231: We will take good care of you.

"Revered Master... are you angry?"

Mu Qingxue cautiously leaned in, a small ice flower condensing at her fingertip as she tried to hand it to Su Lin to please him.

Su Lin didn't take the flower, only letting out a long sigh.

"Your Revered Master isn't angry."

"Your Revered Master is just... tired at heart."

"Let's go."

Su Lin waved his hand, his interest waning.

"Leave this godforsaken place."

"Find a place... where we can see the sun."

...Three days later.

At the border between the Central Plains and the Southern Border, there was a spiritual mountain named Cuiyun Peak.

Here, clouds steamed and mists rose, waterfalls flew, and while the Spiritual Qi wasn't as dense as the Forbidden Grounds of major Sects, it excelled in its superb scenery and spring-like weather all year round.

"I think the environment here is decent."

Su Lin nodded, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"Your Revered Master has decided; right here, we will build another courtyard."

"Huh?!"

The five disciples were all dumbfounded.

Su Hongling leaned her head over and reached out to touch Su Lin's forehead: "Old Man, were you blown stupid just now? This place is only okay; it's not worth building another courtyard, is it?"

"What do you know."

Su Lin slapped her hand away.

"This place is located in Guixu, naturally isolated from the secrets of heaven."

He didn't state the most critical reason.

Ever since absorbing the power of the immortal corpse, although his Realm was stuck at the Great Perfection of Integration Stage, he could clearly feel that the layer of window paper leading to the Mahayana Stage was already so thin it could be broken with a poke.

And he had an extremely strong premonition.

This time, the Breakthrough to Mahayana would definitely be more terrifying than any previous one.

That petty Heavenly Dao must be cooking up something bad.

If he broke through at the Daochu Sect, the entire Nanyu Divine Dynasty would likely be blasted to smithereens by the Lightning Tribulation.

He had to be here, in this Guixu land where Laws were chaotic and the emperor was far away, to set up a peerless grand Formation to have a slim chance of survival.

"Stop talking nonsense and get to work!"

Su Lin waved his hand grandly, immediately entering foreman mode.

"Hong Ling!"

"Present!" Su Hongling stood at attention reflexively.

"Go see if there are any traces of Mortals living nearby! If there are, set up defensive Formations for all of them."

"Huh? Hard labor again?" Su Hongling's Face fell as she dragged her great sword on the ground, "Are there any wages? I want to eat meat..."

"When it's done, I'll make [Dragon Roar of the Nine Heavens] for you tonight."

"Alright! Just you watch!"

"Qingxue."

"Disciple is here." Mu Qingxue stepped forward, her white clothes as pure as snow, appearing exceptionally ethereal amidst the ruins.

"The Death Qi here is too heavy, and the foundation is unstable." Su Lin pointed at his feet, "Use your ice Law to freeze all the soil layers three thousand zhang deep. I want an indestructible foundation."

"Even a full-strength strike from the Mahayana Stage shouldn't make it budge an inch."

"Understood."

Mu Qingxue nodded without any extra words. She sat cross-legged and pressed both hands onto the ground.

"Extreme Cold · Everfrost Soil."

Crack, crack, crack... The originally soft and rotten ground was instantly covered with a thick layer of blue ice, and the cold air centered there, frantically penetrating deep underground.

"Weiwei."

"Revered Master~ what can Weiwei do?" Chu Weiwei leaned in, still holding that bottle containing the dead man.

"Go grow flowers! Don't grow poisonous flowers!!!"

"Don't grow flowers that bite people either!! Change to something normal!"

"As you command~" Chu Weiwei ran off giggling, "Normal... then I'll plant [Soul-Confusing Mandrake]. Anyway, as long as no one gets close, no one will die, hee-hee."

Su Lin: "..."

Fine, let her be. At least it can prevent thieves.

"Ximei."

"Revered Master, what about me?" Luo Ximei flicked her hair, her eyes expectant, "Do you want me to warm your bed?"

"In your dreams."

Su Lin pulled out a pile of top-grade Ores and Magic Treasure fragments he had just scavenged from his storage ring, dumping them in front of Luo Ximei like trash.

"You are a demonic cultivator and are most sensitive to Formation Restrictions."

"I want you to use this place as the center to set up the [Nine Nether Heavens-Sealing Demon Formation]."

"Lock down all space within a ten-thousand-mile radius! Not to mention people, don't let even a single fly or a single Divine Thought fly out for me!"

"Lock down space?"

Luo Ximei was slightly stunned, then a hint of realization flashed in that heterochromatic eye of hers.

"Revered Master, are you planning to..."

"Don't ask, just do it."

Su Lin interrupted her, his expression serious, "This concerns your Revered Master's life and limb."

Seeing Su Lin so solemn, Luo Ximei stopped joking and looked serious: "Disciple obeys! I guarantee this place will be surrounded like an iron bucket, not even that old thief Heavenly Dao's gaze will be able to sneak in!"

"Cold Moon."

Su Lin looked at the last person.

