Ya Fei's Determination, The Agreement

Ya Fei personally presented the silver tray to Ning Chen.

Ning Chen first picked up the pale purple scroll; it felt slightly cool to the touch, and the material was unique.

Unfolding it, a few archaic characters at the beginning of the scroll caught his eye.

[Mystic-tier High-grade Dou Technique: Phantom Fire Body]

Effect: Uses flame Dou Qi to create brief afterimages to interfere with an opponent's perception; the true body can perform extreme short-range displacement between the afterimages.

When mastered, it can simultaneously manifest three afterimages possessing a faint aura, making it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.

Note: Requires extremely high control over flames and soul perception.

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

This was not a brute-force combat technique, but a sophisticated auxiliary movement technique that combined deception with displacement. It perfectly filled the gap in his current lack of flexible response methods, making it highly practical.

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

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

"Chu Yun Empire, Nether Swamp? You suspect the existence of a Heavenly Flame?"

"Exactly," Ya Fei said with a serious expression.

"This is information we purchased from a veteran mercenary group that operates year-round on the border between the Chu Yun Empire and the Jia Ma Empire. It is said that in the depths of the notorious Nether Swamp within the Chu Yun Empire, ghostly green flames have occasionally appeared in recent years."

"Because the poisonous swamp is fraught with danger, filled with toxic miasma, and occupied by countless poisonous creatures, even Dou Huang experts dare not venture deep inside. Therefore, it is speculated that the ghostly flame might be the legendary Heavenly Flame."

"However, the information has not been fully verified, so it can only be considered a lead."

Ning Chen nodded slightly.

A lead on a Heavenly Flame, even an unverified rumor, was of immense value. Judging by the description, there was a high probability it was the Nether Poison Fire, ranked twentieth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.

It seemed that Ya Fei and the Mittel Auction House had truly put in the effort.

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Ya Fei. I will accept these two items."

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

"I am glad you are satisfied, sir." Ya Fei smiled brightly, though her heart tightened.

Now that the handover was complete, this Mr. Ning would likely depart immediately!

Although Ning Chen had previously dropped vague hints about potential future contact, for a mysterious and unfathomable powerhouse, such words—which didn't even count as verbal promises—were often forgotten in an instant.

She had seen too many cases of people turning cold once the tea went cold; she knew that opportunities had to be seized firmly rather than waited for as handouts.

Seeing that Ning Chen was already intending to stand up, the taut string in Ya Fei's heart finally reached its limit.

The disdainful gazes from her family due to her "low cultivation," the cold political marriages that might be forced upon her for profit in the future, and the deep-seated unwillingness and desire to change her fate...

All these emotions intertwined and collided, leading her to make a near-desperate decision at this moment.

She would bet everything to change her destiny.

Just as Ning Chen was about to turn away.

"Sir, please wait a moment!"

Ya Fei suddenly stepped forward and gripped a sleeve of Ning Chen's robe with her slender, jade-like hand.

Her fingertips turned slightly white as she tilted her stunningly charming face up to look at Ning Chen.

The shrewdness she usually displayed faded slightly, revealing a genuine sense of determination and resolve.

Ning Chen paused, looking down at his gripped sleeve, then at Ya Fei, who was within arm's reach.

The rich fragrance on her body became even clearer, and her eyes were like water, rippling with heart-stirring waves.

Recalling the descriptions of Ya Fei from the original story, Ning Chen instantly understood what she was thinking.

Meeting his gaze, Ya Fei's heart hammered like a drum, and a moving flush rose on her face, yet she forced herself not to retreat.

Her voice was extremely soft, carrying a deliberate charm and suggestion, as if a feather were brushing against his heart, making him itch and his temper flare.

"Why is sir in such a hurry? A few days ago, the imperial capital headquarters happened to send over a pot of century-old 'Drunken Immortal Brew'. It is said to be brewed from dozens of rare spirit fruits using a secret method. Not only is the taste excellent, but it also has a slight nourishing effect on one's cultivation... I have never been able to bring myself to open it."

She bit her lower lip slightly, her eyelashes trembling, and her voice dropped even lower, almost a whisper.

"Seeing you today, I am filled with joy... I wonder, would I have the honor of inviting you to share a drink? It would also... express my gratitude and... admiration for you."

The implication in her words was already very obvious; in the quiet private room, the atmosphere suddenly became ambiguous and subtle.

She did not let go of his sleeve; instead, taking advantage of the proximity, she leaned forward slightly. Her graceful curves were faintly visible under her red dress, radiating an astonishing allure.

Ya Fei was gambling—betting that this young powerhouse was not cold-hearted, and that her beauty and charm, which could drive countless men mad, could leave a special mark in his heart.

Ning Chen watched her quietly, his gaze clear, showing no embarrassment or urgency despite the sudden, ambiguous invitation.

Having seen too many bizarre "little fairies" on the internet in his previous life, he had always held a favorable impression of women like Ya Fei.

However...

He reached out with his other hand, not to push her away, but to use his index finger to lift Ya Fei's smooth, delicate chin with extreme gentleness, a playful smile on his face.

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

"Drunken Immortal Brew, is it... The name sounds quite pleasant."

Ning Chen spoke slowly, his thumb grazing Ya Fei's jawline with a subtle touch that sent a faint tremor across her skin.

Just as a glimmer of hope rose in Ya Fei's heart, Ning Chen shifted the tone of the conversation, a half-smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"However, while fine wine is good, it requires the right company and the right moment to truly savor its essence."

"Right now... I have urgent business to attend to in the Nether Swamp, so this is hardly the time to indulge in the cup."

He had refused.

The light in Ya Fei's eyes dimmed instantly, her fingers loosening their grip on her sleeve as a wave of profound disappointment and self-mockery washed over her.

As expected... was she still too naive? A man of his stature, how could he be easily swayed by mere beauty?

Yet, just as her spirits plummeted, Ning Chen's next words made her head snap up.

Ning Chen released her chin, instead using that same finger to gently tuck a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear. The gesture was impossibly tender, his gaze carrying a hint of faint appreciation and understanding.

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

Ning Chen leaned in slightly, drawing close to her ear. His warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe as he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"...shall be kept with you for now. See that you keep it well-warmed for me."

"When I return from the Chu Yun Empire, perhaps I will visit Wutan City again, or perhaps I will drop by the headquarters of the Mittel Auction House in the Jia Ma Holy City."

"By then, if Miss Ya Fei still has the inclination..."

He paused, leaving behind a sentence filled with endless possibilities, then straightened up. He flashed a carefree smile at the stunned woman before turning and drifting away without a moment's hesitation.

"...it will not be too late for us to share that long-awaited drink."

The lingering echo of his voice remained, but he was already gone.

Ya Fei stood alone in place for a long time before slowly raising a hand to touch her chin and ear where he had just made contact; a strange warmth seemed to linger there still.

The flush on her face had yet to fade, but the disappointment in her heart had been replaced by a more complex and indescribable emotion.

He had not accepted, but... he had not completely closed that door either.

He had even left behind the promise of a "next time."

"Drunken Immortal Brew... I will keep it well-warmed."

Ya Fei whispered to herself, a renewed brilliance igniting in her beautiful eyes.

She turned to look in the direction Ning Chen had departed, her red lips slowly curving into a bewitching smile that could topple kingdoms.

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