Brewing Tea and Discussing the Dao

With Mo Ran, a Golden Immortal Qilin familiar with the terrain of the Primordial Wilderness, serving as his mount, Li Cha was spared much trouble in finding his way. They sped along like lightning, avoiding the core battlefields thick with baleful energy, and reached their destination—Shouyang Mountain—in less than a year.

The mountain stood majestic and imposing. Though it could not compare to Buzhou Mountain, which connected heaven and earth, it possessed its own solemn, weighty Innate Dao Charm. In particular, the Pure Yang Golden Qi contained within the mountain was vast and abundant. At this time, the Human Dao had yet to emerge, and Shouyang Copper—the future material for the Human Race's sacred artifact, the Kongtong Seal—should have remained hidden deep within the Earth Veins, unseen by the world. Yet this was the end of the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity. Heavenly secrets were shrouded in Chaos, all things were veiled in dust, and a subtle, nearly imperceptible gap had appeared in the workings of heaven and earth's laws.

Li Cha knew that this opportunity would vanish in an instant. He ordered Mo Ran to stand guard outside the mountain while he quietly slipped into an underground place where Spiritual Energy gathered. With a thought, the Chaos Pearl emerged from his primordial spirit and hovered above his head, disrupting and concealing all traces of his aura and the heavenly secrets within a hundred-mile radius, ensuring that no one could divine the changes here.

Then he took a deep breath and sank his Spiritual Sense into the deepest part of his soul. Carefully, he stirred that wisp of power which had lain dormant ever since his transmigration—something utterly incompatible with this Primordial World, yet containing limitless potential. It was Human Dao Spiritual Light from another world! This was not the acquired fortune of the Human Race in this world, but an Innate Conceptual Prototype concerning "civilization," "wisdom," and "self-improvement."

"Buzz!"

A faint yet extraordinarily profound ripple flashed across Li Cha's body. It lasted less than a breath before he forcefully sealed it with the power of the Chaos Pearl and drew it back into the depths of his soul. Yet in that fleeting instant, it seemed to have touched upon some unseen opportunity!

"Rumble..."

The entire Shouyang Mountain trembled faintly. Deep within its belly, an Innate Copper Mother as massive as a small mountain, crimson-gold throughout and naturally inscribed with Dao patterns, responded with a low hum. A spark of spirituality within its core was stirred by the power of the Human Dao, and it actually took the initiative to separate a fist-sized mass of Shouyang Divine Copper. It transformed into a streak of golden light, broke through the rock layers, and flew straight toward Li Cha!

Li Cha reacted swiftly, reaching out to seize the divine copper. It felt warm and smooth in his hand, yet incomparably heavy, and it radiated pure Innate Golden Qi. He did not dare take more. He knew that excess was as bad as deficiency. Obtaining a piece this large was already a stroke of heaven-defying luck, more than enough to forge the teapot he had envisioned.

Having obtained the Shouyang Divine Copper, Li Cha did not linger. With a flash, he returned to the surface. To ensure that the forging process would not be disturbed—and to prevent the phenomenon of a spirit treasure's birth from attracting unnecessary trouble—he brought the curiously peering Mo Ran directly into the Chaos Pearl.

Inside the pearl, Chaos qi permeated everything. Earth, fire, water, and wind had yet to settle, and the laws of time and space were unique. It was the perfect place for forging artifacts. Li Cha used Great Mana to open up a patch of pure ground, took out the Shouyang Divine Copper, and, drawing on his deep understanding of the mutual generation and restraint of the Five Elements, supplemented it with various spiritual materials produced within the Chaos Pearl as he began his careful refinement.

He was not merely forging an artifact. He also wanted to engrave into this vessel his understanding of Tea Dao, as well as his insights into "containment," "transformation," and "harmony." Fire arose from the void—not ordinary fire, but Five Elements True Fire summoned by his own Dao Charm. Slowly, it smelted, shaped, and inscribed Dao patterns... The process took a long time. Time passed unnoticed within the Chaos Pearl, yet forty-nine years had already gone by outside.

