adorning the land with lush greenery.

The vast land of China has gained a third of its vitality thanks to this Canglang Daojing (a Daoist classic).

Li Yan was even more delighted.

He took a deep breath and turned his attention to the Dragon Roar Sword.

The Dragon's Roar Sword has a dragon's bone as its spine, dragon's tendons as its string, dragon's scales as its blade, and dragon's soul as its spirit.

This sword contains a wisp of dragon soul, so when it is drawn, it makes a sound like a dragon's roar, hence the name Dragon Roar Sword.

Li Yan focused his mind on the sword.

He felt an incomparably sharp sword aura rushing towards him, like ten thousand arrows being fired simultaneously, or a thousand blades slashing at him.

He was startled and immediately focused his mind to defend himself.

That sword energy contained thousands of years of killing intent, making it extremely ferocious.

If Li Yan had not already comprehended the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl and the Canglang Dao Scripture, and possessed a calm and composed mind, he might have been injured by the sword energy with the slightest carelessness.

But at this moment, Li Yan's mind was like a calm sea, and no matter how sharp the sword energy was, it could not stir up any waves.

With his mind focused on the sword, Li Yan saw the wisp of dragon soul.

It was a golden dragon, not large in size, but exuding immense power.

It was coiled within the sword, its eyes closed, as if it were asleep.

A layer of black malevolent energy swirled around the dragon soul.

That was the slaughter of the Flood Dragon King over thousands of years, which seeped into the sword and corrupted the dragon soul.

With a thought, Li Yan channeled the light of the golden lotus into the Dragon Roar Sword through his mind.

The black, malevolent energy dissipated.

The dragon soul sensed the golden light and trembled slightly.

Li Yan seized the opportunity and continued to pour in the golden light.

Before long, the malevolent aura that had been entwining around the dragon soul was completely swept away by the golden light.

The dragon soul slowly opened its eyes.

Those were golden eyes, deep and majestic.

The dragon soul and Li Yan locked eyes, and suddenly the dragon soul let out a long cry.

The dragon is the chief of all scaled creatures; it ascends to the heavens at the spring equinox and dives into the abyss at the autumn equinox.

The nature of the dragon is strong, upright, pure, and refined.

The virtue of the dragon is self-improvement and perseverance, and its virtue is to bear all things with great compassion.

Li Yan comprehended the true meaning of the Qian hexagram from the dragon's roar.

Tian Xingjian, the gentleman is self-improvement.

The dragon is the symbol of the Qian hexagram.

There are four categories: Hidden Dragon, Dragon Appearing in the Field, Flying Dragon in the Sky, and Dragon Exceeding Its Limits Will Regret.

This is not only the life of a dragon, but also the life of a person who cultivates themselves.

At the beginning of cultivation, one should lie low and accumulate strength, and not act rashly.

As one's spiritual practice deepens, one should reveal one's talents, thus gaining access to great figures and encountering enlightened teachers.

Upon achieving mastery of cultivation, one will soar into the heavens, roaming freely through the nine heavens, and live as long as heaven and earth.

When one reaches the pinnacle of spiritual practice, one must know when to advance and retreat, when to live and when to die, and never lose one's righteousness, so that one can have a good beginning and a good end.

Li Yan imprinted these four realms into his mind one by one, and felt that the Dragon Roar Sword resonated with him.

The sword trembled slightly and emitted a clear, melodious dragon's roar, as if in response to his enlightenment.

Inside the grotto, the twelve-petaled golden lotus flower spun faster.

On the petals, those mysterious symbols and characters shone brightly.

The Dragon Roar Sword flew out from beside the lotus flower and circled it three times.

Then it transformed into a golden light and disappeared into the lotus flower.

Beside the lotus, the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl and the Canglang Dao Scripture also trembled, each transforming into a beam of light that disappeared into the lotus.

At this moment, the three magical treasures completely merged with the golden lotus.

The golden lotus's light surged, illuminating the entire cave as bright as day.

The landscape within a radius of nine thousand miles underwent earth-shattering changes at this moment.

The earth expands, the sky rises, rivers extend, and vegetation grows.

