The next morning dawned clear.
Bai Yunfei sat cross-legged on his bed, a slight frown creasing his brow as he examined an orange bracelet in his hand.
"Reinforcement Failed."
"Equipment Destroyed."
The messages flashing in his mind brought another wave of disappointment. He extended his hand to the side, tilting his palm to let a stream of fine powder cascade down onto a large white cloth spread out beside him. The cloth, roughly the size of a washbasin, was already covered in mounds of powder in various colors – the only remains of the accessories he had destroyed attempting reinforcement over the past two hours.
Since he was waiting for Autumn Greenwillow to visit him today, Bai Yunfei hadn't ventured out. His original plan to leave Cui Liu City had been postponed for another day. Unsure of when Autumn Greenwillow would arrive, he decided to use the time to continue his research into reinforcing accessories.
"The fifth one… Still not a single success reaching +9. Why does it feel like reinforcing accessories is significantly harder than weapons or armor?" He shook his head ruefully, frustration mounting as he pulled out a milky-white pearl necklace next.
"Reinforce."
"Reinforcement Successful."
"Equipment Grade: High Quality."
"Reinforcement Level: +9."
"Additional Effect: Agility +23."
"Reinforcement Cost: 17 Soul Points."
A spark of joy lit up Bai Yunfei's face. "Finally! One success!"
He carefully placed the +9 necklace aside and picked up a bracelet, initiating the reinforcement process once more. Unfortunately, the result was familiar.
"Reinforcement Failed."
"Equipment Destroyed."
Whether accessories were inherently more difficult to reinforce or Bai Yunfei was simply plagued by bad luck, the pattern held. Over the next stretch of time, he reinforced over twenty more accessories, only managing to successfully push two more to +9: one bracelet and one ring.
"Sigh…" Bai Yunfei let out a weary breath, glancing towards the window. Morning had given way to late forenoon. "Autumn Greenwillow said she'd come before noon… she should be here soon. Should I stop now? But… I'm not satisfied! I'll just try reinforcing these last three +9 pieces! If even one succeeds, I'll finally see the additional effect of a +10 accessory!"
Resolved, he pushed aside the thought of the hours of effort these three pieces represented. Picking up the pearl necklace, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Reinforce!"
"Reinforcement Failed."
"Equipment Destroyed."
"Ah! As expected, I was being far too optimistic!" He mourned internally, despondently scattering the newly formed powder. He then picked up the +9 ring, determination hardening his gaze.
"No matter. I've started this path; there's no reason to quit halfway now!"
"Reinforce!"
"Reinforcement Successful."
Bai Yunfei had already braced himself for disappointment, his sigh half-formed. The sudden, unexpected message made him freeze, then his expression erupted into unrestrained elation. "It… it actually succeeded!"
His heart pounding with excitement, he eagerly focused his mind on the ring now in his hand.
"Equipment Grade: High Quality."
"Reinforcement Level: +10."
"Additional Attribute: Stamina +32."
"+10 Additional Effect: Attack Speed Increased by 2%."
"Reinforcement Cost: 21 Soul Points."
Bai Yunfei's brow furrowed slightly. "Stamina +32… meaning just wearing this ring could increase an ordinary person's stamina by nearly a third. But for a Soul Master… it's barely noticeable. Attack Speed? Is this adding a 'state'? This is the first time I've seen this effect… I need to test it."
He straightened his posture, took a deep, calming breath, and clenched his right fist. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, he punched rapidly into the empty air before him, creating a blur of afterimages. His eyes narrowed in concentration as he focused inward, trying to perceive any subtle changes.
After several breaths, he stopped. He picked up the ring again and slipped it onto the index finger of his left hand.
The moment the ring settled onto his finger, a peculiar sensation washed over him. Though incredibly faint, Bai Yunfei distinctly felt a surge of renewed vigor – the effect of 'Stamina +32'.
He took another deep breath and repeated the rapid punching motion. After a few moments, he ceased, lowering his arms and sinking into deep thought.
