"Learn it now?"
Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, Lu Xun, Tian Long, and the others sneered.
You must be joking!
Learn it now? Do you think that the Way of Tea is the handiwork of a roadside craftsman? Learn it just like that?
This is an occupation. Even if one were to study it day in and day out, it would be impossible for one to improve without several years of hard work. To think that you can pass the test now... Will you die if you don't act so pretentiously?
But that's fine as well. You won't be able to lift your head up high later on.
Lu Xun harrumphed coldly.
Seeing the other party's excitement, Huang Yu nearly burst into tears. She hurriedly sent a telepathic message to dissuade him, "You mustn't agree to it. Lu Xun has specially learned the Way of Tea, and he is extremely proficient in it..."
You don't even know the Way of Tea, yet you want to compete with an expert in the Way of Tea? Aren't you joking?
She had seen reckless people, but she had never seen someone as reckless as you.
"It's fine!" Knowing that the other party's concern was sincere, Zhang Xuan smiled and consoled her.
Seeing that the other party had already made up his mind, Huang Yu panicked, but there was nothing she could do.
"Hmph!"
Seeing how frivolous Miss Zhang was, Elder Tian's complexion darkened.
The Way of Tea was a skill that he had spent all of his effort on, yet this fellow actually dared to say that he wanted to learn it now...
Learn what? How?
Do you think that this is a game? Learn it with a single glance?
You must be joking!
Even the three master teachers stared at one another with a frown on their faces.
They had only heard of Miss Zhang's feats, but this was the first time they were seeing her in person. They didn't expect her to be so reckless and frivolous. With such a personality, no matter how good she was at teaching, they would have to consider whether they should accept her as their apprentice or not.
"Let's begin then!" Suppressing his displeasure, Elder Tian gestured, "The test is simple. Long-er, brew a pot of tea, and Lu laoshi and Miss Zhang, whoever is able to say what brewing technique is used and what level of tea fragrance it reaches will do!"
Just like pill forging, the Way of Tea had been passed down for countless years, and there were many different styles and brewing techniques. Different brewing techniques resulted in different flavors, flavors, and colors of tea.
This was precisely the reason why there was no right or wrong way in brewing tea. There was only one requirement: good, better, and the best.
A good tea brewing technique could allow the same tea leaves to display their fragrance to the extreme. The person who drank the tea would have their essence, energy, and spirit greatly nourished.
"Yes!"
The corner of Tian Long's mouth curled up. He glanced at Zhang Xuan and took the tea set and tea set from Tian Gang.
The boiling water flowed slowly, warming up the tea set. With a grab, a few tea leaves appeared in the teapot. As the boiling water flowed down, the tea fragrance exploded like firecrackers. In an instant, the entire hall was filled with a rich fragrance.
"Amazing!"
"I didn't expect Tian Long to have such an admirable understanding of the Tea Ceremony at such a young age."
"It seems like he has inherited Tian laoshi's teachings. It's only a matter of time before he becomes a formidable Tea Master!"
Upon seeing Tian Long's actions, the three master teachers nodded their heads in approval.
They had all learned the Way of Tea from Elder Tian. Although they had not reached the level of an official Tea Ceremony Master, they had been immersed in it for many years. Their standards were not low, and they could naturally tell that Tian Long's skills were extraordinary.
"The Way of Tea is also divided into four stages, namely, Perfect Color and Fragrance, Returning to Simplicity, Divine Intent, and Pervading Fragrance! The four stages correspond to Reality Depiction, Spiritual Canvas, Infused Intent, and Breathtaking Verisimilitude in painting! Even though Tian Long isn't much of a person, his skills in the Way of Tea are undeniable. Judging from his technique, he has already reached the second stage, Returning to Simplicity! "
Afraid that Zhang Xuan wouldn't understand, Huang Yu sent a telepathic message to him.
"The first stage, Perfect Color and Fragrance, refers to the quality of the tea brewed. Regardless of whether it's the color or the fragrance, the tea brewed has reached a certain level, making it pleasing to the eye. Don't underestimate this stage. The tea brewer has to have a deep understanding of the water, the amount of tea leaves, and the state of the tea set. Without several years of hard work, it will be difficult to achieve this level.
"The second stage, which is the current stage that Tian Long is at, is called Returning to Simplicity. At this stage, brewing tea is no longer just about showing off one's skills. Instead, one has to fuse the skill into one's bones and blood, allowing one to bring out the most intrinsic flavor of the tea leaves, allowing one to taste the purest tea fragrance.
"The third stage, Divine Intent, is similar to Infused Intent in painting. The tea brewer has comprehended the true Way of Tea and is able to infuse one's conception into the tea. Through tasting the tea, one can experience the emotions of the tea brewer. Upon reaching this stage, one can take the examination to become a true Way of Tea master.
"The fourth stage, Pervading Fragrance, refers to the tea brewer being able to allow the fragrance of the tea to spread, causing the fragrance within a radius of several thousand meters to assail one's nostrils. At the same time, one can also control the fragrance of the tea so that it won't dissipate for a long time, allowing one to taste it as though it is a divine brew. Elder Tian has already reached this level. Look at the tea he pours, the steam lingers at the top of the cup without dissipating. With this skill, not only will the fragrance of the tea not go to waste, it will also remain boiling hot regardless of when one drinks it. The tea won't turn cold due to the passage of time, thus affecting the taste. "
Huang Yu had a deep understanding of the Way of Tea as well, and she spoke frankly with assurance.
Knowing that the other party was trying to allow him to understand the Way of Tea more directly, Zhang Xuan nodded his head in gratitude.
