Chapter 134: On Tea

Holy Pill City, Inner Region.

With Xiao Xun'er at his side, Chen Xiaoming stepped into the inner region, and it felt as though they had entered an entirely different space. Not a single Pill Tower guard stationed for security noticed their arrival in the slightest.

At the heart of the inner region stood a towering black spire nearly a hundred zhang high. Like a miniature mountain, it exuded an imposing and majestic aura. The tip of the tower pierced into the clouds above; from below, one could barely make out its summit. Mist coiled around it, lending the tower an air of deep mystery.

"Let's go."

Chen Xiaoming's voice was soft as he nodded to Xiao Xun'er. A ripple passed through the space beneath their feet—and in the blink of an eye, the two vanished.

...

Upper Levels of the Pill Tower.

Within a spacious grand hall, a white-robed elder sat calmly reading a book. There was no discernible aura from his body; he seemed completely integrated with his surroundings, as if he were one with the hall itself.

Tap.

The soft sound of a footfall shattered the quiet. The elder's expression changed instantly. With a tap of his foot, he turned sharply—white hair and beard flowing—and deep wrinkles etched across his aged face. Within his eyes, which were like unfathomable abyssal pools, flashed a rare and unconcealed shock.

Two figures stood silently in the hall before him, having appeared as if out of thin air. Even more disturbing—he hadn't sensed their arrival at all.

A man and a woman. He could perceive that the girl had the cultivation level of a Dou Emperor, impressive but manageable. The terrifying one, however, was the silver-haired man beside her—smiling serenely, seemingly relaxed. Yet the elder couldn't sense a single thread of his aura. It was as if... he didn't exist.

He didn't bother asking the obvious—"Who are you?"—because that would be foolish. This was the Pill Tower. The man had entered freely and stood before him without the slightest hesitation. That alone spoke volumes.

A subtle pressure weighed on the elder's chest. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"What brings you here, honored one?"

For someone to bypass his perception entirely—there could be no doubt. The man before him was a Dou Saint. And a Dou Saint he didn't recognize.

Still, the elder leaned toward the possibility that this was a high-level Half-Saint. After all, if this person came seeking him specifically, there was likely only one reason: his alchemy.

To refine pills? Or perhaps seeking aid in breaking through to Dou Saint with the help of medicinal pills?

The elder's mind turned rapidly. This was the Pill Tower. If the man had meant to kill him, he would already be dead.

"Please, have a seat."

With a gentle flick of his right hand, a table made from Purple Sandalwood and Tianling Wood floated over from behind a bookshelf. A matching tea set carved from Fragrant Xuanjade Wood followed.

The elder offered a polite hand gesture. Chen Xiaoming simply smiled and gave Xiao Xun'er a glance. She sat down quietly.

Seeing this, the elder confirmed his suspicions. He had guessed correctly. With calm and practiced hands, he began to prepare tea—not just with elegance, but with technique refined like pill-making. The water was Spiritual Spring Water, and the tea leaves were from the Thousand-Leaf Breathgrass, a rare spiritual herb processed with alchemical precision.

Within moments, the grand hall was filled with a delicate, refreshing fragrance. Just a whiff was enough to calm Xiao Xun'er's heart.

"Please," the elder offered warmly, sliding the cups toward them.

Chen Xiaoming sniffed the aroma with appreciation, then lifted the cup. With a subtle flick, the lid opened and closed in one smooth motion as he took a sip and set it down.

The tea's essence spread throughout the mouth and nose—refreshing, purifying, almost spiritual.

"Excellent tea," he remarked softly.

To integrate alchemical principles into the art of tea—this was indeed a delightful surprise.

The elder chuckled modestly, though his eyes flickered with pride. He had, after all, deliberately showcased his alchemical skills through this tea ceremony.

"Mmm, good tea indeed," Chen Xiaoming said, then his tone shifted. "But alas… still a bit lacking."

The corners of his mouth rose subtly, his expression a perfect mask of gentle regret—yet his eyes sparkled with teasing provocation.

Xiao Xun'er, sitting beside him, immediately blushed and lowered her head.

In the six months they'd traveled together, she had seen this expression more than once—and she had a good idea of what was about to follow.

Sure enough, the elder's pleased expression faltered. Chen Xiaoming's words weren't merely critiquing the tea—they were implying that his alchemical mastery was inferior.

As one of the three great alchemists of the Pill Tower, the old man's pride flared.

"I would welcome your instruction," he said, his tone tightening with restrained indignation. Even if the man's strength was terrifying—could he truly challenge him in alchemy?

Chen Xiaoming acted as if he hadn't noticed the irritation in the old man's voice. He simply smiled, his gaze turning thoughtful.

"Well then, since you insist…"

The elder's expression grew solemn. Seeing Chen Xiaoming truly respond to the challenge, he swallowed his pride and listened.

"When it comes to tea," Chen Xiaoming began, "in my view, there are only a few categories."

He cast a glance at the elder, and a glimmer of insight sparked in his eyes. It was time to show off—ahem—that is, to elaborate on the philosophy of tea.

"The first type—Mortal Tea."

"Mortal tea, as the name implies, is the kind consumed by ordinary folk. It's passable—for the mundane."

"Next comes Spiritual Tea—infused with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. For cultivators, it offers some tangible benefit."

The elder nodded subtly—he understood this distinction.

"This tea before us," Chen Xiaoming said, lifting his cup again, "falls into the category of Spiritual Tea."

He shook his head slightly.

The elder's eyes narrowed. Just Spiritual Tea?

He had refined these leaves with exquisite technique. In the realm of alchemical tea preparation, this should rank far beyond just "Spiritual"…

"And after Spiritual Tea?" he asked, tone sharpening. He wanted to hear what lofty nonsense this man would conjure next.

Chen Xiaoming gave a slight shrug and continued.

"Heaven and earth birth spirit, and from spirit comes law. After Spiritual Tea comes—Law of Tea."

"Law of Tea?"

Both the elder and Xiao Xun'er were taken aback. They hadn't heard of such a term.

As they stared in confusion, Chen Xiaoming reached over and gently tapped Xiao Xun'er on the head.

"Ouch, Teacher!" she pouted, her big eyes full of grievance.

"How many times have I told you to study under me more diligently? You never listen."

With a look of exasperated fondness, he sighed.

"Alas, with your level of perception, teaching you the great Dao is truly a challenge..."

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