When the final Dao pattern containing the meanings of "purity," "sweetness," and "mellowness" was imprinted upon the body of the pot, the entire teapot suddenly erupted with brilliant yet non-dazzling crimson-gold radiance. The pot hummed as Dao Charm flowed across it, and faint dragon roars and phoenix cries echoed from its spout. When the light faded, an ancient yet elegant teapot, its lines smooth and natural, floated quietly in the air. Faint images of mountains, rivers, vegetation, and a Chaos tea tree appeared upon its body—an Postnatal Supreme Spirit Treasure, the Shouyang Pot!

Though the pot had been forged after the creation of heaven and earth, its material was Innate Divine Copper. It had also absorbed Li Cha's Great Dao insights and been tempered by Five Elements True Fire, raising its quality to the level of a supreme spirit treasure. Moreover, since it had been born specifically for Tea Dao, its ability to brew spiritual tea and nurture tea charm surpassed that of many Innate Spirit Treasures.

Holding the Shouyang Pot, warm and smooth as jade, Li Cha felt an irrepressible surge of excitement. At last, he had his first utensil worthy of the supreme Tea Dao in his heart! Eager to test it, he left the Chaos Pearl and returned outside Shouyang Mountain with Mo Ran.

He found a secluded valley and set up a simple concealment array. Li Cha drew mountain spring water into the Shouyang Pot, then heated it once more with the technique of creating fire from the void. This time, he took out the Innate Enlightenment Tea he had grown himself.

The tea leaves fell into the pot and were immediately stimulated by the Shouyang Pot's Pure Yang Golden Qi and unique Dao Charm, producing extraordinary phenomena. Mist rose from the spout and transformed into streams of radiant light. Great Dao Runes vaguely appeared and vanished within them, while an elegant and profound tea fragrance spread through the air. At a single breath of it, one's mind became clear and one's thoughts flowed freely.

Li Cha carefully poured the tea into a Tea Cup formed from condensed spiritual power. The tea was bright and clear, like amber, with Dao Charm endlessly circulating within it. He raised the cup, took a light sip, and closed his eyes to savor it.

In an instant, countless flavors bloomed! The first taste was an ultimate bitterness—not unbearable, but like the arduous search for the Great Dao. It then turned into a crisp astringency that washed over his tongue and cleansed away all impurities. Next came an indescribable freshness, like the first breath of life at the dawn of creation. When the bitterness faded, rich sweetness surged up from his throat, leaving an endless aftertaste. Finally, all the flavors merged into a mellow, harmonious clarity that lingered between his lips and teeth, refusing to disperse.

"Good tea!" Li Cha opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them as they filled with admiration and satisfaction. This cup of Innate Enlightenment Tea brewed with the Shouyang Pot tasted thousands, even tens of thousands of times better than any famous tea he had sampled in his previous life! This was true Immortal Tea!

Mo Ran, standing nearby, had already begun drooling. Though he did not understand the subtleties of Tea Dao, the Great Dao essence radiating from the tea made him salivate. He stared eagerly at the Tea Cup in Li Cha's hand.

Li Cha could not help but smile at the sight. "You fool, you do recognize something good. Fine, I'll reward you with a cup. Consider it payment for carrying me all this way."

"Thank you for your reward, Master!" Mo Ran was overjoyed. Forgetting all decorum, he opened his huge mouth and gulped down the entire cup of tea Li Cha handed him. The sight of him treating it like a cow chewing peonies made Li Cha shake his head. What a waste of something precious!

Once the tea entered his stomach, the immense Spiritual Energy and Enlightenment Aura within it instantly spread through Mo Ran's body. His injuries had long since fully recovered from drinking tea, and his state of mind had calmed. He had already been on the brink of a breakthrough, and with this assistance, he could no longer hold himself back. Letting out a satisfied low roar, his massive body crashed onto the ground. He instantly fell into a deep sleep, spiritual energy swirling around him and faint laws appearing over his body. Clearly, he was digesting the tea's power and attempting to break through to a higher realm.

Knowing that Mo Ran had reached a critical moment, Li Cha smiled helplessly. He could only temporarily suppress his desire to continue savoring the tea. Sitting cross-legged beside Mo Ran, he slowly tasted the remaining Enlightenment Tea in his cup while standing guard for him.

In that tranquil moment, a nearly imperceptible ripple suddenly spread through the space above the valley, like waves stirring across water. The next instant, a Daoist with an exceptionally handsome face, snow-white brows and hair, and a moon-white Daoist robe silently stepped down from the air, landing not far from Li Cha.

