Tea at the Secluded Abode, Bonded by the Longevity Dao Rhyme

On the third day after the Secluded Abode was completed, Shen Hao deliberately held a tea-tasting gathering in the central pavilion. He invited disciples of the Hongmeng Dao Academy, sages from every race, and representatives of the people from Qinghe Town and Apricot Blossom Village. The tea leaves had been personally picked by him from the tender shoots of spiritual herbs in Secluded Forest Valley, then pan-fried; the spring water came from the Spirit Spring in the Secluded Abode's well, which contained Origin Power. He wished to make friends through tea, allowing everyone to savor the fragrant Spiritual Tea in this tranquil valley, comprehend the true essence of the Longevity Dao Rhyme, and forge a deep bond through tea.

That day, the sky was bright and clear, and a gentle breeze blew pleasantly. The morning mist in Secluded Forest Valley had long dispersed. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the branches and leaves, falling upon the pavilion's stone table and scattering flecks of golden light. Within the pavilion, an exquisite set of stone tea utensils had already been laid out. Beside them rested several baskets of freshly pan-fried spiritual herb tea, as well as plates of vividly colored, enticingly fragrant spirit fruits.

Shen Hao wore a plain Daoist robe and sat cross-legged upon a stone bench, his expression calm. A faint Longevity Dao Rhyme lingered around him. Zi Xuan sat beside him, holding a bamboo basket filled with freshly washed spirit fruits. A gentle smile rested on her face as she quietly kept him company.

As soon as the hour of the dragon arrived, the invited guests began arriving at the Secluded Abode one after another. The first were several disciples from the Hongmeng Dao Academy. Dressed in green robes and carrying scrolls, they strode lightly into the valley and bowed