Chapter Five: The Treasure-Seeking Mouse and the Homeland Tea

Jiang Xiaobai remained on high alert, her five large tails swaying gently behind her, emitting a low “purring” sound from her throat like a fierce beast guarding its food, fixated intently on the golden little creature that dared to approach. To her, any living being entering the vicinity of “Gui Xu Cottage” without permission was a potential threat.

“Xiaobai, it’s okay. They mean no harm,” Jiang Yiyi gently soothed her “guardian knight,” then turned her gaze to the trembling treasure-seeking mouse, a tender smile spreading across her face.

She slowly crouched down, aligning her eyes with the small creature’s, and reached into her tiny storage pouch—a small magical device I had crafted for her from the skin of a koi fish—and pulled out a red wild berry she had recently picked from the mountains. The berry was sweet and tart, one of her favorite little snacks these days.

Holding the berry in her palm, she carefully and tentatively extended her hand toward the treasure mouse.

The mouse sniffed vigorously with its tiny nose, its black-bean eyes flickering with hesitation. The comforting aura radiating from this little girl stirred a profound internal struggle within its tiny mind, pitting its natural timidity against the allure of something good.

In the end, desire triumphed over fear.

It let out a soft “squeak,” as if making a firm decision, scampered swiftly to Jiang Yiyi’s hand, grabbed the berry, and darted back to a safe distance. Clutching the fruit with its two front paws, it eagerly nibbled away, all the while secretly studying Jiang Yiyi with its lively eyes.

“See? It likes me!” Jiang Yiyi whispered happily to me, her voice low, careful not to disturb the new friend.

From the bushes, several other treasure mice, emboldened by their leader’s safety and the treat it had received, one by one emerged cautiously. They scurried around Jiang Yiyi’s feet, chirping softly, rubbing their furry little heads against her pant legs, their eyes brimming with affection and trust.

Jiang Yiyi was delighted by this fluffy group, giggling as she shared all the wild berries from her pouch with them. For a moment, the edge of this newly cultivated spirit field became the setting for a beautiful scene of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

I stood nearby, smiling quietly at the scene. I knew well that the treasure mice’s fondness for Yiyi was not merely about the berries. They were drawn to the unique, pure life essence she emanated. To these creatures born to seek out spiritual treasures, Jiang Yiyi herself was the rarest “treasure” in this world.

Having such neighbors was more beneficial than harmful to us. Although treasure mice lacked combat ability, their instinct to avoid misfortune and seek out valuable items was unparalleled. Their presence could not only alert us to hidden dangers but might also bring unexpected rewards in the future.

Thus, I silently approved this cross-species friendship.

The following days grew regular yet fulfilling.

Each morning, as the first rays of sunlight spilled over the eastern mountain ridge, illuminating “Gui Xu Cottage,” the three of us would greet the dawn and begin our cultivation. I shifted my focus to the “Penglai Dongxuan Scripture,” guiding the flow of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy to cleanse and mend the countless cracks in my transformed spirit embryo. Though progress was slow, each day I felt the embryo growing more compact and solid.

Under my guidance, Jiang Yiyi switched to cultivating the “Hundred Flowers Morning Dew Technique,” also from the Penglai Immortal Hall. Gentle and balanced, it perfectly suited her affinity with plants. When she practiced, a faint glow radiated from her, causing the flowers and grasses in the valley to sway as if paying homage to their queen.

Jiang Xiaobai’s cultivation was the most straightforward. Every day, she ingested copious amounts of moonlight and sunlight essence to temper her demon core and five fox tails. Occasionally, she ventured deep into the valley to spar with unseeing beasts, keeping her combat instincts sharp.

After morning training came the most down-to-earth time of day—the busy farming hours.

Our most important task was tending to the five-acre spirit field. Watering was naturally done with a clear mountain stream. I used a piece of warm jade to forge a small water-guiding formation; with just a trace of magical power, the stream water transformed into a fine mist, evenly sprinkling over the fields.

Weeding became Jiang Xiaobai’s favorite game. Any weed daring to sprout in the spirit field couldn’t escape her keen nose and sharp claws. She always uprooted them precisely and proudly brought them to me as a token of her achievement.

Jiang Yiyi took on the most crucial and magical role—“communicating” with the spirit plants.

