Ginseng Fruit Freedom

"Master—look, your disciple is now a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, and I have a tiny bit of self-preservation power in the Great Wilderness. I can't just stay on the mountain forever, being a flower in a greenhouse... no, a pine tree in a greenhouse, right?"

Chen Song found Laozi and began his performance, his face filled with the sincerity of "I yearn to expand the territory for the lineage of the Three Pure Ones."

Laozi didn't even lift his eyelids. He held a pill in his hand, seemingly studying its ingredients, and said lightly, "Speak plainly."

"I want to go out and play... ah no, travel! Go deep into the grassroots, understand the conditions of the Great Wilderness, and by the way, see if there's a chance to find a mount worthy of Second Martial Uncle's status!"

Chen Song quickly threw out the reasons he had long thought of, especially emphasizing the core request of "finding a mount for Second Martial Uncle."

Lord of the Beginning, who was using Yuqing immortal arts to warm the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi nearby, paused slightly upon hearing this. Although he didn't turn his head, his ears seemed to twitch imperceptibly.

Tongtian winked at Chen Song from the side, mouthing, "It's working!"

Laozi remained silent for a moment, as if deducing heavenly secrets. After a while, he slowly said, "Go. Act within your capabilities, and do not overexert 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."

"Thank you, Master! Master is wise!" Chen Song was overjoyed and immediately bowed, fearing Laozi would go back on his word.

"Go early and return early," Lord of the Beginning also offered a rare piece of advice. Although his tone was still calm, Chen Song managed to hear a hint of expectation: "Keep the matter of the mount in mind."

"Don't worry, Second Martial Uncle! It's on me!" Chen Song patted his chest and guaranteed.

Thus, Chen Song embarked on his journey through the Great Wilderness once again. This time, his goal was clear—Wuzhuang Temple!

Mounting Big White, which had become as soft and huge as white clouds, Chen Song was full of spirit. "Let's go! Target: Wuzhuang Temple! Full speed ahead!"

"Woof! Wuzhuang Temple! Ginseng Fruit! Here I come!" The moment Big White thought of the sweet and delicious fruit, its motivation instantly surged. Its four paws took to the air, turning into a white stream of light, its speed even faster than last time. Its dog face was full of happy anticipation.

No further incidents on the way... Yeah, right!

"Boss! The forest below has such rich spiritual energy! There might be treasures!"

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

"Huh? Did that bird just give us the side-eye? Boss, is it looking down on us? Let's chase it and ask!"

Chen Song: "...Shut up! One more peep and I'll deduct your pine nuts!"

Amidst Big White's constant chatter, the outline of Longevity Mountain's Wuzhuang Temple finally appeared in their sight.

It still had that immortal aura. The couplet on both sides of the main gate, "Eternal life, divine abode; longevity with heaven, Daoist's home," exuded Dao Charm.

Lowering its dog head, Big White skillfully shrunk, trotting obediently behind Chen Song, its tail wagging like a propeller, drool almost dripping onto the ground.

Chen Song tidied his Daoist robe and walked to the temple gate, cupping his hands towards Qingfeng and Mingyue, who were guarding the entrance. "Two esteemed ones, please inform Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi. Chen Song of Kunlun Mountain has come to visit."

Qingfeng and Mingyue recognized Chen Song, especially remembering the dog beside him with its bright eyes, staring at them as if they were walking Ginseng Fruits.

Qingfeng smiled, "So it's Senior Brother Chen Song. Please wait a moment, I will report to the Master immediately."

Not long after, Zhenyuanzi himself came out to greet them.

However, compared to their last meeting, a layer of unresolvable worry and sorrow shrouded the Ancestor of Earth Immortals' brow, and even the profound Earth Qi surrounding him seemed somewhat somber.

"Little friend Chen Song, why have you come?" Zhenyuanzi forced a smile and led Chen Song into the temple.

After taking their seats as host and guest and being served fragrant tea, Chen Song didn't beat around the bush. Looking at Zhenyuanzi's haggard expression, he got straight to the point: "Great Immortal, I have taken the liberty of visiting today regarding the matter of Senior Hongyun."

Upon mentioning Hongyun, Zhenyuanzi's body trembled violently, and the tea in his cup sloshed out. He took a deep breath, his voice filled with suppressed pain and endless regret, "Hongyun... he fell victim to a treacherous villain! His form and spirit were annihilated! It's all my fault... my fault for not stopping him!" As he spoke, the top cultivator in the Great Wilderness seemed to have red eyes.

Chen Song quickly said, "Great Immortal, please accept my condolences! But there might still be a chance for a turnaround!"

"A turnaround?" Zhenyuanzi looked up sharply, hope flaring in his eyes, "Little friend, what makes you say that? Hongyun's Primordial Spirit is scattered, his Primordial Violet Qi has fled, and the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd is also missing... how can there be a turnaround?"

Chen Song did not answer directly. Instead, he flipped his palm. A crimson stream of light appeared in his palm, condensing into a palm-sized crimson gourd that emanated a soul-scorching aura—it was the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd!

