"You've broken through to Dou Spirit?"
Hai Bo Dong asked tentatively.
"It's just a fluke, not as strong as you a Dou Emperor."
Yun Tianming nodded with a smile.
"Wow, who are you trying to fool?"
Hai Bo Dong's mouth twitched, revealing a bitter smile.
He thought, if you could kill a Dou Emperor at the Dou Grandmaster level, now at Dou Spirit, you'll be even stronger!
Even if we exclude hidden means, an eighteen-year-old Dou Spirit is a unique existence in the Jia Ma Empire!
"Friend Tianming, you didn't just come here today to reminisce with me, did you?"
"Speak up, whatever task you have, just command!"
A gleam flashed in Hai Bo Dong's eyes. In his view, doing tasks for Yun Tianming would definitely come with hefty rewards.
"No, today I'm here to attend the banquet."
Yun Tianming shook his head. Although he had Mighty Huang Pills in his Spatial Ring, he wouldn't just give them to Hai Bo Dong for no reason. Anyway, there would be plenty of things he could ask from him in the future, so he should keep the rewards for later.
"Banquet? Wait, you're not attending this Alchemist Competition, are you?"
Hai Bo Dong looked surprised. Although the Alchemist Competition was a grand event in the Jia Ma Empire, Hai Bo Dong wasn't fond of crowds and didn't pay attention to such matters.
"Yes."
"What place then? Oh, no need to say, if you're participating, it must be first place."
After receiving the affirmative answer, Hai Bo Dong decisively affirmed the latter's ranking.
"Hehe~"
Yun Tianming responded with just a smile, without explaining.
"Tsk tsk~ Envious genius."
After too much astonishment, Hai Bo Dong became accustomed to it.
"Elder Hai, the banquet is about to start, and there are many people waiting for you inside!"
"Tianming, my dear brother! It's been so long!"
Upon hearing this familiar voice, Yun Tianming turned his head to see a tall and slender figure, dressed in a tight red cheongsam, with a snowy white fox fur draped over her shoulders, adding a touch of elegance and luxury to her. She lazily leaned against the door with a glass of red wine in her hand, exuding a charming and graceful demeanor.
"Ya Fei, it's been three years, and you're getting more beautiful."
Yun Tianming's eyes lit up, offering sincere praise.
"Hmm~ You really do like mature women."
Ya Fei's lips curled, recalling the time when they first met, when he ignored her charms as a young girl. Later, as their relationship deepened, she began to subtly notice Yun Tianming's preferences.
"Oh? Ya Fei, you're quite familiar with Tianming, aren't you?"
Hai Bo Dong's eyes swiftly scanned the two, his keen gaze flickering as if pondering something.
"In response to Elder Hai, Tianming and I have known each other for many years, we're good friends." Ya Fei sweetly smiled, her beautiful eyes shimmering as she raised the glass of red wine in her hand towards Yun Tianming, shaking it gently. "Isn't that right, Tianming?"
"We're pretty close, so I came to see you."
Yun Tianming shrugged, reaching out to snatch the glass of red wine from Ya Fei's hand, unabashedly downing it in one gulp.
"You, you haven't changed at all."
Ya Fei's cheeks flushed red as she quickly snatched back the empty glass.
"What are you two..."
Hai Bo Dong stared at them solemnly, and Ya Fei immediately realized the situation wasn't good, remembering that there were esteemed elders from the Miteer Family present.
"Sorry, Elder Hai, things aren't as you see them!"
Ya Fei tightly bit her lips, wanting to argue, while also shooting a resentful glance at the calmly composed Yun Tianming beside her.
"Great! This is really great!"
Hai Bo Dong's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he clapped his hands in approval. "Since you two are so compatible, why not just get engaged... no, go straight to the point, get married directly! Now! Immediately!"
"Huh? What..."
Ya Fei was suddenly stunned, what was going on?
According to the usual routine, shouldn't Hai Bo Dong be firmly against this? After all, children from prominent families had to marry according to the interests of the family. Things like free love, she didn't even dare to think about.
"You're such an impatient guy, I know you're eager, but please don't rush."
Yun Tianming smiled, but he didn't completely reject the proposal either.
Hai Bo Dong was also a clever person, and with just one look, he understood Yun Tianming's attitude.
"Alright, alright, you young people handle your own affairs. I unconditionally support it!"
After hearing this, a charming smile appeared on Ya Fei's delicate face. In her heart, she had a deep fondness for Yun Tianming, though not to the extent of love. But for someone from a prominent family, being able to marry a man she didn't reject was already a stroke of luck.
Especially this man in front of her, he was quite a catch!
With this in mind, Ya Fei decisively took the initiative, extending her slender, jade-like hand, smiling with her beautiful eyes, "Tianming, would you escort thi sister into the venue?"
"Absolutely."
Yun Tianming didn't hesitate at all, grasping her hand firmly and striding into the venue.
"Ya Fei is here!"
"Wow, she's so beautiful! Who's the man next to her?"
With Ya Fei's looks, naturally, she easily drew attention. As the gazes in the venue fell on Ya Fei and Yun Tianming, who were holding hands, they all paused for a moment, then erupted with strong feelings of envy and sourness.
Despite Ya Fei always appearing sociable and enthusiastic, looking easy to approach, those familiar with her knew that this charming beauty had a high level of vigilance towards men. While it was easy to be ordinary friends with her, further development was quite challenging. So when they saw Ya Fei holding hands with a young man, they naturally felt quite surprised.
"Idiot! That person is a disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect."
"Tsk, there are plenty of Misty Cloud Sect disciples, what's so special?"
"But he's Yun Tianming, the first place winner in the Alchemist Competition qualifiers!"
"Wow, he's that amazing?"
It must be said, strength is the best business card. While the Misty Cloud Sect had a big reputation, most of the attendees were noble children of the Jia Ma Empire and weren't overly wary of Misty Cloud Sect disciples. However, being an alchemist was different; it was a respected profession wherever you went, especially as the first-place winner in the qualifiers.
Smiling and greeting passing guests, Ya Fei led Yun Tianming by the hand to a middle-aged man with narrow eyes.
"This is our current patriarch of the Miteer Family, Miteer Tengshan."
Ya Fei introduced quietly, then seemed to notice something, quickly letting go of Yun Tianming's hand. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her earlobes turning slightly red.
"Junior Yun Tianming greets Patriarch Tengshan."
Yun Tianming stepped forward to greet. It wasn't their first meeting; eight years ago, when he was on duty at the Misty Cloud Sect's foot of the mountain, responsible for welcoming guests, he had met Tengshan.
"You're the little boy from under the Misty Cloud Mountain all those years ago?"
Tengshan evidently recognized him too, his narrow eyes sparkling as he stood up from his seat, warmly shaking hands with Yun Tianming.
"Remarkable indeed! In just eight years, you've grown to such heights!"
"Old Hai's having returned, Tianming, you're a benefactor to my Miteer Family!"
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