Ao Cheng was carrying a wooden bucket up to the Fallen Immortal Mountain. Inside the wooden bucket were many different types of fish. Some of them were black, brown, green, white, purple, and more. The fish were all quite big in size and came in different shapes. Each of them were handsome in their own rights as they jumped around in the bucket, causing the water to spill over.
“We’re about to reach the expert’s place. Please, behave yourselves,” said Ao Cheng sternly.
“Ao Dragon King, you sure we’ll be okay like this? Won’t the expert find us unlikable?” asked one of the black fish with concern. The other fishes were also looking at him with worry in their eyes. They were not actually fishes but Dragons, the same Dragons that were defeated not long ago. They had been chosen to be the pets of Li Nianfan when he requested the Heavenly Palace to find some fish for him to keep in his backyard a few days ago.
The pond in the backyard had increased in size after the Prehistoric area became the Area of the Gods. He suddenly thought it would be a waste for it to fall into disrepair with the lack of use. Therefore, he came up with the great idea of keeping fish in the pond and to make his life more interesting. He could even do his fishing there.
The Heavenly Palace did not dare to dally once they had received Li Nianfan’s orders. Immediately, they started to look for the fishes and had many long meetings to come up with a set of systems. In the end, it was not surprising the responsibility fell on Ao Cheng, who was famed for his fishkeeping hobby.
Today was the day Ao Cheng went to deliver the fish to Li Nianfan. He took one glance at the wooden bucket and said, “Don’t worry. I know what he wants. The expert said to choose fishes full of vitality, and what fish possesses more vitality than us Dragons? Besides, it’s only befitting that the expert keeps our ancestors in his backyard.”
The Yellow Dragon had transformed into a winged fish. “Ao Dragon King, is staying at the expert’s backyard really as good as you said?”
“Good doesn’t even begin to describe it. It’s like heaven!” Ao Cheng’s tone became filled with bitterness. “If it wasn’t for my fixed status, I’d wish to be a fish in the expert’s pond. Do you know what an honor that is? I’m so jealous of you guys.”
At the thought of the chicken and milk cows they saw before, the fishes became filled with anticipation.
Soon, they could see the four-part architecture. “Quiet down now and be on your best behavior,” said Ao Cheng. He only went up to knock on the door once all the fishes had settled down. “Is the Lord Saint home?”
The door opened with a creak. Li Nianfan smiled when he saw Ao Cheng. “Oh, it’s you, Dragon King. Welcome, welcome.”
Ao Cheng bowed respectfully towards him. “Greetings, Lord Saint. I’ve brought the fish to you. I hope they’re to your liking.”
“Fish? Let me take a look,” said Li Nianfan with shiny eyes. He quickly peered into the wooden bucket and his smile became even wider. Each of the fish had a substantial heft to them and one could feel their strength just by how they were swimming. Even their scales were shining brilliantly with health. What delighted him especially were the many different types of fish—black fish, flying fish, golden fish, and many others.
He was impressed by Ao Cheng’s work. “Not bad, not bad at all. You’ve certainly taken a lot of care with this.” He was sure these energetic fishes would not suddenly disappear like his old fishes. “Have a seat, Brother Ao. I’ve just finished making a new wine called Dragon Blood Wine. Why don’t you give it a try? Xiao Bai, bring out the wine!”
“Yes, master.” Xiao Bai brought out a flask of wine and poured some for Ao Cheng. The wine was blood-red in color and looked very mysterious. A subtle fragrance floated up to his nostrils and that alone was enough to make him drunk. He suddenly heard the sound of a dragon roaring but chalked it down to his vivid imagination. The blood in his body began to boil and he had a sudden strong thirst for the wine. He was not the only one who felt that way as even the fishes in the wooden bucket were jumping around in an agitated fashion.
“Hahaha, it’s so good to see the fishes being so energetic!” said Li Nianfan, very pleased with the fish. He quickly grabbed hold of the bucket’s handle and said to Ao Cheng, “Brother Ao, take your time to finish your drink. Excuse me while I release the fish into the pond.”
Ao Cheng nodded his head. “Don’t mind me, Lord Saint.” He waited until Li Nianfan had turned around before picking up his glass to drink from it. With only a sip, his face had already become flushed as a powerful wine scent burst inside his body and rushed toward his brain. He started to feel a little tipsy.
True to its name, the Dragon Blood Wine was made from the blood of the Heavenly Dragon. Under the expert’s processing, their blood became even more valuable than its original form. In a short span of time, Ao Cheng’s blood began to bubble as if he was being cooked over an open flame. He felt so hot he could even breathe out fire now. That sip of wine was coursing through his veins and strengthening every nerve and cell in his body. He could not believe his bloodline had seemed to evolve. At the same time, his mana was vibrating crazily.
“This feels…incredible!” His entire face was as red as the wine he was drinking and he felt power like never before, making him want to throw back his head in a howl. He then took a deep breath and gulped down the rest of the wine. Suddenly, a monstrous power was ignited which burst forth from within.
He was only a Taiyi Golden Immortal when he first met Li Nianfan, and ever since then, he had bypassed the Daluo Golden Immortal realm and shot straight to the Quasi-Saint level. The speed of his progress scared him but this was nothing compared to that for he skipped the Saint-level and instantly entered the level of Chaos Golden Daluo Immortal. However, that was not the end of it. He could still feel the infinite energy pulsing as he went from early-stage Chaos Daluo Golden Immortal to middle-stage Chaos Daluo Golden Immortal. He slowly opened his eyes and thought he was dreaming.
