"There is no need for this. I have always enjoyed standing up for the weak and helping others," Qing Xuan said calmly, carrying himself like a true master.
"This treasure is your Companion Spiritual Treasure and is of no use to me. However, I need to extract a portion of the Solar True Fire within it." Qing Xuan took out the Sunflame Wheel. Though he coveted it, he could not use it, so he might as well return it to Lu Ya and earn a favor.
"Thank you, Senior. Please take as much True Fire as you need. You saved my life and even returned my Spiritual Treasure. This junior truly does not know how to thank you!" Lu Ya said gratefully to Qing Xuan as he took back the Sunflame Wheel.
"There is no need. If fate permits, we shall meet again." Qing Xuan took the two brothers and continued flying toward Longevity Mountain.
"Farewell, Senior!" Lu Ya bowed deeply.
Longevity Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple.
At that moment, two people sat in the temple courtyard. One wore a Purple Gold Crown and a moon-white Daoist robe embroidered with mountains and rivers. His silver beard drifted elegantly in the breeze, a Dust Whisk in his hand, immortal charm swirling around him. This man was Zhen Yuanzi.
The other wore a red robe embroidered with Cloud Patterns. His face was as red as fruit, and he held a Ginseng Fruit in his hand, chewing on it. Every gesture of his was bold and unrestrained, making him seem like a man of straightforward temperament.
This was Old Ancestor Hong Yun, the Primordial Wilderness's foremost "good old fellow," happily savoring a Ginseng Fruit.
Seeing Hong Yun like this, Zhen Yuanzi did not know whether to laugh or cry.
His Ginseng Fruit Tree blossomed once every three thousand years, bore fruit once every three thousand years, and ripened once every three thousand years. Each harvest produced only thirty fruits. A mortal who merely smelled one could live for three hundred and sixty years, while eating one could grant a lifespan of forty-seven thousand years. It was a rare longevity treasure in the Primordial Wilderness.
However, it was already useless to Grand Unity Golden Immortals. After all, Grand Unity Golden Immortals had broken free from the shackles of their natural lifespans and lived as long as heaven and earth, unless they encountered a great calamity.
Thus, Zhen Yuanzi did not particularly value the Ginseng Fruits and gave them all to his good friend Hong Yun, allowing him to indulge his appetite.
"Hong Yun, how many Ginseng Fruits have you eaten already? Aren't you sick of them yet?" Zhen Yuanzi took a sip of Spirit Tea and teased him.
"Brother Zhen Yuanzi, that is not right. These Ginseng Fruits contain the essence of heaven and earth. Though their effects are useless to us, one bite is fresh, juicy, sweet, and tart.
"I have no other hobbies. I simply love fine food. Among the many spirit fruits I have tasted, these Ginseng Fruits rank first!" Hong Yun said happily to Zhen Yuanzi after finishing the fruit in his hand.
"I wonder what the peaches from the Innate Renshui Peaches Tree and the Yellow Middle Plums borne by the Yellow Middle Plum Tree taste like among the Ten Great Spirit Roots." Hong Yun gazed at the sky, as though savoring the two fruits in his mind.
"Temple Master, someone has arrived outside. He claims to be the master of the East Sea Three Immortal Islands and has brought his disciples to pay a visit!" A young attendant suddenly came to report to Zhen Yuanzi.
"Oh? Quickly, invite them in!" Zhen Yuanzi said at once.
Hong Yun looked puzzled. "Three Immortal Islands? I have not heard much about them. Brother, do you know him?"
"Hahaha, this man is no ordinary figure. There are three immortal islands in the East Sea: Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou.
"All three islands are blessed lands rich in spiritual energy. It is said that the East Sea Dragon Clan once set its sights on them, but an Innate Being was born on the islands and claimed the three islands as his own cave mansion.
"The Dragon Clan actually left him alone. Moreover, he was quite active during the great war of the Three Clans, a heaven-and-earth calamity so fearsome that even you and I did not dare leave our doors.
"You can imagine how profound his abilities must be! This old Daoist has long wished to meet him!" Zhen Yuanzi said with emotion.