Nine thousand li... nine thousand five hundred li... nine thousand eight hundred li... nine thousand nine hundred li...

Ultimately, the territory of the cave was fixed at a radius of 9,999 li.

Just one mile away from breaking through the limits of the Lesser Thousand Worlds and evolving into the Middle Thousand Worlds.

Li Yan slowly opened his eyes.

He felt as if he had been reborn, his essence, energy, and spirit now fully replenished and complete.

[Cultivation Level: Sixth Level of Grotto-Heaven (Lesser Thousand 99%)]

It was just one step away from victory.

He looked up at the sky; the moon was setting in the west, it was already midnight.

Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly heard a knocking sound coming from outside the gate.

Tap, tap, tap.

Li Yan's lips curled up slightly, but he didn't rush to get up.

The knocking stopped for a moment, then resumed.

It was still a third tone, slightly louder than before.

Li Yan then stood up, straightened his clothes, and headed towards the gate of the mansion.

After arriving at the door, they waited a few more moments before opening the door.

Under the moonlight, Dongfang Shuo stood outside the door.

But at this moment, Dongfang Shuo was no longer as carefree as he had been at dusk.

Her clothes were slightly open, her hair was a little disheveled, and a hint of urgency flashed quickly in her eyes.

Upon seeing Li Yan, he cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Master Li, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."

Li Yan feigned surprise: "Mr. Dongfang? It's the middle of the night, why aren't you resting?"

Dongfang Shuo chuckled and said, "I've been tossing and turning all night, thinking about that Drunken Immortal Wine from earlier, and I'm really missing it."

Then I remembered there were some things I hadn't finished saying, so I came uninvited.

Li Yan chuckled inwardly, stepped aside, and cupped his hands, saying, "Please come in, sir."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Shuo didn't stand on ceremony and stepped inside.

The two walked through the corridors and courtyards and entered the main hall.

Sun Wukong had already heard the commotion. He came out from the backyard, saw Dongfang Shuo, and grinned:

"Brother Dongfang actually came! I told you, we can't just drink that wine for free!"

Dongfang Shuo's face flushed slightly, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Great Sage, you jest."

"I've come here for two reasons: first, for the Drunken Immortal Wine; and second, because there are some things I simply must say."

Guests and hosts took their seats separately.

Li Yan took out a new pot and poured three cups.

The wine was clear, with a subtle amber sheen, and its aroma filled the room.

Dongfang Shuo held the cup in his hand, but did not rush to drink. He first took a deep sniff, closed his eyes and savored it for a moment before slowly drinking it down.

This cup was drunk very slowly, like savoring tea, carefully sipping and lingering in the aftertaste.

"Good wine."

He put down his wine glass and sighed deeply.

"Master Li's wine reminds me of the three-thousand-year-old Daughter's Red I once drank in the Chu region when I was in the mortal world."

The rich aroma and lingering flavor of that wine are remarkably similar to this "Drunken Immortal Brew."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Brother, you seem to know your stuff when it comes to wine."

Dongfang Shuo waved his hand and said, "Great Sage, you are unaware of this."

Before I began my cultivation, I was a Confucian scholar in the mortal world who repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and was frustrated and unfulfilled.

Later, he was enlightened by the Eastern Emperor and entered the path of Taoism.

I have long since abandoned worldly pursuits such as the Four Books and Five Classics, fame, and fortune.

Only this drink remains something I can't bear to part with.

As he spoke, he drank another cup, his eyes gradually becoming intoxicated. Let reading always be a chapter ahead of you.

Seeing that Dongfang Shuo was engrossed in conversation, Li Yan stood up and said:

"Sir, please wait. Drinking wine alone is rather bland and unhospitable. Let me prepare a few dishes to enhance the drinking experience."

After saying that, he went into the kitchen and soon brought out four dishes and four bowls.

The first dish is stewed mandarin fish.

The fish used are mandarin fish from the stream behind Huaguo Mountain.

Accompanied by the old peach tree by the Water Curtain Cave Pick the fish that are seven or eight parts ripe, remove the skin and pits, and stew them with the fish.