Cold Moon was still wearing those slightly disheveled dragon robes, but the Empress's aura remained powerful.

"Please give your orders, Revered Master."

"You are responsible for the coordination." Su Lin said, "The planning, layout, and resource allocation here are all entrusted to you."

"I want to build a [Star Sea Pavilion] here."

"It doesn't need to be too luxurious, but it must be sturdy enough, and... lightning-resistant enough."

"Lightning-resistant?" Cold Moon keenly caught the keyword and was startled, "Revered Master, are you about to break through?"

Su Lin didn't deny it, only giving her a deep look.

"Go."

"Ye You."

"Here!"

Ye You was squatting on a large rock, boredly slapping the ground with her tail. Hearing Revered Master call her name, she immediately jumped down and scurried to Su Lin in a few steps.

"Revered Master, is it my turn for a special mission?"

She blinked her dark green eyes, her Face saying 'praise me, use me' all over.

"Although the Dead Spirit Abyss within this ten-thousand-mile radius has been cleared, there are still many ten-thousand-year-old 'seafood' hidden in the outer Black Sea."

Su Lin pointed to the pitch-black, bottomless sea in the distance.

"Since we're making a home here, even if it's temporary, we need someone to guard the house."

"Go for a swim in the sea and pick out a few sturdy, beat-resistant, and obedient high-level Yao Beasts."

"Let them patrol the outer perimeter of the mountain gate and serve as mountain-protecting Divine Beasts."

Mu Qingxue sat cross-legged on the ground, her hands pressed against the rock. The power of extreme cold spread like mercury, freezing the foundation within a hundred miles into permafrost harder than fine gold. To ensure it looked good, she even carved exquisite snow lotus patterns into the permafrost layer.

Luo Ximei floated high in the air, her fingers flying as countless pitch-black demonic runes were struck into the Void Realm, completely hiding the spatial coordinates of this place.

She worked very hard because Revered Master said this was to protect everyone's little nest.

Cold Moon held the blueprints, "This beam is crooked! Second Junior Sister, move it an inch to the left!"

"Oh!"

Su Hongling carried a ten-thousand-year ironwood beam, moving it as easily as adjusting a chopstick.

Even Ye You returned from the sea, dragging several massive deep-sea monsters behind her.

These monsters, who usually reigned supreme in the sea, were now as submissive as quails; any slight movement would earn them a whip from Ye You's vines.

"Behave yourselves! From now on, you are the watchdogs. Whoever dares to bark randomly, I'll eat them!"

And as the core of all this, Su Lin was doing something big.

He was cooking.

It couldn't be helped; ever since that [eight treasures demon-subduing feast] last time, these disciples' appetites had been completely spoiled. Although they had long since ceased to need food.

But they still couldn't resist deliciousness.

Before the temporary stove, Su Lin wore an apron, his spatula flying.

The ingredients were all top-tier.

The Flying Savage Bull Su Hongling brought back, the deep-sea spiritual shrimp Ye You caught, the Hundred-Flavor Immortal Mushrooms Chu Weiwei cultivated... "Sizzle—"

Hot oil exploded with the fragrance of scallions and ginger. The sliced beef slid into the pan, instantly releasing a rich meat aroma.

Su Lin skillfully tossed the pan, his control over the heat perfect to the finest degree.

Although he was a great expert preparing for Undergoing Tribulation, at this moment, he was just an old father trying to fill his disciples' bellies... Night fell.

Although the main hall of the Star Sea Pavilion wasn't fully finished, the terrace had begun to take shape.

A huge round table was set in the center of the terrace, with the brilliant starry river overhead and the churning sea of clouds beneath.

Eighteen exquisite delicacies filled the table, their aroma wafting, making one's appetite surge.

"Let's eat!"

At Su Lin's command, the five disciples, who had long been famished, instantly took their seats.

"Wuwuwu! I finally get to eat Revered Master's cooking again!"

Su Hongling picked up a piece of beef, moved to tears, "It's ten thousand times better than that dragon liver and phoenix marrow stuff!"

"Indeed."

Cold Moon took an elegant sip of soup, her eyes full of satisfaction, "This is the taste of home."

Even Ye You, who usually only ate raw food, was now holding a large lobster and munching on it with great relish.

The atmosphere was harmonious, warm, and peaceful.

Just as everyone had almost finished eating and was about to enter the post-meal chat session.

*Thud!*

The sound of a heavy object hitting the ground.

Chu Weiwei pulled out two huge wine jars from under the table.

These wine jars were pitch black with red paper labels. Although the mud seals were unopened, a heart-stirring wine aroma could still be smelled.

"Revered Master, Senior Sisters, Junior Sister."

Chu Weiwei stood up with a smile, her Face flushed with two patches of excitement.

"Today our Star Sea Pavilion is newly established, and it's a rare day for everyone to gather. As they say, no wine, no feast..."

"This is the [Thousand-Day Drunk] that Weiwei has treasured for five hundred years. Not only is the taste mellow, but it can also nourish Spiritual Qi and enhance beauty!"

