As he stepped into the backyard, the first thing that came into view was an enormous pagoda tree towering skyward.The tree was massive—so massive it instilled awe and dread in those who beheld it.
This was no ordinary tree. In folklore, the pagoda tree had always been known as a ghost tree, reputed for attracting spirits.It was said that its roots could pierce through coffins and continue to grow. When one couldn't locate a grave, finding a pagoda tree within a meter usually meant a burial site was near. Strangely scientific in its own way, for pagoda trees could grow wood ear mushrooms, also known as ghost ears. Ancient cults allegedly used these to entice and trap souls, raising the dead as zombies.Thus, the living often stayed far away from these trees.The pagoda tree was the ghost among woods—intensely yin and eerie.
And now, such a colossal pagoda tree stood in the backyard of a temple like Lanruo Temple. Judging by its size, its growth rings surely exceeded a thousand years. That alone was astounding.Any ancient tree over a thousand years old was believed to have become a spirit.For a temple to harbor such a tree—it was exceedingly strange.
Even stranger was what lay beneath the tree—a Buddhist hall.Calling it a hall might have been generous; it was simple and unadorned, almost shabby, especially compared to the grandeur of Lanruo Temple. It didn't even have doors.From outside, one could see straight through to the inside.
It was more like a pavilion than a proper shrine.
Inside, an old monk with two long white eyebrows sat at a table.Cai Yan and the other two women were also seated there.
As soon as Yi Tianxing stepped into the courtyard, he saw this scene.When he sensed their auras were untouched and unharmed, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"Let's see what tricks you're playing at,"he muttered inwardly as he approached the Buddhist hall.
Before long, he arrived.Lifting his feet, he stepped across the threshold into the open-air shrine.
Though the hall had no walls, the moment he stepped inside, he felt an ethereal stillness, the faint scent of incense hanging in the air. Near the massive pagoda tree stood a faceless Buddha statue—its features were entirely blank. It was impossible to tell what kind of Buddha it was meant to represent.Before the statue, a delicate lotus flower lay in offering, exuding a quiet, elegant grace.
"Husband, you're here."Cai Yan rose and greeted him, a look of relief flashing in her eyes.
Earlier, the three women had planned to leave the hall with Yi Tianxing, but just after he left, when they followed, they'd been mysteriously transported outside the temple. What they saw stunned them: Lanruo Temple had completely changed. Monks walked about, sutras were being chanted—it appeared to be a thriving, incense-filled sanctuary.
It was shocking and left them on edge.However, they were not harmed. Instead, they were guided here to meet the abbot.Strangely, the abbot never spoke, merely sat silently at his desk.
On the table sat a charcoal brazier with a kettle atop it. The water inside slowly began to boil.
"Benefactor Yi, please sit."The old monk, Master Fazheng, gestured to the seat across from him.
Yi Tianxing didn't refuse and took his place."You are the abbot of this Lanruo Temple—Master Fazheng?"
"I am," Fazheng nodded gently.
"Why did you bring my wives here? If I don't get a proper explanation today, don't blame me for turning your temple to ashes."
Yi Tianxing's smile was cold and unrestrained. He made no effort to hide his anger.His wives were his reverse scale—untouchable.Anyone who crossed that line would face total annihilation.
"Let's not be hasty. Once we've finished this pot of tea, I shall answer all your questions," Fazheng replied calmly.
"Tea? You monks sure have a lot of free time," Yi Tianxing said with a smirk.
"Not so. Buddha is the refinement of tea, and tea is the expression of the Zen heart.If the heart is Buddha, and tea is heart, then tea is Buddha.In ancient temples lit by lanterns, Dharma flows boundless. Tea, pure as dew; heart, pure as Buddha. To drink tea is to enter meditation."
Fazheng smiled as he spoke.
"*A fine philosophy—'tea is Buddha, Buddha is tea.' Tell me, monk, what kind of tea is this?"Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed with interest.
"This is a unique Buddhist tea exclusive to Lanruo Temple—Eight Sufferings Tea (八苦茶)."
