Ginseng Fruit

Dao Xuan took a step forward, his figure merging into the clouds and vanishing beyond the horizon.

Having attained the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm and the seventh turn of the Mysterious Art, Dao Xuan's heart swelled with boundless ambition.

Yet when his divine sense swept across the primordial land, he saw tribulation fiendish qi rolling like dark ink clouds, growing ever denser.

The Witch and Demon Clans battled with earth-shaking fury, blood staining the mountains and rivers, resentment soaring into the heavens. The signs of the Great Tribulation had already appeared.

"Kunlun may be fine, but it is ultimately a Saint's dojo, not a place to remain for long."

Dao Xuan pondered, "With the Great Tribulation about to begin, I must find a tranquil dojo and establish a foundation. Only then can I avoid the tribulation, cultivate in seclusion, and calmly watch the winds and clouds."

Once the thought was settled, the shore of the East Sea came to mind.

The East Sea was vast, immortal islands scattered like stars, and spiritual qi abundant. Far from Buzhou Mountain, the main battlefield of the Witch and Demon Clans, it was an excellent choice.

"Then I shall make a trip to the East Sea!"

Dao Xuan raised his escape light. The Li Fire Feathered Sword transformed into a crimson rainbow and sped eastward like lightning.

As he traveled, the scenes of shattered mountains and rivers became more frequent.

Demonic clouds blotted out the sun, Witch fiendish qi surged into the sky, and the flames of war had already spread across the primordial wilderness.

Dao Xuan had no desire to cause trouble. He concealed his aura and deliberately chose remote paths.

Yet though the tree wished for stillness, the wind would not cease.

When he reached a vast mountain range, he suddenly saw demonic aura filling the land below, accompanied by thunderous cries of battle.

A group of minor demons in the forms of jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards were surrounding and attacking a strange beast.

The beast resembled a qilin, yet it bore five-colored scales. Its horns were magnificent, its four hooves trod upon clouds, and auspicious qi swirled around its body. It resisted with all its strength, but the demons were many and powerful, and it was already struggling to hold on.

"A Five-Colored Qilin?" A flicker of surprise passed through Dao Xuan's eyes.

Qilins were auspicious divine beasts, and a five-colored one was rarer still, possessing a noble bloodline.

"You vile beasts, how dare you bully an auspicious creature!"

Dao Xuan had not intended to interfere, but seeing that the Five-Colored Qilin possessed extraordinary intelligence while the Demon Clan committed such brutality, he felt displeased.

He descended from the clouds and gave a clear shout.

His voice was not loud, yet it contained the Dao resonance of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, exploding beside the demons' ears like thunder!

"Who goes there?!"

The leading wolf demon held a steel fork, its fangs exposed as it barked a fierce question.

"Scram!"

Dao Xuan could not be bothered with nonsense. He lightly swept his sleeve.

A vast, irresistible yet gentle force of mana surged forth, like a clear wind brushing past.

The minor demons felt an overwhelming force strike them. Crying out in alarm, they were swept away like tumbling gourds, crashing into the mountain ravines and falling into a daze before fleeing in panic.

The Five-Colored Qilin's pressure vanished at once, and it raised its head to look at Dao Xuan.

Its eyes were clear, holding gratitude and a trace of intelligence.

It walked before Dao Xuan, lowered its head, and gave a soft cry. Its front hooves bent slightly, as though it wished to submit.

Dao Xuan's heart stirred.

This beast possessed innate intelligence and was accompanied by auspiciousness. Taking it as a mount would not be bad.

"Are you willing to cultivate with me?" Dao Xuan asked.

At his words, joy flashed in the Five-Colored Qilin's eyes. It nodded repeatedly and affectionately rubbed its head against Dao Xuan's Dao robe.

"Good."

Dao Xuan smiled and gently stroked the five-colored scales atop its head.

"Now that you have entered my sect, you should have a Daoist name. Since you bear five colors, I shall call you Five Spirits."

