Wuzhuang Temple Fruit Tasting

After arranging for everyone in the Dragon Palace to complete the disciple-acceptance ceremony, Jiang Yun led them out of the main hall.

Now that they were all fellow disciples, they could establish their own cave dwellings on the mountain. Jiang Yun instructed them to find suitable locations to build their homes.

Additionally, now that their disciple-acceptance ceremony was complete, the Dragon Race guards who escorted them would also be returning to the Dragon Palace. Jiang Yun informed the leader of the guards about the matter he had discussed with his two masters: the need for assistance from the Western Sea and Northern Sea Dragon Palaces to establish spiritual land nodes in the western and northern directions. He asked them to relay the message, and left behind jade slips with specific arrangements for them to review later. He was confident that the people of the Dragon Palace would be happy to help.

Five hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. One day, Jiang Yun, along with the Mysterious Turtle, set out for Longevity Mountain, accompanied by Jieyin and Zhunti.

At this time, the Mysterious Turtle had shrunk its body and was fast asleep on Jiang Yun's shoulder. Although it was no longer bound by its physical body, the Mysterious Turtle's soul had not shed its habit of sleeping. It usually stayed by Jiang Yun's side and disliked dealing with worldly matters, so it simply found a spot on Jiang Yun to sleep. It would only wake up to observe if it encountered something or someone that piqued its interest.

Sometimes, Jiang Yun would glance at the small turtle on his shoulder and feel like it was his personal elder, a constant companion. He just wished it had arrived earlier; if he had had this elder by his side sooner, he probably wouldn't have gone to Mount Sumeru.

However, looking back at his two masters ahead, he shook his head to himself, feeling a sense of release. After all, these two treated him quite well. Uniting all forces that could be united was the foundation for achieving great things.

Time flew by. The Mysterious Turtle felt like it had only slept for a short while before they arrived at Wuzhuang Temple.

"Immortal mansion of longevity, Daoist of eternal life." As soon as it woke up, the Mysterious Turtle saw a couplet on the mountain gate of Wuzhuang Temple.

Outside the temple gate, Qingfeng, who had grown a bit taller, was waiting. Seeing the arrivals, he excitedly rushed forward.

"Daoist Jieyin, Daoist Zhunti, Old Master sent me to greet you. The three Great Immortals from Kunlun Mountain have already arrived at the temple. Please come in quickly." Qingfeng explained the situation with a touch of exuberance, then gave Jiang Yun a knowing glance before stepping aside to invite them in and lead the way.

Leading Jieyin and Zhunti into the main hall, they could hear lively conversations from within even before reaching the entrance.

Upon arriving at the main hall door, those inside rose to greet the newcomers. Zhenyuanzi, as the host, quickly stepped forward to welcome them.

Seeing the elders gathered and greeting each other, Qingfeng and Mingyue, who were in the hall, noticed that no one was paying attention to the younger generation and darted over to Jiang Yun.

"Senior Brother Jiang Yun, you really came! Qingfeng and I have been looking forward to it for so long!" Mingyue exclaimed with a look of pleasant surprise.

"Huh... why do you have a little turtle on your shoulder? Is it your pet?" Mingyue asked curiously upon seeing the Mysterious Turtle.

"Ahem... Qingfeng, Mingyue, don't speak nonsense. This is the Mysterious Turtle Senior from the Northern Sea. Hurry and pay your respects to the Senior!" Mingyue's words left Jiang Yun somewhat speechless. He quickly explained to the two of them and then spoke a few words of apology to the Mysterious Turtle.

The Mysterious Turtle, however, didn't mind these trivial matters. It rather liked the childlike nature, straightforwardness, and cuteness.

The two stuck out their tongues, paid their respects to the Mysterious Turtle, and then pulled Jiang Yun over to chat animatedly.

Their cultivation had improved significantly. It seemed the Three Lights Divine Water he had given them had a considerable effect; they were now both at the late stage of Mystic Immortal!

