Inviting Yun Zhongzi as a Guest, Making a Friend in the Cave Abode

Li Yu's vague words only deepened Yun Zhongzi's doubts. He even suspected that the Human Sect had taken a liking to this child and wanted to accept him into its ranks, which was why Li Yu was being so evasive and unwilling to reveal the truth.

Within the Chan Sect, aside from the Saint sect leader, the only one who had dealt with this Human Sect deputy sect leader was Deputy Sect Leader Randeng. Yun Zhongzi had never heard Yuanshi Tianzun give any assessment of Li Yu.

However, Deputy Sect Leader Randeng bore considerable resentment toward Li Yu. It was said that a treasure had once been unreasonably snatched away by this Human Sect deputy sect leader. Still, Yun Zhongzi did not hold much faith in the character of his own Deputy Sect Leader Randeng.

Though countless distracting thoughts rose in his heart, it took only an instant for Yun Zhongzi to reach a conclusion. If the Human Sect truly had its eye on this child, it could simply say so openly. Besides, the Human Sect had arrived first, while the Chan Sect had come later. Considering the relationship between the two sects, the Chan Sect would never stoop to stealing someone away.

On this point, Yun Zhongzi believed Li Yu could not possibly fail to understand. Since that was the case, this child truly was extraordinary.

"Since this matter is of great importance and Martial Uncle cannot speak of it plainly, this nephew will not ask further. Once I return to Yuxu Palace, I will seek guidance from my master."

Wu Yun, who stood to the side, was utterly baffled. His own child was actually so remarkable? Yet from the looks of it, neither immortal elder seemed to intend to take him as a disciple. The thought left him scratching his head.

"Two immortal elders, in your view, what should my son do in the future?"

As a father, Wu Yun did not know how he ought to guide his child from now on, so he placed his hopes upon Li Yu and Yun Zhongzi.

Yun Zhongzi remained silent. There was something strange about this matter, and he still could not see through it. It was not appropriate to say too much now. Moreover, since he had addressed Li Yu as "Martial Uncle," Li Yu was his elder. At such a time, naturally his elder should speak, while he, a junior, ought to listen quietly from the side.

"Just let nature take its course. Do what parents ought to do!"

Li Yu merely gave Wu Yun this simple advice and said no more. The matter was too important, and one had to be cautious with one's words. No matter how one looked at it, what he had said could not be wrong.

Wu Yun did not discern anything from it, but Yun Zhongzi sensed something unusual. Li Yu was being so cautious that he became increasingly convinced this matter was far from simple.

However, his master's mission had yet to be completed, so it was not suitable for him to set off and return. He could only temporarily suppress the matter.

Yun Zhongzi did not stay long at Wu Yun's home before leaving the tribe with Li Yu.

"Come to think of it, I have truly dealt with the Chan Sect very few times. Aside from the Saint sect leader, the only one was your Deputy Sect Leader Randeng. You are the third member of the Chan Sect I have met. Would you be interested in visiting my cave abode to rest for a while? It is not far from here—just over ten li ahead."

After leaving the Clear Creek Tribe, Li Yu extended the invitation to Yun Zhongzi. The latter did not refuse. As they spoke, the two arrived at Ox-Head Mountain.

The concealing formation Li Yu had arranged was relatively simple. It could deceive mortals or those of low cultivation, but in the eyes of a cultivator at Yun Zhongzi's level, it could not remain hidden.

"Martial Uncle, although your cave abode appears to have fused as one with this mountain, upon closer inspection, one can still spot the differences. Could it be that your cave abode is a grotto-heaven treasure, temporarily placed here?"

Yun Zhongzi was quite knowledgeable and quickly saw through the mystery of Li Yu's cave abode.

"Of course!"

Li Yu laughed and continued, "Ox-Head Mountain is utterly ordinary. No matter what, it could not serve as a cultivation ground for cultivators such as us. I truly did refine my cave abode into a grotto-heaven treasure and place it here temporarily."