The soup is milky white with a few pieces of peach floating on top, and it's fresh with a hint of sweetness.

The second dish was stir-fried pine mushrooms with sparrow tongues.

Take wild mushrooms from the pine forest on the shady side of Qinggeng Peak, slice them thinly, and stir-fry them with the tongue meat of a spotted pigeon caught on the mountain.

The mushroom slices are smooth and tender, and the sparrow tongues are crisp and fragrant. They are made with tea oil that the monkeys themselves press, which has a wonderful aroma.

The third dish is rock tripe mixed with shredded cloud.

Rock tripe, which grows on the cliffs of Huaguo Mountain, is soaked, shredded, and mixed with tofu skin.

Finely slice it into thin, cloud-like strands, drizzle with a dressing of wild honey and berry vinegar, and it's refreshing and appetizing.

The fourth dish is braised deer tendon with Solomon's seal.

The sika deer caught in the back mountain had its tendons removed and stewed with Solomon's seal gathered from the mountain.

Cooked to perfection, it's soft and chewy.

These dishes, though not as exquisite as delicacies from the immortals, still possess a unique, rustic flavor.

The four bowls were seaweed and egg drop soup, white tofu soup, jade meatball soup, and shredded chicken and egg drop soup.

Although it is an ordinary soup, the ingredients are all from the immortals, the soup is clear and bright, and the taste is mellow.

Dongfang Shuo's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together, saying, "Master Li, your skills are superb!"

Sun Wukong had already grabbed a deer leg, tore off a piece of meat, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled:

"Don't be shy, brother. The food my brother makes is so good you'll want more."

The three of them toasted each other, and after several rounds of drinks and several dishes, they had enjoyed a meal.

Dongfang Shuo was flushed and drunk, and he became more talkative.

Sun Wukong suddenly slammed his hand on the table and said, "Just drinking and eating is rather boring. Brother, how about we play a drinking game?"

Dongfang Shuo was greatly intrigued: "Oh? What command does the Great Sage want to issue?"

Sun Wukong said, "Back when I was on Flower Fruit Mountain, I often played the game of passing the flower while beating a drum."

How about we try a different game today? Let's play "Hidden Hook Shooting"?

Li Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is in high spirits."

However, the game of "Hidden Hook and Shooting Cover" requires two players, and with only three of us, it's too difficult. How about we play "Floating Wine Cups with Picked Characters" instead?

Dongfang Shuo nodded and said:

"That's good. Let's each pick a word and recite a line of poetry. Whoever can't finish it will be punished with three cups of wine and a funny story."

Sun Wukong scratched his cheek and said, "I, Old Sun, am not good at composing poems."

Dongfang Shuo laughed and said, "Great Sage, you are too modest. Since you have received an imperial decree from the Jade Emperor to bestow this title, you must be exceptionally talented in literature."

Sun Wukong chuckled: "Alright, I'll play with you today, brother."

Li Yan took out three jade tokens, each engraved with a single character.

He picked up one first, and it turned out to be the character "天" (tian, meaning heaven).

"This humble Taoist will go first." Li Yan pondered for a moment, then recited: "The bright moon hangs high in the eternal sky, and I dream of my old friend in my drunken stupor through three lifetimes."

Dongfang Shuo clapped his hands in approval: "What a wonderful tale of a drunken revelation of old friends! The Daoist is truly a man of deep feeling."

Sun Wukong picked up the second one, which was the character "地" (earth).

He scratched his head for a long time before finally saying, "A thousand fathoms deep earth hides strange rocks; I, Old Sun, can smash them open with a single blow!"

Upon hearing this, both Dongfang Shuo and Li Yan burst into laughter.

Dongfang Shuo said, "Although this poem is not well-structured, it is magnificent and has the style of the Great Sage."

When it was Dongfang Shuo's turn, he picked up the last coin and saw that it had the character "人" (person) on it.

He drank a cup of wine, pondered for a moment, and recited: "Though old in years, my heart remains young; in my cups, I still reminisce about the old days."

Li Yan said, "Sir, your poem, though filled with vicissitudes, reveals a carefree spirit. Excellent!"

The three played several rounds, each winning and losing.

