Chapter 288: Female Immortal Wang Miaoxiang's Whimsical Idea; Long Xuan Comes Seeking Revenge

"I, Wang Miaoxiang, greet you, little fellow Daoist. May I ask, from which immortal land does the little fellow Daoist hail?"

The green-robed female immortal in the lead, who was the mistress of this place, saw Fang Longye arrive, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a strange light as she asked curiously.

This was hardly surprising; the appearance Fang Longye had transformed into was delicate and handsome, looking fresh and delectable.

It was hard for a female immortal not to be fond of him.

This head of the Xiaoxiang Sect had only caught a fleeting glimpse earlier, feeling that the singer was very young, but she had not looked closely.

Now, observing him at close range.

This fresh and delectable appearance naturally made her feel very favorably toward him.

"Wang Miaoxiang?"

Fang Longye thought to himself, no wonder this Xiaoxiang Sect could gather up all the Xiaoxiang Spotted Bamboo without the slightest fear of offending anyone.

It was indeed closely related to Emperor Shun.

As for this female immortal Wang Miaoxiang, he had heard a little about her.

She was no simple character.

Although this Wang Miaoxiang dressed in Daoist attire, she did not worship the Three Pure Ones, nor did she bow to the Jade Emperor. The one she venerated was none other than that Human Race Emperor Shun.

It is said that before this female immortal attained the Dao, she was a female cultivator quietly practicing on Cangwu Mountain, worshipping with sincerity and longing for the Dan Mansion, and thus she achieved communion.

She received a manifestation of Emperor Shun.

Noting that she had remained consistent for over thirty years on Cangwu Mountain, guarding her virtue without deviation, keeping her heart chaste, following the Daoist precepts, and possessing extreme sincerity.

The Dao does not abandon people, so he came to deliver her.

Emperor Shun imparted his own cultivation experience, the two classics of "Dao" and "De," and the Resident Scenery Spirit Pill to Wang Miaoxiang.

Even afterwards, he often manifested to preach the Dao and explain the Dharma to her. Thus, in just a few years, this female immortal attained the rank of Golden Immortal.

With such treatment, it would not be an exaggeration to say that this female immortal was the goddaughter of the Human Race Emperor Shun.

Thinking of this, Fang Longye felt more and more that he had been muddle-headed before.

How could he have set his sights on these female immortals of the Xiaoxiang Sect?

However, while he repented in his heart, he responded smoothly with his mouth.

Facing the inquiry from the head of the Xiaoxiang Sect, he opened his mouth and smiled: "A wild wanderer, I have merely come from the clouds and waters!"

Wang Miaoxiang heard this and remained noncommittal.

Her face wore a look that was half-smile, as if she had seen right through him.

Fang Longye had changed his appearance to avoid being recognized should he encounter Long Xuan. Therefore, he naturally would not let himself reveal absolutely no background.

After all, wouldn't having an unclear background just provoke others' curiosity? Therefore—

Although he appeared evasive on the surface, secretly he had established a background for himself as a member of the Taiqing Sect.

How did he do it? It was simple; the key lay in the Two Instruments Divine Gourd.

This Two Instruments Divine Gourd contained the unique divine array of the Taiqing Lineage—the "Two Instruments Weichen Array"—and what Fang Longye did was to use his methods to apply the Aura of the Two Instruments Weichen Array to himself.

In this way, to those with discerning eyes, he, shrouded in clouds and mist, appeared even more authentic than a direct disciple of the Taiqing Sect.

It was no wonder that Wang Miaoxiang showed such an expression.

Perhaps it was because she saw he had a bit of a scholarly temperament, or perhaps because she saw he was young and handsome.

Coupled with the backing of a Taiqing Sect identity, the head of the Xiaoxiang Sect was not in the least bit angry or annoyed by his evasiveness.

Instead, she instructed the female immortals under her to invite him to take a seat.

After all, in her view, weren't all members of the Taiqing Sect like this, "the divine dragon appearing but not its tail"?

Nothing to be surprised about—

After Fang Longye took his seat, he looked around.

He saw that amidst the surrounding spotted bamboo, there was a cleared grassy area, through which a winding, jade-like clear stream flowed.