Meanwhile, Li Nianfan had arrived at his backyard with the fishes in the wooden bucket. Once there, the fishes stopped jumping and stared at the scene in front of them with shock, as if they had entered a horror movie. “There’s an infinite amount of law imbued with the power of Wisdom here!” They were heavily suppressed by the power and did not dare to move.
They carefully surveyed their new environment and the scales nearly jumped off their bodies as they collectively gasped. They had seen the milk cows, bees, and peacocks before but what really shocked them was the seemingly-endless types of Spiritual Roots there. Each blade of grass, each flower, each tree—all of them were Spiritual Roots for sure! Not only that, they seemed to have reached the level of a Memorial Plant. It would not be an overstatement to say they alone possessed the power to turn the world upside down.
What kind of crazy world did they get themselves into? Could such a place really exist in the whole Chaos?
“What kind of godly place is this? Is this really going to be our new home? I can even feel myself getting stronger just by breathing the air here.”
“Jackpot! We’ve really hit the jackpot! My parents would be so proud of me.”
“Look at that pond. Is that where we’ll be living from now on? Wow, it’s actually filled with Chaos Spiritual Water!”
“Me, swimming in Chaos Spiritual Water? Happy tears, there are happy tears.”
“Are we dreaming? What a decadent dream!”
“We’re so blessed to become the expert’s fish!”
“Bigshot! He’s a true bigshot!”
Dragin and Nanan came over. “Brother Li, what’s that in your hands?”
Li Nianfan smiled and answered, “Dragin, these are the fishes given by Brother Ao. I’m going to keep them in the pond so please, be sure to take care of them well. Don’t let them die or disappear. If not, there won’t be any fish left for us to fish in the future.”
Dragin and Nanan thumped their chests and said, “Don’t worry, Brother Li. Leave it to us!”
With that, Li Nianfan dumped the fishes into the pond and they swam away happily in their new home. They would have roared with happiness if it was not for Ao Cheng’s admonishments. Just when they were enjoying their new home, Old Dragon opened his eyes and shouted, “Newbies, report here! Let me tell you some of the rules.”
Li Nianfan went back to the four-part architecture with a smile on his face. “Brother Ao, how’s the wine?”
“It was the best wine I’ve ever had! I feel deeply blessed to have the chance to drink such incredible wine,” said Ao Cheng sincerely.
“You’re too generous with your praise,” said Li Nianfang with a wave of his hand.
Ao Cheng stood up. “I’ve done what I came here to do so it’s time for me to take my leave. Thank you for the wine, Lord Saint.”
“Xiao Bai, prepare a flask of the Dragon Blood Wine for Brother Ao to bring back,” ordered Li Nianfan. He did not want him to go back empty-handed.
Ao Cheng’s body shook for a second with the sudden happy surprise. “No…that’s too much.”
Li Nianfan laughed heartily and said, “Don’t be a stranger, old friend.”
Ao Cheng’s eyes instantly became red as he choked back his tears. “Thank you, Lord Saint. I’m deeply honored to be of service to you.” He then bowed respectfully and bid his farewell and Li Nianfan sent him off with a wave.
After that, Li Nianfan went back to the table and poured a glass of Dragon Blood Wine for himself. He finished it in one go and closed his eyes, enjoying the way the wine spread its warmth across his stomach. The Dragon Blood Wine possessed the highest alcohol concentration amongst all of his wines. He was happy with how the wine immediately gave him a heady feeling.
“Xiao Bai, go fry some peanuts for tonight’s wine session,” ordered Li Nianfan happily. Then, to Shi Tuqin and Qin Manyun, he said, “Miss Manyun and Miss Qin, let me tell you something. Literature’s never far from the influence of wine. I can guarantee the two of you will become better in your music and calligraphy after drinking some wine.”
“We’ll drink with you tonight then,” said Qin Manyun and Shi Tuqin with a smile.
“Good to hear that! I know of a perfect drinking game, shall we play it tonight?”
The usually quiet four-part architecture became noisy once night fell. “One, two, three, guess how many fingers will be left!” cried the game players as their laughter echoed through the night sky. Both Dragin and Nanan stood watching from the side while creating trouble here and there from time to time as they sneaked in some sips of the wine.
Soon, only Li Nianfan was left standing. He shook his head as he dotingly scanned everyone lying on the floor. “Welp, looks like even they don’t care about their image once drunk.” Immediately, he realized the dilemma he was in. As his wives, he could carry Daji and Fire Phoenix to their beds. However, the same could not be done for Qin Manyun and Shi Tuqin. Then again, he really should not leave them lying there in the yard. It seemed like he was left with no choice but to endure the torture. He gritted his teeth and carried their petite bodies into their rooms, all the while restraining his basic impulses.
The next day, they all woke up later than usual with the scent of the previous night’s wine still on their breaths. Li Nianfan ordered Xiao Bai to prepare some tea to cure their hangovers when they heard a sudden knock on the door. “Huang Sirou from the Luotian Dynasty requesting an audience with the Lord Saint,” said a voice from outside.
Li Nianfan had some inkling of the Luotian Dynasty. He knew the emperor’s name to be Huang Deheng for he was the one who provided him with the commentary during the Battle Conference. He wondered what she was doing here.
“Xiao Bai, let her in,” said Li Nianfang.
Soon, Huang Sirou entered the four-part architecture and bowed respectfully toward Li Nianfang. “Greetings, Lord Saint, Goddess Daji, and Goddess Fire Phoenix.”
Li Nianfan nodded at her. “What can I do for you, Miss Huang?”
“Lord Saint, I was on my way here with my father. We wanted to bring you a Spiritual Root to express our gratitude for receiving the cured meat.” Here, she paused for a while and her eyes turned red. “But we were ambushed along the way and my father was captured by an unknown existence. He used up all his power to send me out of harm’s way so that I could come here.”
