As Gu Changqing and Lin Fei arrived at the Alchemist Guild, it was already nearing noon. Lin Fei's lips were slightly swollen, and she occasionally gagged, as if she had eaten something particularly unpleasant for breakfast.
"Xue Mei, come out! It's time to fulfill your end of the bet!"
Lin Fei, having been teased by Gu Changqing earlier, felt helpless. She couldn't beat this troublemaker, so she stomped off, hands on her hips, to find her rival and vent her frustration.
Meanwhile, Gu Changqing, looking completely refreshed, approached Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo, asking them to help him gather some medicinal ingredients.
He planned to stock up on as many rare materials as possible before leaving Black Rock City. Some of these would also serve as gifts for Lin Fei's parents.
After all, it wouldn't be right to just leave after getting close to their daughter without saying anything. It was a simple gesture of respect.
Both Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo agreed immediately, though they hesitated before asking Gu Changqing if they could observe him during his alchemy. They even offered him unrestricted access to the Guild's entire stock of herbs.
Gu Changqing, of course, didn't exploit the Alchemist Guild. He simply selected a few rare herbs that were difficult to find outside and picked up what he immediately needed before stopping.
Word soon spread that Gu Changqing would be performing alchemy in public again, and many alchemists rushed to witness it.
During this time, Lin Fei and Xue Mei arrived at Gu Changqing's side after a bout of bickering.
"Lin Fei, I admit my loss. Didn't you say I could choose any man and kiss him in front of you?"
"Well, now I'm going to honor that bet."
Xue Mei turned to Gu Changqing with a flushed face, her beautiful eyes filled with shyness. Boldly, she confessed, though her tightly clenched hands revealed her anxiety. She feared Gu Changqing would reject her.
"Gu Changqing, I like you. Will you be my boyfriend?"
"Xue Mei, you can't! Brother Qing is mine! You can't confess to him. Brother Qing, don't agree to this!"
Lin Fei panicked, completely blindsided by Xue Mei's bold move. She rushed in front of Gu Changqing, blocking Xue Mei's path, determined to keep her rival at bay.
"Why can't I? Lin Fei, you were the one who came up with this bet. There was no rule saying I couldn't confess to Gu Changqing. Besides… I really do like him. I want to give him my first kiss, and I only want him as my boyfriend."
Before Lin Fei could react, Xue Mei stepped forward, cupping Gu Changqing's face and pressing her lips against his.
As her soft, cool lips met his, her delicate body trembled slightly, and she immediately collapsed into his arms.
"I like you… Will you accept me?"
Xue Mei leaned weakly against Gu Changqing's chest, raising her head to meet his gaze. Her voice trembled as she asked, her eyes filled with anticipation and fear of rejection.
She had fallen for him – his talents, his looks, and his strength had all deeply captivated her. She couldn't bear the thought of losing this chance. That's why she had gathered the courage to confess today. If she missed this opportunity, she feared she would lose this remarkable man forever.
"Uh…"
Gu Changqing was taken aback by Xue Mei's sudden kiss. Although he hadn't moved to dodge it, her bold confession still surprised him.
"Xue Mei, how shameless!"
Lin Fei finally snapped out of her daze and rushed forward, trying to pull Xue Mei away from Gu Changqing.
"Enough, Fei'er."
Gu Changqing wasn't about to let the two friends turn against each other. With a swift motion, he caught Lin Fei, pulling her into his other arm. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he leaned down and kissed her on the lips.
"Mm!"
Lin Fei's eyes widened in disbelief. This scoundrel had kissed her again, and in front of so many people!
Before she could even process what had just happened, Gu Changqing turned and kissed Xue Mei's cool lips once more. Xue Mei's body trembled as she gazed up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Brother Qing, you…"
Lin Fei was about to protest, but Gu Changqing swept her off her feet.
"President, Vice President, I have some personal matters to handle. I'll conduct the public alchemy session shortly."
With that, Gu Changqing carried both girls into a secluded alchemy room.
After nearly half an hour, Gu Changqing finally emerged with Lin Fei and Xue Mei by his side. The tension between them seemed to have eased, though both girls had changed into fresh clothes, and their faces were flushed. They looked as if they had consumed some powerful tonic.
"Hmph! You fox! You got what you wanted, becoming Brother Qing's girlfriend. But you're so shameless... Hmph!"
Lin Fei shot a disdainful look at Xue Mei and muttered under her breath.
"Don't just talk about me. If I'm shameless, why did you change your clothes too?"
Xue Mei gave her a sidelong glance, unwilling to back down.
"Hmph, I may be wild, but not as much as you are. Ugh, my ears are dirty just listening to this."
Lin Fei pretended to dig at her ears in annoyance.
"You're just being stubborn. I saw you holding Gu Changqing's hand earlier. Don't think I didn't notice!"
Xue Mei smirked, a blush creeping up to her ears.
"Argh! I'll make sure Brother Qing teaches you a lesson one day! Just you wait!"
Lin Fei, feeling cornered, resorted to threats.
"Hmph, maybe that'll be a reward for me instead."
Xue Mei refused to back down.
"Ugh! You're too shameless for me. I can't listen to this anymore!"
Lin Fei ran off in a huff.
Gu Changqing, staying true to his word, proceeded with his public alchemy session.
He also shared several alchemical insights with Fu Lan Ke, Ao Tuo, and others, imparting valuable knowledge to them.
The pills he refined were Battle Spirit Pill and Beauty Pill.
Battle Spirit Pill, a sixth-tier pill, could help a Dou King enhance their strength. The Beauty Pill was a fourth-tier pill that could grant youth and beauty. Although its effects weren't permanent, it could significantly delay aging and cleanse the body of toxins, making it especially popular among women.
Using a special alchemy technique, Gu Changqing successfully elevated the Beauty Pill to a fifth-tier pill.
He gave one Battle Spirit Pill and one Beauty Pill to Lin Fei and Xue Mei as gifts for their parents.
While Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo didn't receive any pills, having the opportunity to witness Gu Changqing's alchemy firsthand was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they would treasure.
Though Gu Changqing didn't directly ask for their loyalty, after this day, his fame would surely spread from Black Rock City throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.
When he eventually arrived in the capital, everything would fall into place naturally.