Zhen Yuanzi was overjoyed and hurried forward to pluck an apple.
"May I ask, young master, what kind of Spirit Fruit is this?"
"This is an apple. It symbolizes peace!" Jiang Ping replied.
Zhen Yuanzi nodded to himself. This apple seemed quite good. He might as well try it.
He took a big bite.
Zhen Yuanzi was instantly overcome with shame.
The taste was sweet and tart, crisp and juicy!
In all his years of cultivation, he had never tasted such a delicious Spirit Fruit.
Hong Yun, Hong Yun, you really weren't lying to me.
It was all because of that exaggerated look on your face. It made me think you were deliberately disparaging my Ginseng Fruit.
Smacking his lips, he finished the apple in just a few bites.
A few breaths later, Zhen Yuanzi felt a stir in his spiritual awareness.
He sensed a subtle, inexplicable change within himself, though he couldn't quite make it out yet.
After carefully sensing it, he was filled with delighted surprise.
His karmic burden was gradually fading!
This great problem, which had troubled and worried him for so long, had somehow resolved itself today.
Because of his karmic burden, he had hesitated to completely sever his three corpses.
As his karmic burden grew heavier, countless tribulations would follow.
The path to the Great Dao would be fraught with danger.
He never expected that a dead end would turn into a path forward today.
Most of the tribulations awaiting him had also been resolved!
The Great Dao was within reach!
Zhen Yuanzi was so excited that a terrifying thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
His words could make things happen!
This was the means of an expert!
He had seen the heavy karmic burden on me from the start, and so, ever since we met this morning, he had been guiding me in secret.
That included the Ginseng Fruit I spat out, as well as Hong Yun's many strange reactions.
It had all been part of the expert's plan.
Otherwise, I would certainly have eaten that peach or that beautiful bunch of grapes, and I would have missed this apple.
I never believed the Primordial World could have a Spirit Fruit capable of dissolving karmic burdens.
The reason my karmic burden could be dispelled was entirely because of the expert's prophetic words that apples symbolized peace!
What kind of earth-shattering divine power was this? Just a few words, spoken casually, had actually changed the course of my cultivation!
The expert was truly unfathomable. This kind of divine power was almost on a par with the Heavenly Dao!
Terrifying! Truly terrifying!
I couldn't even begin to imagine such a realm.
Zhen Yuanzi was filled with emotion. The look he gave Jiang Ping grew even more reverent.
"How does it taste?" Jiang Ping asked with a smile.
Zhen Yuanzi replied earnestly, "It's delicious, just as I thought. Young master, I apologize for my earlier rashness. I was indeed narrow-minded and had no idea such delicious fruit existed in the Primordial World."
"Haha, you flatter me, Mister Da Yuan. Growing this kind of fruit only takes a few simple techniques."
Jiang Ping was feeling quite pleased. It seemed that the Guide to Scientific Fruit Tree Cultivation he'd received from the system had some merit after all.
Even people from the Primordial World praised the fruit I grew. It might not help with cultivation, but I could sell fruit in the future.
Zhen Yuanzi's heart trembled at those words. It seemed the expert's words concealed a deeper meaning.
Could he be planning to teach me how to cultivate Innate Spiritual Roots?
Zhen Yuanzi looked over the several fruit trees again, his heart growing hot with anticipation.
If the expert really could teach me how to cultivate Spiritual Roots, I'll give the Ginseng Fruit Tree proper care when I get back.
Then I could increase the yield and quality of the Ginseng Fruit. I'd be able to eat more of them to improve my cultivation, and trade the rest with other fellow cultivators for spirit treasures and elixirs.
With those resources, I could rapidly improve my cultivation and make my future path to the Great Dao smooth and unhindered!
"Young master, do you know these techniques?"
Jiang Ping chuckled and took a book from his robes: the Guide to Scientific Fruit Tree Cultivation.
"Go ahead and take a look. Just follow the instructions."
Zhen Yuanzi accepted it and quickly flipped through the first few pages.
The more he read, the more astonished he became.
The techniques recorded in this book were simply unheard of, and seemed unfathomably profound.
It looked like he would have to go back and study it carefully.
Deeply impressed, Zhen Yuanzi immediately thanked Jiang Ping. "Thank you, young master. This book is so precious. You're really giving it to me instead of keeping it for yourself?"
Jiang Ping waved a hand dismissively. "Take it. I don't need it anymore anyway."
Hong Yun immediately turned green with envy. This was too much. Once Zhen Yuanzi learned these techniques, wouldn't he become even more insufferably smug?
No, I have to get a share of the benefits.
He hurriedly sent a voice transmission: "Zhen Yuanzi, you have to make a copy of that book for me. I want to study it too when I get back."
Zhen Yuanzi replied disdainfully, "You don't even have a Ginseng Fruit Tree. Why would you study this? Stop butting in and go find somewhere else to be."
Hong Yun snorted. "I don't care. If you see something, you get a share. Otherwise, I'll tell everyone about this and see what you do then!"
Zhen Yuanzi gritted his teeth and rebuked him, "So this is your true nature, Hong Yun! You've finally shown your colors. You're a despicable, shameless scoundrel!"
Hong Yun sneered. "Aren't you afraid I'll expose you right in front of him and let the expert know you have a Ginseng Fruit Tree?"
Zhen Yuanzi was instantly furious. He forcibly held back his anger and said, "Fine. I'll make you a copy when we get back. Now, shut your foul mouth!"
Hong Yun was very pleased with himself. Hmph, Zhen Yuanzi, you really thought I couldn't handle you?
"You two, would you like to pick some more fruit?" Jiang Ping asked.
Although Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun really wanted to eat more, they didn't dare take another bite.
They were already at their limits. One more bite, and they might not be able to suppress the energy in their bodies. That would be a disaster.
Zhen Yuanzi thought to himself, I'd better leave today and come back alone another time. Hong Yun is far too unreliable. I'm worried he'll give us away and cause trouble.
Hong Yun thought to himself as well, Zhen Yuanzi is devious and cunning. With him here, I won't get any benefits. I'll leave for now and come back on my own when I get the chance. Then I can properly ingratiate myself with this expert.
Having made up their minds, the two bid Jiang Ping farewell.
"Young master, I'm sorry to have troubled you. I would have liked to stay a few more days, but as you can see, my brother Xiao Hong's condition is unstable. His mind is clear one moment and muddled the next. I still have to take him to seek out some enlightened experts and see if they can cure him." Zhen Yuanzi clasped his hands as he spoke.
Jiang Ping looked at Hong Yun sympathetically and said with a chuckle, "Xiao Hong, don't give up on your treatment. When you're better, come back and visit. It seems we're fated to meet."
Hong Yun was seething inside, but forced a dry laugh. "Of course, of course. Thank you for your kind words, young master. We'll be on our way."
"Good. Travel safely." Jiang Ping smiled and waved.
"Take care, young master." Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun smiled as they turned to leave.
Watching them walk away, Jiang Ping leisurely returned to his courtyard.
Not long after Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun left, Hong Yun suddenly felt a pang of regret.
What a pity. What a shame.
There were fruit pits everywhere in the orchard, and I forgot to pick them up.
Zhen Yuanzi mocked him. "You really have no dignity."
"Hmph. Farewell! I'm ashamed to associate with you!" Hong Yun snorted.
The two went their separate ways.
A short distance away, a dark shadow slowly appeared. Its two emerald-green eyes stared toward Jiang Ping's courtyard.
A few breaths later, the shadow gradually faded away and sped toward the Heavenly Court.
Before you continue