Ginseng Fruit Freedom

"Master—you see, your disciple is now a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. In the primordial world, I can at least protect myself a little. I can't stay on the mountain forever, like a flower in a greenhouse... ah, no, like a pine tree in a greenhouse, right?"

Chen Song found Laozi and began his performance, his face brimming with the sincerity of someone "eager to expand the territory of the Three Pure Ones lineage."

Laozi did not even raise his eyelids. He held a medicinal pill between his fingers as though studying its ingredients, then said blandly, "Speak plainly."

"I want to go out and have fun... ah, no, to travel! To go among the common folk, observe the primordial world's conditions, and perhaps see whether I can find a mount worthy of Second Martial Uncle's status!"

Chen Song hurriedly threw out the excuse he had prepared long ago, placing particular emphasis on the core objective of "finding a mount for Second Martial Uncle."

Nearby, Lord of the Beginning, who was using the Yuqing Immortal Method to nourish the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, paused ever so slightly. Though he did not turn his head, one of his ears seemed to twitch almost imperceptibly.

Tongtian waggled his brows at the side and mouthed to Chen Song, "You've got a chance!"

Laozi fell silent for a moment, seemingly deducing the Heavenly Secrets. After a long while, he slowly said, "Go. Know your limits, and do not force yourself. Take the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda with you. If your life is in danger, it will protect you and return you to Kunlun Mountain."

"Thank you, Master! Master is wise!" Chen Song was overjoyed and immediately bowed deeply, afraid Laozi might change his mind.

"Go early and return early." Yuanshi rarely offered a reminder as well. Though his tone remained as flat as ever, Chen Song somehow heard a trace of expectation: Keep the matter of the mount in mind.

"Don't worry, Second Martial Uncle! Leave it to me!" Chen Song promised, thumping his chest.

And so, Chen Song once more set out into the primordial world. This time, his destination was clear—Wuzhuang Temple!

Riding Big White, who had grown soft and enormous like a white cloud, Chen Song was full of high spirits. "Set off! Destination: Wuzhuang Temple! Full speed ahead!"

"Woof! Wuzhuang Temple! Ginseng Fruit! Here I come!" At the thought of those sweet, delicious fruits, Big White's motivation instantly soared. His four paws kicked into the air, and he transformed into a streak of white light. He was even faster than last time, his dog face filled with blissful anticipation.

The journey passed without a word... yeah, right!

"Boss! The spiritual energy in that forest below is so dense! There might be treasure there!"

"Woof! That cloud looks just like a roast chicken! I'm hungry!"

"Huh? Did that bird just roll its eyes at us? Boss, was it looking down on us? Let's catch up and ask!"

Chen Song said, "...Shut up! Keep yapping, and I'll dock your pine nuts!"

Amid Big White's nonstop racket, the outline of Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain finally appeared in view.

It still possessed that immortal atmosphere. The couplet beside its gates radiated profound Dao charm: "Abode of immortals who live forever and never age; household of Daoists whose lifespan matches the heavens."

Pressing down on the dog's head, Chen Song had Big White shrink with practiced ease. Big White trotted along behind him, his tail spinning like a propeller and drool nearly dripping onto the ground.

Chen Song straightened his Daoist robe, walked to the temple gates, and cupped his hands toward Qingfeng and Mingyue, the gatekeepers. "Please inform Immortal Zhenyuanzi that Chen Song of Kunlun Mountain has come to visit."

Qingfeng and Mingyue recognized Chen Song. They especially remembered the intense gaze of the dog beside him, Big White, who stared at them as if they were walking Ginseng Fruits.

Qingfeng smiled. "So it is Senior Brother Chen Song. Please wait a moment. I will report to the master at once."

Before long, Zhenyuanzi personally came out to greet him.

However, compared to their previous meeting, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals was shrouded in an unshakable grief and sorrow. Even the dense earth energy around him seemed somewhat heavy and bleak.

"Little friend Chen Song, what brings you here?" Zhenyuanzi forced himself to rally and led Chen Song into the temple.

They took their places as host and guest, and fragrant tea was served. Chen Song did not beat around the bush. Seeing Zhenyuanzi's haggard appearance, he went straight to the point. "Immortal, this junior has come uninvited because of Senior Hong Yun."

At the mention of Hong Yun, Zhenyuanzi's body jolted. Tea even sloshed from his cup. He took a deep breath, his voice filled with suppressed pain and endless regret. "Hong Yun... he was murdered by vile men! Body and soul both perished! It is all this poor Daoist's fault... I failed to stop him!" As he spoke, the eyes of this top expert of the primordial world actually reddened.

Chen Song hurriedly said, "Immortal, please restrain your grief! But there may still be room to turn this around!"

"Turn it around?" Zhenyuanzi abruptly raised his head, hope bursting from his eyes. "Why do you say that, little friend? Hong Yun's primordial spirit scattered, the Primordial Violet Qi fled, and the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd has vanished without a trace... How could there still be hope?"

Chen Song did not answer directly. With a flip of his palm, a crimson streak of light appeared above it, condensing into a palm-sized red gourd that gave off an aura capable of eroding one's soul and bones. It was the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd!