Sun Wukong lost the most and had already drunk seven or eight cups. He also told a few interesting stories about his time on Flower Fruit Mountain.

Dongfang Shuo lost three times and told two little secrets of the Heavenly Court.

When the wine was flowing freely, Sun Wukong suddenly said, "Playing like this isn't fun; we need to add some stakes."

Sun Wukong's eyes darted around: "I, Old Sun, bet this golden cudgel, how many celestial officials' heads can be smashed with one strike?"

Dongfang Shuo was startled: "Great Sage, you jest. This prize is too big for me to accept."

Li Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please don't frighten the gentleman."

In my humble opinion, it would be better to gamble on something more substantial.

"We'll each put one item at a time. The loser not only has to drink and tell a secret, but also give their item to the winner."

Sun Wukong said, "Good! With this single monkey hair of mine, I can create a hundred or eighty clones."

As he spoke, he plucked a hair and placed it on the table.

Dongfang Shuo took out a jade token from his sleeve and said, "This is a jade token for entering and leaving the Peach Garden. With this token, one can freely enter and leave the Peach Garden. I have been working here for thousands of years and have only obtained three tokens."

Let's draw one today as a lucky charm.

Li Yan thought for a moment, then took out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom and said, "This humble Taoist offers three Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pills, which were made by gathering the pure energy of the Nine Heavens and the spiritual energy of the Nine Earths in the Tushita Palace and refining them with both civil and martial fire."

As long as the primordial spirit remains intact, consuming this elixir will allow the physical body to be rebuilt.

Dongfang Shuo's eyes lit up: "Daoist Master actually possesses such a divine object!"

Even in the Heavenly Court, it's rare to find more than a few of these Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pills.

Li Yan humbly replied, "My meager cultivation is nowhere near as great as that of the Supreme Dao Ancestor."

It was just a lucky few pills that were successfully refined; better than nothing.

The three agreed on the rules and continued playing drinking games.

This time, Dongfang Shuo lost two rounds in a row.

When he lost the first round, he drank three cups of wine, pushed the jade tablet to Sun Wukong, and then told a secret:

"I have been in the Heavenly Court for thousands of years and have seen many despicable things."

Once, a certain third-rank celestial official, in order to secure a good job for his disciple, secretly gave a treasure to a palace maid serving the Queen Mother of the West.

The palace maid then tampered with the celestial official's assessment document, changing the disciple's evaluation from Grade B to Grade A.

No one knew about this, but on the day I went to deliver the list for the Peach Banquet, I inadvertently caught a glimpse of the palace maid frantically hiding something.

Upon further investigation, the truth came to light.

Sun Wukong asked, "Who is that celestial official?"

Dongfang Shuo shook his head and said, "Great Sage, please don't ask."

That person holds a high position and wields great power; I cannot afford to offend him. All I can say is that he is now a second-rank official, in charge of a region.

Li Yan secretly noted it down, then asked, "What about the palace maid?"

Dongfang Shuo sighed: "He's dead."

It is said that he accidentally fell into the Milky Way and his body was never found.

But everyone knows there are railings on both sides of the Milky Way, so how could someone fall?

It was just someone trying to silence him.

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's golden eyes flashed, and Li Yan's expression turned solemn.

Dongfang Shuo drank another cup and forced a smile, saying, "These are all old stories, let's not talk about them."

"Come on, let's continue the game."

In the second round, Dongfang Shuo lost again.

This time, he hesitated for a long time before slowly speaking:

"You want to investigate the deaths of the Jiao Demon King, the Lion Camel King, and the Peng Demon King. I advise you to proceed with caution, and there is a reason for this."

I've vaguely heard rumors about the deaths of those three demons.

Sun Wukong asked anxiously, "What's that sound?"

Dongfang Shuo lowered his voice: "About three hundred years ago, a celestial official in Heaven submitted a memorial to the Jade Emperor..."

It is said that the three demon kings are entrenched in one region, possessing a large army and posing a threat of disloyalty, and it is recommended that troops be sent to subdue them.

The Jade Emperor neither approved nor disapproved, leaving the memorial unpublished.