As she spoke, she was about to slap open the mud seal to pour wine for Su Lin.

"Wait."

A hand pressed down on the wine jar.

Cold Moon frowned, looking at Chu Weiwei with a serious expression.

"Third Senior Sister, Revered Master is currently adjusting his state to prepare for the Mahayana Stage?"

She turned to look at Su Lin, her tone respectful.

"Revered Master, it's better to put this wine away. You need to keep your mind clear and prepare for the tribulation."

This was the honest truth.

It was also the awareness an Eldest Disciple should have.

Su Lin nodded, preparing to follow the lead and refuse the wine.

However.

Right then.

An extremely hidden Divine Sense transmission instantly exploded in the minds of the four disciples besides Su Lin.

[Don't stop me!]

[In this wine... something's been added!]

[I put a whole bottle of "Immortal's Fall" dug up from the Hehuan Sect ruins! And three mace of "Dragon and Phoenix Harmony Powder"!]

[This stuff is colorless and tasteless; even those in the Mahayana Stage can't detect it! After drinking it, although you won't pass out drunk, it makes one's body and mind extremely relaxed, and... cough, cough, creates a very strong sense of dependence and closeness to the people around you!]

[Most importantly... after the drug takes effect, one becomes particularly obedient and very easy to... manipulate!]

[Don't you all want to see Revered Master's Face flushed, his heart racing, and him at our mercy?!]

Chu Weiwei's transmission was full of temptation, like a devil's whisper.

Cold Moon, who originally looked righteous, suddenly froze her hand pressing on the wine jar.

Immortal's Fall?

Dragon and Phoenix Harmony Powder?

Particularly obedient?

At our mercy?

These keywords swirled frantically in her mind, instantly shattering her line of rational defense.

If Revered Master drank this... then wouldn't... "Cough, cough."

Cold Moon suddenly gave a light cough. Her previously serious expression melted like ice and snow, replaced by a gentle and considerate smile.

She didn't just release her hand from the wine jar; she actually took the initiative to help Chu Weiwei slap open the mud seal.

"But..."

She changed her tune, her tone becoming incredibly reasonable.

"Third Senior Sister is also right. Today is a housewarming celebration; if we don't have a few drinks, it would be too much of a dampener."

"Besides, Revered Master has been tense these past few days. Proper relaxation is actually more beneficial for the Perfection of one's state of mind."

"As they say, there is a time for tension and a time for relaxation; that is the Great Dao."

Su Lin: "???"

He looked at Cold Moon, who changed her Face faster than flipping a book, a question mark appearing above his head.

Weren't you just speaking so righteously? How did it suddenly become a time for relaxation?

"Exactly, exactly!"

Su Hongling, who had received the hint, reacted the fastest..

She snatched the wine jar and directly filled the large bowl in front of Su Lin until the wine was about to overflow.

"Old Man! Look how fragrant this wine is! Not drinking it is just not giving me Face!"

"Come, come, come, your disciple will drink first as a gesture of respect!"

She poured herself a bowl, gulped it down, then wiped her mouth heroically, looking at Su Lin expectantly.

"Revered Master~"

Luo Ximei also leaned in, her entire body pressing against Su Lin like she had no bones, holding up the wine bowl to his lips.

"This is Third Senior Sister's filial piety; how can you refuse?"

" Besides， With us， It's okay even if you get drunk.."

A strange light flickered in that heterochromatic eye of hers, clearly already imagining the scene after Su Lin got drunk.

"We will take good, care, of, you."

Although Ye You didn't speak, she silently threw away Su Lin's teacup and replaced it with an even larger wine bowl.

Then, with a gaze like she was watching prey fall into a trap, she looked at Su Lin expectantly.

Su Lin looked at the shimmering wine in front of him, then at the five disciples around him who had suddenly become incredibly enthusiastic, their eyes each glowing with a green light.

Instinct told him there was something wrong with this wine.

Absolutely something wrong!

"That... your Revered Master suddenly remembered, there's still a Formation that hasn't been finished..."

Su Lin wanted to stand up and make a run for it.

"Hold him down!"

Someone shouted.

The next second.

Su Hongling and Ye You, one on each side, directly grabbed Su Lin's arms and pinned him firmly to the chair.

"Revered Master! It won't be too late to set up the Formation tomorrow!"

"Tonight, we won't return until we're drunk!"

"Drink!"

Cold Moon held up the wine bowl, an imperial smile on her Face that brooked no refusal.

"Revered Master, this is a toast from your Disciple. If you don't drink, does that mean you're still blaming me for my previous ignorance?"

This was moral kidnapping!

This was a blatant mutiny!

Su Lin looked at the wine bowl pushed to his lips, smelled the indeed very mellow aroma of the wine, and then looked at this group of rebellious Disciples who clearly wouldn't stop until they reached their goal.

He let out a sigh.

Oh well.

With his current cultivation, what could mere Mortal wine do to him?

And... he really did want to relax a bit.

"Fine, fine, fine, I'll drink, I'll drink, alright?"