I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 52 - 51: Coffee
Although Li Xing didn’t really care whether they watched or not, it was nice that they were sensible and let her have some peace.
The Spirit Fruit, both in appearance and taste, was very similar to the coffee beans from Blue Star. Li Xing got inspired by this and decided to make a tea drink from the Spirit Fruit.
After going through over a dozen processing steps and adding other auxiliary herbs, a potion with the effect of soothing the mind was ready.
The brown, bean-like fruit gave off an enticing roasted aroma. Li Xing ground the beans into powder and put it in a clear glass jar, making it look even more like coffee.
Ye Qingting and Cui Tianxiao had cleared out the nearby Star Beasts and were planning to venture further, but received a message from Li Xing, calling them back for dinner. Then Cui Tianxiao dashed back like a wild dog off its leash, leaving dust in his wake.
He bounded over to Li Xing’s side in two steps and, acting like a sycophant, presented a spatial button filled with all kinds of plump, meaty species of Star Beasts that Li Xing was sure to like.
"Star, what’s on the menu today?"
"Didn’t you catch a fearful bird this morning? I made a stew out of it."
Cui Tianxiao’s eyes lit up: "Did you add Deep Blue Mushrooms?"
"I did."
"Awesome! Remember to sprinkle some wild coriander when it’s done cooking!"
"Okay."
"This meal is definitely worth at least three thousand bucks!"
This trip to Datang changed Cui Tianxiao a lot. The young master who previously had no idea what Deep Blue Mushrooms were now knew that they went perfectly with the fearful bird!
"Star, potion-making requires a lot of brainpower and physical effort. I say you shouldn’t rush; at worst, the two of us can return a few days later."
Spending more days with Li Xing would allow him to enjoy more delicious meals. Cui Tianxiao was eager for Li Xing to take her time, especially since Qingtian’s cousin’s injury had passed the dangerous phase, there was no need to hurry.
While the mushrooms and fearful bird stew was simmering to reduce the juice, Li Xing took out the Spirit Fruit Powder and handed it to Ye Qingting, having made three bottles in total.
"Here."
"It’s ready?"
Ye Qingting stared at the few bottles of fine brown powder in his hand, stunned for a moment. The speed was astonishing. Cui Tianxiao was both surprised and a bit disappointed; it seemed like they’d be returning tomorrow.
"Ah Xing, does this potion have a name?"
Li Xing thought for a moment and replied with a smile, "Let’s just call it coffee."
Coffee? That’s an odd name.
"Take a spoonful each time and mix it with water to drink."
Cui Tianxiao’s dog nose sniffed around the bottle’s opening and suddenly asked, "Star, may I try it?"
"Sure, but don’t drink too much."
Li Xing couldn’t assess Qingtian’s cousin’s specific situation, so she made the potion mild enough for anyone with spiritual power to consume.
Cui Tianxiao’s spiritual power wasn’t very high. Drinking too much would make him overly excited, similar to how one feels after an adrenaline rush, and Li Xing didn’t want to see him acting crazy on the way back.
With Li Xing’s permission, Cui Tianxiao immediately mixed himself a cup. The coffee smelled great and tasted slightly sour with a hint of bitterness and a pleasant aftertaste. Even without the medicinal effects, it was a delightful drink.
Seeing Cui Tianxiao’s increasingly infatuated expression, Ye Qingting couldn’t resist his curiosity and made himself a cup too.
The coffee’s roasted aroma was slightly bitter to the taste, and as the medicinal effects spread through the body, the Spirit Sea was enveloped in warmth, creating a comfortably refreshed feeling. It was truly amazing how coffee could refresh and invigorate the mind!
Ye Qingting’s spiritual power was higher than Cui Tianxiao’s, so the effect was more pronounced. Li Xing certainly had something substantial going for her.
With the purpose of the trip fulfilled, the three of them set off back to Datang after their meal.
Due to Cui Tianxiao’s deliberate dawdling and Ye Qingting’s encouragement to prolong the trip, it took them six whole days to cover the same journey back.
Li Xing wasn’t in a hurry at all. She was raking in profits from selling big meals, collecting free Star Beasts and Crystal Stones, and was pleased to see them delaying the journey. Moreover, observing the combat of two Heavenly Armor-level martial masters was an improvement for her as well.
Even the longest roads come to an end. They had reached the forest’s edge. Once they passed through the giant redwood forest, they would see the walls of Datang City, and it was finally time for the three to part ways.
Cui Tianxiao was reluctant: "Star, which military academy did you get into? Tell me so I can visit you when I have time."
"I haven’t applied yet."
The deadline for military academy applications was the end of next month. Li Xing had the right to choose her school freely, so there was no risk of not getting accepted. She planned to discuss it with Li Yi and Yang Zhou before making a decision.
"Oh?" Cui Tianxiao’s eyes suddenly sparkled: "Why don’t you come to Harssas? Qingting and I will look out for you!" If Li Xing could become his junior, he would have a dining partner for life!
"Harssas? The one ranked last among the four prestigious schools?"
Among all the military academies on Qianyuan Continent, there are four that are recognized for their top-notch education quality, strong faculty, and students with strong comprehensive abilities. They are known as the four prestigious schools: Tianyi Institute, Cold Smoke Pavilion, Xi Yuan Academy, and Harssas Academy, with Harssas currently being the weakest.
"Uh... that was before! With Qingting and me, Harssas will definitely outdo Xi Yuan in the next prestigious school rankings!"
Look at that ambition; did he really think the two of them could compete with the third rank? Ye Qingting shot a glance of disappointment at Cui Tianxiao, picking up the conversation.
"Ah Xing, Harssas is an old school with a history longer than Tianyi Institute. The school culture is upright and inclusive, and it’s known for recognizing and teaching based on students’ abilities regardless of their background. I wouldn’t claim Harssas is stronger than Tianyi Institute, because that would be lying. But after a year of studying and living here, I don’t regret being a student of Harssas Academy. I hope you’ll seriously consider it, and Qingting and I would be delighted if you decided to come."
Li Xing nodded: "Okay, I’ll think about it."
"And there’s one more thing." Ye Qingting revealed something he had pondered over for a long time: "Regardless of which school you choose, I suggest retesting your Elemental Spirit and spiritual power upon enrollment."
Li Xing raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised. Her current aptitude indeed didn’t match her true abilities, but she didn’t expect Ye Qingting to be so perceptive.
Cui Tianxiao was puzzled: "Qingting, did you notice something? Can Element Testing Instruments really make mistakes?"
"I’m not sure." This was why Ye Qingting had kept silent. Every city’s Element Testing Instruments were distributed by the Elder Council, theoretically foolproof, but he just felt something was off with Li Xing’s condition.
How could an Elemental Spirit of the Fire Element demonstrate such precise control over plant attributes? It was too unreasonable.
Ye Qingting: "Students transitioning to reserves have an opportunity to retest their Elemental Spirit, although it’s a paid service, it’s still worth a try."
What if the Element Testing Instrument had been wrong? The mechanism managing it wasn’t completely without loopholes.
"Okay, I’ll consider it. Thanks for the reminder."
Ye Qingting transferred part of the reward to Li Xing, with the rest to be handed over after exchanging it for Crystal Stones.
By agreeing to stay connected via their com devices, the three bid farewell at the forest’s edge. Li Xing leisurely pedaled her tricycle back home, while Cui Tianxiao and Ye Qingting flew slowly towards the Teleportation Port on a shared vehicle.
