Return to the Grotto-Heaven, Old Friend Bids Farewell

Baxia was not known for his speed in escape arts, but as a dragon son at the Peak of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, he was born able to ride clouds and mists. When flying at full speed, his pace was far beyond what Forget Worry could match. On the journey here, Li Cha had been carried by Forget Worry in leisurely travel, taking over a hundred years to reach Ren Water Grotto-Heaven. Now, on the return trip, with Baxia—a primordial beast—as his mount, it took less than three years before the towering, sky-linked Buzhou Mountain came into view.

Counting the time, there were still over seven hundred years remaining until Hongjun's third session of preaching the Dao ended, so the schedule was quite relaxed.

Upon receiving news of Li Cha's return, all the disciples of Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven swiftly gathered before the Immortal Welcoming Platform at the grotto's entrance, standing in orderly ranks to respectfully welcome their ancestor back to the mountain. Radiant light paved the way, immortal cranes cried out crisply, and the grotto's grand formation slowly opened, revealing the figures of Li Cha and his companions.

Li Cha descended gracefully, followed by Wu Zhiqi, who was scratching his head and curiously looking around, and Baxia, who had shrunk his form but still could not conceal his vast aura and ancient draconic might. This combination immediately drew silent awe from the disciples below. In particular, Baxia's unique dragon-headed, tortoise-bodied form and the faint pressure of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal inspired reverence.

"Greetings to Master (Ancestor) upon your return!" Led by Mo Ran, the crowd saluted in unison, their voices shaking the clouds.

Li Cha nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over them. Seeing that everyone's cultivation had improved and the grotto-heaven was well-ordered, he felt a sense of comfort. He briefly introduced Wu Zhiqi and Baxia to the crowd: "This is my newly accepted disciple, Wu Zhiqi, born from the innate water element of the primordial world. He is lively and active by nature; you must look after him in the days to come. This one is a venerable elder of the Dragon Clan, Baxia, one of the nine sons of the Ancestral Dragon. He will be staying temporarily in Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven. You shall treat him with courtesy and not be negligent."

Wu Zhiqi cheerfully cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, while Baxia steadily nodded his massive dragon head. Though pride still lingered in his draconic eyes, he had restrained his ferocity, appearing much more peaceful. The disciples were curious about the origins of these two, but seeing that Li Cha had no intention of elaborating, they dared not ask and returned the greetings.

Just as the pleasantries were underway, the protective grand formation of the grotto-heaven suddenly emitted a gentle ripple—not a sign of enemy attack, but a signal of a visitor's arrival.

Li Cha's mind stirred, and with a wave of his hand, he opened the formation's gate. Two figures, one male and one female, entered together, their steps unhurried and natural, as if they were taking a leisurely stroll to visit a friend. They were Li Cha's two good friends, Wang Shu and Yang Mei.

"Daoist Friend Yun Hua, long time no see!" Yang Mei spoke first, his voice carrying a hint of teasing as he made a formal bow.

Li Cha and Wang Shu returned the bow simultaneously. Li Cha smiled and said, "Daoist Brother Yang Mei jests. A few thousand years is hardly longer than the time it takes you to take a nap, is it?" He turned his gaze to Wang Shu, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Fellow Daoist Wang Shu, what brings you here today with Daoist Brother Yang Mei to my humble abode?"

Wang Shu's cold, clear eyes glanced at Li Cha, her tone carrying a hint of reproach: "What else could it be? A certain Daoist friend left for thousands of years without a word. The two of us were thinking of the pure tea in your Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven, waiting left and right, but you never returned. Today, we finally sensed your gate wide open, so we came together immediately, afraid we might miss you again."

Hearing this, Li Cha's face showed a trace of embarrassment, and he quickly apologized: "My fault, my fault! This journey indeed took far too long. As it happens, I recently came across a new tea of decent quality. Please, both of you, taste it and consider it my apology."

"Oh? A new tea?" Ancestor Yang Mei's interest was piqued, a gleam flashing in his eyes. Aside from delving into the Great Dao of Space, his only other indulgence was a good cup of tea. "If Daoist Friend Yun Hua calls it 'decent,' it must be extraordinary. Fellow Daoist Wang Shu, what do you think?" He turned to Wang Shu, intending to mediate.

