Lan Jue nodded. "When I set out, would I fail?
The Pauper agreed. He's going back to his training.
Oh, and I'm planning to take the Legion to An Lun in a couple of days. "
The Wine Master paused. "We're going to An Lun now?"
Lan Jue spoke up. "I saw the Legion learn a lot from the Pauper's protogenia today.
However, different laws were suitable for different people, so the more such things happened, the better.
My brother is about to break through, so I'm planning to take everyone.
Those who had an epiphany today don't need to go.
I'm taking everyone else.
We'll be back when we're done. "
The Wine Master was delighted. "Our An Lun supersoldier is about to break through?
That's wonderful!
No problem, you can all go.
Leave them to me, we'll protect them. "
"Wine Master, the Pauper is a Paragon today. This is great news for Skyfire Avenue.
Shouldn't we open a bottle of wine to celebrate? "Lan Jue looked at the Wine Master teasingly.
"Shouldn't you and the Driver be working on your lightning fusion?" The Wine Master asked.
Why drink? "
The Driver interjected. "There's tension, there's relaxation.
We've already tried it today, and we've just learned protogenia.
A little more time won't make a difference.
Wine Master, men who are too stingy won't find a girlfriend. "
The Wine Master glanced at the Clockmaker, who sat at his side. She didn't seem to hear a word. She sat there, unmoving, her eyes focused on her nose, her nose focused on her mouth.
"Fine.
What would you like to drink? "The Wine Master gritted his teeth.
Lan Jue replied. "I'll go pick from the cellar. Whatever I choose."
"Piss off!" The Wine Master couldn't take it anymore.
Even the Clockmaker was startled by his outburst. She lifted her head and looked at the Wine Master in surprise.
The Wine Master was embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I got too worked up. You don't know how inhumane these guys are!
They've already drunk most of the good wine I've got.
It's not that I'm stingy, it's just that they don't hold back. "
The Epochrion smiled. "Good things should be shared with friends."
The Wine Master paused for a moment, then nodded. "For the sake of the Clockmaker, I'll let you off easy today." As he spoke, he waved his hand. There was a flash of silver light, and a few items appeared on the table.
There was a strange-looking but very simple decanter and four crystal Bordeaux glasses.
And a bottle of red wine.
The Driver stared blankly at the bottle. He preferred whiskey, and didn't know much about the French wines of the Old Era. He'd only agreed with Lan Jue because he wanted to join in the fun.
However, Lan Jue's eyes lit up when she saw the bottle of wine.
"So it was because of the Clockmaker!" Lan Jue's eyes narrowed.
The Clockmaker froze, then turned to Lan Jue. "Why me?"
Lan Jue smiled. "Sweet white wine is the best wine for women, but it's too sweet. It's better for men and women who have deep relationships.
Among the red wines, there was one that tasted especially warm, and women generally liked it.
It's called Esplanade, a second-class chateau from the Chateau Médoc of 1855 in Bordeaux.
It's an illustrious second-class chateau, comparable to most first-class chateaus.
It's as famous as the Lions and Baojia Long. "
The Clockmaker looked at the pink label in the Wine Master's hand. "Is this it?"
Lan Jue nodded. "Yes!"
The Clockmaker's face reddened. She understood what Lan Jue meant.
The Wine Master glared at Lan Jue. "You talk too much!"
Lan Jue smirked. "You're not aggressive at all. Sometimes, if you don't tell people, how will they know?
If they don't know, how will they know what you're trying to do?
As a friend, of course I'll help you. Hurry up.
The Esplanade needs a long time to sober up. Should I give it a pull? "
"Yes." The Wine Master nodded, but didn't dare look in the Clockmaker's direction.
Aged red wine needed to be in contact with the air to oxidize. That was how it was supposed to sober up.
He poured the wine into the decanter. Different wines needed different amounts of time.
However, there were also ways to increase the speed at which the liquor and the air fused. One of the simplest, most direct, but highly technical method was called pulling the liquor.
The Wine Master rose to his feet. His left hand gripped the decanter, and his right hand gripped the bottom of the bottle. He placed the top of the bottle against the decanter's opening, and slowly poured out a trickle of wine. Then he slowly lifted the bottle higher, and as the distance between the bottle and the decanter increased, the ruby red liquid began to elongate.
