In the inner hall of the Manufacturing Facility, Su Xiao and Father sat facing each other across a round wooden table. The atmosphere seemed relaxed, but murderous intent lurked beneath the surface. The hall's door was open—a deliberate choice by Father, who was guarding against Su Xiao using the place as a barrier and turning it into a trap.
Barriers spread faster along walls and doors than through the air. Leaving the door open delayed the barrier's closure at the entrance by 0.2 to 0.3 seconds. To Father, that brief gap was enough.
Su Xiao poured a cup of maple tea and casually pushed it across the table. The steaming tea stopped in front of Father. In the past, Father would have picked it up and taken a sip, but today he merely gave a symbolic nod and did not even touch the cup.
Su Xiao did not look at Father. Instead, he calmly poured himself a cup. After taking a small sip, he looked suspiciously at Father and asked:
"Why not try it? Afraid I poisoned it?"
As he spoke, he took another small sip and comfortably exhaled a little steam.
"It's not that. My stomach has been bothering me lately."
Hearing a humanoid Ancient God say that was absurd, but Father remained composed, a trace of kindness in his eyes and brows.
"Is that so? Then you should have some hot tea. This is maple tea made by A' Mu. A' Mu is usually clumsy and cannot do many delicate tasks. Aside from tinkering with his antique clocks, he is only interested in making maple tea. Wasting this tea would be letting down his good intentions."
After speaking, Su Xiao drained his tea. Once he set down the cup, steam escaped his mouth. The inner hall was rather