Chapter Fifty-Seven: Zhang Yuan's Obsession

The tea mist transformed into the silhouette of a celestial crane, graceful in its bearing, with every white feather rendered in exquisite detail. As it circled above, it preened its plumage with its long beak, its eyes lively and bright, unlike a mere illusion, occasionally letting out a clear and resonant cry.

The scene fell into silence; all were captivated by the spectacle before them. After several elegant turns, the crane split into several smaller cranes, their wings beating as they flew to each person's side. They could see, with astonishing clarity, these tiny cranes perched on the rim of their cups, tilting their heads, studying the gathering with curious eyes.

“This...this…” The elder gazed at the small crane meeting his eyes, momentarily at a loss for words. Within the crane’s gaze, he perceived a sense of carefree freedom, as though it was born to be unbound by anything.

They stared at each other for a long while, immersed in silent understanding.

Zhang Yuanyi, meanwhile, saw within the crane’s eyes a youthful figure, reminiscent of himself, practicing diligently with an ancient sword. Though the movements were but simple foundational sword forms, Zhang Yuanyi, now a half-step Grandmaster, watched with rare intensity.

Even Yu Jing and Daoist Yu Yin gazed back in a daze, as if glimpsing long-forgotten memories.

Elsewhere, a crane transformed midair into a butterfly with iridescent wings, fluttering elegantly toward Bai Yi, landing softly upon her nose. Bai Yi’s eyes sparkled; she stretched her waist and laughed as she tried to catch the butterfly.

Moments later, Lin You tapped the table once more with jade-like fingers. Instantly, the tea mist cranes transformed into an ancient, vigorous pine tree. Its branches swayed, emanating an aura of profound tranquility.

A third tap.

The forms of pine and crane vanished, replaced by a clear amber tea, poured into each person’s cup. The tea was limpid, reflecting each face, as if mirroring all the vicissitudes of life.

Longevity as the pine and crane; tea to inquire of the Way!

“Please, everyone, taste the Tea of the Way,” Lin You’s gentle yet crisp voice broke the silence.

The group awoke as if from a dream.

The tea in their cups was clear, devoid of the visions just witnessed, yet seemed to contain all within it.

The elder lightly lifted his cup; the tea was at the perfect temperature.

---

The face mirrored in the cup was lined and aged, but as the water rippled, the wrinkles began to blur, as if time itself grew uncertain.

With the first sip, a cool sensation spread throughout his limbs and bones. The elder’s frail body felt renewed, vitality surging through his heart, long missing.

His eyes grew brighter, as if, in that instant, many things became clear.

The others, too, were lost in the lingering resonance of the Tea of the Way, unable to extricate themselves.

Lin You had just used a touch of spiritual power, activating the medicinal nature of the tea and infusing it with the spirit of his own cultivation. Thus, this Tea of the Way was extraordinary.

He himself drank a sip. Yet this time, he did not feel the same profound change of heart as before; only his inner energy became somewhat more lively. This was because, upon entering the path of immortality, his mind had been refined anew, now clear and true. He had already determined his path; he needed no further inquiry.

A gentle breeze drifted through the mountain, not the bleakness of autumn, but the warmth of spring.

In the soft breeze, everyone gradually emerged from their reverie. Each felt as if the dust of their hearts had been wiped clean, their minds utterly clear.

“Spiritual tea to inquire of the Way—worthy of its name!” the elder murmured, exhaling a long breath, then bowing to Lin You.

Lin You returned the gesture with a smile: “Though the spiritual tea is wondrous, it is but an aid. The key lies in the heart of the guest. Hold the Way within, and the heart will not be confused.”

“To hold the Way within, and the heart unconfused? Excellent! I have learned much today!” The elder repeated the phrase twice, his eyes growing ever brighter, bowing again to Lin You.

Lin You turned aside, accepting only half the bow; a mere pointer deserved no more.

The other two gradually awakened, but Zhang Yuanyi, bearing his long sword, still sat with eyes tightly shut.

His brow was furrowed, his mind warring within, sword intent and murderous aura flashing intermittently about him.

The elder, seeing something amiss, was about to speak, but Lin You stopped him with a gesture, shaking his head: “He is bound by obsession, unable to awaken. If you call out to him now, you might be harmed.”

The elder smiled bitterly: “Is there any way to wake him? I fear he will trap himself forever within the shackles of the past, unwilling to return.”

“To inquire of the Way is to inquire of the heart. This can only be resolved by his own insight. If he succeeds, he will soar; if he fails, he will be lost, unable to escape,” Lin You replied, shaking his head.

---

He had not expected the swordsman before him to harbor such deep obsession, and that his cup of Tea of the Way would awaken it further.

Yet, if Zhang Yuanyi could sever this obsession, perhaps he might break through.

But Zhang Yuanyi seemed unwilling to awaken; even the humming of the ancient sword at his back could not rouse him.

Lin You glanced at the ancient sword, pondering.

He asked the elder, “Do you know what his obsession is?”

The elder was silent for a moment and sighed: “It began thirty years ago…”

Zhang Yuanyi’s father was a renowned sword master in Jinzhou, but during a duel, he was killed by another extraordinary swordsman—now the great sword Grandmaster, Su Jun.

As a youth, Zhang Yuanyi took up his father’s ancient sword, seeking vengeance. But he was gravely wounded by a mere flick of Su Jun’s sword intent, which left a scar in his heart—a nightmare he could not conquer.

Even after reaching the half-step Grandmaster realm, he could never break through, for the memory had become his heart’s demon.

That flash of sword light from that day still echoed within him.

The elder finished, sighing deeply. He had been a friend to Zhang Yuanyi’s father, and had rescued Zhang Yuanyi, treating him as a foster son ever since. Seeing him now, lost in obsession, the elder could not bear it.

Lin You listened, then looked at the ancient sword, sensing its silent plea. The sword, already spiritual, wished to protect its master, but was powerless.

“So be it! Since fate has brought us here, let you try.” Lin You spoke softly to the sword, shaking his head.

He tapped it lightly, infusing it with a trace of Celestial Sword Intent.

A sword, attuned to its master’s heart, can manifest within, aiding him to sever his inner demons.

Receiving the Celestial Sword Intent, the ancient sword rang out clearly, its blade gleaming with a peerless brilliance, as if capable of cleaving the heavens.

Suddenly, a flash of spiritual light leapt forth and entered Zhang Yuanyi’s body.