The True Use of the Ginseng Fruit

Tai Yi's gaze pierced through the endless void, landing on the western lands of the Prehistoric World.

There, the horrific wounds from Demon Ancestor Luohu's self-destruction of Mount Sumeru still lingered. The vast western earth lay shattered, fragmented into countless floating worlds wedged in the voids between spaces.

Some of these fragment worlds still caught the distant light of the Sun Star, clinging to fragile life.

But more had sunk into eternal cold and deathly stillness, like forgotten graveyards slowly marching toward utter annihilation.

A thought flashed through Tai Yi's mind like lightning: Manifesting Billions of Suns!

If he could split a portion of his own primal light into billions of miniature "suns,"

project them, root them in those dying western fragment worlds, drive away the darkness, bring light, heat, and life!

Then every small world illuminated and saved would become a "vessel" bearing his will!

As these small worlds revived and grew under the nourishment of light—no matter how slowly—his will and radiance would expand and spread with them!

In the end, when the light of billions of worlds converged into one, Unity of All Selves—what kind of scene would that be?

Would it be the key to breaking through the shackles of Quasi-Saint and glimpsing a higher realm?

Yet the greatest obstacle loomed before him: how to split his own primal source into billions of parts without loss, with full control, and precisely project them into those distant fragment worlds?

This required a Cloning Method beyond his current understanding!

Lu Jun's Star Planting Path had given him inspiration, but it couldn't be directly copied.

The Chaos Bell could suppress time and space, but it couldn't help him achieve such delicate primal source division.

More critically, if he took this path of manifesting suns, what about the Nirvana Method?

I only have one Innate Supreme Treasure, the Chaos Bell. If I manifest billions of suns, after I undergo nirvana, will those sun avatars still be useful?

If not, then everything I do will be for nothing.

Or should I follow that nephew Lu Jun's example instead?

First undergo nirvana, then herd the stars of all heavens?

With at least Quasi-Saint Peak strength after nirvana, possibly even achieving the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin realm through the physical body, with such immense power, wouldn't herding the stars of all heavens be even stronger?

If so, could I once again walk the path of manifesting billions and achieving Unity of All Selves?

The more Tai Yi thought, the more uncertain the future seemed.

Every path appeared possible.

But the most fundamental issue remained: how to accomplish the primal source division.

Tai Yi fell silent, divine light rapidly calculating within his golden pupils, seeking the key to breaking through.

Zhen Yuanzi's reaction was entirely different.

After a brief shock, his hand stroking his long beard paused slightly, and Pure Light blazed in his eyes!

He turned his head sharply, his gaze seeming to pierce through endless space, landing on the backyard of Wuzhuang Temple on Mount Longevity.

That lush celestial root, the Ginseng Fruit Tree, radiating dense innate first-wood essence!

"Ginseng fruit... so that's it! So this is my true opportunity!"

Zhen Yuanzi's mind cleared like clouds parting to reveal the sun!

He had attained the Dao through the Ginseng Fruit Tree's transformation, becoming the Ancestor of Earth Immortals.

Every nine thousand years, thirty ginseng fruits shaped like infants ripened on the tree, containing the innate first-wood essence and the thick virtue of the earth from his original form.

In the past, he had regarded these ginseng fruits as celestial essences—gifts to befriend great powers, supplements to enhance cultivation.

But he had never thought... they themselves were the perfect "avatar embryos"!

He was the tree; the ginseng fruits were the essence of the tree's fruit!

Why suffer painful tearing like Minghe?

Why seek external objects like Lu Jun?

He only needed... to bestow spirituality, to entrust his primal source!

A clear path took shape in his mind: in the next nine thousand years, before the ginseng fruits began to grow, he himself would return to the Ginseng Fruit Tree!

At that time, his primal source would silently merge like spring rain into the thirty fruits about to ripen!

During their gestation, they would naturally absorb and carry his "Dao" and his "Self"!

When they ripened, they would be thirty "Ginseng Fruit Incarnations," naturally connected to his primal source, with boundless potential!

The only problem was that for the next nine thousand years, I cannot emerge into the world.

