Mingdu, Sun Moon Grand Hotel.
After the physician examined Wang Dong'er and confirmed she was fine, they finalized the hospital discharge paperwork. Then, treated by Chen Junting, they all headed to Mingdu's finest restaurant for a celebratory meal.
"Damn satisfying! Absolutely damn satisfying!"
Tai Tan grabbed a jug of wine and downed it in one swig! Though the taste wasn't quite as refined as the fine brews back at the sect, the atmosphere here—drinking together like this—was far livelier than just sharing a quiet drink alone with his elder brother.
After all, what's drinking really about if not camaraderie and a good mood?
Across from him, Chen Junting matched his boldness, raising his own bowl and emptying its contents with a single, smooth motion.
"Hahahaha—"
"Now that's the kind of vigor young people ought to have!"
Hearing her Second Dad's booming laughter, Wang Dong'er instantly recognized it as his usual sign of being thoroughly delighted by drink—a rare sight even back home.
Yet something even rarer was unfolding before her eyes.
"Yuhao… does Brother Junting really drink this much?"
Wang Dong'er stared, wide-eyed, as Chen Junting emptied bowl after bowl of wine without a hint of flush on his cheeks. It was as if he hadn't drunk a drop.
She blinked in disbelief, then turned to Huo Yuhao beside her.
"If I remember right, Brother Junting usually just drinks fruit juice. Even when he does have alcohol, it's never more than a sip or two."
"It's not 'usually.' He's told us outright before—alcohol dulls the nerves, so he avoids it."
Huo Yuhao spoke in a daze, still muttering afterward, "I've never seen Brother Junting like this before…"
"Well, duh! Who has?!"
Wang Dong'er rolled her eyes playfully, her blue-pink hair swaying as a few silky strands brushed softly against Huo Yuhao's nose.
Just as he was lost in that fleeting moment—
"Yuhao," Wang Dong'er leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, "have you thought over my invitation to visit my home?"
At those words, Tai Tan—who'd just been feigning drunkenness—suddenly sobered up. His previously flushed cheeks went pale, replaced by a scrutinizing gaze.
"Second Dad! What are you doing now!?"
Wang Dong'er puffed out her cheeks in mock anger. "We already agreed on this! Even First Dad gave his approval!"
"I never said I disagreed…"
Tai Tan waved his hands frantically. "But Dong'er… are you sure about this?"
"Mm-hmm—"
Blushing deeply, Wang Dong'er nodded firmly—no words needed. Her resolve alone sent Tai Tan sighing into his wine bowl in resigned frustration.
Seeing this, Huo Yuhao naturally had no intention of refusing. Though the nervousness etched on his face betrayed his inner unease.
Wang Dong'er then turned to Chen Junting at her side. "Brother Junting, will you come with us?"
"As for me…"
Chen Junting paused in thought—but before he could answer, Tai Tan cut in:
"Young man, your cultivation has already reached Level 68—just two steps away from Level 70. On the surface, you seem close to a breakthrough, but with an Ultimate Attribute like Metal, breaking past 70 won't be easy or quick. Under these circumstances, I'd strongly suggest you accept our invitation. Our Hao Tian Fortress holds no shortage of rare treasures. Used wisely, they could greatly accelerate your progress—perhaps even guarantee your breakthrough."
"Whoa—"
The first to react wasn't even Chen Junting.
Wang Dong'er gasped sharply, while Huo Yuhao stared at Brother Junting as if looking at a monster.
An Ultimate Metal martial soul! Level 68 at age 16!
Either fact alone would leave anyone stunned—let alone both together!
"Brother Junting… how on earth do you cultivate like this?!"
"Just a bit of fortune… and a lot of hard work."
"Your luck really is something," Wang Dong'er muttered, shaking her head. "Even with an Ultimate martial soul, you've managed this insane speed! It's unbelievable!"
"If you'd applied yourself from the start, you might've reached the same level. Remember? You used to trail Senior Bei Bei by over ten ranks—but look now. You're almost caught up."
Huo Yuhao nodded vigorously beside her. As her roommate, he knew all too well just how lazy Wang Dong'er had once been—though she'd improved significantly… almost a full year later.
