Chapter 202: The Ninth Spring

"Learn now?"

Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, Lu Xun and Tian Long let out a sneer.

Are you kidding?

Learn now? Do you take tea ceremony for a street craftsman's trade that can be picked up in a flash?

This is a profession. Even if you study it day and night, without years of hard work, you cannot improve. Learning on the spot and expecting to pass the test... If you don't show off like this, will you die?

But fine, if you don't court death, you won't die. In a little while, you'll never be able to hold your head up again.

Lu Xun snorted coldly.

While he was excited, Huang Yu on the side nearly cried and quickly sent a voice transmission to dissuade him: "You can't agree. Lu Xun has specifically studied tea ceremony and is very proficient..."

You don't even know tea ceremony, yet you're going to compete with a tea master? Isn't this a joke?

I've seen reckless people, but never one this reckless.

"It's fine!" Knowing her concern was genuine, Zhang Xuan smiled and comforted her.

Seeing his mind was made up and unchangeable, Huang Yu was anxious but helpless.

"Hmph!"

Seeing this Teacher Zhang so frivolous, Old Tian's expression also darkened.

Tea ceremony was a skill he had devoted his life's work to studying, and this fellow, knowing nothing, actually said he would learn now...

Learn what? How?

Do you think it's child's play, that you can learn it just by looking?

What a joke!

Even the three masters on the side exchanged glances, their brows furrowed.

They had only heard of Teacher Zhang's deeds; this was their first time seeing him in person. They hadn't expected him to be so reckless and frivolous. With such a character, even if his teaching was excellent, they would have to consider whether to take him as an apprentice.

"Then let's begin!" Suppressing his displeasure, Old Tian waved his hand: "The test is simple. Long'er, brew a pot of tea now. Teachers Lu and Zhang, whoever can tell what technique was used and what grade the tea fragrance reaches wins!"

Like alchemy, tea ceremony had been passed down for countless years, with many schools and techniques. Different techniques produced tea with different aromas, tastes, and colors.

Because of this, there was no absolute right or wrong in brewing tea, only the requirements of good, better, and best.

A good brewing technique could bring out the maximum fragrance from the same tea leaves, greatly nourishing the drinker's spirit and vitality.

"Yes!"

Tian Long curled his lips, glanced at Zhang Xuan, and took the tea tray and utensils handed by the steward Tian Gang.

Boiling water flowed gently to warm the tea set. He grabbed a few tea leaves in midair and placed them into the teapot. As the boiling water poured over them, the tea fragrance burst like firecrackers, instantly spreading throughout the hall, filling it with a rich aroma.

"Impressive!"

"I didn't expect this Tian Long, though young, to have such an admirable understanding of tea ceremony."

"It seems he has truly inherited Teacher Tian's legacy. It won't be long before he becomes a great tea master!"

The three masters nodded to themselves as they watched Tian Long's movements.

They had all studied tea ceremony with Old Tian and, though not reaching the level of formal tea masters, had immersed themselves in it for many years and were quite skilled. Naturally, they could see Tian Long's extraordinary technique.

"Tea ceremony is also divided into four realms: Perfect Color and Fragrance, Return to Simplicity, Spirit Resides in Meaning, and Fragrance Drifts Afar. These four realms correspond to the painting realms of Realistic, Lively, Meaningful, and Startling. Although Tian Long's character is lacking, his tea technique is solid. Judging by his method, he has already reached the second realm, Return to Simplicity!"

Afraid Zhang Xuan wouldn't understand, Huang Yu sent a voice transmission from the side.

"The first realm, Perfect Color and Fragrance, means the brewed tea achieves a certain standard in both color and aroma, pleasing to the eye and nose. Don't underestimate this realm. The brewer must have the deepest understanding of water, tea leaf proportions, and the state of the tea set. Without years of hard work, it's hard to achieve."

"The second realm, which is Tian Long's current level, is called Return to Simplicity. At this stage, brewing tea is no longer about showing off technique, but about integrating that technique into one's bones and blood, allowing the tea's most essential flavor to emerge, letting people drink the purest tea fragrance."

"The third realm, Spirit Resides in Meaning, is similar to Meaningful in painting. The brewer has comprehended the true tea ceremony and can infuse their own mood into the tea. Drinkers can taste the brewer's joys and sorrows through the tea. Reaching this realm qualifies one to take the exam and become a true tea master."

"The fourth realm, Fragrance Drifts Afar, means the brewer can make the tea fragrance spread for miles around, or control it to linger for a long time, making the tea taste like celestial nectar. Old Tian has reached this level. Look at the tea he pours—the steam swirls above the cup without dispersing. This technique not only prevents waste of fragrance but also keeps the tea hot no matter when you drink it, preventing the tea from cooling and affecting the taste."

Huang Yu, who knew a great deal about tea ceremony, spoke eloquently.

Knowing she was trying to help him understand tea ceremony more intuitively, Zhang Xuan nodded gratefully.

Hearing her explanation, tea ceremony was indeed not simple.

