052: Recuperate Well
Zemirah did not know how long she had slept.
When she woke up, she was already lying comfortably in a bed, the surrounding smells like the bitter medicine from her memory.
Hmm? How come there is a bed?
Her brain seemed to function quite slowly after waking up from her deep sleep, as Zemirah stared blankly at the room, unfamiliar decorations and unfamiliar place made her frown in insecurity.
She tried to move, but then a sudden piercing pain attacked her, from her dantian to her body, everywhere hurts so much.
She inhaled deeply as she suppressed the curse about to come out of her mouth. However, the sounds from her movement managed to attract the people outside as she heard the incoming footsteps, the person walked in a hurry.
Zemirah dazed for a second, enduring the relentless pain all over her body, then the door opened.
A girl wearing a bright red dress embroidered with vines and roses entered. Her hair was in a ponytail with a red ribbon, her familiar cat eyes made Zemirah stare.
'She looks familiar.' She thought to herself.
"Mirah? You're finally awake!" The girl excitedly said as she sat on the side of the bed.
Zemirah blinked as she asked blankly, "What happened?"
Her brain seems to not want to think, she even forgot what happened before she fell unconscious.
Sucere was not impatient as she answered, "You fell unconscious after the last attack using the array disc on the Evil Deity. However, you don't need to worry much, they confirmed that evil thing was really dead after."
Evil Deity.
Evil…
Right, there was a battle against evil cultivators and the Evil Deity they summoned from the sacrificial array. We used my array disc along with that mysterious group using array formation. It seemed that the outcome was good as i was now in a comfortable and safe place, we are probably staying in one of the nearby villages.
"I kept the array disc for you when you fell unconscious, it's just that it was now damage after that battle," The girl sighed when saying that it was damage, handing me the now dim and unactivated array disc.
She finally remembered her name, Sucere. The new friend I made from that ambush. This thought finally made her smile a little.
I nodded as i took it from her, smiling in gratitude.
"Thank you for keeping it for me, also for not leaving me behind when i was unconscious," Zemirah said it seriously, showing my gratitude to this friend and comrade i met in a dangerous situation. If that battle did not take place, we will probably remain strangers unless an opportunity appeared which is unlikely.
For a moment, Zemirah did not know whether she was lucky for meeting new friends or unlucky for being caught in a dangerous ambush
Sucere smiled as she wave her hand, "No need to be polite, after all, we're friends." She said the last word shyly.
I smiled, the last gloomy feeling deep in my heart after that experience dissipated. Thinking about having a new friend, i reach for my storage bag and rummaged on my things, finding something to gift for this new friend i gained.
After searching, she did not see a suitable weapon for Sucere who obviously use a dagger, so she opted for something ornamental and found a silver white bell engraved with auspicious cloud patterns. She thought how the artifact looked good and have a good omen so she took it out.
[Silver Cloud Golden Bell] | Common-Quality Mid-Stage Grade 1
"I don't have anything suitable for you but please accept this bell, may our friendship remain long lasting and carefree as the clouds." I handed her the bell artifact.
Sucere was not materialistic so she did not think much on the low quality and savored the meaning behind the gift, "Then I'll accept it, i'll give you something too when i found a suitable gift!" She wanted to gift one too but the items on her storage bag are full of torture equipment or her collection of dagger she was reluctant to part with.
Besides, Mirah seems to be someone of peaceful and elegant nature. She would find something her friend would like soon.
Zemirah smiled, a notification sounded on her ears simultaneously.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for gifting a talisman to a close friend and being rewarded with an Supreme-Quality Peak-Stage Grade 2 [Silver Moon Cloud Bell]*2.
She did not look closer, thinking of checking the details later.
"Let's have some tea, I have a good one here. Would you give me the honor to accompany me?" I asked her, remembering I have some supreme-quality tea leaves.
Sucere nodded her hands placing the bell on the storage bag, "No problem, would you like to have Simon too? He was also recuperating in the neighboring courtyard."
Zemirah then remembered this other friend of hers, the art cultivator who has an Iron Armor Beast. She nodded quickly, "Yes, I almost forgot, thank you for reminding me."
"No problem, I see you two got along quite well before, and that person was also worried about you," Sucere said as she sent a message using a Sound Transmission Talisman, it was an uncommon talisman that one can only buy from reputable stores.
Zemirah was interested in making one, but the way of making it was not spread among the common folk. She noted to ask Roch when she has the chance.
She started taking her equipment for making tea, from the teapot and tea cups to the spiritual spring and tea leaves.
The equipment was unremarkable, but the tea leaves were the real treasures.
[Name]: [Moon Dew Leaf Tea] | Supreme-Quality Grade 1 Spiritual Tea Leaf
[Introduction]: Every moon ray falling on the tree gathered to condense the precious moon dew and the tree where the moon dew appeared turned into the Supreme-Quality Moon Dew Tea Tree. When brewed into a fine tea, the drinker can cleanse their body and mind from evil and impurity.
Zemirah did not forget that they had just survived a battle against a powerful Evil being, and this tea can help them cleanse whatever hidden danger is left behind from that fight. She never forgets that those treacherous creatures always do sneaky things.