But not long after, the celestial official suddenly fell ill and died at home, bleeding from all seven orifices and his body turning black.

Li Yan asked, "Poisoned?"

Dongfang Shuo nodded: "The coroner examined the body and said that the patient had been poisoned by the Soul-Severing Powder."

This poison is colorless and odorless, and is only found in the western Kunlun Mountains.

But that celestial official usually lives a secluded life, avoiding worldly strife. Who would want to harm him?

Why did you harm him?

The matter was left unresolved.

But less than a few hundred years later, the three demon kings died one after another.

Do you think there's a connection between these things?

Sun Wukong pondered and said, "Brother, you mean that the celestial official offended the people behind the three great demon kings by submitting a memorial, so he was silenced."

The deaths of the three demon kings were also orchestrated by the person behind it all, to silence witnesses?

Dongfang Shuo said, "I dare not make a definitive conclusion, but I find this matter strange."

Those three demon kings each controlled a region and wielded immense power; how could they be killed so easily?

Without the help of someone within the Heavenly Court, who could have accomplished this?

Those capable of this must be at least of the second rank or higher.

Li Yan's mind raced, and he cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, sir."

"I have another request, sir. Do you know who the celestial official who submitted the memorial is?"

Dongfang Shuo pondered for a long time before saying:

"I shouldn't be saying this, but I feel a connection with you two today, so I'll make an exception."

The celestial official's surname was Cui, given name Yan, courtesy name Wengui, and he was originally a judge in the underworld.

Later, due to his outstanding achievements, he was promoted to the second rank of the Heavenly Court as the "Inspector of the Three Realms," in charge of monitoring all demon kings and wandering immortals for any illegal acts.

He was upright and incorruptible, and had offended many people in Heaven.

I only heard about his memorial impeaching the three demon kings by chance.

But before the Jade Emperor could approve it, he died.

Li Yan memorized the name and then asked, "After Cui Yan's death, who took over his duties?"

A strange light flashed in Dongfang Shuo's eyes, and he said in a low voice, "The person who will succeed him is the current Inspector of the Three Realms, surnamed Zhen, named De, courtesy name Shouzheng."

"This person... I cannot say more, but I will remind you both that Zhen De's mentor is a high-ranking official of the second rank in the Heavenly Court."

After saying this, he seemed to have exhausted all his courage, drank three cups in succession, and waved his hand, saying:

"I'm not saying anymore. If I keep talking, I'll lose my head too."

Just as Sun Wukong was about to ask another question, Li Yan gave him a wink, stopping him from speaking, and instead smiled and said:

"Sir, you have said so much today, and I am deeply grateful."

"Come on, let's play another round of drinking games. This time, we're not betting on secrets, we're betting on treasures."

Dongfang Shuo breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Thank you for your understanding, Daoist Master."

The three played another round of drinking games, and this time Dongfang Shuo was extremely lucky, winning two rounds in a row.

Sun Wukong lost, pushed the monkey hair to Dongfang Shuo, and drank three cups of wine.

Li Yan lost a round, pushed a Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill to Dongfang Shuo, and drank four cups of wine.

Dongfang Shuo was overjoyed to receive the monkey hair and the elixir. He carefully tucked them into his sleeve and laughed:

"I've enjoyed this wine to the fullest today; I haven't been this happy in years."

Li Yan poured him another cup and said, "Since you have mentioned the various forces, I would like to ask for your guidance."

In the Heavenly Court, what are the duties and ranks of the celestial officials? Who can attain the Great Luo realm?

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in Dongfang Shuo's eyes. He looked Li Yan up and down and then smiled:

"Master Li has hit the nail on the head. This rank of immortals is the very foundation of the Heavenly Court."

He put down his wine cup and said seriously, "The celestial officials of the Heavenly Court are divided into nine ranks and eighteen levels."

From the first rank to the ninth rank, each had their own duties and salary.

However, this distinction in rank is not merely about the size of one's official position, but also about one's spiritual path.

"Oh?" Sun Wukong's interest was piqued. "What do you mean?"

Dongfang Shuo pondered for a moment before saying:

According to the rules of the Heavenly Court, only celestial officials of the third rank or above are permitted to comprehend the origin of heaven and earth.

