338: Chapter 338 Tea Ceremony

The shadows of the artificial rockery shifted slightly, and a slender figure stepped out, walking into the cold moonlight.

Her long, silky hair cascaded down her back, adorned with a few delicate white flower accessories.

Her soft, pink lips were pursed, her eyes clear and gentle, and her skin was fair and delicate. She seemed to have applied light makeup, adding a touch of allure to her naturally serene and gentle aura.

She wore a moon-white dress with light purple intertwined branch patterns, cinched at the waist, and an outer layer of light gauze with wide sleeves in the same color scheme.

The dress fabric was smooth and draped well, fitting tightly against her upper body, outlining the full, rounded curves of her chest.

The wide gauze sleeves fluttered, and her slim waist was tightly bound by a wide cyan silk ribbon, which suddenly extended downwards to reveal full, rounded, and plump buttocks, perfect like a ripe peach.

The hem of the long dress fell to her ankles, covering everything completely without a hint of exposure, but the tight-fitting dress and the curvaceous figure underneath invited endless imagination.

Baili Qiao's gaze swept over Yu Lingling's nearly vacuum-like sleeping robe and Nangong Mei's boldly slit qipao, then glanced quickly at Ling Hao before lowering her eyes, her long lashes masking the emotions in her gaze, as she said uneasily:

"I heard Sister Mei say she was going to Fusang Province, so I came over..."

Yu Lingling and Nangong Mei exchanged a glance. Although there was doubt in their eyes, seeing Baili Qiao dressed so modestly and conservatively, so unlike them, their misgivings were largely dispelled.

Ling Hao's lips curled slightly, though he did not expose her. In truth, when it came to who had been hiding there the longest, it was Baili Qiao who had hesitated behind the rockery for a long time. He had sensed her while he was Cultivating, but he did not know what she was hesitating about, and since she never appeared, Yu Lingling had taken the first step.

Ling Hao scanned the three women and said solemnly:

"Regarding the matter of taking revenge on the Golden Crow Holy Land, there is no need to be so anxious. I have already discussed this with Ling Shuang and Linglong. The threat of the Niding Alliance in Cangwu Province has been basically cleared. Once the disturbance of the True Demon Realm is completely resolved, I will personally set out with you all to Fusang Province."

One reason was Fusang Province, the second was the trip to the East Sea.

"Although you have all reached the Body Integration Stage and are about to achieve a Breakthrough to the Void Refinement Stage, possessing formidable strength, you are still insufficient when facing a behemoth like the Golden Crow Holy Land. I absolutely do not wish to see any of you take risks or get hurt because of this, and losing any one of you..."

Ling Hao said, enunciating each word,

"I could not accept it."

Yu Lingling, Nangong Mei, and Baili Qiao could all feel the heavy sincerity in Ling Hao's words, and their hearts warmed.

"Therefore, the most important thing for you right now is to focus on your Cultivation, improve your cultivation level, and, ahem... increase your strength."

At this point, Ling Hao's burning gaze swept over the three beauties of different styles, carrying a hint of a smile,

"I remember that you three have always liked to gather together to taste tea and discuss the Dao. I am also somewhat proficient in the Tea Dao. On such a beautiful night with such scenery, why don't we... have a tea party under the moon?"

Feeling Ling Hao's tangible gaze, Baili Qiao was the first to be unable to withstand it. She looked at Yu Lingling and Nangong Mei, and said in a low voice:

"Sect... Sect Master, I remembered I have some administrative matters that need urgent attention, I shall take my leave first."

After speaking, she turned and left, almost as if fleeing.

Seeing this, Nangong Mei's lips curved into a knowing smile, and she also rose gracefully, saying to Ling Hao:

"The Sect Master has refined tastes, but I just remembered a matter that remains unfinished, so I will not disturb you and Ling Ling as you enjoy your tea."

She glanced meaningfully at Yu Lingling, who was sitting quietly in Ling Hao's arms, and then turned and left gracefully.

Ling Hao watched their rapidly disappearing backs, a trace of regret flashing in his eyes.

Honestly, he felt that with his tea-making skills, handling all three would have... not been impossible. Losing those two made the tea party lose much of its color.

But there would always be opportunities...

In the courtyard, only Ling Hao and Yu Lingling in his arms remained.

Ling Hao looked down at her:

"They both had matters to attend to and left. With only the two of us left, this tea... do you still wish to taste it, Ling Ling?"

Yu Lingling's cheeks flushed crimson. Meeting his gaze, she hesitated for a moment, then gathered her courage and said firmly:

"Yes!"

She turned slightly, with her back to Ling Hao, and carefully lifted the hem of her already short and tight silk sleeping robe, sitting firmly on his lap again.

Ling Hao's arm naturally wrapped around her slender waist, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe, as he said in a low voice:

"Good. Since Qiaoqiao and the others are busy, then tonight, this full courtyard of moonlight belongs only to you, Ling Ling."

Wrapped in that thick masculine aura, Yu Lingling felt her whole body go soft, almost melting into his arms, and could only respond in a low voice:

"Mm..."

"Come, let's drink the first cup, Broken Armor Red Plum."

Ling Hao held her firmly with one arm, while his other hand operated the tea set with fluid grace. Soon, a cup of tea with a bright red color and swirling steam was prepared.

