Leave quickly! Haven't you embarrassed yourselves enough?" Yuan Longxuan cut them off, ignoring their pleas.
He then turned to Chenxin. "Want some drink?"
"Hm?" Chenxin blinked.
"Some wine," Yuan Longxuan suggested with a casual smile.
The restaurant's diners erupted in excitement. They had no idea that their humble restaurant owner possessed strength surpassing even Soul Fighters.
Yuan Longxuan ignored the crowd and began browsing the system's wine recommendations.
System Store Recommendations:
Soul Wine: Slightly accelerates cultivation for one day; 99,999 in stock; free; limit 50 bottles per order
Hundred-Year Soul Wine: Slightly accelerates cultivation for one day; Soul Masters below level cannot drink; 99,999 in stock; free; limit 50
Thousand-Year Soul Wine: Significantly accelerates cultivation for one day; Soul Saints below level cannot drink; 99,999 in stock; free; limit 50
Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Wine: Doubles cultivation speed for one day; Title Douluos below level cannot drink; 99,999 in stock; free; limit 50
Yuan Longxuan marveled at the system's convenience. Anything from the Douluo world could be retrieved instantly at zero cost.
He decided to try thirty bottles first. The effects were notable but not overpowering....perfect for experimentation.
Chen Xin had only just regained his composure when he found himself studying Yuan Longxuan with renewed curiosity.
This young man, who looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, had revealed a terrifying level of strength that defied belief.
Before Chen Xin could puzzle over it further, Yuan Longxuan waved his hand casually.
"Clatter, clatter!"
Dozens of old, dusty wine jars suddenly appeared at their feet, their rough earthen surfaces exuding an ancient charm.
Just the sight of them made Chen Xin's eyes widen in surprise.
He could tell from the color and texture of the clay jars alone that these weren't ordinary brews....they were aged treasures, sealed for centuries.
Yuan Longxuan crouched down and pried open the seal of one jar.
"Pop!"
The moment the thousand-year-old soul wine was uncorked, a heady fragrance burst forth, rich and intoxicating.
The aroma spread instantly through the entire Juxiang Pavilion, wrapping around every corner like an invisible tide.
Yuan Longxuan inhaled deeply, then let out a satisfied chuckle. "Ah, not bad at all.
Truly worthy of being part of my collection."
Of course, only he knew the truth....that this so-called "collection" was nothing more than a gift from his mysterious system.
Still, he said it with such shameless confidence that one might almost believe it.
Chen Xin's eyes gleamed with recognition. Soul Wine! And not just any soul wine.....judging by the aroma, this was at least a few centuries old, likely aged for over a thousand years.
For a cultivator, a single drop of this was worth a fortune.
Before the two men could begin, however, a soft voice chimed in.
"So fragrant… Ah Yin wants some too!"
The silver-haired girl had already scooted closer, her ice-blue eyes sparkling with anticipation.
She stared at the jar of soul wine as though it were the most precious gem in the world.
But Yuan Longxuan immediately shot her a stern look. "No. You're not even eighteen yet. You can't drink."
Ah Yin puffed up her cheeks in protest, her little fists clenching in frustration. She wanted it so badly! But her guardian was unyielding.
To him, letting a young Soul Emperor drink such potent liquor was out of the question.
Turning away from her disappointed pout, Yuan Longxuan gestured grandly to Chen Xin. "Brother Chen, let's drink.
Today you helped me protect Juxiang Pavilion, and for that I owe you. Consider this my way of making a friend."
With a flick of his hand, thirty wine jars were opened at once.
The fragrance became so overwhelming that it drifted two miles beyond the restaurant, stirring the cravings of countless drunkards in the city streets.
Chen Xin laughed heartily. "If that's how you put it, then I won't refuse."
The two men each grabbed a jar.
"Gulp, gulp, gulp—"
A thousand-year soul wine poured down Yuan Longxuan's throat, warming him from head to toe.
Though its energy had little effect on his powerful body, the comfort of that warmth was undeniable.
"There's an old saying," Yuan Longxuan remarked between drinks, "anything you eat or drink that enters your stomach is never wasted."
Chen Xin roared with laughter. "Well said!" He was a straightforward man;
once Yuan Longxuan had extended such hospitality, it would be cowardly to hold back.
But just as the men grew merrier, Ah Yin sat sulking nearby, her ice-blue gaze fixed pitifully on the jars of liquor she wasn't allowed to touch.
This bad man, she thought. He wouldn't even let her have one sip!
Finally, a sly thought entered her mind. Quietly, Ah Yin summoned the delicate vines of her Blue Silver Emperor.
The tendrils crept silently along the floor until they slipped unnoticed into two jars at the very back of the row.
Moments later, she drew the vines back toward herself, droplets of soul wine clinging to their tips.
She brought them to her lips, sipping them like sweet nectar.
"Mmm…" A blissful smile spread across her face.
The wine was smooth, sweet, and rich....utterly irresistible.
She didn't even notice the faint dizziness beginning to cloud her head.
Meanwhile, Yuan Longxuan and Chen Xin drank freely.
Neither of them circulated soul power to dispel the alcohol.
For men at their cultivation level, avoiding drunkenness was simple. ..but they deliberately chose not to.
The rare fogginess that came with drunkenness allowed their minds to relax, a luxury they seldom indulged in.
The night deepened. Jar after jar was emptied. By the time they staggered into the late hours, both men had drained fourteen jars each.
Yuan Longxuan frowned slightly as he glanced at the row of containers. Hadn't there been thirty jars?
Why were the last two also empty?
He rubbed his temple, unable to recall. Perhaps they'd drunk more than they thought. Or perhaps… he had simply gotten muddled.
He let it go.
Using a bit of soul power to sober himself, Yuan Longxuan carried the heavily inebriated Chen Xin to a guest room.
Before leaving, he placed a small jade slip beside him....a token from the system that would grant Chen Xin a chance at enlightenment.
Then, gathering the dozing Ah Yin into his arms, he ascended to the top floor of the pavilion, where his private residence awaited.