Enlightenment Tea, Zhu Zhuqing's Progress

The midsummer weather was inexplicably stifling, leaving those who should have been asleep tossing and turning until they finally got up and quietly pushed open their doors.

The little grove was a good place. A cool breeze drifted through it, Soul Masters need not fear mosquito bites, and the chirping crickets provided a natural melody.

A slender, exquisite figure approached the grove with unease in her heart. Her deep eyes, glittering like stars, ignored the darkness as they spotted the hemispherical Cultivation Room deep within the woods.

Her long legs moved of their own accord, carrying her to the Cultivation Room's entrance. Her jade-like fingers lightly tapped the button on the door, and it opened automatically.

The room was as bright as day, and the air circulated naturally, stirring a strand of hair before the girl's forehead.

"Zhuqing!"

In the lounge area, another beautiful and adorable face appeared. Xiao Wu skipped over to Zhu Zhuqing's side, took her hand, and led her to the sofa in the lounge.

Tang San wore a gentle expression and nodded to Zhu Zhuqing. As expected, this was his future sister-in-law.

Zhu Zhuqing was somewhat taken aback, but she quickly understood. Yang Tian and the other two were so close that there was no way they would not know about this Cultivation Room.

I thought this was a secret between us... Zhu Zhuqing felt slightly disappointed, but soon composed herself.

Zhu Zhuqing sat beside Yang Tian. He smiled happily, picked up the teapot from the coffee table, and poured her a cup. "Want to try it?"

A trace of confusion flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's clear eyes. It was only tea—why was Yang Tian being so mysterious? Besides, ever since she had entered the Cultivation Room, Xiao Wu and Tang San had only greeted her before starting to drink tea. Every now and then, they even closed their eyes, looking as though they were meditating on their insights.

Rather than asking, Zhu Zhuqing lifted the teacup and took a sip. Her mind immediately became clear and empty, and every cultivation problem that had troubled her in the past was resolved at that moment. Even the rudiments of several Self-Created Soul Skills appeared in her mind.

When the lingering essence of that sip faded, Zhu Zhuqing came back to herself and saw Yang Tian resting his chin on one hand, staring fixedly at her chest, the corner of his mouth glistening...

Yang Tian looked up and met Zhu Zhuqing's gaze. A flicker of embarrassment vanished in an instant. He curled his lips, picked up the tea before him, drained it in one gulp, closed his eyes, and began to reflect.

"Rogue! Pervert!" Zhu Zhuqing scolded softly. She then glanced at her own proud twin peaks before staring blankly at Yang Tian's face for a moment. He looks so handsome when he's serious. Why does he insist on acting so flippant all day?

They drank tea and contemplated their insights.

The Cultivation Room was silent.

Only after the entire pot had been emptied did Yang Tian open the lid with some reluctance and glance at the lone tea leaf inside. "It still has some spiritual essence left. It can't go to waste. Tomorrow, I plan to have everyone cultivate in this room and brew another pot for them as a benefit. Otherwise, they'll say I'm playing favorites."

Seeing Yang Tian put on such a righteous expression while doing something so sly, Zhu Zhuqing could not help but laugh softly.

"Where did you get these tea leaves, Heavenly Brother?" Tang San finally could not suppress his curiosity and asked.

"Probably picked them up somewhere." Xiao Wu smiled innocently.

Yang Tian rubbed Xiao Wu's head, wearing an expression that said she was teachable. "Xiao Wu is so smart."

A trace of longing flashed deep in Tang San's eyes, but he did not ask further. He walked into the cultivation area and stomped hard on the floor. "This doesn't seem any different from outside, Heavenly Brother. I want to test my new Soul Skill—a Self-Created Soul Skill! If I damage this place, can it be repaired?"

Hearing that, Yang Tian immediately said, "You? If you can break even one corner of the floor, I'll give you an Enlightenment Tea Leaf." What a joke. This Cultivation Room had been prepared for Tragedy Tower. Even its weakest spot could withstand plenty of abuse from them.

Tang San crouched in the cultivation area and knocked around for a while before shaking his head helplessly. "What kind of material is this?"

Seeing Tang San act as though he had never seen the world, Xiao Wu immediately turned her little face away. In the end, unable to bear it any longer, she also walked into the cultivation area. "Xiao San, I also created a new Soul Skill. Want to give it a try?"

Tang San's eyes lit up. "Come on!"

