Chapter 562: Proper Tea
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This time it wasn't some strange tea that made you fall in love with Shiyu after drinking it. This was proper tea—after drinking it, you'd simply think it tasted good.
But even now, Cangjue scrutinized it meticulously several times over. Only then did he tentatively take a tiny sip, immediately turning inward to inspect himself for any changes…
"Um, Shiyao and the others aren't here. Yulan went out to play too. Only Miao Miao and I are left in Lingxian Hall."
Su Cheng explained as he lifted the teacup for a sip, then turned to discuss serious matters with Cangjue.
"Whoa… this really is proper tea."
Su Cheng curled his lip. "What else would it be?"
"Tsk tsk tsk. If I'd known it was proper tea, I wouldn't have come." Cangjue slowly set down the cup, rolled her eyes, and muttered under her breath…
Su Cheng felt a bit helpless—after all, Cangjue was just venting to her.
And so, Su Cheng briefly shared her thoughts with Cangjue. In essence, she wanted to organize an unprecedented grand martial arts competition for cultivators.
Both sect disciples and independent cultivators could participate.
Preliminary rounds would be held in each province, with top-ranked participants advancing to the Four Domains competition. The victors of the Four Domains would then face off at Lingxian Mountain to determine the ultimate champion.
Cangjue understood all this—after all, she merely looked like a child.
What piqued Cangjue's curiosity, however, was: "What's in it for you?"
Clearly, Su Cheng hadn't anticipated Cangjue's question and paused in surprise.
"There's no benefit whatsoever. Isn't that obvious?"
Cangjue pondered this for a while, pouring herself another cup of tea.
Based on Cangjue's understanding of Su Cheng, he wouldn't do something that required effort without any reward. If he was acting this way, there must be a reason.
"Is it something I'm not allowed to know?"
Cang Jue's expression remained impassive, as if he had accepted his own position—a look of displeasure masked by a façade of indifference.
But the pretense was unconvincing. Su Cheng saw right through it.
"From now on, the emergence of death zones will become routine. Even though the Four Realms and the Immortal Alliance have shown signs of improvement, it's still far from enough."
"My disciples are not what they once were either. They are all…"
Cang Jue nodded. There was no need to spell it out; she wasn't stupid.
"Then why not have the young ladies handle it directly? Given their status in the Four Realms, wouldn't such matters be more suited to them?"
"I have not informed them of this matter. They are currently in a critical phase of cultivation, and I have strictly forbidden them from interfering in external affairs."
"Besides, I believe a master has duties befitting a master, and a disciple has duties befitting a disciple."
"As their master, I need only fulfill my role—creating momentum. Qinghan and the others are sharper than monkeys; they surely don’t need my reminders."
"If they can't even discern the current situation and need me to micromanage everything, I'd be left with nothing to show for my efforts. What's the point of all this hassle then?"
Cangjue seemed to have an epiphany. She truly hadn't expected this Su Cheng, who appeared idle all day and acted on every whim…
But then again, Su Cheng had truly gone to great lengths for this group of precious disciples.
"Heh, but at the end of the day, isn't it all for the sake of those young ladies?"
Su Cheng sneered dismissively, his lips curling in disdain.
"Naturally. If not for them, what does this world matter to me?"
Cang Jue didn't respond, merely smiling along with Su Cheng.
This time, Su Cheng clearly failed to discern Cang Jue's inner thoughts. To Su Cheng, it seemed perfectly normal—even an expected remark—yet it left Cang Jue feeling hollow inside.
It has nothing to do with him…
Cangjue desperately wanted to retort, What about her?
But as Xiao Ai had once said, many words required a certain standing to be spoken.
Her? She was just an unlucky fool. She wasn't as persistent as Yu Lan, nor as fortunate as the other young ladies.
"Su Cheng?"
"Hm?"
"Nothing."
Cangjue thoughtfully lifted his teacup and drained it in one gulp before pouring another. He then stared blankly at the cup.
"You think there's a problem?" Seeing Cangjue remain silent for so long without giving an answer, Su Cheng couldn't help but speak up.
Cang Jue sneered inwardly. A problem?
How could there possibly be a problem?
"No problem. I'll contact the Four Domains later and have them prepare the publicity and arrangements."
Cang Jue agreed readily, for Su Cheng's plan was already well-developed.
Su Cheng had even meticulously planned the specific competition events for each province and county, ensuring every participating cultivator could showcase their strengths to the fullest.
Naturally, this was also to select suitable candidates for the four disciples.
But Cangjue hoped Su Cheng would keep her in mind too.
Rather than wishing her gone the moment she became unnecessary…
Su Cheng had always been like this. Cangjue felt that as an elder of Lingxian Hall, she deserved at least the same consideration as Yulan, didn't she?
Su Cheng certainly didn't treat Yu Lan the way he treated her. While she admitted she couldn't emulate Yu Lan's temperament, still…
She just felt it was unfair. She hoped the man before her could carve out a little space for her in his heart too.
Hiss… Wait…
Why is it so hot?
Just as Cangjue was lost in her thoughts, something felt off!
Cangjue looked at Su Cheng in utter bewilderment, then glanced at the teacup in his hand.
"Su Cheng!"
"Hm?"
"You bastard!"
Su Cheng sat across from him, smiling as he watched Cang Jue glare at him, his face already flushed.
"Weren't you just complaining about the tea? I took the liberty of switching it to your usual favorite."
This wasn't some strange case of developing a taste for Shiyáo Tea after drinking it. Su Cheng had exchanged it for in the system.
As the saying goes, anything produced by the system is bound to be top-notch!
Compared to the powder Xiao Ai had concocted herself, the potency of Su Cheng’s concoction was clearly several times stronger than before. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken effect so quickly. Before they could exchange two sentences, Cang Jue was already nearly incapacitated!
"Su Cheng, you drugged me again!"
Su Cheng watched Cangjue's adorable expression—furious yet on the verge of collapse—and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. How utterly delightful!
It was like Yulan and her pink handcuffs, Qinghan and the Fallen Immortal Ruler, Cangjue and his bizarre medicinal powder—they were a perfect match~
Su Cheng had clearly figured out Cangjue's user manual!
"You know what? Qinghan secretly calls you 'Medicine-Thief Elder' behind your back. I think she's right~"
Cangjue was already a bit out of it now. She staggered to her feet, her small hands clutching the table tightly while her little legs were pressed together. Her gaze was hazy, yet it seemed like she was secretly sending him flirtatious glances!
"Su Cheng, you're such a rotten bastard!"
"It's not like this is news to you. So what are you going to do about it?"
Cangjue gritted her silver teeth, her pretty face now a whirlpool of seething hatred mixed with insincerity, stirred with a hint of reluctant invitation and hypocrisy. This little expression… Su Cheng loved it~
The two elders clearly knew how to stir up the atmosphere better than their disciples. Compared to Yu Lan's sullen expression, Cang Jue's was no less captivating, making one want to tease her mercilessly~
Her tiny fist shot out, raised high, but instead of landing a heavy blow, it grabbed Su Cheng's collar with a sudden, tight grip…
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