"This humble place is rather shabby. Please forgive me, everyone, and have some tea."
Lin Ji led everyone to the cottages nearby. They were a few small wooden houses, seemingly without much protection, yet they faintly embodied the foundations of a formation, with dharma power circulating through them.
In the courtyard, stone had been hewn into a table some ten feet across, surrounded by a dozen small stone stools, just enough for everyone to sit together.
Three boys emerged carrying copper kettles to pour tea for the cultivators. These were disciples Lin Ji had carefully selected during his travels through the mortal world. Although he lived here in seclusion, people supported him year-round, and he lacked no utensils or furnishings, so he simply kept a few disciples to attend to him. For mortals, this was a rare chance at an immortal connection. Whether or not they possessed spirit roots, learning a few divine abilities or Qimen Dunjia techniques could help them achieve success in the mundane world. They certainly would not lose out.
"What fragrant tea! This must be the Hundred-Flower Fragrant Tea produced by the Incense Accumulation Sect. Still, judging by what I see, it's only third-grade Clear Spring over Stone."
"Fellow Daoist Lin, that's hardly generous of you. You're entertaining us with third-grade tea?"
"Exactly. I refuse to believe a distinguished formation master like you can't even afford Rain on the Empty Mountain."
Everyone expressed their dissatisfaction, though these were only jokes among friends.
Lin Ji begged for mercy. "I've been a poor host, but I've spent so long cultivating in seclusion lately that I haven't visited Northsky Island. I really did forget to replenish my supplies."
Li Ling smiled. "Then the fault is mine, for making it so troublesome for you to buy tea."
At his words,