Tea Dao Disciples

After returning from the Purple Heaven Palace, Li Cha had wanted some peace and quiet, to savor Hongjun's stifled yet helplessly compelled preaching as a bit of amusement. Who would have thought that the moment he stepped into Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven, before he even reached Pure Silence Studio, he would be surrounded by a chattering crowd of "Little Radish Heads."

These little ones had taken form through the merit of his establishment of the Dao. Like newborn calves unafraid of tigers, each was brimming with spiritual intelligence yet mischievous and unruly, utterly lawless. They actually dared tug at the hem of his azure robe, cling to his legs, tilt up their tender little faces, and cry in childish voices:

"Grandmaster, make tea-tea!"

"Grandmaster, we want fragrant tea!"

"Grandmaster's tea is the best! Teach us!"

Beset by these little fellows, Li Cha could neither laugh nor cry. He was both annoyed and amused. What a bunch of little things that know neither the height of heaven nor the depth of earth. Is Primordial Chaos Spirit Tea something you can covet? Aren't you afraid your spiritual consciousness will burst from drinking too much Enlightenment Tea? he grumbled inwardly. If his mood had not been fairly good lately, and if he had not truly had nothing better to do, he could not be bothered with these little troublemakers.

Though Li Cha thought this, his hands had already begun moving. He did not take out any of his finest spiritual teas. Instead, he selected an ordinary spiritual tea produced within the Grotto-Heaven—Cloud Mist Tea—and began demonstrating at an unhurried pace atop a stone table outside Pure Silence Studio.

The moment he began, not only did the Little Radish Heads immediately fall silent and stare without blinking, but Mo Ran, Shi Qing, and the other disciples who had rushed over upon hearing the news, along with the Dragon Eel, gathered around as well, watching with rapt attention.

What they watched was not merely the Dao rhythm of heaven and earth contained within Li Cha's movements—they were learning. Learning how to control the fire, how to choose the water, how to seize the right moment, how to draw out the tea leaves' spirituality to the fullest, and how to convey a state of mind of tranquility, harmony, and enlightenment through a process that seemed simple. As those beneath the Tea Dao Patriarch, if they could not even brew tea properly, or if their skill was crude, would that not utterly disgrace their master—Grandmaster?

In truth, this little "siege" of Li Cha had been instigated by Mo Ran behind the scenes. He knew well that while his master seemed easygoing, he in fact placed immense importance on the Tea Dao. If they could persuade their master to personally instruct them in the art of tea, it would be a Great Opportunity for everyone in the sect.

What sort of person was Li Cha? How could he fail to see through Mo Ran's little scheme? Yet when he saw everyone, especially the Little Radish Heads, being mischievous but utterly focused while learning and meticulous in imitation, the trace of helplessness in his heart turned to gratification. Li Cha's Dao had always possessed the power to educate and transform. Since his disciples were willing to learn, naturally he, as their Grandmaster, would not begrudge them his guidance.

Once he began teaching, it became somewhat impossible to stop. From the most basic identification of tea, discernment of water, and tending of fire, to the profound arts of guiding the tea's rhythm with divine sense and influencing the brew with one's Dao realm, Li Cha explained deep principles in simple terms, speaking with effortless clarity. Before they knew it, nearly a hundred years quietly slipped away amid the curling fragrance of tea and his meticulous instruction.

A hundred years of teaching produced remarkable results. The sect's disciples all improved greatly in their tea-brewing skills, and several outstanding seedlings emerged among them—those of exceptional talent, clever minds, and immense aptitude in the art of tea.

Qing Xuan and Lianyi were the most outstanding of all.

Qing Xuan's true form was Azure Jade Spirit Bamboo. Calm by nature, he possessed an innate sensitivity toward the vitality of vegetation and the balance between water and fire. The tea he brewed was clear and bright, with vitality hidden within. Drinking it was like bathing in a spring breeze, capable of soothing the agitation of one's mind.

Lianyi's true form was a Seven-Colored Spirit Carp. Born in a Spiritual Spring, she was naturally attuned to water, and her movements flowed like drifting clouds and running water, full of lively grace. Her control over water temperature and flow was exquisite down to the finest detail, able to bring out the tea leaves' mellow fragrance and Dao rhythm to the greatest extent. Her tea possessed rich layers of flavor, leaving an endless aftertaste.

In merely a hundred years, the two had already grasped thirty percent of Li Cha's tea-brewing essence. This was an extraordinarily rare accomplishment!

Li Cha Saw This and was overjoyed. One day, he summoned Qing Xuan and Lianyi before him. Looking at these two disciples, like a golden boy and jade maiden, he said in a clear voice:

"Qing Xuan, Lianyi, you have devoted yourselves to the art of tea. Your hearts are pure, and your talents exceptional; you have deeply pleased me. Today, I shall formally accept you as Personal Disciples. I hope that you will cultivate diligently without cease in the future, and do not let the prestige of my Yunhua Lineage fall!"

Hearing this, Qing Xuan and Lianyi were beside themselves with excitement. They hurriedly knelt and performed the grand rite of three kneelings and nine kowtows. "Disciple Qing Xuan (Lianyi) thanks Master! We shall certainly not fail Master's great expectations!"

"Good. Rise." Li Cha nodded with a smile. With a sweep of his sleeve, two treasure artifacts shining brilliantly with precious light flew toward them.

