Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun

"There's no need for that. This Seat delights in helping those in distress and aiding the unfortunate." Qing Xuan spoke calmly, exuding the bearing of a lofty expert.

"This treasure is your companion spirit treasure, useless to me. However, I need to extract a portion of the Solar True Fire within it." Qing Xuan produced the Sunflame Wheel. Though he coveted it, he couldn't use it, so it was better to return it to Lu Ya and keep a favor owed.

"Many thanks, Senior. Take as much True Fire as you need. Senior saved my life and returned my spirit treasure—this junior truly doesn't know how to express his gratitude!" Lu Ya accepted the Sunflame Wheel and spoke to Qing Xuan with deep appreciation.

"No need for such formality. We'll meet again if fate allows!" Qing Xuan led the two brothers onward, flying toward Longevity Mountain.

"Senior, go safely!" Lu Ya bowed in salute.

Longevity Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple.

At this 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 flowing, a Dust Whisk in hand, immortal aura swirling around him. This man was Zhen Yuanzi.

The other, clad in a Red Robe embroidered with Cloud Patterns, had a face like a Red Fruit and was munching on a Ginseng Fruit. His every gesture was bold and unrestrained, like a man of true temperament.

This man was the Primordial Wilderness's foremost "good old man," Old Ancestor Hong Yun, who was now happily savoring the Ginseng Fruit.

Seeing Hong Yun like this, Zhen Yuanzi found it both amusing and exasperating.

His Ginseng Fruit Tree bloomed once every three thousand years, bore fruit once every three thousand years, and ripened once every three thousand years, yielding only thirty fruits each time. A mortal who smelled one could live three hundred sixty years; eating one granted a lifespan of forty-seven thousand years. It was a rare longevity treasure in the Primordial Wilderness.

However, for those at the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, it was already useless. After all, a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal had shattered the shackles of their own lifespan, living as long as heaven itself, dying only if they encountered a great calamity.

Thus, Zhen Yuanzi didn't place much value on the Ginseng Fruits and gave them all to his friend Hong Yun to eat, satisfying his appetite.

"Hong Yun, how many Ginseng Fruits have you eaten already? Aren't you tired of them yet?" Zhen Yuanzi took a sip of Spirit Tea and teased.

"Brother Zhen Yuanzi, that's not right. These Ginseng Fruits contain the essence of heaven and earth. Though their effects are useless, one bite is fresh, juicy, sweet, and sour.

I have no other hobbies—I only delight in eating. Among the many spirit fruits I've tasted, this Ginseng Fruit ranks number one!" Hong Yun finished the fruit in his hand and spoke happily to Zhen Yuanzi.

"I just wonder how the peaches from the Innate Renshui Peaches Tree and the plums from the Yellow Middle Plum Tree, both among the Ten Great Spirit Roots, taste?" Hong Yun gazed at the sky, as if savoring those two fruits in his mind.

"Temple Master, someone is at the gate. He claims to be the master of the East Sea Three Immortal Islands and has come with his disciple to pay respects!" A boy servant suddenly arrived and reported to Zhen Yuanzi.

"Oh, quickly invite them in!" Zhen Yuanzi said hurriedly.

Seeing this, Hong Yun asked in confusion, "The Three Immortal Islands? I haven't heard much about them. Do you know them, Brother?"

"Hahaha, this man is no ordinary figure. On the East Sea, there are three immortal islands: Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou.

All three islands are treasured lands of dense spiritual energy. It's said that the East Sea Dragon Clan once set their sights on the three islands, but unfortunately, an Innate Being was born there and claimed the three islands as his own Cave Mansion.

The Dragon Clan actually backed off, and this man was quite active during the war of the Three Clans. That was a great heavenly calamity when even you and I dared not leave our homes.

From this, you can imagine how vast his divine powers are! This old Daoist has long admired him from afar!" Zhen Yuanzi said with emotion.

Hong Yun's face showed surprise. "There's actually such a figure? Do you know his name, Brother?"

