Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

New Year's Eve.

A sudden snowstorm attacked Datian Village last night, covering the village with a thick layer of snow.

It was still snowing today, but the wind had stopped, and as dusk approached, the village suddenly became lively.

The crackling sound of firecrackers was incessant, mixed with the innocent and cheerful laughter of children.

Collecting wild bean pods that grew on mountainsides or field ridges and drying them in the sun, one could sift out the beans, fill a bamboo tube or wooden stick with them, and ignite them with fire, causing the beans to burst into a puff of "bean flowers."

The bursting sound was crisp and loud, said to have the effect of driving away evil wraiths.

This was probably not true, but the "bean flowers" produced were indeed fragrantly sweet and delicious, becoming the village children's favorite snack during the New Year holidays.

If one could dip it in honey, it would be even more delicious!

In the Village Head Residence, He, holding a large bowl of just-burst "bean flowers," brought it to the dinner table.

The young girl's cheeks were red, her excitement evident.

The table was already full of delicious dishes.

This New Year's Eve dinner was prepared by the village's best chef, using only spirit ingredients, generously offered by three elders.

After requesting the Evil-Repelling Drum, Wang Chen's prestige in the village skyrocketed to its peak, and they tried even harder to ingratiate themselves with him.

Picking up the ivory chopsticks on the table, Wang Chen smiled at He, "Sit down and eat together."

His voice had barely finished speaking when his expression suddenly changed, and he immediately stood up.

He, not understanding, was startled.

Wang Chen's gaze turned to the tightly closed door, his eyes sharper than ever before.

Creak!

The door of the Village Head Residence suddenly opened by itself, as a tall figure entered the courtyard with the wind and snow swirling in.

Seeing the guest, Wang Chen actually breathed a sigh of relief and immediately stepped out of the room to greet him, "I've seen Fellow Daoist!"

The unexpected guest was none other than Luo Zhen!

After a few months, this guard cultivator from the West Sea Sect's Southern Domain Patrol Department appeared to have no change, except for a hint of weariness in his eyes.

He smiled, "Now, I should be called Brother."

The deal was done!

Wang Chen was overjoyed, "I've seen Brother Luo, please come in and talk!"

Luo Zhen was not polite and sat down at the dining table.

"Hmm, the dishes look good."

Wang Chen truly hadn't expected the other party to come with good news on this very day.

If he had known, he would definitely have added a few hundred or a few thousand spirit stones to purchase better spirit ingredients to entertain this brother from the West Sea Sect.

"Tonight is New Year's Eve, and I haven't yet touched these dishes; if Brother doesn't mind, make do and have some," Wang Chen said.

Wang Chen personally poured a cup of spiritual wine for Luo Zhen, signaling He to step aside for now.

The talk between them was such that he could dine with He at the same table for New Year's Eve, but it was not appropriate to do the same for Luo Zhen.

After all, the distinctions of hierarchy were deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of this world.

Moreover, the content of his conversation with Luo Zhen was also not suitable for He to hear, as it might bring her trouble or distress.

Luo Zhen raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp, sighing, "For all these years, this is the first time I've had a New Year's Eve dinner."

This was a cultivator with a story.

Wang Chen thought to himself while showing a smile that was awkward yet polite.

Luo Zhen shook his head, then picked up the wine jug, "Come, Junior Brother, let's drink heartily first!"

Since the other party was in the mood, Wang Chen was naturally willing to accompany him.

The two exchanged cups of wine, drinking heartily through several jugs of spiritual wine.

After Wang Chen's own supply of spiritual wine was finished, Luo Zhen took out jug after jug from his storage bag.

The pair drank for two full hours of the New Year's Eve dinner!

They probably consumed the equivalent of a thousand spirit stones.

By the end, Wang Chen couldn't help but feel a bit tipsy.

It was not the intoxication of alcohol, but from absorbing too much spiritual power in a short amount of time.

An effect akin to being drunk on spiritual energy.

By comparison, Luo Zhen, whose cultivation level was much more profound, remained unfazed. He kindly reminded Wang Chen, "Once you are in the Inner Sect, you'll need to practice your drinking. Otherwise, you'll be taken advantage of."

Wang Chen was curious, "Does my drinking capacity really matter in the Inner Sect?"

Luo Zhen's reply was meaningful, "You'll understand once you're there."

After a pause, he set down his wine cup and continued, "I came here to officially notify you that your merits have been reviewed and approved by the Merit Affairs Department and reported to the sect, and you have been awarded the status of an Inner Sect Disciple."

"After the New Year, you can head to the Central Region to report to the sect!"

As he spoke, Luo Zhen handed over a glowing jade token to Wang Chen, "Congratulations."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Wang Chen received the jade token with both hands, feeling its substantial weight.

On the front, the jade token was engraved with the ancient and simple characters "West Sea Sect," and on the back, his name stood out.

The design of the jade token was very simple, devoid of any fancy decorations.

But Wang Chen felt this Identity Plaque was extraordinary, like a top-tier Magic Artifact.

There must be some mystery to it!

"You can study it on your own."

Luo Zhen saw through Wang Chen's thoughts and said, "Remember, as long as the plaque exists, so do you. If the plaque is destroyed, so are you."

Wang Chen's heart chilled, "Understood."

He immediately tucked the Identity Plaque into his Storage Bag, "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

"Don't be too quick to thank me."

Luo Zhen waved his hand and said, "Yuan Shenkui's case was huge; he carried a lot of bounties on his head. Apart from the reward of the Inner Sect Disciple's status, everything else I could get my hands on has been used for smoothing things over."

He looked at Wang Chen with a calm, unperturbed gaze.

"Senior Brother has worked hard!"

Wang Chen immediately offered a Storage Bag he had prepared earlier without a second thought, "A small token of my appreciation, please accept it, Senior Brother."

In the West Sea Spirit Domain, the domain of the West Sea Sect, being an Inner Sect Disciple of the number one Immortal Gates in the Mountain and Sea Realm truly meant one was above others.

Within the Spirit Domain, countless cultivators would do anything to be part of it.

If Wang Chen thought that by capturing Yuan Shenkui and contributing to the sect, he could keep all the benefits for himself, then he would be far too naïve.

As an outsider, he had no foundation or connections in the West Sea Spirit Domain.

There were plenty of ways for others to silence him if they wanted to encroach upon Wang Chen's merits.

So what if he was the Purple Mansion Superior? There were plenty more where he came from in the remote cities!

Wang Chen's encounter with Luo Zhen was undoubtedly a stroke of luck.

Therefore, Wang Chen trusted Luo Zhen; in fact, he had no other choice but to trust him!

The Storage Bag contained a hundred thousand Spirit Stones, prepared as a courtesy fee for the other party.

What Wang Chen wanted was the status of an Inner Sect Disciple of the West Sea Sect!

Luo Zhen caught the Storage Bag and a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes, "You're really generous."

He tossed the Storage Bag back to Wang Chen, saying, "I don't lack these Spirit Stones. If you want to repay me, just do me a favor in the future, whatever favor that might be, just remember it."

Wang Chen didn't hesitate, "Okay!"

Luo Zhen smiled, "I really didn't misjudge you."

He grabbed a wine jar nearby, drank the remaining wine in one go, and then threw the empty jar to the ground.

"Junior Brother, may we meet again if destiny allows!"

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Here is the second update.