Hong Yun's face showed surprise. "Such a person actually exists! Brother, do you know his name?"
"His name is Daojun Qing Xuan!"
Qing Xuan led the two brothers behind the gatekeeping attendant into the rear courtyard of the temple, where he saw the two men drinking and chatting merrily. When they saw him arrive, they rose to their feet.
"This humble Daoist is Zhen Yuanzi. Greetings, Daojun Qing Xuan!"
"This humble Daoist is Hong Yun. Greetings, Daojun Qing Xuan!"
Qing Xuan had not expected to have gained such renown. Though pleased, he still said politely.
"Greetings, fellow Daoists. I have long admired Brother Zhen Yuanzi's reputation and have come with my disciples to pay a visit!"
"Hahaha, no need for formalities. Please, sit. Qing Feng, Ming Yue, go pick several Ginseng Fruits to entertain our honored guests!"
Qing Xuan sat beside the two men with the brothers. After giving it some thought, he decided to state his purpose directly.
"These are my two disciples. The eldest is Kong Xuan, and the second is Peng Xuan. Both are children of Yuan Feng, leader of the Phoenix Clan."
"Greetings, Seniors!" The two brothers rose and bowed.
"Hahaha, sit, sit. Your two disciples are talented and intelligent, with extraordinary foundations. Their future achievements will surely be limitless!" Zhen Yuanzi exclaimed. He had not expected even Qing Xuan's disciples to be so exceptional.
"Indeed! Indeed!" Hong Yun quickly echoed.
Naturally, Qing Xuan was pleased to hear them praise his disciples. He then revealed the purpose of his visit.
"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, I have come to ask a favor!"
"Oh? Please, speak freely."
"My eldest disciple was born with the Five-Colored Divine Light. This ability requires the refinement of the five elemental Origin Qi to reach completion. I have come to request a strand of Kantuo Origin Qi and hope that Fellow Daoist will grant it!"
After hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi looked troubled. The Kantuo Origin Qi was the foundation of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, and it was not something that could be extracted lightly.
Just as Zhen Yuanzi was in a difficult position, the attendants Qing Feng and Ming Yue brought over several Ginseng Fruits. Seeing this, Hong Yun hurriedly spoke.
"Ah, the Ginseng Fruits are here! Fellow Daoist, have a taste first. These fruits are delicious and truly rare!"
"Yes! Yes! Have a taste first."
Qing Xuan looked at the silent Zhen Yuanzi and knew it was not appropriate to press his request again so soon. He had Kong Xuan accept the Ginseng Fruits, and the three of them each took one and began eating.
With Hong Yun present, the earlier awkward atmosphere eased somewhat. Qing Xuan then began discussing the Dao with the two men, and the mood soon became harmonious.
Kong Xuan listened attentively to his master and the others, feeling that he had gained much. Peng Xuan, on the other hand, stared eagerly at the Ginseng Fruits on the table, recalling their flavor. Their words went in one ear and out the other.
For a time, everyone forgot about the passage of time.
"Ying Zhao, do you submit!"
Da Bai had transformed into his original form and stood with his four hooves on a horse-bodied, human-faced Demon Beast covered in tiger stripes. This beast was called Ying Zhao, an Innate Divine Beast like Da Bai.
Ying Zhao was covered in blood and looked miserable. "I submit. I'll join you!"
"That's more like it. My boss always says that those who understand the times are heroes. If you had understood sooner, you would not have needed a beating from me!"
Da Bai transformed into human form, put away the Sea-Covering Saber, clapped his hands, and spoke proudly.
Ying Zhao said nothing, wearing a helplessly amused expression as he thought to himself.
Is this demon out of his mind? He came up without saying a word and slashed at me first. Only after beating me did he say he was here to recruit me. You should have said so earlier! If you had, I would have surrendered sooner!
Though dissatisfied, Ying Zhao did not dare show the slightest hint of it. He could not win, and his life was more important.
"Come on. Follow me back to the Demon Clan."
Before you continue