Different pathways, different dao

Once Yang Qing and Cheng Yuan settled into their seats, Cao Ying appeared with a small red clay pot adorned with the image of a red parasol tree. Cheng Yuan felt a faint warmth radiating from the pot. It wasn't the searing heat of a flame but a life-nurturing warmth, akin to that of a hen resting on her eggs.

"You can enjoy our famous oolong tea while you decide on your order," Cao Ying said warmly. The introduction was primarily for Cheng Yuan's benefit. Regulars like Yang Qing were usually served oolong tea unless they requested something else. Most patrons favored it, largely due to one of the restaurant's chefs, who devoted himself exclusively to the art of brewing oolong tea.

This chef's unwavering dedication to tea brewing had led him to unlock a unique path of cultivation. Through his craft, he began glimpsing a dao born of his devotion to brewing tea.

The world was vast, composed of countless components, and with those components came innumerable paths and from those paths, countless forms of dao were born. While many believe cultivation breakthroughs come solely through endless battles, fierce competition, and defeating one's enemies, this perception couldn't be far from the truth.

Some pursue their path through the sword, fist, saber, formations, or soul, leading to daos such as the sword dao, fist dao, saber dao, array dao, or soul dao. Even within these, further branches emerge—slaughter, invincibility, protection, solitude— each a reflection of the cultivator's nature and purpose.

Others, however, choose Daos that don't center on combat or weaponry. These are often grouped under the term "life skill Daos." Examples include the alchemy Dao, healing Dao, painting Dao, musical Dao, nurturing Dao (for those devoted to teaching others), and the cooking Dao, which encompasses chefs like the oolong tea brewer at the Thousand Flavors Restaurant.

The paths one can pursue are as limitless as the people who walk them, for Dao, in its simplest form, is a way of life.

Those who were true to themselves in all they did and possessed clarity of heart often found it easier to discover their Dao. With that understanding, their cultivation paths became smoother, each step forward guided by purpose.

"To deceive one's own heart is to err in one's path; to find your heart is to find your Dao, no matter your age," was a common mantra within the cultivation world.

"Thanks, Cao Ying," Yang Qing said as he rose to pour himself and Cheng Yuan a cup of tea.

"No, no, Judge Yang Qing, let me!" Cheng Yuan said, flustered at the sight of a judge pouring him tea. Though Yang Qing was amiable and easygoing, Cheng Yuan couldn't forget the overwhelming might that rested behind that friendly demeanor. Just one finger from Yang Qing could obliterate him and his entire sect. He still remembered the terrifying illusion he'd seen—the massive body of water stretching to the heavens and those moon-like eyes that seemed to freeze time itself.

But just as Cheng Yuan attempted to stand, a soft, breeze-like force gently pushed him back into his seat.

"Don't worry so much about it, Cheng Yuan," Yang Qing said with a carefree smile.

"Cultivation ranks aside, I'm still a person, and you're my elder. By right, I should be the one doing this. Besides, you're my guest, and it's customary for the host to pour the tea. Don't fuss too much."

With that, Yang Qing poured the tea for both of them before sitting back down, his relaxed demeanor putting Cheng Yuan slightly more at ease.

Cheng Yuan had no choice but to remain seated, though he still had some unease. However, all his apprehension dissolved the moment the mist from the oolong tea wafted over to him. Its delicate fragrance seemed to penetrate his body, reaching deep into his being before drifting to his head. His thoughts, once jumbled and chaotic, began aligning themselves in perfect order. His mind felt clear and unclogged, and that clarity only deepened as more of the misty fragrance enveloped him.

"What is this tea? Just the mist alone can do this... what about—" Cheng Yuan's words trailed off, his expression filled with shock as his gaze fell greedily on the tea in his cup.

His cultivation had been stagnant for years, stuck at the 5th stage of the core formation realm. The pressures of leading the sect, guiding the younger disciples, and managing countless responsibilities had left him with little time to focus on his own cultivation. But now, just from inhaling the tea's fragrance, he felt a stirring in his long-stagnant realm—a faint but unmistakable sign of progress. He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

"This tea… it's extraordinary," he whispered, almost reverently.

Yang Qing chuckled softly, his tone calm yet carrying an air of subtle pride. "It's no ordinary tea. This is oolong tea crafted by a master who has reached the half-step into the palace realm. What's in this tea is better than any pill, potion, or elixir you'll find. It offers a glimpse of the world as seen by someone who has touched upon the essence of their Dao and is on the brink of a breakthrough to the palace realm."

He raised his cup, bringing it just below his nose, and closed his eyes, savoring the aroma with a serene expression. "Cherish it well, Cheng Yuan. Opportunities like this are rare. Not many get to experience such a gift."

Though Yang Qing's cultivation far surpassed the chef's, he still valued the opportunity to experience another's perspective on the Dao. Every insight, every glimpse into another's path, could spark ideas and inspiration for his own journey. As he took a slow sip of the tea, he couldn't help but silently appreciate the chef's dedication and the artistry imbued within the brew.