This clear stream meandered and twisted, with dozens of bends and loops. At every bend, there was a seat laid out on the lush green grass.

There were no tables at the seats, only bamboo mats with cushions, and items like melons, fruits, and incense placed to the side.

The group of female immortals and some invited mortal scholars were all sitting along the water, just one bend apart from each other.

The layout of the Curved Water Flowing Cup was fully revealed.

Seeing him looking around with great interest, the female immortal sitting across from him performed a greeting and said with a smile: "This poor Daoist is Li Zhenduo, greetings, fellow Daoist."

Well, this was a case of Li Kui meeting Li Gui.

As Fang Longye returned the greeting, he did not find the name funny, but instead sighed in his heart.

He saw that this female immortal who had shown him goodwill looked to be only in her twenties, with a natural immortal grace.

Her entire demeanor was solemn and dignified, her spirit heroic and distinct from the state of a weak woman, even making one afraid to look her directly in the eye.

And regarding her,

Fang Longye also had some understanding.

Unlike himself, a fake, she was a genuine member of the Taiqing Sect.

In the past, she had originally practiced in Shu with her brother Li Tuo, receiving instruction and entering the Dao from childhood under her brother's guidance.

But her natural immortal grace was such that it eventually drew Taishang Laojun to descend and deliver her, personally teaching her the Dao.

She attained the Dao and ascended to heaven even before her brother Li Tuo, who had led her into the Dao.

Being able to receive a personal visit and guidance from Taishang Laojun showed just how extraordinary she was—

He wondered if he, a fake, would accidentally reveal his true colors in conversation when meeting the real deal, and have his entire background exposed.

After Fang Longye finished responding to Li Zhenduo's inquiry, he continued to look around, and his heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

"I didn't expect there to be several acquaintances here—"

Not far from Wang Miaoxiang, three sisters sat adjacent to one another.

They were none other than the fifth, sixth, and seventh sisters among the Seven Fairies whom he had previously seen at the Queen Mother of the West's place.

However, to call them acquaintances would be a bit of a stretch; it was merely a single meeting.

The two sides had not even exchanged a single word.

It was only after learning their identities back then that Fang Longye had taken a few extra looks.

And in the eyes of the Seven Fairies, Fang Longye was likely just a stranger.

"I wonder when the story of Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy will be staged?"

Fang Longye gazed at the Seventh Fairy in her purple fairy dress and thought to himself.

If possible, he wouldn't mind stepping in and taking his place.

Rather than letting that mortal Dong Yong benefit, it would be better for him to benefit instead!

It would be best to take all seven sisters in one fell swoop.

Just as Fang Longye was harboring some sordid thoughts and pondering to himself,

a Feather Cup—oval, shallow-bellied, flat-bottomed, and shaped like a toy boat—drifted along, swaying and circling with the current, until it stopped right in front of him.

He was stunned for a moment.

"I never imagined that just after you sat down, fellow Daoist, I would be able to witness your literary talent."

Wang Miaoxiang said with a light laugh.

Her beautiful eyes sparkled with brilliance as she stared intently at Fang Longye, assuming a posture of listening with rapt attention.

In the Curved Water Flowing Cup, whoever the Feather Cup stops in front of must take the cup, drink the wine, and compose a poem or prose.

Fang Longye looked around and saw that these female immortals had all stopped their conversations and were quietly observing him.

Even those mortal scholars cast their gazes toward him, seemingly wanting to witness the literary talent of this immortal.

He could see that in the eyes of several of them, there was an eager-to-try expression.

Clearly, they believed that even an immortal could not compare to them, scholars who specialized in the literary Dao.

"Damn! This is a rhythm that forces me to borrow those famous works handed down from later generations!" Fang Longye grumbled.

After all, he didn't have any real talent.

"This place is located at Dongting Lake; the famous works from my past life describing Dongting Lake are quite fitting."

Fang Longye leaned over and picked up the Feather Cup jade cup that had stopped in front of him. Holding it in his hands, he used the act of toying with it to stall for time, pondering in his heart.

"I remember that the most famous work describing Dongting is Fan Zhongyan's 'Yueyang Tower Record'. But the key is that half of it is used to express emotions and state one's ambitions."

How much would he have to change? By the same token, the 'Tengwang Pavilion Preface' and the 'Lanting Collection Preface' use too many allusions. For him, the difficulty of changing them would be immense.

