Born as an ant, I was summoned to ascend to immortality.

Chapter 81 Knowing When to Stop Prevents Danger

Seeing Zhou Li drink the first cup of tea so calmly, gasps of surprise rose from the audience. The young clansmen who had initially intended to compete with him now looked much more serious.

Situ Qian also stared wide-eyed at Zhou Li with disbelief.

For ordinary people, drinking this first cup of tea would be impossible, let alone maintaining their dignity, let alone their sitting posture. But this kid not only sat still, but also smiled and said, "Good tea." What kind of monster is this?

"Good!" Situ Qian couldn't help but shout, his eyes full of admiration. "Kid, you've got guts! You passed this test beautifully!"

He was straightforward by nature and at this moment he had come to believe that Zhou Li was not one of those people who were all show and no substance.

Situ Wentian stroked his beard and smiled: "Your foundation is solid, your will is unwavering, far surpassing your peers. Even when Qian'er drank this tea back then, he wasn't as composed as you are now."

Yangyang breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile returned to her pretty face. She had seen many so-called talented men fail because of this tea, but now she only cared that Zhou Li was safe and sound.

Liu Zhaohan's tense body relaxed, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Li.

Zhou Li bowed respectfully: "The Cleansing Meridian Tea reshapes the meridians, breaking them down and rebuilding them, which is extremely beneficial to this junior. This one cup has already had such an effect. The Situ family truly deserves its reputation as a clan with a history of ten thousand years. This junior is looking forward to the second cup of tea."

After a short period of rest and once Zhou Li's breathing had stabilized, Situ Wentian gave another signal.

Another master of ceremonies stepped forward with a tray, this time holding a crystal-clear glass cup.

The tea in the cup was completely different from the previous one, displaying a magnificent and radiant color. Its rich and sweet aroma permeated the entire hall, and one could feel intoxicated with just one sip.

"This second tea is a replenishing tea. This cup is made with the essence of the moon and the dew of the stars, and is supplemented with ten kinds of natural essences that nourish the source. It is mild in nature and sweet in taste, and is most effective in replenishing the spiritual root."

The elder then changed the subject, adding a hint of warning: "However, things will inevitably turn into their opposites when they reach their extremes. To drink from this cup, one must have the wisdom to know when to stop and understand the way of taking and discarding. Take only what you need to nourish your essence, and make up for what is lacking while stopping at what is excessive. If one's heart is greedy, one will suffer a backlash and only harm one's source."

"Whether it is a blessing or a curse depends on your single thought, so be careful!" After saying this, he presented the glass cup to Zhou Li.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the crowd below turned solemn. Compared to the visible pain of the first tea, the danger of the second tea, though subtle, was still far more deadly.

Zhou Li accepted the glass cup with both hands, gazed at the alluring glow within, and smelled the intoxicating sweetness. He then raised the cup again and drank it all in one gulp.

The moment the tea touched my lips, it transformed into a warm, sweet stream that gently slid down my throat.

At first, it tasted like sweet rain, with a refreshing coolness that went down the throat.

The sweetness did not dissipate; instead, it lingered in the chest and abdomen, transforming into a gentle, warm current that silently permeated the body.

Zhou Li involuntarily closed his eyes, feeling as if his dantian was like parched trees receiving rain, greedily absorbing this spiritual spring, a soothing sensation slowly emanating from the depths of his spiritual root.

This tea is especially precious to Zhou Li now. Although his spiritual body possesses all five elements, his fourth-grade spiritual root is indeed insufficient to bear the mysteries of the five elements.

At this moment, Zhou Li, using his Heavenly Thunder Eyes to observe his spiritual body from within his ant-like form, could clearly see the purple aura transformed from the medicinal power of the spiritual tea, which was nourishing his spiritual root in wisps and strands.

When the ravines in the dantian disappear and the warm currents in the internal organs are full, just like a river flowing into the sea and the waves gradually subside, you will know that you have reached the point where the water is full and overflows. If you greedily ask for even a little more, it will become a burden and damage this hard-won perfection.

