Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun's Kindness

Xuande said at last:

"Repairing the Western Earth Vein is a matter of great merit.

If it succeeds, every participant will receive boundless merit bestowed by the Heavenly Dao.

We dare not trouble the two Daoist friends for nothing.

Beyond this deserved merit, I, Jieyin, and Zhunti owe you both a great favor.

In the future, should you ever need anything, as long as it does not violate the Dao, we three will do our utmost to help."

With that, the three of them looked earnestly at Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, awaiting their reply.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

The leaves of the Ginseng Fruit Tree rustled softly, as if listening as well.

Zhenyuanzi pondered, his fingers tapping absently on the stone table.

As the keeper of the Earth Scroll, he understood the damage to the Western Earth Vein even better than Xuande and his companions.

It was like a person whose meridians were snapped and blocked in many places, wracked with agony.

By nature, he was kind-hearted and had long felt compassion for this plight.

But repairing the Earth Vein involved too much—no one could do it alone.

Moreover, it touched upon the fate and karma of the West. As an Eastern cultivator, he could not rashly intervene.

Hongyun was far more direct.

After listening, he raised an eyebrow, his face breaking into that hearty smile again, though this time it carried a touch more gravity:

"Ah, Xuande, Jieyin, Zhunti—you're being far too formal!"

He turned to Zhenyuanzi:

"Daoist brother, don't you agree?

Repairing the Western Earth Vein is a great deed that benefits the entire Primordial Wilderness and all living beings!

The beings of the West are also living creatures. If they suffer and we have the power to help, how can we stand by and do nothing?"

Zhenyuanzi looked up, first at Hongyun, then at Xuande and the other two, and slowly nodded, a gentle yet resolute smile spreading across his face:

"Hongyun speaks truly.

Xuande, you need not appeal with merit or favors.

Even without them, as long as it is a sincere effort to repair heaven and earth and benefit all life, I, Zhenyuanzi, will do my part."

His voice was steady and firm:

"I hold the Earth Scroll; tending to the veins of the land is my duty.

The damage to the Western Earth Vein is like a grievous wound on the body of the Primordial Wilderness. I have long wished to repair it, but the opportunity never came, nor did I have allies to join me.

Now that you have raised the matter with such sincerity, I, Zhenyuanzi, am willing to give my full strength."

Hongyun clapped his hands and laughed:

"Exactly! Though my skills are not as great as Zhenyuanzi's, I have some understanding of the transformations of earth, water, fire, and wind.

When it comes to repairing the Earth Vein and regulating the qi of the Four Directions, I'll certainly help!

As for merit—if we do what must be done, the Heavenly Dao will keep its own tally. Let us simply act with a clear conscience!"

His words were open and sincere, without a trace of pretense.

Xuande was moved. The sorrowful expression on Jieyin's face gave way to genuine gratitude, while Zhunti was overjoyed. He quickly rose and bowed:

"You two are truly compassionate, with hearts that embrace heaven and earth!

We three brothers, on behalf of the beings of the West, thank you for your noble righteousness!"

Xuande and Jieyin also rose and bowed solemnly.

Zhenyuanzi quickly waved his hand:

"Please, sit. There is no need for this. It is only right."

He paused in thought, then said, "Since this matter is settled, we must plan carefully.

Repairing the Western Earth Vein is no small task. First, we must investigate the exact scope and extent of the damage.

Find the key nodes and fractures, then draft a detailed repair plan, step by step. We cannot rush."

Hongyun dropped his playful demeanor and nodded:

"Zhenyuanzi is right. We need to see the actual situation first."

Xuande sat back down on his cushion, his heart greatly at ease.

Things had gone even more smoothly than he had hoped.

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun were indeed as benevolent as the legends said.

Moreover, one held the core technique, and the other possessed complementary expertise—they were the ideal partners.

"Both Daoist friends have thought this through thoroughly," Xuande said. "In your view, then, how should we proceed next?"

Zhenyuanzi pondered briefly, then said:

"There's no time to waste. Since all fellow Daoists are willing, let us make some preparations and head West together to conduct a thorough investigation first.

I can use the Earth Scroll to sense the flow of Earth Qi across the Western lands, marking the most damaged and critical areas.

Daoist friend Hongyun can accompany me to observe the disturbances in Earth Qi and the Four Symbols' energy."

Zhunti immediately said, "My two brothers and I are familiar with Western terrain and can serve as guides, as well as mobilize what remaining Earth Qi in the West to assist your investigation."

Jieyin added, "Along the way, wherever magical power or handling is needed, we can also contribute."

Xuande supplemented, "After the investigation, we will discuss specific repair plans and division of labor based on the actual situation.

The restoration process may require a long time and vast resources, so we must plan ahead."

The five of them, exchanging words back and forth, quickly arrived at a preliminary framework for action.

The atmosphere was lively and pragmatic; everyone was filled with anticipation and drive for this immensely meritorious undertaking.

They discussed further details and settled on departing together in three days to begin the investigation.

With matters resolved, the mood grew more relaxed. Zhenyuanzi had Qingfeng and Mingyue replenish the tea, and as they sipped, they chatted about the path of cultivation.

This conversation, now united by a shared goal, became deeper and more candid.

When Zhenyuanzi spoke of the Way of the Earth, his words naturally revealed a profound understanding of the mountains and rivers of the Primordial Wilderness.

It was not mere manipulation of magical power, but a harmony and guardianship akin to breathing.

When Hongyun discussed the changes of the Four Symbols, his speech brimmed with liveliness and creative delight.

In his view, every disturbance of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind was a puzzle to be solved, and restoring them to harmony was an art.

Jieyin and Zhunti also shared insights into the paths of Extinction and Wondrous Use, gleaned from the West's unique environment.

Xuande expounded on his own concepts of Pure Merit and Virtue Carries All.

Different Ways converged here; though their roots differed, they all pointed toward a certain care and responsibility for Heaven and Earth, for all beings, and for order.

This exchange, though not a formal discourse on the Dao, allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of each other's paths, laying a stronger foundation for their upcoming collaboration.

The sun gradually set in the west. Jieyin, Zhunti, and Xuande rose to take their leave.

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun personally saw them out through the mountain gate of Wuzhuang Temple.

"In three years, we shall meet here again and journey West together," Zhenyuanzi said with a cupped-fist salute.

"We are indebted to you both," Xuande and the others returned the gesture.

Leaving Longevity Mountain and riding clouds back toward Mount Sumeru, Zhunti could barely contain his excitement:

"I never expected it to go so smoothly!

With the help of Daoist friends Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, repairing the Earth Veins is truly within reach!"

Jieyin's face also bore a rare look of ease:

"This is a blessing for all beings in the West. Daoist brother Xuande's suggestion to seek out these two friends was truly a crucial step."

Xuande gazed ahead at the vast, desolate Western lands, his heart filled with hope.

Repairing the Earth Veins was not merely about accumulating merit or settling karmic debts—it was about doing something real for this land and its living beings.

With Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun joining them, this originally difficult plan had finally taken its first solid step.

He could almost see, in the near future, on this barren and scarred land, Spiritual Energy gathering once more, mountains and rivers reviving, and all things thriving and growing.