Ya Fei's Resolve and Their Promise

Ya Fei personally presented the silver tray to Ning Chen.

Ning Chen first picked up the pale purple scroll. It felt cool to the touch and was made of an unusual material.

He unrolled it, and several ancient-looking characters at the top came into view.

[High-grade Profound Tier Dou Technique: Phantom Fire Body]

Effect: Uses flame Dou Qi to create brief afterimages that disrupt an opponent's perception, allowing the user to switch places between them over extremely short distances.

At mastery, it can create three afterimages with faint auras, making it impossible to tell which is real.

Note: Requires exceptional control over fire and a highly perceptive soul.

"Phantom Fire Body..." A flicker of interest crossed Ning Chen's eyes.

It wasn't an offensive Dou Technique, but a refined auxiliary movement technique with both deceptive and repositioning effects. It would make up for his current lack of flexible ways to respond, and it seemed highly practical.

Setting down the scroll, he picked up the jade slip and pressed it to his forehead, probing it slightly with his soul power.

A moment later, he lowered the jade slip and looked at Ya Fei.

"The Chu Yun Empire's Nether Swamp? There may be a Heavenly Flame there?"

"Exactly." Ya Fei's expression turned serious.

"We bought this information from a veteran mercenary group that has operated along the border between the Chu Yun Empire and the Jia Ma Empire for years. They say that in the depths of a notorious swamp within the Chu Yun Empire, ghostly green flames have occasionally appeared in recent years."

"The Poison Marsh is extremely dangerous, shrouded in poisonous miasma and home to countless venomous creatures. Even Dou Huang experts dare not venture deep inside, so they suspect those ghostly flames might be a Heavenly Flame, a treasure of the world."

"However, the information hasn't been fully verified, so it can only be considered a lead."

Ning Chen gave a slight nod.

Even an unverified rumor about a Heavenly Flame was incredibly valuable. From the description, it was most likely the Nether Poison Fire, ranked twentieth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.

It seemed Ya Fei and the Mittel Auction House had truly gone to some effort.

"Thank you for taking the trouble, Miss Ya Fei. I'll accept these two items."

Ning Chen put away the scroll and jade slip, his tone calm.

"I'm glad you're satisfied, sir." Ya Fei smiled brightly, though her heart tightened.

Now that they had exchanged the items, Mr. Ning would probably leave at once!

Though Ning Chen's earlier words had vaguely suggested they might be in touch again in the future, such words barely counted as a verbal promise. For a powerful figure of mysterious origins and unfathomable strength, forgetting them as soon as he left would be nothing unusual.

She had seen too many people grow cold once they no longer had use for someone. She knew that she had to seize an opportunity herself, rather than wait for one to be handed to her.

Seeing that Ning Chen was about to rise, the taut string inside Ya Fei finally reached its breaking point.

The disdainful looks from members of her family who judged her for her "low cultivation," the cold marriage alliances that might one day be arranged for the sake of profit, and the resentment and longing deep in her heart to change her fate...

All those emotions collided, and in that moment, she made a decision that was almost an all-or-nothing gamble.

She would wager everything to change her fate.

Just as Ning Chen was about to turn away—

"Sir, please wait!"

Ya Fei suddenly stepped forward and reached out with her slender hand to grasp a corner of Ning Chen's sleeve.

Her fingertips turned faintly white as she lifted her stunningly alluring face to look at him.

The shrewd composure she had shown before faded from her eyes, giving way to a genuine, unwavering resolve.

Ning Chen stopped and glanced down at the sleeve she had caught, then at Ya Fei, who stood close enough to touch.

The rich fragrance about her grew more pronounced. Her eyes rippled like water, stirring the heart.

Remembering how Ya Fei had been described in the original story, Ning Chen instantly understood what she was thinking.

Ya Fei met his gaze, her heart pounding like a drum. A captivating blush rose across her face, but she forced herself not to retreat.

