Haotian Writes a Couplet

Haotian's face turned thoughtful at those words.

He remembered that the Ginseng Fruit Tree was an Innate Spirit Root that had existed before World Creation.

Yet now, it was rooted on Longevity Mountain.

By that reasoning, Zhenyuanzi must possess a method for transplanting Innate Spirit Roots.

Haotian secretly mused that perhaps on this journey, he could learn this method from Zhenyuanzi.

Unaware of Haotian's thoughts, Zhenyuanzi warmly invited him, "We have arrived at the mountain gate. Daoist, please enter the temple for a chat."

The three immediately descended from the clouds, landing directly atop the Main Peak of Longevity Mountain before an ancient yet majestic Daoist temple.

The temple was not luxurious, yet it possessed a weighty Dao aura that seemed seamlessly fused with the mountains and earth veins.

Above the gate, the three characters "Wuzhuang Temple" were written in Innate Divine Script, the strokes vigorous and powerful, their Dao intent held within.

Yet unlike what Haotian knew, the two sides of the gate plaque were completely bare at this moment, without the customary couplets engraved upon them.

A puzzled look appeared on his face as he asked, "Dao Brothers, this gate plaque possesses a magnificent bearing. Why are there no couplets on either side to complement it?"

Hongyun explained with a smile, "To be honest, Daoist, we did draft several couplets before, but none of their meanings were quite right, so my Elder Brother rejected them."

"I see." Haotian nodded in realization.

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi's heart stirred. He cupped his hands toward Haotian and said, "Daoist, you are a disciple of a Saint, your Dao aura pure and upright, your learning broad, and your insight exceptional."

"I wonder... could you bestow a couplet to fill this void and add splendor to this temple?"

Haotian hurriedly waved his hands in modest refusal. "Fellow Daoist overpraises me."

"This Daoist's cultivation is shallow. How would I dare speak of 'bestowing' anything?"

"I fear I would merely make a laughingstock of myself."

At the side, Hongyun promptly added, "Daoist, you are too modest."

"Since my Elder Brother has such an intention, Daoist, why not offer a line or two?"

"Even if it does not work out, no harm will be done. We can simply treat it as a bit of idle amusement."

Seeing that he could not decline any further, Haotian pondered briefly. His gaze swept across the immortal mountain and Daoist temple before him as he slowly spoke. "Since that is the case, this Daoist shall boldly make up a couplet."

"The Ginseng Fruit Tree under Fellow Daoist's care is a Top-grade Innate Spirit Root, one of the Top Ten Spiritual Roots of the Primordial World. A single fruit can grant eternal life to mortal Living Beings."

"Fellow Daoist himself is an enlightened true cultivator who attained the Dao before World Creation. Now that you have attained the Da Luo Dao Fruit, you may share Heaven and Earth's longevity."

"For this couplet, how about: 'Immortal Mansion of Eternal Life, Daoist of Longevity Equal to Heaven.'"

"I wonder... would that suffice?"

The moment these words fell, astonishing brilliance erupted in the eyes of both Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun!

Hongyun directly clapped his hands and loudly praised, "Wonderful!"

"Utterly wonderful!"

"This couplet possesses a grand bearing and profound meaning—it is exactly right!"

"Daoist truly spans ancient and modern through the Dao, with wisdom bestowed by Heaven!"

Zhenyuanzi savored the words again and again, the delight on his face growing ever stronger as he nodded repeatedly. "Immortal Mansion of Eternal Life, Daoist of Longevity Equal to Heaven..."

"Excellent!"

"Fitting!"

"Magnificent!"

"It perfectly accords with my heart and my Dao!"

"Daoist, such great talent—This Daoist offers his thanks!" With that, Zhenyuanzi actually solemnly cupped his hands and bowed to Haotian.

Haotian hurriedly stepped aside to avoid it.

He did not find it strange that the two of them liked this couplet so much.

After all, this was originally the gate couplet used by Wuzhuang Temple in later generations, and it had remained in use all the way to the time of Journey to the West.

It was very likely composed by either Zhenyuanzi or Hongyun, so naturally it suited their hearts.

"Daoist, I cannot thank you enough for this generous gift." As Zhenyuanzi spoke, his expression turned solemn. He circulated his Da Luo Dao Fruit and raised a hand, sketching through the air.

Dao aura gathered as innate divine patterns flowed from his fingertips, transforming into two radiant golden lines of verse, naturally imbued with Dao aura, which firmly inscribed themselves upon either side of Wuzhuang Temple's gate plaque.