Hearing her words, the Way of Tea was indeed not simple.
Just these four stages alone would take countless years of one's time.
Hu!
While they were speaking, Tian Long's tea was already done. He poured it out slowly, reminiscent of a flowing mountain spring. Knocking against the walls of the teacup, a cheerful sound reminiscent of a musical instrument sounded.
"I've embarrassed myself!"
After Tian Long poured the tea, the true fragrance of the tea spread out, giving off a refreshing feeling. Tian Long smiled lightly, full of pride.
To be able to comprehend the second level of the Way of Tea at his age, he could already be considered as a genius among geniuses.
After a moment of excitement, he turned to look at Huang Yu. He thought that she would be in awe of Youjia, but she didn't even look at him. Instead, she was whispering to Zhang Xuan. His face immediately darkened, and he felt as though he was about to explode.
It wasn't easy for him to learn a set of techniques and perform it so perfectly. All he wanted to do was to put on a good performance before a beauty … Yet, such was the outcome.
"Zhang Xuan …" Zhang Xuan's rage was directed toward Zhang Xuan once more.
Seeing his furious gaze, Zhang Xuan blinked his eyes … He didn't seem to have offended him, but there was something wrong with this fellow's head?
…
"The tea is ready. Who wants to go first?"
Elder Tian scanned the surroundings.
"Allow me!" Lu Xun stood up, his eyes brimming with confidence. "Brother Tian's technique is called [Roots of Fallen Leaves], and it originates from Master Chang Feng a hundred years ago. He observed the growth of tea leaves for three years before coming up with this technique."
"Roots of Fallen Leaves refers to placing every single tea leaf into the tea set according to the order in which they grow. The order in which they are soaked is also the same. Just like humans, tea leaves have their own meridians. By soaking them according to the order in which they grow, it's similar to soaking them from the root to the tip of a tree. This technique allows one to bring out the essence of the tea leaves, allowing one to reach the second level of the Way of Tea, Restoration of Purity. "
At this point, Lu Xun flung his sleeves and chuckled lightly. "Brother Tian, may I know if my words are correct?"
"Brother Lu is a genius. There isn't a single mistake in your words," Tian Long replied.
"Now that I'm done talking about the technique, let's talk about the fragrance of the tea!" Lu Xun stood on the spot and took a deep breath. With a smile, he said, "The fragrance lingers in the air, making one feel as though one is in a tea garden. If I'm not wrong, it should be at the fourth level."
In order to ascertain the quality and taste of tea, some formidable tea masters categorized the aroma of tea into nine levels, from low to high.
First level tea aroma, stimulating saliva in the mouth.
Second level tea aroma, enticing one's mind.
…
Fourth level tea aroma, captivating one's dreams.
…
Ninth level tea aroma, attracting hundreds of birds.
Tian Long's second level of the Way of Tea had already reached the fourth level, Captivating one's dreams.
In other words, this aroma was sufficient to make one unable to forget it even after drinking it once.
"Un!"
Hearing Lu Xun's reply, Elder Tian nodded his head in satisfaction.
As expected of Lu Xun laoshi, his words were spot-on.
"I'm done. Zhang Xuan laoshi, it's your turn now …"
Smiling faintly, Lu Xun turned to look at Zhang Xuan.
"Me? Since you're done, what else do you want me to say? "
Zhang Xuan was speechless.
Wasn't this fellow too shameless?
He had already spoken on the other party's brewing technique and the quality of the tea aroma, what else was he supposed to say?
If his words were the same, the other party could just say that he was imitating or imitating.
"Brother Lu only spoke of the name of the brewing technique. The Way of Tea is broad and profound. If he wanted to speak, there should be a lot more he could say. Miss Zhang, it can't be that you don't know what the brewing technique is and can't say anything at all!"
Tian Long looked at Zhang Xuan with a smile. "If that's the case, I advise you to admit defeat, lest everyone feels awkward!"
"Admit defeat? That's not my style. If I were to admit defeat, it would be the other party! " Zhang Xuan shook his head. At this point, the corners of his lips curled up, and he looked at Tian Long playfully. "Are you sure you want me to say it?"
"Stop putting on an act!" Tian Long flung his sleeves.
"Alright then!" Zhang Xuan stood up. "Lu laoshi is right. Tian Long has indeed used the Root of the Fallen Leaves Technique. This is an incredible technique that can brew a third level tea, but … in his hands, it seems like it's right but it's actually wrong. It's a failure!"
"You …" Tian Long nearly leaped up.
"There's no need for you to be in such a hurry to deny it!" Zhang Xuan smiled faintly. He walked up to Tian Long, casually picked up the teacup, and slid his finger across it.
"There's no need for me to elaborate on the teacup, tea sea, and tea set. Even if the ones in Elder Tian's residence aren't the best, they aren't too far off. Let's start from your brewing technique. The Root of the Fallen Leaves Technique is a gradual process. The hot water permeates through the veins, just like how the tea leaves absorb water. There's no problem with the order in which the tea leaves are placed, but it's a pity that you neglected the unique characteristics of the tea leaves.
"The tea leaves you brewed are called 【Nine Years of Spring】. From the moment the tea leaves are formed to the moment they are plucked and roasted, the best period is nine years. The fragrance is also the strongest there. I'm not wrong about this, am I?"
Zhang Xuan looked at Tian Long.
"Y-you're right!" Tian Long nodded.
Nine Years of Spring was a rare tea leaf. There weren't many of it, and it had never been popular in the world. Even their Tian Residence had to search for it for a long time before they could find a few taels of it. How did this fellow, who didn't even know anything about the Way of Tea, know of it?
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
