After leaving Kunlun Mountain, Xuan Wazi was in an excellent mood. He had made an initial impression on the Three Pure Ones, especially leaving a favorable one on Tongtian. This planted a small seed for his future plans concerning Zixiao Palace and even the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.
"Next stop, Longevity Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple!" Xuan Wazi identified the direction, merged into the void, and headed for the abode of Zhen Yuanzi, known as "Equal to the World." He was immensely curious about the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, who possessed the Innate Spiritual Root Ginseng Fruit Tree, as well as his famously nice-guy friend, Ancestor Hong Yun. Of course, he coveted the Ginseng Fruits even more.
Though Longevity Mountain was not as majestic and imposing as Kunlun Mountain, it possessed its own immortal aura. The peaks were strange and elegant, its forests and springs secluded and beautiful, its spiritual energy abundant yet gentle, giving one a sense of peace and harmony. At the mountain's summit stood an ancient Daoist temple amid a sea of clouds, its plaque bearing the three Dao-filled characters: Wuzhuang Temple.
Xuan Wazi maintained his old Daoist guise as "Xuan Yunzi" and descended before the temple. Before he could knock, the vermilion gates creaked open on their own. A handsome young Daoist boy emerged and bowed to him. "Are you Senior Xuan Yunzi? My master and Martial Uncle Hong Yun have been awaiting you inside for quite some time."
Xuan Wazi's heart stirred. Zhen Yuanzi truly had some skill to have divined his visit. It seemed this Ancestor of Earth Immortals had not earned his reputation for nothing.
"Sorry for the trouble. Please lead the way," Xuan Wazi said with a smile and a nod, following the boy into the temple.
Wuzhuang Temple was elegantly arranged, lacking excessive luxurious decoration, yet every corner radiated a natural Dao aura. Passing through the front courtyard and reaching the rear garden, he saw a towering ancient tree, lush and verdant. Amid its branches hung fruits shaped like infants, white with a rosy tint, releasing an enticing fragrance and immense life essence. It was the Innate Spiritual Root—the Ginseng Fruit Tree!
A stone table stood beneath the tree, where several Daoists were drinking tea and discussing the Dao. At the seat of honor sat an ancient-faced Daoist wearing a Purple Gold Crown and a robe embroidered with mountains, rivers, and geography. His aura was deep and solid, faintly connected to the earth beneath his feet. He was Zhen Yuanzi, whose cultivation had astonishingly reached Late-stage Grand Unity. Beside him sat a red-robed Daoist with a kindly face and an ever-present smiling expression. He was the famous good-natured Ancestor Hong Yun, at the Early-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.
What surprised Xuan Wazi somewhat was that Sect Master Tongtian was also present! It appeared that after parting ways at Kunlun Mountain, he had come directly to Wuzhuang Temple.
"Fellow Daoist Xuan Yun, Fellow Daoist Tongtian and I were just speaking of you. I never expected you to arrive so soon. It truly is fate," Zhen Yuanzi said as he rose to welcome him with a gentle smile. Hong Yun also smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.
Tongtian's eyes lit up at the sight of Xuan Wazi. Laughing, he said, "Fellow Daoist Xuan Yun, you came at just the right time! I was just telling Brother Daoist Zhen Yuanzi about your theory that 'even stubborn stones can be enlightened.' I found it most interesting!"
Xuan Wazi chuckled inwardly, though his expression remained serene. He performed a Daoist salute. "I am Xuan Yunzi. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, and Fellow Daoist Tongtian. I apologize for this unannounced visit and for disturbing your peaceful cultivation."
"You are too courteous, Fellow Daoist. Please, take a seat." Zhen Yuanzi led Xuan Wazi to a seat, and a young Daoist boy promptly served fragrant tea. The tea was clear and suffused with spiritual energy. It had been prepared from the leaves of the Ginseng Fruit Tree. Though it could not compare with the divine effects of the Ginseng Fruit itself, it was still a rare treasure for comprehending the Dao.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they returned to discussing the Dao. Zhen Yuanzi primarily expounded upon the Way of the Earth Immortal: bearing all things with great virtue and being equal to the world. Hong Yun spoke of The Carefree Way of Clouds, gathering and dispersing without constancy, moving as one wished. Tongtian, as always, spoke of his sharp Way of the Sword, seizing a thread of life from heaven.
Xuan Wazi listened, nodding from time to time and occasionally offering insights from the perspective of "stubbornness." When discussing how the Way of the Earth Immortal protected the earth veins, he said, "Protection is naturally important, but heaven and earth also undergo renewal. Occasionally guiding the earth veins to shift in a 'mischievous' manner may create new lands of spiritual beauty." When discussing The Carefree Way of Clouds, he added, "Gathering and dispersing may follow one's heart, but if one acts solely on impulse, would that not mean losing one's direction? Sometimes, a little 'stubborn' force is needed to give it a push. Perhaps then one might witness sights never seen before."
To Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun, his remarks were novel and even somewhat unorthodox. Yet upon deeper reflection, they seemed to accord with a certain natural principle and were not entirely without reason. Hong Yun in particular felt that Xuan Wazi's words about "giving it a push" suited his own occasional desire to make changes.
Tongtian, meanwhile, found it thoroughly exhilarating. He felt that Xuan Wazi's words captured the essence of his own way of taking the Dao from heaven and refusing to be bound by convention.