Seeing Li Cha's sincere attitude and hearing about the new tea, Wang Shu's expression softened slightly. She gave a light snort and said, "Very well, for Daoist Brother Yang Mei's sake, I'll let this one off this time. If the tea isn't good, there will be another penalty!"

"Only women and petty men are hard to raise—the ancients were not wrong. This Fairy Wang Shu, appearing so cold and aloof, turns out to be quite 'grudging' as well." Li Cha grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, he wore a full smile as he led the two toward Pure Silence Studio.

Inside the studio, around a round table of spirit wood, Wang Shu and Yang Mei sat on the left and right, while Li Cha took the host's seat, personally boiling water and brewing tea. Moments later, the Three Talents Cup overflowed with tea fragrance. This aroma was not the faint, distant elegance of Pure Spirit Tea, but a rich, mellow sweetness that seeped into the heart and mind. Even more, a faint Dao rhythm seemed to flow within the scent, refreshing the spirit upon smelling it.

Yang Mei eagerly picked up the cup, first observing its color—the tea soup was a clear purple-gold, faintly shimmering with rosy light. Then he smelled its fragrance—that unique, intense sweetness surged straight into his consciousness. Finally, he took a careful sip, closing his eyes to savor it deeply. After a long moment, he opened his eyes and praised, "Excellent! This tea suits me perfectly! Sweet and mellow, intense in aroma, with a lingering aftertaste—unlike Pure Spirit Tea, which is too light and elegant. Daoist Friend Yun Hua, what is this tea called?"

"This is Purple Firmament Tea. It was born accompanied by Innate Ren Water, nourished by it, hence its unique flavor," Li Cha explained.

Wang Shu moved gracefully, carefully feeling the changes of the tea soup in her mouth, and said softly, "This tea is indeed extraordinary—sweet, fresh, and lively, with a restrained Dao rhythm. However, for me, the light, lingering elegance of Pure Spirit Tea suits my heart better."

Li Cha smiled and nodded. People have different preferences, and the Dao is no exception—it cannot be forced. After three rounds of tea, the atmosphere in the room gradually grew quiet, carrying a faint, hard-to-detect gravity.

Li Cha set down his teacup, his gaze sweeping over his two friends, and broke the silence first: "Alright, both of you. Coming together today, I imagine it's not just to taste this new tea of mine, is it?"

Seeing that Li Cha had brought it up directly, Yang Mei no longer concealed his intent. He put down his teacup, his expression turning serious, and asked bluntly, "Daoist Friend Yun Hua, I won't beat around the bush. Hongjun is about to unify with the Heavenly Dao. After that, within the Primordial World, he will be the sole sovereign. What are your plans?"

Li Cha did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at Yang Mei, a hint of inquiry in his eyes: "What is your esteemed opinion, Daoist Brother? Could it be... you plan to leave the Primordial World and wander the Chaos?" Li Cha spoke the outcome of Yang Mei's previous life.

A flicker of surprise passed through Yang Mei's eyes: "How did you know? Yes, I do have that intention. After unifying with the Dao, Hongjun, within the Primordial World and backed by the power of the Heavenly Dao, is someone I cannot defeat. But if I go beyond the Primordial World, away from the Heavenly Dao, his abilities... Before he unifies with the Dao is the best time for me to leave. Otherwise, with his petty and vengeful nature, how could he let me off?"

Hearing this, Li Cha's curiosity was piqued, and he pressed further: "Old brother, from what you're saying, how exactly did you 'offend' him?"

A trace of embarrassment appeared on Yang Mei's face, and he hesitated without answering immediately. Wang Shu couldn't help but cover her mouth with a light laugh, speaking for him: "He had nothing better to do. After the first preaching session at Purple Firmament Palace ended, he went to Jade Capital Mountain to 'discuss the Dao' with Hongjun. But... relying on the mystery of his Space Laws, he took away all the various treasures Hongjun brought out. Later, he returned them, but before leaving, he couldn't resist teasing with the line, 'First came Hongjun, then the heavens; I predate Hongjun by thousands of years!' It made Daoist Friend Hongjun so angry his face turned green."

Li Cha listened, dumbfounded, and thought to himself, "Good heavens, those primordial world novels I read in my past life were actually true?! Ancestor Yang Mei really did that and said that!" He imagined Hongjun's frustrated, helpless expression at the time and nearly burst out laughing, quickly raising his teacup to cover it.

