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Clap, clap, clap...

A series of crisp clapping sounds came from a distance.

Gu Qingfeng turned his head to look and saw a woman dressed in red slowly walking towards him.

"Sir, your illusion technique is truly impressive. It has left Hong Li in awe."

The woman approaching was indeed Hong Li.

She gracefully walked up to Gu Qingfeng, and in an instant, the air was filled with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance.

"Miss Hong Li, you flatter me."

Hong Li shook her head. "I'm not just being polite. I truly admire your skills. People only know me as someone skilled in both illusion and charm, but they don't realize that my abilities are nothing more than child's play in the eyes of true masters like yourself. Your high-level illusion technique has even benefited my maid. She learned a valuable lesson, and for that, I should thank you."

"Oh?" Gu Qingfeng was secretly impressed. Hong Li's words were indeed intriguing.

"You're not upset with me? Instead, you want to thank me?"

"My maid has been surrounded by too much flattery from men, and after hearing so many lies, she has lost the ability to distinguish right from wrong. She has become self-centered, always forcing her thoughts onto others, unaware of how ridiculous those thoughts are. You helped her correct this, so of course, I must thank you."

"It seems Miss Hong Li is quite reasonable." Gu Qingfeng praised.

Hong Li shook her head. "I only know one simple truth: the strong should not be insulted. The two of them provoked someone they shouldn't have, so paying a price is only natural.

Now, sir, let's not dwell on these unpleasant matters. The night is long, and you wouldn't want to stand here and chat with me all night, would you? I have prepared some wine and food in my boudoir. Please, follow me."

"Wait, aren't there two more challenges?"

Hong Li chuckled. "The gentleman from Room 2 is unconscious, and the one from Room 3 has fled in fear. Now, it's just you. If we continue the trials and you don't pass, then I would be left alone tonight, wouldn't I?"

Without waiting for Gu Qingfeng's response, Hong Li laughed softly and walked away.

Gu Qingfeng glanced at the empty Room 3 and couldn't help but smile. Shaking his head, he followed Hong Li.

In the boudoir.

Gu Qingfeng sat at the table, which was adorned with several exquisite dishes and a bottle of fine wine.

Hong Li stood before Gu Qingfeng and curtsied slightly.

"May I ask the esteemed name of the gentleman?"

"Gu Qingfeng."

"So you are Sir Gu. I greet you."

"Oh, don't call me Sir Gu. It sounds so formal. Just call me 'Big Brother.'"

Hong Li was momentarily stunned, then giggled. With eyes as clear as autumn water, she glanced at Gu Qingfeng and called out without hesitation, "Big Brother."

"Ah! Good Sister."

"Earlier, my maid was quite rude. Now, I will dance for you as an apology. I hope Big Brother will forgive me."

"Of course, of course. But I prefer a more revealing dance. Is that possible?"

"Big Brother, you're teasing me." Hong Li laughed softly and turned to walk behind the screen to change into lighter clothing.

The candlelight in the room cast a graceful silhouette on the screen.

Every movement of Hong Li was beautifully displayed through that silhouette.

The perfect outline made Gu Qingfeng feel parched.

After a stick of incense, Hong Li finally finished changing.

She looked at Gu Qingfeng with eyes full of charm and began to dance.

Her dance was bold, with open and unrestrained movements, perfectly showcasing the feminine grace of a woman.

When the dance ended, Hong Li sat beside Gu Qingfeng, the fragrant breeze brushing against him.

"Big Brother, was my dance revealing enough?"

"Revealing, very revealing. But the night is cold, be careful you don't freeze."

"You're right, it does feel a bit chilly. Why don't we have a drink to warm up?"

Hong Li poured wine for Gu Qingfeng, and the moment the wine entered the cup, the aroma filled the air.

"What a fragrant wine."

Gu Qingfeng's eyes lit up as he looked at the liquid and noticed it was a light purple.

"Wow, this wine is light purple. Could it be poisoned?"

Hong Li shot Gu Qingfeng a glance. "This wine is called Purple Yang Wine. It's a rare and famous wine. In the far east of the Great Yan Dynasty, there is a purple bamboo forest that absorbs the essence of the rising sun every day, giving it spiritual properties. The Purple Yang Wine is brewed in vessels made from this bamboo, hence the light purple color.

This single bottle of Purple Yang Wine costs a thousand taels of silver, and even with money, it's not easy to obtain. And you're actually doubting that it's poisoned? Who would be so wasteful as to poison such fine wine?"

"A thousand taels for a bottle?" Gu Qingfeng exclaimed in surprise. "So this tiny cup is worth tens of taels?"

"Naturally. Come, Sister will toast Big Brother with a cup."

Gu Qingfeng took the cup and carefully examined the Purple Yang Wine. He wasn't worried about poison; he had just never seen such expensive wine before. How should he drink it to appear sophisticated? Should he sip it or down it in one go?

Hong Li noticed Gu Qingfeng holding the cup but not drinking, instead staring at it intently. A pang of unease struck her.

Impossible. Blood Amethyst is a legendary poison that even a master couldn't resist. It's colorless and odorless, impossible to detect. Could I have made a mistake?

Hong Li thought back and felt she hadn't given herself away. Gu Qingfeng's expressions had been natural the entire time. If this was all an act, then his depth of mind was truly terrifying.

"Big Brother, why aren't you drinking? Could it be that you really think Sister has poisoned the wine?" Hong Li teased with a smile.

"Wine poured by a beauty, even if it's poisoned, I must drink it."

With that, Gu Qingfeng no longer hesitated. He decided that in a drinking setting, downing it in one go was the ultimate show of respect. There was no way to go wrong with that.

He tilted his head back and swallowed the Purple Yang Wine in one gulp.

"Ah!?" Gu Qingfeng's eyes lit up. "What a fine wine! It starts off cool, but once it enters the stomach, it warms the body like the rising sun.

Truly smooth on the tongue, a single thread down the throat, cold in the body, but warm in the heart!"

Seeing Gu Qingfeng finally drink, Hong Li's charming smile deepened. She raised her cup to her lips but hesitated to drink herself.

At that moment, a notification sound suddenly echoed in Gu Qingfeng's mind.

Ding!

Host is under attack by a Shadow Demon.

Poison Resistance +1000

Congratulations, Host has acquired the talent: Immunity to All Poisons.

Gu Qingfeng was momentarily stunned. He stared at the cup in his hand and blurted out, "Holy crap, it really is poisoned?"

Across from him, Hong Li's eyes flashed with satisfaction, but her face showed "panic" as she said, "Big Brother, don't scare me like that."

Before she could finish her sentence, Gu Qingfeng's next action left Hong Li completely dumbfounded.

He suddenly snatched the Purple Yang Wine from Hong Li's hand and said, "This wine is poisoned. Don't drink it."

Then, without another word, he tilted his head back and downed the entire cup in one gulp.

Hong Li was left staring in shock, her mind momentarily short-circuited.