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Sky Pride Vol. 3 Chapter 55- A Cup Full of Dao
🕑 Added 2025-09-05 14:00:21 +0000 UTCChapter 55- A Cup Full of Dao
Tian picked a nice tree near a river for his tea service. The tree chimed every time the wind blew the leaves, making gentle and flowing harmonies. Whoever had made the enchantment had carefully tuned the sound so that it enhanced the serenity brought by the little river rushing over a shallow bed of stones. Ripples in the water, ripples in the air, all for an immortal moment.
Tian would definitely rather be here than in the Redstone Wastes. Just not here for the job he was doing.
“The sacrifices I make for my sect siblings.”
“Little Daoist Tian! I had heard you were inviting me for a cup of tea, but to think you picked such a romantic spot. This little Mei is flattered, but I must warn you, your big bro has already run away with my heart.”
Tian forced himself to properly look at Daoist Mei. She was a little taller than him, but only a little bit. A little more curvy than he was used to, but considerably less so than Daoist Steelshimmer. Her hair was nicely short, with perfectly clean tracings of dancing flames and spraying waves adding liveliness and fun. She had big eyes, he decided, and she made them look even bigger by opening them so wide.
“I have a soft spot for trees on riverbanks. They are wonderful places to sit and have a cup of tea. You will be the first guest that I offer my brand new, full experience tea service to, and it won’t cost you a single spirit stone. I’m using top quality fifty year old White Eyebrow Longevity Tea from the Bamboo Medicine Hut’s famed tea farms, too.”
“Waa! For me? Really?” She clapped and giggled.
“For you. Here, give it a look. The aroma, even before steeping, is heavenly.” Tian offered some of the dried leaves on a little tray for her to examine and smell. He had the basalt tea tray out, along with the Six Gentlemen tools Sister Shu had sent, and the two tea pets were waiting patiently to be cultivated with some tea qi. The kettle was warm, and his lidded cup was eager to be put to use. Even the tea cups seemed to quiver with excitement.
“Mmm. So fragrant!”
“Wait until it’s steeped. Then we can talk about fragrant.” He chuckled and started pouring boiling water over everything, purifying it and warming it for the service to come. The water caught the late afternoon sunlight, filtering through the enchanted tree, dancing over the basalt.
“Tell me, Daoist Mei, what sort of things do you study here in the Five Elements Courtyard? I know very little about the day-to-day life here, and I am eager to know more.”
“Eeeh? Well, it’s the usual sorts of things, I suppose. We cultivate, practice our talisman drawing, study astronomy, geology, meteorology, botany, alchemy, paint, ink and dye making, carving, weaving, and the other basic necessities of being an array master. Logic and geometry probably go without saying, but the more advanced study of calculating curves, quickly finding the factors of very large numbers, or solving equations missing multiple variables and the like are also completely mandatory.” She paused a moment. Then giggled. “Of course, I like to run off and play a lot.”
Tian smiled a little, and looked up from his work. “Daoist Mei?”
“Yes, Daoist Tian?”
“I promise at this table I will tell you no lies. You will see as much sincerity in me as I can show. So please, don’t belittle yourself.”
“I don’t think I did?” Tian met her eyes until she looked away. “It’s rude to stare at people. And what’s wrong with acting cute?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps nothing. But I saw the real you once, in the jungle. I would like to meet the real you once again, here at my tea table.”
This time she gave him a long look. It wasn’t cold, or flirtatious, or strange. She was just looking at him. Like she was trying to see all of him.
“Have you ever set two mirrors facing each other, then put a candle in between them?” She asked.
“Never.”
“The candle repeats infinitely. It would be so easy to be lost between all those candles, trying to find your way to the source of the light. One might wonder if the effort was worth it.”
Silence settled around them. Then she tilted her head to the side and asked, “What do you study, Daoist Tian?”
“How to kill, how to heal, and how to live as a human being. Listed in increasing order of difficulty.” He poured the dry leaves into the lidded cup, and carefully covered them with hot, but not boiling, water. “It just needs a few seconds for the wash.”
“Mmm. And… Daoist Wang?”
“Takes longer in the bath, though not excessively so.”
She snorted. “You know what I mean.”
Tian gently pressed the lid to open a gap, and poured the wash over the tea pets. The tea qi spread across the tray, making threads of red, blue and gold emerge from the black basalt. The pets seemed to shiver with happiness, though that was just a trick of the light. It was a transformation- bland water and dead stone were now filled with life.