The Five-Colored Qilin—Five Spirits—gave a joyful cry, and the auspicious qi around its body grew even stronger.

Dao Xuan leaped onto its back.

Clouds formed beneath Five Spirits' four hooves as it traveled through the air, steady and swift. Five-Colored Radiance flowed around it, making Dao Xuan appear even more like an immortal beyond the mortal world.

"Go!"

Dao Xuan gave a light command. Five Spirits understood and turned into a streak of five-colored light, continuing east.

With Five Spirits as his mount, he traveled faster and saved considerable mana.

They journeyed without incident for several more days.

This day, they were passing over a desolate wasteland.

Suddenly, Dao Xuan sensed the world's primordial qi ahead violently shaking!

Gale winds howled, sweeping yellow sand across the sky!

An icy, bone-piercing aura that seemed capable of freezing the soul was violently clashing with a rich and gentle yet faintly sharp crimson cloud qi!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Deafening explosions rang out continuously, twisting even space itself!

"What powerful mana fluctuations! At least at the Quasi-Saint level!" Dao Xuan's heart tightened, and he hastily reined in Five Spirits.

"Kunpeng! You have gone too far! I bear no grudge against you, so why must you press me so relentlessly?"

A rich voice filled with shock and fury rang out. It was Old Ancestor Hongyun!

"Hmph! Hongyun! A common man commits no crime, but possessing a treasure invites disaster! How can a worthless fellow like you occupy Primordial Violet Qi, the foundation of the Great Dao? Hand it over obediently, and I may spare your life!"

Another sinister, icy voice replied, filled with greed and killing intent. It was Kunpeng of the Northern Darkness!

Dao Xuan focused his gaze.

High above the wasteland:

On one side stood the phantom of a colossal bird!

Its wings were like clouds hanging from the heavens, its entire body dark blue and covered in icy scales. Its eyes resembled two cold blood moons, radiating a chill capable of freezing eternity!

It was a partial manifestation of Kunpeng's true-form Dharma Aspect!

Northern Darkness frost fiendish qi surged around it, transforming into countless crystalline blades and freezing hurricanes that swept toward its opponent!

On the other side was a fiery crimson auspicious cloud!

Within it stood the figure of Old Ancestor Hongyun.

He wore a Fish Tail Golden Crown, a scarlet immortal robe patterned with clouds, and a Pure Yang silk sash at his waist. His face was round as the full moon, and three long strands of beard hung beneath his chin. He normally looked kindly, but now his expression was grave and furious.

He stood upon a crimson auspicious cloud, waving a whisk as scarlet sand filled the air and formed barriers, barely resisting the terrifying Northern Darkness frost fiendish qi.

That scarlet sand contained the power to break and wear away techniques, but Kunpeng's Northern Darkness frost fiendish qi was innate extreme cold qi and was superior by a level!

The scarlet sand barriers froze and shattered without cease!

Old Ancestor Hongyun was clearly at a disadvantage, and his aura had already become unstable.

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, why remain so stubborn? Hand over the violet qi and spare yourself death!" Kunpeng's voice was cold as his attacks grew fiercer!

"Never! The Dao Ancestor bestowed this upon me. Even if I die, I will never give it to you!"

Old Ancestor Hongyun gritted his teeth and persisted, activating the Primordial Violet Qi within his primordial spirit. Violet radiance flickered as he barely held on.

Dao Xuan saw the situation clearly.

Kunpeng intended to kill for treasure!

Though Old Ancestor Hongyun possessed Primordial Violet Qi, he was not skilled in battle and had no powerful offensive spirit treasure to protect himself. Against the notoriously vicious and ruthless Kunpeng, his defeat and death were only a matter of time.

Dao Xuan did not wish to become involved in a conflict between Quasi-Saints and was about to detour around them.

But then!

At that moment!

Unable to defeat Hongyun after a prolonged attack, Kunpeng grew impatient and suddenly unleashed his full strength!

