Daily life of a cultivation judge Chapter 1462: Hopes on the fourth(1)

Tang Xiadan swiftly averted his gaze, as if he hadn't been scrutinizing Yang Qing as if the latter were an assassin targeting him. Conversely, Yang Qing acted as if he hadn't perceived the shift in Tang Xiadan's eyes. This brief interaction, from Yang Qing recalibrating his assumptions to Tang Xiadan glancing at his gourd before refocusing on Yang Qing, transpired in less time than it took Yang Qing to finish his toast and sip his wine.

With an air of nonchalance, Yang Qing calmly took a drink. He had indulged in it several times already, yet each occasion felt as novel as the first. The taste was beyond ordinary, not to mention its other inexplicable, otherworldly effects.

The moment the wine graced his tongue, it was akin to a world-shattering detonation within his mind, compelling his soul and elevating it to a celestial plane that defied even the wildest imagination. If he experienced such a sensation despite having consumed it a few times, with one instance occurring mere moments prior, one could only speculate on the intensity of its impact on a first-time drinker.

Han Bai's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets, shattering the facade of calm composure he had maintained since Yang Qing first encountered him the instant the wine touched his lips. Meng Song let out a yelp of surprise before hastily muffling her mouth, offering a sheepish and apologetic smile for the brief outburst. As for Fan Jie, Yang Qing had anticipated his reaction the most, and Yang Qing was thoroughly gratified by what he observed.

Fan Jie's body gave a slight tremor, as if subjected to an electric shock. He managed to contain himself better than Han Bai and Meng Song, but his widened pupils and the subtle tremble of his lips betrayed his inner turmoil. The wine had profoundly affected him, and this sensation would persist with every subsequent sip.

After all, merely witnessing and experiencing a heavenly treasure once did not grant immunity from its potent effects upon subsequent encounters. This was even more pronounced with a brew like this wine, whose very essence was to ensure a complete immersion in its effects—effects so profound that the word 'extraordinary' fell short. For a liquid to be stored within a gourd fashioned from the wood of an Empyrean World Jade Tree, it had to possess commensurate worthiness.

Who could fathom the multitude of rare and precious ingredients that contributed to its concoction? And that was before considering the influence of the Empyrean World Jade Tree itself, which had not only housed the wine but continued to infuse its intrinsic properties over time.

This wine merited the appellation of sacred dew. A Rank One family might very well cherish it as a hallowed clan heirloom, let alone its potential impact on a gathering of Palace Realm experts.

Beyond Yang Qing, Tang Xiadan was the sole individual who appeared to retain his composure after his sip. Perhaps a premonition of the gourd's mystical nature had offered him some measure of preparation. Nevertheless, the instant the wine touched his lips, his beady eyes widened, his gaze involuntarily drifting to the gourd, then to Yang Qing, and finally back to his cup.

"Judge Yang Qing, this..." Even the composed Han Bai found himself at a loss for words. He lowered his wine cup, gazing at it with an expression suspended between shock and disbelief, before looking up at Yang Qing. "Is it permissible for you to bestow upon us something so invaluable?" His voice and demeanor conveyed an equal measure of astonishment and suspicion. Having sensed the wine's profound potency, how could he not feel this way?

In all his millennia of cultivation and his encounters with countless treasures, he had never experienced such a concentrated essence of the Grand Dao. The essence contained within that single sip surpassed that of the entire Dawn Cloud Tree. As vast as the tree was, and as imbued with the essence of the Grand Dao as it was, given all the marvelous effects it yielded, in comparison to that solitary sip, it was like contrasting a cup of water with an entire ocean. This stark disparity led him to a singular conclusion: that wine belonged to the caliber of a Purple Grade potion.

And if it was indeed of such a rank, as he firmly believed, how could Han Bai not be astounded and apprehensive, pondering why Yang Qing would offer such a treasure? In Han Bai's position, he would likely permit Meng Song and Li Gang a mere sip once every few centuries. He would never distribute it to outsiders in the manner Yang Qing had. The only recipients would be those closest to him, like the other founders, and even then, he would exercise caution regarding the quantity. Fan Jie, considering his recent transgressions, would consider himself fortunate merely to inhale its vapors. Perhaps a single drop, if Han Bai were overcome by sentimental recollections and the echoes of their past camaraderie.

Lai Bingwen would likely be the recipient of the most generous treatment among the four founders, by Han Bai. Not only was he respected by everyone, including the unpredictable Fan Jie, due to his steadfast and reliable character, but he also represented the final aspirations of the Vast Blue, which further earned him favor.

Even with the assistance of this exceptional wine, which was highly beneficial for cultivation, Han Bai realistically anticipated reaching only the tenth or eleventh stage of the palace realm, with a stronger probability for the former. He doubted his own potential to achieve that advancement, and the situation was even more pronounced for Meng Song, who, despite ample resources, could not even achieve the late stage.

Fan Jie, had his Dao foundation not sustained severe damage from critical injuries, might have stood a real chance of reaching the Domain Realm. However, as things were, the wine would primarily serve to alleviate his injuries and provide comprehension that he couldn't possibly capitalize on or build upon due to his compromised state. At most, he could strengthen his current realm and mend some wounds. Barring a Purple Grade healer capable of repairing Dao injuries, Fan Jie's cultivation realm would remain stagnant, even if he consumed the entire supply of the wine.