What a pity! This Curved Water Flowing Cup has restrictions; it must be a complete poem or piece of prose. Reciting only a few words would only make him a laughingstock.

Otherwise, a line like "The autumn water shares the same color as the vast sky; the lone duck flies with the sunset clouds" would have been enough to handle it. Fang Longye's thoughts turned extremely fast, quickly eliminating one idea after another.

Got it!

A flash of inspiration struck Fang Longye, and he thought of his target for borrowing—

"Li Bai seems to have a piece called 'Preface to the Spring Night Banquet in the Peach and Plum Garden'. It doesn't use many allusions, is short, and is easy to modify. And it's much more fitting than what I thought of before."

"Hmm, I'll just modify and use this one!"

Once he had decided, a smile could not help but appear on Fang Longye's face.

At the same time, he sighed in his heart: "It seems that when it comes to poetry and prose, transmigrators still have to rely on Li Bai!"

"Fellow Daoist, you have a smile on your face; I assume you already have a masterpiece?"

As soon as the smile appeared on Fang Longye's face, Li Zhenduo, who was sitting directly across from him and was the closest, saw it immediately and couldn't help but smile.

Fang Longye hurriedly restrained his smile and shook his head in response: "I have had some insights, but it is not yet perfect."

Everyone nodded to show their understanding; poetry and prose are things that depend on talent. Even if one has inspiration, one must carefully refine it.

It's not like Li Bai, who could "write a hundred poems after a bucket of wine." Once a cup of wine was down, he could produce masterpieces continuously, like a damn fountain.

After responding, Fang Longye toyed with the Feather Cup jade cup, pondering in silence.

He began to think in his mind.

"Hmm—in the 'Preface to the Spring Night Banquet in the Peach and Plum Garden', there seem to be a few allusions that don't fit the current situation."

"First is 'Gathering in the fragrant garden of peach blossoms, ordering the happy events of family ties,' and then there are 'Huilian' and 'Kangle.' Xie Huilian and Xie Lingyun won't be born for several hundred years!"

"Right! And the last sentence."

"'The penalty is based on the number of cups at the Jingu Garden' refers to the precedent of Shi Chong hosting guests and composing poems at Jingu Garden, where the penalty was three dou of wine. By the same logic, it is currently the Han Wudi era; it will be several hundred years before Shi Chong is born!"

Damn! Fang Longye couldn't help but curse.

Next time, he would absolutely not show off like this; his head was about to explode!

Racking his brains, he changed it again and again.

Finally—

Fang Longye picked up the Feather Cup, drank the fine wine in the bowl in one gulp, and then began to recite: "Heaven and Earth are the inn of all things; time is the passing traveler of a hundred generations. And floating life is like a dream; how much joy is there?

The ancients held candles to travel at night; there is good reason for this. Moreover, the bright spring summons me with misty scenery, and the great earth lends me its literary grace. We gather in the lush forest of bamboo to narrate the happy events of poetry and prose.

The gathered sages and talents are all like Changqing; as for our singing, I alone feel ashamed before Zhuang Zhou. The quiet appreciation is not yet over, and the lofty conversation turns clear. We open the jade banquet to sit among the flowers and let the Feather Cup fly to get drunk on the moon.

If there is no fine poem, how can we express our elegant feelings? If the poem is not finished, the penalty shall be three dou of wine."

"Good!"

Li Zhenduo could not help but clap her hands and cheer: "What a line: 'Heaven and Earth are the inn of all things; time is the passing traveler of a hundred generations. And floating life is like a dream; how much joy is there?'"

"These words are worthy of accompanying wine; one should drink a large cup to them!"

After speaking, she picked up a Wine Cup and drank the Qiongye Yuye in the cup in one gulp.

The other female immortals were also one by one lost in this magnificent literary work by Li Taibai, unable to extricate themselves.

Their gazes toward Fang Longye all softened significantly, more or less carrying a sense of admiration.

Those little looks made Fang Longye feel so good he could fly.

Wang Miaoxiang, the sect leader of Xiaoxiang, also couldn't help but clap her hands and laugh: "To obtain this piece from the little fellow Daoist today is enough!"