Li Yu spoke lightly, as though it were nothing worth mentioning, but such a feat was by no means simple. At the very least, Yun Zhongzi could not accomplish it yet.

"Martial Uncle's cultivation is profound,

and your methods exquisite. This nephew admires you!" Yun Zhongzi said flatteringly. "Let us not remain outside. Come inside and have a look."

Yun Zhongzi followed Li Yu into the cave abode and immediately sensed its peculiarity. Within this grotto-heaven, it seemed another small world had been formed. Though the laws of the Great Dao had not changed and remained consistent with the outside Primordial World, their specific operation had shifted, ensuring that the seasons within the grotto-heaven would never fade.

Naturally, that was merely its most basic function. In truth, it also involved transformations in the size of heaven and earth.

For the time being, Yun Zhongzi could not comprehend such miraculous methods, much less glimpse the mysteries within.

"My cultivation ground is somewhat shabby, and I have not enlightened any spirits or monsters to serve as attendants, so I handle many matters myself."

As Li Yu spoke, he prepared immortal fruits and fine wine for Yun Zhongzi, who repeatedly offered his thanks.

Looking at the immortal fruits spread across the table before him, nearly all of them were Primordial World spirit fruits that had long since vanished. Yun Zhongzi secretly marveled. As expected of a great mighty one who had taken form early in the Primordial World—he truly was different.

Only after tasting the immortal fruits and fine wine did Li Yu say, "My cave abode was originally an island in the Eastern Sea. When I discovered it, one of the innate spirit roots, Bitter Bamboo, was growing upon it!"

Yun Zhongzi's interest was immediately piqued. "Martial Uncle, how is that spirit root now? This nephew would like to take a look."

"What unfortunate timing. You came too late! That spirit root has long since taken form!" Li Yu said with a smile.

Yun Zhongzi was shocked. "An innate spirit root taking form! This... Martial Uncle, how was that accomplished?"

"Oh? You are interested in knowing?"

Yun Zhongzi said, "To be honest with you, Martial Uncle, there is also an innate spirit root on Mount Zhongnan, where this nephew cultivates. It is called the Immortal Apricot, and it bears fruit only once in its lifetime. This nephew has been worrying over how to handle this Immortal Apricot. I even asked my master for guidance, but gained no answer. How did Martial Uncle cause an innate spirit root to take form?"

The Immortal Apricot Yun Zhongzi spoke of was naturally the immortal fruit Lei Zhenzi would later consume during the calamity of the Investiture of the Gods.

"Since you wish to know, I shall tell you of Bitter Bamboo's experience in taking form. But I do not dare guarantee that using the same method on the Immortal Apricot will certainly succeed. You understand as well that such spiritual objects each possess their own opportunities and characteristics; they cannot be spoken of in the same breath."

After Yun Zhongzi nodded to show that he understood, Li Yu slowly began his account.

After hearing it, Yun Zhongzi indeed fell into deep thought. Chaos Qi was manageable enough; one only needed to possess the standing of a Saint to gather it. Presumably, his master also had some.

But the other spiritual object, Merit Power, was difficult to obtain. Unless one possessed great merit and the Heavenly Dao bestowed it, there was no other way to acquire it. It was far more precious than an innate spirit root. His master had received quite a bit when becoming a Saint, but that did not mean he would give it to him.

And if this method failed to make the Immortal Apricot take form, would it not all be wasted for nothing?

Seeing Yun Zhongzi in a difficult position, Li Yu had no solution either. His Chaos Qi had already flown back to Purple Cloud Palace of its own accord with the Innate Gourd when he had been unable to retrieve it in time during the struggle for the Chaos Bell. As for his Merit Power, it had already been used to cleanse the Witch-Slaying Sword.

He could only say that Yun Zhongzi had come to know him too late. Had it been in earlier days, he might still have been able to give it a try.