Ling Hao lifted it up, gently bringing the tea to Yu Lingling's delicate lips, and said softly.

"Come, open your mouth, I will feed you."

"... Okay."

Yu Lingling's heart pounded like a drum. She obeyed and gently sat up, slightly parting her cherry lips.

A stream of scalding hot liquid instantly rushed in.

"Cough... Mmph..."

Yu Lingling's body shuddered violently, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Ling Hao asked in a low voice.

Yu Lingling's small face was burning, and a trace of pain flashed in her eyes:

"It's... it's nothing, it's just... a bit hot, a bit... painful."

Ling Hao put down the teacup, kissed her temple soothingly, and said in a gentle voice:

"I apologize, I was too impatient. This first time, it was indeed a bit hot. No matter, the beautiful night is long; we shall... slowly savor this tea."

After speaking, Ling Hao acted again.

"I am preparing to brew the second cup, a bit warmer."

"Mm."

...

"Is it still hot?"

Yu Lingling's face was burning, and she shook her head:

"No... it's not hot anymore."

"That is good. Next, you can... enjoy it slowly on your own."

Ling Hao placed his hands firmly on her waist, feeling the warmth and slight trembling of the delicate body in his arms. His gaze swept over the other cups of fragrant tea already prepared on the stone table,

"I have many more good teas here waiting for you to taste one by one. For instance, the richness of Red Robe Longjing, the elegant aftertaste of Rain Flower Dew, the sweet aftertaste of Lock Palace Spring and Autumn..."

Yu Lingling obeyed, reached out to take a cup, and drank it all in one gulp.

Having been sitting for a long time, Ling Hao felt a bit numb, so he moved his body unconsciously. For a moment, it made Yu Lingling, who was drinking tea, unable to hold herself steady. A small amount of warm tea flowed along the corner of her slightly parted mouth, sliding down her fair neck and disappearing deep into her slightly open collar.

"Gulp... Mmph..."

"Good... tea..."

...

Time passed, and the moon had quietly slid past the zenith and was sinking to the west.

"Bang...!"

"Bang...!"

The table suddenly vibrated, and two empty cups were accidentally swept off, creating a crisp shattering sound, and the splashed tea spilled all over Yu Lingling.

"Ah! Hot! The tea..."

Yu Lingling jumped, standing up abruptly from Ling Hao's lap. The delicate strap of her high-heeled sandals on her left foot slipped off due to her panic.

Under the moonlight, her light cyan silk sleeping robe was wet from her chest to her thighs, clinging tightly to her skin.

The tea flowed slowly down her long, slender thighs, soaking her already thin, sheer stockings, making them cling even tighter and revealing the flesh-colored skin underneath. Water droplets even dripped onto her remaining right high-heeled shoe, leaving dark water stains that gleamed ambiguously in the moonlight.

"I apologize, it's all my fault for being careless."

The flush on Yu Lingling's face had not yet faded, and she turned her head slightly, looking weak.

"It is fine."

Ling Hao said in a gentle voice.

He stood up, gently picked up the weak-limbed Yu Lingling, and carefully placed her on the clean stone stool nearby.

"Let me help you wipe it off."

As he spoke, Ling Hao naturally took hold of her right ankle, which was stained with tea.

Touching it, it was warm, soft, and smooth. The petite jade foot seemed to still be trembling and curling slightly, perhaps because it had been scalded badly just now.

Ling Hao gently removed the soaked stocking, revealing the jade-white sole of her foot.

Taking out a plain handkerchief, Ling Hao carefully wiped away the water stains, treating every part with tenderness, from her rounded toes to her slightly arched instep.

While wiping, he asked gently: "Tonight, Ling Ling, you have tasted so much of my tea. How do you feel... the taste is?"

Yu Lingling looked at him, a dignified Mahayana Supreme, now doing such a meticulous thing for her, and her heart was filled with sweetness. Even though a simple cleansing spell could have solved it, he treated it with such care.

She reminisced about the tea tasting just now, the blush on her face deepening, and whispered:

"The first taste of the Broken Armor Red Plum was too intense; the Rain Flower Dew had an elegant fragrance and a lingering aftertaste; the Heavy Tea fragrance... was rich and domineering, but compared to the others, it was short-lived; as for the final Remnant Snow Chant... it was sweet and crisp, the most... unforgettable."

Ling Hao's fingertips gently caressed the smooth skin of her foot, feeling its delicacy and smoothness, and he chuckled:

"The beauty of the Tea Dao lies in calming the mind and realizing the truth, which can wash away dust and worries, leaving one refreshed and clear-headed. It is also... of great benefit to Cultivation."

Ling Hao raised his eyes, smiling at her,

"In the future, if you wish to taste the true flavor within it again, you may come to find me at any time."

"... Mm."

Yu Lingling replied softly, her eyes filled with affection.

She had tasted countless spirit teas and immortal brews alone or with the two Elders, Nangong and Baili, but never had one been as unforgettable as tonight.

This special tea party not only allowed her to taste the most exquisite flavors in the world but also brought her heart and the heart of the person before her closer together with every sip.

...

On a cliff outside the courtyard, Baili Qiao and Nangong Mei stood quietly.