Boom!
Before Forget Worry could carry them near the river's center, the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey, who had just been born and was wantonly venting its power, sensed their presence. Its ferocity had yet to fade, and it immediately churned the river waters. A violent current containing the vast mana of an Early Da Luo cultivator transformed into a savage water dragon and charged straight at Forget Worry with overwhelming force!
The current was incredibly fast, accompanied by a dragon's roar.
"Haha, this little monkey has quite the temper." Li Cha was not angered but amused, a trace of appreciation flashing through his eyes. He did not rise, merely lightly pointing his right index finger at the incoming torrent.
There was no earth-shattering collision, nor any roaring clash of mana. The water dragon, which had been powerful enough to tear apart mountains and carried the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey's unyielding will, became as docile as a tamed wild horse the moment it touched the invisible Dao resonance emanating from Li Cha's fingertip. The violent current turned into a clear, gentle ribbon of water that flowed slowly around Forget Worry's limbs and body, as affectionate as a tame pet.
This effortless transformation of killing intent into tranquility left Li Cha's disciples dazzled, their admiration for their master's methods deepening further.
"Chitter?!"
At the river's center, the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey let out a startled cry at the unbelievable sight. He had been born with spiritual intelligence, and though he had only just entered the world, he knew that the man before him was far from ordinary. He stopped churning the river. His naturally peculiar eyes—his left eye black as though peering into the Nine Nethers, his right eye pure white as though gazing into the future—erupted with brilliant divine light. Like two searchlights, they focused upon Li Cha, attempting to see through the origins and future of the daoist in azure robes.
Li Cha sat serenely upon Forget Worry's back, smiling as he allowed him to observe without the slightest intention of stopping him.
To be honest, Li Cha held considerable fondness for the Four Spiritual Monkeys of Heaven and Earth. Memories from his previous life told him that although the four monkeys were fated for hardship and endured countless trials, every one of them was proud and untamed, daring to challenge every injustice in the world. Their bones carried the blood of resistance and unyielding defiance. They should have been Divine Generals who protected the Human Dao. Unfortunately, the Human Dao had been sealed by the Heavenly Dao from its very birth, leaving them as pearls buried in dust. In the end, they each embarked upon winding, even tragic paths, unable to shine with the brilliance they deserved.
Within the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey's eyes, black and white light swirled rapidly. Countless hazy fragments, karmic threads, and possible future scenes flashed by in a frenzy. He saw the Tea Dao's radiant glow around Li Cha, as vast as a sea of stars yet gentle and all-embracing; he saw Shi Qing's immense vital energy, as heavy as Buzhou Mountain and containing the sharpness of creation within; he saw the pure, vigorous life force and Dao resonance upon Qing Xuan, Lianyi, and the others. Vaguely, he even glimpsed a supreme scene beyond the Primordial Wilderness, with Chaos rising and falling...
When he tried to go further and see Li Cha's true nature and core Dao path—
Pfft!
With two soft muffled sounds, two streams of crimson bloody tears flowed from the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey's divine eyes at once! A terrifying backlash from the source of the Great Dao surged back along his attempt to pry, violently shaking his soul and sending stabbing, burning pain through his eyes!
"Chitter!" He let out a pained cry, abruptly lowering his head and closing his eyes, not daring to look again. Boundless shock and reverence filled his heart. He understood that this person's origins, cultivation, and karmic ties had already surpassed the limit of what his "Understanding Yin Yang, Avoiding Death and Extending Life" divine ability could perceive!
Without the slightest hesitation, the proud and untamed Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey swiftly descended. No longer daring to stand at the river's center, he stepped upon the turbulent waters and knelt before Li Cha. His massive monkey head struck deeply against the water, splashing up a great spray.
"Great Master! This little one was blind and offended heavenly might! I beg Great Master for mercy—please accept this little one as your disciple! I am willing to follow at your side, heed your teachings, and would not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!"