Northern Darkness Swallows Heaven!

He opened his enormous mouth, and a bottomless Black Hole Vortex that seemed capable of devouring all things appeared out of nowhere!

Terrifying suction force erupted!

It did not merely target Hongyun, but engulfed everything within a thousand li!

Rumble!

Dao Xuan felt an irresistible devouring force pull at him. Five Spirits gave a startled cry beneath him, its body dragged off balance as both it and Dao Xuan flew toward the Black Hole Vortex!

Countless crystalline blades were also swept up by the suction, shooting indiscriminately in all directions like a torrential rain!

Several of them carried bone-piercing cold as they shot straight toward Dao Xuan's face!

"Bold of you! Dragging the innocent into this!"

Dao Xuan was enraged!

Even a clay figurine had some temper, much less a Grand Unity Golden Immortal like him!

"Mysterious Yellow Ruler! Break!"

Dao Xuan reacted instantly!

With a thought, the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler appeared in his hand!

Mysterious Yellow Qi surged wildly from the ruler, and a Dao resonance capable of destroying all techniques erupted!

He swept the ruler sideways!

A condensed Mysterious Yellow ruler-shadow, almost tangible, tore through space and struck first despite being launched later!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Those crystalline blades, enough to seriously wound a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, shattered inch by inch beneath the Mysterious Yellow ruler-shadow like rotten wood, turning to dust!

At the same time, the ruler-shadow did not lose momentum. Carrying a righteous and majestic force that could destroy all things, it slashed fiercely at the edge of the devouring black hole!

Rip!

It was as though cloth had been torn apart!

The edge of that bottomless Black Hole Vortex was forcibly cut open by the Mysterious Yellow ruler-shadow!

The terrifying devouring force stalled!

Dao Xuan seized the chance to urge Five Spirits onward. Five-colored auspicious light erupted, and they instantly broke free of the suction force, retreating to a safe distance.

"Hmm?!"

The pair of blood moon-like eyes on Kunpeng's Dharma Aspect abruptly turned toward Dao Xuan. Its icy gaze locked onto him, then fell upon the Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler in his hand!

"Young brat! You dare ruin my plans?!" Kunpeng's voice carried fury, along with a trace of suspicion.

The destructive Dao resonance and merit power within that Mysterious Yellow ruler-shadow made even him feel a hint of dread!

The pressure on Old Ancestor Hongyun greatly lessened. He too looked at Dao Xuan in surprise, recognizing him as a disciple under the Supreme Purity at Violet Firmament Palace.

"Kunpeng! You are a senior, yet you commit such despicable acts and even involve the innocent. You are unworthy of being a guest of Violet Firmament Palace!"

Holding the ruler, Dao Xuan stood firm. Though facing a Quasi-Saint, he showed no fear. His clear voice echoed across the wasteland.

"Hmph! Sharp-tongued brat! Once I have dealt with Hongyun, I will settle accounts with you!"

Kunpeng was wary of the Mysterious Yellow Ruler and more eager to seize the violet qi. Unwilling to create further complications, he snorted coldly, opened his great mouth once more, and drove the Black Hole Vortex down on Hongyun with even greater force!

Old Ancestor Hongyun's face turned deathly pale, and his auspicious cloud wavered on the verge of collapse!

At that critical moment!

"Kunpeng! How dare you bully my close friend!"

A steady, heavy Daoist shout containing anger rolled in from the horizon like thunder shaking the earth!

Immediately after!

A massive phantom of an earthen-yellow book appeared across the sky, thick and weighty as though it bore the veins of the primordial land!

The book opened, unleashing immeasurable Wu Earth essence qi and evolving the image of the primordial Mountains and Rivers, State Treasury!

A Dao resonance of heaviness, support, and protection spread outward!

It was the supreme innate spirit treasure—the Earth Book!

The Earth Book's phantom crashed down like a boundless land, fiercely suppressing the Northern Darkness Black Hole Vortex!