Just these four realms alone would cost many people countless hours.

Whoosh!

As they spoke, Tian Long's tea was ready. He poured it slowly, like a mountain spring flowing, striking the cup walls with a cheerful sound like a musical instrument.

"I've made a fool of myself!"

After pouring the tea, the true fragrance spread, giving a refreshing feeling. Tian Long smiled lightly, full of pride.

At his age, reaching the second realm of tea ceremony was already a genius among geniuses.

After his excitement, he looked at Huang Yu, expecting admiration and perhaps even a hug, but saw she wasn't looking at him at all—instead, she was whispering with Zhang Xuan. His face immediately darkened, and he felt like exploding.

He had worked hard to learn a technique and performed it perfectly, all to show off in front of the beauty... and this was the result.

"Zhang Xuan..." His anger shifted back to Zhang Xuan.

Seeing his furious gaze, Zhang Xuan blinked... He hadn't offended him, had he? Was this guy's brain also malfunctioning?

...

"The tea is ready. Who will go first?"

Old Tian looked around.

"I'll go!" Lu Xun stood up, his eyes full of confidence, as if he were about to command the scene: "Brother Tian's technique is called 'Falling Leaves Return to Roots,' originating from Master Changfeng a hundred years ago. He observed tea leaves growing for three years and, inspired, created this technique."

"'Falling Leaves Return to Roots' arranges each tea leaf in the tea set according to its growth order, and steeps them in that same order. Tea leaves, like people, have meridians. Steeping them in growth order is like soaking from the root to the tip. This technique proceeds step by step, bringing out the tea's most essential flavor, achieving the second realm, Return to Simplicity."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and smiled lightly: "Brother Tian, am I correct?"

"Brother Lu is truly talented, not a single mistake." Tian Long responded.

"Having discussed the technique, let's talk about the tea fragrance!" Lu Xun stood still, took a deep sniff, and smiled: "The fragrance is rich and lingering, making one feel as if in a tea garden. If I'm not mistaken, it should have reached the fourth grade."

To clarify tea grades and flavors, some great tea masters had classified tea fragrance into nine grades, from low to high.

First-grade tea fragrance: mouth and tongue produce saliva.

Second-grade tea fragrance: mind and spirit stir.

...

Fourth-grade tea fragrance: soul-haunting and dream-entangling.

...

Ninth-grade tea fragrance: a hundred birds come to pay homage.

Tian Long, using the second-realm tea technique, had brought the tea fragrance to the fourth grade, the level of soul-haunting and dream-entangling.

In other words, this fragrance was enough to make anyone who drank it remember it forever, unable to forget.

"Mm!"

Hearing Lu Xun's answer, Old Tian nodded in satisfaction.

As expected of Teacher Lu Xun, proficient in tea ceremony, his answer was completely correct.

"I've finished. Teacher Zhang Xuan, it's your turn..."

Lu Xun smiled and looked over.

"Me? You've said it all. What am I supposed to say?"

Zhang Xuan was speechless.

This guy was too shameless.

The test was to identify the technique and the tea fragrance grade. He had said everything. What was left for him to say?

If he said the same thing, the other could accuse him of parroting or imitating.

"Brother Lu only mentioned the name and origin of the technique. Tea ceremony is vast and profound. If you wanted to say more, there's certainly plenty to say. Teacher Zhang, could it be you don't even know what technique this is and can't say anything at all?"

Tian Long on the side looked over with a smile: "If that's the case, I suggest you just admit defeat, to avoid embarrassment for everyone."

"Admit defeat? That's not my style. If anyone should admit defeat, it's the other person!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. With that, he curled his lips and looked at Tian Long with a playful expression: "Are you sure you want me to speak?"

"Stop putting on airs!" Tian Long flicked his sleeve.

"Alright then!" Zhang Xuan stood up: "Teacher Lu was right earlier. Tian Long did use the 'Falling Leaves Return to Roots' technique. This is a superb method that can brew third-realm tea, but unfortunately... in his hands, it's used incorrectly, a complete mess. Failure!"

"You..." Tian Long nearly jumped up.

"You don't need to deny it!" Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, walked slowly to Tian Long, picked up a teacup, and lightly ran his finger over it.

"I won't say much about the teacup, tea tray, and utensils. In Old Tian's mansion, even if they're not the best, they're not far off. Let's talk about your brewing technique. The 'Falling Leaves Return to Roots' technique emphasizes gradual progression, with hot water penetrating the veins, like the leaves absorbing water on their own. Your arrangement of the tea leaves is correct, but unfortunately, you overlooked the characteristics of the tea leaves."

"The tea you brewed is called 'Ninth Spring.' From growth to picking and roasting, the nine-year cycle is optimal, and the fragrance is strongest. Am I right?"

Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Yes... that's right!" Tian Long nodded.

Ninth Spring is a rare tea, not widely available. Even their Tian residence had gathered only a few taels after much searching. How did this fellow, who didn't even know tea ceremony before, know about it?