Chapter 4: Self-Reflection

Fang Yuan's lips curled into a slight arc, and with a glance from the corner of his eye, he suddenly exclaimed "Oh no" and ran to the edge of the rice field

This tea is precious, the old man has never seen anything like it. Could it be yet another new variety cultivated by the young scholar?

Even if the red jade rice is no longer bearable, it is still a spiritual entity

It seems that in the future, cultivating spiritual seeds must either be done separately or the soil quality must be improved; otherwise, the impact on the surroundings will be too significant

Having obtained this spiritual object is already a stroke of extraordinary fortune; what more could I possibly desire?

Boom

Although he was only eighteen years old, in that dream, he seemed to have experienced a lifetime

It smells so good

There is also a plate of pickled green beans, small in size, with an enticing aroma that makes one's stomach growl at just the scent

Old man Tian joked, you rarely come in, how could I be someone who does not understand the way of hospitality?

Come, please have some tea

Fang Yuan smiled

It is Elder Tian, please come in

Old man Tian waved his hands in confusion: "In any case, it won't work!"

This ... ...

Through experimentation, standardization, and data collection, a basis for future verification is established; this is also an experience he learned from another dream in life

After harvesting these, he conducted several experiments with the tea leaves according to the habits from his dreams

The second point is even more regrettable for Fang Yuan

Fang Yuan observed this scene and suddenly had an epiphany: "This spiritual seed is indeed domineering, capable of plundering the essence of its own kind... No, it is because this place is neither a spiritual land nor a blessed ground; it must do so in order to grow!"

As he walked, his brows were slightly furrowed

Good! Good!

Fang Yuanduan sat at the table, gazing at the tea leaves weighing less than half a pound, lost in contemplation

At this moment, there was no time for politeness, as he directly dug into the wooden bowl of rice, occasionally exclaiming: "Delicious! Delicious... Wuwu..."

The square in front immediately witnessed the various interesting expressions of the old farmer Tian.

Upon seeing this, Fang Yuan couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Old man Tian stretched his neck, vigorously sniffing, displaying a comically anxious expression that was quite amusing to behold

I never expected that it could truly be cultivated by oneself. If it can be promoted widely, perhaps even the Spirit Sect would not be as affluent as oneself

That so-called Spirit Return Sect, thinking itself to be remarkable, but can it eat Spirit Rice every day? I can!

Just as I was thinking, the voice of the old man from the fields drifted in: "The old man is here again"

Good

Unfortunately, ever since reaching adulthood, that dream has vanished without a trace

Has it really sprouted

Little Practitioner! Little Practitioner!

According to what the recluse Wenxin said, the price offered by this old man is quite fair, and he is a genuine person, so Fang Yuan has maintained a continuous relationship with him

No way... For the spirit seed, the plants grown alongside are all relatively easy to thrive and have the effect of enriching the soil

This increasingly made him feel that his master, the recluse known as Master Wenxin, must be an extraordinary person

Both feet are firmly rooted to the ground, never to move again

Yujing rice was originally a premium variety that only affluent families could afford, let alone the pearl Yujing rice he cultivated, which is the finest of the finest. The last time he merely treated this old man to a meal, it left him so enchanted that he sought out some seeds for himself. Unfortunately, it is clear what the outcome will be without even needing to look.

No, no! The medicinal herbs cultivated by Master Wenxin are top-notch, and as for you, little master, there is no need to mention it. Even the wild herbs found deep in the mountains and forests cannot match the potency of yours, it's just that...

The dish features freshly picked cucumbers, tender and crisp, simply rinsed with spring water before being sliced. The droplets of water still cling to them, their vibrant green color glistening, exquisite and translucent, making it almost unbearable to take a bite

Fang Yuan habitually recorded these.

After all, from the teachings of the recluse, he understands that the spiritual seeds and immortal seeds are greatly dependent on the blessed land

Fang Yuan stroked his chin, feeling somewhat impatient. Upon arriving at the Hongyu rice field, he was instantly filled with a mix of surprise and joy

Not long after, Fang Yuan came out holding a wooden tray, on which were two bowls of rice and two small dishes

Although the plantation behind the secluded valley is hidden, it is not without its vulnerabilities. Even though Fang Yuan obtained the land deeds for the valley and the surrounding ten miles through the connections of the forest officer, the temptation of spiritual beings is simply too great. He does not wish to place his safety in the hands of another's whims

Well, Mr. Tian has worked hard

He gazed at the scene before him, his expression slightly dazed

Fang Yuan was greatly pleased

The usually smiling old man Tian now wore a hint of hesitation on his face, suddenly gritting his teeth: "This... young layman, there is one more thing I must tell you, this transaction will be the last one!"

The yellow fruit from last time is ripe, please wait a moment, I will go get it

Fang Yuan tentatively remarked, already having some understanding in his heart, and then smiled, saying: "Since that is the case, at least this time we should settle the accounts clearly, right? Old Tian, please wait a moment. Since it is getting late, how about we have a meal and finish our tea before leaving?"

Even without undergoing any formalities, the brewed tea resembles a wave of clear water, exuding a rich aroma, aiding digestion and relieving heat, causing the old man Tian to tremble slightly as he held the tea cup in his hands

Oh?

He asked a question, but seeing Fang Yuan smile without answering, he felt a sense of guilt in his heart and did not dare to ask again, directly taking a sip.

