"Excellent wine!"
As the wine entered his mouth, its rich aroma rushed straight to his head, its fragrance spreading through his entire body. Compared to the Body Sect's Body-Tempering Wine that Xia Yi had bought in Shrek City, this wine was in an entirely different league.
Of course, the Body Sect likely wouldn't sell their top-tier spirit wines to outsiders.They might even possess spirit wine comparable to the elves'.
Yuanen Yehui and Ye Xinglan also couldn't resist the rich aroma and each took a sip.Various flavors blossomed on their tongues, making their pretty faces flush bright red as they became utterly intoxicated. The wine's scent even seeped from their mouths and noses, and they nearly passed out from it.
"Have you two even had alcohol before?" Xia Yi looked curiously at the two blushing women. He had to admit, the elven spirit wine was indeed potent — but with their cultivation levels, surely they shouldn't be tipsy after just one cup?
"We've had some before... at your wedding," Yuanen Yehui replied, slightly dazed.Usually, they were entirely focused on cultivation and didn't drink at all.The last time, they only drank a bit because they couldn't avoid it at Xia Yi's wedding.But even then, it had been regular wine.
With strong soul power backing them, even first-time drinkers wouldn't be affected much by just a little wine.But now — this was the elves' top-tier spirit wine.
"And you're still drinking like that without experience?" Xia Yi gave the two women a helpless look. Couldn't they drink more slowly? Why were they chugging entire cups at once?
"Relax. With our cultivation levels, we'll be fine. Worst case, we sleep it off. Besides, with you here, what could possibly go wrong?" Ye Xinglan's deep blue eyes shimmered with intoxication as she spoke dreamily. The wine's aroma was too tempting — she couldn't help but pour herself another cup.
"It's because I'm here that something might go wrong," Xia Yi muttered to himself, but inside, he felt a bit proud.He hadn't expected Ye Xinglan to have such a strong sense of trust in him.
"If you can't take it, you can use soul power to expel the alcohol," Xia Yi advised again, seeing the two women growing increasingly tipsy.
Both were powerful Soul Masters — one a Soul Douluo, the other a Super Douluo — with deep foundations. If they used their soul power, not just alcohol but even poison could be expelled from their bodies.
"If you can drink, drink. If you can't, go sit at the kids' table," Yuanen Yehui retorted, "Using soul power to handle wine? What kind of drinking manners is that? And do you even understand how blasphemous it would be to waste such exquisite spirit wine like that? Heaven might strike you down!"She poured herself another cup as she spoke.
"Fine, drink away. I won't say anything more." Xia Yi gave a wry smile. What Yuanen said wasn't wrong —Such fine spirit wine was sought after by countless people.Expelling it with soul power would indeed be a waste.
But honestly, them drinking this wine at all was already a waste.
The wine was clearly crafted to aid cultivation, but at their current level, its benefits were minimal.
After a few more cups, Ye Xinglan seemed to finally be unable to hold on. Her golden hair framed her flushed face, soft and radiant like jelly. Half-asleep, she sipped wine and muttered:
"Do you… really hate me?"
Xia Yi was stunned. He turned and looked at her dazed and tipsy face. "Are you talking to me?"
Given how close she and Yuanen Yehui were now, it had to be Xia Yi she was addressing.
But Xia Yi was confused — where had he ever shown any sign of disliking her?Even if he had teased her now and then, it wasn't serious.
If he truly disliked someone, he wouldn't even joke with them.
Ye Xinglan, as if not hearing Xia Yi, continued speaking to herself:"I've got a bad temper. I'm not your childhood sweetheart like Gu Yue, nor am I as brave and persistent as Muxi. I'm not even as steady as Sister Yuanen. I was so unreasonable back in Tianhai City. I even targeted you later at Shrek Academy… It's normal for you to dislike me."
Her voice was filled with hesitation and self-doubt. She took another big swig of wine and then—thud!She collapsed onto the table, completely passed out.
Now Xia Yi was sure — this girl was definitely talking to him.
He wasn't some innocent boy anymore. He easily heard the meaning between her words.
"Told you not to drink so much," Xia Yi sighed softly and picked up Ye Xinglan.He carried her to her room and tucked her in before returning.
By the time he got back, Yuanen Yehui had also drunk quite a bit.Her cultivation and physical strength were higher than Ye Xinglan's, so she held out longer.As Xia Yi came back, she wobbled to her feet with glassy eyes and said:
"Xia Yi, I know you've always helped me. Back then, I had no money and you still helped forge my battle armor. You even helped me make money. When we were ambushed by the Star Luo Empire, you had the Spirit Fox Douluo rescue Xinglan and me. After we returned to the Douluo Continent, you helped us forge armor again — all for free. Thank you."
She raised her cup and clinked it against Xia Yi's before he could reply, then downed it in one gulp.
"We're friends — it was no trouble. You don't need to thank me," Xia Yi also finished his drink and scratched his head, not understanding why she was bringing this up now.Even if she wanted to thank him, did it have to be while drunk?
"Friends, huh?" Yuanen Yehui raised a delicate brow. "If that's the case, then I have a question. Will you answer me honestly?"
"Uh… sure, ask."Xia Yi had a bad feeling, but he still nodded.
"Tell me truthfully — all the things you did for me. Was it because we're friends? Or was it because my Fallen Angel Martial Soul connects to the Demon Plane?"Yuanen Yehui bit her lip as she asked.In that moment, her originally dazed eyes became sharp and clear.
Xia Yi was silent.He honestly didn't know how to answer.
Yuanen Yehui wasn't some clueless beauty — if she was asking, it meant she already had suspicions.
But it wasn't entirely his fault — it was Gu Yue who had been interested in the Demon Plane and pushed him toward it.
Originally, it was the soul beasts who first set their sights on the Demon Plane, but then Leng Yaoshu claimed a share of it, which still left Gu Yue feeling sour to this day.
And it's not like he had actually done anything wrong.
But how was he supposed to explain this to Yuanen Yehui?
After thinking it through, he figured that even if he admitted it, it wouldn't matter.Aside from impure motives, he hadn't actually done anything to harm her.
At most, it would just be admitting fault.
"I… sigh—hey, what's wrong?"Xia Yi was just about to speak when Yuanen Yehui suddenly staggered forward and collapsed toward him.
He quickly reached out and caught her."Sigh. You asked the question, but you don't even have the courage to hear the answer?" Xia Yi let out a helpless sigh and carried her to her room.
Watching her sleep, Xia Yi couldn't help but recall that night in Shrek City when Gu Yue had quietly snuck into his bed.
He understood now — both Yuanen Yehui and Ye Xinglan had chosen to get drunk on purpose, using the wine as a way to express their hidden feelings.
As for Yuanen Yehui, Xia Yi had already sensed her affection back in Star Luo City, so he was somewhat prepared for it.
But Ye Xinglan?He had always thought she disliked him.It was only after the destruction of Shrek Academy, when she and Yuanen Yehui returned from the Eight Kings' Domain, that their relationship gradually improved.
Of course, by then Xia Yi's identity had changed — and he no longer cared to argue with her.