"This—!" Zhenyuanzi shot to his feet and stared disbelievingly at the gourd in Chen Song's hand. "Hong Yun's Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd! How could it be in your hands?!"

Chen Song pushed the gourd before Zhenyuanzi and explained, "When Senior Hong Yun was killed that day, this treasure fled into the void. By chance, while traveling, this junior sensed a trace of its aura and used the Five Elements Divine Light to draw it over. The treasure's spirituality has not faded, and within it remains an extremely faint, almost extinguished imprint of Senior Hong Yun's original soul."

He paused. Seeing Zhenyuanzi's eyes brighten at once, he continued, "Although this imprint is so weak that it is nearly impossible to detect, the fact that it has not completely vanished means Senior Hong Yun has not truly suffered utter destruction of body and soul! There is still a sliver of hope!"

"Really?! Hong Yun can truly still be saved?!"

Zhenyuanzi excitedly grabbed Chen Song's hand, his voice trembling. As the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, he was connected to the veins of the land, and his perception was incredibly keen. His mind had been too shaken to inspect it closely before, but now, prompted by Chen Song, he carefully sent his divine sense into the gourd. Sure enough, at its very core, he sensed a familiar soul fluctuation that made his heart tremble—yet it was as weak as a candle flame in the wind!

"Though the hope is slim, it is not impossible." Chen Song nodded firmly. "It will need to be nourished by boundless life force, supplemented with heavenly treasures that nurture the soul. Perhaps... it will also require some special opportunity. But this is still better than complete dissipation."

Zhenyuanzi clutched the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd tightly, as though holding the most precious treasure in the world. Tears streamed down his aged face. "Good! Good! As long as there is a sliver of hope, that is enough! So long as his True Spirit has not been completely extinguished, even if I must search the entire primordial world and exhaust everything I possess, I will bring him back!"

He suddenly turned to Chen Song, gratitude overflowing from his expression. He gripped Chen Song's hand with such force that Chen Song bared his teeth in pain. "Little friend Chen Song! No—Brother Chen Song! You have brought back Hong Yun's chance at life. This favor is heavier than Buzhou Mountain! From today onward, you are my, Zhenyuanzi's, sworn brother! Should you ever have need of me, I would not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!"

Chen Song was a little stunned by this sudden promotion to "brother" and quickly said, "Immortal, you overpraise me! This junior was also acquainted with Senior Hong Yun. This matter was merely a fortunate coincidence. How could I dare..."

"Eh!" Zhenyuanzi cut him off, his tone brooking no refusal. "What immortal and junior? You were friends with Hong Yun, and you have shown me such immense kindness. We can be brothers! Or do you look down on this poor Daoist?"

Seeing Zhenyuanzi's earnest expression, which seemed to say, If you refuse, I'll cry right here, Chen Song could only go along with it. Cupping his hands, he said, "In that case... this younger brother Chen Song greets Elder Brother Zhenyuanzi!"

"Good! Good brother!" Zhenyuanzi immediately beamed and heavily patted Chen Song's shoulder, nearly knocking him apart. "From now on, Wuzhuang Temple is your home! The Ginseng Fruit tree behind the temple—whenever you want some, pick them yourself! Eat as much as you want! Take whatever you like from the stored ones too! If you run into trouble, invoke your elder brother's name! If my name does not work, I'll personally bring the Earth Book grand formation to back you up!"

Upon hearing the words "all the Ginseng Fruit you can eat," Big White's dog eyes instantly widened even more than Ginseng Fruits. Drool splashed all over the ground as he stood on his hind legs and pawed at Chen Song's pant leg. "Woof! Elder Brother! My real elder brother! Hurry up and agree! This is unlimited Ginseng Fruit! From now on, I'll follow you! Tell me to chase dogs and I'll never catch chickens! Woof woof woof!"

Chen Song was also stunned by Zhenyuanzi's lavish generosity. Inside, he was overjoyed. The Earth Book grand formation! Also known as the moral blackmail grand formation! Go ahead and hit me—I simply won't fight back.

But outwardly, he still had to maintain appearances. "This younger brother is unworthy of Elder Brother's kindness, but I gratefully accept it."

"We are family. Why be so polite?" Zhenyuanzi waved a hand and immediately instructed Qingfeng and Mingyue, "Go! Pick ten... no, twenty of the best Ginseng Fruits! Today, I will drink with my brother Chen Song until neither of us returns sober! Oh, right, bring out some stored Spirit Fruits as well, so my dog... ah, dog nephew can have a taste!"

Big White barked, "Woof woof woof! Lord Zhenyuanzi! You truly are my real uncle! Even closer than Uncle Hong Yun!"

Chen Song watched Qingfeng and Mingyue happily go prepare the fruits. Then he looked at Zhenyuanzi, who held the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd and seemed to have regained his vitality, before kicking the foolish dog, who was already imagining eating Ginseng Fruits as meals...

Not bad at all! Not only had he dumped the responsibility... ah, no, properly handled the aftermath of Hong Yun and the gourd, he had also gained a top Big Boss of the primordial world as an elder brother—and... Ginseng Fruit freedom!