“Here, smell the lid. Brother Wang works in the logistics department. In his free time, he reads and studies the world, thinking of how to make it a better, more caring, place. He is very brave, though I don’t think most people would recognize his kind of bravery. A bravery he has paid for, horribly. How do you like the aroma?”
Delicate fingers lifted the lid from his hand and sniffed the underside. “Bright, lively, full of freshness but with the aged scent of herbal medicine. I like it very much. What are you really here for, Daoist Tian?”
“Because I am trying to find out if you can be a good fit for Brother Wang, and if so, how I can persuade my… colorful… sect siblings to live in harmony with that fact.”
“And if I can’t fit well? If no peace can be made?” She offered the lid back, letting it rest on her slim hand.
“Then I don’t know what to do. Probably the wrong thing.” He took the lid back and set it to the side of the cup. He picked up the kettle and poured the first proper steep.
Daoist Mei’s smile changed, a cool little lift at the corner of her lips, a little crinkle to the corner of her eyes transformed warmth into cynical humor. Her hands were telling a different story. They were curled on her lap, looking relaxed and empty. But she was an array master, and the way she was subtly pinching her fingers said she was preparing for whatever “wrong thing” Tian might come up with.
“You don’t, however, seem the sort who would poison the tea.”
“I’d sooner die.” White Tea needed a bare minute to properly steep. This was the great virtue of good leaves prepared skillfully. Less water, less time, more leaves, and the flavor transformed far beyond the ordinary. Tea was a drink. Skillful tea was art. Tian prepared it with every ounce of his ability. He poured the tea into the friendship pitcher, then portioned it into the cups. “Taste it carefully.”
She smelled the tea. “Good tea. Very… good.” She took a longer second sniff, and her wide eyes narrowed. She sipped slowly. Then froze. Tian waited, not picking up his tea cup. Mei took another sip, seemingly without thinking. Her eyes were open, but far away. Soon she had drained her cup. Tian smiled and drank his tea. It really was delicious.
“Compassion. Boundless compassion. That’s why I’m not running. You aren’t threatening me. You are hoping this goes well, and that Big Brother Wang and I are happy together. You really will do your best to make sure your Brother isn’t hurt, or any of your other sect siblings. You don’t even want to see me hurt. What a good brother you are. What a truly good brother!” Her voice got a little muffled at the end.
“I shouldn’t be surprised that a prodigy of the Five Elements Courtyard can see through my understanding of fire so clearly.” Tian laughed softly. “Most people just feel like it is soft, or not harmful.”
“Idiots. Every person who has drunk your tea is an idiot if they cannot see your heart in it.” Mei set her cup down gently on the tray.
“Hmm. Well, the Heavenly People who have tried it said my leaves were trash, but that it was made in a good way. I guess that counts for something.”
Mei took a deep breath and a slow exhale. It was rather like Elder Steelshimmer removing her costume. She didn’t change, but the way Tian saw her did.
She met his eyes clearly. “You want to know why I am the way I am? Because it is safer for me. Because people look at my breasts, and my big eyes and they hear me giggle and they don’t see me. They hunger for me, desire me, demand things of me, but they don’t see me. Even if they hurt me, they don’t hurt me. The ‘me’ who is troubled is an illusion that despicable people cast on themselves. And they have hurt me. Too often.”
Her spine didn’t need straightening. There was no shame in her eyes.
“I know myself. I honor myself. I follow my dao and do not let the foolish desires of the world defile me, any more than mud on my shoes dirties my feet, much less my soul. I am not the clothes I wear. The only mind “I” truly exist in is my own. Once I understood that truth, I began taking pleasure in “dressing” as prettily as I can. If someone looks at me properly, they see the real me. If not, they are lost in their own illusions. My road continues straight and true.”
Wonder and happiness blossomed on her face. “Your brother saw through the illusion with a single glance. He opened himself to me at that moment. Not insisting. He opened a door and set a place for me, if I wanted it. One lying face to another, daring the forbidden- sincerity. I have only known him a few days, but… in the face of eternal life, what is the difference between a moment and a millenium? Even if I only have these few days, I will cherish them forever. And if I can have more, then I will bless the kindness the world has given me, and gratefully follow the decree of fate.”
