Rain poured.
Everyone in the Sect was gathered in the little pavilion beside the Water Pool.
Chen Baiqing brewed tea, while Li Yingling managed a few simple plucks of the zither. There was the beginnings of a refined atmosphere.
Like Chu Xingchen, Li Xingtian knew nothing about appreciating tea. He merely took a small sip, then nodded solemnly.
The idea was to look as though he was savoring it, more or less. After all, having followed his master for so long, he ought to have picked up at least a smattering.
Lin Luoyu was much more straightforward. She made no attempt to hide that she had no idea what she was drinking.
Only Cui Hao truly understood tea. Even the way he drank it was entirely different.
He finished his tea in three sips, pausing after each one, closing his eyes to savor it before slowly nodding. Finally, he praised:
"Third Senior Sister, you've grasped this tea's character with exquisite finesse, and your handling of the water was just right. This tea wasn't top-grade to begin with, but paired with your tea-making skills, it's even more enjoyable than top-grade tea."
Chen Baiqing nodded calmly, acknowledging Cui Hao's flattery.
She lifted the teapot and topped up her master's cup.
She had brewed this tea for her master. Fifth Junior Brother was merely getting some on the side.
At her fifth junior brother's misdirected flattery, Lin Luoyu let out a faint, barely audible mocking laugh.
It was quiet, but to Cui Hao-it was grating!
Zhang Yuanshan was also in the pavilion. Over these past days, he had almost fully recovered, and during that time, he had come to understand why Brother Li was so deeply attached to his master.
Rather, in a Sect like this, with a master like this, it would