D-839

Would anyone be interested in joining the CTS discord server where any readers interested in the story can get to interact with one another? I'm kinda thinking of setting up a discord for my lovely readers but I don't really know how to, any advices?

Chapter 52 - Enlightenment Tea (3)

…

As the Enlightenment Tea was boiling, Xia Qiu used her index finger to poke Li Qu at the side of his shoulders to gain his attention.

“Hey, hey, Young Master Li!”

Li Qu turned around and raised a single eyebrow inquisitively, expressing that his attention was successfully captured.

“Speak.”

“Take a look at this photo! My followers and friends are asking for the link to your social media handle!”

She conveyed the thoughts of her followers and hinted at him.

“So what?”

Li Qu stared at her with deadpan eyes, no apparent interest was seen on his face. However, this made him think back to the Sudden Mission that was issued and as such– he asked the System.

‘System, the Sudden Mission– have I completed it or not?’

[Host, it has been automatically completed and the relevant reward has been allocated accordingly.]

Li Qu put his finger on his chin and summoned the interface to take a quick look.

‘Show me my stats.’

[Displaying Stats]

[Host: Li Qu – Personal Information

Name: Li Qu

Race: Immortal

Cultivation: Initial-Stage Void Immortal Realm (10.34% towards Immortal King Realm)

Location: Hua Town 5th Street, New Yolk, Mei Country, Celestial Teahouse

Inventory: ID Card, Satellite Phone, Jade Agarwood In…

Tea Invented: Gold Spirit Tea

100:1 Mini Pocket Realm Hours Accumulated: 798 Hours (Can be shared)

Employees: Xia Qiu

.… Advanced information is locked. Please work hard!]

‘10% increase, back then it would have probably taken a few thousand years for that… Although I could feel the slight increase in my cultivation– it is better to just make sure.’

Li Qu thought with a hint of curiosity at how easily the System could boost his cultivation, but figured that it would not give him any answers and shortly stopped his train of thought from moving too far– but it was interrupted by movements from a slender white hand in front of him.

“Hello~ Xia Qiu on Earth to Young Master Li on Mars! I’m talking to you– you’re always spacing out!”

Xia Qiu waved her hands in front of Li Qu and tried to communicate with him while he was in his own world of thoughts, to which he sighed in annoyance and replied.

“Sigh– what is it, lass? I hold no interest in those fame-seeking applications.”

“I know what you mean– even so, have you ever thought of creating an account for your teahouse? That’s what those food businesses have been doing lately to attract customers! I heard that fatso say you’re attending a photoshoot as well? Isn’t that perfect?!”

Xia Qiu suggested to him an idea that seemed feasible; he frowned as she had a point and gave it some consideration while muttering.

“For my Celestial Teahouse? Hmmm, might as well– since my Fish Mania needed a social media account to bind it, I would not want to lose it by accident in any case.”

Her eyes lit up when she heard him coming to his own conclusion and laughed with triumph.

“Hahaha! I’ve successfully convinced a powerful expert to heed my advice– take that, haters! Young Master Li, I’ll help you set-up an account right now!”

“My teahouse– not me.”

Li Qu corrected her in case she was trying to be sneaky.

“Hehe. Yes, yes.”

Xia Qiu giggled at him acting so cautious against her while she tapped away on her phone– registering an email address for him and creating a FaceJournal account.

“There, all set! I’ll go outside real quick to snap a photo of the entrance and upload it as your profile picture~”

She whistled happily and skipped towards the entrance without even waiting for Li Qu’s consent. When she was outside– she positioned the camera properly and took a few shots of the prestigious-looking teahouse from different angles and went back after a good few minutes.

She declared her arrival as soon as she was back and was surprised when she saw the sweat building up on Li Qu’s forehead.

“I’m back! What are you do– Wow! THE Young Master Li is sweating?! I must take a photo to commemorate it!”

Snap, snap!

Like a professional photographer, she snapped several shots and asked Li Qu after he did not respond.

“Need any help~?”

“I need help– quickly! What has a ring but no finger?”

Li Qu expressed his need for help, seemingly urgent as Xia Qiu thought quickly.

“Um, Um– a phone!”

“My answer is– a phone...”

Voooom!

Li Qu repeated after Xia Qiu in a tense state– instantly after the answer was given, the glow from the pot containing Enlightenment Leaves died down and emitted a bright silver luster, soon– the System issued a list of notifications.

[6th Mission: Successfully brew a pot of Enlightenment Tea! 1/1]

[Mission Reward: Enlightenment Tea will be added to the menu. Cost - 10 Bio-Cores per pot.]

Li Qu heaved a sigh of relief and muttered softly,

“...Am I really that bad at riddles? I simply cannot believe it.”

He recollected the scene two minutes ago– as soon as he used his Tea Heart to bring out the utmost potential of the Enlightenment Leaves, the consciousness sent a short riddle into his mind and the countdown started right away– exactly sixty seconds till they would eventually wither.

‘What has a ring but no fingers?’

“A man with no arms.”

‘...’

It was silent– no movements or reactions whatsoever appeared from the Enlightenment Leaves, signifying that it was an incorrect answer, Li Qu tried yet again.

“An armed man.”

‘...’

Time was ticking– each second was precious as Li Qu racked his brain to find a logical answer.

“An ox!”

‘...’

[Host, I should remind you that less than 20 seconds remain.]

Li Qu nearly cussed out when Xia Qiu walked back in the brewing room to save the day. In his perspective– she had the glow of a Saintess granting salvation to a lost lamb spreading around her.

He inwardly sighed and grumbled while carrying the pot of Enlightenment Tea and two cups in a tray– walking towards the dining area with Xia Qiu tailing closely behind him.

“Sigh– would I have to go through this every single time I want to brew a pot of those d*mnable Enlightenment Leaves…?”

“Hahaha, Young Master Li can’t solve a simple riddle! No wonder you said you needed my help, oh my– I can’t even!!!”

Xia Qiu clutched her stomach and laughed at Li Qu while walking behind him.

They proceeded to sit down at the table nearest to the brewing room. Li Qu ignored her for the time being and poured out the Enlightenment Tea into the two teacups.

Splosh!

Silvery glistening liquid flowed out from the spout and into the blue porcelain teacup as the aroma spread out. It mixed with the scent of the incense stick– giving off a wooden and clear refreshing scent.

“Ahem– it is not that I cannot solve it, I just gave you a chance to contribute.”

Li Qu used his hand to cover his mouth and made a fake coughing gesture while addressing her mockery with a disapproving look. He then took a sip of the Enlightenment Tea and let out a breath of comfort from the taste and effects of it.

‘Hmmm, this tea would probably be the key for an Ascended on Earth to break-through their bottlenecks and advance towards the next rank– the effects would most likely allow them to enhance their brain activity and comprehend a new route or method for assailing their limits.’

However, his thoughts were cut short from Xia Qiu doubting his ability to solve riddles and was faced with yet another adversity.

…