Wuzhuang Temple Refuge, Ginseng Fruit Banquet

Chapter 16: Wuzhuang Temple Refuge, Ginseng Fruit Banquet

Buzhou Mountain, the ancestral land of the Witch Clan.

When Lu Chen stepped into the ancient altar, surrounded by twelve towering pillars, using Zhurong Essence Blood as a token, twelve gazes, like primordial fierce beasts awakening, simultaneously locked onto him.

"A human? Yet carrying the aura of Brother Zhu Rong's essence blood?"

The speaker, seated on a central stone throne, had a human face and a tiger's body, with wings on his back. He was none other than the leader of the Twelve Ancestral Witches—Dijiang. His voice echoed in the altar, each word carrying spatial tremors.

Lu Chen, neither servile nor overbearing, cupped his hands in salutation: "This junior, Lu Chen, received blood from Ancestor Witch Zhurong in Pangu Hall and has come today to pay respects."

"Pangu Hall?" A giant on the left, engulfed in crimson flames, stood up. It was Zhurong. His bell-like eyes fixed on Lu Chen: "That drop of essence blood... you actually refined it?"

"By luck," Lu Chen activated the Zhurong Essence Blood within him. Crimson patterns immediately appeared beneath his skin, and a scorching aura spread out.

"Good!" Zhurong laughed heartily. "To withstand my essence blood and survive, you are qualified to enter the land of my Witch Clan!"

The other Ancestral Witches' expressions softened slightly. Gonggong let out a cold snort but said nothing further.

"You are not here merely for a visit, are you?" Dijiang's gaze was piercing.

Lu Chen took a deep breath: "This junior brings two gifts, one piece of news, and one opportunity."

"Speak."

"The news is: The Demon Clan's Eastern Emperor Taiyi has obtained the Chaos Bell and is joining forces with Di Jun to recruit all demons in the Primordial Era, intending to establish a Heavenly Court. One of their targets is the Witch Clan—this ancestral land of Buzhou Mountain, formed from Father God Pangu's spine."

The atmosphere in the altar instantly plummeted to freezing point.

"The Demon Clan? Those scaly, horned, wet-born, and egg-born creatures dare to covet Father God's ancestral land?" Jumang (Ancestor Witch of Wood) spoke with icy tones.

"They have the Great Formation of the Stars," Lu Chen added. "Though not complete, it has already taken initial shape. If this formation is perfected, it can borrow the power of the stars and be infinitely powerful."

He revealed some of the formation diagram information he had obtained from Kunpeng, only what he could disclose.

The Ancestral Witches' faces grew solemn. They did not cultivate primordial spirits but focused on refining their physical bodies. While not proficient in formations, they were aware of the Great Formation of the Stars' formidable reputation.

"And the opportunity?" Houtu (Ancestor Witch of Earth, who would later embody reincarnation) asked gently.

Lu Chen took out half a strand of Primordial Violet Qi—of course, it was disguised, only revealing a trace of the aura of Pangu's Law of Strength.

"Hummm—"

The moment the violet qi appeared, all twelve Ancestral Witches stood up! The Pangu bloodline within the altar surged. From this violet qi, they sensed the purest power source belonging to Father God!

"This is... Father God's residual power?!" Dijiang's voice held a rare trace of excitement.

"Indeed," Lu Chen nodded. "This item was obtained by chance and contains the true essence of the Law of Strength. The Witch Clan was formed from Pangu's essence blood. If you can comprehend this item, it may awaken more of Father God's inheritance deep within your bloodline."

This was the truth. The Witch Clan did not cultivate primordial spirits and could not refine violet qi to become saints like cultivators. However, the essence of the Law of Strength within this half strand of violet qi could greatly enhance their physical bodies and bloodline divine abilities!

Zhurong was the first to reach out: "Let me see!"

The violet qi flew before him. Zhurong concentrated and sensed it for a moment. The flames all over his body suddenly surged three feet, and his aura visibly strengthened by a sliver!

"It's effective!" The Ancestral Witches rejoiced.

Lu Chen seized the moment: "This junior is willing to exchange this item for a promise from the Witch Clan."

"What promise?"

"In the future Calamity, if this junior is pursued by the Demon Clan or the Western Sect, the Witch Clan needs to protect me three times." Lu Chen held out three fingers. "That is all."