She lowered her voice, making it deliberately soft and suggestive, like a feather brushing across the heart and stirring an irresistible heat.

"Why the hurry, sir? Some time ago, the Imperial Capital headquarters happened to send over a jar of 'Drunken Immortal Brew,' aged for a hundred years. They say it's made from dozens of rare spirit fruits using a secret method. It tastes wonderful and can even nourish one's cultivation a little... Ya Fei has never had the heart to open it."

She bit her lower lip slightly, her lashes trembling as her voice dropped even further, almost to a whisper.

"Seeing you today has made Ya Fei very happy... I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to invite you to share a cup? It would also let me... express a little of my gratitude and... admiration for you."

The implication in her words was unmistakable. In the quiet private room, the atmosphere suddenly turned intimate and charged.

She didn't release his sleeve. Instead, taking advantage of their closeness, she leaned forward ever so slightly. Her graceful curves were faintly visible beneath her red dress, radiating a stunning allure.

Ya Fei was taking a gamble. She was betting that this young powerhouse wasn't completely stone-hearted, and that her beauty and charm—enough to drive countless men wild—could leave a special impression on him.

Ning Chen watched her quietly, his gaze clear. Her sudden, intimate invitation didn't make him the slightest bit flustered or eager.

Having seen far too many bizarre "little fairies" online in his previous life, he had always felt favorably toward women like Ya Fei.

And yet...

He reached out with his other hand. Rather than push her away, he gently lifted Ya Fei's smooth, delicate chin with his index finger, his smile playful.

Their eyes met at close range, and Ning Chen could clearly see his own reflection in her pupils.

"Drunken Immortal Brew... It sounds rather good."

Ning Chen spoke slowly. His thumb brushed almost imperceptibly along Ya Fei's jawline, making her skin quiver ever so slightly.

Just as a glimmer of hope rose in Ya Fei's heart, Ning Chen changed tack, the corner of his mouth curving into an ambiguous smile.

"Fine wine is wonderful, but you need the right person to share it with, and the right moment, to truly appreciate it."

"Right now... I still have important business to attend to in the Nether Swamp. This isn't the time to lose myself in a drink."

He had turned her down.

The light in Ya Fei's eyes dimmed at once. Her fingers loosened their grip on his sleeve, and a wave of disappointment and self-mockery rose in her heart.

As expected... Had she been too naive? How could someone like him be so easily swayed by beauty?

But just as her spirits sank, Ning Chen's next words made her look up sharply.

Ning Chen released her chin, then used that same finger to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was tender beyond belief, and his eyes held a trace of quiet appreciation and understanding.

"That jar of 'Drunken Immortal Brew'..."

Ning Chen leaned slightly toward her ear. His warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe as he murmured in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Keep it here for me for now, and make sure it stays warm."

"After I return from the Chu Yun Empire, I might come back to Wutan City, or stop by the Mittel Auction House headquarters in Jia Ma Holy City."

"By then, if Miss Ya Fei is still in the mood..."

He paused, leaving her with words full of possibility. Then he straightened and smiled casually at the dazed Ya Fei before turning and departing without hesitation.

"We can share that long-delayed drink then. There's no rush."

His voice lingered, but he was already gone.

Ya Fei stood alone where she was. Only after a long while did she slowly raise her hand and touch her chin and ear, where he had touched her. A strange warmth seemed to linger there.

The blush on her face hadn't faded, but the disappointment in her heart had been replaced by an emotion far more complicated and difficult to put into words.

He hadn't accepted her invitation, but... he hadn't shut the door completely, either.

He had even left her a promise of "next time."

"Drunken Immortal Brew... I'll make sure to keep it warm."

Ya Fei murmured to herself, her beautiful eyes shining once more.

She turned toward the direction Ning Chen had gone, and her red lips slowly curved into a bewitching smile that could topple kingdoms.

"Mr. Ning... Ya Fei will be waiting for the day you return to share that drink."