"A two percent increase in attack speed… that's excellent! It's only a sliver of improvement, but unlike other effects that require a chance to trigger, this is active as long as the ring is worn! This genuinely enhances my combat capability!"
"Pity that one hand can't wear two rings effectively…" He glanced down at his hands, a trace of regret coloring his thoughts.
Regarding accessories, only the first one equipped in a specific slot would take effect. This meant only one ring per hand, one bracelet per wrist, and similarly for earrings and necklaces. Any additional items worn in the same slot would be purely decorative, offering no benefit.
His gaze shifted to the final piece on the bed: the +9 light blue bracelet. Hesitation flickered across his face. "Should I… attempt to reinforce this one too?"
"Yunfei? Are you in there?"
A woman's voice suddenly called from the other side of the door, breaking his contemplation.
"Autumn Greenwillow? Huh? Wait… that's not her voice… it's Meng'er!" Startled, Bai Yunfei scrambled off the bed, hastily pulling on his shoes and heading towards the door.
He swung the door open. Standing in the hallway was a young woman in blue robes, a gentle smile gracing her features – Liu Meng. Beside her, her maid Xiao Ning peered around with open curiosity.
"Meng'er? What brings you here?" Bai Yunfei blurted out, surprise momentarily making him forget basic courtesy like inviting her in.
"Oh? Am I not allowed to come find you?" Liu Meng asked, her eyes still curved with amusement.
"Ah, no, of course not…"
"Young Master Yunfei," Xiao Ning interjected, her voice carrying its usual sharpness. "Are you going to let Miss stand out here? Or perhaps…" Her eyes darted past him into the room, a mischievous glint appearing. "...you have another woman hidden inside, and that's why you dare not let Miss enter?"
True to form, Xiao Ning's "quick tongue and sharp teeth" instantly flustered Bai Yunfei. His cheeks flushed as he quickly stepped aside, ushering both of them into the room.
"Meng'er," Bai Yunfei began, watching as Liu Meng surveyed the simple room with mild curiosity. "Yesterday, didn't I tell you I had other matters to attend to today and couldn't accompany you? Why did you…"
"Yunfei," Liu Meng turned to him, her voice soft but carrying a hint of something else – perhaps disappointment? "Do you… not like me visiting you?"
"No! Of course not!" Bai Yunfei responded immediately, an inexplicable tightness in his chest at her tone. "It's just… I might have to go out soon, so…" He trailed off, searching for words.
Seeing his flustered expression, Liu Meng's smile returned fully. "Oh, well then. I'll just sit for a little while and then be on my way. Is that acceptable?"
"Um… alright then…" Bai Yunfei agreed, though a fleeting sense of hesitation passed through him. Deep down, a vague instinct told him he didn't want Autumn Greenwillow and Liu Meng to meet here.
"Oh? What a lovely bracelet!" Liu Meng's voice, tinged with surprise, snapped him back. Bai Yunfei's heart skipped a beat. In his haste to answer the door, he had left the +9 light blue bracelet sitting plainly on the small table. Liu Meng had spotted it and now held it delicately in her hand, admiring its intricate work and the delicate swirling hues within the light blue stone.
"It really is beautiful!" Xiao Ning chimed in, leaning closer to look. Her eyes suddenly sparkled with an idea, and she turned to Bai Yunfei with a knowing grin. "Hehe, Young Master Yunfei! Could it be… this is a gift you bought for Miss? Yesterday, Miss gave you that straw hat, and you promised to return the gesture. I never imagined you'd be so quick about it!"
At Xiao Ning's words, a subtle, almost imperceptible change flickered in Liu Meng's eyes. A faint blush rose to her cheeks as she lifted her gaze to meet Bai Yunfei's. Within her eyes, there seemed to be a glimmer of… hope?
"This…" Bai Yunfei found himself at a loss, caught completely off guard. He stared at the bracelet in Liu Meng's hand, then back at her expectant face, utterly unsure of how to proceed.