Her voice was nicer when she wasn’t forcing her pitch up. A little cool, but not cold, soft to the ear, but lively.
Mei looked out over the sun dappled river as the chiming leaves and rushing waters made their melody. “If you are here, I suppose he is thinking about more than just a discreet tumble on the grass and a few longing letters before we drift apart forever.”
“Brother Wang is worth more than dirty robes and awkward memories, Daoist Mei. I trust my brother’s judgement enough to believe that you are worth more too. Which is a relief. Let me pour you another cup and tell you about the rather absurd situation I find myself in…”
Daoist Mei laughed so hard she nearly tipped over onto the grass. Then she had another cup of tea and her face turned thoughtful. “It’s not just the fire qi, of course. Water, the feeling of flow overcoming everything by fighting nothing. Endless growth, welcoming competition and ruthlessly willing to choke another to draw breath. The precision and decisiveness of metal. Mmm… I don’t get earth as strongly, but I can feel it. Your earth endures, so that things may grow. It’s not about being as hard as a rock, it’s about being good soil. It can hold things up and break them down again to nourish new life.”
“Sounds about right. But words can never really communicate these things, can they?”
“No. No they cannot. I will visit Sister Su. We should have a good chat.”
“Really? No desire to keep Brother Wang all for yourself?”
“No.” She paused, then, “Yes.” Then quickly again- “No.”
There was another pause and Mei smiled with self mocking whimsy. “I wouldn’t usually tell another living soul this, but after you shared yourself so completely in your tea, it feels stupid to be so shy. The persona I project is interested in carnality more than emotional connection. The true me is strongly the reverse. I don’t completely reject expressing my love physically, because I know it means so much to others. But given a choice…”
Tian nodded and sipped his own tea. Mei jokingly saluted him with her cup.
“It’s funny, I suppose. I remember my parents having furious arguments because Dad was sleeping with Mrs. Luo, who lived three doors down. Then he would storm off, and mom would find some reason I did something wrong and hit me. Saying I was just like my dad. That I was a lazy, no good person like him, and I would be a cheater like him too. Maybe she was right. I have certainly never been faithful to any who demanded it of me. I never cared if they were faithful either. I preferred if they weren’t, actually. It meant they would be leaving soon.”
She laughed softly, her voice mixing gently with the wind in the leaves. “It’s scary. The thought of him not staying faithful to me is scary. I want him thinking of me and caring about me, as much as I am thinking and caring about him. It will be reassuring to know a good sister is there to look after him for me. Who can chase off any other little thieving cats. And I know she will do that. I will say the words she cannot say, and she will guard him in all the ways I cannot. She is welcome to as much of his body as she likes, so long as we share equally in his heart. It might not be perfect, but it is more than enough. If we can make it work, then this vain, greedy little Mei has all she wants.”
Tian silently poured her another cup. The tea had gone through a few transformations by now, but there was still some qi left in the leaves. Experiencing the transformation of flavor and texture was one of the joys of a tea session, and one he appreciated more with every cup.
“Brother Wang better be ready. I suspect he was just open to something light that might develop into something wonderful. Hopeful, but unwilling to commit himself and risk getting hurt. Now he’s got two brilliant women who have decided that he is what they want and will work together to get him. By the time the conversation includes him again, he will be packed up, parceled out and doubly engaged to be married. The poor bastard will just have to figure out how to live with twice the love and… one and a half times the sex?”
“And you, Senior Brother Tian? What does your heart crave?” She asked.
“To fly, and to have someone who can fly with me. I haven’t met them yet, or if I have, I haven’t recognized them for who they are. One day, perhaps, I shall meet my Sister Mei or Sister Su.”
The wind made the tree sing to the dancing water. The aroma of the tea, the warmth of the conversation and the wild freedom of bearing your true self to another, free of judgement. The sheer magic of being young and so alive. Tian shared a smile with Mei over the tea cups, lingered in it for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“I’m so screwed!”
“Eh?” Mei blinked her big eyes, momentarily looking as brainless as she pretended to be.
“I was going to make serving tea my business! I had a whole plan laid out. I was going to travel around the Broad Sky Kingdom and offer people a chance to understand the elements in a new way in exchange for a hundred spirit crystals or something. But I can’t! I just can’t! This is what a tea service should be. My tea dao is like your heart- It can’t be bought or bullied from me, only shared freely.”
