Stranger Danger

Tonight was destined to be a restless night for Floating Island. Countless people were worried, anxious, and panicked. Still, Yu Hongluan's swift and effective orders ensured that no trouble could take root while peace and order were being restored.

The next day, Floating Island was still on alert, but stability and order had basically been restored.

And on the third day, Floating Island had basically returned to its usual hustle and bustle.

In just three days, Yu Hongluan had completely resolved the damage and influence caused by Jewel Tree Prince's rampage and appeased the citizens. Floating Island had returned to normal as well. It was an impressive show of Yu Hongluan's capabilities and Floating Island's prestige.

It was also during the third day Yu Hongluan paid Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou a visit.

The reason she only came now was because it took three whole days to handle the matters regarding Floating Island and Jewel Tree Prince. It was only now things had winded down somewhat. Two, it was to avoid arousing suspicion and expose Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou.

A few days ago, Profound Alliance had dispatched their men to Floating Island to assist in investigating and handling the matters regarding Jewel Tree Prince. If she had recklessly made contact with her two benefactors, it was very possible that the men would find out that Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou were the "seniors" who saved Floating Island. They weren't idiots after all.

Since she promised Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou that she would keep their identities a secret, she wouldn't break it as a matter of course.

That was why she visited them only after the elites of the Profound Alliance were gone.

With Yu Hongluan, the literal lord and master of Floating Island playing host for them, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou were able to operate much easier around Floating Island. Yu Hongluan was quite familiar with many interesting but relatively unknown scenic spots and delicacies as well. She even welcomed them to some of their forbidden zones and dangerous areas.

Thanks to her, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou were able to tour all the interesting places on Floating Island in just a matter of a few days. They had enjoyed sceneries, savored delicacies, drank delicious wine, and watched incredible performances. It was the life.

"This is the Rising Tea. It's also nicknamed the Becoming Celestial Tea. It's a local specialty. The drinker will feel like they are shooting up the heavens, obtaining their Dao, and becoming a celestial. It is a rare and delicious delicacy!"

Inside a tearoom, Yu Hongluan was holding a teacup. She explained the origin of the tea to Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou while brewing tea for them with practiced ease. "However, the Rising Tea must be soaked, mixed, and washed three times for it to become tasty. Otherwise, it will taste bitter and hard to swallow."

In her current state, Yu Hongluan looked less like a decisive, awe-inspiring leader and more like a lovable, refined woman.

"Please, give it a taste."

Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou picked up the teacups on the table. Even before they drank the tea, the aroma alone was enough to convince them of its deliciousness. However, its aroma was nothing compared to the indescribable, wonderful sensation that spread inside the mouths when they took their first sip though. They felt as if fragrance was being generated from their very lips and teeth. As the tea flowed into their stomach, the sensation Yu Hongluan had described earlier hit them. They felt their bodies turning light, and their souls seemingly departing their mortal shells. They felt like they were riding the wind into the clouds, not stopping until they had climbed to the pinnacle and become a celestial. It truly was wonderful.

This dizzying, mystifying sensation only faded a dozen or so breaths later. Even so, the aftertaste and aroma continued to linger in their bodies.

"What a Becoming Celestial Tea!" said Ye Qing while setting down the teacup. He actually felt disappointed, though not because the tea was bad or anything. Just now, he actually felt as if he had transcended his mortal shell, perfected his Dao, and became a true celestial. Alas, it was just a dream; a trick of the mind. Naturally, he could not help but feel a bit disappointed when he returned to the earth.

Honestly, he thought that the name "Becoming Celestial Tea" was more fitting than "Rising Tea".

"It really is an excellent tea."

Feng Qingyou was also nodding and offering her compliments, "There are at least twenty highly valuable ingredients in this Becoming Celestial Tea, and their ratios and mixing must be measured precisely. The timing and order of the tea making requires even stricter control to fully bring out the characteristics of the ingredients and create this taste. Am I right?"

"Have you tasted this tea before, Miss Feng?" Yu Hongluan asked, confused. When Feng Qingyou shook her head, she exclaimed in surprise and admiration, "You really are incredible, Miss Feng. Hongluan is most impressed."

The Becoming Celestial Tea was a specialty of Floating Island, and its formula and method of creation were top secret. Usually, not even a master sommelier could figure out its compositions on their first taste. However, Feng Qingyou had roughly figured out the number of its ingredients and the way it was created in the first sip. This was quite astounding, of course.

She was only surprised though. Feng Qingyou had given her plenty of surprises for the past couple days. Not only was she an unfathomable warrior, she was exceedingly knowledgeable. It would not be an exaggeration to say that she was at least a student in all fields of study, and masters of many.

Over time, she became almost desensitized to the many little surprises Feng Qingyou gave her.

"I just know a little about the way of tea, that's all." Feng Qingyou smiled and took another sip. Then, she closed her eyes slightly and savored it carefully.

Thump!

It was at this moment someone violently pushed open the door to the tearoom, and a young man barged in without warning. When he saw Yu Hongluan, he yelled, "I knew you're here, Yu Hongluan!"

"What is the meaning of this, Yu Hongluan? I purposely came to visit you because I heard that you're hurt, but not only did you refuse to see me, you're drinking tea with whoever these people are? Don't you think you're looking down on me a little too much?"

The young man was tall, muscular, and handsome. However, arrogance riddled his expression, and he was covered from head to toe in luxuries. Literally. His clothes were fine, silken garments, his entire body was covered in all sorts of accessories, and his fingers were jampacked with rings. Most impressively, every single one of these accessories were extraordinary objects in their own right. It was a blinding display of wealth, possibly literally.

"I am hosting some important guests, Jin Wanliang. How rude can you get?"

Yu Hongluan's expression turned cold when she saw the newcomer.

"Jin Wanliang (Ten Thousand Gold)?"

Ye Qing lifted his eyebrows. What a blunt and down-to-earth name. It had the label "I am rich" slapped all over it.

"Oh yeah? Who are these guests who are apparently more important than me? And just how important are they that you, island lord Yu, have to accompany them in person?"

Jin Wanliang turned his head and glared at Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou with wantonness and undisguised malice.

Jin Wanliang's eyes only paused on Ye Qing for a brief moment, but there was a glimmer of astonishment when he saw Feng Qingyou.

Although Feng Qingyou had changed her face to look ordinary, her aura was unmistakably unusual.

"They are my guests, Jin Wanliang. Get out now!" Yu Hongluan rose to her feet and ordered coldly.

"Who are you people?"

Jin Wanliang paid her no heed though. He simply looked down on Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou—well, mainly Ye Qing.

Ye Qing paid him no heed though. He did not even favor Jin Wanliang a glance. He simply picked up his teacup and took another sip.

Surprisingly, Jin Wanliang did not get angry despite being totally ignored. He narrowed his eyes as if thinking about something.