C33 Wine Immortal!

What do the folks enjoy the most?

Naturally, they love a spectacle!

With Ethan's call to attention, nearly everyone crowded around the table.

Even the restaurant's waitstaff stopped serving to crane their necks for a glimpse.

They were downing a hefty bowl of wine, and not just any wine, but the potent Huaijiang Liquor!

No one knew which brave soul it was.

Or rather, that might not be the right term.

Which hero had the guts to be so bold? To take on such a dare?

The table was swarmed with onlookers. Some even whipped out their phones, ready to capture this momentous occasion and share it on a short video app for likes and views.

Ethan was beaming, swelling with pride.

"If I don't beat you today, I'll take your surname," he mused with confidence.

He had it all planned out.

If Westley lost, he'd have him kneel before the crowd and call him 'Dad.'

He aimed to pulverize Westley's dignity right in front of Sienna.

Ethan wanted Sienna to witness the caliber of loser she was with.

Westley couldn't hold a candle to her ex, not by a long shot!

And if Ethan lost?

Impossible!

That was simply not going to happen.

Westley was no Wine Immortal; how could he possibly win?

Sienna watched the throng before her, her heart racing.

She was well aware of Ethan's malice, laying a trap for Westley to fall into.

But to her surprise, not only did Westley leap into the fray, but she had inadvertently dug an even grander pit!

A pit grand enough for a lavish grave.

"Westley, don't take the bet," Sienna whispered urgently.

If Westley backed out now, he'd only suffer a blow to his pride, nothing more. There wouldn't be any unforeseen fallout.

If Westley could just hold back, everything would be so much simpler!

Ethan overheard Sienna's plea crystal clear.

Westley trying to back out of the bet?

That was something Ethan would never allow.

"A man's word is his bond. How can you back out now?" he scoffed.

"Right, Mr. Jimenez?"

"Of course," Westley nodded in agreement.

"See? That's the kind of spirit and guts a man should have. I admire you," Ethan said, his voice dripping with respect.

Ethan looked as if he wished he could swear brotherhood with Westley right then and there. Yet, in his heart, he was secretly calling Westley a fool over and over again.

"Come on, everyone, let's witness Mr. Jimenez's heroic act."

Ethan cleared his throat and coaxed, "Drink up!"

Westley's gaze flitted across the large bowl, his expression unreadable.

"Drink it!"

"Drink it up!"

"Drink it!"

The onlookers began to chant and cheer; they loved a spectacle.

Amidst the rising excitement, Westley reached out and lifted the bowl.

"You really shouldn't drink that," Sienna pleaded, her grip tight on Westley's wrist, her face etched with concern.

If Westley downed that big bowl of Huaijiang Liquor, it could be the death of him!

Westley turned to her, offering a faint smile. "Trust me."

His eyes shone with unwavering confidence.

"Trust me?"

"He's said that to me once before," Sienna thought, feeling a wave of dizziness as her grip involuntarily relaxed.

Seizing the moment, Westley brought the bowl to his lips and began to drink.

"Gulp..."

"Thud..."

"Gulp... thud..."

Silence enveloped the crowd.

Everyone watched Westley drink, eyes wide with anticipation, none daring to make a sound, all holding their breath.

In the hush, the sound of Westley drinking seemed thunderous.

Ethan watched with smug satisfaction, eager to see Westley choke or spit out the liquor in front of everyone.

But none of that happened.

Westley drank slowly, his wrist movements minimal as he raised the bowl to his lips. Most astonishingly, not a single drop was spilled.

As the bowl neared Westley's forehead, Ethan started to feel a flicker of alarm.

Could it be that Westley really had an extraordinary tolerance for alcohol?

No, that couldn't be. It was three catties of white wine!

Was Westley cheating?

But with everyone watching so closely, and not a drop spilled, how could he possibly cheat?

Everyone could only observe Westley's drinking motions, completely oblivious to the turmoil within his body. Strands of Spiritual Energy churned inside him, instantly breaking down the Huaijiang Liquor into alcohol and water upon consumption. The water would be expelled as urine or sweat, while the alcohol, being the essence of food, was a boon for Westley who was in dire need of Spiritual Energy. It would be fully absorbed. Hence, no matter the amount—ten or a hundred catties—Westley wouldn't get drunk. This was the true embodiment of "Thousand Cups Undrunk."

As Westley's bowl neared his nose, Ethan's heart sank in panic. Was he about to lose? His mind raced with anxiety. "I can't let this guy finish his drink!" With that thought, Ethan caught Juliana's eye behind him and signaled her. She got the message, though reluctantly, not wanting her boyfriend to be embarrassed publicly.

Subtly, Juliana hooked her foot around one leg of Westley's stool. "Oops..." She feigned a loss of balance, stumbling forward. Her forward momentum was strong enough to topple Westley's stool.

Chaos ensued! The crowd gasped, but the drinking contest didn't halt for this surprise interruption. Instead, Westley was left hovering in a horse-stance squat, not spilling a drop from his bowl. Juliana, on the other hand, had fallen hard, landing in a rather compromising position that nearly revealed her undergarments.

Seizing the moment, Westley tilted his head back and finished the remaining liquor in one swift gulp. He then proudly displayed his empty bowl to the onlookers. Spotless, without a drop left! Astonishment filled the air as Westley single-handedly polished off three catties of high-proof liquor, akin to a magician's feat. The initial shock gave way to applause, though it was unclear who led the ovation.

"Wow!"

"Incredible!"

"Absolutely fierce!"

"He's like the Wine Immortal reborn!"

The crowd reacted as though they'd just witnessed a blockbuster, their exclamations of awe filling the air.

Ethan's complexion turned ghostly pale, his brow beaded with sweat.

This was illogical!

This was unscientific!

How did Westley manage that?

Could someone drink three catties of Huaijiang Liquor and still be human?

Amidst Ethan's jumbled thoughts, Westley set the bowl down on the table and turned to Ethan.

"Morris, this Huaijiang Liquor is top-notch. Packs a punch!" Westley appeared to be complimenting him.

Ethan's knees buckled, nearly giving in to the urge to bolt for the door.

But just then, Westley's body swayed, his hand instinctively reaching for his forehead.

"Westley, how are you feeling?" Sienna rushed to his aid.

Westley, however, just bowed his head, remaining silent.

"No, he's going to pass out drunk."

"It has to be. The alcohol's hit him hard."

"What does it matter if you've downed it? If you're drunk, you lose all the same!"

Ethan's brain raced, a smile creeping across his face that he couldn't suppress.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Ethan was suddenly brimming with energy and confidence.

Nothing was more thrilling or satisfying than a comeback from the brink of defeat!

He was sure to win!