His aura was ethereal and empty, as though he had merged with the surrounding space. His depths were impossible to fathom. His gaze swept over the sleeping Mo Ran before finally falling upon Li Cha, who was pouring and drinking tea by himself. With a gentle smile at the corner of his lips, he raised his hands in greeting.

"Greetings, Daoist Friend. I am Yang Mei. Passing through this place, I sensed extraordinary Dao Charm and felt a stirring in my heart. Might I rest here for a moment?"

Daoist Yang Mei!

Li Cha's heart shook violently, and even the hand holding his Tea Cup paused slightly. He had never imagined that the first top-tier powerhouse of the Primordial Wilderness he would encounter after escaping the seal would be this man! An enlightened hollow willow tree, the reincarnation of a Chaos Space Demon God, and a terrifying existence whose strength ranked among the top three in the Primordial Wilderness!

He quickly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, rose to return the greeting, and replied with calm composure, "So it is Daoist Brother Yang Mei. I have long admired your great name. I am Li Cha, known as Yun Hua the Hermit. Please make yourself at home, Daoist Brother."

"Daoist Friend Yun Hua is too courteous." Yang Mei's gaze fell upon the Shouyang Pot in Li Cha's hand and the Tea Cup brimming with spiritual energy. A hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes. "The object in Daoist Friend's hand is rather extraordinary. From afar, I sensed its remarkable aura. Now that I am closer, I find my mind soothed and clear. May I ask what kind of immortal brew or wondrous medicine this is?"

Li Cha understood at once. So the tea fragrance had drawn this great power here. He smiled slightly and explained, "This is neither wine nor medicine. It is called tea. It is brewed from the leaves of a special spiritual plant, using water and fire. Tea contains the natural Dao of heaven and earth. Savor it carefully, and it may clear the mind and reveal one's true nature, perhaps granting a moment of insight. If Daoist Brother does not mind, why not taste it?"

As he spoke, a thought formed in his mind. Spiritual power took shape and condensed into a crystal-clear Tea Cup. Holding the Shouyang Pot, he poured a cup seven-tenths full of Enlightenment Tea, then supported it with his Spiritual Sense and steadily sent it toward Yang Mei.

"Tea?" Yang Mei lifted his snow-white brows, accepting the Tea Cup with great interest. He did not look down on Li Cha in the slightest merely because Li Cha was only at the Early Da Luo realm. Instead, Li Cha's bearing and this novel object made him regard him more highly. Imitating Li Cha's earlier manner, he parted his lips and took a small sip.

The moment the tea entered his mouth, astonishing brilliance suddenly burst forth in Yang Mei's previously placid eyes!

First came an extremely faint bitterness, instantly touching his Dao Heart as though reflecting the countless hardships along the path of cultivation. Then the bitterness dispersed and transformed into a clear sweetness that moistened his throat and nourished his primordial spirit. Immediately afterward, an indescribably ethereal Dao Charm rushed straight into his Purple Mansion. Some of the obscure and difficult aspects of the Great Dao of Space that had puzzled him in the past became as clear as clouds parting before the sun. His understanding of the Dao deepened by half a step out of nowhere!

At his level, every step forward was incomparably difficult, and even the slightest insight was immensely precious. Yet a mere sip of this "tea" had brought such obvious benefits. It was simply unbelievable!

"Wonderful! Wonderfully profound!" Yang Mei set down the Tea Cup, and the way he looked at Li Cha had changed completely. His gaze held heartfelt admiration and a trace of gratitude. "Thank you for your generous gift, Daoist Friend! This tea is truly extraordinary. It actually possesses the marvelous effect of helping one comprehend the Dao. It is a rare treasure in the Primordial Wilderness!"

"Ha ha, Daoist Brother praises it too highly. It is merely a minor path. That it can enter Daoist Brother's eyes is already its good fortune." Li Cha waved his hand modestly, though he felt quite pleased inside. Having his Tea Dao recognized by a great power like Yang Mei was undoubtedly an affirmation of his path.

The two sat facing one another in the secluded valley, using tea as their medium. Li Cha took out more Enlightenment Tea leaves and brewed another pot with the Shouyang Pot, sharing it with Yang Mei. One pot of clear tea, two Daoists—soon, their conversation grew increasingly congenial.

