A colossal snow-white beast, its fur dazzlingly bright, raced wildly through the sky with outrageous arrogance. Two figures seemed to be seated on its back, and even more absurdly, a black bull wreathed in wind and thunder chased furiously after it!
Old Ancestor Black Weasel wiped his face, brushing away the melon seed shells stuck there with a bit of moisture. When he looked up at the sky again, he sucked in a breath. It seemed he couldn't afford to offend either of those two beasts chasing each other!
Not to mention the two great powers riding atop the white beast.
He had also secretly swiped a pot of Innate Stone Marrow from a cave abode. Guilty as a thief, he immediately withdrew his gaze and hurried away. If they noticed him, not only would he lose the treasure, but he might have to pay with his life.
Daoist Hongyun, who had been cracking melon seeds and enjoying the show, let out a soft "Eh?" and casually glanced downward.
He smiled. "That little rat down there is somewhat interesting. The Stone Marrow in his arms is decent quality, though its origins are probably questionable. Look how panicked he is."
The speaker had no intention, but the listener... the dog certainly did!
Big White had been running happily when it heard "decent quality." Its ears instantly perked up!
It had no idea what Stone Marrow was, but if Uncle Hong Yun said it was "decent," then it had to be good stuff!
Without needing Chen Song's orders, Big White's instincts as the "Great Desolation's Number One Bootlicker and Bandit" instantly awakened!
"Awooo! This mountain was opened by me! These trees were planted by me! If you want to pass through here, leave behind your toll money! Little thief down there! Hand over the good stuff to your Grandpa White! Woof!"
It abruptly slammed on the brakes and dove down, bearing down on Old Ancestor Black Weasel with terrifying momentum. Its massive shadow instantly swallowed him, and its drool was practically dripping onto his face!
Chen Song lost his balance and nearly got thrown off, spilling half the melon seeds in his hand. "Damn it! Stupid dog! What the hell are you doing?!"
Hong Yun, meanwhile, remained perfectly steady, watching with a cheerful grin.
Old Ancestor Black Weasel, who had been about to hide below, was scared out of his wits! The pressure radiating from that enormous beast was suffocating! How could he dare resist in the slightest? Instinctively, he tried to hide the jade bottle in his arms.
Unfortunately, in his excessive panic, there came a "Pfft!" and a huge cloud of yellow gas burst out from behind Old Ancestor Black Weasel.
Big White twitched its nose. "Bleurgh!" It hurriedly covered its nose with both paws. Chen Song, meanwhile, was swept away by quick-reacting Hong Yun before Big White could smell the yellow cloud, and they landed upwind.
But at that moment, the desperately pursuing Kui Bull finally caught up!
Although Kui Bull had no idea what exactly had happened, it recognized that the pot was brimming with spiritual energy! And that pointy-mouthed cultivator clearly looked like no good person!
"Moo! Move aside, fat dog! Let this old bull handle it! It's definitely stolen goods! Hand it over! Bleurgh!"
Eager to protect its master—or claim the credit—Kui Bull shouted as it charged before Old Ancestor Black Weasel, only to suffer an even more devastating "gas attack" than Big White. It immediately started retching.
Seeing that terrifying giant bull wrapped in destructive lightning charge before him, Old Ancestor Black Weasel was utterly terrified. He no longer cared about the treasure and shrieked, "Spare me! The treasure is yours!"
He violently threw the jade bottle to the side. Before the yellow gas he had released in his panic could disperse, he instantly burrowed underground and fled with an earth escape technique, vanishing without a trace at a jaw-dropping speed.
The jade bottle traced an arc through the air.
While Kui Bull was still dry-heaving, Big White darted forward and grabbed the jade bottle with both paws!
"Woof, didn't I say you stupid bull were best suited for eating farts? Well, now you've had some. How did it taste, you greedy old bull?" Big White didn't forget to taunt it after snatching the prize.
However, before Big White could even warm the jade bottle in its paws, a ray of Five-Colored Divine Light lightly swept over it, securely carrying the bottle away and depositing it in Chen Song's hand.
Chen Song weighed the jade bottle, opened it and took a sniff, then nodded. "Mm, it really is good stuff. Innate Stone Marrow is quite useful for tempering the body."
Big White and Kui Bull immediately wilted. They glared at each other, both feeling the other had delayed them from earning credit.
Hong Yun laughed. "Haha, robbing a robber! Chen Song, you really are black-hearted!" Chen Song pointed at Chen Song as he laughed and scolded.
