Xiao Se smiled indifferently, recalling the plot of the original story in his mind. With a sneer, he said, "Tonight's gathering is said to be a celebration for me, Liu Ling, and the other alchemists. In reality, the imperial family just wants to use us as bait to capture the hidden Izumo Empire's poison masters in the Sacred City. However, Nalan Yanran mentioned that Yun Yun would also be attending, so it's uncertain if the poison masters will take the bait. For safety's sake, you should probably decline."
Yafei suddenly understood, "That does sound like something the imperial family would do."
Xiao Se smiled indifferently again, saying, "Since that's the case, let's just stay at the Miteer Auction House tonight."
"Yes, I'll decline the invitation," Yafei nodded in agreement.
Seeing Yafei agree, Xiao Se smiled and nodded, saying nothing further. The carriage fell into silence once again.
After a short while, the two returned to the Miteer Auction House. After exchanging brief pleasantries, Xiao Se returned to his room, took out the Green Lotus Platform, and meditated for an hour, restoring his body to peak condition.
"System, start spinning the wheel."
[Congratulations to the host for drawing the Douluo Continent Travel Voucher (seven days).]
"Douluo Continent Travel Voucher?" Xiao Se's eyes lit up. It seemed that after the Alchemist Conference, he could visit Little Fairy Doctor. The two divine soul bones beneath the Yin-Yang Ice Fire Eyes should be enough to help her cultivate to the Dou Zun level without triggering the catastrophe of the Poison Body.
"Brother, you seem really happy today. Is it because of those beautiful girls from earlier?" A teasing voice suddenly echoed in Xiao Se's mind, tinged with a faint hint of jealousy.
Hearing this, Xiao Se blushed and quickly explained, "No, no... I just thought of a place where I can find the materials to suppress the Little Fairy Doctor's catastrophe."
"Oh?" After a moment of silence, Long Kui appeared from the magic sword mark, sitting on the Green Lotus Platform. With her chin resting on her hand, she asked with a mischievous smile, "Brother, do you like that girl named Yafei?"
"Why would you think that?" Xiao Se looked at Long Kui, smiling bitterly.
Long Kui explained, "Because you don't get too close to girls you don't like, like Xun Er in Wutan City, or the two princesses of the royal family. You didn't even want to interact with them. But with girls like the Little Fairy Doctor, Queen Medusa, Yafei, and Xiao Yu, you're always happy to engage. Sometimes your heart even races, just like when you hug me. Oh, and there's also Yun Yun. Brother, you're quite the playboy."
Xiao Se scratched his head awkwardly, thinking it was fortunate that Queen Medusa was hiding in the magic pouch. Otherwise, things would have gone badly if she overheard.
"Long Kui, do you blame me for being a playboy?" Xiao Se didn't deny it. He had no intention of lying to Long Kui, whom he had spent so much time with. He indeed had desires for the Little Fairy Doctor, Queen Medusa, Yun Yun, and Yafei. As for Xiao Yu, it was more of a childhood bond.
"Well..." Long Kui tilted her head, appearing a bit troubled. After a moment of reflection, she smiled sweetly and said, "If it were in the past, maybe I would have. I might have even been jealous of the Little Fairy Doctor and Queen Medusa. But not anymore."
Surprised by her response, Xiao Se asked instinctively, "Why not?" He clearly remembered in the game that Long Kui once turned dark out of jealousy over Jing Tian's attention to Xue Jian.
Long Kui blushed slightly, her gaze evasive, and she whispered softly, "Because you promised that if you ever get married, the first one you'd marry would be me."
After saying this, Long Kui could no longer contain her shyness. Her face reddened as she transformed into a streak of blue light, vanishing back into Xiao Se's magic sword mark.
Watching Long Kui retreat into the mark, Xiao Se's face softened into a gentle smile as he whispered, "Long Kui, I'll always love you... and Hong Kui."
"Mm-hmm," came two soft replies.
For a rare moment, the voices of Hong Kui and Long Kui echoed in Xiao Se's mind, tender and harmonious, making him feel as though his soul had been cleansed.
Just then, there was a knock at the door, followed by a voice so sweet it could make any man's knees weak: "Xiao Se, little brother, are you resting?"
Recognizing Yafei's voice, Xiao Se was taken aback. Yafei usually didn't visit him at this time of night. He quickly put away the Green Lotus Platform and opened the door.
"What's the matter, Sister Yafei? Coming to my room so late... don't tell me you... Hmm... Just so you know, I'm not an easy man, so you'd better take responsibility," he teased, his eyes sweeping over Yafei's stunning features before lingering on her curvaceous figure.
Yafei's face flushed at his gaze. She playfully rolled her eyes at him, feigning anger, "You cheeky rascal! I don't know how you keep getting worse as you grow up."
Xiao Se shrugged, "What a shame." Then, he asked casually, "So, why did you come to see me this late, Sister Yafei?"
Yafei's expression turned serious as she nodded, "You were right. The poison masters of the Izumo Empire did attack the alchemists at the banquet. However, they didn't know Yun Yun was present, so they were completely wiped out. Elder Hai just returned and asked me to tell you that President Fa Ma of the Alchemist Association has urgent business and wants you to go see him right away."
Xiao Se nodded slightly. "Got it. I'll head there now."
As he stepped out of the room, Xiao Se suddenly turned back, much to Yafei's surprise. He grabbed her by the waist, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.
"This is payback for what you owe me from the carriage." Leaving that remark, Xiao Se leaped out of the hallway window, unfurled his Eagle Wings, and flew toward the Alchemist Association.
Watching Xiao Se fly off into the night, Yafei quickly rushed to the window, covering her flushed face with her hand. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she muttered, "That little rascal... he really is growing up."
Under the night sky, Xiao Se flew swiftly. About ten minutes later, he quietly landed outside the Alchemist Association without disturbing anyone.
Even though it was late, the Alchemist Association was brightly lit as if it were daytime, with guards stationed at the entrance.
"Fa Ma must be planning to give me a pill recipe to beat that guy named Huo Tan," Xiao Se thought with a smile as he stepped toward the entrance.
After his two victories earlier in the day, Xiao Se had gained some fame in the capital. Recognizing him, the guards greeted him enthusiastically, "Master Xiao Huo, you're here! President Fa Ma is waiting for you inside. Please, go ahead."
Xiao Se nodded slightly and stepped through the door. Guided by a servant, he made his way to the highest floor of the association, stopping in front of a room. He knocked on the door.
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