Whoosh—
As Penglai Immortal Island was put away, Mo Wu, caught completely off guard, plunged into the sea with a splash.
"Cough, cough! Master, you could've given me a warning before putting it away..."
He had seawater shoved down his throat and, after spitting it out in a sorry state, called out to Xie Fang.
He had been following Xie Fang for quite some time and naturally understood his temperament. So he was no longer quite as afraid when speaking to him.
Seeing Mo Wu's bedraggled state, Xie Fang chuckled. "Don't worry. There are still two more."
He was referring to the renowned Mount Fangzhang Immortal Island and Yingzhou Immortal Island.
Mo Wu perked up and immediately said, "Congratulations on refining Penglai Immortal Island, Master! The other two islands are sure to end up in your hands as well. Let's get started right away!"
He had cultivated for ten thousand years in Penglai Immortal Island, a place overflowing with Spiritual Qi, and had successfully reached Late Golden Immortal!
Now he longed to visit the other two immortal islands, where he could cultivate faster and keep up with his master.
Xie Fang nodded. "Let's go. We'll head to the other two islands at once!"
The other two islands were not far from Penglai, and Xie Fang had already found their locations. After using a spatial-shifting technique to enter one, Mo Wu took a deep breath of the Spiritual Qi and cheered, "Master, I'm off to cultivate!"
Xie Fang nodded. After watching Mo Wu find a spot brimming with Spiritual Qi and begin cultivating, he set off to search for treasures.
After all, his true form, the Primordial Sky Measuring Ruler, had originated on Penglai Immortal Island. Back then, Xie Fang had searched the entire island for its treasures, finding thirty-six Sea-Calming Pearls, as well as the Pure World White Lotus and Three Lights Divine Water.
But his cultivation had been too low at the time, so he had never searched Mount Fangzhang Island or Yingzhou Island for treasures.
Besides, he didn't know where the Stone Steles on the two islands were, so he would have to search for them.
His cultivation was now far stronger than before. In just a few decades, he had thoroughly searched Mount Fangzhang Immortal Island, the first one he had entered.
As it happened, when Xie Fang reached the middle of Mount Fangzhang Immortal Island, he spotted a small tree in the distance.
It was no more than a zhang tall.
Nine fruits glimmering with spiritual light hung from its branches.
Two characters had somehow grown on each fruit:
Yellow Middle!
"Could this fruit tree on Mount Fangzhang Island be the Yellow Middle Plum?"
Xie Fang was startled, finding it hard to believe.
The Yellow Middle Plum was one of the Ten Great Spiritual Roots. Yet it was said to grow in Kunlun. Why was it here on Mount Fangzhang Island?
After a moment's thought, Xie Fang abandoned the idea of searching for an explanation.
Since it was growing on his territory, he certainly wasn't going to leave it alone!
He picked the nine ripe fruits from the tree, then searched the surrounding area.
Unfortunately, though Mount Fangzhang Island held plenty of rare treasures, this was the only Innate Item.
As it happened, the Stone Stele on Mount Fangzhang Island was right beside the Yellow Middle Plum tree.
"Finding even one Yellow Middle Plum tree makes the trip worthwhile. I can't ask for too much."
Xie Fang didn't immediately begin refining the island. Instead, he reached out and took out the Ren Water Flat Peach Tree he had uprooted from Kunlun back then.
The soil on Mount Fangzhang Immortal Island was extraordinary. Since it could grow an Innate Spiritual Root like the Yellow Middle Plum, it would surely suit the Ren Water Flat Peach Tree as well.
After planting the tree, Xie Fang picked the ripe Peaches, then released Zhen Yuanzi.
Zhen Yuanzi's true form was a Ginseng Fruit Tree. Back when Xie Fang had lured him into his service, he had promised to water the tree with Three Lights Divine Water.
Now that he was on his own territory, Xie Fang naturally intended to keep his promise.
However, the lake of Three Lights Divine Water was on Penglai Immortal Island. Xie Fang couldn't very well leave Zhen Yuanzi there, so this place, Mount Fangzhang Immortal Island, was ideal for a Spiritual Root to grow.
"Daoist Zhen Yuan, this is my cultivation abode. You may cultivate here."
As he spoke, Xie Fang raised his hand, and a stream poured forth, carrying Three Lights Divine Water.
He had summoned it from Penglai Immortal Island. There was enough to water the Ginseng Fruit Tree, the Ren Water Flat Peach Tree, and the Yellow Middle Plum.
"This place is..."
Zhen Yuanzi had been stuffed into a pocket dimension for tens of thousands of years. Now that he had suddenly been brought out, he was naturally disoriented.
But his true form, the Ginseng Fruit Tree, was one of the Ten Great Spiritual Roots, so he recognized other Spiritual Roots as well.
"Th-this is the Ren Water Flat Peach Tree!"
Zhen Yuanzi spotted the Flat Peach Tree laden with Peaches at once. The ripe Peaches had long since been picked by Xie Fang, though, leaving only unripe fruit behind.
After his first exclamation of surprise, he noticed the Yellow Middle Plum tree. "Could this fruit tree be... the Yellow Middle Plum?"
"Heh, as one of the Spiritual Roots yourself, Daoist Zhen Yuan, you really do recognize it at a glance."
Xie Fang couldn't help marveling. He had only recognized the Yellow Middle Plum tree because of the fruit on it. Yet even after he had picked the fruit, Zhen Yuanzi had identified the tree instantly.
It seemed the Innate Spiritual Roots really could sense one another.
He wondered whether Zhen Yuanzi might someday be able to sense where the other Spiritual Roots were.
"Senior, Senior, since this is your cultivation abode, surely the Yellow Middle Plum and Peaches have some ripe fruit? Could you spare me one? I'm willing to trade a Ginseng Fruit for it."
Zhen Yuanzi was overwhelmed with astonishment. After Xie Fang had stuffed him into the pocket dimension, he had begun cultivating on his own before long. He hadn't paid attention to how Xie Fang had dug up the Flat Peach Tree.
Now that he saw these two Innate Spiritual Roots, he understood that his great fortune and opportunity lay with Xie Fang!
The Peaches and Yellow Middle Plums were highly nourishing to him.
"It's not that I can't give you one."
Xie Fang considered this for a moment, then said, "But I went to great lengths to transplant them. Their effects are far better than those of your Ginseng Fruit."
"Besides, if I wanted your Ginseng Fruit, I could simply take it. This trade doesn't work, Daoist."
Hearing Xie Fang's words, Zhen Yuanzi gritted his teeth.
He knew Xie Fang had a point. The fact that Xie Fang hadn't taken his fruit was a sign of generosity; he couldn't take that for granted.
"How about this, Senior? I saw that you took that Little Qilin as your mount. I'd be willing to do the same and serve you as my master, just like him. I'll serve you for ten thousand years. How does that sound?"
Zhen Yuanzi thought hard before finally managing to get the offer out.
But Xie Fang only chuckled. "Ten thousand years will pass in the blink of an eye. What use would I have for you over that time? Besides, my cultivation is higher than yours, and I have more treasures. Mo Wu can serve as my mount and save me the effort of traveling. But if you call me master, how would that help me?"
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