Just as Duobao was reeling in shock.
Qin Mu had already flown down before that Innate Spiritual Root.
He raised his eyes and looked, only to see the words "Yellow Middle" appearing on each golden fruit hanging from the spiritual root.
At the sight, Qin Mu could not help but sigh.
"It really is the Yellow Middle Plum!"
"And from the looks of it, it has already matured and can be harvested."
Qin Mu said calmly.
At that moment, Duobao recovered from his shock and hurried over to Qin Mu's side.
"Fellow Daoist Qin Mu."
"The fruit on this Innate Spiritual Root must be something extraordinary!"
Duobao looked up at the dazzling, golden Yellow Middle Plums, his throat bobbing uncontrollably.
Although he did not know what these fruits were.
Simply catching their scent had made him feel as though his cultivation had begun to loosen.
Hearing Duobao's words, Qin Mu smiled faintly and explained.
"Fellow Daoist Duobao."
"This Innate Spiritual Root is called the Yellow Middle Plum."
"It blossoms once every ten thousand years, bears fruit once every ten thousand years, and requires another ten thousand years to mature."
"Only nine fruits grow in thirty thousand years."
"Each fruit is equivalent to ten thousand years of bitter cultivation and is greatly beneficial even to Grand Luo Golden Immortals."
After Qin Mu's explanation, Duobao nodded in understanding and exclaimed.
"I never expected Fellow Daoist Qin Mu to be so knowledgeable!"
Qin Mu smiled and did not pay much attention to Duobao's flattery.
After a brief silence, Duobao hurriedly looked at Qin Mu and congratulated him.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qin Mu, on obtaining such an Ultimate Treasure!"
If not for that Grand Unity Golden Immortal interfering earlier, Duobao would not have said such a thing.
After all, he had been the one to lead Qin Mu to the Yellow Middle Plum.
No matter what, he deserved some credit.
But the appearance of that Grand Unity Golden Immortal had changed the situation.
Had Qin Mu not killed that Grand Unity Golden Immortal, there was no way they could have obtained the Yellow Middle Plum Innate Spiritual Root.
Hearing Duobao's words, Qin Mu gave a meaningful smile.
Then, with a slight raise of his hand, an invisible surge of magical power swept forth and plucked two glittering Yellow Middle Plums.
"Duobao, one for each of us."
As he spoke, Qin Mu casually tossed one Yellow Middle Plum to Duobao.
Duobao caught the Yellow Middle Plum in a fluster, disbelief written all over his face.
"This... this is far too precious!"
"Fellow Daoist Qin Mu, I..."
Before Duobao could finish, Qin Mu smiled faintly.
"You deserve the greatest credit for finding this Yellow Middle Plum Innate Spiritual Root."
"It is only right that I give you one Yellow Middle Plum."
"Besides, we are friends. Why are you still refusing?"
After hearing Qin Mu's words, Duobao's eyes could not help but grow warm.
He had never expected Qin Mu to choose to share a Yellow Middle Plum with him.
After a brief pause, Duobao hurriedly bowed deeply to Qin Mu, his face full of gratitude.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qin Mu!"
Qin Mu remained calm and did not delay. He immediately swallowed the Yellow Middle Plum in his hand.
Boom!
As the Yellow Middle Plum entered his stomach, surging spiritual power instantly exploded within Qin Mu's body.
Qin Mu hurriedly sat cross-legged and began absorbing and refining the Yellow Middle Plum's power.
Seeing this, Duobao did not hesitate either and swallowed his Yellow Middle Plum as well.
As the fruit entered his stomach, golden light immediately radiated from Duobao's body.
He hurriedly imitated Qin Mu and sat cross-legged, beginning to refine the Yellow Middle Plum.
Western Land, Mount Sumeru.
Back then, the great battle between the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans and Demon Ancestor Luohu had taken place in the West.
It had destroyed most of the West's spiritual veins, leaving the region incomparably barren.
Later came the Dao-Demon Conflict.