They read: Immortal Mansion of Eternal Life, Daoist of Longevity Equal to Heaven.

"Daoist, please come inside for tea!" Zhenyuanzi beamed, his manner becoming even more respectful and welcoming.

Haotian had intended to decline politely once more, but Hongyun was already laughing heartily. Without allowing any objection, he hooked an arm through Haotian's and strode toward the temple. "Daoist, no more formalities. Come with me!"

Zhenyuanzi smiled as well and promptly followed.

Within Wuzhuang Temple lay another world altogether.

From the outside, it was merely a Daoist temple, but within, it employed the Dao of Space and was extraordinarily vast, as though it formed a world of its own.

Immortal flowers and Spirit Grass lined the winding paths, while pavilions and towers lay half-hidden amid auspicious radiance.

There were also flying waterfalls and flowing springs, immortal birds and exotic beasts adorning the scenery. Wonders unfolded one after another, brimming with Dao Rhyme.

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun personally accompanied Haotian, leading him on a leisurely tour as they introduced the origins of each sight.

The three chatted as they walked, and before they knew it, time had slipped away... until they arrived at the spiritual pivot at the very heart of Wuzhuang Temple.

An ancient tree towered majestically there, its trunk coiling like a dragon and its branches and leaves luxuriant beyond compare. It exuded a vast yet gentle aura of life, along with Innate Yi Wood Dao Rhyme.

Amid its foliage, plump, snow-white fruits shaped like infants could faintly be seen hanging here and there. Their strange fragrance assailed the nostrils; one whiff left the mind clear and refreshed, the Dao Heart crystalline and pure.

With a touch of pride, Hongyun introduced it to Haotian. "Please look, Daoist. This is the Ginseng Fruit Tree, a Top-grade Innate Spirit Root and one of the Top Ten Spiritual Roots of the Primordial World!"

"The fruit it bears is the Ginseng Fruit."

"An ordinary living being need only catch a single wisp of its fragrance to extend their lifespan by three hundred and sixty yuanhui."

"And if one can consume a single fruit, they may immediately shed their mortal body and remake their bones, attain the Golden Immortal fruition, and forge an immortal Dao body!"

Hearing Hongyun's description, though he had long known of its effects, Haotian could not help but feel a surge of awe and lofty ambition.

This was the Primordial World—creation was wondrous to such a degree that a single fruit could free a mortal spirit from life and death and carry it straight to immortality.

Hongyun continued, "However, fine though this spiritual fruit may be, it is countered by the five elements..."

Haotian was well versed in the ways of the world, so naturally he would not let the conversation go cold. At once, he revealed just the right amount of curiosity and asked, "But how are they mutually countered?"

Seeing Haotian pick up the thread, Hongyun grew even more eager to speak. He explained in detail, "This fruit falls when it encounters metal, withers when it encounters wood, dissolves when it encounters water, chars when it encounters fire, and sinks in when it encounters earth."

"Therefore, when harvesting it, one must lightly tap the fruit stem with a metal implement, while beneath it must be held cloud brocade woven from spiritual silkworm silk."

"To store and consume it, jade vessels must be used, so that its spiritual charm does not dissipate."

"So that is how it is. The generation and restraint of the five elements is wondrous indeed. This Daoist has truly had his eyes opened." Haotian wore an expression of sincere admiration, catching the thread of conversation at just the right moment.

Hongyun felt all the more pleased at the sight, and his impression of Haotian improved even further.

He turned to Zhenyuanzi with a smile. "Elder Brother, Daoist Haotian has come from afar as our guest, and he has even presented us with such a fine couplet. Why not quickly pluck eight or ten Ginseng Fruits to entertain this honored guest?"

Upon hearing this, Zhenyuanzi could not help but laugh and scold, "You lout, you certainly have quite the appetite."

"My fruits take three thousand yuanhui to blossom, another three thousand yuanhui to bear fruit, and yet another three thousand yuanhui to mature. Only thirty fruits grow in ten thousand yuanhui."

"Every time you come, you insist on eating quite a few. In the long run, how am I supposed to afford to keep feeding you?"

Hongyun, however, did not mind in the slightest. He chuckled. "You and I are brothers. Why distinguish between yours and mine?"

This seemingly joking exchange between the two actually conveyed two meanings to Haotian with great subtlety.