Xuande concluded:
"Repairing the West Earth Vein is a great deed that will earn immense merit.
If we succeed, everyone who takes part will receive boundless merit bestowed by the Heavenly Dao.
We would never ask you two fellow Daoists to labor for nothing.
Beyond the merit you deserve, the three of us—Jieyin, Zhunti, and I—will owe you a great favor.
If you ever need anything from us, as long as it does not go against what is right, the three of us will do our utmost to help."
After speaking, the three looked at Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun with earnest expressions, waiting for their answer.
The courtyard fell quiet for a moment.
The leaves of the Ginseng Fruit Tree rustled softly, as though they, too, were listening.
Zhenyuanzi pondered, unconsciously tapping his fingers lightly on the stone table.
As the one who wielded the Earth Scroll, he understood the damage to the West Earth Vein even better than Xuande and the others did.
It was like a person with meridians severed and blocked in many places, suffering unbearable pain.
He was kind by nature and had long felt compassion for them.
But repairing the Earth Veins involved too much to be accomplished by one person alone.
It also entangled the West's fortune and karmic consequences, so as a cultivator from the East, he could not casually interfere.
Hong Yun was more straightforward.
After hearing them out, he raised his brows and broke into that hearty smile of his, though this time it held a little more solemnity.
"Oh, Fellow Daoist Xuande, Fellow Daoist Jieyin, Fellow Daoist Zhunti, you're being far too polite!"
He turned to Zhenyuanzi.
"Brother, don't you agree?
Repairing the West Earth Vein will benefit the whole Primordial Wilderness and bring blessings to all living beings!
The West's people are living beings, too. They're suffering, and we have the ability to help. How could we just stand by?"
Zhenyuanzi lifted his head and looked at Hong Yun, then at Xuande and the others. He nodded slowly, a gentle yet resolute smile appearing on his face.
"Fellow Daoist Hong Yun is right.
Fellow Daoist Xuande, you needn't invite us with promises of merit or favors.
Even without those, if something is sincerely done to repair the world and benefit living beings, I, Zhenyuanzi, should do my part."
His voice was steady and strong.
"I wield the Earth Scroll. Surveying the Earth's Veins is my duty.
The damage to the West Earth Vein is like a grievous wound upon the Primordial Wilderness. I have long wanted to repair it, but until now, the right opportunity had not come, and I lacked fellow Daoists to join forces with.
Since you have raised the matter today, and your intentions are sincere, I, Zhenyuanzi, am willing to give it my all."
Hong Yun clapped his hands and laughed.
"Exactly! I, Hong Yun, may not be as capable as Brother Zhenyuanzi, but I do know a thing or two about the changes in the Four Symbols of earth, water, fire, and wind.
I'll certainly help repair the Earth Veins and regulate the energies in all directions!
As for merit, the Heavenly Dao will naturally take note when we do what needs to be done. All we need is a clear conscience!"
His words were open and sincere, without a hint of pretense.
Xuande was deeply moved. Genuine gratitude showed through Jieyin's sorrowful expression, while Zhunti was overjoyed and promptly rose to bow.
"You two fellow Daoists truly have compassionate hearts and care for the world!
On behalf of the people of the West, the three of us brothers thank you for your noble kindness!"
Xuande and Jieyin also rose and bowed solemnly.
Zhenyuanzi hurriedly waved his hands.
"Please, fellow Daoists, sit down. There's no need for that. This is only right."
He pondered for a moment, then said, "Now that we've agreed on this, we must plan carefully.
Repairing the West Earth Vein is no small matter. We must first investigate the precise scope and extent of the damage.
We'll locate the crucial nodes and breaks, then devise detailed steps to repair them gradually. We mustn't rush."
Hong Yun also put aside his joking manner and nodded.
"Brother Zhenyuanzi is right. We should go see the situation for ourselves first."
Xuande returned to his cushion, feeling greatly reassured.
Things had gone even more smoothly than he had expected.
Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun were indeed as benevolent as the stories said.
Moreover, one possessed the core expertise, while the other had complementary skills. They were the ideal partners.
"You two fellow Daoists have thought this through carefully," Xuande said. "What do you think we should do next?"
Zhenyuanzi considered it briefly before answering.
"There's no time to lose. Since we're all willing, we should make a few preparations and then head to the West together to conduct a thorough investigation.
I can use the Earth Scroll to sense the flow of the West's Earth Qi and mark the most severely damaged and crucial areas.
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun can accompany me and observe the disturbances in the Earth Qi and the energies of the Four Symbols."
Zhunti immediately said, "My elder brother and I are familiar with the terrain of the West. We can guide you and mobilize the remaining Earth Qi there to assist with your investigation."
Jieyin added, "If you need magical power along the way, or anything needs to be dealt with, we can help as well."
Xuande added, "After the investigation, we can discuss a specific repair plan and divide up the work according to what we find.
The repairs may take a long time and require vast resources, so we should make preparations in advance."
The five of them soon worked out an initial plan, each contributing their thoughts.
The atmosphere was lively and practical. Everyone was eager and determined to undertake this meritorious task.
After discussing a few more details, they agreed to set out together in three days and begin their investigation.
With the matter settled, the mood grew more relaxed. Zhenyuanzi had Qingfeng and Mingyue bring more tea, and everyone sipped it while discussing the Dao.
This time, with a shared goal between them, their conversation was more in-depth and candid.
When Zhenyuanzi spoke of the Earth Dao, his words naturally revealed his profound understanding of the mountains and rivers of the Primordial Wilderness.
It was not merely the manipulation of magical power, but a harmony and guardianship as natural as breathing.
Hong Yun's talk of the changes in the Four Symbols, by contrast, was full of liveliness and creative flair.
To him, every disturbance in earth, water, fire, and wind was a problem waiting to be solved, and restoring their harmony was an art.
Jieyin and Zhunti also shared what they had learned about the Way of Mystical Applications and annihilation in the West's unusual environment.
Xuande, in turn, explained his own ideals of Purity, merit, and Virtue Carries All.
Their different paths converged here. Though their origins differed, they all pointed toward a concern for the world, all living beings, and the order that governed them, as well as a sense of responsibility.
This was not a formal discussion of the Dao.
Yet it gave them a deeper understanding of one another's paths and laid a stronger foundation for their cooperation.
As the sun sank toward the west, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Xuande rose to take their leave.
Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun personally saw them out to the gate of Wuzhuang Temple.
"We'll meet here in three years and travel west together," Zhenyuanzi said with cupped hands.
"We're grateful for your help," Xuande and the others replied, returning the salute.
As they left Longevity Mountain and rode the clouds back toward Mount Sumeru, Zhunti could hardly contain his excitement.
"I never expected things to go so smoothly!
With Fellow Daoists Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun helping us, there's a real chance we can repair the Earth Veins!"
Jieyin's face, too, held a rare expression of ease.
"This is a blessing for the people of the West. Fellow Daoist Xuande's suggestion that we seek out those two fellow Daoists was a crucial step."
Xuande gazed at the vast expanse of the West ahead, his heart filled with hope.
Repairing the Earth Veins would not only build merit and resolve karmic consequences; it would also mean doing something real for this land and its people.
With Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun joining them, this plan, which had once seemed beset with obstacles, had finally taken its first solid step.
He could almost see the scene that would unfold before long.
On this barren, ravaged land, Spiritual Energy would gather once more, the mountains and rivers would regain their vitality, and all things would grow and flourish.