There was something Yang Qing hadn't told Cheng Yuan. The privilege of drinking this oolong tea was reserved for a select few. Not all judges were qualified to taste it. Only those from the superior core courts, a handful of upper core court judges, and some outer palace court judges had the opportunity to enjoy this tea. Judges from the lower courts—and even some from the upper courts—could only taste it if they managed to tag along with those more senior.

The exclusivity wasn't born of arrogance on the part of the chef or the restaurant. Far from it. There were two primary reasons.

First, brewing this tea required immense effort, time, and rare ingredients. The process was meticulous, and the resulting supply was limited. It simply wasn't feasible to brew enough for everyone.

Second, and more importantly, the chef used the tea as a medium for mutual growth. After serving the tea, he would consult those who drank it, seeking their insights and experiences with its effects. This feedback allowed him to refine his own path and improve his craft. However, such feedback was only valuable if it came from those on a similar level or higher—individuals who could perceive the subtleties of his Dao and offer meaningful input. It was a mutually beneficial exchange, a delicate dance of give-and-take that advanced both parties in their pursuits.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yuan's heart was pounding furiously. A half-step to the palace realm... That was a realm he hadn't even dared to dream of reaching.

He understood the significance of the half-step realm. Though technically still within the core formation stage, a cultivator at the half-step had begun to see the faint outline of their Dao—a vision of the path they were meant to walk. However, the road ahead was incomplete, and the "stones" required to fully pave it remained unformed, demanding further effort and refinement to bring them to light.

Even so, those at the half-step realm were extraordinary. A half-step cultivator could effortlessly hold their own against five experts at the peak of the core formation stage, provided their core quality wasn't inferior to theirs. A half-step cultivator with a blue-grade core, for instance, would still lose to a peak core formation expert with a purple-grade core. Conversely, someone with a gold-grade core might achieve a draw or even force a defeat depending on their skill level and mastery of their path.

For Cheng Yuan, just being in the presence of such mastery was humbling. The tea in his hands now felt even more precious—a fleeting glimpse of a level he hadn't dared to aspire to.

Cao Ying stood to the side, watching the scene with a tinge of envy in his eyes. Though he had worked at the restaurant for years, he had never tasted the famed oolong tea. In fact, most of the staff hadn't. Only one or two chefs on par with the oolong tea master, as well as the restaurant's manager, had ever experienced it.

Cheng Yuan lifted his cup with the utmost care, treating it as though it were a priceless treasure. With deliberate reverence, he brought the cup to his lips and took a gentle sip.

The flavor wasn't overwhelming or explosive—it was subtle, mellow, and refined, like black tea infused with the light, refreshing fragrance of green tea. Its brightness and freshness spread from his tongue to his throat, and within moments, his entire body felt revitalized. The earlier sensation of clarity in his mind deepened.

Thoughts that had been tangled for years began to unravel, and answers to long-standing questions crystallized in his mind. Even more astonishing, these answers led him to new questions—ones he had never thought to ask himself. Cheng Yuan soon became absorbed in this profound feeling of discovery, losing himself to the boundless insights unfolding within him.

At the other end of the table, Yang Qing took a sip of his own tea, swirling it around his mouth before swallowing. A satisfied smile appeared as he nodded to himself.

"It seems Jiang Fu is on the verge of a breakthrough," Yang Qing muttered quietly, his voice laced with both admiration and excitement. "He's just a single push away. I'm happy for him, but if he's this close, I guess he'll be going into seclusion soon. The meals here will lose a bit of their spark without his tea to complement them... but I can't wait to taste his new brew once he steps into the palace realm."

Yang Qing's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he took another sip, savoring both the tea and the thought of the new heights Jiang Fu's craft would soon reach.

"Cao Ying, sorry to keep you waiting," Yang Qing said with a warm smile. "I'll be having." Yang Qing paused as his gaze fell on Chen Yuan who was fully enthralled with the tea.

"Hmm, well, if I let Cheng Yuan choose for himself, he might end up being too reserved and claim the tea is enough for him. Better order for him as well. I think dim sum will be okay."

Bringing his attention back to Cao Ying, Yang Qing replied,

"We'll have some dim sum. Let's have barbeque pork puffs and buns, meatball soup, beef and pork short spare ribs in black bean sauce, sesame balls, pineapple custard buns, fried taro dumplings, orange chicken, steamed lotus root with sticky rice, and maybe we can finish with yellow radiance egg tarts."

As he finished, Yang Qing discreetly tried to wipe away a bit of drool that had formed at the corner of his mouth.

Cao Ying, as a cultivator with an exceptional memory, didn't need to write anything down. With a polite nod, he turned and headed to the kitchen to place the order.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yuan remained in a trance-like state, entirely absorbed in the profound clarity brought on by the tea. He was utterly unaware of his surroundings, lost in the insights unfolding in his mind.

Yang Qing, on the other hand, continued sipping his tea with a contented expression, his gaze drifting toward the kitchen as he eagerly awaited the arrival of the food.