Jade Pillar Mountain stood south of Kunlun Mountain, wrapped year-round in a warm glow. Its peak rose from the earth like a giant pillar of white jade. Natural cloud patterns were etched across it, giving off a faint, multicolored light.
By the time Yellow Dragon arrived on a cloud, immortal light was already shimmering atop the enormous white jade platform at the mountain's center.
South Pole Immortal Elder wore an apricot-yellow Daoist robe. Holding the Coiling Dragon Staff in one hand and stroking his snow-white beard with the other, he chatted with the guests at the platform's edge, his round, youthful face beaming. Beside him stood a child in white feathered robes: White Crane Boy, a disciple of Jade Pure, who was watching the arrivals with curiosity.
Yellow Dragon descended onto the platform and cupped his hands toward Nanji. "Greetings, Senior Brother Nanji. Sorry I'm late." He glanced around. Several people were already seated.
Nanji led Yellow Dragon over to the others and began the introductions.
"You met Guangchengzi when you became a disciple, so I won't introduce him again."
"This is Senior Brother Duobao, Martial Uncle Tongtian's eldest disciple." South Pole Immortal Elder brought Yellow Dragon before a stout Daoist in a golden robe. The man wore a genial smile and looked thoroughly blessed.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Duobao." Yellow Dragon bowed to him.
Duobao returned the bow. "Greetings, Junior Brother Yellow Dragon. I heard Martial Uncle Yuanshi had taken a new disciple, but I hadn't had the chance to meet you. Now that I have, I can see you're no ordinary cultivator."
"You flatter me, Senior Brother."
After Nanji had introduced Golden Spirit, Xuandu, and the others, everyone took their seats.
"Junior brothers and sister," South Pole Immortal Elder said, "I've gathered you here first so we can discuss and test our understanding of our respective Daos. As I have the highest cultivation, I'll begin."
South Pole Immortal Elder's aura suddenly turned gentle and enduring, brimming with vitality. "Heaven and earth have their allotted span, but the Great Dao is endless. My Dao lies in life. I follow the seasons, nurture the breath of life, extend my years, and contemplate creation's ceaseless renewal." He spoke of longevity and immortality, and of understanding growth in nature.
Guangchengzi, Duobao, Golden Spirit, Yellow Dragon, and Xuandu then each presented the Dao they cultivated.
As the teachings continued, the listeners sometimes focused intently, sometimes applauded, sometimes frowned in thought, and sometimes came to a sudden understanding. Even White Crane Boy, standing to one side, was so stirred that he spread his wings and soared. The Dao's resonance also stirred the cloud patterns on the pillar, making their glowing paths more mysterious, as though they were answering this rare exchange of teachings.
As the voices gradually fell silent, the Dao's resonance lingering over Jade Pillar Peak slowly faded.
South Pole Immortal Elder announced that the first part of the gathering had concluded successfully. It was time for the second, and most important, part.
He walked to the center and swept his Coiling Dragon Staff outward. "Junior brothers and sister, please look."
At his words, White Crane Boy approached the group, carrying a foot-long green jade tray in both hands. A thin veil covered it.
Every eye fixed on the tray. Faint sounds of wind and thunder reached their ears, and a distinctive fragrance spread from the jade platter.
South Pole Immortal Elder smiled at their expectant faces and gently lifted the veil.
Crackle!
Dazzling lightning burst from the tray!
Several strange fruits lay in its center. They were plump and heart-shaped, their interwoven blue and purple colors forming two natural patterns.
"Wind Thunder Immortal Apricots!" Guangchengzi was the first to cry out. Shock filled his face as he stared at the fruit.
Duobao drew a sharp breath. His smile froze, replaced by a look both grave and eager. "An Innate Spiritual Root! One of the ten great Spiritual Roots! It contains the Great Dao Source of wind and thunder... Fellow Daoist Nanji, did Martial Uncle Yuanshi...?"
Nanji nodded. "Master learned that we disciples would be gathering to discuss what we've learned, so he instructed me to pick these Immortal Apricots and bestow them upon you."
Yellow Dragon stared at the Immortal Apricots, sensing the surging power of wind and thunder within them. His heart stirred. They were precious indeed—treasures even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would covet.
Seeing their reactions, South Pole Immortal Elder said no more. He raised the Coiling Dragon Staff, and the Immortal Apricots flew out one by one, stopping before each guest.
"These Immortal Apricots are gifts from Master. He hopes you will continue forward without ceasing in your pursuit of the Great Dao." South Pole Immortal Elder's voice seemed to resonate with the apricots' aura. "Accept them and devote yourselves to cultivation. Do not disgrace the name of the Three Pure Ones!"
Everyone bowed toward Supreme Pure Peak before putting away their Immortal Apricots. They would refine them in seclusion after returning to their own abodes.
After a moment's thought, Yellow Dragon said, "It's rare for all my senior brothers and sister to be gathered together. I've been a disciple on Kunlun Mountain for over a hundred years without visiting any of you. Since Senior Brother Nanji has brought us together today, allow me to make amends. An elder of the Dragon Race gave me some spiritual tea. It tastes quite good, so I'd like you all to try it."
Yellow Dragon took out several teacups and placed a Dao Enlightenment Tea leaf in each. He drew springwater from deep within Jade Pillar Mountain, brought it to a boil, and poured it into the cups. At once, a rich tea fragrance spread alongside the Dao's resonance.
With a wave of his hand, Yellow Dragon sent the cups floating toward Duobao and the others. He lifted his own cup. "Senior brothers, Senior Sister Jin Ling, please!"
Xuandu was the first to take his cup. "Thank you, Senior Brother Yellow Dragon. You know how much I love your Dao Enlightenment Tea." He drained it in one swallow, set the cup down, and closed his eyes to cultivate.
"Dao Enlightenment Tea!"
Nanji and the others paused in surprise, then caught their cups and drank. Some contemplated the Great Dao, some worked through formations, and others practiced divine abilities...
For a time, wondrous visions of every kind filled the sky above Jade Pillar Peak, making a grander spectacle than the earlier discussion of the Dao.
The Golden Immortals and Nanji, a Taiyi cultivator, all gained a great deal. Only after the final vision faded did they turn to Yellow Dragon and cup their hands in thanks.
Duobao stared straight at Yellow Dragon. "Junior Brother Yellow Dragon, how much Dao Enlightenment Tea do you have left? If you have any to spare, would you trade some to me? Rest assured, I'll offer you something worth your while."
The others nodded, watching Yellow Dragon with equal interest.
Under their gazes, Yellow Dragon took out three jade boxes and three jade gourds.
He opened one box and one gourd. A crisp tea fragrance and a potent aroma of wine instantly spread across Jade Pillar Peak.
The box held Dao Enlightenment Tea leaves, while the gourd contained Blood Jujube Wine, brewed from Blood Red Dates and many kinds of Innate Spiritual Medicine. Yellow Dragon briefly explained the wine's effects.
Wine brewed from the fruit of a Spiritual Root immediately caught the attention of Duobao and the other Golden Immortals.
Duobao's eyes lit up. He fixed his gaze on the Dao Enlightenment Tea and Blood Jujube Wine on Yellow Dragon's table, then produced a stone glowing faintly yellow. "Junior Brother, your wine is brimming with vital energy. Just smelling it gets my blood surging. Good stuff—I like it! I'll trade you this Profound Yellow Stone. It can be refined into several strands of innate profound yellow Qi, which can help a Golden Immortal temper an indestructible body!"
Duobao lived up to his name. His very first offer was extravagant.
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