Boom—!!!

A heaven-shaking blast rang out!

The Black Hole Vortex trembled violently. Its devouring power was forcibly interrupted, and it even showed signs of collapse!

"Zhenyuanzi!" Kunpeng was both shocked and enraged!

Auspicious clouds surged at the horizon as a Daoist came walking upon them.

He wore a Lotus Ruyi Crown, an Apricot Yellow Bagua Immortal Robe, a Qiankun Silk Sash at his waist, and Cloud-Treading Boots on his feet.

His face was like a silver moon, three long strands of beard hanging beneath his chin. Elegant in bearing and noble in demeanor, he was none other than the peer of the world and ancestor of Earth Immortals—Great Immortal Zhenyuan!

Holding a whisk, his face filled with anger, he had the Earth Book's phantom rising and falling above his head, emanating immeasurable pressure.

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, do not panic. I have come!"

Zhenyuanzi stepped to Hongyun's side. Dense Wu Earth essence qi descended from the Earth Book and instantly shielded Hongyun.

The pressure on Old Ancestor Hongyun vanished. He let out a long breath and said gratefully, "Daoist brother! You came at just the right time!"

Seeing Zhenyuanzi arrive with the Earth Book, Kunpeng knew that today's matter could not succeed.

Though he was powerful, Zhenyuanzi's cultivation was profound, and the Earth Book's defense was unparalleled. With Hongyun also present, Kunpeng would find it impossible to gain any advantage.

"Hmph! Zhenyuanzi! Hongyun! And you, little brat! I will remember today's karma! One day, I shall repay it handsomely!"

Kunpeng's Dharma Aspect swept an icy gaze over the three of them, especially Dao Xuan, as though he wished to carve Dao Xuan's appearance into his very bones.

Then, with a beat of its colossal wings, it stirred up a towering freezing tide and transformed into a streak of dark-blue light, fleeing into the void and vanishing.

The violent aftershocks of energy gradually calmed over the wasteland.

Zhenyuanzi withdrew the Earth Book's phantom and descended from the clouds with Hongyun.

"Many thanks for your aid, Daoist brother Zhenyuan!" Hongyun thanked Zhenyuanzi once more.

"You and I are the closest of friends. Why speak of thanks?" Zhenyuanzi waved his hand, then turned his gaze toward Dao Xuan at the side.

"Little friend Dao Xuan, you acted righteously just now and blocked Kunpeng's ferocity. On behalf of Fellow Daoist Hongyun, I thank you." Zhenyuanzi cupped his hands, his manner gentle.

Dao Xuan hurriedly returned the gesture. "Great Immortal Zhenyuan, you overpraise me. Seeing injustice and acting was merely my duty; I dare not accept your thanks. Kunpeng was the one who acted tyrannically and harmed the innocent. This junior merely defended himself."

"A fine disciple of Supreme Purity indeed. Remarkable."

Understanding flashed through Zhenyuanzi's eyes, and the Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler in Dao Xuan's hand left a deep impression on him.

Old Ancestor Hongyun also stepped forward with a warm smile. "So you are little friend Dao Xuan.

"Since our parting at Violet Firmament Palace, that strike of yours just now was truly extraordinary! You actually broke Kunpeng's divine ability. The younger generation is indeed formidable!"

"Senior Hongyun, you flatter me," Dao Xuan said humbly.

Zhenyuanzi looked at Hongyun, his brows slightly furrowed, and said earnestly,

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, that Kunpeng is vicious and greedy. Having failed this time, he will surely be unwilling to let it go."

"You possess the Primordial Violet Qi and have already become the target of all. You must be exceedingly careful from now on. Do not leave Longevity Mountain lightly again."

Old Ancestor Hongyun merely waved it off and laughed. "Dao Brother, you worry too much.

"I have always acted openly and honorably, forging good ties wherever I go. The Heavenly Dao will naturally protect me. No matter how fierce Kunpeng is, what can he do to me? Besides, don't I still have you, Dao Brother?"