Chen Song shook his head helplessly, putting away the Stone Marrow before nudging Big White with his foot. "Alright, quit dawdling. Getting to Wuzhuang Temple is the important thing. As for this Stone Marrow... we'll see how you perform. Whoever behaves gets it as a snack."
Hearing there was still a chance, Big White and Kui Bull immediately perked up again.
"Woof woof! Elder Brother, don't worry! Little White is the most obedient!"
"Moo! Young Master! This old bull will work tirelessly without complaint!"
After a chaotic journey full of squawking chickens and barking dogs, a Taoist temple finally appeared before them: Wuzhuang Temple!
On either side of the temple gates hung a couplet that read: Abode of Immortals Who Live Forever, Household of Daoists Who Share Heaven's Lifespan.
"We're here, we're here! Uncle Hong Yun, this is the place, right? Woof!" Big White slowed down excitedly. Looking at the mountain gate wreathed in immortal mist, its mouth began to water again, as if it could already smell the fragrance of Ginseng Fruit.
"This is indeed the place." Hong Yun nodded with a smile and gracefully floated down from Big White's back, straightening his sleeves.
Chen Song jumped down as well. He patted Big White's head and had it shrink down, then waved toward the panting Kui Bull behind them.
The dog and bull immediately shrank their bodies and obediently followed behind Chen Song. Still, their eyes darted constantly about as they surveyed this top-tier blessed land of the Great Desolation, pondering where delicious things might be hidden.
As though he had returned home, Hong Yun led Chen Song's group straight through the gates without needing to announce themselves. When they passed through a flourishing Ginseng Fruit orchard, Big White and Kui Bull's breathing grew heavy. Only Chen Song's stern gaze kept them from pouncing.
Before the main hall of Wuzhuang Temple stood a Daoist already waiting on the steps with a smile. He wore a purple-gold crown, a carefree crane-feather robe, and cloth shoes. His face was ancient and dignified, and his bearing was calm and peaceful. Three long strands of beard draped over his chest, while he held a jade horsetail whisk in hand. His aura merged with all of Longevity Mountain, unfathomably deep. He was none other than the master of this place—Zhenyuanzi.
"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, you've come?" Zhenyuanzi stepped forward with a smile. His gaze then fell upon Chen Song behind Hong Yun, as well as the black and white beasts, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. "This is... the chief disciple under Supreme Purity, that pine tree?"
"This junior is Chen Song. Greetings, Senior Zhenyuanzi." Chen Song stepped forward and respectfully bowed. Before the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, he could not neglect proper courtesy.
"Woof woof! Greetings, Immortal Zhenyuan! Little White is wagging its tail for you!" Big White shamelessly rose onto its hind legs and clasped its paws like a human, its tail wagging into an afterimage. Its black-bean eyes were filled with the words, "Hurry up and give me fruit."
Kui Bull also lowered its enormous head and said in a muffled voice, "Kui Bull greets the Immortal." Compared to Big White's complete lack of integrity, it still retained a bit of a strange beast's reserve.
Zhenyuanzi smiled at the amusing group, especially Big White, finding the strange beast rather interesting. "No need for such formalities. Since Fellow Daoist Hongyun and little friend Chen Song have brought you, you are guests. Please come inside for tea."
The group entered the hall and took their respective seats. Qingfeng and Mingyue, the two young attendants, served fragrant tea. The tea was clear and contained rich earth-element spiritual energy. It was obviously no ordinary brew.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Hong Yun finally revealed his true purpose. Rubbing his hands together, he smiled. "Brother Zhenyuanzi, look, we've come all this way. About your Ginseng Fruit..."
How could Zhenyuanzi not understand Hong Yun's thoughts? Pointing at him with a smile, he said, "You, you. Every time you come, you're thinking about my little stash." Though he said so, he was not displeased. He instructed the attendants, "Go, pick six Ginseng Fruit."
"Six... six?" Hong Yun was stunned. Zhenyuanzi had never been this generous before. Usually, one fruit per person was enough to send them away.
Zhenyuanzi stroked his beard and smiled. "Little friend Chen Song is visiting for the first time. How could I be stingy? Naturally, each person shall receive two."
Chen Song was overjoyed and quickly thanked him. "Many thanks for your generous gift, Immortal!"
Big White was so excited that it slid straight off its cushion and began rubbing against Zhenyuanzi's leg. "Woof woof! Immortal, you're mighty! Immortal, you're awesome! You're even more generous than Uncle Hong Yun!"
Hong Yun: ???
(This was supposed to be posted last night. I set the time wrong.)
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