Sucere watched as Zemirah arranged her things and began brewing tea while waiting for Simon. She did not forget to remind the man to bring his pet, the Iron Armor Beast. Sucere was quite fond of the giant pet that made contributions to the battle. Not only was it a powerful combat force, but it was also a good mount.
One of the reasons she chose that ride when going to her destination is it's adorable appearance and ferocious power.
"By the way, how long am I asleep again?" Zemirah remembered and asked.
Sucere leaned on her chair leisurely, and they moved to the table in the living room for better space. "Not that long, just two days."
Zemirah was startled, "Two days? No wonder my mind feels so foggy when I woke up." She murmured as she noted to herself to check on the Yin Yang Bracelet to see if there were letters from Roch. The man must be worried, she'll send a letter later.
"That's normal. Besides, I heard that the mysterious group's leader was not awake yet. He must be more seriously injured than you."
"Oh? Do you know where are they? I want to visit and send my gratitude too, they contributed a lot to the battle." Zemirah thought back on the final scene before she fell unconscious. That leader actually confronted the enemy's attack head on by himself before his subordinate reinforced him.
He must be quite powerful.
Sucere nodded, "They are also recuperating. We rented courtyards together in this alley. Let's visit after you rest."
Just as they talked more about the other cultivators that fought with them, someone knocked on the gate. It must be Simon.
Sucere was too lazy to get up, and Zemirah was too inconvenient to move, so Sucere shouted, "The gate is open! Please enter!"
The person outside seemed to pause before pushing the wooden gate. It was Simon, who looked somewhat pale, but there were no obvious injuries on him.
"Good day, Fellow Daoists." The man cupped his fist and greeted after seeing them.
Then he turned to Zemirah who stopped wearing her veil. Her beauty was eye-catching, even her sickly demeanor from the recent unconsciousness made it her more aloof.
He smiled as he spoke, "Fellow Daoist Mirah, it's good that you're finally awake."
Zemirah smiled at his words, "I apologize for worrying, fellow Daoist. Please have a seat and have some tea with us."
He did not pretend to be shy and sat in the seat beside Sucere and in front of her. "I also brought my pet with me. Do you mind letting the little guy join us?"
Zemirah remembered his pet, the heroic Iron Armor Beast, who fought valiantly that day. "I was just about to look for the brave Iron Armor Beast. Please let the little guy out. Sucere was also eager to see him."
Simon smiled, used to having his pet more popular than him. With a move from his spiritual energy, the Iron Armor Beast was summoned from the beast pouch.
A huge beast, wearing tough iron armor, groggily opened its eyes and looked at the surroundings. When he saw the familiar people, he lazily lifted a paw bigger than their heads as a greeting, a gesture learned from his master.
Zemirah smiled and took out a plate of spiritual fruits for the pet and another plate for the guests. The system's notification sounded, and she decided to look into them later.
"My friend, please have some spiritual fruits while I brew our tea." She addressed the Iron Armor Beast, who first looked at Simon, his master, for permission before happily eating the spiritual fruits after a nod from Simon.
"Many thanks, fellow Daoist, my pet loves eating various spiritual fruits aside from his usual iron ores." Simon saw the spiritual fruits having good quality and felt the lady's sincerity.
After the initial politeness, everyone talked about various things such as the aftermath of that battle, some news from the village they were staying in, called Mooran Village, and even the cultivators who fought together that day, where some stayed and some had already left.
Zemirah occasionally chimed in while brewing tea, most of the time, she listened and felt her lack of awareness of what happened after falling unconscious was being supplemented. She was clearly aware that the two people were taking care of her, and she was thankful.
After a few minutes, the fragrant smell of tea spread. It was like a cold and pure moonlight decided to come down for mortal beings to bless and cleanse the world. Just a small sniff and Sucere felt her restless heart calm down.
The usual urge to fight and cause pain to the enemy was also subdued, returning to a normal range she can better control. This surprised Sucere as her nature of seeking enemies to torture with pain was always there since she could remember.
That was one of the reasons she was one of the few geniuses said to be born for the Seven Pain Sect.
Anticipation welled in her heart as she waited for Zemirah to serve the tea. She is sure it can make her understanding of her cultivation deeper, her instinct says so.
Simon and his Iron Armor watched as Zemirah poured the specially prepared tea into the tea cups. The tea was well brewed, so that one can see faint images of moonlight and dew flickering above the tea.
He was somewhat surprised to see it. Anything that produces a phenomenon is a precious item, even if that phenomenon is a very faint one. It can only be said that Zemirah was willing to treat them to good things.
"It's done, please have a taste and enjoy the Moon Dew Tea." Zemirah sighed in relief after seeing the final product. Fortunately, she managed to give justice to the precious tea leaf and did not waste it.
"Many thanks, Daoist Zemirah."
"Then I'll gladly enjoy it, Mirah."
"Roar~~"
Two humans and one beast thanked her before sipping the given tea.
Faint moon energy entered their body and gently cleansed impurities, especially the remnant evil energy they did not notice. A comfortable and cool feeling surged in their body, making them relax, as if a hidden danger was lifted.
Zemirah also drank some and felt her whole body comfortable. The lingering unhealthy pallor of her skin was replaced by a healthy one.
She felt that the previously needed week of recuperation could be reduced to a day or two.
The system's things are really the best.