Cultivating Chai

25:

Xiao Feng watched with a muted awe as the bluish-white milk diffused into the dark-golden hued chai. Milky white spread across the landscape of dark gold, scattering away the intensity of its hue.

“Perfect!” Xiao Feng exclaimed, as the hue of the now completed Masala Chai Prototype 1: Emberdust Blend revealed itself to be a breathtaking light-golden one.

The completed Masala Chai had gone from an unappetizing dark golden medicinal soup to a warm, inviting hue, the weight of the bi-horn’s milk balanced out by the ample spring water Xiao Feng had used to make the Chai.

Of course, Xiao Feng was not talking about the Emberdust Blend as a whole when he praised it, merely its hue. Even without having sipped the Emberdust Blend Chai, Xiao Feng knew that its cost had already exceeded the realm of what most within the Frontier Sect would be willing to pay.

Heck, he wasn’t even sure he could convince Elder Haoyun to try it at the price he would need to set the Emberdust Blend Chai at to turn a small profit

For now though, Xiao Feng would take the victory while it was being offered to him.

“Now, I just need a strainer and cups,” He said, while turning the burner’s knob counterclockwise by half a rotation, denying the dragonstone any more Qi to fuel its flames with.

Xiao Feng leaned in and took a moment to bask in the aroma of the Masala Chai. The spicy notes were the most predominant ones, but it seemed like the diced humus root had done its job, as he was able to catch onto earthy notes. They had a subtler presence, much like the hint of citrus he caught onto, likely a result of using the pureflow gel.

Nodding to himself, he left the alchemy vault, walking down the passageway and past it, until he was standing before Alchemy Jun.

“Yes?” She addressed, even as her gaze was fixed on the pages of a thick tome. It seemed to Xiao Feng like Alchemist Jun’s work had been completed, so he decided to go ahead with the gamble he had planned.

One way or the other, Xiao Feng would get his final ingredient.

“Alchemist Jun, sorry to disturb you,” Xiao Feng politely opened the conversation. “I needed a strainer and two cups if you have those available,” He requested.

“Sure,” Alchemist Jun replied, her tone having reverted to professionalism, albeit with a friendly tint to it.

She placed a cloth bookmark between the tome’s pages, shutting it before she reached for a drawer handle that was built into her desk.

Two ceramic cups were placed on the wooden table, followed by a double-layered strainer that had a metallic body with organic looking threads criss-crossing each other.

Alchemist Jun seemed like she was on the verge of returning to reading, so Xiao Feng spoke up, “Oh and Alchemist Jun, I had a request that was more personal in nature.”

She raised an eyebrow at his unexpected statement, the question within her gaze obvious as she replied, “What is it?”

“If possible, erm, could you accompany me to the alchemy vault?” Xiao Feng decided to press forward, as asked directly.

“Did something go awry?” She asked, as her gaze met his own.

“No, no, of course not. No, uh, Alchemist Jun, I wanted you to sample the concoction I have made,” He said, somehow managing to sound shy in the body of a heroic cultivator.

“Is your concoction not made out of valuable spiritual roots and spices? I am not sure if it would be appropriate for me to partake in it,” Alchemist Jun replied, giving a formal answer that should’ve been enough to make Xiao Feng give up, had he not noticed the undertone of curiosity contained in her words.

“Please, Alchemist Jun. The final ingredient of Chai is having someone to share a warm cup with. No matter how heavenly a beverage may taste, it remains, at the of the day, a beverage. Chai means more to me than that, Alchemist Jun. Back in my mortal village, it possessed the power to bring people together, over conversations both warm and cold, over debates both impassioned and dull, over relationships, sometimes friendly, sometimes of the heart. It would mean a great deal to me, if you would accept.”

“Well,” Alchemist Jun replied, her tone sounding a bit overwhelmed. “If you feel strongly about it, it’s for me to refuse. Besides, I must admit— you have piqued my curiosity, though I remain skeptical. Is there really such a beverage, one capable of moving hearts and minds? Let us go and find out.”

“Thank you, Alchemist Jun,” Xiao Feng replied as his lips curled upwards into a smile.

Back in the alchemy vault, Xiao Feng’s honored guest sat next to him, cross-legged, as she leaned forward and inspected the concoction he had brewed.

Without further ado, he lifted the pill furnace’s cauldron by it’s handle, his immense strength allowing him to hold it steady as he poured a cup of Masala Chai. The strainer placed upon the ceramic cup held back the undissolved remnants of the ingredients from negatively influencing the experience.

A few minutes later, two cups of light-golden hued chai were steaming before Xiao Feng and Alchemist Jun.

“Please,” Xiao Feng requested, as he reached for his own cup.

Alchemist Jun accepted her own cup gingerly, as if she were afraid to spill any of the liquid. “How do I drink it?” She asked.

“Small sips,” Xiao Feng replied. “Take your time savoring it, it tastes better that way,” He added.

Alchemist Jun nodded, her expression seeming almost intimidated as she stared down the cup of Masala Chai. There was no poison in it, naturally, the Alchemist’s Haven would not have sold a recruit such spiritual herbs and she had seen for herself what herbs Xiao Feng was taking with him in the Alchemy Vault. It was just a blend of valuable medicinal herbs and yet the aroma, her very instincts as an alchemist told her that there was more to it.

More than the sum of its parts.

Xiao Feng and Alchemist Jun took a sip of the Masala Chai almost at the same time.

The moment he sipped the Masala Chai, Xiao Feng’s gaze widened in astonishment. Flavour flooded his mouth, only shortly followed after by the heat. The intense masala from the firedust had been diluted by spring water and bi-horn milk, but it was still very much there as he felt the heat tingle in his mouth.

It would’ve been overpowering, if it were not for the soft, delightful sugary heaven the Emberfruit Gem had unleashed on his palate, its effect only amplified by the creamy bi-horn milk.

Xiao Feng swallowed the chai, feeling the burn of masala as the warm liquid flowed down his throat. Only after did the earthy, slightly tangy aftertaste reveal itself, there to be explored across repeated samplings.

Xiao Feng could not stop himself from taking another sip.

And another.

One after that.

Until he realized that his cup was empty, no more masala chai to be had. Sweat had beaded up on his forehead, yet Xiao Feng felt completely refreshed and hydrated.

“Erm, uh, Recruit Xiao Feng,” A soft, gentle voice spoke from his left, directing Xiao Feng to turn his gaze. Alchemist Jun gazed back at him, her cheeks colored a light red as she, too, had an empty ceramic cup in her hands. “May I,” She began and then paused, as the redness on her cheeks deepened by a degree. “I can pay if needed…. so may I have another cup of this chai?” She asked, her mask of perfect composure gone as she made the request.

“Pay?” Xiao Feng asked, his tone sounding offended. “No need. I would not be able to face my ancestors if I asked you to pay for chai. Please,” He gestured towards the cauldron, directing her to pour another cup.

It was safe to say that the Emberdust Blend, while far from perfect, was a resounding success.