Chapter 10: Li Ran (Part 1)

Qi Nanshan thought for a moment before saying, “I don’t see anything wrong. But first, send a few people to scout ahead. We’ll follow slowly behind. Well, even if there are problems, it’s not a concern—as long as we don’t encounter mutated rune beasts like the Earth Dragon, there should be no danger.”
Luo Jie nodded. “The older one gets, the more cautious one becomes. Hehe, let’s go.”
Qi Nanshan said, “Xiaofeng, take two Rune Warriors with you… Retreat immediately if there’s danger. Don’t risk your life!”
Xiaofeng replied and, along with the two Rune Warriors, rushed toward the pond.
Guo Shier held Luo Jie’s arm, chatting cheerfully the whole way. The old man enjoyed his disciple’s filial piety greatly. Smiling, he said, “Shier, we should have some free time these days. You must make use of it to study and not neglect your studies.”
Guo Shier replied, “Master, I know. Don’t worry.”
Luo Jie was well aware that his young disciple was extremely diligent. As soon as he stopped to rest, he would surely be holding a book to read. Smiling, he said, “Once you advance to a Rune Mage, you’ll be able to protect yourself. Not yet. Well, I’ll craft a few more precious runes for you to boost your strength later.”
“Master, we need to find a way to get warhorses. Walking won’t take us far. If danger arises, we won’t even have time to escape.”
Luo Jie nodded and said, “Shier, first cross these mountains. We probably won’t find warhorses here.”
Xiaofeng and the others returned quickly and said, “Elder, we didn’t find any signs of danger. The pond area is safe!”
Qi Nanshan shouted, “Hurry up! We’ll rest by the pond today, eat, and refill our water bottles.” Everyone cheerfully agreed and rushed toward the pond.
The pond wasn’t large, surrounded by a forest. A stream flowed into it and out from the other end. Because it was fresh water, it was very clear. Qi Nanshan arrived first. He scooped up some water and took a sip, saying, “This water is fine; it’s drinkable.” He raised his head and shouted, “No one is allowed to take baths yet. Refill our water bottles first, then we can bathe!”
Chen Hong had already rushed to the pond’s edge, almost jumping in. Hearing this, she blushed and quickly took out her water bag to collect fresh water.
Everyone had at least two water bags, most of which could hold one cubic meter of water. Guo Shier was amazed at the power of rune magic—just by using rune techniques, a water bag could hold a large amount of water. If used sparingly, it could last for two months, which was very convenient.

Everyone lined up in a row, crouching by the pond and sinking water bags into the water. In just a moment, the water level of the entire pond dropped by at least a foot.
Chen Hong suddenly trembled her hand. Guo Shier was right beside her and asked, “What’s wrong?” Chen Hong pointed at the thatch bushes by the pond not far away and said, “Is that… a path?”
Qi Nanshan, who was standing not far from them, was also shocked upon hearing this. He leaped up and reached the bushes in a few steps. After examining it carefully, he said, “That’s right, it’s a path, and there are human footprints—none made by wild animals!”
Luo Jie also rushed over. Guo Shier was curious—how could there be people here? He followed as well. Soon, most of them gathered around the path.
Guo Shier said, “There’s only one person!”
Luo Jie agreed, “Exactly, just one person. Let’s follow the path to see who lives here in seclusion. Hmm, everyone, stay alert but don’t provoke them easily. Those who can survive in this hidden realm for so long are no ordinary people. I don’t want to get into unnecessary trouble.”
Qi Nanshan said, “The old man and I will go. You stay here and wait. Luo Zhan, you take care of things here. Xiao Feng, take a martial artist with us.”
Guo Shier raised his hand and said, “I want to go too!” He was very curious, and it felt safe being with his master.
Luo Jie said, “Hmm, Shier, come with us.” Guo Shier quickly ran to his side. It felt good to be under someone’s protection; even though he had lived three lives, he still loved this feeling.
The path stretched from the pond into the woods, passed through the trees, and led to a stone wall. Continuing along the wall, they soon saw a crack in it, where the path disappeared. Xiao Feng swiftly slipped into the crack. After a moment, he poked his head out and waved, “It’s safe. Come in!”
The group crawled through the rock crack, and not far ahead was a valley. After walking a few steps, Luo Jie stopped and asked, “Are those houses?”
Guo Shier saw a roof covered with thatch. He said, “It’s a thatched house!”
Soon, everyone could clearly see the simple thatched house. There was also a bamboo fence around it, and a group of chicks were chirping as they foraged—it felt like a paradise.
Qi Nanshan stood outside the bamboo fence and asked, “Is anyone there?”
A voice came from inside the thatched house, “Come in. Who are you?” A person stepped out of the house.

It was a very handsome young man, appearing somewhat delicate, with very soft facial contours. His eyes were deep and calm, hardly like those of a young person—lacking fervor or passion, but filled with reason and wisdom, which gave an unusual impression. He was dressed in a gray robe, with a light yellow ribbon tied around his waist.

