99: Wudao Tea, Yundao Ancient Tea Branches

The two then chatted about the recent situations of other survivors and their experiences on Guiyuan Island.

Liu Qing霜's words were full of praise for Lin Feng's performance in desperate situations, repeatedly mentioning his life-saving grace.

After three rounds of tea, Liu Qing霜 seemed to hesitate, but finally, as if she had made up her mind, she whispered a few words to the maid standing by her side.

The maid respectfully withdrew, and a moment later, she returned holding an exquisite jade box, carved entirely from warm white jade and covered with Restriction runes.

Liu Qing霜 took the jade box, her expression becoming extremely solemn.

She carefully opened the lid of the box.

In an instant, a fragrance far richer and more profound than the previous 'Qingxin Bamboo Leaf Green' permeated the air!

This aroma seemed to penetrate directly into the Soul, making one feel clear-headed and free of distracting thoughts upon smelling it, as if their Divine Sense had been washed by warm spring water, bringing waves of comfort!

Inside the jade box were not tea leaves, but three peculiar tree leaves, each the size of a baby's palm, entirely a warm jade color, with clear veins like Dao marks, and edges adorned with natural golden patterns!

A faint misty spiritual aura enveloped the leaves, indicating at a glance that they were extraordinary!

"This is..." Lin Feng's eyes narrowed, sensing an extremely subtle, eager fluctuation from the Divine Ability Fruit Tree in his Sea of Consciousness!

The spirituality and Dao Concept contained within these leaves far surpassed ordinary spiritual plants!

"This is 'Enlightenment Tea Leaf' produced by a 'High Grade Tier 2 Dao-Infused Ancient Tea Tree,' a treasure passed down in my Liu Family for nearly a thousand years and regarded as our Family's most prized possession!" Liu Qing霜's voice carried immense reverence, "This tree ripens once every three hundred years, producing only nine leaves each time!

This tea contains a trace of the Dao Concept of heaven and earth, and has incredible miraculous effects on Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion Cultivators for refining Divine Sense, purifying the Dao Heart, and breaking through cultivation bottlenecks and barriers!

Even Golden Core Seniors can gain something from drinking it!"

She carefully picked up one tea leaf and placed it into a specially made purple clay pot, brewing it with spiritual spring water.

A strange phenomenon occurred!

The jade-colored tea leaf slowly unfurled in the pot, actually emitting a soft Dao Concept halo, and the tea water in the pot gradually turned into a warm amber-gold color, with an exotic fragrance assailing the nose and refreshing the mind!

"Fellow Daoist Lin's life-saving grace is something I cannot repay.

This tea is a small token of my appreciation; please, Fellow Daoist, be sure to taste it!" Liu Qing霜 personally poured a cup for Lin Feng.

The amber-colored tea soup gently swirled in the jade cup, its exotic fragrance lingering.

Lin Feng picked up the cup, feeling a warm and profound Dao Concept aura wash over him.

He took a light sip.

Boom!

An indescribably clear current instantly surged into his limbs and bones!

This clear current was not spiritual Qi, but an energy imbued with profound Concept!

It rushed directly into his Sea of Consciousness; Lin Feng felt as if his Divine Soul was immersed in a warm immortal spring, so comfortable he almost groaned aloud!

Some obscure and difficult-to-understand points in his past cultivation now had a sense of clarity, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun!

His Divine Sense seemed to be gently combed and refined by an invisible great hand, becoming more condensed and sharper!

The hint of sharpness brought by the passive [Demon Slayer] also seemed to be soothed and settled by this Dao Concept, integrating more perfectly with his own being!

Just one sip, and the effect was so remarkable!

This Enlightenment Tea truly lives up to its reputation!

"Good tea! Truly extraordinary!" Lin Feng put down the teacup, praising sincerely, his eyes gleaming.

The sense of longing from the Divine Ability Fruit Tree in his Sea of Consciousness grew even stronger!

He looked at the remaining two Enlightenment Tea Leaves in the jade box, and a bold idea suddenly arose!

"Daoist Friend Liu," Lin Feng put down his teacup, looking at Liu Qing霜 with burning eyes, his tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity, "The miraculous effect of this tea, I, Lin, am truly amazed.