He laughed until his sides ached. It was so stupid. It was so ridiculous, but it was his truth and his dao. So he would walk that path, and see what he found along the way. Mei laughed with him.
“It is an art born from the interplay of endless elements with your compassion as its core. Like the rushing water, like the growing wood, the sun above giving endlessly to the receptive earth below, and the cold press of metal forever at our backs, the knowledge that even immortality…” Sister Mei trailed off, and slowly her eyes drifted across the river once more.
Tian waited for her to finish.
His nose twitched. There was a smell of something he couldn’t quite remember smelling before. The smell shifted, and some things became more familiar. His spine straightened with a sudden snap. It was the five seasons. But not the five seasons he knew. The seasons as Mei knew them, manifesting around her.
“Oh. Oh my. I think… Thank you. Thank you so much. I swear I will repay you, even if all I can do is make your brother and sister happy. Tell Su I agree. Whatever she needs, whatever she wants, so long as we can all live happily together, I agree. But you need to go.”
Tian nodded and quickly tidied up. “Good fortune to you, Daoist Mei. I hope the day I can call you sister from my heart comes soon. Or Martial Aunt. Whichever comes first.”
She laughed, a touch of strain in it. “The latter. Get moving.”
Tian got. It was all a lucky coincidence, that last little push she needed. But it wasn’t the kind of coincidence he wanted publicly known. He wanted to fly free, not have his foot nailed to the floor in Mountain Gate City. How many schemers had he seen? How many people sold their souls, groveling for the “life saving favor of a senior?”
And there was Mei, who got everything they wanted through compassion, humility and frugality. Who could let go of what others wanted, and received everything she needed in exchange. Nothing at all like his dad, but more like him than anyone else he had met. The laughter bubbled up inside of Tian and he finally couldn’t keep it down any more. Laughing until he wept, he ran back to the guest house. Eager to share the joke.
Comments
atmosphericturtle
Welp… I guess Tian needs to find a new way to make money lol
Diarmuid McGinnity
I think you’ve got it
Logan
"the knowledge that even immortality…is not forever”
Nùmenor
I feel your compassion, Tian. What a beautiful chapter.
Robert Mullins
I don't see how it's meandering. The story went exactly where the first 3-ish chapters said it would. They saw more of the Broadsky kingdom, refined their skills, healed psychologically, learned about the underlying causes for the war, and acted as representatives of the sect at the 5 elements courtyard. Frankly, you'd almost have a better argument for the volume being too straightforward and to the point because it did exactly what it said it would do.
TayTay
Man... i have to say... i dont enjoy this meandering at all... feels like its been going left then right then left then, yeah... And it's just going too slow now.
Josiah Elliott
He also says he may not have recognized them for who they are, which could clearly be sister Hong
Robert Mullins
"haven't met them yet." This is Hong Liren abuse. She is the yang to his yin and has bird inspired powers. Not to mention they already do a distant form of dual cultivation.
Book Worm
Well done, Warby. You’ve crafted pure poetry with this chapter.
Jeryd Greer
Thanks for the chapter
Logan
The knowledge that even Immortality… is not Forever... not Unchanging... ever Growing into something New...
s1ntec
Disciple Shu from the Bamboo Hut gifted it to him. It has the form of a lotus
BaguaBrady
Can someone who has a decent memory remind me where Tian got his second tea pet? I thought he just had the one from the Saintess
Jumping Flounder
the only gifts he needs are more tea pets.
Jumping Flounder
less of a beggar and more of a busker.
Aaron Archer
I don't think it's her destiny, yet. She wants freedom and maybe they end up together but I don't see either of them seeing that on each other, yet.
Veridescent
I assume it was that even such is interconnected to the elements and the world.
BelligerentGnu
That was genuinely beautiful.
Edward Wang
nah i think she just got some understanding from Tian's tea
Andrew Simpson
Did she just ascend to heavenly person?
Zenopath (AEV)
I sort of wish shed finished her sentence. "...the knowledge that even immortality...." It would have offered insight into what kind of revelation pushed her over the edge.
Dunangel17
I think what I personally enjoy the most about Sky Pride is the emotional connection. Too often are the genuine social connections thrown to the side in favor of extrapolating an MCs rise to yet another cultivation level. Upon reaching that level all previous characters who can't keep up with the MC's growth are left behind without having much tangible effect on the story. With Sky Pride even if its just a small one off encounter, due to the character building and actually good dialogue these small interactions have an effect on the MC slowly molding his dao and world view overall.