"Qing Xuan, I bestow upon you the Azure Dragon Desk. This desk was refined with an Innate Yi Wood Spirit Root as its main material, supplemented by numerous wood-element spiritual objects, and contains thirty-five layers of Postnatal Restrictions. Handling tea upon it calms the mind and settles the spirit, accelerates the growth of spiritual plants, and can even provide slight healing."

Qing Xuan respectfully accepted the wooden desk, jade-green throughout, with faint dragon patterns flowing over its surface. It felt warm and smooth in his hands, brimming with vitality, and he was overjoyed. "Many thanks, Master!"

"Lianyi, I bestow upon you the Rotating Wheel Pot. This pot was refined from Essence of Innate Geng Metal combined with Space Stone. It contains thirty-six layers of Postnatal Restrictions and may be called the pinnacle of high-grade Postnatal Spirit Treasures. This pot can contain the waters of a hundred rivers. It generates its own space within, can maintain the ideal water temperature, and can divide or combine water flows as one wishes. It will be of immense aid in the way of brewing."

Lianyi accepted the metal pot, ancient in design, its body etched with mysterious revolving patterns. Feeling the sharp metal aura and stable power of space contained within, she could not bear to put it down. "Lianyi thanks Master for bestowing this treasure!"

Witnessing Qing Xuan and Lianyi become Personal Disciples and receive such precious treasures, the other disciples and Little Radish Heads within the Grotto-Heaven were all filled with envy. At the same time, they became even more resolved to cultivate diligently and study the art of tea.

Beyond the Grotto-Heaven's internal development, the world outside Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven had not been peaceful during these years either. Since Li Cha established his Dao and the name of Yun Hua's Preaching the Dao spread, especially during these years of Hongjun's second sermon, a large number of living beings had come from all corners of the Primordial Wilderness, gathering in the Valley outside the Grotto-Heaven.

Most of them had not reached Great Luo in cultivation and had no chance to go to the Purple Heaven Palace to hear the Dao. Hearing that Yun Hua the Hermit had founded the Tea Dao and taught without discrimination, they wished to enter his sect—whether to seek protection or to find a Heaven-Reaching Great Dao. Yet the thoughts of these would-be disciples were mixed and varied. Most had seen Li Cha's great power and sought to cling to him, or were desperate for quick success, their Dao Hearts impure.

For those whose hearts were impure, Li Cha needed only sweep them with his divine sense to know their background, and he accepted not a single one.

However, there were four whom Li Cha carefully examined and confirmed to truly possess hearts devoted to the Dao and acceptable temperaments. He accepted them as Nominal Disciples.

All four were cultivators who had once listened to his first preaching outside Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven and, through it, broken through to Da Luo Golden Immortal:

Ming Xuan: transformed from an Illuminating Profound Snake, a low-grade innate spiritual beast; Early Da Luo; his Human Flower had bloomed to the eighth rank. Calm in temperament, he was skilled at observation.

Kong Wen: transformed from Hollow Bamboo, a low-grade Innate Spiritual Root; Early Da Luo; his Human Flower had bloomed to the ninth rank. His mind was clear and pure, and he possessed considerable wisdom.

Yuan Yi: transformed from a Yin Yang Stone, a low-grade innate divine stone; Early Da Luo; his Human Flower had bloomed to the ninth rank. Steady in temperament, he possessed no small degree of comprehension.

He Ming: transformed from a White Feather Crane, a low-grade innate spirit bird; Early Da Luo; his Human Flower had bloomed to the eighth rank. Pure and lofty in character, he possessed extraordinary speed.

Li Cha bestowed upon the four the upper portion of the Primordial Chaos Great Dao True Scripture, ordering them to cultivate under Mo Ran. Thus, Mo Ran, Li Cha's first disciple beneath his seat—though only nominal—had effectively become the chief steward of Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven, handling Coordination of both internal and external affairs. The Dragon Eel, meanwhile, became Mo Ran's capable assistant due to his smooth manner and loyalty. As for Shi Qing, the founding senior disciple, he devoted himself wholly to the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique and had no interest whatsoever in mundane affairs, making this Senior Disciple Brother seem somewhat "absent" when it came to management.

Li Cha had accepted only four Nominal Disciples, leaving the ever-growing crowd of Dao seekers outside the Grotto-Heaven disappointed and dissatisfied. Seeing the Valley packed with people and growing noisier by the day, to the point that it was nearly disturbing the Grotto-Heaven's peace and quiet—

Left with no choice, Li Cha had Mo Ran announce to the outside:

"By Master's command: one hundred years after Dao Ancestor Hongjun concludes his preaching, a preaching platform will be established outside Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven to expound upon the profound essence of the Tea Dao. At that time, all living beings of the Primordial Wilderness, regardless of origin or cultivation, may come to listen. After the preaching, Grandmaster will assess your comprehension, temperament, and hearts devoted to the Dao, selecting a small number of those with affinity to enter the sect."

The moment this news emerged, it caused a tremendous uproar outside the Grotto-Heaven. Though the gathered living beings still had to wait, they at least now had a clear hope to look forward to. Their restless emotions gradually settled, and they began patiently awaiting that preaching, destined to shape the futures of countless more living beings. With Li Cha's action, the momentum of the Yunhua Lineage grew ever more immense throughout the Primordial Wilderness.