His voice was loud and resonant, carrying a trace of lingering fear but even more sincerity and yearning. He might have been proud, but he was not foolish. That brief glimpse had brought backlash, yet it had also allowed him to truly sense Li Cha's unfathomable depth and the tranquil Dao resonance so unlike the killing aura of the Primordial Wilderness. This was an unprecedentedly thick thigh to cling to, and even more, a supreme Dao path that might change his destiny!
"Hahaha, little monkey, you certainly know how to read the times." Li Cha laughed heartily, feeling delighted. He had originally wondered whether this monkey's proud temperament would require Shi Qing to "spar" with him and beat him into submission. He had not expected him to kneel and ask to become a disciple right away, saving them the trouble.
"Rise." Li Cha raised his right hand slightly, and a gentle force lifted the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey. "Now that you have entered my sect, you should have a Daoist name. Do you have a name?"
The Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey scratched his head and replied with simple honesty—or perhaps ignorance—"In reply to Great Master, this little one was only just born and does not yet have a name."
Li Cha examined his crimson body and his divine ability to command rivers, then pondered briefly. "In that case, I shall grant you the name Wu Zhiqi. This name accords with your origin. You command water and govern floods; that is your duty."
"Wu Zhiqi... Wu Zhiqi..." The Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey murmured it several times. He felt that the name suited him incomparably well, as though he had been born to bear it. Overjoyed, he scratched at his ears and cheeks before bowing again. "Wu Zhiqi thanks Great Master for granting me a name!"
"Since I have bestowed your name, from today onward, you are a Personal Disciple under me, Li Cha!" Li Cha's expression turned solemn. "Your nature is fierce and resolute, and your combat strength is exceptional. I appoint you Guardian of the Way of Tea for my Yunhua Lineage! May you uphold righteousness in your heart, protect your fellow disciples, and defend our Dao Lineage!"
With that, he tapped a finger, sending a stream of light into Wu Zhiqi's brow. It was the supreme body-tempering method capable of attaining sainthood—the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique! At the same time, with another wave of his hand, a long staff appeared before Wu Zhiqi. It was entirely black with a faint metallic sheen, as thick as a bowl and roughly twelve feet long. Mysterious patterns were carved along its body, and it exuded a heavy sense of power. It was a Postnatal High-Grade Spirit Treasure—the Primordial Iron Staff!
"I grant you the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique to temper your battle body and unlock your potential. I grant you the Primordial Iron Staff as the weapon with which you shall protect the Dao!"
Wu Zhiqi felt the profound and vast mysteries of the technique enter his mind, then beheld the mighty staff that seemed tailored specifically for him. Especially when he gripped it and felt the smooth, natural sensation of bloodline connection, as though it were an extension of his arm, excitement made every hair on his body tremble faintly!
"Thank you, Master! This disciple will cultivate diligently and train hard, never failing Master's high expectations! I will fulfill my role as Guardian of the Way of Tea!" He tightly gripped the Primordial Iron Staff, unable to put it down, and excitedly swung it several times on the spot, raising bursts of whistling wind.
Seeing his excitement, Li Cha smiled inwardly. As expected, monkeys all favor staff-like weapons. He suddenly recalled that in the original legends, Wu Zhiqi the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey wielded a treasure called the Sea-Spanning Purple Gold Beam, which seemed to be the West Sea's treasure for stabilizing the ocean. Well, if I ever have the chance to visit the West Sea, I can keep an eye out for it and see whether I can find the weapon destined for him. Li Cha silently made a note of it.
"Mm." Li Cha nodded and pointed toward the disciples beside him. "These are your senior brothers and senior sisters. Go and greet them."
Though Wu Zhiqi was proud, he had just become a disciple and received such benefits, so he behaved very obediently. Hugging the Primordial Iron Staff, he bowed toward Shi Qing, Qing Xuan, Lianyi, Purple Spirit, and Forget Worry. "Wu Zhiqi greets Senior Disciple Brother and all senior brothers and sisters!"
Shi Qing and the others returned his greeting in turn.
