Path of Alchemy Mastery
Chapter 208 - 210 The Charm of Monkey Wine

Chapter 208: Chapter 210 The Charm of Monkey Wine

Mu Can chuckled mischievously, then pulled out a wine cup from within his Storage Spiritual Artifact.

Bang!

The Jade Bottle containing the Monkey Wine was opened, and instantly, the entire secret chamber was filled with a fragrant scent.

A rich aroma of wine, mingled with the fragrance of Spirit Fruits, assaulted the nostrils.

"Excellent wine!"

Despite such an enticing aroma, Xuanyuan Mingkong did not open his eyes. He sniffed vigorously, trying hard to discern what kind of superb wine could exude such a fragrant aroma.

"It’s ready, Master." Mu Can gently handed the wine cup to Xuanyuan Mingkong.

Xuanyuan Mingkong opened his eyes to receive the wine cup, observing the clear liquid inside. The alcoholic scent tempted his craving for wine, and suppressing the urge to drink it all in one gulp, he brought the cup to his lips and lightly sipped a mouthful.

Mu Can watched Xuanyuan Mingkong with a smiling face, his heart filled with satisfaction. The old man, who had been attentively teaching him since his enrollment, was like a child eager to show off a newly found treasure.

"Excellent wine."

As the wine trickled down the throat, there was no strong sensation typically associated with alcohol, but rather a coolness that slowly spread downwards. His throat, already accustomed to such coolness, suddenly ignited like flames a moment later, with the fragrance of Spirit Fruits bursting forth, carrying a strong surge of Spiritual Energy into his viscera.

"Excellent wine!"

Xuanyuan Mingkong’s eyes widened in fury, his whole being seemingly inflamed.

He was quite the wine aficionado, and with his strength, he had tasted most of the fine wines in the Mortal World. However, he had never before encountered such a wine—with a rich fragrance, alternating sensations of coolness and warmth, it was simply the most delicious he had ever had in his life.

"What’s that aroma? So fragrant? It seems to be coming from the secret chamber."

People outside also caught the scent of the Monkey Wine. The secret chamber’s Array Barrier could block out sound, but could not at all contain such a strong fragrance of wine.

The aroma was strong but without the burning sensation of hard liquor; the fragrance carried a hint of freshness, reminiscent of ripe Spirit Fruits.

"What kind of wine is this? To drink a mouthful would make life worthwhile."

The Immortal Ancient Academy was home to many who appreciated wine, and in a short while, a crowd of those yearning for a cup had gathered outside the secret chamber, mostly lured by the scent of the wine.

"That old Xuanyuan must be inside with his disciple, right? When they come out, we must ask him for a few cups."

The Immortal Ancient Academy was home to many reclusive experts from the Mortal World who typically taught students while keeping a low profile, yet they all possessed formidable strength. Many were drinking buddies, and at their level of prowess, what mattered was following one’s inclinations—enjoying fine wine with a few close friends, basking in delight.

"Damn, if they don’t come out soon, I’m going to blast this secret chamber apart."

Among those enticed by the wine’s aroma were old men familiar with Xuanyuan Mingkong, all showing faces of insatiable thirst, wishing nothing more than to shatter the chamber’s Barrier and drag the people inside out.

"Excellent wine!" Xuanyuan Mingkong, abandoning any semblance of caution, drained half the cup in one gulp.

With a single sip of the wine, he experienced something completely different from before.

The rich Spiritual Energy evaporated from the wine as soon as it entered his stomach, flooding into Xuanyuan Mingkong’s entire body. Xuanyuan Mingkong even felt as if his body had undergone changes under the influence of this Spiritual Energy, indicating the kind of impact this wine could have if consumed regularly, even on the bodies of unparalleled experts.

On the second sip, Xuanyuan Mingkong didn’t hold back and took a big gulp, which swirled in his mouth before descending into his belly.