"This man's name is Daojun Qing Xuan!"

Qing Xuan led the two brothers, following the gatekeeping boy servant to the rear courtyard of the temple. There, he saw two men drinking and chatting merrily. When they saw him arrive, they stood and spoke.

"I, Zhen Yuanzi, greet Daojun Qing Xuan!"

"I, Hong Yun, greet Daojun Qing Xuan!"

Qing Xuan hadn't expected to already have such renown. Though pleased inside, he still replied courteously.

"Greetings to you both, Fellow Daoists. I have long admired Brother Zhen Yuanzi's reputation and have come with my disciples especially to visit!"

"Hahaha, no need for formality. Please, sit. Qing Feng, Ming Yue, go pick some Ginseng Fruits to entertain our honored guests!"

Qing Xuan led the two brothers to sit beside the other two. After a moment's thought, he decided to state his purpose directly.

"These are my two disciples. The eldest is Kong Xuan, the second is Peng Xuan. Both are children of Yuan Feng, the chieftain of the Phoenix Clan."

"Greetings to both seniors!" The two brothers stood and bowed.

"Hahaha, sit, sit, sit. Fellow Daoist, these two disciples of yours are gifted with natural intelligence and extraordinary roots. Their future achievements will be boundless!" Zhen Yuanzi remarked in admiration, not expecting Qing Xuan's disciples to be so extraordinary as well.

"Indeed! Indeed!" Hong Yun quickly echoed.

Hearing the two praise his disciples, Qing Xuan was naturally pleased. Then he stated the purpose of his visit.

"To be honest with you, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, I have come this time to make a request."

"Oh? Speak freely."

"My eldest disciple was born with the divine ability, the Five-Colored Divine Light. To master this ability, he needs to refine the Origin Qi of the Five Elements. I have come to ask for a wisp of Kantuo Origin Qi. I hope you will grant this, Fellow Daoist!"

Zhen Yuanzi's face showed difficulty after hearing this. The Kantuo Origin Qi was the foundation of the Ginseng Fruit Tree; it was not something that could be easily extracted.

Just as Zhen Yuanzi was troubled, Qing Feng and Ming Yue arrived carrying several Ginseng Fruits. Seeing this, Hong Yun quickly spoke up.

"Ah, the Ginseng Fruits are here! Fellow Daoist, please try one first. This fruit is delicious and rare!"

"Yes! Yes! Try one first."

Qing Xuan looked at the silent Zhen Yuanzi and knew it wasn't the right time to press the request. He had Kong Xuan take the Ginseng Fruits, and the three of them each ate one.

With Hong Yun present, the earlier awkwardness eased. Qing Xuan then began conversing and discussing the Dao with the two men, and the atmosphere soon became harmonious.

Kong Xuan listened intently to his master's words, feeling greatly enlightened. But Peng Xuan, on the other hand, stared longingly at the Ginseng Fruits on the table, recalling their taste, letting his master's words go in one ear and out the other.

For a time, everyone lost track of the hours.

"Ying Zhao, do you submit or not!"

Da Bai had now reverted to his original form, his four hooves pinning down a beast with a horse's body, a human face, and tiger stripes. This beast was named 'Ying Zhao,' and like Da Bai, he was an Innate Divine Beast.

At this moment, Ying Zhao was covered in blood, looking quite miserable. "I submit. I'll join you!"

"That's more like it. My Boss always says, a wise man knows his time. If you'd known your time earlier, you wouldn't have taken a beating from me!"

Da Bai transformed into Human Form, put away the Sea-Covering Saber, clapped his hands, and said proudly.

Ying Zhao didn't reply, but a wry smile twisted his face as he thought to himself.

This Demon Beast must have something wrong with its head. It comes up without a word, slashes me first, and only after beating me says it's here to recruit. If you'd said so earlier, I'd have surrendered sooner!

Though Ying Zhao was dissatisfied inside, he didn't dare show it on his face—after all, he couldn't win, and his life mattered more.

"Let's go. Come back to the Demon Race with me."