Noroh
I just realized...elder Feng made the mistake of letting Tian wander around unsupervised again. Everytime he is alone and unsupervised something wild happens, whether it's in the city, at a fort, or having tea in a field lmao
Fayhem
Beautiful. Beautiful.
zero
The way never acts yet nothing is left undone
Morog T Tiny
so the real secret to this is he can be a beggar , put his begging bowl out and offer tea with people contributing as they will, offering truth and a new way of looking at the world. Most will contribute enough to keep him going but some will hand off gold because their eyes are opened.
BaguaBrady
Also, what an accidental master stroke diplomacy move by the younger generation. Give the five element top juniors heart demons and loss of Manor status, elevate the one black sheep of the group to heavenly person status but steal her favor away with marriage. Elder Feng's job got a lot easier I'm sure.
Codered999
His surprising insight and wisdom at times tends to show people that despite his youth he is not stupid or ignorant of the goings-on surrounding him and that his understanding of himself is oftentimes considerably greater than others understanding of themselves. His honesty and compassion also gives him a personal charm he lacks the social experience and mindset to see how easy it actually is for him to improve how others view him.
BaguaBrady
I very much enjoy how much winning Wang did without doing anything, haha
Andre the Midget
I made a comment last chapter that just got nuked from orbit. Thank you Warby, sincerely. This was beautiful. I'm really looking forward to your next reveals.
Ryan Naquin
I like that Tian went from "little daoist" to "senior brother" in the space of a single tea session.
Codered999
The magic is still there, it's just more subtle, don't give up on trying to reproduce Tian's compassionate connection creation
Dorian Grizzle
Gotta say, this is the best depiction of empathy and working through trauma I've read. Lots of heavy stories just have characters who become mired in it and miserable. The ones who don't make it an endless battle that of passive characters made of glass
Aruj
Wow that's really good. I actually now want to dust off my tea tray. Unfortunately, there is no such magic in my servings...
LiteWvr
Hmmm. Hong Liren is gonna be Angela from Rivals soon as she can fly.
austin kutz
Plot twist: the crane is actually Etenesh reincarnated. Manda is playing a prank on Truth with the whole duck thing.
Deathly_God
I've been here since relatively early in Slumrat, and it's become one of my most cherished parts of the day. Reading new chapters, sharing thoughts and feelings. From Slumrat, to Weeaboo, to little Tian now. Excellent stuff.
Joe
I'm ready for Tian to go on his worldwide tea service arc. I'm hoping that he asks for donations to build on his tea service and he gets wildly ostentatious gifts that he does not understand the value of. Then the next patron's eyes bug out when Tian starts setting up his service nonchalantly.
Tragic Hysteria
Goddammit sometimes this series just makes me angry that other series can't be this good! Just amazing, honestly thought this was all going to bore me but damn was i wrong, good job author really good.
Logrus
...Did he just cause ANOTHER person to ascend? That... that might make his value a bit too much <_< I forsee the sect getting a lil handsy
David Blomeyer
Being a few chapters ahead and paying Warby something back for his writing (this and the other books), solid. Zero regrets, would pay more. The comments here? Sharing this experience with you folks and what gets shared along the way? Treasure.
Noah
I hope she doesn’t expose it until she leaves her Sect and joins Ancient Crane!
Noah
He also just helped Lin, a lower ranked Cultivator, break through a roadblock in her cultivation, which the Sect thought was impossible!
Noah
He also recently guided Lin breaking through her own bottleneck lol
pierre boucheron
Splendid chapter, thank you again for sharing your tales. This one... 'The only mind “I” truly exist in is my own. '. Such a true statement, from which so many have desperately fled when searching for immortality through fame. But of course, at the very same time... a perfect fortress has to have its doors always barred.
Noah
Not to mention how much trouble he’s gonna be in when this world’s “Guild of Granny Matchmakers” finds out this 13 year old is able to facilitate relationships so easily!
AnthraxRipple
Reading this felt like taking a big breath of fresh air in a fall morning. Truly excellent.
Noah
Definitely. I can pretty much guarantee that Tea Platter he got from the volcano Sect Leader was worth way more than he would have gotten if he’d bargained!
God
Honestly, I think Tian will prolly end up with either Lin or the Crane (when she turns into a human).