He patted Zhenyuanzi on the shoulder, looking immensely optimistic.

Zhenyuanzi shook his head helplessly. He knew his old friend's temperament well; further persuasion would be useless.

Hongyun then looked at Dao Xuan and warmly invited him, "Little Friend Dao Xuan, our meeting this time is fate.

"Dao Brother Zhenyuanzi and I are returning to Wuzhuang Temple. If you have no pressing matters, why not come with us, taste my Dao Brother's Ginseng Fruit, and discuss the Dao?"

Dao Xuan's heart stirred.

Wuzhuang Temple! Ginseng Fruit!

This was the famed Blessed Land of Grotto-Heaven and spiritual root of heaven and earth!

Discussing the Dao with two veteran great powers was an even rarer opportunity.

"That is precisely what I wished for, though I dared not ask. This junior gratefully accepts," Dao Xuan replied with delight.

"Haha! Excellent! You are straightforward, little friend!" Hongyun laughed loudly.

Zhenyuanzi also smiled and nodded. "Please, little friend."

At once, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun mounted auspicious clouds, while Dao Xuan followed atop the Five Spirits.

The auspicious clouds drifted through rosy mists at tremendous speed.

Before long, an immortal mountain came into view ahead.

Behold:

Its towering peaks were majestic, its imposing bearing magnificent. Its roots joined the Kunlun range, while its summit brushed the vault of heaven.

White cranes often perched among its junipers and cypresses, while dark apes would hang from trailing vines.

Sunlight shone upon the clear woods, layers upon layers of crimson mist winding through a thousand paths; wind rose from shadowed ravines, and countless brilliant clouds floated through the air.

Secluded birds chirped chaotically amid green bamboo, while golden pheasants fought among the wildflowers.

The grass before the cliffs was lush, and plum blossoms on the ridges were fragrant. Thorny brambles grew dense and deep, while ganoderma and orchids bloomed in quiet elegance.

Eagles and phoenixes gathered with a thousand birds in the deep forest, while qilin ruled over ten thousand beasts in ancient caves.

The stream waters seemed affectionate, winding and turning as though lingering over the landscape; the mountain ranges stretched endlessly, layer upon layer encircling one another.

They also saw green locust trees filling the road and emerald willows shading the gate. A bridge was made from weathered driftwood, while climbing vines curled around the mountaintops.

Birds carried red blossoms into cloud-filled ravines, while deer stepped through fragrant groves and climbed onto stone terraces.

Before the gate, flowers bloomed whenever the wind urged them on, and their fragrance drifted through the air. Green willows by the embankment echoed with orioles' calls, while peach blossoms beside the shore fluttered with pink butterflies.

Truly, it was a place of extraordinary scenery, an immortal abode!

To the left of the Mountain Gate stood a stone stele more than three zhang high and over eight chi wide. Upon it were ten large characters: "Longevity Mountain Blessed Land, Wuzhuang Temple Grotto-Heaven."

The scenery within the temple was even more remarkable.

Rain-dampened pines shaded lofty towers, while emerald bamboo held back the clouds and guarded the lecture hall. Vermilion railings and jade doors, painted beams and carved rafters. Halls stood layer upon layer, terraces and towers rising one after another. There were countless secluded Quiet Rooms, precious grasses, and strange flowers.

The three descended from the clouds and entered the temple.

Clear Wind and Bright Moon, the two Daoist attendants, were already waiting outside to greet them. Their hair was tied into twin buns, and they wore water-combining Daoist robes. Their faces were as fair as powdered jade, their lips as red as vermilion. They bowed respectfully. "Welcome back to the mountain, Master, Lord Hongyun."

They then looked curiously at Dao Xuan and the Five Spirits.

Zhenyuanzi said, "This is Little Friend Dao Xuan, the distinguished disciple of Dao Brother Taiqing. He is an honored guest. Hurry and make preparations."