The most important thing about pulling a bottle was that it didn't spill. It had to be continuous, without interruption.
The greater the distance between the bottle and the decanter, the more skilled the person was.
Without a doubt, the Wine Master's skill in this area was unparalleled. Before long, the bottle was raised over his head, and the decanter in his left hand was lower than his waist.
The liquid was thin, but endless. As it was poured, the red wine was in contact with the air, which greatly shortened the time it took to sober up.
The Clockmaker smiled and waved her hand. Suddenly, a strange energy began to pulse around the liquid.
The speed at which the wine flowed seemed to be affected, but it still continued to appear in the decanter.
The Wine Master glanced at her. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Lan Jue slapped her forehead. "Clockmaker, using temporal protogenia to sober up is too extravagant."
The Clockmaker smirked. "Abilities are meant to be used. What's extravagant about it?
I'm curious to see what this wine you call a girl's favorite tastes like. "
It took a full five minutes for most of the wine to be poured into the decanter. Only a few dregs remained in the bottle. That was undrinkable.
The taste of La Sisteme did not disappoint. Purple in color, with hints of licorice, spices, cheese, blackcurrant, blackberry, and toasty oak.
It was full bodied, strong, pure, and dense. It was like building a skyscraper in one's mouth.
Lots of tannins, silky and perfectly integrated into the wine.
"It's a little too soft for me," the Driver said.
Lan Jue smiled. "You're used to hard liquor, so of course you'd feel that way.
Next time we'll have the Wine Master open a bottle of Mouton for us. It's one of the strongest wines in Bordeaux, and I like it when it's full of sunshine. "
The Clockmaker sipped in silence. She didn't speak, but her thoughts were a mystery.
"When do you plan on leaving?" The Wine Master asked.
"As soon as possible," Lan Jue replied.
"I don't know how long he'll be able to suppress his Discipline.
Dad's there, but I think it's best to get there as soon as possible. "
The Wine Master nodded. "Alright.
I'm guessing those who haven't had their epiphany will be done in a few hours.
If you're going, you might as well get there early.
Come back early to continue your training. "
"Alright."
Lan Jue suddenly remembered the last time she'd led the A.R.C. class on An Lun. That time, they'd sparred with the Iron Legion.
It was a rare opportunity for the A.R.C. class.
"Now that we're on An Lun, I'll probably stay there for a while with the Division.
They've already fought the pirates, so I think it's time to try some real combat.
Now that DreamNet's been upgraded, the simulators can simulate the battlefield.
We'll give it a try. "
The Wine Master thought for a moment. "That's a good idea. You control the time."
Just then, the Wine Master's communicator buzzed. He looked down, and his face darkened.
"What is it?" The Driver asked.
The Wine Master's voice was low. "The ships we sent into the Shattered Starfields lost their signal.
They didn't come back with anything. "
Lan Jue and the Driver's faces darkened as well. They knew what this meant.
Lan Jue's voice was low. "The Northern Alliance's ships kept disappearing when they tried to find the alien planets. It wasn't until the Seventh Fleet came back with some information.
That's why they're here. "
The Driver nodded. "Reconnaissance is important on the battlefield.
It's because we haven't had enough information that we've been forced into this situation.
If we hadn't run into them during our fight with the Moonfiend Pirates, the planets would be under their control by now.
If we hadn't run into them during our fight with the Moonfiend Pirates, they'd have taken control of the Shattered Starfields already.
Even the Shattered Starfields would be in danger.
I think we should ask the Alliance to keep an eye on them, no matter the cost.
We need to be able to warn them before they teleport again.
If we don't, we'll be too passive. "
The Wine Master heaved a sigh. "Easier said than done!
We've sent the most advanced ships we've got, and still we've failed.
I agree with the Jewelry Master's analysis. These aliens are highly intelligent. They must know the Shattered Starfields can't fit into larger ships, and that's why they chose them as their first target.
Our fleets can't get in.
The smaller ships can't come back.
The Starfields have a magnetic field, so signals can't travel long distances.
These are all very big problems. "
Lan Jue took a deep breath. "I'll go!"