For the life-saving grace, Fellow Daoist has already expressed gratitude with tea, so there's no need to mention it again.

However... I, Lin, have an impertinent request, and I hope Fellow Daoist can grant it!"

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please speak freely." Liu Qing霜 saw his solemn expression and sat up straight as well.

"I, Lin, have a slight interest in the Dao of spiritual plants." Lin Feng carefully chose his words, "I wonder... could your Family spare a fresh tender branch or side bud from that Dao-Infused Ancient Tea Tree for me?

I, Lin, am willing to exchange it for a large sum of money or equivalent treasures!" He knew how precious such branches from a Family's most prized possession were, and directly stated his willingness to pay a huge price.

"A branch?" Liu Qing霜 frowned upon hearing this, her Face revealing an extremely difficult expression.

She was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Fellow Daoist Lin, you may not know, but this tea tree is an Earthly Spiritual Root, and its nature is extremely 'proud.'

Not to mention a branch, even plucking the tea leaves requires a specific time, by a Family member of a specific Bloodline, using a secret method; otherwise, it will damage the Spiritual Root's Origin, or even cause it to wither!

Taking a branch... is almost equivalent to severing its Foundation, the risk is too great!

The Family's ancestral teachings strictly forbid rash actions!

Even the Elders of the Family who wished to take branches for propagation to cultivate new plants have only succeeded once in a thousand years, and that cost a huge price, and that new plant is still only quasi-Tier 2..."

She looked at the unextinguished longing in Lin Feng's eyes, thought of his resolute back when he lured away the demonic beasts that day, and considered this weighty life-saving grace, her heart warring within her.

Finally, she bit her lower lip, as if having made a tremendous decision:

"So be it! Rules are dead, but people are alive!

Fellow Daoist Lin's kindness to me and to the Liu Family is like a new beginning!

If not for Fellow Daoist, Qingshuang would have long since turned to dust, and the Family's Legacy would have suffered immense losses!

A branch, though precious, how can it compare to the grace of saving a life?"

She looked directly at Lin Feng, her gaze clear and firm: "Fellow Daoist Lin, I need to immediately send a message to inform my ancestor and father about this matter and explain the pros and cons.

But I can promise here that I will do my utmost to facilitate this!

If my ancestor agrees, Qingshuang will personally retrieve the branch for Fellow Daoist!

There's no need for Fellow Daoist to purchase it with heavy gold; consider it the Liu Family's gift of gratitude!"

Liu Qing霜's decisiveness and loyalty moved Lin Feng.

He solemnly clasped his fists: "Daoist Friend Liu's righteousness! I, Lin, will engrave it in my heart!

However, this item is too precious; I, Lin, absolutely cannot accept it for free.

Whether it succeeds or not, I, Lin, am willing to offer three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, plus a Vermillion Fruit." He gave a quote far exceeding the value of a Tier 2 spiritual plant branch, showing full sincerity.

"This..." Liu Qing霜 looked at Lin Feng's firm gaze, knowing his mind was made up, and no longer refused.

She smiled brightly: "Good! Then Qingshuang will, on behalf of the Family, shamelessly accept it.

I will transmit a message to my ancestor right away!"

She took out a specially made communication jade talisman, infused it with several Divine Thoughts, explaining Lin Feng's request and promise in detail, and the jade talisman transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the sky.

The waiting time for a reply was not long.

Approximately half an hour later, a jade talisman of the same form broke through the air and landed in Liu Qing霜's hand.

She probed it with her Divine Sense, and a moment later, a relieved smile appeared on her Face as she nodded to Lin Feng: "My ancestor's reply: Granted!

In gratitude for Fellow Daoist Lin's great kindness, this branch is a gift!

May Fellow Daoist make good use of it!"

Liu Qing霜 immediately got up and led Lin Feng to a quiet room deep within the small courtyard, protected by layers of Restrictions.

In the center of the quiet room was not the tea tree itself, but a complex and profound miniature teleportation array.

Liu Qing霜 took out several Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and embedded them into the array's eyes, then cast several magical incantations.

Buzz!

The teleportation array lit up, and space subtly warped.