In any case, he is well aware that in the recent transactions, the goods he has cultivated are of superior quality and have excellent efficacy, so the other party should have made quite a profit

Well, what should be done about that Xinxin tea tree? Should it be transplanted

This tea is known as the Heart-Questioning Tea, yet it is not the Sitting-Forget Tea Ceremony. He had long been prepared to test its effects on others, and today, Old Man Tian has come to offer it at just the right moment

There are also Huangguoshu and Ge Fen Teng... As long as it is near the Hongyu rice fields, it cannot escape this fate

Fang Yuan's expression was calm as he served a cup of clear tea

Sigh...

Of course, the most dazzling sight was the round, pearl-like jade rice grains rolling in the wooden bowl, exuding a fragrant aroma mixed with the taste of green beans, which left Old Man Tian's eyes wide open

Old man Tian is a person from the external medicine hall, responsible for purchasing medicinal materials, and sometimes he personally goes into the mountains to gather herbs

Fang Yuan arrived outside the valley and smiled as he invited the old farmer Tian into the lodge

This heart-soothing tea is most effective when consumed for the first time, with its efficacy diminishing thereafter... There should be a limit; could it be a matter of tolerance?

Fang Yuan raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "But is Mr. Tian dissatisfied with the medicinal materials from last time? Or does he think the price is too high? These matters can all be negotiated?"

Fang Yuan bit his lip: "Currently, there are emergency measures available, but the main issues are insufficient land strength and inadequate nutrition. One approach is to increase fertilization, and also apply fire liquid three times a day. It would be best to pile up some fire fertilizer around... Some materials have shortages, so it is just right to exchange with Old Man Tian!"

Once bitten by a venomous snake, I was fortuitously rescued by the recluse Wenxin, which forged a bond between us. He often brings in some daily necessities to exchange for medicinal materials with the master and disciple.

Indeed, although this spirit plant has become increasingly vibrant, the surrounding tea trees have, coincidentally, begun to show signs of wilting.

However, he scrutinized the old man Tian carefully and shook his head, saying: "Indeed, without the ability to forget oneself in the Way of Tea, there would be no enhancement of one's divine essence... Otherwise, he would not be in this current state at all"

Like the wind sweeping away the clouds, he directly devoured three large bowls of rice and finished all the side dishes. Old man Tian then smiled sheepishly and said, "Young layman, your culinary skills are simply transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. I have also dined at the Rich and Noble Restaurant in the city, but none of the dishes there can compare to what you have here"

Have you eaten?

I wonder what the taste of Lingmi is like

The mutation of that Wenshin tea tree is indeed too conspicuous; if discovered, it will undoubtedly attract covetous eyes. Therefore, it is necessary to relocate it.

The humble abode is simple, and I apologize for the neglect

Before him, rows of fiery red seedlings broke through the soil, resembling young lotus shoots just revealing their pointed tips, exuding vibrant vitality

Fang Yuan smiled faintly and entered the inner room. Before long, a rich fragrance wafted out.

Suddenly, Old Man Tian began to wail loudly and knelt down, saying: "The recluse has saved the old man's life, yet I was bribed by outsiders to cut off your path to life. I am truly less than human, worse than a pig or a dog!"

Old man Tian swallowed hard, as if recalling the delicious taste of Yujing rice from last time. A moment of hesitation flashed across his face, but in the end, he was overwhelmed by his cravings. He said, "If the young layman can spare two rice balls for the old man, I would already be quite satisfied..."

As the tea soup entered his mouth, it resembled a jade dragon waterfall cascading down from a great height, cleansing the soul, and then flowing back upwards, rushing straight to his forehead. Old man Tian suddenly recalled his entire life: a childhood of poverty, a youth of struggle, and now, he was still living a meager existence, unable to escape the grind of life. This thought brought forth a wave of sorrow, and two lines of clear tears flowed down his cheeks involuntarily

Upon thinking of this, Fang Yuan immediately rushed into the tea garden, carefully inspecting the surroundings of the Xin Xin tea.

Fang Yuan was somewhat dazed, unable to comprehend that the effect of the Heart-Questioning Tea was so remarkable

This ... ...

In other places, only where the soil is extremely fertile and the environment is elegant and refined can there be a meager hope, and even then, the cultivable produce is of the most inferior quality

This old man Tian had long arms and legs, a sharp nose and monkey-like cheeks, resembling a large ape. His eyes carried a unique cunning characteristic of mountain folk. He entered carrying a large bamboo basket, panting as he set it down, then rubbed his hands together and smiled apologetically, saying: "Little layman, take a look, everything you requested last time is here..."

Alas... little practitioner, I am filled with remorse

Those red jade rice seeds, being the most basic type of spiritual material and having a relatively pure origin, are actually not a cause for much concern

The mountain path is not short, and it is quite difficult for an ordinary person to traverse, let alone with such a heavy burden.

This Heart-Soothing Tea, even when brewed and consumed, possesses incredible effects; however, it seems that only when combined with the Zuo Wang Tea Ceremony can it yield the remarkable benefit of enhancing one's spiritual essence

At the edge of the flourishing rice fields, there was originally a patch of blue star grass that bordered it. The edges of the stems and leaves had turned yellow, and some leaves showed signs of withering, as if vitality had been suddenly taken away.

First of all, it is simply brewing without the series of practices of the Zuo Wang tea ceremony that focus on cultivating sincerity and calming the mind. As a result, the impact of the flavor remains, and there is also a certain effect of cleansing the soul, but the miraculous effect of enhancing the spirit has disappeared

Fang Yuan comforted himself and began his daily inspection duties once again