Perhaps because the spiritual energy content was too dilute.

Gut could only barely capture that trace of ethereal essence when concentrating all his mental power on his abdomen.

As his liver rapidly metabolized the alcohol, soon Gut could no longer sense its presence.

He could only vaguely feel that this wisp of "divine essence" between heaven and earth had completely integrated into his limbs and bones through metabolism, nourishing this body from another dimension.

Overall, this feeling was really damn good!

"Teacher, do you have any special..."

However, before Gut could finish his question, he felt his shoulder suddenly become heavy.

Looking sideways, he discovered the elf was now resting her head on his shoulder, her eyes somewhat hazy, even her breathing becoming moist and heavy.

"No way?"

After supporting his teacher's leaning body, Gut slowly positioned her on his lap.

Looking at the elf's flushed complexion, then at the wine cup in her hand still containing traces of liquor.

Though Gut knew his teacher's alcohol tolerance wasn't good.

But the wine cup had at most two hundred milliliters capacity.

Moreover, this brief artificial rainfall hadn't completely filled the cup, generating less than half of Divine Wine. Split between two people, each person got just over one tael of baijiu.

Gut didn't believe this little alcohol could intoxicate Teacher Serie.

Even having never encountered baijiu before, she should be able to drink several cups.

But why...

Gazing at the elf whose eyes grew increasingly unfocused, Gut asked tentatively:

"Teacher, you're not pretending to be drunk to get me to take advantage of you, are you?"

"Get lost!"

The elf's gaze cleared slightly. After gritting her teeth and scolding her disciple, she controlled her head to shift slightly, no longer meeting her disciple's eyes.

"Hey! Please don't move around!"

Feeling the elf's ear inadvertently brush against a sensitive area as she moved, Gut quickly spoke up.

He gently patted Serie's forehead, indicating his teacher should lie still for now and not move randomly.

Then, Gut pressed his palms together.

As holy white light began emanating from his disciple's palms, the elf on his lap couldn't help but widen her eyes.

This familiar feeling...

No mistake - this was the special magical power Himmel had used back then.

With this power, all effects of Goddess Magic could be greatly enhanced.

Reality didn't disappoint Serie's expectations.

As Gut injected the holy magical power he'd condensed using his Holy Magic Affinity talent into Serie's body.

The elf's flushed complexion began visibly improving at remarkable speed.

Or should I say, the spiritual energy was dispelled through the holy magical power.

Gut felt the golden spiritual energy being countered by his own power - a result befitting their completely different natures.

Both sides' powers being quite stable, ancient thought it reasonable for holy magic to dispel spiritual energy.

This feeling was really damn good!

"Teacher, how do you feel now?"

Therefore, this question didn't focus on the investigation, but rather understanding why spiritual energy became like poison to her.

"Much better."

After dispelling the spiritual energy contamination through the holy magical power, Serie sat up.

Looking at the disciple who still seemed unfinished, and at the wine cup in her hand containing traces of spiritual energy, she glanced sideways at her disciple.

Though she understood spiritual energy was harmless to humans and beneficial for cultivation, for her it was undeniably troublesome.

But it wasn't a big problem.

"Teacher, what exactly is your situation?"

After dispersing the remaining holy magical power from his palms, Gut asked the elf beside him curiously.

"I'm also unclear. My consciousness became drowsy in an instant."

Serie spoke while picking up her wine cup, examining the remaining wine residue, then glancing at her disciple.

"You didn't drug my wine, did you?"

"How could that be possible?!" Gut spread both hands, expressing innocence.

"Teacher, you know me."

"If I really drugged you, you shouldn't be wearing clothes right now."

Serie: ...

"True enough."

After helplessly nodding, the elf began analyzing seriously.

After a moment, Serie seemed to have a theory.

She flung her wine cup into the air, then cast Water Control Magic, restraining the few remaining drops of wine in midair.

Then the elf controlled one drop, separating a small portion from it.

After hesitating briefly, she swallowed it.