"Eight Sufferings Tea? From the Eight Sufferings of life—birth, aging, sickness, death, separation from loved ones, encounters with enemies, unfulfilled desires, and the burdens of the five aggregates? Is that where the name comes from?"
Yi Tianxing's mind turned sharply as he spoke.
The Eight Sufferings were a core doctrine in Buddhism—life was nothing but a cycle of pain. Only by seeking the pure realm of Dharma could one transcend suffering. This teaching had, in ancient times, driven many to shave their heads, abandon worldly ties, and join the monastic path. Buddhism flourished as a result.
"Correct. One of our temple's forebears once found a unique tea seed that refused to sprout for years.He traveled the world, seeking the means to awaken it. Eventually, he began collecting the tears of those who had suffered deeply—the bitter tears of birth, old age, illness, and so on.It took ten years to gather enough. With these tears, he watered the tea seed again. This time, it sprouted."
Fazheng's voice grew reverent.
"The seed became a sapling, and for a century, it was nourished only by such tears until it matured. Its leaves, once harvested, possessed extraordinary properties—each cup captures the bitter taste of life's Eight Sufferings, yet leaves a lingering aftertaste."
This tea tree had become one of Lanruo Temple's greatest treasures.It produced only a scant amount of leaves each year—no more than a pound—making it incredibly rare. Only a select few, like the abbot, ever got to taste it.
"Ha! All this Eight Sufferings nonsense. Born only to suffer? What a bunch of empty words.You Buddhists are liars. If life were only pain, how did the human race survive this long or build such a glorious civilization?"
Yao Yue scoffed with unconcealed disdain."What, you want to trick my husband into becoming a monk? I'll have you chopped up and fed to dogs before that happens!"
Fazheng didn't seem bothered.
As the water boiled, he opened a tea canister, releasing an odd yet refreshing aroma. Inside, radiant lights swirled.
The tea leaves were unusual—each looked like a tiny Buddhist relic bead (舍利子), glowing faintly.Indeed, the tea had been refined using a secret Buddhist technique, giving it the appearance of relics. It was quite strange.
He took exactly eight grains and placed them into the pot.Not one more, not one less. Eight—no accident.
The boiling water was then poured in. Instantly, the grains began spinning and glowing softly.
"Eight grains for the Eight Sufferings. No more, no less. Too many, and it becomes overwhelming; too few, and the flavor lacks depth.This water comes from dragon saliva dew dripping from a Vajra Subduing Dragon Tree (金刚降龙木)—one of the few waters suitable for steeping Eight Sufferings Tea.After pouring, we must wait eight breaths before serving."
Fazheng explained each step with the smooth grace of one deeply familiar with the ritual.Not a single motion was wasted. Every move exuded Zen.
Eight breaths later, he lifted the pot and poured tea into four cups.Strangely, the resulting liquid had no glow, no fragrance, and was crystal clear—like pure water.
Completely different from the glowing grains moments before.
"Please, benefactors. Taste the tea," Fazheng said warmly.
"Very well. Let's see what secret lies in this so-called Buddhist brew."
Yi Tianxing had already scanned the tea using his Innate Yin-Yang Eye and the Wordless Heavenly Book.There were no toxins. It was indeed Eight Sufferings Tea. The rest would require a taste to confirm.
He lifted his cup and gave a signal to the three women.Then, he took a sip—but didn't swallow immediately.Instead, he let the tea swirl around his tongue, tasting it fully.
To merely gulp it down would be like cows chewing peonies—wasteful.
Though the tea looked like plain water, the act of tasting it was entirely different.
In the very moment he drank it—
Yi Tianxing felt his spirit sucked into a vision.
He became… an infant, just born.His mother had died during labor.A child, born into the world with no mother, no shelter, no warm embrace.
Agony.
Unbearable, soul-wrenching pain.
To be born was to suffer.
The sensation carved deep into his spirit—And the future seemed nothing but darkness.