The two began fighting as though no one else was present. Although neither used Soul Skills, their Self-Created Soul Skills were no weaker, and were even more practical than ordinary Soul Skills.

"Xiao Wu, watch out. Blue Silver Grass - Raging Python!"

"Hmph, Exploding Step!"

Blue Silver Grass as thick as the mouth of a bowl intertwined together, forming a massive python that roared as it lashed toward Xiao Wu like an enormous whip.

Yet Xiao Wu remained calm and fearless. Pink light suddenly burst beneath her feet, and her entire body shot out like a cannonball.

After dodging several times, Xiao Wu had already closed in on Tang San. Her long leg swept out, and a pink Soul Power leg shadow carrying considerable force swept toward him.

"Huh?" Tang San was surprised. Xiao Wu had clearly not yet reached a range where she could strike him, but her sweeping kick had condensed a solid wave of force, instantly extending her attack range by two or three times.

Moreover, the force of this attack was far stronger than if Xiao Wu had struck him directly with her leg.

A Self-Created Soul Skill? Tang San pursed his lips. The stronger Xiao Wu became, the happier he naturally was.

Facing Xiao Wu's attack, Tang San did not panic. He activated Mystic Jade Hand, moving both hands to form a pale white circular defensive shield.

This was a Soul Skill he had created for defense based on the principle of using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds. It possessed exceptional defensive effects against single-direction attacks.

Xiao Wu's leg shadow slammed directly into the shield with a boom, and Yang Tian nodded lightly. Tang San's defense and Xiao Wu's attack had both surpassed the level they should have possessed. Their Self-Created Soul Skills had already reached the level of thousand-year Soul Skills.

Neither Tang San nor Xiao Wu had used these two Soul Skills before. Today's Enlightenment Tea must have allowed them to fully perfect them.

After a while, Tang San and Xiao Wu gradually stopped. Yang Tian was about to activate the Gravity System and let them experience it in advance when he noticed Zhu Zhuqing staring at him with eyes full of fighting spirit.

"You want to as well?"

"Mm! I want to try."

"Alright, come on."

After shooing Tang San and Xiao Wu aside, Zhu Zhuqing immediately launched an attack on Yang Tian.

"So fast!"

Xiao Wu covered her little mouth as she watched Zhu Zhuqing's figure turn into an afterimage. Xiao Wu suddenly became a little angry. "That's too much. Heavenly Brother forgets friendship when he sees a pretty girl."

"Maybe Heavenly Brother just hasn't found a suitable way to improve us yet." A trace of jealousy crossed Tang San's expression, but he concealed it well as he defended Yang Tian.

Xiao Wu huffed twice, but she was not truly angry. She knew that Zhu Zhuqing had absorbed a Hundred Thousand Year External Soul Bone in the Star Dou Great Forest. It was Zhu Zhuqing's opportunity, though it was related to Yang Tian...

"Shadow Star Blade!" After Zhu Zhuqing's first Soul Skill evolved, Hell Stab had become Shadow Star Blade. Compared to before, Shadow Star Blade allowed for more concealed stealth and faster, stronger attacks.

Yang Tian turned aside to evade, then moved his hand like a phantom, lightly brushing it across Zhu Zhuqing's cheek. "Nice feel."

Zhu Zhuqing glared angrily at Yang Tian, then activated her Soul Skill once more. "Starry Sky Severance!"

Stars filled the sky, dazzling and brilliant. Each falling star transformed into a sharp star blade that slashed toward Yang Tian.

No need for you people to say it—I'll say it myself: bootlicking author, bootlicking protagonist. Giving perfectly good Enlightenment Tea to Shrek? How much more can you bootlick? This book is ruined. No need to keep reading; just start over. Someone like Tang San doesn't deserve to live. He needs to be tortured to death. He should steal Xiao Wu and force himself on Ah Yin—that's what he should do...

I've already said what some people wanted to say for you. I'll say it again: if you can't even understand the word "bootlicking," how do you have the nerve to criticize my book?

What is bootlicking? Pointlessly playing up how amazing Tang San is, or pointlessly flattering Tang San and the Grandmaster—that's bootlicking!

Sorry, but Yang Tian enhancing the Enlightenment Tea is a gift and an investment, not sycophancy!

That's all? Those of you who like stories where the protagonist gets abused, turn left on your way out. Also, mind your manners—please do not relieve yourselves wherever you please. Thank you for your cooperation.