God
It seems like it will work out, since they both want different things from Wang
Gabriel
Art. This chapter is why this is still my hobby after a decade.
God
I think it would be better if he doesn't charge a specific price for his tea sessions but instead "accepts donations", so that people will pay based on how much they gain from him. Due to the principle of reciprocity (as well as the pride of cultivators), he will probably earn more than this way as well.
João Vene
Monogamous relationships almost never work either. Also, what the fuck man. Flying swords and reaching heaven through compassion are ok, but a poly relationship is too much for you? Do you live under a rock? Have you led such a close minded, sheltered existence that you can't comprehend "people are different from me"?
Gabriel Foster
God I hope this book becomes a cultural phenomenon, everyone and their uncles need to read it. Also, an anime or movie adaptation would kick ass.
Len
When Tian Ascends...there is going to be A LOT of Red Lightning..because what he is doing is....essentially- imo- heretical to the "Ruler's Dao(Mad God that Gramps bitches about)" of the World, it'll be fun, in about 100 chapters... ( he is level 6, and "flying" thru the levels due to the dagger/statue/cultivation technique combination)
Aaron Weingrad
A fantasy novel indeed. Long distance relationships almost never work. Poly relationships almost never work. But people can’t mind control daggers on ropes either. Fantasy can help see certain ideals that can’t manifest IRL. In the long march towards immortality - or even in a life that is measured in centuries you get a version of Nietzsche’s thought experiment of eternal recurrence. Live your life as if you were going to be making those same choices for eternity - over and over again. The writing is really well done and the ideals on display are pretty but there is the same sleight of hand that allows for all the fantasy stuff happening. Some internal truisms and Qi and people can transcend realities limits. The type of fantasies one indulges in and what limits enforced by reality one wants to escape from are really the way to judge these things. An autist, a political radical, and a tramp with daddy/mommy issues won’t typically have things work out so neatly and prettily. I’m torn over whether this is a fantasy that handwaives away the difficulties of real connection or a celebration of it. Same way it is hard to say what the violence in the story is about. Is it glorifying bloodlust that is excused through righteous anger or is it promoting fighting for actual ideals. Is it handwaiving to make relationships and unconventional relationships easy or celebrating youthful romance and jumping into commitment. I like the promotion of honesty and affection and everyone comes into relationships with their baggage. There is a microcosm of the basic theme of this arc of the story. The pragmatic and un-romantic prudence that comes with watching how life unfolds v the idealism of youth. And just as only a few will succeed in defying the heavens only a few poly relationships will go the distance. I am of mixed mind about what eternity means for marriage. Buddhism and Christianity posit that marriage ends after death. It isn’t eternal. So a dao partnership is a form of defying the heavens as well. Which typically fails in Xanxia Watching the throuple struggle (and let’s face it - without magic tea therapy would these three near strangers be likely to build a family over centuries) would be an interesting story but not as fun as this. Anyway - really strong writing. Very fun and thought provoking. Thanks.
Tom C
What? Is Mei ascending to the heavenly realm or something? A dao inspiration? Edit: read some of the other comments. Seems this is the case. When Tian ascends himself it’s gonna be quite the palaver TFTC!
Jackson Sherrod
You made me cry again. Good job 👍
SquiddlyWinks
I see what you meant about seeing why you insist on releasing on Saturday. With such a treasure of a chapter there’s the necessary relief of the “and then” that follows. Thank you for your kind consideration.
Codered999
Yep, but she's trying to hold it in cause Tian will be placed under increased scrutiny if it's obviously his involvement that caused it, especially when his sect knows he was the catalyst for Mad Dog Fu's breakthrough. So she's letting him get some distance first.
fruit dragon
No way they miss it and they are probably spitting blood right now
Veridescent
Truly how absurdly beautiful it is that the Dao is such, humorously wonderful in the possibility of such a good thing being being a innate truth.
Ekko
Yep
Veridescent
Mei uses cuteness as a guise to better parse information, for vulnerability begets a showing of method and intent one way or another. Which as a thing is likely reinforced by the scope of illusion and information control focus of her sect. So easy to lose sincerity and so easy to necessarily build up a front of lies. The similarity to Wang given his own preferences and issues with the discipline squad are there. Both seek intimate truth It is very enjoyable to have those moments of noted pattern and recollection of experience and role models showcasing how a person ideates attachment. Because at its crux that is in general what dynamics of jealousy and fear are about, and the related modeling of how one may be hurt. There seems a path here, of understanding and to some degree joint pathing, for a segment of their time as they follow their Dao. Of some truth giving security for a trio of people who all distinctly desire to be understood and have been hurt in various ways attempting to do so. Its not complete but the bridging of those understandings is a good thing I think
bluwmonkey
We are getting another chapter tomorrow which is the end then Warby is on break for a week.
