Qiao Siliu had only brewed one portion of Willow Swirl Tea, and she gave it to Fang Yuan.
This single act immediately elevated the significance of that cup of Willow Swirl Tea.
Fang Yuan's expression shifted slightly, betraying a look of delighted surprise, though inwardly his mind was clear as still water.
"How pitiful. No matter how beautiful a woman may be, without eternal life she is nothing but a pile of withered bones."
"A beauty is but white bone, yet mortals often lose themselves in longing."
"That said, this Celestial Dew Fairy is truly Qiao Siliu's close friend — their coordination was truly impeccable."
The only portion of tea brewed had been publicly presented to Fang Yuan by Fairy Siliu. Luo Muzi and Lun Fei had both been looking forward to tasting it, only to receive this answer instead.
It was easy to imagine how stiff their expressions were at this moment.
Qiao Siliu smiled faintly. "Willow Swirl Tea is merely something I created on my own — a small token of goodwill. This time, I've brought everyone Nujiao Tea. Please, help yourselves."
She waved her silken sleeve, and five cups of tea instantly appeared on the stone table.
This tea was different from the earlier Willow Swirl Tea. It wasn't served in cups, but on small white porcelain saucers.
At the center of each saucer sat a dewdrop the size of a fist.
The dewdrop was clear and lustrous as jade. A passing evening breeze caused its surface to tremble slightly, looking as though it might burst at the slightest touch.
"Nujiao Tea — the Qiao Family's famous tea renowned throughout the Southern Border. I never expected I'd get to taste it today." Luo Muzi smoothed things over for himself, though in truth his gaze was still fixed on the tea in front of Fang Yuan.
Beneath the stone table, Lun Fei's hands had quietly clenched into fists. He gritted his teeth, lifted the white porcelain saucer, and took a delicate sip. The Nujiao Tea was drawn straight into his stomach.
"Fine tea," he said, his expression still somewhat stiff.
In truth, Nujiao Tea was indeed several tiers above Willow Swirl Tea. The latter was merely Qiao Siliu's personal creation, while the former was the Qiao Family's signature blend. The signature tea of a super force naturally far surpassed something a single Gu Immortal had invented on her own.
Yet in the hearts of Luo Muzi and Lun Fei, they would gladly trade away a hundred or even eighty cups of Nujiao Tea just for a single sip of Willow Swirl Tea.
"Nujiao Tea is as refreshing as ever, leaving one with a lingering aftertaste. Siliu, by presenting this tea, how can I possibly bring out my Flowing Colors Tea with a straight face?" the Celestial Dew Fairy laughed.
Qiao Siliu showed her close friend no courtesy whatsoever. "Then don't bring it out. To be honest, I've grown tired of your Flowing Colors Tea long ago. I'm actually looking forward to Saint Six's Flower Intoxication. I've heard that this tea was born from a spark of inspiration when he first fell in love with you at first sight. I wonder if fate will allow us to taste it today?"
"A shame, truly a shame." Saint Six scratched his nose and smiled wryly. "My Flower Intoxication is nothing more than a crude doodle. It can't be presented in polite company."
The Celestial Dew Fairy also covered her mouth and laughed softly. "Siliu, you're trying to embarrass my dear Six, aren't you? That won't do — Flower Intoxication is for my lips alone. Outsiders shouldn't even dream of it."
As she spoke, her brow was suffused with pride and coquettish charm.
Beside her, the Gu Immortal Saint Six gazed at the Celestial Dew Fairy with deep affection, their hands clasped together beneath the stone table.
Qiao Siliu let out a wistful sigh. "Alas, I wonder in what year or month I'll meet someone who will brew a tea just for me."
Her soft murmur carried a note of confusion and longing.
At that moment, moonlight poured down like water, filtering into the pavilion.
A beauty beneath the moon, sighing softly — truly a sight that stirred protective hearts.
Luo Muzi and Lun Fei both felt a surge of warmth in their chests. Luo Muzi immediately rose to his feet. "Fairy Siliu, I happen to have a tea called Nine-Return Fragrance. It is my own creation, and on this fine evening amid such beautiful scenery, I humbly offer it to the Fairy."
Lun Fei was unwilling to fall behind. "I too have come prepared. This is the Two Polarity Tea — Yin and Yang, distinct and unmistakable. I invite the Fairy to sample it."
Both of these Gu Immortals presented their tea exclusively to Qiao Siliu, just as Qiao Siliu had earlier presented her tea exclusively to Fang Yuan.
Qiao Siliu took a sip of each and smiled. "Nine-Return Fragrance — the name is perfectly apt. Upon entering the throat, the fragrance lingers at the tip of the tongue. Savoring it carefully, one detects no fewer than nine peaks of richness. Truly remarkable."
"Haha, I hardly deserve such praise from the Fairy." Luo Muzi laughed heartily, his earlier deflation swept away as he beamed with genuine delight.
Qiao Siliu then turned to Lun Fei. "As for the Two Polarity Tea, though it is not an original creation, Siliu has heard that the art of brewing it has three levels of mastery. The first is chaos — Yin and Yang blended together without distinction. The second is where Yin and Yang become clearly separated. The third is where Yang exists within Yin and Yin exists within Yang, the two flowing seamlessly into one another. Brother Lun Fei's ability to bring this tea to the second level speaks to true skill. In all of the Southern Border, I'd wager fewer than ten people could manage the same. Truly worthy of your reputation as a Gu Immortal of the Food Path."
The teas, wines, and delicacies of this world were of course far from ordinary.
The methods of brewing tea were endlessly varied. The art of making tea was by no means as simple and shallow as pouring boiling water over leaves in a cup.
Every tea mentioned and discussed by the immortals tonight — Willow Swirl Tea, Nujiao Tea, Flower Intoxication, Nine-Return Fragrance, Two Polarity Tea — could be regarded as an incomplete Gu recipe.
And when such a Gu recipe was perfected, a Gu Immortal brewing tea might well produce a Gu Insect of the Food Path.
The Food Path was one of the many schools of the current era. Though it had never risen to great prominence, despite being highly important and possessing deep foundations for a revival, the legacies left behind in the world had always been scarce due to historical reasons.
"So Lun Fei is actually a Gu Immortal who primarily cultivates the Food Path?" Fang Yuan studied Lun Fei with a measuring glance, a flicker of surprise passing through his mind.
"What is this Lun Fei's background? I possess many Immortal Gu — if I could obtain his Food Path legacy, it might prove immensely helpful." A seed of malice took root in Fang Yuan's heart.
When a man harbors intentions of harming a tiger, the tiger harbors designs on the man.
Fang Yuan felt genuinely tempted.
His current strength had already reached the level of being among the top few. After activating the Reverse Flow Protective Seal, though his offensive capability still fell slightly short, he could stand on equal footing with Feng Jiuge.
"First, I should investigate Lun Fei's background and see whether I can make a move."
"If I do act, the identity of Wu Yihai absolutely must not be implicated."
Using the identity of Wu Yihai, Fang Yuan certainly could not openly kill Lun Fei. As a Righteous Path Gu Immortal, he could not engage in Demonic Path acts.
A super force was indeed far more powerful than any wandering Immortal. But generally speaking, such forces did not lightly offend any Gu Immortal.
The Wu Family was no exception.