"I therefore became dispirited for many days."
"One day, inspired, I created this Spiritual Tea, please, everyone, have a taste."
The people in the hall were somewhat caught off guard.
They had been listening to Lin Bufan recounting secret past events and didn't expect him to suddenly shift the conversation toward the Spiritual Tea.
But just as people had been all ears, fully attentive, inertia still guided their eyes toward the cups next to them.
The cups were quaint, like red pottery, with a rough, uneven surface that gave them a crudely made appearance.
Inside the cups, the tea leaves were orange-red like the autumn evening sun, with patterns like mountains and rivers faintly visible on them.
Shen Lingshu showed interest and was the first to pick up a cup and take a sip.
After tasting it, he quickly praised, "Good tea."
Ning Zhuo also took a sip.
At first taste, it was slightly tannic, with a faint woody aroma, similar to the fresh, cold air that hits one's face upon entering a forest.
As the tea slid into his mouth and he savored it, the flavor deepened gradually, unveiling a hint of sweetness, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
After drinking, there was a warm sensation in the throat, as if seeing thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, standing silent through the ages. There seemed to be the low whisper of an old friend by one's ear, immersing one in thoughts, inevitably giving rise to feelings of wistfulness.
Seeing that everyone was silently savoring the tea, Lin Bufan timely said, "I created this tea and named it 'Mountains and Old Friends.' Its tea trees grow in the poorest soils, requiring a daily infusion of spiritual liquid extracted from thousands of herbs to grow and produce leaves."
"I honor my ancestors with this, and it has rekindled my spirits."
"On one hand, I personally sought out many orphans, assessed their Innate abilities, and took them all in as disciples. On the other hand, I had the Yuanlai Mountain God infiltrate Ten Thousand Medicine Valley and the other three peaks for long-term plans. Lastly, I implemented new policies, inviting Cultivators to reside on Little Struggle Peak, encouraging them to constantly fight, using this method to garner goodwill from the Reflected Wall."
"The Luminous Mirror was originally a wall in the palace of Jingyu Immortal Princess. Blessed with Study Heaven and Man, she used the Emperor Wu Collection to study and practice the techniques she had gathered from across the world. Over time, the wall became sentient and acquired mystical powers."
"It can reflect all sorts of people from across the world and preserve specific images. You may consider it a kind of special Dharma Body."
"The Grass Saint Zhang Huaixu that I had encountered before is one of them. He specifically left behind his legacy to benefit future generations."
The hall fell silent.
On one hand, everyone was quickly absorbing the shock of these hidden truths; on the other hand, they were moved.
Lin Bufan had faced setbacks but did not give up; instead, he adopted unconventional strategies and tried various methods.
He had been operating here for over a century. This was a solitary, hundred-year plan, resolute and patient, waiting for the right moment.
The Spiritual Tea he created, "Mountains and Old Friends," was itself a declaration of his ambitions. By emulating figures like Grass Saint Zhang Huaixu, his aspirations remained renewed, as eternal as the landscape!
Tears rimmed Shanshan's eyes, deeply moved.
Only now did she realize the profound and solitary effort her father had put into this hundred-year plan, a remarkably challenging feat.
Ning Zhuo inwardly exclaimed at his brilliance.
Despite Lin Bufan being in a passive situation, having been outmaneuvered and suppressed by the formidable Zhu Xuanji brought in against him, Lin Bufan's conduct was impeccable.
He had taken on the Ning Family's difficulties, openly speaking about his past and explaining the secrets of the Luminous Mirror; however, he was actually using this to express his ambitions, past hardships, and how much he had strived for this opportunity!
This made someone like Ning Zhuo, after hearing him and tasting his tea, unable to help but marvel at Lin Bufan's resilience, gaining much understanding towards him and significantly reducing his hostility.
Lin Bufan continued, "Top Grade Innate talent is extremely rare. I've searched for many years to no avail."
"I've taken on many disciples, hoping to succeed through sheer numbers."
"So far, only one has been favored by the images of several Ancient Sages in the Reflected Wall, receiving frequent teachings and guidance."
"That is my leading disciple, Linghu Jiu."
"I am relieved in my heart, but I also know that my disciple is inherently lazy and impulsive, especially expressive after getting drunk, often disregarding proprieties."
"It is both his making and undoing, 'Drunk Moon Seeking Immortal.' Given Linghu Jiu's talent and nature, I can only try to make up for his imperfections."
"Therefore, I hid the truth from him and secretly designed a drink called Netherworld Thoughts Brew to pacify him, making him believe that this drink, combined with his innate abilities, would allow him to communicate with the Netherworld and gain enlightenment from the sages."
"In reality, as long as one is within the bounds of Ten Thousand Medicine Valley, even without venturing deep into subterranean caverns, if an image of a past person in the Reflected Wall takes notice, a Cultivator can receive legacy."
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly.
Initially, when he saw the Five Elements God Master under the Spirit Hidden Willow, he had felt something odd.
Now hearing Lin Bufan's words, it also served as a verification.
Lin Bufan's words must be true.
Ning Zhuo was inclined to believe.
Not because he trusted Lin Bufan's character, but rather he trusted Zhu Xuanji more. Zhu Xuanji, as a Divine Hunter, had golden light flickering uncertainly in his eyes, possessing the ability to discern lies. Previously, in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he had often used such methods.