Clear Wind and Bright Moon promptly bowed to Dao Xuan.

After entering the main hall, they took their seats as host and guests.

Zhenyuanzi instructed, "Clear Wind, go pick three Ginseng Fruits."

Clear Wind accepted the order and departed.

Before long, he returned carrying three fruits on a cinnabar tray.

Dao Xuan fixed his gaze upon them.

Sure enough, they resembled children less than three days old, complete with limbs and features. Their hands and feet flailed about on the tray as they nodded and shook their heads.

An exotic fragrance rushed toward him. Merely smelling it left him refreshed, every pore across his body opening as though even his cultivation had advanced by a trace.

"Little friend, this is the spiritual root of my temple: the Grass Restoring Pellet, also known as the 'Ginseng Fruit.'

"It flowers once every three thousand years, bears fruit once every three thousand years, and takes another three thousand years to ripen. It can only be eaten after nearly ten thousand years. Smelling it grants three hundred and sixty more years of life; eating one grants forty-seven thousand years. Since we are fated to meet today, please enjoy it," Zhenyuanzi introduced with a smile.

Though Dao Xuan had long known of this fruit's wondrous nature, seeing it with his own eyes still left him shaken.

"Thank you, Great Immortal, for this generous gift!"

He accepted one. It felt warm and smooth in his hand, and its strange fragrance grew even stronger.

He carefully bit through the skin. Sweet, crisp juice instantly flooded down his throat, transforming into a vast, pure, incomparably gentle stream of innate Yimu essence that surged through his limbs and bones!

His primordial spirit seemed washed by sweet spring water, becoming even clearer and more translucent.

The Top Three Flowers above his head swayed gracefully, while the Five Qi in the Chest circulated ever faster.

The Taiqing Immortal Art began circulating on its own, refining and condensing his mana.

The Nine Revolutions Profound Technique was likewise nourished. His body and vital blood grew even more vigorous, faintly showing signs of advancing toward the middle stage of the seventh revolution!

After consuming a single Ginseng Fruit, Dao Xuan felt both his cultivation and mana improve, his foundation becoming even more stable. It was comparable to several centuries of bitter cultivation!

"Truly a rare treasure of heaven and earth!" Dao Xuan exclaimed sincerely.

Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi each consumed one as well.

Afterward, the three sat in the hall and discussed the Dao.

Zhenyuanzi expounded upon the Dao of Earth Immortals: virtue that bore all things, the evolution of the mountains, rivers, and veins of the primordial world. A phantom of the Earth Book rose and fell around him, its Wutu Dao charm as weighty as a mountain.

Hongyun spoke of the Dao of clouds and rosy mists, of gathering and scattering without constancy, carefree and unfettered. Crimson sand and celebratory clouds flowed around him, concealing a trace of the mysterious aura of the Primordial Violet Qi.

Dao Xuan responded with the Taiqing principles of nonaction and the balance of yin and yang. Auspicious clouds manifested above his head, and the Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler rose and fell within them. Destruction and creation coexisted as he expounded upon the Dao of balance.

The three Dao charms intertwined and collided, evolving endless profound mysteries.

At times they were as heavy as the earth, at times as ethereal as drifting clouds, and at times like a heavenly ruler severing yin from yang.

Though Dao Xuan had only recently entered the Great Luo realm, his foundation was solid, his treasures mysterious, and he had inherited Taiqing's true teachings. Time and again, his words struck at the heart of the matter, causing even Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun to nod repeatedly, greatly inspired.

Old Ancestor Hongyun was broad-minded by nature and admired Dao Xuan all the more. From time to time, he offered guidance, deepening Dao Xuan's understanding of the Great Luo realm.

Zhenyuanzi, meanwhile, was steady and profound. His Dao of Earth Immortals encompassed all things, allowing Dao Xuan to gain an even deeper understanding of the primordial land, Spirit Veins, and earthly qi.