Once his mind was made up, he no longer lingered. Zhou Li immediately focused his mind on his dantian, and with a gentle thought, slowly forced out the remaining medicinal power from his pores.

All that could be seen were wisps of rosy light rising from Zhou Li's body and gradually dissolving into the hall.

Exclamations of amazement rose and fell. If the first tea ceremony demonstrated Zhou Li's perseverance, then the second tea ceremony revealed his character.

As the last wisp of medicinal power was expelled, Zhou Li clearly felt that his Five Elements Spiritual Root, which was originally only at the fourth grade, had now risen to the fifth grade.

This choice was made with the utmost precision; a little more would be excessive, and a little less would be insufficient. Now, his body was completely clear and comfortable, his spirit was full and his energy was abundant—truly a wonderful feeling.

Zhou Li slowly opened his eyes, his gaze subdued. He bowed once more to Situ Wentian, who was seated in the main seat, to express his gratitude.

Situ Qian nodded repeatedly, his voice echoing throughout the main hall: "Excellent! A truly wise approach to knowing when to stop!"

Situ Wentian's face also showed undisguised admiration: "A wise and discerning mind, making choices with moderation! Young friend Zhou, you passed the second test even more surprisingly than the first!"

The main hall was initially silent, but then erupted into enthusiastic discussion and praise.

The previous doubts had vanished, replaced by heartfelt admiration. Zhou Li's performance had won over most of the Situ family members present.

Liu Zhaohan's cool eyes sparkled with excitement, while Yangyang was overjoyed; if there hadn't been so many people present, she would have cheered.

However, Situ Qian suddenly glanced at the head of the family, a hint of hesitation on his face.

Zhou Li noticed this hesitation. Since meeting Yangyang's father, the man's outspoken and unstoppable personality had left a deep impression on Zhou Li, and he couldn't help but wonder what had made him like this.

Situ Wentian whispered a few words to a master of ceremonies, then pulled Zhou Li aside to chat about everyday matters, making no mention of the third course of tea.

Having spent half his life as an ant, Zhou Li had nothing to talk about, so he interrupted, "Patriarch Situ, what about the third cup of tea..."

Situ Qian, who was standing to the side, spoke up first: "Hehe, kid, only those who become members of the Situ family can drink this third cup of tea."

Seeing Zhou Li's confusion, he then explained, "The third course of tea is a cup of plain water offered to you by my daughter from the Situ family, symbolizing that you two are now Daoist partners, traveling together for thousands of miles, living a simple and genuine life."

The people in the hall smiled and nodded. This tea was not served lightly, as it was prepared for the son-in-law of the Situ family.

Upon hearing this, Yangyang, who was behind Situ Qian, turned her back shyly, but her ears perked up, afraid of missing a single word.

Unexpectedly, Situ Wentian, who was seated at the head of the table, put on a stern face: "However, according to ancient rituals, it is not done this way. It is only because the third course of tea is too dangerous that it has been changed to this method."

Situ Qian exclaimed in astonishment, "Patriarch..."

Situ Wentian waved his hand and said to Zhou Li, "Young friend Zhou, I would like to invite you to taste the true third course of tea. Would you be willing?"

Before Zhou Li could reply, Situ Qian was already startled and stood up abruptly: "Master, are you perhaps referring to... the Daoist Tea?"

Situ Wentian stroked his beard and smiled: "Exactly."

"Absolutely not! Please reconsider, Master!"

Zhou Li watched as the two spoke in riddles, one saying something and the other something else, and he still couldn't understand what the third tea was all about.

Situ Wentian said quietly, "Young friend Zhou, it's not that we're keeping this a secret, but because if we're not careful with the third cup of tea, it could shatter one's Dao heart or even lead to death. That's why we've changed it to a cup of plain water."

The crowd was in an uproar upon hearing this, as they had never heard of such a thing before.