Ibuks5
I wish there was a tier above this. Beautiful writing, this was 👏🏿
Len
The Tea Service is free, i will accept whatever donation you wish to give after the service is complete, be it nothing or everything....ie make the PERSON wanting the service, choose after the fact, the fee via a donation.
Tom Lal
I really hope it works out for them and they don't get burned by having to pick favourites, gosh knows you can't always come to an agreement when powerful personalities collide.
James Faulkner
So good, Tftc!
Enkelados
Wait did she break through to heavenly realm?
Red Potato
Helping another ascend while still in the Earthly Realm. It’ll be fun when he is much higher and all these rumors of his already amazing accomplishments are just going to be so embellished.
Zenopath (AEV)
This is going to cause Tian problems. But I suppose they will be interesting problems. How much more impact will his tea have when he becomes a heavenly person?
Marcia McGinley
This is why I wait up till midnight five nights a week for the chapter to drop. Perfect storytelling. Thank you.
Together_Comic
His mission was to take everything of worth from the 5 seasons. I would suspect that Mei falls into that category.
brig head the hug
I loved this chapter, i love this series! So many xianxia are lacking in philosophy but this one! Amazing!! Tians path and Dao shown so beautifully. This is the only series I read where I get genuinely emotional, like straight up sitting there moved.❤️ Truly thank you for this chapter
Xeophyn
Wait, is she in the process of ascending to heavenly person? Is that what happened or am I misunderstanding?
Ano Ano
Heavenly person Mei hell yeah. Tian is kind of failing his mission by getting one of the rival monastery's prodigies up to heavenly realm. But on the other hand, he's kind of succeeding by putting one of their heavenly people in his debt and also married to a Crane monastery brother. What a good little brother he is.
Noroh
I think Tian enlightened her to the next realm
Codered999
Twice now he has been a vital component in the breakthrough from earth to heavenly. The sect is going to become extremely interested in him because of this when they inevitably learn of what happened here.
SquiddlyWinks
Lovely. Lovely lovely lovely. Thank you.
Matt
What an excellently written chapter.
Neil
The longer the story goes the more it feels like many of my favorite cozy stories, like Super Supportive, Beware of Chicken, or Eleceed. Characterized not by their action or progression, but by these quiet moments of connection and catharsis.
I Amastar
is there somewhere I can pay more money for even more chapters? 🤔. All jokes aside this story really is one of the best if not the best cultivation story I have ever read
João Vene
Did Tian serve Mei a tea service so humble and compassionate, she grasped the elusive breath of immortality and ascended to Heavenly Person? Or did she 'just' understand her Dao better enough, she's oozing Dao Charm like Tian and Hong were after the five turns cave?
Together_Comic
I was going to make a "bad tea made in a good way" joke, but I can't bring myself to do it. Nope, just good tea!
EvilLittleThing
Uh oh, Tian's going to get a reputation for helping people into the Heavenly realm
David Bailey
I do hope her advancement does not become publicly known... or Tian will have to walk about serving tea as the monk in order to not get locked up in a sect somewhere.
Baron Boesewicht
Good tea!
Abhi
There is no way the Elders and Daoist Masters of the Courtyard didn't see that right?
Salthin
I don't normally comment on patreon proper, instead reading the chapter in my email inbox. Today, however, is necessary. This... is genuinely wonderful. A beautiful chapter. Thank you for sharing your heart with all of us.
Nemesis
Beautiful chapter. Especially that conclusive paragraph. I'm not sure if this is the end to the arc but it sure feels like it. What a great way to wrap this week up.
Wandering Scribe
Lovely chapter. A shame for Tian’s wallet that his side hustle idea isn’t going to work out. But then again the real shame would be for him to grow to hate his tea ceremonies for the sake of money.
Aaron
Oh, this was good.
Steve Wright
Absolutely beautiful!
Vincent Mason
Well. This ended a lot less messily than I was expecting.
Wilson Olmedo
👍