"Good wine!" A glimmer of sharpness flashed in Xuanyuan Mingkong’s eyes. Such exquisite wine, it could be called the best he had ever tasted.

"My disciple understands me!" Xuanyuan Mingkong couldn’t stop praising the Monkey Wine, thoroughly satisfied with Mu Can’s gift.

"What kind of wine is this?" Xuanyuan Mingkong asked.

"This is Monkey Wine brewed by the monkeys in Jue Ming Valley, with almost all the ingredients being various Spirit Fruits."

"Sigh!" Hearing Mu Can’s words, Xuanyuan Mingkong let out a heavy sigh.

It was nearly a life-or-death challenge just being in Jue Ming Valley, let alone traversing it for a type of wine.

"Master, why do you sigh?"

"I’m thinking, after tasting this wine, what am I to do when all other wines taste like water in comparison?"

"This..." Mu Can hadn’t considered this either. The brewing of Monkey Wine was not an easy task. Ordinary monkeys could only receive it distributed by the chief during the New Year, and the rest of the time they could only work hard to pick Spirit Fruits, with no opportunity to enjoy the wine themselves. Apart from the annual distribution to the monkeys, the remaining wine became the cherished collection of the Monkey Clan chiefs, each treating it as a life’s treasure.

"Master, let’s get drunk today while there’s wine. For now, allow your disciple to give this wine to you."

If he wanted to resolve this matter, there was only one way, and that was to learn the brewing techniques for Monkey Wine himself. Once he knew how to collect Spirit Fruits, Mu Can was determined that if he could enter the Third Layer of the Reincarnation Pearl next month, he must find a way to learn the brewing method of Monkey Wine, to solve this issue for Xuanyuan Mingkong.

"Well said, ’let’s get drunk today while there’s wine.’" Hearing Mu Can’s words, Xuanyuan Mingkong, who was previously a bit sentimental, immediately perked up. He took the Jade Bottle handed over by Mu Can, opened it, and saw that it contained nearly half a container of Monkey Wine, smiling satisfactorily at Mu Can.

Boom!

Xuanyuan Mingkong heard a loud noise, and his first reaction was not to observe his surroundings, but to quickly secure the Monkey Wine in his Storage Spiritual Artifact, looking as if he was afraid of losing even a drop of it.

"What’s going on? Is someone attacking the Immortal Ancient Academy?" Mu Can’s expression became serious as he followed Xuanyuan Mingkong out of the quiet room.

"Xuanyuan old boy, you’ve finally come out. We’ve been waiting for you," said several old men who had been squatting outside as soon as Xuanyuan Mingkong stepped out of the quiet room, all of them chattering away.

Only then did Xuanyuan Mingkong realize that the fragrance of the Monkey Wine just now was too enticing, having attracted a group of notorious wine enthusiasts from the Immortal Ancient Academy, and to make matters worse, most of these wine enthusiasts were his friends, with strengths comparable to his own.

"What wine? You guys must have drunk too much, smelling wine in everything," Xuanyuan Mingkong denied with a straight face.

Nonsense, if these people knew he still had nearly a barrel of Supreme Brew left, how much would he be able to drink himself? If they really ganged up and robbed him, he would have nowhere to seek justice.

"The aroma from before, the finest Monkey Wine," the Sword Venerate, hiding in the sky above, also caught the intoxicating scent, which instantly triggered his craving for alcohol, eagerly fixing his gaze on Mu Can below, intent on asking Mu Can for a few cups when he went to teach Yao Wenbing swordsmanship.

"You crafty old geezer, don’t think we don’t know you, always hiding and hoarding the good stuff. Hurry up and share some wine with us, or we’ll rob you," said the group of senior teachers from the Immortal Ancient Academy, unconcerned about Xuanyuan Mingkong’s position as vice dean. Seeing Xuanyuan Mingkong unwilling to offer the wine, they immediately puffed up their beards and glared, threatening him.