"Thank you, elder. This Thousand-Grade Elixir is too precious. If possible, is there anything I can do for you?"
The old man shook his head. "It was just a small gesture, why mention it? It's just an elixir."
Ming Zhitian said, "But it saved my life. I feel it's incredibly valuable. If you don't let me repay you, I'll feel uneasy and carry this burden forever."
The old man said, "Obsession often leads people to lose their way, fall into traps, and imprison themselves within self-made boundaries. You should relax your mind. People's hearts are far less dirty than you imagine. You can see them as good, and they will be good. If you see them as wicked, then they will be wicked."
Ming Zhitian thought to himself, "No repayment?"
It almost sounded as if he was forcing the elder to accept his repayment. Hearing these words, Ming Zhitian benefited greatly.
"Junior has learned his lesson."
The old man waved his hand. "A minor matter."
Ming Zhitian said, "I still haven't had the honor of knowing the elder's name?"
The old man stroked his white beard. "My Daoist name is Xuancheng. The world, out of respect, calls me Elder Xuancheng."
Ming Zhitian said, "Regardless, we've met. Why don't junior treat Elder Xuancheng to a good meal?"
Elder Xuancheng said, "I have no interest in worldly delicacies, be it meat or vegetables. Only fine wine truly appeals to me."
Ming Zhitian's eyes lit up. He took out a jar of aged wine from his storage bag. "Junior happens to have a few jars of Thousand-Year Hundred Flower Brew. Would the elder care for some?"
Elder Xuancheng's eyes widened. That was Thousand-Year Hundred Flower Brew, a rare and unattainable supreme divine wine, impossible to buy even with money! Ming Zhitian actually said he had several jars!
Instantly, his eyes shone with golden light. "Young friend, you... you really have several more jars?"
Ming Zhitian nodded and then summoned the other large jars. "Junior never speaks falsehoods."
Even before opening them, a fragrant aroma wafted out. Elder Xuancheng's mouth watered, and he tentatively asked, "Could you gift one jar to this old man?"
Ming Zhitian said generously, "Of course. If the elder likes them, you can take them all."
Elder Xuancheng couldn't help but say, "Good."
He then coughed twice, masking his inner excitement. "Uh... why don't we find a place to settle down and have a drink or two?"
Ming Zhitian said, "Until we are drunk."
Elder Xuancheng felt his good fortune immense. "Until we are drunk, haha, until we are drunk!"
Ming Zhitian rode on Elder Xuancheng's golden auspicious cloud, and the two arrived at a roadside encampment. Here, only tea, herbal tea, meat buns, and steamed buns were available. White canvas tents were set up around four or five tables.
A young waiter, who looked quite youthful, approached with a patterned ceramic teapot. "What would the esteemed guests like to eat?"
Ming Zhitian said, "I see you only have buns here. I'll have two baskets of meat buns."
The waiter wiped the table with a cloth on his shoulder and said with a smile, "Certainly! Two baskets of premium meat buns! Please wait a moment."
Ming Zhitian said, "Please bring two large bowls."
"Certainly."
The waiter brought two rustic, large wine bowls. "Here are the bowls."
Ming Zhitian then placed the Thousand-Year Hundred Flower Brew on the table. The waiter exclaimed, "Esteemed guest, what fine wine!"
Elder Xuancheng beamed. "Naturally."
Ming Zhitian said, "Elder, please be the one to open this wine."
Elder Xuancheng was eager to do so. He did not use his spiritual power, fearing he might damage it. He gently opened it with his bare hands.
The rich, mellow aroma of the thousand-year-old wine immediately permeated the air, spreading its fragrance for miles.