Hongjun and Luohu had also chosen Mount Sumeru in the West as the site of their battle.
That great battle had further worsened the West's barrenness.
For this reason, when Hongjun delivered his third sermon, he had said that he shared great Karma with the West.
He had also given Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti one strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi each, along with Innate Spiritual Treasures.
At that moment, two men sat atop Mount Sumeru.
They were none other than the future Two Sages of the West, Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti.
"Senior Brother, our West is simply too barren."
"We do not even have a respectable Innate Spiritual Root."
"How can we prosper?"
Daoist Zhunti said with a sorrowful expression.
"Alas!"
Hearing this, Daoist Jieyin sighed helplessly, pressed his palms together, and said.
"It is Heaven's will!"
"We can only hope that things will change after the two of us attain sainthood!"
Zhun Ti frowned slightly and asked in puzzlement.
"I just wonder what exactly the opportunity for sainthood that Master spoke of is."
"Proving Dao with Strength is far too difficult, and Slaying Three Corpses to Become a Saint is no easy task either."
"Could it be Attaining Sainthood through Merit?"
Hearing Zhun Ti's words, Jie Yin smiled faintly and replied.
"Junior Brother, do not be impatient."
"If the opportunity has yet to reveal itself, then the time simply has not come."
Zhun Ti nodded lightly and did not dwell on it further.
Just then, a streak of light flashed in the distance.
Immediately afterward, a Western disciple wearing a gray robe appeared.
The newcomer was none other than Kasyapa, Zhun Ti's disciple.
After stepping forward, Kasyapa bowed to the two men and said.
"Master, Martial Uncle!"
"Someone outside seeks an audience."
Jie Yin and Zhun Ti were both surprised.
"Who?"
Zhun Ti asked.
Kasyapa did not delay and answered directly.
"Reporting to Master, someone has come from the Immortal Court of Zifu Prefecture. It is Xuan Xiao."
Hearing Kasyapa's words, Jie Yin and Zhun Ti could not help but frown.
"Senior Brother, why has the Immortal Court sent someone to visit at this time?"
"Our Western Realm has never had much contact with the Immortal Court."
Jie Yin narrowed his eyes slightly, his face thoughtful.
After thinking for a moment, he finally said.
"Kasyapa, bring him here!"
"If we ask him in person, we will naturally learn his purpose."
Kasyapa bowed in acknowledgment and turned to leave.
Before long, Kasyapa led a man before Jie Yin and Zhun Ti.
The newcomer possessed the strength of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal.
If the Three Pure Ones and Qin Mu had been here, they would have recognized him at a glance. Was he not the very man who had previously gone to Kunlun Mountain to recruit the Three Pure Ones?
Unfortunately, Tongtian had sent him flying with a single slap.
This Grand Luo Golden Immortal was named Xuan Xiao. By East King Duke's order, he traveled throughout the Primordial Wilderness, recruiting powerful Loose Immortals to join the Immortal Court.
Along the way, he had indeed recruited some people.
But quite a few had chosen to refuse.
After returning from Kunlun Mountain to report back, East King Duke had sent him to the West as well. His purpose was naturally obvious.
Upon seeing Jie Yin and Zhun Ti, Xuan Xiao bowed to them and said.
"Greetings, Seniors."
Jie Yin nodded lightly and went straight to the point.
"Fellow Daoist Xuan Xiao."
"May I ask why you have come to our Western Realm?"
Xuan Xiao did not conceal anything and directly stated his purpose.
"Reporting to Seniors."
"I have come by East King Duke's order to pay my respects to the two of you."
"The Immortal Court wishes to invite the two of you to join us and together pursue the great undertaking of the Primordial Wilderness."
Hearing Xuan Xiao's words, a strange gleam flashed through Jie Yin and Zhun Ti's eyes at the same time.
Just earlier, they had been discussing the West's barrenness.
They had not expected the Immortal Court to send someone now, seeking to undertake great matters with them.
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