Gathering at Five Villages Temple, Cultivating in Seclusion to Avoid the Witch-Demon Calamity

Hongyun, Li Yu, and Zhen Yuanzi returned from the Blood Sea to Hongyun's cave abode.

Red Boy naturally knew the purpose of his father, uncle, and uncle's journey. But three had gone, and three had returned. It seemed their purpose had not been achieved smoothly.

The expectations filling his heart instantly plunged to the bottom of the valley.

But by the time the three descended, Red Boy had already adjusted his state of mind and respectfully stepped forward to welcome them.

What a sensible, good child!

Seeing Red Boy's appearance, Li Yu could not help feeling some pity. But what had happened could not be changed. He could only hope that time would smooth it all over.

"Brother Hongyun, pack up. Let us go to my Five Villages Temple!" Zhen Yuanzi said bluntly as soon as they had settled down after returning.

"This place is too close to the Blood Sea. Minghe may come back at any time. It would be safer to go to Five Villages Temple," Li Yu said as well.

Though Hongyun did not particularly wish to leave this place of quiet cultivation, given Minghe's temperament, he might one day join hands with others to harm them in secret. Even if not for himself, he had to consider Red Boy's safety.

If a Quasi-Saint truly set their heart on striking from the shadows, they were indeed difficult to guard against!

Before leaving, Hongyun reinforced the formations around his cave abode. Though he was leaving, that did not mean he was abandoning this place. He would return someday, after all.

The group flew toward Five Villages Temple. Given the current situation in the Primordial World, they also decided that everyone would gather at Five Villages Temple and wait until the Witch-Demon Calamity had passed before making further plans.

Halfway there, Li Yu returned directly to the immortal island in the Eastern Sea. His secluded cultivation grounds also needed to be closed for the time being.

What worried him most within those grounds was the innate spiritual root, Bitter Bamboo. He needed to return and make proper arrangements. If someone took it away while he was absent, that would be a crushing loss.

Upon returning to the immortal island, Li Yu appeared directly before Bitter Bamboo.

Bitter Bamboo vigorously swayed its branches, leaves, and trunk, welcoming Li Yu's arrival.

It seemed even more sentient!

Looking at Bitter Bamboo, Li Yu felt a stirring in his heart. "Can you understand what I'm saying?"

After hearing Li Yu's words, Bitter Bamboo actually bent its trunk in a very humanlike manner, like a person bowing and nodding.

Since that was the case, Li Yu had an idea. "I wish to move you somewhere else to grow. What do you think?"

Bitter Bamboo fell silent for a while. Then its entire body gave off a green radiance and slowly shrank. Once it was only as long as an arm, Bitter Bamboo flew out of the soil and circled Li Yu several times.

Li Yu was astonished by the sight. It was practically becoming a spirit. Given a few more years, would it not take human form?

Li Yu waved out another three strands of Chaos Qi for Bitter Bamboo to absorb.

Once the Chaos Qi entered its body, Bitter Bamboo became delighted. Then, as though drunk, it drowsily fell into Li Yu's arms and lay motionless.

With a sweep of his sleeve, Li Yu put away Bitter Bamboo before going to find Black Armor.

This little turtle was rather diligent. He was meditating with closed eyes on a bare reef not far from the island, cultivating.

"Black Armor!" Li Yu called softly.

Black Armor, who had been immersed in meditation, shuddered all over and immediately returned to the island.

"Greetings, Master!"

Li Yu looked at Black Armor sprawled on the ground. Though the posture was not particularly pleasing to the eye, his loyalty was plain to see.

"How many years have you served as a guard at my cultivation grounds?"

"Reporting to Master, it has already been many years. Black Armor himself cannot remember how many ages have passed."

"You've already reached the True Immortal Realm."

"It is all Master's blessing that Black Armor has attained his present cultivation!"

Li Yu nodded. "From today onward, you may pick and consume the spiritual fruits and rare treasures on this immortal island that benefit cultivation as you please. But remember, these are only aids.

The growth of your cultivation must still rely on your own bitter efforts. Do you understand?" Upon hearing this, Black Armor was overjoyed. Compared to those rare treasures and spiritual fruits, what he valued more was Li Yu's favor. It meant that, in Li Yu's heart, Black Armor's standing had finally risen somewhat.

"Black Armor thanks Master. I will certainly never forget Master's instruction!"

After arranging matters for this little turtle, Li Yu's affairs at his cultivation grounds could be considered settled. Only then did he transform into a streak of rosy light and head for Five Villages Temple.

After arriving at Five Villages Temple, Li Yu hurried to find Zhen Yuanzi and summoned Hongyun along as well.

"Take a look at this!"

Li Yu somewhat proudly took out the innate spiritual root, Bitter Bamboo, and displayed it to Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun.

Though Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun had never seen this thing before, they immediately calculated with their fingers and understood its origins.

An innate spiritual root!

These were far rarer than innate spiritual treasures. Each possessed wondrous abilities and was a spiritual object that could only be encountered, never sought.

"Is this the reason you chased Zhunti and beat him across most of the Primordial World back then?"

Li Yu nodded. "That matter has already passed, so there is no need to mention it again. I brought it here this time to ask whether there is a place within Five Villages Temple where Bitter Bamboo can grow."

"There naturally is!"

When Zhen Yuanzi heard that Li Yu wished to plant Bitter Bamboo in his Five Villages Temple, he was immediately delighted. "Plant it beside the Ginseng Fruit Tree. We can see whether planting these two great innate spiritual roots together produces any peculiar changes. Innate spiritual roots must not be underestimated!"

"They can be planted together? Won't they compete for nutrients?" Hongyun asked.

"The nourishment innate spiritual roots require is the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It is not much different from us cultivators," Zhen Yuanzi explained.

Once this matter had been decided, the three came to the courtyard where the Ginseng Fruit Tree was planted.

"Right here." Zhen Yuanzi pointed at an empty patch of ground.

Li Yu did not delay. After awakening Bitter Bamboo, he raised his hand and tossed it out. Bitter Bamboo took root upon landing, and before long, it had grown back to a height of three zhang, with luxuriant branches and leaves.

"Then I shall add flowers to brocade."

After speaking, Hongyun took out a Pure Jade Bottle and poured some divine water from it over Bitter Bamboo.

Bitter Bamboo trembled all over, seeming very pleased.

After finishing these matters, the three watched for a while before leaving.

Hongyun's injuries were still recovering, and he had to spend most of his time in closed-door cultivation. Thus, Red Boy's instruction was delayed.

"After all, he is Brother Hongyun's descendant. We cannot simply leave him unattended. So we must discuss whether to teach him together, or whether one of us should take him as a disciple."

After Hongyun entered seclusion once more, Zhen Yuanzi called Li Yu over. Concealing themselves in the shadows, they watched Red Boy cultivate while discussing a solution.

Li Yu had no experience as a teacher and knew even less about guiding cultivation. More importantly, he had no divine abilities worthy of being passed on.

"I'll have to trouble Brother Zhen Yuanzi with this matter. I should not mislead the younger generation!" Li Yu said.

"Very well. Then I will instruct him. But the tools of the trade will have to depend on you!" Zhen Yuanzi said.

Li Yu nodded, accepting Zhen Yuanzi's arrangement. He also felt that the acquired spiritual treasures he had previously given Red Boy were somewhat lacking. He still needed to give him an innate spiritual treasure for it to make sense.