This request was too light for the Witch Clan.

Dijiang agreed almost without hesitation: "Agreed! This item holds great significance for the Witch Clan. Let alone three times, thirty times would also be acceptable! From this day forward, you are a distinguished guest of my Witch Clan. With this token, you may freely enter and exit any Witch Clan tribe on Buzhou Mountain!"

He tossed a bone token, inscribed with the Twelve Ancestral Witches Totem.

"Thank you, Ancestor Witch Dijiang," Lu Chen accepted, knowing that this relationship had been preliminarily established.

He had intended to mention the matter of his exposure after stealing treasures from the Treasure Distribution Cliff and ask the Witch Clan for help in covering it up. But on second thought, the matter was too complex, and it would be unwise to drag the Witch Clan completely into it too early.

"This junior has one more matter," Lu Chen said. "Jieyin, Zhunti, Kunpeng, Minghe, and Taiyi are currently in a chaotic battle in the west. Regardless of the outcome, the pattern of the Primordial Era will change drastically. The Witch Clan should prepare early."

Dijiang nodded: "We are already aware of this matter. You may go now. If you encounter any difficulties, you can come to Buzhou Mountain at any time."

Lu Chen bowed and took his leave.

After leaving the ancestral land of the Witch Clan, he did not return directly to Wuzhuang Temple but detoured to the vicinity of the East Sea Dragon Palace—he needed to scout the Demon Clan's movements first.

As soon as he neared the East Sea, he sensed a monstrous demonic aura!

Above the East Sea, banners fluttered, and an army of millions of demons was assembling. High in the sky, Di Jun and Taiyi stood side by side. The former, with the phantom image of the River Diagram and Luo Book above his head, deduced heavenly secrets, while the latter held the Chaos Bell. Wherever the bell's chime reached, ten thousand demons submitted.

What shocked Lu Chen even more was the presence of Kunpeng within the army! Although he appeared to be injured, he had clearly reached some form of cooperation with the Demon Clan.

"That Kunpeng fellow has indeed defected to the Demon Clan..." Lu Chen hid in the clouds, concealing his aura.

At this moment, he overheard the conversation between two demon generals below:

"Did you hear? Demon Master Kunpeng presented part of the formation diagram for the Great Formation of the Stars. His Majesty was overjoyed and appointed him the Master of Ten Thousand Demons!"

"More than that! The Demon Master also identified a human named 'Lu Chen,' claiming he stole more than half the treasures from the Treasure Distribution Cliff! His Majesty has already issued an order for Lu Chen's arrest throughout the Primordial Era, dead or alive!"

"Tsk tsk, he's truly bold, daring to steal even the Dao Ancestor's treasures..."

Lu Chen's heart sank.

Kunpeng had indeed thrown all the mud he could at him. And that guy was ruthless, even exaggerating by saying "most of the treasures from the Treasure Distribution Cliff" to gain Di Jun's trust—when in reality, Lu Chen had only taken about thirty percent.

"I need to get back to Wuzhuang Temple quickly."

He quietly retreated and flew towards Longevity Mountain at full speed.

Three days later, Wuzhuang Temple.

The moment Lu Chen landed, Qingfeng and Mingyue rushed him into the inner courtyard.

"Senior Brother Lu Chen, you're back! Master and Uncle-Master Hongyun were worried sick!"

In the courtyard, Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun were discussing matters under the Ginseng Fruit Tree. Seeing Lu Chen return, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's good that you're alright, little friend," Zhen Yuanzi said. "The demon race's wanted order has spread throughout the Primordial Era. You're a target now."

Hongyun handed him a Jade Slip. "I got this from a fellow Daoist. Take a look."

Lu Chen scanned it with his divine sense. The Jade Slip contained an image from the demon race's wanted notice—it was his face, with the caption below: "[Human, Lu Chen, stole great treasures from the Dao Ancestor's Treasure Distribution Cliff and killed demon generals of the demon race. His crimes are heinous. Those who provide clues will be rewarded with a Houtian Spiritual Treasure; those who capture or kill him will be rewarded with an Innate Spiritual Treasure!]"

"Killed demon generals?" Lu Chen frowned. "When did I kill any demon generals?"

