An Exchange with Queen Mother of the West, Eating Yellow Center Plums

At last, he could no longer hold back and summoned all the Calabash Kids back. With a solemn expression, he instructed, "You are responsible for guarding Western Kunlun. Do not allow any outsiders in."

The moment the Calabash Kids heard that they had a mission, they became wildly excited. Each of them rolled up their sleeves, eager for a fight, and directly stopped anyone who wished to enter Western Kunlun.

Much time passed again. Just as everyone believed Queen Mother of the West would remain in secluded cultivation, the great formation shrouding the mountain suddenly opened.

Queen Mother of the West slowly emerged from within. She wore a magnificent immortal robe, her face cool and exquisitely beautiful.

It turned out that she had heard Xiao Teng and White Lotus discussing the Dao within the mountain, and the content of their discussion had piqued her interest.

With lotus steps, she approached Xiao Teng and White Lotus, gave a slight bow, and said, "My apologies. Since becoming the leader of the female immortals, peaceful days have been hard to come by. I neglected the two fellow Daoists earlier. Please forgive me."

Xiao Teng hurriedly rose and returned the gesture. "Queen Mother of the West, there is no need for such courtesy. We both listened to teachings at Purple Cloud Palace, so we can be considered to share some fellowship as disciples. Fellow Daoist White Lotus and I came here hoping to discuss the Dao with you."

Hearing that it was a discussion of the Dao, a flicker of interest crossed Queen Mother of the West's eyes. "In that case, let us enter the formation and speak."

Thus, Xiao Teng and White Lotus followed Queen Mother of the West into the great formation.

Afterward, Xiao Teng and White Lotus discussed the Dao with Queen Mother of the West.

Queen Mother of the West had become the leader of the female immortals; whether in talent or comprehension, she was extraordinarily gifted.

During their discussion of the Dao, Xiao Teng gained a great deal.

When their discussion paused, Queen Mother of the West parted her vermilion lips. "You two fellow Daoists traveled thousands of miles to come here. I fear you did not come solely to discuss the Dao, did you?"

Xiao Teng answered candidly, "To be honest, fellow Daoist, I came this time because I wish to exchange something with you."

A trace of curiosity flashed through Queen Mother of the West's eyes as she softly asked, "Oh? What treasure could occupy fellow Daoist's mind so greatly?"

Xiao Teng said deeply, "What I seek is the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner granted to you by the Dao Ancestor."

Queen Mother of the West was slightly stunned upon hearing this. A hint of surprise appeared on her face before she asked, "What use does fellow Daoist have for the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner?"

With a gentle expression, Xiao Teng said, "To be honest, fellow Daoist, by a fortunate twist of fate, I have already acquired four of the Five Directional Banners. Only your Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner is missing."

Queen Mother of the West was greatly astonished by Xiao Teng's words.

Every one of the Five Directional Banners was a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure. If they could be gathered together, they could form a powerful Five Elements Formation, whose might was enough to rival an Innate Supreme Treasure.

For a single living being, possessing even one of them was already an immense stroke of fortune. Yet Xiao Teng actually possessed four.

Queen Mother of the West understood that Xiao Teng was determined to obtain the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner.

"In that case, what does fellow Daoist intend to use in exchange?"

Xiao Teng fell silent for a moment. After careful consideration, he said, "I am willing to trade an opportunity to become a Sage."

Queen Mother of the West and White Lotus were both stunned, unable for a time to understand what Xiao Teng meant.

A puzzled look appeared on Queen Mother of the West's face, and she could not help asking, "What exactly is this opportunity to become a Sage? Please explain clearly."

Xiao Teng replied, "It is not convenient for me to speak of the specifics at present. However, fellow Daoist, rest assured. Once Dao Ancestor Hongjun's third lecture ends, I will be able to give you an unquestionable opportunity to become a Sage."

