Void's Rest had settled into a rhythm after two weeks.
The initial madness of endless lines had calmed into a steady flow of customers. People still came from across the continent, but now they knew to arrive early, pay without complaint, and leave stronger than they arrived.
Xu Tian spent most days behind the counter, brewing the same green tea, adding a trace of his Qi, and watching breakthroughs happen like clockwork.
It was profitable.
It was easy.
It was starting to feel routine.
One quiet afternoon, the door opened with a soft chime.
Three figures walked in.
The air in the tea house shifted subtly, as if the space itself recognized power.
First came an old man with wild white hair, a constant smell of wine around him, and a rusty sword slung carelessly across his back. Cultivation unknown. Rogue cultivators whispered his name with respect: Wine Sword Immortal Duan Jiu.
Second was a woman in flowing purple robes, beauty sharp enough to cut, a small alchemy cauldron floating beside her. Cultivation unknown. Poison Fairy Ling, infamous for pills that could save or kill with equal ease.
Third was a short, bearded old man with ink stains on his fingers and a perpetual frown. Cultivation unknown. Array Master Zhen, the kind of expert sects begged to set their protective formations.
They moved to the counter and sat on the three stools directly in front of Xu Tian as if they belonged there.
Old Duan grinned, slapping the counter lightly.
"Three cups of whatever you recommend today, kid."
Xu Tian looked them over once.
Then poured three cups of plain green tea, this time adding a slightly more generous strand of his Qi.
They drank without ceremony.
Old Duan's eyes brightened first.
His sword intent, already terrifying, refined itself. The rusty blade on his back hummed softly.
Poison Fairy Ling closed her eyes and smiled.
A complex new pill formula assembled perfectly in her mind.
Master Zhen took one sip, paused, took another.
"This tea… has no array structure. Yet it affects the dao heart directly. Impossible."
He stared at Xu Tian like he was a puzzle to be solved.
Old Duan laughed heartily.
"Good stuff! Been coming every few days. Keeps the sword sharp and the wine tastier."
Poison Fairy leaned forward slightly.
"I've refined three new poisons since drinking here. All flawless. You have talent, little owner."Master Zhen grunted.
"Overpriced. But effective. I'll pay."
Xu Tian refilled their cups without being asked.
"Regulars get the same price as everyone else."
Old Duan raised an eyebrow.
"That's rare. Most places grovel when we show up."
Xu Tian shrugged.
"Groveling is boring."
They all chuckled at that.
For the next two hours, the tea house's other customers watched in silent awe as four people chatted at the counter.
Old Duan told stories of duels he fought while drunk.
Poison Fairy shared tales of sect elders who accidentally poisoned themselves with her "gifts."Master Zhen complained about stupid arrays he had to fix for arrogant sect masters.
Xu Tian listened more than he spoke.
But when he did speak, it was casual.
"Wine dulls the sword if you let it. Sharpen the intent instead."
Or
"Poisons are just pills with bad manners."
Or
"Arrays are crutches. Real defense is not being there when the attack lands."
Each time, the three paused.
Thought.
Nodded slowly.
Old Duan slapped the counter again.
"Kid, you're wasted in a tea shop. Come roam with us sometime. Real wine, real fights, real fun."Poison Fairy smiled, eyes gleaming.
"Or stay. I could use a tasting partner for new recipes."
Master Zhen stood to leave, tossing a pouch of high-grade spirit stones.
"Same time tomorrow.
"They left together, the door chiming softly behind them.
The other customers erupted in whispers.
"Senior Void drinks regularly with those monsters?"
"He didn't even bow!"
Xu Tian cleaned the cups slowly.
The system spoke quietly.
[Host, they like you.]
Xu Tian paused.
Then continued cleaning.
"Customers."
But he brewed a fresh pot anyway.
And left three cups ready on the counter.
Just in case they came early tomorrow.
Outside, the sun set over Heavenly Merchant City.
Inside, the tea steamed gently.
And for the first time in a long while, Xu Tian did not feel the itch of boredom.
Not yet.