"Kunpeng made it up," Zhen Yuanzi sneered. "He needed to fabricate enough serious charges against you to make Di Jun and Taiyi pursue you with all their might. Killing demon generals and stealing the Dao Ancestor's treasures—these two charges are enough to get you killed ten thousand times over."

Lu Chen was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "Fine. The more lice you have, the less you itch; the more debts you have, the less you worry."

Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi were surprised that he could still laugh.

"Little friend, do you have a plan?"

"I do, but it will take time," Lu Chen said. "The priority now is to lie low. The demon race is at the height of their power, and they have the wanted order. If I show myself outside, I'll be besieged."

"You can stay at Wuzhuang Temple," Zhen Yuanzi said seriously. "My Longevity Mountain is protected by the Innate Earth Element Great Array and suppressed by the Earth Book. Unless a Saint personally arrives, no one can break in."

"Thank you, Senior," Lu Chen said gratefully, but he also reminded him, "However, Jieyin and Zhunti know I'm here. If they try to cause trouble behind the scenes..."

"They wouldn't dare," Zhen Yuanzi said proudly. "Wuzhuang Temple is not a place where they can run wild."

Hongyun added, "I'm here as well, and it's a good time to consolidate my cultivation. The three of us working together could even hold our own against Taiyi himself."

Lu Chen felt a little more at ease.

In the following days, he stayed at Wuzhuang Temple.

During the day, he discussed the Dao with Zhen Yuanzi and studied the profound mysteries of the Earth Immortal method; at night, he sparred with Hongyun to test the power of his divine abilities. In his spare time, he helped Qingfeng and Mingyue tend to the medicinal garden or meditated under the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

The Ginseng Fruit Tree lived up to its reputation as an Innate Spiritual Root; cultivating beneath it was twice as effective with half the effort. With the half-portion of Primordial Violet Qi he possessed, Lu Chen's cultivation steadily improved, and his understanding of the Law of Strength deepened.

A month later, Zhen Yuanzi suddenly proposed, "Today is the day the Ginseng Fruit ripens after nine thousand years. Three fruits have matured. Let the three of us each eat one, and consider it a celebration of your escape from danger, little friend."

Ginseng Fruit!

Lu Chen's eyes lit up. Just smelling this fruit could extend one's life by three hundred and sixty years, and eating one could prolong it by forty-seven thousand years, as well as enhance cultivation and consolidate one's foundation.

"Then I won't be polite."

Qingfeng and Mingyue used their Golden Striking Rods to knock down three fruits. They resembled infants and exuded a fragrant aroma.

The three of them each took one.

Lu Chen took a bite. The flesh melted in his mouth, transforming into a surge of magnificent spiritual energy that flowed through his limbs and bones. His cultivation, already at the peak of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, instantly loosened, and he began to advance towards the threshold of Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

"What a wonderful fruit!" he exclaimed.

As they were eating, a loud phoenix cry suddenly echoed from outside the temple.

Immediately after, a fiery light landed in the courtyard, transforming into a young woman in red—it was the Azure Bird envoy under the Queen Mother of the West.

"Greetings, Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, Ancestor Hongyun." The Azure Bird bowed, then looked at Lu Chen. "Are you Daoist Lu Chen? My Mistress requests your presence."

"Senior Queen Mother of the West is looking for me?" Lu Chen asked in surprise.

"Indeed." The Azure Bird took out a replica of the Kunlun Mirror, and the image of the Queen Mother of the West appeared on its surface. "Little friend Lu Chen, I know you are in a perilous situation. If you are willing to seek refuge on Kunlun Mountain, I can guarantee your safety. There is also an opportunity that might be beneficial to you."

The Queen Mother of the West in the mirror looked solemn.

Lu Chen looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun.

Zhen Yuanzi pondered, "Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West oversees the female Immortals, and Kunlun Mountain is a place where Innate Spiritual Veins converge. It is indeed safe. Moreover, she has always stayed out of the conflicts in the Primordial Era, and the demon race would not dare to offend her lightly."

Hongyun also said, "You can go, little friend. With Zhen Yuanzi and me here, we will have ways to deal with the demon race if they come."

Lu Chen thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright, I'll go with you."

He also wanted to see what the "opportunity" the Queen Mother of the West had mentioned was.

After bidding farewell to the two, Lu Chen flew with the Azure Bird towards Kunlun Mountain.