The atmosphere of the discussion was harmonious. Seeing that Xuan Wazi spoke remarkably and possessed an unusual Dao realm, Zhen Yuanzi also developed some desire to befriend him. Stroking his beard, he smiled. "Today's discussion with Fellow Daoist Xuan Yun has benefited me greatly. As it happens, my Ginseng Fruits have recently ripened. I shall pick a few for us fellow Daoists to share and add to the occasion."
As he spoke, he instructed a young Daoist boy to use a golden striker to knock down four Ginseng Fruits, which were brought over on a jade plate. The fruits looked lifelike, like curled-up infants. Their exotic fragrance filled the air, and merely smelling them made one feel refreshed and one's mana stir.
"So this is the Ginseng Fruit?" Xuan Wazi looked at the enticing fruits on the jade plate. Excitement surged in his heart, though he tried hard to preserve the composure of an exalted master. "I heard that this fruit blossoms once every three thousand years, bears fruit after another three thousand years, and requires yet another three thousand years to ripen. It takes nearly ten thousand years before it can be eaten. If a person is fortunate enough to smell one, they can live another three hundred and sixty years. Eating one grants forty-seven thousand years of life. Seeing them today, their reputation is indeed well deserved."
"You flatter them, Fellow Daoist. They are merely some wild fruits from the mountains," Zhen Yuanzi said modestly, though a trace of pride flashed through his eyes. After all, there were only a few such Innate Spiritual Roots in the entire Primordial World.
The four each took a Ginseng Fruit. Imitating the others, Xuan Wazi carefully picked one up and gently bit through its skin. An indescribably sweet and crisp juice immediately flowed down his throat, transforming into vast yet gentle life essence and Innate Wood Spirit Qi that instantly spread through his limbs and bones!
He felt his mana rapidly growing. The subtle hidden injuries left behind when he condensed Lung Metal and Spleen Earth were completely healed. His Spirit Soul felt as though it had been cleansed, becoming lucid and clear, and even his comprehension of the laws of heaven and earth seemed to sharpen! The bottleneck that had held him at the Great Perfection of Grand Unity Golden Immortal actually showed signs of loosening!
What a treasure! It truly is a treasure! Xuan Wazi praised inwardly. Its effects were countless times greater than those spiritual materials he had painstakingly gathered himself! No wonder Tang Monk's flesh... ahem, no wonder Ginseng Fruits were so sought after in later generations.
After consuming a Ginseng Fruit, all four closed their eyes to digest its effects for a while. When they opened them again, they were all glowing with vitality, clearly having gained much.
Ancestor Hong Yun was the most straightforward by nature. Rubbing his stomach, he laughed. "Haha, splendid! Fellow Daoist Xuan Yun, you are interesting, and so are your words. Why not stay at Wuzhuang Temple for a few more days? We can discuss the Dao every day. Would that not be wonderful?"
Tongtian also looked toward Xuan Wazi, clearly sharing the same thought.
But Xuan Wazi's thoughts raced. He had eaten the Ginseng Fruit and discussed the Dao. If he stayed any longer, it would not be good if Zhen Yuanzi, this veteran Grand Unity Golden Immortal, noticed more flaws. Besides, he still had "serious business" to attend to—continuing his travels through the Primordial World and preparing for the coming Dao-Devil War and the Dao lectures at Zixiao Palace.
He rose and solemnly bowed to Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun. "Thank you both for your generous hospitality. Through this discussion of the Dao and tasting of the fruit, I have benefited greatly and am deeply grateful. However, I have grown accustomed to drifting freely like an idle cloud or wild crane. There are still some doubts in my heart that remain unresolved, so I must continue traveling the Primordial World in search of answers. I cannot stay long. I hope you will forgive me."
Seeing that he had made up his mind to leave, Zhen Yuanzi did not force him to stay. He nodded. "Since Fellow Daoist has matters weighing on his heart, I cannot insist. Should you have time in the future, you may come to Wuzhuang Temple whenever you wish. I will certainly sweep the couch and welcome you."
Hong Yun looked somewhat regretful. "Ah, you are leaving already, Fellow Daoist? Very well, very well. The roads of the Primordial World are long. Take care."
Tongtian was more carefree. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Yun, I expect we shall meet again at the Kunlun Daoist grounds someday! When that time comes, we shall properly discuss the Dao again!"
Xuan Wazi's heart stirred, but he gave nothing away. Smiling, he said, "If fate permits, we shall certainly meet again. Fellow Daoists, until we meet again!"
After bidding farewell to Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, and Tongtian, Xuan Wazi once more rode his escape light and departed Longevity Mountain. This journey had not only allowed him to taste the legendary Ginseng Fruit and solidify his foundation, but also to further befriend Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun. In particular, he had grown considerably closer to Sect Master Tongtian. His gains had been abundant indeed.
[Ding! The host successfully pulled a prank at Wuzhuang Temple (using unusual remarks to make Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun contemplate life), and tasted an Innate Spiritual Root Ginseng Fruit, consolidating his foundation. Reward: Divine ability "Sleeve Universe" (simplified version), one strand of Innate Wood Spirit Qi.]
"Sleeve Universe? Haha, a simplified version of Zhen Yuanzi's signature ability? Not bad, not bad!" Xuan Wazi was even more satisfied. "System Bro, where are we going to cause trouble next... ahem, travel?"
Standing atop the clouds, he looked down upon the vast Primordial World. His gaze turned toward the Solar Star and Lunar Star, and a familiar mischievous smile curled onto his lips.
"I heard Di Jun and Taiyi are consolidating the Demon Clan and nursing great ambitions? And there are those two celestial maidens on the Lunar Star... Hehe, I shall go give them some 'warmth' and 'surprises'!"
With a flicker, he transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the stars above the nine heavens.
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