Instantly, Serie's pale complexion flushed again, even her breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

Feeling her vision beginning to spin, the elf immediately said: "Gut, help me!"

"Understood!"

Hearing his teacher's call for help, Gut immediately stepped forward, scooping the elf into a princess carry.

Unfortunately, this time his teacher's symptoms came quickly and left even faster.

Before Gut could properly appreciate his teacher's intoxicated state up close, the elf's condition returned to normal.

For a moment, in her disciple's arms.

Two clear gazes met each other, both master and disciple feeling somewhat awkward.

After silence, the elf broke the deadlock first.

"Put me down."

"Alright." Gut reluctantly released his hold, setting the elf down.

After standing steady, Serie coughed lightly.

Then she completely ignored what had just occurred, instead discussing serious matters.

Through this second drinking test, the elf successfully verified her hypothesis.

What caused her rapid "intoxication" wasn't the Divine Wine's alcohol content at all, but the trace of special energy contained within.

This special energy, after flowing into her body with the wine, couldn't merge with her internal magical power, instead producing mild rejection reactions.

Finally, this special energy along with the wine carrying it was expelled by the magical power that held absolute dominance in her body, resulting in the so-called "intoxication."

Fortunately, whether her own magical power or this special energy, both had relatively stable and gentle natures, preventing serious consequences.

After listening to the elf's analysis, Gut frowned slightly, saying with some regret:

"So teacher, you can't absorb and utilize spiritual energy... is that right?"

"So this special energy is called spiritual energy - that's a good name." Serie's expression remained calm, showing no disappointment.

"Teacher, how exactly isn't it suitable?"

Based on part of his knowledge, Gut had a good opinion of this rare spiritual energy.

"I don't see any problems. There's just a type of energy my body can't effectively absorb."

Serie looked completely matter-of-fact, saying without concern: "I've got abundant magical power - what more could I want?"

"You shouldn't be arrogant enough to worry about my lifespan, right?"

Hearing his inner thoughts exposed, Gut could only laugh dryly: "I want teacher to stay with me for a long time."

"Heh." The elf snorted coldly, manipulating the remaining wine drops in the air to fall into Gut's cup.

"Talk to me about such things after you live past a hundred years."

"By the way."

"Remember to keep the wine cup at the association - collecting through the association's power will be much faster than doing it yourself."

Evening approached.

Under his teacher's arrangements, Gut left Divine Wine at the association.

The elf also issued a long-term rain-gathering task in her capacity as Continental Magic Association President.

After handling this, evening had arrived.

Little time remained before Hafka siblings' housewarming banquet.

Gut suggested going early since they had nothing else to do, and Serie naturally didn't refuse.

So the master-disciple pair followed the invitation's address to a luxuriously decorated courtyard.

Perhaps for welcoming guests, the courtyard gates weren't locked but fully opened for visitors to enter freely.

Gut and his teacher exchanged glances before stepping into the courtyard.

Seeing no one in the courtyard, they headed directly toward the mansion.

However, they hadn't walked halfway before both stopped simultaneously.

Even standing here, Gut could faintly hear intense male and female panting from inside.

Moreover, conversation drifted out:

"Brother, push me up once more!"

"Right! That's the spot! I'm almost done!"

"Hurry up, Sola! Teacher and the others will arrive soon."

"We still need to wash and tidy up the scene afterward!"

"Mm, but this also needs brother's effort!"

"Understood! Sola, get ready - I'm pushing up again!"

"Ah...!"

Outside, Gut: ...

Outside, Serie: ...

"Teacher, what do you think junior brother and sister are doing inside?"

"Can't you tell from spiritual energy? They're obviously doing what you'd expect." Serie glanced at Gut, then pushed the door open directly.

"This... seems inappropriate for barging in during their coupling. Shouldn't we wait outside a bit longer?"

"In my homeland's legends, this is one type of energy not inferior to magical power."

"Practitioners absorb it into their bodies to strengthen themselves, greatly extend lifespans, and gain mountain-moving, sea-filling powers."

