Spiritual Tea (Seeking Collection, Recommendation!)

Rumble!

The charcoal fire blazed, licking the bottom of the Xiao Hong Pot, causing the spring water inside to churn and bubble, with hot steam rising.

Fang Yuan had the tea set laid out before him, his demeanor meticulous. He first boiled the spring water, discarding the first brew to clean the vessels. He then sealed the pot, divided the cups, served the tea, inhaled the aroma, and savored the taste. Every movement was natural and unforced, imbued with a sense of emptiness and tranquility.

Though his dwelling was simple, he still had tea.

Not only did he have tea, but it was even a top-grade variety he had cultivated himself. Furthermore, his tea artistry was already at the peak of perfection, earning high praise from his Master, the Heart-Questioning Hermit.

Of course, the unwelcome guests from last time did not receive such treatment.

Within the teacup, the clear tea exuded fragrance. Fang Yuan, with a composed expression, gently lifted the cup and slowly took a sip.

For him, this was not just a matter of self-cultivation, but also a way to remember the Heart-Questioning Hermit.

Although his Master had not taught him any martial arts or sorcery, he had taught him this Sitting-Forgetting Tea Ceremony.

Each time he brewed tea, it was a cleansing of the soul, gradually drawing him closer to the state of 'Sitting-Forgetting.'

What is Sitting-Forgetting?

A Grandmaster once said: 'Shed the limbs and body, discard intelligence, leave form and knowledge, become one with the Great Connection. This is called Sitting-Forgetting.'

The highest ideal of the Heart-Questioning Hermit's tea ceremony was the Unity of Heaven and Man, thereby achieving the state of Sitting-Forgetting.

He was very fond of Fang Yuan's tea artistry, even going out of his way to find a set of exquisite tea ware for him.

Alas, things had changed long ago.

Amidst the swirling tea aroma, Fang Yuan felt a warmth spread through his abdomen, which then transformed into icy threads, carrying a cool sensation. In an instant, he was lost to himself and the world, unaware of the passage of time.

Dwelling in a Secluded Valley, free from worldly disturbances, Fang Yuan's daily routine of drinking tea and planting crops was unwavering.

Only through single-minded focus could one achieve success.

After finishing his tea, his mind was clear and empty, perfect for contemplating matters.

"These past few days, I have re-nurtured all the crops in the valley. The Level Three Planting Skill is indeed extraordinary, making me feel that my skills have improved even further than my peak state. However, the Mutation Probability is truly minuscule. Throughout the entire mountain and valley, not a single instance has appeared. Of course, the Crimson Jade Rice spiritual seeds have not yet matured, so I don't know the details, but this probability is just too small..."

Fang Yuan shook his head, got up, and picked up his hoe, bamboo basket, and other tools, heading to the fields to begin his daily labor.

Watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil... and then treating each plant differently according to its needs. Everything was done with practiced ease.

When the sun was at its zenith, Fang Yuan sat on a rock, heartily drinking a gourd of spring water. Looking at the fruitful fields, he felt the joy of an old farmer witnessing a bountiful harvest.

As he was eating the rice ball prepared that morning, Fang Yuan's mind stirred, and a screen appeared:

"Name: Fang Yuan"

Essence:1

Qi:1

Spirit:1

Age:18

Cultivation: None

Skills: None

Specialties: Medical Arts [Level 1], Planting Arts [Level 3]

"Essence, Qi, and Spirit should refer to my physical quality..."

Thanks to the care of the Heart-Questioning Hermit and the Planting Skill, Fang Yuan had never truly suffered. He was well-fed and well-cared for, giving him a solid foundation. At eighteen years old, he was no different from many adults.

"Planting Skill Level Three, the mutation probability is very low..."

Fang Yuan sighed and quickly finished the rice ball in his hand.

This rice ball was made with Pearl Jade Crystal Rice from the fields. Each grain of rice was as radiant as a baby's little finger, like a work of art. When steamed with water, it released a natural rice aroma, and its texture was incredibly soft and glutinous. Eating it plain, without any side dishes, was already an unparalleled delicacy. Coupled with pickled beans and sour plum as side dishes, they were refreshing and appetite-stimulating, surpassing any other delicacies.

The Jade Crystal Rice was rich in nutrients. Even the rice water could be directly used as milk for infants. After just one rice ball, Fang Yuan felt his body filled with energy, and his stamina from the morning's hard work was completely restored. He couldn't help but get up and start inspecting his other crops.

"Hmm, the nutmeg and yellow fruit are ready for harvest. Old Man Tian from the Medicine Hall should be coming around soon. I'll pick them and exchange them for some oil and salt..."

Fang Yuan surveyed his territory, occasionally picking a fruit or two and eating them, juice dripping, while making plans in his mind.

When he rounded a corner, a streak of crystal green caught his eye, causing him to slow down and utter a soft "Hmm."

This was a tea grove. The tea trees were specifically chosen as Houkui. The processed tea leaves were flat and straight, fresh and mellow, with an orchid fragrance, which Fang Yuan greatly favored.

But at this moment, Fang Yuan stared at the tea tree before him, somewhat stunned.

Among the many vigorous tea trees, one tree had turned entirely into jade, emitting a crystal glow. Its leaves were like a gathering of swords and spears, dancing like dragons and phoenixes. Even without stir-frying, an astonishing tea aroma automatically emanated, refreshing the mind and leaving a long-lasting aftertaste.