Queen Mother of the West was inwardly shaken. The path to becoming a Sage was what every cultivator in the Primordial World dreamed of. Xiao Teng seemed to hold the method of becoming a Sage in his hand—how could this not fill her with curiosity and shock?

If Xiao Teng's words were true, then this exchange would be no trivial matter.

The opportunity to become a Sage Xiao Teng spoke of was naturally the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi. He was willing to exchange Primordial Chaos Purple Qi with Queen Mother of the West.

In terms of value, the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi was certainly above the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner. Once one became a Sage, even a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure would no longer count as much of a treasure in a Sage's eyes.

However, Xiao Teng had no intention of relying on the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi to become a Sage, so its value was not so high to him.

Still, Xiao Teng did not dare be certain that he could obtain the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi. If he failed to obtain it then, he could only find something else to trade.

After thinking for a while, Queen Mother of the West said, "In that case, we shall discuss this again after the third lecture concludes."

"Very well." Xiao Teng also knew he could not catch a white wolf with empty hands.

He also knew this exchange could not be rushed. He already possessed four banners, and with the Calabash Kids' great formation, his overall strength was sufficient. Even if he could not gather all Five Directional Banners for now, he could still remain safe and sound.

Beyond this exchange, another important purpose of this visit was to befriend Queen Mother of the West and lay a good foundation for future matters.

Xiao Teng and White Lotus settled down in Western Kunlun.

They were fortunate enough to see one of the Ten Great Innate Spirit Roots, the Yellow Center Plum.

The Yellow Center Plum tree was not particularly tall, yet its branches and leaves were lush and dense. Nine golden-yellow fruits hung from it.

The Yellow Center Plum fruits were round and plump, releasing an enticing fruity fragrance. The words "Yellow Center" seemed naturally formed upon their skins, carrying an ancient, primitive aura.

The Yellow Center Plum blossomed once every ten thousand years, bore fruit once every ten thousand years, and only matured after another ten thousand years. In thirty thousand years, it produced only nine fruits.

Because the words "Yellow Center" appeared on both its flowers and fruits, it was called the Yellow Center Plum.

Legend said that the Yellow Center Plum had miraculous effects: eating one would allow a person to immediately attain the Dao Fruit of a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

Yet after Xiao Teng ate one, he discovered that it was not as exaggerated as the legends claimed.

Still, the spiritual qi contained within was indeed immense. Below the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, it could allow one to break through a minor realm.

Though the Yellow Center Plum could not help someone directly become a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, when used to aid cultivation, it could produce Primordial Unity Golden Immortals in batches.

However, if one broke through solely by relying on this fruit, it would become extraordinarily difficult to advance any further afterward. Perhaps one would be forever fated never to reach the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.

Seeing that Xiao Teng and the others were quite interested in the Yellow Center Plums, Queen Mother of the West laughed heartily. She plucked every Yellow Center Plum from this batch and gave them all to Xiao Teng.

Xiao Teng, White Lotus, and the seven Calabash Kids each ate one.

Seeing this, Xiao Teng hurriedly expressed his thanks. "Many thanks, fellow Daoist, for your generous gift."

Queen Mother of the West waved her hand and smiled. "It is nothing. They only ripen once every thirty thousand years. Before the next lecture, there will still be several more batches to eat. I have grown a little tired of these fruits myself, so they are perfect for giving away."

Xiao Teng understood that with the Yellow Center Plums aiding her cultivation, Queen Mother of the West's realm could never be low.

He could tell that Queen Mother of the West had already reached the Middle Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm and was not far from the Late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm. In other words, by the third lecture, she should be able to break through into the Late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.

Xiao Teng silently warned himself that powerful experts stood like trees in a forest throughout the Primordial World. If he did not hasten his cultivation, he feared he would be cast far behind by the other cultivators and struggle to keep pace with the great tide of Heaven and Earth.

Once Purple Cloud Palace's third lecture ended, people would begin becoming Sages one after another. Even if Xiao Teng did not become a Sage, his strength could not fall too far behind.