"I see." Serie's eyes showed understanding, then she sighed: "Sounds like a cultivation system more suitable for ordinary humans than magic."

"Allowing short-lived humans the choice of becoming long-lived species."

"However..."

"Gut, wasn't there pity in your eyes when you looked at me?"

"You're not arrogant enough to worry about my lifespan, are you?"

Hearing his thoughts exposed, Gut could only laugh dryly: "I want teacher to accompany me for a long time."

"Heh." The elf snorted, manipulating remaining airborne wine drops into Gut's cup.

"After you live past a hundred years, then talk to me about such things."

"Incidentally."

"Remember to leave the wine cup at the association. Collecting through association power will be much faster than you doing it alone."

Evening.

Under teacher's arrangements, Gut left Divine Wine at the association.

The elf also issued a long-term rain collection task as Continental Magic Association President.

After handling everything, evening had arrived.

Little time remained before Hafka siblings' housewarming celebration.

Gut suggested going early, and Serie naturally agreed.

So master and disciple followed the invitation address to a luxuriously decorated courtyard.

Perhaps for guest reception, the courtyard gates stood wide open rather than locked.

Gut and teacher exchanged glances before entering.

Finding the courtyard empty, they headed directly toward the main building.

But halfway there, both simultaneously stopped.

Even from here, Gut could faintly hear intense male-female panting from inside.

Plus this dialogue:

"Brother, push me up once more!"

"Right! Just there! I'm almost finished!"

"Hurry, Sola! Teacher and others are coming soon."

"We still need to wash and clean up afterward!"

"Mm, but this needs brother's effort too!"

"Got it! Sola, get ready - I'm pushing up again!"

"Ahh...!"

Outside, Gut: ...

Outside, Serie: ...

"Teacher, what do you think our junior siblings are doing inside?"

"They're obviously stacked on top of each other - what do you think?" Serie glanced at Gut, then stepped forward and pushed open the door.

Inside the entrance.

Looking at his teacher who'd walked straight in and Hafka and Sola collapsed at the entrance, Gut was stunned.

No way - actually doing Battle of the Entrance?!

But fortunately, after careful observation, Gut found both siblings fully dressed with no improper conduct occurring.

The only unusual thing was perhaps sister Sola's dust-covered staff and the two shoe prints on Hafka's shoulders.

"Hiss—"

Sola rubbed her bottom, standing up from the entrance.

Earlier, while she and her brother arranged the banquet atmosphere indoors, they'd inadvertently discovered a spider web high in the entrance.

Since spider webs at the entry and guest position had bad implications, the siblings wanted to remove it.

But unfortunately, the web's position was extremely high - even standing on house chairs couldn't reach it.

Finally, after various attempts, they could only use this most primitive human ladder method.

Thanks to Hafka's considerable height, he could lift sister Sola quite high, and with a staff's extra length, they could reach spider webs anywhere indoors.

But just as Sola's staff reached the web, Lady Serie pushed the door open.

Startled, Sola lost footing on her brother's shoulders and fell.

Hafka was also affected, losing balance and collapsing.

Fortunately Serie intervened timely, using Wind Control Magic to create upward airflow at ground level, greatly reducing Sola's impact when falling, so the girl wasn't seriously hurt - just needed to rub her bottom before standing.

Gut also stepped forward, pulling Hafka up from the ground.

After understanding the situation from the siblings.

Serie took the staff from Sola and waved it toward the entrance ceiling.

Then a targeted Cleaning Magic combined with Wind Control Magic instantly cleared the spider web from the entrance.

After the siblings thanked them and tidied dust from their clothes.

Sister Sola headed to the kitchen for welcoming fruit while brother Hafka showed teacher and senior brother around their new Äußerst home.

Since this mansion's previous owner was also nobility, despite differences in geography and culture causing decorative variations, as aristocrats they maintained basic aesthetic sense.

