Chapter 49: You Never Even Asked If I Had a Breakthrough

Chapter 49 – You Never Even Asked If I Had a Breakthrough

Su Wanning placed the Scarlet Flame Cloud Fruit directly into Xiao Chen’s hand. “Of course I’ve already eaten one. These are most effective the first time you consume them.”

“And besides,” she continued, “something major will happen in a few months. I can’t say exactly what right now.”

“So Senior Sect Brother, just take this spirit fruit for now. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

Sure enough, the Su family had received word too.

“In that case, I just so happen to have a jar of Moonlit Spring Wine,” Xiao Chen said, producing the bottle with a wave of his hand. “I’ll accept your spirit fruit, but I won’t take it without giving something in return. Consider this wine a gift for you, Junior Sect Sister.”

Hearing this, Su Wanning lightly furrowed her brows.

She hadn’t wanted this to feel like a transaction.

Truthfully, she’d hoped Xiao Chen would simply accept the spirit fruit. Then, when the truth came out in three months’ time, he’d owe her a favor.

With a delicate laugh, she tried to decline. “Oh come on, Senior Sect Brother, I really don’t like drinking alcohol.”

Though Xiao Chen did desire the Scarlet Flame Cloud Fruit, he already had techniques to counteract fiery energy. He didn’t want to incur another debt he might struggle to repay later.

Reaching out, he returned the spirit fruit to her. “If you truly dislike alcohol, then forget it, Junior Sect Sister.”

“Senior Sect Brother, you’re no fun at all.” Su Wanning snatched the wine bottle back. “But I do have an older brother at home who loves drinking. I’ll begrudgingly accept this on his behalf.”

Perfect. Xiao Chen felt satisfied with the trade—exchanging an unused spirit wine for a spirit fruit.

After pocketing the fruit, the two resumed chatting briefly.

As dusk approached, Xiao Chen remarked, “Junior Sect Sister, it’s getting late. I haven’t cultivated much today. I should focus on training soon.”

Su Wanning was stunned. “But today’s the Lantern Festival! Senior Sect Brother, you’re staying up to cultivate tonight?”

She paused, as if recalling something, then chuckled.

Putting on a comforting smile, she said, “You shouldn’t pressure yourself too much just because I broke through. Even if you push yourself like this…”

Without a word, Xiao Chen released his cultivation aura.

“Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation!”

Su Wanning shot to her feet, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

“You-you—”

She suddenly remembered her earlier smugness and recent words of consolation. Her face flushed crimson.

Even the delicate skin of her neck turned pink. “Senior Sect Brother, when did you break through again? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Xiao Chen shrugged. “Junior Sect Sister, you never even asked if I had a breakthrough.”

Oh no!

Hearing those familiar words, Su Wanning felt her vision darken.

She’d come here hoping to show off, only to end up the laughingstock.

He’d definitely been secretly laughing at her this whole time!

Pointing at Xiao Chen, she shouted, “You did this on purpose! I’m not talking to you anymore! Goodbye!”

With that, she stormed out, vanishing in a flash.

…

After leaving Azure Water Peak, Su Wanning calmed herself. She didn’t even feel like attending the lantern festival anymore, heading straight home.

After her recent cultivation breakthrough, she’d allowed herself a brief respite from the family’s troubles. The gloom caused by those worries had lifted slightly with her success.

But seeing Xiao Chen’s rapid advancement reignited her anxiety.

His cultivation speed was just too fast!

She couldn’t comprehend how he seemed to have no bottlenecks at all.

At this rate, the Foundation Building stage wouldn’t even slow him down.

With a heaven-grade cultivation manual, once he reached Foundation Building, he’d easily surpass all other cultivators at that stage.

Though currently only the Chen family and herself actively interacted with him, others simply hadn’t realized his true strength yet.

They’d soon scramble to court him once they noticed his potential.

The Song and Liu families would surely extend olive branches, just as they always did with promising Foundation Building candidates.

Only the Jiang family seemed beyond redemption now.

Su Wanning’s mind sharpened. No, I must act quickly before things spiral out of control.

Whether through benefits or debts, she needed to bind Xiao Chen to her as soon as possible. Only then could she secure a powerful ally for the family’s looming crisis.

Thankfully, after the New Year, she’d become an inner sect disciple.

Then she’d directly join Azure Water Peak, moving in as his neighbor.

Daily interactions would create more opportunities. She’d win him over eventually.

Back at the Su family’s backyard, her older brother Su Yuanpeng was studying a new technique when she entered with the wine.

“Hey, Third Sister, you’re too kind! You even brought me wine?”

Before he could reach for it, she smacked his hand away. “Get lost! This isn’t for you.”

Su Yuanpeng blinked. “Third Sister, you’ve changed. You never liked wine before.”

Then he realized—she must’ve obtained some rare spirit wine.

Excited, he trailed behind her into the private room. Rubbing his hands together, he asked, “Third Sister, let me see what treasure you’ve brought this time? Don’t worry, I’ll just look.”

Su Wanning didn’t understand spirit wine well, but she knew Xiao Chen had traded it for a spirit fruit of similar value.

She’d been in a rush and hadn’t asked about the wine’s specifics, so she’d brought it here hoping her brother could identify it.

Su Yuanpeng examined the bottle, noticing the “Moon in the Spring” emblem on its side.

He slammed the table. “Third Sister, you’ve been scammed! This is counterfeit!”

“Impossible!” Su Wanning scrutinized the bottle. “This wine is—no way it’s fake. Second Brother, check again. You might’ve made a mistake.”

His face darkened. “No need. This is definitely one of those fake Moonlit Spring Wines that flooded the market before the New Year.”

He grabbed the jar, indignant. “Who sold you this? Let’s go demand answers.”

“Wait, I think I get it now.” Su Wanning snatched the jar back. “You’re just trying to steal my wine, aren’t you? I’m mad now!”

“I’m serious!” Su Yuanpeng pleaded. “You don’t care about this stuff, but you must’ve heard about the joke during the branch family’s New Year visit.”

Su Wanning’s brows furrowed.

A few days ago, a distant Su family junior had gifted a jar of spirit wine during the New Year greetings. It turned out to be fake, causing a huge embarrassment.

Su Yuanpeng pointed at the emblem. “This ‘Moon in the Spring’ mark belongs to Quanzhou’s Moonlit Spring Wine. But right before the New Year, a batch of counterfeits flooded the bazaar, tricking many people.”

“Two of my drinking buddies got scammed. I even helped them confront the seller.”

“But the vendor was quick to flee. He disappeared after just two days and hasn’t shown his face since.”

Hearing her brother’s certainty, Su Wanning wavered slightly.

Still, she hesitated. “Can you really confirm it’s fake just by this emblem? Maybe there’s still some authentic wine left?”

Su Yuanpeng snorted. “Quanzhou fell long ago. Authentic Moonlit Spring Wine has been out of stock for ages. It’s not even sold anymore.”

He emphasized each word. “Only Yue Yue Immortal Sect can produce Moonlit Spring Wine.”

“Even if rumors say their wine stores were looted, the chance of that wine reaching us here is practically zero.”

Su Wanning’s eyes suddenly lit up. “So you’re saying… there are still some authentic Moonlit Spring Wines out there?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end