Li Cha then specifically told Wu Zhiqi, "Your Senior Disciple Brother Shi Qing also cultivates the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique and has practiced it for many years, gaining considerable understanding. If you encounter anything you do not understand in your cultivation, you may seek his guidance often."
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhiqi looked at Shi Qing with noticeably greater warmth and hastily said, "Yes, Master! Please guide me, Senior Disciple Brother!"
Shi Qing gave a simple, honest smile and patted Wu Zhiqi on the shoulder. "You are too polite, Junior Brother. We can simply spar and learn from each other."
"Forget Worry," Li Cha instructed, "find a quiet place near a water source and stop there. Today, I have gained an excellent disciple, and I am pleased. We shall brew tea and preach the Dao there, both to welcome your newly joined junior brother and to consolidate your cultivation."
"Yes, Master." Forget Worry gave a low roar and trod upon clouds with its four hooves, carrying everyone down beneath a picturesque spiritual peak nearby. Clear springs flowed from the peak, its vegetation lush and green, and its surroundings tranquil.
Seeing this, Qing Xuan needed no instruction. With a sweep of his sleeve, azure light flashed, and an elegant thatched cottage woven from spiritual bamboo and vines appeared on the open ground beside the spring.
Lianyi lightly walked to the spring's source, took out a jade pot, and drew the clearest, sweetest spring water.
Purple Spirit skillfully activated the Five Elements Furnace, producing a gentle and steady spiritual flame.
Shi Qing consciously stood farther away with his axe in hand, taking on the duty of guarding them.
As for the newly initiated Wu Zhiqi, he clutched his Primordial Iron Staff tightly and followed closely behind Shi Qing. His monkey eyes vigilantly surveyed the surroundings as he earnestly tried to fulfill the duties of a "guardian," his serious appearance making Purple Spirit secretly laugh.
Li Cha sat before the thatched cottage and took out his tea set. When the tea leaves fell into the cup and boiling water poured over them, a clear, elegant fragrance that calmed the heart and spirit rose gently from the cup and spread through the air.
"Chitter?" Wu Zhiqi, who had been scanning the surroundings vigilantly, twitched his nose several times. His monkey eyes instantly lit up as he stared intently at the Tea Cup in Li Cha's hand and asked curiously, "Master, what is that? It smells so good!"
Seeing how greedy he looked, Li Cha could not help but smile. "You have quite a good nose, and keen senses of smell. Besides its fragrance, have you sensed anything else?"
Hearing this, Wu Zhiqi tried hard to restrain his monkey nature and carefully sensed the tea fragrance permeating the air. Scratching his head, he said uncertainly, "Mm... besides the fragrance, there is also a... a feeling that makes one's heart very calm and comfortable? Right, it calms the spirit and settles the mind!" He suddenly slapped his hand as he understood the key point.
"Not bad, not bad!" The approval in Li Cha's eyes grew stronger. "The laws of battle within you still carry unresolved baleful energy, yet you can keenly sense the true meaning of 'stillness' within the Tea Dao. It seems you are fated for my Tea Dao and were meant to enter my sect! To possess such quick wit and comprehension is very good, very good!"
He turned to Qing Xuan. "Qing Xuan, brew a cup of spiritual tea for your new junior brother as well, and let him taste it."
"Yes, Master." Qing Xuan replied with a smile and elegantly brewed Wu Zhiqi a cup of ordinary spiritual tea.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Following Li Cha's earlier example, Wu Zhiqi carefully accepted the Tea Cup. He first curiously blew on the rising steam, then cautiously took a small sip.
The tea entered his mouth, warm, smooth, and sweet. A clear spiritual energy instantly spread down his throat and across his tongue, cleansing the restless mind and untamed wildness he had carried since his birth.
"Hmm?!" Wu Zhiqi abruptly widened his eyes, an extremely astonished expression appearing on his face. This tea's flavor, this feeling of tranquility... why did it faintly give him an inexplicable sense of familiarity? It was as if he had encountered a similar aura somewhere before?
Before you continue