Once these words were spoken, they directly relegated the scholars present to being worthless.

Yet, this did not cause any dissatisfaction among the scholars; one by one, they revealed expressions of obsession, tapping their cups and making a tinkling sound.

They sang in harmony: "If there are no fine poems, how can one express elegant sentiments? If the poem is not finished, the penalty shall be three dou of wine."

They drank the fine wine in their cups, completely infatuated.

Several scholars even stood up unsteadily after finishing their wine.

They bowed to Fang Longye in fear and trepidation: "What virtue or ability do I possess to be compared to Lord Sima?"

Sima Xiangru, courtesy name Changqing, though not yet passed away, had long been admired by the world for his talent in rhapsodies.

Fang Longye had changed the allusions to "Huilian" and "Kangle" in Taibai's text, using Sima Xiangru to flatter the scholars present.

These scholars were naturally flattered one by one, repeatedly saying they dared not accept such praise.

"Elegant and flowing, just the first two lines are the words of a Heavenly Immortal transformed into a human."

"With such broad-mindedness in one's chest, what day is unbearable?"

"……"

One sentence after another, they offered endless praise.

Fang Longye, however, remained expressionless. It wasn't written by him anyway; plagiarizing from the Poet Immortal Taibai, what was there to be proud of?

Not feeling ashamed to accept it was already considered thick-skinned of him.

Such a display, in the eyes of the female immortals, became a sign of being humble and open-minded.

Their impression of him improved even further.

Sensing the change in the gazes of these female immortals toward him, Fang Longye thought happily: "As expected, most female immortals suffer from literary pretension~"

This magnificent literary work by Li Taibai was finally not wasted~

……

However,

He soon could no longer be happy.

Just hearing the tinkling of jade pendants and a faint, delicate fragrance wafting over, a pleasant and melodious, yet incredibly familiar voice reached Fang Longye: "Sister Miaoxiang, such a fun banquet, and you didn't even notify me?"

Before the voice had faded, a beautiful figure emerged from the void.

Natural moth-like eyebrows, covered in bright pendants, wearing layered gauze, red mist obscuring her left, purple energy spreading to her right, with fragrance swirling around.

Her sea-blue eyes were as charming as crystal, and a pair of wings behind her were faintly visible.

It was none other than Long Xuan, whom Fang Longye had been thinking about and hoping he would not encounter.

"Damn it!"

Fang Longye felt terrible to the extreme, secretly calling out: "There is definitely a problem here!"

Before, he had operated the Profound Spirit Escape Armor to calculate the future, and he would not meet Long Xuan on this trip.

Otherwise, how could he have swaggered into this Xiaoxiang Sect? "And those previous actions and thoughts, as if my heart were covered in pig fat~"

Fang Longye's expression remained normal, but his heart had already stirred up waves.

He understood that he must have been schemed against by others. Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental and abnormal?

He had the intention to bid farewell directly.

But he was afraid it would be too abrupt and attract Long Xuan's attention.

Fang Longye had no choice but to continue staying at this banquet, his expression normal, accepting toasts from the female immortals from time to time.

In his heart, however, he hoped this Curved Water Flowing Cup banquet would end soon.

Fortunately, his current appearance was completely different from his original form, and he had his Golden Finger for all-around concealment.

He did not fear that Long Xuan would see through his transformation.

……

Thus,

He finally endured until the banquet ended.

Fang Longye did not say a word and declined the invitations from the various female immortals.

He even gave up on his original goal—the Xiaoxiang Spotted Bamboo. He said "until we meet again" to the host, Wang Miaoxiang.

Then he plunged into the void and flashed outside Junshan.

He summoned the Profound Spirit Escape Armor, preparing to slice through the endless void and return directly to his own Daoist temple.

Who would have known that before he could even activate it, he heard the sound of ten thousand dragons chanting, and a golden portal crashed down, suppressing the void.

It blocked his retreat path tightly.

Immediately after—

"Thief! Heaven has eyes; today you have fallen into my hands!"

A clear and excited scolding voice came, and following that, a ripple appeared.

Long Xuan stood with her slender waist akimbo, sneering with raised eyebrows, as she stepped out from the void.

Her face was full of the triumph of a great revenge about to be fulfilled!

(End of chapter)