Since transmigrating, this was the first time Li Cha had spoken so freely with someone. He had communicated with Pangu before, but that had been more of a one-sided entrustment. Yang Mei was also deeply moved. As the reincarnation of a Chaos Demon God, he knew Hongjun, Qiankun, Yin Yang, and the others, but he had always felt separated from them by a layer. There was more calculation than sincerity between them, more entanglement of interests than genuine discussions of the Dao. This was the first time he had encountered a Daoist Friend like Li Cha—one whose aura was pure, whose Dao realm was profound, whose words were witty, and who held no hidden schemes.

After finishing the tea in the pot, Yang Mei felt refreshed and invigorated. His cultivation, which had not advanced for many years, seemed to show faint signs of loosening. Delighted, he looked at Li Cha and said solemnly, "Daoist Friend, your Enlightenment Tea has benefited me immensely today and advanced my Dao by half a step. I cannot fully express my gratitude. Would Daoist Friend be willing to discuss the Dao with me, that we might verify one another's learning?"

Li Cha had been hoping for exactly this. To discuss the Dao with a Space Demon God was an immense opportunity for him as well. He immediately agreed with a smile. "It is precisely what I wished for, though I did not dare ask. Then I shall listen to Daoist Brother's lofty insights."

Yang Mei nodded. Without further words, Dao Charm began circulating around him as he started expounding upon his Great Dao of Space.

In an instant, centered around Yang Mei, the surrounding space seemed to come alive. It twisted, folded, stretched, shattered... All manner of spatial phenomena appeared. They looked exceedingly dangerous, yet an invisible force confined them within a tiny area. They were merely manifestations of Great Dao laws and would not truly harm anything. Li Cha listened with intense focus, feeling countless profound principles concerning the void, dimensions, distance, and domains flood into his mind. Many of his former doubts regarding Teleportation and Evasion Techniques and spatial arrays were resolved at once. Without realizing it, he comprehended several Great Divine Abilities, including Distance within Reach and Space Folding. Even the sleeping Mo Ran had faint spatial ripples spreading around his body as he passively absorbed the scattered fragments of law, gaining great benefits.

When Yang Mei finished, it was Li Cha's turn. Yang Mei had initially believed that, though Li Cha's Dao realm was remarkable, his cultivation was ultimately still shallow, so Li Cha's explanation of the Great Dao would offer him limited help. Yet when Li Cha began to speak of the seemingly gentle and non-contentious Great Dao of Tea, Yang Mei immediately cast aside every trace of underestimation.

"Tea Dao is like the highest goodness, like water. Water benefits all things and does not contend... Because it does not contend, it is free from blame." Li Cha's voice was calm, but every word was a pearl of wisdom. "The Virtues of Tea lie in purity, reverence, joy, truth, and harmony. Its purity cleanses worldly concerns; its reverence communicates with spirits and gods; its joy delights one's nature; its truth reveals one's original heart; its harmony blends all Daos..."

From the sprouting of a tea leaf, he spoke of plucking, processing, brewing, drinking, and savoring the aftertaste. He perfectly combined the entire process with the workings of heaven and earth, the birth and death of all things, and cultivation and enlightenment. This was not a Dao of slaughter and struggle, but a Great Dao of permeation, nourishment, harmonization, and awakening. Yang Mei listened, utterly entranced. He had never imagined that the Great Dao could be interpreted in such a way. In particular, Li Cha's notion of "not contending" was not cowardly withdrawal from the world, but the supreme state of because one does not contend, none under heaven can contend against one. It was a grand power that overcame hardness with softness, influenced things imperceptibly, and ultimately nourished all things while silently affecting heaven and earth.

This gave him an entirely new and deeper understanding of the qualities of "containment," "bearing," and "infinity" within his own Great Dao of Space. He vaguely felt that as long as he entered seclusion for a time and thoroughly digested today's gains, breaking through to the Peak Quasi-Saint realm would come as naturally as water flowing into a channel!

For a time, Dao sounds lingered throughout the valley and extraordinary phenomena appeared faintly. One was a Quasi-Saint powerhouse reincarnated from a Chaos Demon God; the other was the ancestor of Tea Dao, bearing wisdom from another world and World Creation Merit. This unexpected discussion of the Dao was destined to profoundly influence both their futures.