But I have my Three Corpses avatars—what difference does it make whether my original body appears or not?

In this world, aside from saints, who would dare to strike at my Mount Longevity, at me, Zhen Yuanzi?

Nine thousand years, and I will have thirty Ginseng Fruit Incarnations!

Though not as terrifying in number as Ancestor Minghe's four hundred and eighty million Blood God Sons, it excelled in natural compatibility, undamaged origin, and immense potential!

Moreover, the Ginseng Fruit Tree endlessly regenerates, bearing thirty fruits every nine thousand years... This is the path of unceasing abundance!

The dilemma that had plagued him for countless kalpas—regarding avatars and expanding his path—had finally found an answer perfectly suited to himself!

The pent-up frustration in Zhen Yuanzi's heart dissolved, and a rare, heartfelt smile of relief—one he hadn't shown since Hong Yun's fall—spread across his face.

He turned to Ancestor Minghe, whose expression remained grim and aura unstable, and spoke in a calm tone tinged with sincere emotion:

"Daoist Minghe, this discussion has brought me far more insights than expected. You have generously shared the secrets of the Blood Sea, and I am deeply grateful."

He paused, his voice growing clearer:

"As for Daoist Hong Yun's matter... the karmic entanglement is too complex for a few words. Yet today, your candor has enlightened me as well. Let this matter... rest here for now."

These words struck like thunder!

Ancestor Minghe's head snapped up, his blood-red eyes filled with disbelief!

The greatest grievance that had tormented him for endless ages, robbing him of sleep and peace... was simply... dropped?

Zhen Yuanzi had voluntarily let it go?

An overwhelming surge of joy instantly swept away the frustration and anger caused by Lu Jun!

He almost thought he had misheard!

Even Tai Yi, who had been deep in his deductions, was jolted back to reality by this sudden turn, staring at Zhen Yuanzi with shock and admiration.

For this Ancestor of Earth Immortals to set aside the vow of blood vengeance for his closest friend—its weight was immeasurable!

"Hahaha! Good! Good! Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, your breadth of heart and magnanimity are admirable! I am in awe! Thank you, Daoist!"

Minghe snapped out of it, his joy plain on his face as he repeatedly clasped his hands, his laughter brimming with the relief of a burden lifted.

This deal was worth it!

More than worth it!

He had thought that gaining Tai Yi's favor would be the biggest prize of this visit.

But then, returning the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd had loosened Zhen Yuanzi's stance on Hong Yun's matter.

And revealing his own secrets had directly dissolved the karma between Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun.

This was a tremendous stroke of luck.

From now on, without Zhen Yuanzi standing guard, where in the Great Desolation World could he not go?

He owed Zhen Yuanzi karma, but he owed no one else.

If others dared to imitate Zhen Yuanzi, don't blame him for taking direct action.

Zhen Yuanzi nodded slightly, then turned to Tai Yi and said solemnly: "Daoist Tai Yi, it was your mediation that granted me this opportunity for sudden enlightenment."

"As for the karma of Hong Yun's death, since I have said it rests here, I will not take it out on the Demon Race. However..."

His tone turned slightly cold, carrying an unyielding edge: "As for Kun Peng, the karma between him and me remains unsettled."

Tai Yi understood in his heart, though he felt somewhat helpless.

The matter between Kun Peng and Hong Yun was truly a tangled mess.

The key point was that, in the ambush of Hong Yun, he and Di Jun were not innocent.

Back then, the Demon Court was not yet fully stabilized, and Kun Peng, as the Demon Teacher, was a powerful combatant worth courting.

Thus, he and Di Jun had quietly helped Kun Peng set the trap for Hong Yun.

Otherwise, Kun Peng alone could never have killed Hong Yun.

Zhen Yuanzi knew this, which was why he also harbored resentment toward the Demon Race.

But today, Zhen Yuanzi had declared he would no longer target the Demon Race—the subtext being that he had set aside his hatred for Tai Yi and Di Jun.

Truly magnanimous!

"Great Immortal Zhen Yuan... I do feel remorse for past events. To receive such a guarantee from you, Tai Yi offers his thanks."