Luo Jie said, “Sorry for the intrusion. We were just passing by. Hehe, it seems fate brought us together, so we came to pay a visit.”

The man smiled and said, “My hut is simple. If you’re not afraid of being treated roughly, please come in for some tea.”

Guo Shier was intrigued because he had never seen anyone drink tea at the North Talisman Gate; not even anyone had mentioned tea there. In this secret realm, a young man offered tea to everyone, which excited him. How did this man know about tea?

Luo Jie bowed and said, “Sorry for the disturbance.” The group followed the young man into the thatched hut, only to find themselves in a completely different world. What looked like a simple thatched hut from the outside was entirely different inside—white jade floors, snow-white walls, and a much larger space. In the middle of the room was a large animal skin covered with a white jade table.

The man smiled and invited everyone to sit down, saying, “Let me introduce myself. My surname is Li—Li Ran.”

Luo Jie also introduced himself by name and surname. Li Ran clearly seemed interested in Guo Shier and said, “Shier is only nine years old? Hmm, quite good aptitude.”

Li Ran casually touched the white jade table, and a set of glass tea sets appeared, identical in design to those Guo Shier had seen in his past life—one pot and six cups. Luo Jie had never seen such tea sets before and asked, “What is this? It’s very exquisite.”

Guo Shier replied, “These are tea sets, tools for drinking tea.”

Li Ran was surprised. “You know about tea sets?” He took out a piece of tea leaves and asked, “Do you know what kind of tea this is?”

Guo Shier took it, sniffed it gently, and said, “This should be fermented tea—black tea. I’m not sure if I’m right.”

Li Ran became even more curious. “That’s correct. This is black tea, specifically An Dun black tea. Hehe, I didn’t expect to meet a tea enthusiast. Since you know what kind of tea it is, can you make tea?”

In his past life, Guo Shier had been a tea lover. Though not an expert, he knew the basic methods. He took out a piece of tea leaves, rinsed them with boiling water, then poured out the water—this was to wash away impurities and bitterness. After that, he poured boiling water over them and let them steep for a while before pouring the tea into cups. Smiling, he said, “That’s it. Hehe, this is how I understand making tea.”

Li Ran smiled and said, “Not bad, quite decent. Here, please drink.” He picked up a cup and gestured to everyone.
Guo Shier had loved tea since his past life, and without any modesty, he took the cup and drank it in one gulp. Smacking his lips in surprise, he said, “This tea is really good—there’s a hint of orchid fragrance… The taste is also excellent, rich and sweet. The color of the tea soup is bright red—truly wonderful…”
Li Ran was greatly surprised. Only an experienced tea lover could say such things. Luo Jie and the others took a sip, their expressions strange—clearly, they had never been exposed to tea before. Meanwhile, Guo Shier’s delight was definitely not feigned; it was genuine pleasure.
Guo Shier asked, “Brother Li, do you have any other tea?”
Li Ran laughed awkwardly and said, “Brother Li? Hehe, I’ve lived for almost six hundred years. It’s quite amusing to be called ‘brother’ by you, a nine-year-old kid… Fine, I’ll accept you as my little brother. After all, you’re a tea enthusiast.”
Luo Jie and the others were stunned. Six hundred years! That was terrifying.
Guo Shier didn’t believe it at all. He said, “Brother Li, stop joking. You’re much younger than my master. How could you possibly be six hundred years old…”
But Luo Jie and Qi Nanshan believed it. They knew there were mysterious reclusive experts in the secret realm who rarely appeared in public. Even when they did, people couldn’t recognize them. This person must be one of those reclusive experts.
Luo Jie said, “Shier, don’t be rude.”
Li Ran waved his hand nonchalantly and said, “It’s okay. This kid is quite interesting. I do have quite a bit of tea. Can you tell them apart?” With a casual motion, three silver jars appeared. Silver or tin jars were the best for storing tea, though gold jars were ideal—though too luxurious.
Guo Shier picked up a silver jar and found it lined with gold when opened. He sniffed it briefly and exclaimed in delight, “Haha, oolong tea? Yes, it’s oolong… No, um, I’m not sure… But it must be oolong tea.”
Li Ran stared at Guo Shier and said, “You actually know oolong tea? Hehe, this is beyond my expectations… There’s no need to look at the others. I know you can definitely tell them apart.”
Guo Shier wondered inwardly, “Could this person be from my past life, from my hometown… A native?” He didn’t dare or want to ask. Li Ran didn’t say anything else either, just gave him a thoughtful look, clearly feeling closer to him.
Luo Jie didn’t wonder why Guo Shier knew so much about tea. He said, “Li…” For a moment, he didn’t know how to address Li Ran.
Li Ran was very casual and said, “Just call me Li Ran.”

Luo Jie smiled and asked, “Li Ran, Fang?”
Li Ran smiled and said, “Did you come from the Land of Silence? You’re quite lucky.”