The three women, like shadows, accompanied each other as they entered the teahouse. A grey-clothed old man was seated in a side pavilion, leisurely tending to the tea, his movements unhurried and relaxed, preparing tea for Ming Zhi Tian and the others' cups in advance.
The child had gone off to play. The old man, with utmost politeness, said, "Please, everyone, make yourselves comfortable and sit down."
The trio took their seats. Before they could speak, the old man continued, "Please, have some tea. Aged Mo Yue Pear. Please, savor it."
The three inhaled the tea's aroma and then sipped, their lips puckering. Ming Zhi Tian, unfamiliar with tea, was surprised by Ouyang Ni Feng's expertise. "This Mo Yue Pear, in its color, form, fragrance, and taste, is of the highest quality. It grows mostly at the foot of volcanoes, making it difficult to survive. Harvesting it before a volcanic eruption is best. Otherwise, even if it survives, the brewed tea will likely have impurities and a weak flavor, making it unpleasant. Thank you, elder, for this superior Mo Yue Pear."
The old man stroked his beard. "Indeed, indeed. To recognize Mo Yue Pear, this young lady must come from a distinguished family, I presume?"
Ouyang Ni Feng replied, "Have you heard of the Ouyang clan?"
The old man nodded. "I wonder if Ouyang Ru Qiu is your...?"
Ouyang Ni Feng said, "You know my aunt?"
The old man smiled slightly, shaking his head. "I have only heard of her. The unparalleled genius, Ouyang Ru Qiu, is well-versed in all worldly etiquette, especially in the realms of musical instruments and the art of tea, where her skills are second to none."
Ouyang Ni Feng nodded with understanding. "Elder, you flatter me."
The old man looked at Ming Zhi Tian. "And this gentleman...?"
Ouyang Ni Feng said, "He is my husband."
The old man mused, "Presumably, your husband must possess extraordinary talents to be a match for you."
Ouyang Ni Feng looked proudly at Yan Ran Qing Cheng and Ren Xing Yao. "Indeed, indeed!"
Ming Zhi Tian finished his tea and then cupped his hands. "Elder, junior has a matter to consult you about."
The old man waved his hands repeatedly. "I am merely a tea-tending cultivator. I would not dare. Please, speak."
Ming Zhi Tian could see that the old man's cultivation was only at the first level of the Feng Tian realm, but he did not presume. "To be frank, we came from a realm of illusion called the Forgotten Kingdom. We are searching for a way back to the Forgotten Secret Realm, but we have unknowingly arrived here. May I ask, elder, what is this place called? And in which direction should we seek our path?"
The old man smiled and gestured. "Please, have some tea."
The three poured their own tea and drank. They immediately felt a sense of clarity and tranquility, a profound comfort entirely different from their previous brew.
The old man said, "Life is unpredictable. Sometimes one must pause and rest. Do you feel much more comfortable now?"
Ming Zhi Tian nodded. "Indeed, I feel much more at ease. Thank you, elder. May I ask if you can tell me now?"
The old man nodded slightly. "This place is called the True Forgotten Secret Realm. What you call the Forgotten Kingdom is merely a part of the True Forgotten Secret Realm."
Ming Zhi Tian became somewhat eager to know. "And the Forgotten Secret Realm?"
The old man said, "It is also a part of the True Forgotten Secret Realm."
Ming Zhi Tian asked again, "Then where is the connected path? How do we leave?"
The old man said, "I have lived here for several hundred years and have never ventured out to explore. I do not know..."
The old man then pointed outside the window. "However, in the Hong Ma Empire, there are certain people and matters that we do not know. But that individual might. Perhaps they know, for they have already 'transcended the divine'."
"Transcended the divine? What does that mean?" Ming Zhi Tian did not understand.
Yan Ran Qing Cheng said, "It means they can no longer be simply described by 'divine'."
"That powerful?!" Ming Zhi Tian felt a sense of dread.
The old man looked towards the distant horizon. "Lan Bao Ding. The Divine Cultivation King resides there. The world knows that the Divine Cultivation King possesses boundless divine abilities. He will surely be able to resolve your doubts."
"Thank you."
The group exited the teahouse. From the art of tea, Ming Zhi Tian gained a deeper understanding of profound philosophy. He benefited greatly, which would aid his thoughtful consideration and judgment through experience.
Tearing open a spatial rift, they arrived at Lan Bao Ding, only to be immediately intercepted by hundreds of cultivators at the first level of the Feng Shen realm.