A flash of light appeared in the array, and a jade box, about a foot long, materialized out of thin air.

As soon as the box appeared, a rich and pure life aura and a faint scent of Enlightenment Tea permeated the air, clearly indicating that the item inside had been preserved by special means, its vitality still intact.

Liu Qing霜 carefully held up the jade box and opened a slit.

Inside the box, laid upon moist spiritual soil, was a tea tree branch about three inches long, entirely emerald green like jade, with two curled tender leaves and a plump bud at its tip, lying quietly, exuding vigorous vitality and a profound Dao Concept aura!

"Fellow Daoist Lin, I have not failed in my mission!" Liu Qing霜 solemnly handed the jade box to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng suppressed the excitement in his heart and took the jade box with both hands.

It felt warm to the touch, and the surging life aura and Dao Concept caused the Divine Ability Fruit Tree in his Sea of Consciousness to subtly sway!

He could clearly feel that the spiritual Origin contained within this branch far surpassed ordinary Tier 2 spiritual plants!

"Thank you, Daoist Friend Liu! Thank you, Liu Family Senior, for your generous gift!" Lin Feng bowed deeply.

He unhesitatingly took out a Storage Pouch, prepared beforehand and containing three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, as well as a blank jade tablet engraved with his Divine Sense imprint, and handed them to Liu Qing霜: "The Spirit Stones are here.

Please keep this jade tablet, Fellow Daoist.

Should the Liu Family ever need my service in the future, as long as it does not go against my Dao Heart and righteousness, no matter how far away, send a message with this tablet, and I, Lin, will surely come!

Three promises are valid!"

Liu Qing霜 took the Spirit Stones and the jade tablet, her heart also filled with emotion.

This transaction, while seemingly costing the Liu Family a rare branch, forged a deep friendship with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator of immense potential and integrity, and secured three concrete promises.

In the long run, its value was immeasurable.

With the jade box put away, Lin Feng was in a great mood.

Liu Qing霜 then invited him to taste some of the Liu Family's secretly made spiritual fruits and pastries, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

At this moment, Liu Qing霜's beautiful eyes swirled, looking at Lin Feng with a hint of expectation: "Fellow Daoist Lin, with the demonic tide surging and the beast plague imminent, the situation is unstable.

Although my Liu Family is not a top-tier great Family, under the protection of the Hundred Grass Sect, we have some Foundation on Guiyuan Island and several nearby islands.

The Family is currently in need of talent, especially individuals like Fellow Daoist Lin, who are powerful and possess a resilient Heart-Nature, to hold down the fort.

I wonder... would Fellow Daoist Lin be willing to condescend and serve as a Guest Elder of my Liu Family?

The offerings and treatment will surely not disappoint Fellow Daoist!"

Guest Elder?

Lin Feng was slightly startled.

This invitation was unexpected, yet also reasonable.

The Liu Family clearly intended to thoroughly bind him, their "benefactor" and "potential stock," to their cause.

He pondered for a moment, then showed an apologetic smile and politely declined: "Daoist Friend Liu and the Liu Family's kindness, I, Lin, appreciate it.

However... I, Lin, am accustomed to a carefree life, always acting alone, and cannot tolerate too many Restrictions.

Furthermore, I already have a place in mind for secluded cultivation; I wish to find a quiet place to enter closed-door cultivation, to sort out what I have gained from this experience, and to refine my cultivation.

The position of Guest Elder carries great responsibility, and I fear I may not be up to the task, which would inadvertently delay the Liu Family's affairs."

The refusal was clear and direct, but the tone was sincere, giving the Liu Family sufficient Face.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Liu Qing霜's eyes, but she quickly let it go.

Given the Heart-Nature and potential Lin Feng had displayed, he indeed did not seem like someone who would easily attach himself to a particular Family.

She smiled freely: "It was Qingshuang who was presumptuous.

Everyone has their own aspirations; how could I force it?

Fellow Daoist Lin's place of secluded cultivation must be a paradise.

I only hope that when Fellow Daoist achieves Major Achievement in his Divine Ability and passes by Guiyuan Island someday, you won't forget to visit Liu Lu and enjoy another cup of clear tea."

"Certainly!" Lin Feng agreed with a smile.