She spent long hours each day in the field, gently stroking the leaves of the white jade millet, feeling their growth pulse; softly singing to the sapling of the mutated peach tree, infusing her song with a strange life rhythm; and carefully transferring the cultivated “Hundred Flowers Morning Dew” energy to the delicate Wuyi Mountain tea tree.

Thanks to her devoted care, our spirit field flourished beyond imagination.

The growth cycle of the white jade millet was shortened by a third. In just two months, the seedling that was once only a finger’s height had grown over half a person tall, bearing heavy, plump grain ears—each kernel crystal clear like jade and exuding a tempting rice fragrance.

The mutated peach tree from Kunlun grew even more astonishingly. Though only a sapling, it had reached over three feet tall, with sturdy branches and thick leaves streaked faintly with red veins, radiating explosive vitality.

The starry vine climbed the stone walls of our cave dwelling. By day, it seemed unremarkable, but at night, its leaves unfurled to absorb the starlight, the entire vine shimmering with silver light, casting an ethereal glow over “Gui Xu Cottage.”

Most delightful of all was the descendant of the ancient Wuyi Mountain tea tree.

It lacked the peach tree’s aggressive growth or the starry vine’s fantastical aura. It simply grew quietly, sprouting branches and buds, each new tender leaf resembling the finest jade—smooth, translucent, with clear veins as if containing profound universal truths. A subtle, almost imperceptible Dao essence, capable of calming the mind, always lingered around this tea tree.

One evening, gazing at the few freshly unfurled, dewy young leaves atop the tea tree, I could no longer resist.

I cleansed my hands, burned incense, and with utmost reverence, gently plucked three tender leaves with two fingers.

Back in the cave, I took out a set of purple clay tea utensils unearthed from the Penglai Immortal Hall, a remarkable magical tool that maximized the tea’s flavor. Without any flashy spells, I brewed the leaves like a devoted tea master—warming the cups with pure mountain spring water before steeping the precious leaves.

The moment the steaming mountain spring water, infused with traces of spiritual energy, poured into the pot, an indescribable fragrance burst throughout the cave!

The aroma was elegant, distant, and profound—not sweet like floral scents, nor straightforward like fruity notes. It seemed to transcend time and space, carrying the mist from the towering cliffs of Wuyi Mountain, the sunshine and rain of Earth’s homeland, and the tranquility and vitality of this new world’s valley. Just inhaling this fragrance invigorated my spirit, weary from cultivation.

I poured the amber tea into three small tasting cups.

“Here, Yiyi, Xiaobai, taste the tea we grew ourselves, from our homeland.”

Jiang Yiyi and Jiang Xiaobai curiously gathered, imitating me as they lifted their little cups.

I first inhaled the aroma deeply, then tasted the tea.

The liquid entered with a slight bitterness, swiftly transforming into endless sweetness, sliding down my throat into my belly. The next moment, a warm, pure, and vast current exploded through my limbs and body!

This warmth did not surge through my meridians nor increase my magical power. It acted directly upon my spirit, upon the fractured transformed embryo!

I could vividly “see” the fine cracks in my embryo beginning to heal at a visible pace under the nurturing warmth of the tea! Though only a subtle improvement, the effect was far more remarkable than ten days or half a month of arduous cultivation.

More importantly, my mind, cleansed by this tea, became clearer and more serene than ever. Memories of two thousand years, cultivation bottlenecks, and worries about the future all smoothed away. Only a perfect sense of “tranquility” remained in my heart.

“Excellent tea!” I couldn’t help but exclaim genuinely.

This was no ordinary tea, nor merely a spiritual brew. It was a true “Dao tea”! It fused the laws of two worlds and, blessed by Jiang Yiyi’s life force, underwent an incredible transformation!

Looking at my two daughters, Jiang Xiaobai closed her eyes comfortably after drinking, her six tails swaying leisurely, her demonic aura noticeably purified.

Jiang Yiyi was stunned after tasting the tea. Her delicate face showed contemplative expression, eyes half-closed, her innate life Dao essence growing more vibrant and refined. Clearly, this tea, sharing the same root and source, benefited her more than any of us.

A cup of homeland tea dispelled homesickness, steadied the Dao heart, and nourished the Dao embryo.

I gazed out at the thriving spirit field and my two lovely daughters beside me, my heart filled with unprecedented abundance and peace.

Farming truly is wonderful.