Therefore, after Hafka siblings inherited this mansion, they didn't undertake major renovations, instead making fine adjustments while preserving the original owner's rustic aesthetic style.

For example, keeping the original owner's wooden dining table, wooden sofa, wooden flooring and such.

But adding potted flowers in wooden vases, leather cushions matching the wood color, and carpets for greater comfort and aesthetics suited to the siblings.

After Hafka finished touring their new home, sister Sola emerged from the kitchen carrying cut fruit.

As four people sat in the living room chatting, Lernen, Ross, and Zenn also arrived successively.

Tonight's housewarming celebration officially began with everyone present.

Joyful, lively, pleasant atmosphere began flowing through this luxuriously decorated mansion, bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

The junior disciples and Sola all came to toast with Gut, taking the opportunity for various conversations.

"How have you been lately?" "Still okay?" Serie asked Gut, then looked around. "Come on."

They left together.

Inside the mansion.

Looking at the teacher who'd pushed the door open and the siblings collapsed at the entrance, Gut was puzzled.

No way - really Entrance Battle?!

But fortunately after examination, Gut found both siblings properly dressed with nothing inappropriate happening.

If anything seemed unusual, perhaps it was sister Sola's dusty staff and two footprints on Hafka's shoulders.

"Hiss—"

Sola rubbed her bottom, standing up from the entrance.

Earlier, she and brother had been arranging banquet atmosphere when they discovered a spider web high up in the entrance.

Since webs at entry/guest locations had bad connotations, the siblings wanted to remove it.

But the web's position was too high - even house chairs couldn't reach it.

After various attempts, they resorted to this primitive human ladder approach.

Thanks to Hafka's height lifting Sola high enough, plus staff length, any indoor web was reachable.

Just as Sola's staff contacted the web, Lady Serie opened the door.

Startled, Sola lost footing and fell while Hafka also lost balance.

Fortunately Serie intervened with Wind Control Magic creating upward ground-level airflow, greatly cushioning Sola's fall - she just needed bottom-rubbing before standing.

Gut also helped pull Hafka up.

After learning the full story from both siblings.

Serie took Sola's staff and waved it at the entrance ceiling.

Targeted Cleaning Magic plus Wind Control Magic instantly eliminated the spider web.

After grateful siblings tidied their dusty clothes.

Sister Sola went to fetch welcoming fruit while brother Hafka toured teacher and senior brother through their new Äußerst home.

Since the previous owner was also noble, despite geographical/cultural differences in decoration, aristocratic aesthetic basics remained.

So after inheriting this mansion, Hafka siblings avoided major renovation, instead making refinements while preserving the original rustic beauty style.

Like retaining wooden dining tables, sofas, floors, etc.

But adding wooden-vased flowers, matching leather cushions, carpets and other comfortable, aesthetically pleasing touches.

After Hafka's house tour, sister Sola brought cut fruit from the kitchen.

As four people chatted in the living room, Lernen, Ross and Zenn arrived successively.

Tonight's housewarming party officially began with full attendance.

Celebratory, warm, pleasant atmosphere flowed through this luxurious mansion, bringing smiles to all faces.

Junior disciples and Sola all toasted with Gut individually, using the opportunity for conversations.

But tonight's gathering wasn't just celebrating Hafka siblings' new home - it served another purpose.

Namely... farewell for Gut.

Denken's imperial delegation naturally couldn't remain in Äußerst indefinitely.

After consulting superiors, they informed Gut they'd depart tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

Via Neutral Bay near Äußerst, sailing directly to the Imperial Capital's harbor.

So tonight was Gut's last evening in Äußerst for the foreseeable future.

Therefore everyone wanted more drinking, talking, seeing - extending the scheduled housewarming party very late.

If houses had spirits, tonight it might recall former scenes.

Over ten years ago, before its previous owner failed in political struggles, every evening here was as lively as tonight.

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It costs me money to continue updating as I'm purchasing the latest chapters off qidian. I don't see no reason to continue at a loss so this is where I stop.