On the morning of the third day, Xiao Se slowly opened his eyes.
This time, refining the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower took him unexpectedly longer than anticipated. However, the benefits were immense. The powerful medicinal properties of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower greatly purified the fire attribute Dou Qi within him, elevating his cultivation by one star, reaching the level of a six-star Da Dou Shi.
Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Se also refined the medicinal power that had accumulated in his body from consuming pills over the past two years, boosting his cultivation from six-star Da Dou Shi to eight-star Da Dou Shi.
Within three days, his cultivation rose by three stars without any side effects.
"Brother, you're awake," a gentle voice from Longkui echoed in his mind.
"Yes." Xiao Se smiled and asked in his mind, "Longkui, how long have I been cultivating?"
"Brother, it's already been three days," Longkui responded with a light laugh.
"Three days?" Xiao Se was momentarily stunned before quickly realizing that today was the day of the internal test at the Alchemist Guild. He couldn't be late.
"You're awake now," Yafei's voice sounded from the side. Although three days had passed, the refined aura she had gained from absorbing the Eight Petal Orchid still lingered, wrapping her in a soft glow. Her seductive charm now had an additional layer of elegance and nobility.
Xiao Se and Yafei exchanged smiles. He asked in surprise, "Have you been waiting here for me long?"
Yafei nodded slightly and pointed to the blue protective barrier in the room with her jade-like finger, smiling bitterly. "I wanted to leave, but with this strange shield you put up, I couldn't get out."
"Ah, sorry, I was just trying to ensure safety." Xiao Se smiled awkwardly, jumped down from the lotus seat, stored it in his ring, and with a wave of his hand, the ocean-blue protective shield slowly dissipated.
Seeing the shield retract so easily, Yafei couldn't help but marvel at its wonder. During the three days, even Haibodong and others had come in due to the long wait, but they hadn't noticed either Yafei or Xiao Se, as if they were invisible and untouchable.
"Xiao Se, there's a bath behind the screen. You should go clean up. You're all dirty right now. I'll get you a new set of clothes," Yafei said with a charming smile as she left the hall.
Xiao Se smiled and shook his head as he walked toward the bath behind the screen. Due to the powerful effects of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, his body was now covered in impurities, feeling sticky and uncomfortable.
Outside the treasure vault of the Miteer Auction House, Yafei had just selected a fine robe and was walking out. Her heart raced, and she couldn't stop thinking about Xiao Se's bare upper body. She lightly patted her slightly flushed cheeks, trying to calm her emotions.
"Yafei, what are you up to?" A voice suddenly spoke beside her.
An elderly laugh echoed, and Miteer Tengshan slowly approached with a smile.
"Oh, nothing, Clan Leader. A guest needed some clothes, so I just came to fetch them," Yafei replied, startled and quickly explaining.
"Haha, is that so?" Tengshan glanced at the robe in Yafei's hands, then at the faint blush on her face, a sly smile spreading across his old features. "What do you think of Xiao Se, my dear?"
Both Yafei and Xiao Se had disappeared for three days, and Tengshan didn't believe that nothing had happened between them.
"Clan Leader, you're mistaken. Xiao Se just refined a pill for me to improve my constitution. Nothing happened between us," Yafei smiled helplessly, guessing what was on his mind and quickly clarifying.
"Oh? A pill to improve your constitution?" Upon hearing this, Tengshan focused on sensing Yafei's cultivation level and was immediately surprised. Nodding repeatedly, he said, "It seems he treated you quite well. Your cultivation has improved significantly, and your Dou Qi is not only stable but has also become much more refined. A pill like this would tempt every family in the entire Jia Ma Empire if it went to auction."
"We are friends. It's only right to help each other," Yafei responded with a gentle smile.
"Friends, huh?" Tengshan's smile gradually faded, and he said meaningfully, "Yafei, let me say something that might upset you. Businesspeople prioritize profit, especially in families like ours. Before Hai Bodong returned, many of the family elders advocated for you to marry into the Mu family and be wed to Mu Zhan, the young master of the Mu family. Even after Xiao Se arrived at our headquarters, those voices did not completely disappear until a few days ago. Do you know why?"
Upon hearing this, Yafei bit her lip, clenching the robe in her hands tightly, causing it to slightly crumple.
"Sigh." Seeing Yafei's reaction, Tengshan sighed deeply. He wanted to say more but refrained and left quietly.
After smoothing out the robe, Yafei raised her head, covering her beautiful eyes with her hands as she tried hard to stop the tears from falling from her alluring face.
"If you don't want to be controlled by the family, you must control the family," she whispered to herself, the words that a young boy had once said to her in Wutan City becoming more and more firm in her heart.
"If you want to cry, just let it all out," a familiar voice suddenly spoke beside her. Before she realized it, Xiao Se, now dressed in his alchemist's robes, was standing behind her.
Startled, Yafei looked at Xiao Se's somewhat plain face, made slightly ordinary by a disguise, and her nose began to sting with emotion.
"When did you get here?" She sniffled, holding the robe tighter as her eyes began to well with tears.
Xiao Se shook his head without responding. With a wave of his hand, the ocean-blue protective shield encased the two of them. Then, to her surprise, he pulled her into his embrace, gently stroking her head. "No one can see or hear us now. So, don't hold back. Let it all out. After you cry, everything will be better."
Feeling the warmth of his embrace and the faint scent of his recent bath, Yafei's body trembled. Then, in his comforting arms, she could no longer hold back and began to sob uncontrollably.
Her cries were filled with sorrow, as if she was releasing all the grievances and frustrations she had accumulated over the years.
Tears streamed down her face, and her voice choked with emotion.
At that moment, the coldness in Yafei's heart, caused by Tengshan's words, was slowly replaced by a gentle warmth.
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