After the discussion ended, the atmosphere relaxed considerably. Under Wang Teng's enthusiastic hospitality, Tang Yue finally let down her guard.
The two of them drank until they were slightly tipsy, and the night dragged on deep into the late hours.
"Did you plan this from the very beginning?"
Tang Yue's eyes were a little unfocused, her tone carrying a hint of reproach. She felt like she had been led into a trap.
It seemed as if everything had started the moment she stepped through the door.
"How could that be? Sister Tang Yue, you've had too much to drink…"
The way Wang Teng kept calling her Sister Tang Yue made her feel rather comfortable, and it brought the distance between them much closer. Otherwise, Tang Yue wouldn't have shown that mildly reproachful expression on her face.
This wasn't anger at all—more like a bit of sulking and playful petulance. If they weren't close, could such a reaction even appear?
Perhaps alcohol played a part as well. After all, liquor emboldens people; once you drink too much, it's easy to speak without restraint.
Tang Yue wasn't some scheming old fox. She probably hadn't experienced much in the way of power struggles—after all, she was still something of a young lady herself…
"Tch~"
"You think I'm stupid?"
"You think getting me drunk would give you a chance?"
As she spoke, Tang Yue lifted her glass and took another sip, her cheeks growing even more flushed.
"Alright, let's talk about something serious."
"You've already completed initial-stage cultivation. Are you planning to break through next?"
Wang Teng popped a peanut into his mouth, sniffed lightly, and answered naturally and firmly, "Of course."
"If possible, I'd also like you to help me make an appointment for magic awakening, and apply for a Space Element Guiding Stone."
"If you're free, why not go together? I've never been to Magic City before—won't you keep an eye on me?"
"Besides, it's winter break right now…"
Tang Yue paused in her movements. Her eyes cleared a little as she thought things over for a minute, weighing her own schedule. She realized she really did have time.
"I'll contact them and see…"
After saying that, she picked up her phone, swiped a few times, and made a call.
"I want to book a magic awakening. I need a Space Element Guiding Stone."
"Mm~"
"Yes~"
"Alright~"
"I'll send the information over in a bit~"
"Done!"
Tang Yue's fingers tapped rapidly on her phone. She locked the screen and gave Wang Teng a reassuring look.
"It's already so late—how was that so fast?"
"What day did you schedule it for?"
"One week from now. Tomorrow I'll give you a Nebula Vein. With close to seven days, given your talent, that's more than enough for you to break through."
"Hurry up and buy the tickets…"
Wang Teng took out his phone and booked the train tickets online, directly buying two seats together. He covered the cost himself.
Tang Yue looked at him, a bit emotional inside. She herself was only an intermediate mage—Fire Element and Shadow Element.
And this guy…
If his luck was good, he'd end up with Psychic and Space Elements. Compared to her own elements, his were practically aristocracy among magic elements.
She, on the other hand, felt like she was using commoner elements. The contrast was striking.
It had to be said that Wang Teng had sharp judgment. With his powerful spiritual strength, choosing to awaken the Space Element was absolutely the right call.
As for his future magical achievements, she didn't even dare to guess. Once he truly took off, who knew what kind of spectacle that would be?
"Alright, that's enough for today."
"Tomorrow I'll also bring you some Psychic and Space magic star patterns, so you won't have to run around looking for spells."
"Sky Lan Magic High School might not have what you need anyway. It's a small place, without such deep foundations."
Tang Yue planned to see the good deed through to the end. She'd already given him the major resources up front—these things costing tens or even hundreds of thousands were nothing by comparison.
"Thank you for your generosity, Sister Tang Yue!"
Wang Teng was extremely satisfied with her. Saving where he could was always good. He could afford star patterns, and they were relatively easy to buy anyway.
"But it's too late today. You should just stay here. There are still two spare rooms—you can choose whichever you like."
"Bo City isn't very safe at night. Besides, with the Black Vatican still lurking around, I wouldn't feel at ease letting you go back like this."
Listening to Wang Teng's serious tone, Tang Yue narrowed her eyes slightly. His gaze was indeed very clear—there wasn't the slightest trace of desire.
Only then did she feel reassured, and she couldn't help but look at him in a new light.
At this moment, her allure was even stronger than usual. Though it might sound unkind to say it this way, it was true—ordinary people found it hard to hide the desire in their eyes when they looked at her.
"Alright."
Once Tang Yue agreed, Wang Teng immediately arranged a room for her. He lived in a large tenth-floor apartment with a concave layout—two large rooms on each side, and two connected living halls in the middle, making it feel especially spacious.
"Sister Tang Yue, you can take this room. It has its own bathroom, and everything you need is basically there. Help yourself if you need anything."
"I'll be staying in the room opposite. The room next to yours is empty, so you can sleep easy."
Thunk.
With the soft sound of a door closing, Wang Teng watched Tang Yue enter her room to rest. He then turned back to the living hall to clean up.
Not long after, carrying a large trash bag, he took the elevator downstairs and threw it into a nearby dumpster.
Late-night Bo City felt even quieter—not like a big city where crowds flowed almost all night.
"Hah~"
As he exhaled, white mist curled into the air. He looked up at the distant sky, determination flashing through his eyes.
Rubbing his face, he turned and went back inside to sleep.
…
The next morning, Tang Yue left. Wang Teng got up to see her off downstairs, then returned upstairs to organize his thoughts.
Tang Yue's visit had slightly disrupted his plans, introducing a small deviation. Originally, he'd intended to enter Pearl Institute first, then find a way to obtain space resources afterward.
Now it was perfect—everything he needed had come together at once.
The immediate benefit was that his most difficult startup resource problem had been solved. As for the trouble Tang Yue might bring later, it wasn't really trouble anymore.
His demon-based physical cultivation also needed to be rescheduled immediately.
After advancing to an intermediate mage and completing his awakening, he would return to Bo City to settle down for a while, begin the demonic transformation process, then develop spatial demon arts and head into demon-infested zones for combat.
There were plenty of Servant-level demons around Bo City—perfect as his battlefield. As a fringe county city, it didn't have many powerful experts stationed there.
Even if he openly displayed a close-combat fighting style, he didn't have to worry too much about exposing himself.
Once becoming a demon, combat was an extremely important core aspect. Only when close combat was combined with demon arts did a demon's combat power truly become formidable.
In terms of close combat, only real battle could rapidly build strength. His foundation was already solid. Even without the hard shell of a demon, his martial arts were nothing to scoff at.
As long as his basic physique was strong enough, once unleashed it would still be earth-shattering. The soft yet insidious nature of dark force, and the domineering, penetrating power of true force—no demon could withstand them. At best, they could only take the hit head-on; if they couldn't endure it, they'd die.
Not to mention spatial demon arts, which were equally difficult to resist. The powerful utility of the Space Element was also a key direction for him to develop.
"There's still so much that needs to be done…"
"As long as I get through the hardships of the early stage, a bright future awaits."
With his resolve firm, Wang Teng cleared away unnecessary distractions and began meditating, striving to increase his magical energy as much as possible. That way, breaking through would be all the easier.