Only those of rank two or above can truly leverage their influence for cultivation.

As for high-ranking officials, such as the Four Emperors and Five Elders, they are themselves embodiments of the origin of heaven and earth, their status and the Dao being one.

Seeing that Li Yan was listening attentively, he continued:

"For example, Venus, though only a second-rank official, is a confidant of the Jade Emperor, in charge of diplomacy in the Three Realms, and holds a high position and great power."

For example, Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, was a first-rank official who commanded heavenly soldiers and generals and held military power.

Take, for example, the Ziwei Emperor, a first-rank official, ruling the Star Realm, who is himself the lord of the stars.

Sun Wukong asked, "Then what rank would I, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, be considered?"

Dongfang Shuo was taken aback, then laughed and said, "The title of Great Sage was specially bestowed by the Jade Emperor and is not among the regular ranks."

If we're really going to compare them, they should be ranked alongside the Four Emperors and Five Elders, but... they're all in name only.

He spoke tactfully, but Sun Wukong understood the hidden meaning behind his words and gave a half-smile.

Li Yan then asked, "And what rank is the Buddha, Tathagata?"

Dongfang Shuo's expression hardened slightly: "The Buddha Tathagata is the Western Buddha, one of the Five Elders of the Five Directions, and holds the rank of First Grade."

However, his cultivation and supernatural abilities far exceed the limitations of his rank.

Although Buddhism and Taoism are both within the Heavenly Court system, they each have their own rules.

On the other side of Mount Ling, people are not ranked by their "rank" but by their "fruit position".

Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats each have their own order of precedence.

"So, to attain the Great Luo Immortal Realm, one must at least be a second-rank immortal?" Li Yan asked thoughtfully.

Dongfang Shuo said, "That's right, anyone of the second rank or above can give it a try."

However, those who truly attain enlightenment are all powerful beings of at least the second rank.

He added, "However, above the Great Luo realm, there is the Primordial Chaos realm, and the Dao Ancestor realm. That is another realm altogether."

Li Yan memorized all of this, and then asked, "And what is Zhen Yuanzi's rank?"

Upon hearing this, a complex emotion flashed in Dongfang Shuo's eyes:

"Zhen Yuanzi is the ancestor of earth immortals and is of the same generation as the Three Pure Ones, but he is not listed in the Heavenly Court's immortal register."

His status is beyond the comprehension of celestial ranks.

If we must truly rank him, he would be below the Three Pure Ones but above the Four Emperors. This is precisely why his invitation was the most difficult to decide.

Sun Wukong said, "Then we won't invite him."

Dongfang Shuo shook his head and explained in detail, "It's not possible without inviting him."

Although Zhen Yuanzi is not in the Heavenly Court, he is closely related to the fate of the Three Realms.

The ginseng fruit tree in his Wuzhuang Temple and the peaches in his Peach Garden are one in the east and one in the west, one wood and one gold.

Both are spiritually rooted beings of heaven and earth. If the Peach Banquet were to lack him, it would be missing three-tenths of its fortune.

After hearing this, Li Yan gradually understood.

The Heavenly Court's ranking system is like a vast net, encompassing all the powerful beings of the Three Realms.

The Jade Emperor resides in the center, the Three Pure Ones are transcendent, the Four Emperors each govern a region, and the Five Elders each occupy a place.

Rank is not just about the amount of power one wields, but also about the distance one has traveled on the path of advancement.

If that person from the North is truly a powerful figure in the Heavenly Court, their rank must be at least the second rank or higher.

Li Yan had already made up his mind and kept pouring wine for Dongfang Shuo.

After several dozen more cups, Dongfang Shuo was already drunk and his eyes were blurry.

He held Li Yan's hand and began to recount the various difficulties of the Peach Banquet.

Every single incident involves human relationships and worldly affairs, and all are entangled in conflicts of interest.

Li Yan listened quietly, nodding occasionally in agreement, but he made a mental note of all the information.

As Dongfang Shuo was speaking, he suddenly changed the subject:

"Master Li, when you asked about the ranks of immortals earlier, was it for the sake of the Great Sage?"

