Lan Yue lowered her eyelids slightly, the spiritual energy in her body began to fluctuate, and she formed seals with her hands, attempting several arrays, even consuming the gourmet pills she carried, hoping to digest or repel this strange tracking. Li Xin could feel the smell of alcohol dissipating, but still couldn't completely eliminate it in a short time, always leaving a small trace.

After a while, Lan Yue felt helpless. She originally wanted to show off a little; the ability related to alcohol falls within the Gourmet Association's domain, yet she truly couldn't solve it at the moment.

Lan Yue opened her beautiful eyes and said with a bitter smile, "Mr. Li, this is a harmless ability. I can eliminate a part of it, but completely removing it will require time. It becomes part of the body upon contact, and spiritual ability cannot activate a defense mechanism. It's somewhat similar to our Gourmet Association's specialty, but it's not the Gourmet Association's power."

Li Xin, of course, knew this wasn't the Gourmet Association's power. He was trying to find a solution from similar powers.

"Does the Gourmet Association have anyone skilled in this type of spell? I want to know a quick method to terminate it," Li Xin asked, knowing that finding the method could lead to clues for the case.

Lan Yue appeared a bit embarrassed; she had been modest just now. In the Li Long Kingdom, she is the highest level spell expert in the Gourmet Association. If another person needed to be found, she would have to apply for assistance from the Holy Land.

"It's like this, Mr. Li. This technique is quite unique, using the aroma of wine as the catalyst. The Gourmet Association has similar abilities, although rare, they do exist. If you want to find the most direct solution, I can inquire with the headquarters." Lan Yue thought it over and said, suspecting that the solution desired wasn't a slow process, but rather something that could completely counteract or resolve it.

"Thank you, President Lan. I'd like to know, hypothetically, if someone were locked onto by this ability without being aware, could they quickly detect and resolve it?" Li Xin asked.

"It depends on the person's ability and level; I apologize, but I can't give you an accurate answer," Lan Yue thought for a moment and opted for a cautious response.

"Let me rephrase: assume a high-ranked gourmet faces an ambush using this ability—would they be able to detect it and quickly resolve it?" Li Xin inquired.

Lan Yue pondered for a moment, "If it's a high-ranked gourmet, they might detect it, but resolving it depends on the gourmet's area of expertise. You know, our path as gourmets is auxiliary, not specialized in combat."

"Could I trouble President Lan to check with the Gourmet Association's headquarters for me? I'd like an accurate answer," Li Xin continued, knowing that understanding the resolution methods could greatly narrow down the suspect's profile.

"Of course, no problem," Lan Yue smiled, "serving you is the Gourmet Association's honor."

Looking at Lan Yue's elegant and generous smile, Li Xin paused. "Thank you in advance. How much do I need to pay?"

In the secret world, services and knowledge are equally expensive, so Li Xin wanted to clarify first.

"You're joking. Service for our guests comes with no service fee. You just need to pay for the meal, and it's at cost price," Lan Yue was surprised that the guest didn't know about the benefits given to VIPs, but as the server, one should never question the guest.

Cost price? 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Li Xin's mind stirred. Next week, Xueyin will have her mentorship ceremony, which requires a banquet. If the Gourmet Association could provide a table, it would be wonderful. They certainly couldn't afford to invite everyone, but perhaps a table for seven or eight people. Alas, it's really a stretch; fortunately, Qi Badao is here today to lend a hand.

"For a table of eight or nine, how much would it be?" Li Xin pondered and asked. Three from home; Kathy can't come; plus Mordo and Grandmaster Philson, leaving a few spots for Aunt Fei and the academy, should be manageable—any more, and he couldn't handle it.

"A table?" Lan Yue's expectant eyes showed slight disappointment. When a guest comes without ordering, it's undoubtedly a failure on the president's part, especially with such a guest; finally, they ordered, but only a table—perhaps just testing their skill?

"Yes, a table," Li Xin nodded decisively, needing to ask about the price first. If it's too expensive, he'd let it go.

"In that case, I can recommend you three options: 10 gold for 'Ten Perfections,' 100 gold for 'Hundred Families Battle,' and 1000 gold for 'Irreplaceable,' and there's also 'One in Ten Thousand, Unique.'..." Lan Yue's smile carried satisfaction; the Gourmet Association could meet Dao Yuan's highest-level needs, and only they could achieve that.

Li Xin felt a tremor in his heart and soul, finding these terms frightening for the first time. This so-called cost price? I don't believe it!

10 gold, though expensive, is seemingly just within reach.

"Brother Li, there's a promotion of thrift; making it overly grand would be inappropriate. A few tables of 'Ten Perfections' to liven things up would be nice." Qi Badao observed Li Xin's expression and cautiously suggested.

Ten gold, still very expensive, but during such an important occasion, it's worth it. As her brother, he couldn't just stand idly by during Xueyin's significant event.

"Mr. Li, may I know the purpose of your banquet and the guest list? This would help us tailor the menu for you." Lan Yue remained enthusiastic; it's always pleasing to learn when a VIP decides to order.

"It's a mentorship banquet, for the Celestial Principle School's Mordo and Philson, with Grandmaster Philson accepting a last disciple, and possibly a Church Court secretary attending," Li Xin thought it over; even if he doesn't go on the mentorship day, the banquet should be permissible.

Suddenly, Lan Yue's mind buzzed. Hearing the proposal for 10 gold, she had already downgraded expectations to completing a basic service at the lowest standard; how did this suddenly turn into an event of this caliber?

Representatives of the Celestial Principle School accepting disciples, with prominent figures from the Church Court present, meant that this mentorship would gather powerful wish power, which the Gourmet Association earnestly sought. This represents another level of demand, incomparable to monetary value; the Celestial Principle School's newfound path is extremely valuable to them, having made no progress previously in Dragon Capital.

The elder was indeed an elder.

"Mr. Li, it's like this: as long as the conditions meet the gourmet's standards, our Gourmet Association provides guests a completely free banquet. You absolutely qualify for this event; would you be willing to use this privilege?" Lan Yue's enchanting eyes gazed at Li Xin, her posture upright, though she tried to contain her emotions, Li Xin still caught a glimpse of her eager anticipation.

No free lunch is truly free; gratis means the Gourmet Association seeks something else. The Gourmet path depends on other avenues to draw wish power, probably targeting the Celestial Principle School for its newly opened path.

If charging implies a settlement, then free indicates sharing in prosperity, which is not a bad thing for the Celestial Principle School. Good associations and roads can aid in elevating the school, as the current secret paths are intertwined like this.

"Then I shall entrust President Lan with this task." Knowing this, Li Xin naturally welcomed the arrangement.

Lan Yue didn't dare to act in front of Li Xin, "It is our honor."

Leaving it to the Gourmet Association, Li Xin cared not—they're the true experts. As for resolving the alcohol scent, he'd just await news.