Suppressing his laughter, he said seriously to Yang Mei, "Well... Daoist Brother. In that case, maybe you should go out and hide for a while?" This was half teasing, half sincere. Hongjun was about to unify with the Dao and become the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao. Within the Primordial World, his words would become law. Yang Mei was a Primordial Da Luo, untouched by karma and free from calamities, but if the Heavenly Dao targeted him, it could use the power of the Primordial World to make every step difficult for him.

Yang Mei sighed, looking at Li Cha with a complex expression, knowing that this good friend was genuinely concerned for him. He took out a talisman—neither metal nor jade, shimmering with spatial ripples—and handed it to Li Cha: "Sigh, I knew you'd say that. Fine. The Chaos may be dangerous, but it's also vast. Keep this Void Communication Talisman. If you encounter an insurmountable crisis in the Primordial World, use it to call me, and I will do my utmost to return and help!"

Li Cha solemnly accepted the talisman, feeling the profound Space Laws contained within it, a warmth surging in his heart. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Daoist Brother!"

He then turned to Wang Shu: "Fellow Daoist Wang Shu, what about you? What are your plans?"

Fairy Wang Shu's expression remained cold and aloof, but a flash of determination crossed her eyes: "My origin is connected to the Moon Star. Sensing the heavenly mechanism, I have vaguely touched the threshold of the Primordial Da Luo realm, but I'm always one step short. I plan to return to the Moon Star, enter a death-seclusion in the Star Hall to comprehend the Great Dao of the Supreme Yin, and I will not emerge until I have attained the Primordial Da Luo Dao Fruit!"

Li Cha pondered for a moment. Wang Shu was different from Yang Mei; her roots were in the Primordial World, and her path was tied to the stars. Leaving was not a good option. He flipped his hand and produced a jade box, inside which were sealed three tea leaves shimmering with divine patterns of the Great Dao and radiant spiritual light—these were the Enlightenment Tea leaves Li Cha had plucked from his own hair.

"Fellow Daoist Wang Shu, your ambition for the Great Dao is admirable. I gift this to you. It may help you, at a critical moment, clear your mind and see your true nature, capturing that fleeting spark of breakthrough. May you soon break through the mysterious barrier, attain the Primordial Da Luo Dao Fruit, and roam freely in the world!" Li Cha handed the jade box over.

A flicker of emotion passed through Wang Shu's eyes. She knew the preciousness of the Enlightenment Tea and did not refuse, accepting it solemnly: "Daoist Friend Yun Hua, I will remember this kindness. Thank you!"

Finally, both of their gazes fell on Li Cha. Yang Mei asked, "Daoist Friend Yun Hua, what about you? After the unification with the Dao, Hongjun will inevitably find ways to restrict and suppress you. How will you handle it?"

Li Cha stood up, walked to the window of the studio, and looked out at the vibrant Yun Hua Grotto-Heaven. His gaze gradually grew deep and resolute. He spoke slowly: "Me? I won't leave. The Primordial World was created by the Great God Pangu, the home of all beings. The Heavenly Dao wishes to walk its path; I cannot stop it, nor do I wish to. But what I seek is not personal transcendence. I wish to remain in this world, to seek a relative fairness for all beings of the Primordial World, and to fight for a thread of eternal vitality. Even if the road ahead is perilous and the Heavenly Dao opposes me, I will go nonetheless."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an unshakable resolve and compassion, as if he were making a great vow.

"Daoist Friend Yun Hua..." Wang Shu and Yang Mei were both moved. They could feel the weight and determination in Li Cha's words. It was a path that would subtly oppose the soon-to-be-formed order of the Heavenly Dao, destined to be strewn with thorns.

"Don't try to persuade me." Li Cha turned around, a carefree smile on his face. He solemnly cupped his hands to his two close friends: "The immortal path is long, and the road is arduous. Fairy Wang Shu, take care! Daoist Brother Yang Mei, stay safe!"

"Stay safe!"

"Take care!"

Wang Shu and Yang Mei returned the bow with equal solemnity.

Thus, Li Cha's two most intimate friends in the Primordial World—one, to avoid the edge of conflict and seek a broader path, resolutely stepped into the endless Chaos, full of both danger and opportunity; the other, to break through to the highest realm, returned to her place of origin to enter a death-seclusion of unknown years, with life and death uncertain, not knowing when she would reappear in the world.

In the quiet chamber, the fragrance of tea lingered, but the old friends had already parted.