Li Yan did not hide anything and frankly said, "Sir, you are wise."

"Your Majesty and I are newcomers to this Heavenly Court, and we should first learn its rules before proceeding."

Dongfang Shuo nodded and said, "That's exactly right."

Although I am merely an official in charge of celestial duties, having served in the Heavenly Court for thousands of years, I have seen many newly arrived wandering immortals.

Some people, relying on their abilities, become arrogant and look down on everyone, only to run into obstacles everywhere they go.

Some people, relying on their abilities, become arrogant and look down on everyone, only to run into obstacles everywhere they go.

Some people are too humble, allowing others to take advantage of them. Finding the right balance is the most difficult part.

As he spoke, he took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Li Yan:

"This is my culmination of many years of experience, recording the origins of various forces in the Heavenly Court and the duties of celestial officials of different ranks."

And the various rules and regulations of the Peach Banquet.

If Master Li doesn't mind, please take it for reference.

Li Yan accepted the jade slip and bowed solemnly, saying, "I will forever remember your great kindness, sir."

Dongfang Shuo waved his hand and said, "It was nothing, just a small favor. But..."

He hesitated, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Li Yan said, "Sir, please speak freely."

Dongfang Shuo pondered for a moment before saying, "Daoist Li, Great Sage, I have a word of advice to offer."

You may investigate the deaths of those three demons, but don't go too deep.

Sometimes, knowing too much is not a good thing.

Sun Wukong's golden eyes flashed: "What do you mean by that, sir?"

Dongfang Shuo shook his head and said, "I am only guessing."

However, those three demons had been entrenched for many years and each had their own background.

Their deaths were by no means ordinary vendettas.

Although you have the Jade Emperor's decree, you must still act carefully. Don't let yourselves be used as pawns.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly, and he cupped his hands and said, "Sir, your words of wisdom are invaluable; I have taken them to heart."

Dongfang Shuo drank another cup, stood up, and said, "It's getting late, I should head back now. See you another day."

Li Yan and Sun Wukong escorted him to the gate of the mansion.

Dongfang Shuo stepped out the door, then suddenly turned back and asked with a smile, "Master Li, do you still have that Drunken Immortal Wine?"

Li Yan smiled and said, "If you like it, sir, I will send you another pot another day."

Dongfang Shuo was overjoyed and cupped his hands, saying, "It's a deal!" With that, he rode away on a cloud and disappeared into the moonlight.

Sun Wukong watched his retreating figure and said, "This Dongfang Shuo is quite a remarkable person."

Li Yan said, "This person seems carefree, but in reality, he has a deep understanding of the world."

He said all this today not just for the wine, but also to forge a good relationship with us.

Sun Wukong said, "Then what should we do in the future...?"

Li Yan said, "Treat him with sincerity and courtesy."

He helped us, and we will remember that kindness.

If he encounters any difficulties in the future, we should lend a helping hand.

This is what it means to cultivate good relationships and plant good seeds.

"Brother is right."

Li Yan returned to the room, unfolded the jade slip, and probed it with his divine sense.

The document contained a detailed record of the general situation of various forces in the Heavenly Court.

Although it was only a rough sketch, the more he looked at it, the more alarmed he became.

Dongfang Shuo may seem like just a celestial official in charge of the Peach Banquet, but in reality, he has secretly gathered a great deal of intelligence.

This person is no ordinary individual.

He put the jade slip away and said to Sun Wukong, "Your Majesty, today's harvest is quite bountiful."

Cui Yan submitted a memorial impeaching the three great demon kings, and soon after, he died suddenly.

The key to this matter lies in what Cui Yan wrote in his memorial to the throne.

And who is the high-ranking official (rank two) behind Zhen De, who succeeded him?

Sun Wukong said, "Should we investigate the cause of Cui Yan's death?"

Li Yan shook his head and said, "No rush."

Dongfang Shuo has said too much today. If we investigate immediately, it will surely arouse suspicion.

Let's wait and see how things develop, and then make a plan after some time has passed.

Sun Wukong nodded in agreement, and the two discussed for a while before finally resting.