Aside from Zhen Yuanzi's Ginseng Fruit, only Yuanshi's Phoenix Thunder Immortal Apricot and the Five-Needle Pine, whose whereabouts were unknown, remained.
Jieyin's Bitter Bamboo had already been replaced by the Jade Bamboo of Creation. As long as they gathered the rest, Xuan Qing's wish would be fulfilled.
After passing through the Nine Heavens Gang Qi Layer, the two arrived at the Hou Gang Tribe. The confusion on Zhen Yuanzi's face deepened.
"Dao Venerable, why have you summoned me to the Human Race this time?"
"Hehe, you'll find out soon enough."
The two transformed into ordinary members of the Human Race and slowly passed through the crowd, arriving at a wooden hut beside a field. Next to the hut, a thin, scruffy youth held a branch and continuously scratched at the ground.
After a while, he looked toward the distant mountains and repeatedly gestured through the air with both hands. At times he laughed aloud; at times he fell into deep thought.
Clan members passing by kept their distance upon seeing him, muttering about bad luck under their breaths. Even the children playing in the fields watched him and giggled, seemingly treating him as a source of amusement.
Yet the youth paid no heed to the gazes of others. He was so immersed in his own world that he could not pull himself free, unaware even when he was hungry.
The food clan members brought him had been picked apart into a complete mess, with plenty of dirt mixed in. It looked as though he had only casually taken a few bites.
"Dao Venerable, this youth..."
A trace of urgency flashed across Zhen Yuanzi's face. He seemed to see the shadow of an old friend in the youth.
"No rush. I brought you here this time so that you could guide