"This!!" Zhenyuanzi suddenly stood up, looking at the gourd in Chen Song's hand in disbelief, "Hongyun's Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd! How did it end up in little friend's hands?!"

Chen Song pushed the gourd towards Zhenyuanzi and explained, "When Senior Hongyun was attacked that day, this treasure escaped into the void. By chance, I sensed a trace of its energy while traveling and used my Five Elements Divine Light to draw it in. This treasure's spirituality is intact, and it still contains an extremely faint, almost extinguished, trace of Senior Hongyun's original soul imprint."

He paused, looking at Zhenyuanzi's suddenly brightened eyes, and continued, "Although this trace is so faint it's almost imperceptible, since the imprint hasn't completely dissipated, it means Senior Hongyun has not truly been annihilated in body and spirit! There is still a glimmer of hope!"

"Really?! Hongyun can really be saved?!"

Zhenyuanzi grabbed Chen Song's hand excitedly, his voice trembling. As the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, he was connected to the earth's veins and possessed keen perception. He had been too agitated earlier to notice, but now, reminded by Chen Song, he carefully probed the gourd with his divine sense. Indeed, at its very core, he sensed a familiar, heart-shaking, yet faint as a candle in the wind, soul fluctuation!

"Although the hope is slim, it's not impossible," Chen Song nodded affirmatively. "It needs to be nurtured with endless vitality, supplemented by heavenly and earthly spiritual essences that nourish the soul, and perhaps... some special opportunities. But this is still better than complete annihilation."

Zhenyuanzi tightly gripped the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd as if it were the most precious treasure in the world, tears streaming down his face. "Good! Good! As long as there's a glimmer of hope, it's good! As long as his true spirit is not completely annihilated, even if I have to search the entire Great Wilderness and exhaust all my possessions, I will bring him back!"

He suddenly turned to Chen Song, his gratitude overflowing. He tightly grasped Chen Song's hand with such force that Chen Song winced. "Little friend Chen Song! No! Brother Chen Song! You brought back Hongyun's hope. This kindness is heavier than Buzhou Mountain! From today onwards, you are my sworn brother! If you ever need anything, I will not hesitate to die for you!"

Chen Song was a bit stunned by this sudden "brotherhood" and quickly said, "Great Immortal, you are too kind! Your junior also knew Senior Hongyun, and this matter was merely a coincidence. How could I..."

"Eh!" Zhenyuanzi interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for refusal, "What 'Great Immortal' and 'junior'! Since you knew Hongyun and have shown me such great kindness, we are brothers! Do you look down on this old man, little friend?"

Seeing Zhenyuanzi's earnest expression, coupled with a hint of "I'll cry if you don't agree," Chen Song could only comply. He cupped his hands and said, "Since that is the case... your junior, Chen Song, greets Brother Zhenyuanzi!"

"Good! Good brother!" Zhenyuanzi's face lit up with a smile. He heavily patted Chen Song's shoulder, almost shaking him apart. "From now on, Wuzhuang Temple is your home! You can go pick the Ginseng Fruit tree behind the temple whenever you want! It's enough! You can take as much from the inventory as you like! If you encounter any trouble, just mention my name! If my name doesn't work, I'll personally bring the Earth Book formation to back you up!"

Big White, hearing "Ginseng Fruit is enough," instantly widened its dog eyes to be rounder than Ginseng Fruits. Its drool flowed out in a torrent. It stood on its hind legs, pawing at Chen Song's pant leg. "Woof! Brother! Sworn brother! Hurry and agree! This is unlimited Ginseng Fruit! I'll follow you from now on! If you tell me to chase dogs, I'll never catch chickens! Woof woof woof!"

Chen Song was also taken aback by Zhenyuanzi's generosity (and wealth). He was secretly overjoyed. The Earth Book formation! Also known as the moral blackmail formation! Go ahead and fight, I won't retaliate.

On the surface, however, he had to maintain his image. "Brother's kindness is too much, your junior accepts it with shame."

"We're family, why be polite!" Zhenyuanzi waved his hand and immediately instructed Qingfeng and Mingyue, "Quickly! Bring ten... no! Bring twenty of the best Ginseng Fruits! Today, I will drink with my brother Chen Song until we are drunk! Oh, right, and bring some inventory spirit fruits for my dog... uh, nephew dog, to taste!"

Big White: "Woof woof woof! Great Lord Zhenyuanzi! You are truly my great uncle! Even closer than Uncle Hongyun!"

Chen Song looked at Qingfeng and Mingyue happily going to prepare the fruits, then at Zhenyuanzi, who seemed to have regained his vitality while holding the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd, and finally kicked the dumb dog, which was already fantasizing about eating Ginseng Fruits as a staple food...

Well, this was worth it! Not only did he pass the responsibility... ah no, properly handle the aftermath of Hongyun and the gourd, but he also gained a top cultivator in the Great Wilderness as a brother, and... freedom to eat Ginseng Fruits!