That intriguing discovery caused the corner of Jun Mo Xie’s mouth to curve into a playful smile. He hadn't intended to challenge Old Third Song to a drinking contest; it simply wasn't necessary. Given his status, a contest against someone like Great General Dugu Wudi might be worthwhile—but why bother getting so worked up over the owner of a small tavern? The answer, of course, was no.

But what if this tavern owner was actually a Xuan Master?

The conclusion, naturally, had to be reversed entirely.

"The truth of the matter will reveal itself; I certainly have my ways of making you admit defeat," Jun Mo Xie smiled, his pearly white teeth flashing slightly because his mood had suddenly brightened immensely. He looked at Old Third Song with the eyes of a hungry wolf zeroing in on a plump, succulent lamb.

Even Old Third Song, who was a Heaven-rank expert, felt an involuntary shiver run down his spine. Why did the boy’s gaze possess such a sinister quality? "That’s for the best! Young man, a wager must be fair. What if you lose?" The middle-aged man seemed eager for the world to descend into chaos. In his eyes, while Old Third Song was clearly no simple figure, this mysterious youth was even more inscrutable. Perhaps the wager between them would indeed prove quite interesting. After all, why would an onlooker shy away from drama? Otherwise, what else was there for him to do but watch the excitement and amuse himself? A fleeting trace of bitterness crossed the middle-aged man’s eyes.

"If you lose, I only ask that you never again speak of the quality of wine, no matter the time or place, because you will no longer be worthy," Old Third Song stared fixedly at Jun Mo Xie. "Admittedly, your views on wine hold some merit, but you still must not insult the wine itself! This, after all, is a craft passed down through generations, so before you truly understand it, perhaps refrain from judging its superiority or inferiority rashly."

"Agreed!" Jun Mo Xie responded without hesitation. To lose against such inferior wine would truly be a laughingstock.

"Wait a moment!" the middle-aged man interjected eagerly, smiling faintly. "For the sake of fairness, there must be a witness when you two contest the drinks, right? You can’t just judge the outcome between yourselves. Even if you are both honorable men, one must still avoid suspicion. I... I have a deep love for wine myself. How about I serve as the witness? Not just a witness, but the judge and arbiter—I shall handle it all myself."

Given the intensity of their words, the drinks they would produce for the contest wouldn't be ordinary fare. If he were the judge, wouldn't he have the opportunity to taste two fine wines simultaneously? Regardless of who won or lost, he could savor both exquisite vintages—a great joy in life! Thinking of this, the middle-aged man couldn't help but burst with inner delight. Ah, Old Third Song, it’s time to pull out the wine from under your bed, haha...

"Good!" For some inexplicable reason, seeing Jun Mo Xie’s composed expression, Old Third Song was suddenly struck by a pang of unease, sensing a subtle feeling that he might lose.

What a joke! How much fine wine could this snot-nosed kid have sampled? What great vintages could he possibly possess? My signature aged wine is the result of decades of accumulated experience; how could I possibly lose? Thinking this, Old Third Song’s heart settled again. Yet, a faint notion persisted that perhaps losing might not be such a bad thing after all! Perhaps it could push his brewing skills to the next level. Or, at the very least, if it didn't improve his technique, it would at least show him a direction for advancement...

"Three days from now, I will close the shop early in the afternoon. We will all meet here again, how does that sound?" Old Third Song proposed.

Jun Mo Xie smiled and nodded. In his mind, however, he wondered if this mysterious Xuan Master had any backing organization. Could he be one of the men from the Yellow Flower Hall? Could he truly be a peer, as he claimed? Recalling how flustered Old Third Song was when he fled in panic that day after being startled by him, Jun Mo Xie's gaze held a renewed hint of amusement when looking at the tavern owner.

To scare off a peak intermediate Xuan Master while possessing less than Silver-rank strength—how satisfying was that experience?

"Two catties of beef, two jars of wine," a voice suddenly rang out. "I shall also serve as the judge for the drinking contest three days from now!" The declaration was absolute and brooked no argument, as if a supremely lofty emperor were announcing his decree to his subjects.

This was no longer a request, but a confirmation, a decision, an undeniable fact.

However, to the three people currently in the tavern, this voice was nothing short of a clap of thunder! The middle-aged man’s two lower-ranked guards were surely still lurking nearby for protection, Old Third Song himself was a Xuan Master, and Jun Mo Xie possessed immense spiritual power and was a master of concealing his presence; yet none of them detected how or when this uninvited guest had arrived! And this person was now seated mere feet behind the three of them.

The three turned their heads simultaneously. Just beyond their sightline, at a nearby table, another figure was now seated. Even while seated, the person gave the impression of standing ramrod straight like a javelin. His back was perfectly straight, his features exceptionally noble, his facial contours sharp, his entire face seeming carved from marble, devoid of any expression whatsoever. His long, dark hair hung down naturally, completely unbound, obscuring more than half of his face.

