Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 566: Meeting Gao Ziyue (8)

Gao Ziyue could still feel a gentle warmth spread across her cheeks, a stubborn blush that refused to disappear completely, as though Kyrian’s words had left an invisible mark upon her skin.

Even after several moments, those words continued echoing through her mind like small waves that refused to fade away, each repetition carrying the same impact as the first.

It had not been an elaborate compliment, nor a carefully chosen phrase meant to impress her with rhetoric or poetry. Quite the opposite.

It had been something simple, direct, and utterly natural, as though he were merely stating an obvious fact, like saying the sky is blue or that water flows toward the sea.

That was precisely why it had struck her so deeply, because there had been no pretense, no calculation, none of the masks she had grown so accustomed to seeing in others.

Throughout her life, she had heard countless compliments. Some praised her beauty as though she were a goddess descended from the heavens, with metaphors bordering on blasphemy. Others admired her unparalleled talent, her position within the Sky Family, or her flawless elegance, every word carefully weighed to maximize its impact.

There were also those who merely said what they believed she wanted to hear, hoping for some favor in return, their voices as sweet as honey and their intentions as sharp as knives.

But Kyrian... he had simply spoken the truth as he saw it. Without any hidden motive, without trying to please her, without even realizing that those few words were enough to completely unsettle someone like her.

For some reason, it made her heart beat a little faster, a rhythm she could not control, a response her body gave regardless of her own will.

She silently wondered what it would take for him to become aware of the effect he had on others. Yet at the same time, part of her hoped he would never discover it, that he would remain the genuine person who saw her for who she truly was, without the layers of illusion and protection she had built over the years.

While Gao Ziyue remained lost in her own thoughts, drifting through the turbulent waters of her emotions, Kyrian raised the glass to his lips once again.

The movement was natural, completely unpretentious, as though he were in his own space, in his own home.

The amber liquid slowly slid down his throat, warm and smooth. The moment it touched his tongue, an intense flavor filled his mouth, complex and multifaceted, like a symphony unfolding in layers.

At first, it was strong, almost aggressive, like a flame gently burning his palate, a warmth that spread quickly.

Yet only a few seconds later, that intensity gave way to a deep, refined sweetness, reminiscent of spiritual honey aged for countless years, smooth and lingering.

It was a complex flavor, difficult to describe with words. Every sip seemed to reveal a different nuance, a floral note here, an earthy touch there, an echo of exotic fruits he could not identify.

It was as though the wine possessed a personality of its own, a story that slowly revealed itself with every taste.

He slowly swirled the glass between his fingers, watching the wine reflect the light of the spiritual lanterns in tiny golden glimmers, as though the liquid contained stars within it. The motion created small whirlpools that caught the light and scattered it in every direction.

"Strange..." he murmured almost to himself, his voice low and thoughtful.

He took another small sip before continuing, allowing the flavor to fully develop on his tongue.

"I’ve never tasted anything like this." His violet eyes remained fixed on the liquid, as though trying to decipher its secrets.

"At first it seems strong... almost bitter." Then he smiled faintly, a smile meant more for himself than for her.

"But it soon becomes incredibly sweet."

He raised his eyes to Gao Ziyue, and within them there was only sincere curiosity, a genuine desire to understand something new.

"I think it’s the best drink I’ve ever had." He paused briefly, his fingers still swirling the glass.

"What kind of wine is this?"

Gao Ziyue finally managed to push aside part of the embarrassment she was still feeling, forcing her heart to slow down and her mind to focus on the present moment. A gentle smile appeared on her lips, calmer now, more composed.

"It’s made from Celestial Lirium."

Kyrian tilted his head slightly, a gesture inviting further explanation.

She continued, her voice taking on the tone of someone sharing precious knowledge.

"It’s an extraordinarily rare plant. It can only grow on mountains whose altitude is so great that Celestial Qi becomes far denser than anywhere else. Celestial Lirium absorbs that Qi throughout its entire life, storing it within its petals and stems."

As she spoke, she gently picked up her own glass, her fingers wrapping around the crystal with the familiarity of someone who had performed that gesture countless times.

"The plant takes decades to fully mature. These aren’t ordinary years. Every season, every lunar cycle, and every cultivation season is essential to the development of its flavor and spiritual essence. After that, the fermentation also lasts for decades. The process is incredibly delicate, with every stage requiring precise conditions of temperature, humidity, and Qi flow."

She smiled, a smile carrying a hint of pride in her family’s tradition.

"Producing a single pitcher like this usually takes more than a century. Every drop represents the work of generations. The recipe has been a closely guarded secret of the Sky Family for millennia."

Kyrian looked at the drink once more, his eyes tracing the surface of the liquid with newfound appreciation. For the first time, he understood the true value of what he held in his hands. It was not merely wine. It was history, tradition, and the labor of entire lifetimes condensed into a single liquid.

She noticed his expression and smiled a little more, a smile that was almost affectionate.

"If you like it, you can take a pitcher with you when you leave. It’s no trouble. The Sky Family has a small reserve. It’s not something we sell, but something we can share with true friends."

She raised a finger, her tone becoming slightly amused, almost mischievous.

"But be careful." Her voice lowered, creating an air of quiet complicity.

"It’s very easy to get drunk."

Kyrian raised an eyebrow, genuine curiosity appearing on his face.

"Even cultivators?"

"Yes." She answered immediately, without hesitation.

"This wine is a little... special."

She took a small sip, savoring the liquid for a moment before continuing.

"Its alcohol practically ignores cultivation. It doesn’t matter what realm you’re in, Core Formation, Spiritual Awakening, or even higher realms. It acts directly upon the consciousness, upon the soul, not upon the physical body."

She let out a soft laugh, light and sincere.

"Even I can still get drunk if I overdo it. And it’s happened more times than I’d like to admit."