"Hahahaha—"
Rarely did Tai Tan get to see his little Dong'er flustered, and he was thoroughly enjoying it.
"You're actually envious of someone else now? Our Hao Tian Fortress has top-tier cultivation resources—better than even Shrek Academy! First Dad and I told you long ago to train hard, yet at age 12, you were stuck at just Level 21!"
Wang Dong'er's face burned crimson. She couldn't retort—because it was all true.
Seeing her embarrassed silence, Tai Tan chuckled again, then turned back to Chen Junting.
"What I just said—coming from an uncle who genuinely likes you—is advice. Whether or not you take it is up to you."
Go to Hao Tian Fortress?
Chen Junting couldn't help but hesitate.
But honestly… not being tempted would be a lie.
After all—if they already had treasures like the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Bed, it stood to reason they'd possess other rare heavenly materials too.
He recalled Tang San's demeanor back in Slaughter City…
Could this invitation actually be his doing?
Even if Tang San did intend harm, Chen Junting still bore the Mark of the Rakshasa. Should a god interfere directly in mortal affairs to target him, the God of Destruction would surely notice—and the resulting consequences were surely not something Tang San wished to trigger.
So… was there really any danger?
Strange—he suddenly felt quite popular.
"If you're already thinking like that," a voice echoed in his mind, "then just go."
The moment Chen Junting had mentally spoken Tang San's name, Electrolux in his spiritual sea had immediately sensed it. Unlike Chen Junting's cautious deliberation, Electrolux was blunt: "Go."
"We discussed Tang San's attitude toward you after you left Slaughter City," Electrolux continued. "Clearly, he's trying to recruit you. But ask yourself—what makes a mere mortal like you worth a God King's attention?"
"Because of the Rakshasa God."
Chen Junting's voice remained calm. "In his eyes, I'm a natural ally for his side. But if I were to inherit the Rakshasa Godhood, I'd become subordinate to the God of Destruction. So, by offering me small favors, he could easily turn me into his inside agent."
"Exactly."
Electrolux nodded, chuckling softly. "That's sound reasoning."
A smirk tugged at Chen Junting's lips. If Tang San himself was handing him benefits, why refuse? Free resources were free resources—might as well take them!
After all, when faced with a sugar-coated cannonball…
Eat the sugar coating—then fire the shell right back.
He had no intention of risking becoming anyone's spy.
Besides, the God of Destruction never truly intended for him—Chen Junting—to inherit the Rakshasa Godhood in the first place. His own path was clear: faith-based apotheosis.
Having made up his mind, Chen Junting gave his answer—but, driven by his desire to "pluck a few feathers from Tang San," he added a "small" request. He then suggested inviting Wang Dong'er to visit the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect next time.
Wang Dong'er readily agreed with grand enthusiasm. In her eyes, those treasures were just sitting around anyway—might as well share them with friends!
As for Tai Tan…
"You've really got no sense of boundaries, kid!" he grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Bringing seven or eight people along just to 'tour' the number-one sect of ten thousand years ago? Please! That's not a visit—that's a raid! Do you think I won't call you out on it?!"
"How about three people, Uncle?" Chen Junting, unfazed by the accusation, held up three fingers and waggled them playfully in front of Tai Tan.
"Fine! Three it is!"
Thinking, "Well, Brother Junting's already coming as a third wheel—might as well invite a few more," Wang Dong'er began counting on her fingers.
"Sister Xiao Tian, Brother Gu, and… that jerk Wu Feng! If only we had trustworthy spirit items suitable for him, I'd absolutely drag him along too—it's been ages since we've seen each other! Oh, and should we invite Senior Brothers Bei Bei and the others too?"
She turned to Tai Tan, her tone resolute.
"Second Dad! These are the friends I worked so hard to make since entering the Academy! Surely inviting them over is fine, right?!"
What could Tai Tan possibly say to that?
His little Dong'er had never really had friends before. Now that she finally did—and wanted to bring them home—how could he, as her loving Second Dad, possibly say no?
He certainly didn't want her holding a grudge!
But… this "three people" was clearly spiraling toward ten!
"Oh dear heavens…" Tai Tan groaned inwardly. "She has no idea how precious those treasures are—each worth a kingdom's ransom!"
…Surely not that many people would actually show up, right?
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