It depends on whether the old man's food is strong enough.

Currently, the Phoenix Feather Sect has gathered over two million Named Disciples, making it a grand and bustling place.

However, with more Disciples, many complicated problems also followed.

As a laid-back master, Zhong Qing was not good at management, nor did he want to deal with these things.

He simply pushed Feng Buqun out, letting him continue to maintain the Sect's normal operation.

As for himself, he comfortably lay down, letting his cultivation increase, and occasionally strolled through the mountains, admired the water, and cultivated his temperament.

It was night!

Stars dotted the sky!

The bright moon hung in the sky!

Above the mountains, a waterfall cascaded down from the peak, splashing up waves.

The stream gurgled, flowing into the distance.

Flowers lined both banks, and green grass grew faintly.

A group of fireflies lingered among the flowers and green grass.

The overall impression was one of tranquility and serenity.

Spiritual Qi permeated the surroundings, and from a distance, it looked like an immortal painting.

This was a mountain range at the foot of Phoenix Feather Sect.

In front of the waterfall stood a person, who was none other than Zhong Qing.

"This can be considered a rare and auspicious place!"

Zhong Qing drank wine, leaning against a tree, with starlight above his head, looking at the distant cascading waterfall, and smelling the faint fragrance of flowers and plants across the mountains, his mood was good.

In the past year, he had walked many roads, seen many sights, met many people, and experienced many things.

Many people were just a fleeting glance, some formed indissoluble bonds, and some simply drifted apart as they walked.

Gathering when fate begins, dispersing when fate ends.

Under the flowers and moon, in front of the cascading waterfall, drinking a pot of fine wine and tasting life, it had a unique flavor.

There's a saying that goes well!

You stand on the bridge looking at the scenery, and the person looking at the scenery is on the building looking at you; the bright moon adorns your figure, and you adorn others' dreams.

Under the full moon, on a cliff!

An old man in a white robe with a youthful face and brown hair stood beneath the starry sky.

In his eyes, the scenery of mountains and all things was reflected, and Zhong Qing's figure seemed to merge with this world, reflecting in his pupils.

Turning into a scene in a painting.

The old man was also drinking!

The difference was that Zhong Qing drank life, while he drank loneliness, solitude, melancholy, and vicissitudes.

The starry sky and bright moon served as the painting, and the mountains, water, and clear breeze served as the scroll.

Although the old man was clearly within the scroll, he gave off a sense of being outside of it.

He looked at the starry sky and the earth, felt the wisps of clear breeze blowing across his cheeks, and finally posed a question.

"You say, in this life, why does one cultivate Dao?"

This question seemed to be asking the heavens, the earth, his own heart, and also seemed to be asking the Black-Clothed Man beside him.

The Black-Clothed Man's heart trembled.

After pondering for a moment, he cautiously phrased his words: "Master, please forgive this lowly one for my shallow cultivation, I cannot answer this question."

The old man turned his head to look at the Black-Clothed Man, shaking his head and chuckling: "You are always so uninteresting."

"Mortals cultivate to possess the power to protect themselves, or to seek wealth, or to gain power, or for fame and fortune, or to pursue longevity."

"In this life, I have traversed the Central State Three Thousand Domains, experienced the contention of ten thousand races, witnessed the rise and fall of countless great Sects, and seen the upheavals of ancient and modern times, all I sought was to glimpse the demeanor of an 'immortal'."

"To achieve this goal, I missed too much!"

"I squandered time and abandoned my beloved."

"In the end, I found that what I sought was nothing but a reflection in a mirror, a dream, a void!"

The Black-Clothed Man remained silent upon hearing this.

The old man suddenly felt a sense of dullness.

They say it's cold at the top.

Seeking immortality and Dao!

Immortals are traceless, and Dao leaves no mark; after cultivating to the end, one finds that in this vast world, it is difficult to even find someone to discuss Dao and share one's heart with.

How tragic!

His gaze looked towards Zhong Qing in front of the distant waterfall.

He laughed loudly: "The night is long, and I have no desire to sleep; drinking alone, wouldn't it be boring?"

"Little friend, if you don't mind, here's a cup of turbid wine, would you like to drink together?"

His voice was gentle, like old wine, and in this lonely mountain forest, it did not sound loud, abrupt, or noisy.

Instead, it gave a feeling of warmth and smoothness.

Zhong Qing looked up upon hearing this.

He raised his wine gourd high and replied with a distant toast: "Thank you, Mr., for your kindness!"

"They say one shouldn't accept favors without merit; I have my own wine, so I won't bother you!"

These words instantly made the Black-Clothed Man beside the old man frown.

He immediately shouted angrily: "Boy, do you know that being invited by my Master is a great blessing that countless people seek but cannot obtain?"

"I advise you not to be ungrateful!"

"Wanli!"

The old man lightly scolded, his brows showing displeasure.

"Master, this brat is too ungrateful!"

Lu Wanli's eyes still held indignation.

"What is your status? An important figure whom even Sect masters would treat as a distinguished guest. What is his caliber? How dare he refuse Master's invitation!"

"Shut up!"

"You must remember!"

"You and I are merely members of the common populace, not necessarily nobler than others!"

"This little brother is quite interesting."

"Since he is unwilling to come over, then let us go to him and ask for a cup of wine."

As the old man spoke, his body moved, and with a single step, he appeared in front of the cascading waterfall in the next moment.

"Little friend."

"My surname is Dugu, and my given name is Feng!"

"I've come to shamelessly ask for a cup of wine!"

"I wonder if I have the honor to drink the fine wine in your hand?"

Zhong Qing tilted his head, examining the old man in front of him.

After pondering for a moment, he stated his name.

"Zhong Qing!"

As he spoke, his wrist moved, and a bowl appeared out of thin air in his hand.

After filling it, Zhong Qing handed it over.

"Mr. enjoys the moon late at night, what elegant taste!"

Dugu Feng took it.

He laughed heartily: "It's just that I'm old, so I have more emotions, longer memories, and less sleep."

"Aren't I taking advantage of having some time recently to come and take a look at my old home?"

"It can't really be called elegant taste!"

Zhong Qing was surprised: "Oh, is this place Mr.'s hometown?"

"Yes!"

"This mountain back then wasn't even a mountain."

"The world changes, and things are ever-changing."

"I just went out for a trip back then, and when I looked back, things had already changed beyond recognition."

Dugu Feng's eyes showed a sigh of melancholy and vicissitude.

"Mr. seems to have many stories!"

"Hahahaha..."

"Anyone who has lived as long as I have would have a basket full of stories to constantly talk about."

"However, little friend, at your age, most people are either working hard for cultivation or worrying about cultivation resources."

"It's rare to find someone who can go out to enjoy the moon and stroll in nature at this age and time."

Zhong Qing took a deep drink of wine: "Cultivation is inherently for freedom and ease."

"If one cultivates for the sake of cultivation, wouldn't that lose the original meaning of cultivation!"

These words made the old man's eyes light up.

He chewed on them repeatedly.

"What a statement, 'Cultivation is inherently for freedom and ease!'"

"If this old man had understood this back then, this life, I would not have left so many regrets!"

Zhong Qing smiled: "Regrets can be paired with wine, and stories can be served as dishes!"

"Now that the wine is ready, it just depends on whether Mr.'s main course is flavorful enough!"

...