This person wore a simple black robe. Even though it was still midday, his black attire, combined with his aura and complexion, somehow gave the feeling that night had already fallen! The immediate impression this person gave the three was that his age was utterly indeterminable—he could be thirty, forty, fifty, perhaps even eighty. This man was certainly an expert, and among the highest echelon of masters! From the very first glance, Jun Mo Xie had reached this conclusion! Appearing suddenly in the bustling Tianxiang City, his intentions were obvious. He must be here for that Ninth-Grade Peak Profound Pill. A figure like this would likely be a powerful contender sought after by any faction! Furthermore, Jun Mo Xie sensed an aura about this person that felt incredibly familiar—the scent of solitude! This was the solitude of arrogance, the loneliness of looking down upon all things! Just like his previous life! Like a lone wolf king on the Great Plains, solitary but fearless, unwilling to change this solitude, and indeed, enjoying this very loneliness! "May I ask who you are?" the middle-aged man and Old Third Song grew instantly wary.

Nothing more than a devoted lover of wine," the figure said, gazing downward blandly. "It is settled then. Now, bring the wine, the Ox Horn brew, and be quick about it!"

Old Third Song lowered his eyelids and said respectfully, "Esteemed guest, please wait a moment," before turning to go inside.

The middle-aged man chuckled lightly. "Since that is the case, then we shall await your esteemed presence three days hence." With his status and discernment, he could clearly recognize that this newcomer was no ordinary individual, possibly even one of those legendary, dragon-like figures; moreover, since the man stated he would return in three days to judge, he surely meant no ill will. It was best not to offend such a person if possible.

"Young friend, I shall see you in three days. Haha, do not disappoint me." The middle-aged man laughed heartily, waved toward Jun Mo Xie, and then turned to leave with an air of casual detachment.

After he left the shop, the two guards emerged from the shadows and followed behind him. "Your Highness, shall we tail that young man and ascertain his origins and identity?"

"No need. That would spoil the fun," the middle-aged man chuckled, then his expression suddenly turned grim. "What about that person who just went inside? Where did he come from?!"

"Someone went inside just now? We didn't see anything!" The two guards exchanged a puzzled look.

"Then forget it." The middle-aged man felt a secret tremor of fear in his heart. His two guards were already top-tier Earth Profound Initial stage experts; their strength should have guaranteed his absolute safety within the capital. Yet, they hadn't even glimpsed the shadow of that man who had just entered. Who exactly was such an individual?

Inside the tavern.

Jun Mo Xie watched the newly arrived black-robed man with keen interest, then suddenly smiled. "Is the scenery on the grasslands beautiful?"

As soon as these words left his mouth, the black-robed man finally broke free from his detached expression, which seemed unconcerned with all worldly affairs. He slowly raised his eyes and looked at Jun Mo Xie. In that instant, Jun Mo Xie was stunned to find that the man’s eyes were as vast as the boundless ocean, as deep and mysterious as the starry night sky! There was a feeling that upon meeting his gaze, one would instantly want to sink into them.

"You can tell I come from the grasslands?" the black-robed man asked faintly, his tone unhurried, yet every word was perfectly distinct, as if enunciated one by one, yet without any hint of gritted teeth.

"Your boots are not something found in the Central Plains. And your belt is woven from the unique colored hemp cord found only on the steppes. Are these two points sufficient?" Jun Mo Xie smiled, sitting down opposite the man.

"That is not enough." The black-robed man stared fixedly at the tabletop before him: "Moreover, I did not grant you permission to sit in my presence! You are not worthy!"

"Not enough? Then I shall name a few more things. You carry the distinctive scent of the Great Steppe," Jun Mo Xie said with a smile. "And you carry the loneliness of a lone wolf. I can smell it. Are these enough? Right now, I don't wish to stand, so naturally, I must sit. Why shouldn't I even lie down?!"

After speaking, Jun Mo Xie let out a cold (hng) sound. "As for worthiness or qualification, you have your standards, and I have mine just as much. If you are deemed unworthy to drink with me, I will naturally stand up myself!"

The black-robed man stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly broke into a smile. "That is interesting. Since you put it that way, then you may sit. In fact, you may even lie down."

This black-robed man was truly bizarre. Even when he smiled, he still exuded a cool, solitary feeling, and it seemed as though he wasn't smiling at Jun Mo Xie at all, but merely at the empty air.

Just then, Old Third Song shuffled over, carrying wine in one hand and beef in the other. He glanced at Jun Mo Xie but said nothing, placing the food and drink on the table before turning to leave.

The black-robed man's eyes remained calmly fixed on the tabletop. He picked up the wine jar without making the slightest sound, and the mud seal on the jar inexplicably vanished. A wave of crisp, clear wine fragrance wafted out. The man spoke faintly, "Tianxiang City is indeed extraordinary. Even a mere tavern attendant is a mid-stage Xuan Master. Not bad, not bad. Interesting, very interesting."