After a while, Jieyin and the others finished their reunion and beckoned Jiang Yun over to pay his respects. Jiang Yun walked over with the Mysterious Turtle on his shoulder.

Jieyin first introduced the Mysterious Turtle on Jiang Yun's shoulder to everyone. The Mysterious Turtle resumed its normal size and paid its respects to the group. They chatted with it for a while, and eventually, they all addressed each other as fellow Daoists.

After hearing about the Mysterious Turtle's situation, everyone looked at Jiang Yun with astonishment, marveling at its Fortune. Jiang Yun seized the opportunity to quickly pay his respects to the elders.

Hongyun came over and put an arm around Jiang Yun's shoulder, acting like a close friend. He continuously praised Jiang Yun's deep blessings and wanted to borrow some of his good luck! His demeanor left Zhenyuanzi speechless.

Zhenyuanzi invited everyone to be seated. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he instructed Qingfeng and Mingyue to fetch the Golden Strikers from the backyard and bring eleven fruits, one for each person.

Shortly after, Qingfeng and Mingyue returned to the main hall, each carrying a plate. The Ginseng Fruits were wrapped in silk handkerchiefs and placed in front of everyone in the hall.

Finally, they each received one and held it in their hands.

Everyone picked up their fruits but didn't immediately eat them. Instead, they placed them in front of them and examined them carefully for a while.

Just by smelling the aroma of the Ginseng Fruits, everyone felt refreshed. Looking at the shape of the fruits, they truly resembled lifelike children, just of different sizes.

"This Ginseng Fruit Tree is indeed worthy of being one of the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots. The fruits it bears are so extraordinary. Old Brother Zhenyuanzi has good fortune!"

"Indeed, it's a great fortune! To enjoy this once every ten thousand years, you are truly blessed..."

"..."

Everyone's incessant praise brought a smile to Zhenyuanzi's face. He couldn't help but feel proud, stroking his beard with immense satisfaction.

"Everyone, stop just looking and try my Ginseng Fruits."

Zhenyuanzi urged them to taste the Ginseng Fruits, and everyone began to eat small bites. Hongyun, sitting next to Zhenyuanzi, swallowed his fruit in two or three bites, barely tasting its flavor.

Seeing this, Jiang Yun also picked up a Ginseng Fruit and took a bite.

The moment it entered his mouth, his taste buds seemed to embark on a magical journey.

The first taste brought a wave of coolness that spread through his mouth, like the first wisp of mist in a mountain forest at dawn, gently brushing against his tongue, bringing wisps of refreshing sensation. The Ginseng Fruit was full of juice; as soon as he bit through the thin, cicada-wing-like skin, the juice eagerly flowed out, coursing through his mouth.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered a unique, delicate sweetness. This sweetness wasn't cloying or intense, but rather a perfectly balanced, elegant sensation. It was like a rare flower blooming in a secluded mountain valley, its fragrance subtle yet lingering. The sweetness gently swirled around his taste buds, as if it contained the purest essence from the depths of the earth, or perhaps condensed the spiritual energy of the sun and moon. It actually caused his cultivation to improve significantly, and his mana felt refined and more condensed.

The flesh of the Ginseng Fruit was as fine as the highest quality mutton-fat jade cream, melting in the mouth. Each chew was like embracing a cloud, with no gritty texture to obstruct it, incredibly smooth and tender. Within the flavor, there was also a faint, fresh fruity aroma, like the scent of just-ripened melons and fruits under the morning dew, mixed with the simple and natural essence of wild fruits from the mountains.

After swallowing, the sweetness and coolness lingered in his throat for a long time, leaving behind a delicious memory that was endlessly satisfying. A faint, almost immortal herb-like aftertaste permeated his mouth, making him yearn to taste this magical fruit again.

Everyone had looks of enjoyment as they savored the aftertaste of the Ginseng Fruits. Hongyun, on the other hand, looked full of regret. Although he had eaten it many times before, seeing everyone else's delighted expressions and thinking about how he had wolfed down his own portion in a few bites without truly tasting it, he felt he had truly missed out!