Extra: Li Qingzhu (I)

Ye Bufan had just finished dealing with the matters of Jueqing Valley and was preparing to return to Earth with everyone when a fluctuation came from his message jade talisman, sent by Li Daoran.

“Kid, hurry over, or you won’t see this Old Man for the last time!”

Ye Bufan frowned. This Old Man, who loved to drink, was quite good; he had received many benefits and much care from him back in Kunlun Continent.

It seemed he had encountered some trouble, and Ye Bufan felt he should go take a look.

Upon learning that he was going to Shui Mu University, Xiao Qing insisted on going with him, and Ye Qingtan and the others were the same.

Ye Bufan, unable to resist their persistence, bid farewell to the Demon Eye Golden Lion couple and took the two small lions and the girls with him to Shui Mu University.

Tianluo State had undergone earth-shshattering changes compared to before.

Among the five great states, it used to be the weakest, but now, with various Formations laid down by Ye Bufan and countless Immortal Crystals buried, its Spiritual Qi was richer than any other state.

Especially at Shui Mu University, the Spiritual Qi was so dense it couldn't dissipate, and taking even one breath felt incredibly refreshing.

Moreover, its area was much larger than before, having incorporated countless regions, comparable to a small country.

Its status was also extremely high, definitely the top academy in the entire Cultivation World, comparable in status to the Three Great Holy Gates.

Over the past twenty-plus years, the number of Tribulation Transcendence Stage experts who had Ascended was even greater than the combined total from the Three Great Holy Gates. Under the nourishment of the dense Spiritual Qi, most of the Cultivators Ye Bufan had rescued from Paradise Island had already Ascended.

For example, He Hongying and Feng Xiaoxiao, these individuals originally had strong cultivation and high talent, and they Ascended to the Immortal Realm not long after being stationed at Shui Mu University.

In comparison, there were fewer Tribulation Transcendence Stage experts now, but their status on the entire continent remained unshakable.

All the great Sects and Families wished they could send their Disciples here. In such a situation, if Shui Mu University issued a command, it would definitely be met with overwhelming support, its influence even surpassing that of the Three Great Holy Gates.

Ye Bufan arrived here without disturbing too many people, instead landing directly in a small courtyard in the back mountain.

This was the residence of Li Daoran and Li Qingzhu, the Old Man and his Granddaughter. It didn't look large but was exquisitely built.

After Shui Mu University's status was completely stabilized, Li Daoran directly retired, entrusting the entire academy to his Granddaughter, who served as vice-dean, and spent his days tending flowers and drinking wine.

The courtyard was very quiet, with no idle people.

Ye Bufan pushed the door open and was startled when he saw the Old Man on the bed.

Normally, with the large amount of Cultivation resources he had left, even if Li Daoran's mind wasn't fully on Cultivation, he should have at least reached Great Ascension Peak, or even the Tribulation Transcendence Stage if he was better.

But now, his hair and beard were a mess, his Face was pale, and his Qi was weak, looking completely on the verge of death.

“Old Man, what happened to you?”

As Ye Bufan spoke, he moved to take Li Daoran's pulse, but the Old Man waved him off.

“It's no use. I know my own situation. The time of my departure is not far off; I probably only have a few hours left to live.”

The Old Man's Qi was very weak, and his words were intermittent. After a pause, he continued, “I was injured by someone during this recent training trip. My heart meridians are completely severed; even immortals can't save me.

If I die, I die. This Old Man has no regrets in this life.

Now that Shui Mu University has become the top academy in Kunlun Continent, even if I go underground, I will have the Face to meet my ancestors.”

His words were very emotional, and the several girls around him looked saddened.

Xiao Qing said, “Old Man, don’t worry, my big brother can save you. With him here, you won't even be able to die if you want to.”

“It’s no use, I know my own situation.”

Li Daoran's cloudy gaze turned to Ye Bufan, “Kid, if you remember our old friendship, promise this Old Man one thing.”

Ye Bufan nodded, “Speak, what do you want me to do?”

“Marry my Granddaughter. I don't have many hours left to live. You two should have your wedding night today, so I can die in peace.”

Li Daoran's expression was dim, and two drops of cloudy old tears fell. “My Li Family was almost wiped out, leaving only the Old Man and my Granddaughter. If this Old Man leaves too, I'm afraid that girl won't be able to bear it alone.

You two were once fellow Disciples. For this Old Man's Face, will you agree to my request?”

After he finished speaking, his eyes were filled with longing, even a hint of pitifulness.

The several girls were quite moved. Ye Luoshan tugged at her father's sleeve, her bright eyes filled with pleading.

Ye Bufan, however, sniffed and looked around, “No smell of wine, Old Man, it seems you haven't had a drink in a few days.”

“Uh…”

Li Daoran looked stunned, not expecting him to say that.

“This Old Man is too heavily injured right now to drink, otherwise I'd die even faster!”

“That's a real shame, because I have good wine here!”

As Ye Bufan spoke, he flipped his wrist, and an exquisite small porcelain jar appeared in his palm. He popped open the lid, and a rich aroma of wine instantly diffused, filling the entire room.

“Good wine, this is truly good wine!”

Li Daoran's expression instantly changed. He sniffed the wine aroma with a look of complete intoxication, and even though he kept swallowing, he couldn't stop saliva from trickling down the corners of his mouth.

The Old Man had no hobbies his entire life except for good wine; at this moment, he simply couldn't control himself.

“Of course it's good wine! This is made from fresh fruits I picked from the Immortal Realm, brewed according to the five grains liquid method, and then nourished by Spiritual Qi underground for twenty years.

Originally, it was prepared like 'daughter red' for Xiao Yezi's wedding, but there's too little wine, and the daughters are increasing, so I thought, never mind, I'll drink it myself.”

As Ye Bufan spoke, he poured himself a cup, then took a delightful sip, smacking his lips with a look of intoxication.

“Delicious, truly delicious! I haven't had such good wine in so many years!”

“Kid, hurry up and let me have a sip!”

Li Daoran lay on the bed, practically dying of craving.

“That won't do. You're so heavily injured; drinking alcohol would worsen your injuries and kill you instantly. You absolutely cannot drink.”

Ye Bufan said to Ye Qingtan, “Hurry and get a bucket to catch Grandfather's drool, otherwise the bed will get wet.”

As he spoke, he kept fanning the wine aroma towards Li Daoran.

“You brat, hurry up and let me have a sip! Are you trying to make me die of craving?”

Li Daoran truly couldn't bear it anymore. He scrambled up from the bed and reached out to snatch the wine jar.

Ye Bufan lightly dodged to the side, a playful look on his Face, “Old Man, with such severe injuries, you really can't drink.”

“Mind your own business, hurry up and let me have a sip! If I die, I die, it's better than dying of craving!”

Li Daoran was so anxious he was stomping his feet. In his excitement, a streak of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

“Old Man, are you crazy? Hitting yourself, and so hard? Why are you being so serious?”

Ye Bufan said, pulling out a Medicinal Pill and putting it into his mouth.

The Medicinal Pill melted upon entering his mouth, and his injuries quickly stabilized, but Li Daoran paid no attention to that, revealing an awkward expression.

“Kid, how did you figure that out?”

New book released on March 8th on Zongheng Chinese Network and simultaneously! New book released on March 8th on Zongheng Chinese Network and simultaneously! New book released on March 8th on Zongheng Chinese Network and simultaneously!