"Top-grade! The absolute top-grade!"

Fang Yuan circled the tea tree, marveling, "Is this the mutation from Planting Skill Level Three? This Houkui tree has probably become a spiritual plant, right?"

Unfortunately, even he had only seen the seeds of Red Jade Rice and couldn't make a true comparison.

But anything with such an aura was definitely not an ordinary item!

"It's afternoon now, the timing is perfect!"

Upon seeing the tea tree and the newly grown leaves on it, Fang Yuan immediately put aside all other thoughts. He joyfully began picking the tips, preparing to make them into tea and taste the results.

"No... I really can't resist!"

After plucking a few jade-green leaves, Fang Yuan swallowed and directly put one leaf into his mouth.

"Mmm..."

Instantly, a bitter taste spread, but before long, it transformed into a rich orchid fragrance.

Feeling a slight numbness and an electric shock-like sensation on his tongue, along with a clear stream rushing directly into his mind, Fang Yuan's eyes lit up: "Spirit Leaf, definitely a Spirit Leaf!"

"This bitterness is enduring, it's also a supreme taste. I can't stand it, just the raw product has such a flavor, what will it be like after being made into spirit tea?"

Fang Yuan's eyes shone.

Night.

Kill Green, Rolling, Baking... Fang Yuan was already proficient in these procedures, and changing the tea leaves now yielded the same results.

Under the candlelight, he looked at the tea leaves, which were as long as an index finger, straight as a sword, with a uniform and lustrous dark green color, like jade, and red lines running through the leaf veins. His expression was stunned: "Bea... too beautiful! This newly made spirit tea is simply like an art piece!"

Impatient, he took out the tea set and went through the steps of boiling water and filling the pot one by one.

When it was finally time to savor the aroma, an astonishing tea fragrance filled the air. Even though he was surrounded by a simple wooden shed, it felt like he had arrived in the heavenly palace.

"The fragrance spreads far and becomes purer, the taste is enduring, unforgettable at first sight, truly an unparalleled delicacy!"

At this moment, after going through the procedures, Fang Yuan's expression returned to a state of calm.

The art of tea ceremony was originally a process of continuously clearing one's mind through steps like washing the tea.

By now, his eyes held a crystalline sheen, his thoughts were pure, as if he had returned to the innocent heart of a child.

A tea taster first smells the aroma and then discerns the color. Just by smelling the tea aroma and looking at the clear green color in the tea bowl, Fang Yuan felt a sense of emotion. He touched his lips to the tea bowl.

Boom!

In an instant, it was like a thunderclap exploding in his mind.

He felt as if he had become a traveler walking through dense thorns, his tongue and taste buds confined by an enduring bitterness.

While enduring such hardship, the silver bottle burst, and the water and pulp splashed out. The thorns disappeared, his taste buds opened, and the clear fragrance, like a mountain flood, broke through the accumulated boulders, piercing his entire body.

Fang Yuan's expression was dazed, with a trace of crystal in the corner of his eye.

Generally speaking, if one tastes an unparalleled delicacy, the body will automatically stimulate the tear glands, producing tears.

This was knowledge from another world in his dreams, but Fang Yuan could not imagine that just a cup of tea could have such an effect.

"Good!"

After drinking a cup, he brewed another pot of water. The aroma immediately faded, but the taste became even richer.

After three brews and four steeps, the tea's flavor remained, and its light fragrance persisted.

"Hoo..."

He finally finished the pot of tea and let out a long sigh. The taste in his mouth lingered, with a long aftertaste.

"This tea... is definitely not an ordinary item. It even... seems to have the effect of cleansing the mind..."

Fang Yuan wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes. "Just one tasting has made me feel as if my mind has been cleansed... Is this the effect of a spiritual object? Or is it a coincidence, a miracle of spiritual tea combined with the art of tea?"

A look of confusion appeared on his face. He subconsciously brought up his stats, and suddenly, he froze.

His stats had indeed changed:

"Name: Fang Yuan

Essence: 1

Qi: 1

Spirit: 1.2

Age: 18

Cultivation: None

Skills: None

Specialty: Medical Skill [Level One], Planting Skill [Level Three]"

"Spirit increased by 0.2?"

Fang Yuan stared at his stats and silently recited in his mind.

These three stats, Essence, Qi, and Spirit, had not changed since they all rose to 1 on his eighteenth birthday.

Now, the Spirit column had increased by a full one-fifth!

Corresponding to the physical effects, Fang Yuan suddenly felt more energetic, his thoughts raced, and he seemed to have become much smarter.

"According to the theory of that world, Essence, Qi, and Spirit, also known as the Three Treasures, are the foundation of a person. The thousands of methods and myriad great paths in the cultivation world ultimately cannot bypass this..."

"And based on my observation and speculation, the so-called Essence refers to Essence Yuan, which encompasses tangible and material things like the physical body, stamina, bone structure, etc.! Qi refers to Qi and Blood Power, intangible and formless, perhaps including the legendary internal breath! Finally, Spirit is the collection of mentality, willpower, perception, and so on."

"The three flowers of Essence, Qi, and Spirit are complementary and each has its wonderful use!"

Fang Yuan looked at the remaining tea leaves, his eyes shining. "This tea actually has the miraculous effect of cleansing the mind and increasing Spirit Yuan. Let's name it 'Heart-Questioning Tea'."