A Poem

Chen Xuan had never expected Mingyue to look down on him. But on second thought, he soon let it go.

After all, Qingfeng and Mingyue were famously troublemaking fools with no sense of propriety.

Otherwise, during Journey to the West, they would not have provoked Sun Wukong into toppling the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

So Chen Xuan did not lower himself to Mingyue's level, but Red Cloud Ancestor beside him would not stand for it.

After shooting Mingyue a fierce glare, he said, "Watch your mouth. My little friend is named Chen Xuan, the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones Sect."

Hearing Red Cloud Ancestor say this, Mingyue could not help sticking out his tongue.

Yet he still did not take Chen Xuan seriously. Instead, he directly extended a hand in invitation and ushered the two into Five Villages Temple.

Before long, Zhen Yuanzi came out to greet them with a smile, first exchanging a respectful salute with Red Cloud Ancestor.

But when Zhen Yuanzi saw Chen Xuan, he could not help freezing on the spot.

At that moment, Chen Xuan also saluted Zhen Yuanzi and said, "Chen Xuan greets Uncle-Master Zhen Yuanzi. I hope Uncle-Master Zhen Yuanzi will not blame me for intruding today."

Zhen Yuanzi then recovered from his shock and hurriedly waved his hand. "It is my honor that Little Friend Chen Xuan has come to my Five Villages Temple."

After speaking, he made an inviting gesture and led Chen Xuan and Red Cloud Ancestor into the main hall.

Mingyue could not help muttering under his breath, "Brother Qingfeng, who exactly is this kid? Even Master treats him like this?"

Qingfeng glared at Mingyue. "Isn't it obvious? Didn't Master Red Cloud say he was the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones?

Master is naturally giving face to the Three Pure Ones. That is why he regards this kid so highly."

Fortunately, Zhen Yuanzi did not hear that, or Qingfeng and Mingyue would have been made to face the wall and reflect on their mistakes.

After the host and guests took their seats, Zhen Yuanzi asked with a smile, "Little Friend Chen Xuan, how did you end up traveling with Hong Yun today?"

"Uncle-Master Hong Yun and I met on the road. I heard that Uncle-Master Zhen Yuanzi's Ginseng Fruit had ripened, so I came to ask for one to try."

Zhen Yuanzi laughed heartily. "If you like them, you may take as much Ginseng Fruit from my tree as you please."

As he spoke, he rose to his feet and led Hong Yun and Chen Xuan toward the rear garden.

After passing through several rooms and courtyards for some time, a small gate appeared before the three of them.

Zhen Yuanzi swept the Dust Whisk in his hand repeatedly toward the small gate, and only then did it slowly open on its own.

At the same time, a beam of golden light shot out from within the gate, so dazzling that even Chen Xuan found it brilliant beyond compare.

Once they entered through the small gate, the true form of the Ginseng Fruit Tree appeared before Chen Xuan.

Although Chen Xuan had seen descriptions of Ginseng Fruit in Journey to the West in his previous life,

he was still immensely shocked, because these Ginseng Fruit truly resembled infants less than three days old.

"It truly seizes the creation of Heaven and Earth. No wonder it is called one of the Ten Great Spiritual Roots," Chen Xuan said unconsciously.

Zhen Yuanzi shook his head with a smile. "They are merely fruits to quench one's thirst. How could they compare to Laozi's Nine Revolutions Golden Pills?"

Red Cloud Ancestor could not help growing impatient. "Enough with the polite talk between you two. Hurry up and knock down a few fruits to quench Little Friend Chen Xuan's and my thirst."

Zhen Yuanzi shook his head helplessly at Hong Yun, then took out the Golden Striker and knocked down six Ginseng Fruit.

Though Zhen Yuanzi spoke generously, when it truly came time to pick fruit for his guests, he was not so generous after all.

And Chen Xuan's true purpose was far more than simply eating two Ginseng Fruit.

Although Ginseng Fruit were also known as Grass Reversion Pills, and a mortal could live forty-seven thousand years after eating one,

to Chen Xuan, they truly were, as Zhen Yuanzi had said, nothing more than fruit to quench thirst.

Chen Xuan's purpose was to obtain a branch from the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

Thus, with a wave of his hand, he picked nine Nine Revolutions Golden Pills from the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill Tree.

He presented the nine Nine Revolutions Golden Pills to Zhen Yuanzi and said, "Uncle-Master Zhen Yuanzi, I have an unreasonable request. I wonder whether I should speak of it."

Upon seeing the Nine Revolutions Golden Pills in Chen Xuan's hand, a gleam immediately flashed in Zhen Yuanzi's eyes.

What were Nine Revolutions Golden Pills? They were the foremost miraculous spirit medicine in the Great Desolate Land.

An ordinary living being who consumed one could instantly transform and attain the Dao. For cultivators, one pill could strengthen their foundation, nourish their essence, and increase their cultivation.

So he immediately said, "There is no question of whether you should say it. So long as I can help you, Little Friend, there is no reason for me to refuse."

Chen Xuan smiled and nodded, then handed the nine Nine Revolutions Golden Pills to Zhen Yuanzi.

Zhen Yuanzi naturally accepted them with a smile and once again asked what Chen Xuan desired.

Chen Xuan pointed at the Ginseng Fruit Tree before them. "Uncle-Master Zhen Yuanzi, I wish to ask you for one branch. Would Uncle-Master Zhen Yuanzi be willing to part with it?"

No matter what, Zhen Yuanzi had never expected Chen Xuan to ask for a branch of the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

He could not help feeling somewhat troubled. After thinking for a moment, he said, "It is not that I am unwilling to give one to you, Little Friend. It is simply that this Ginseng Fruit Tree is unlike other trees.

If a branch is forcibly removed, I fear it may damage the Ginseng Fruit Tree's origin.

How about this? Whenever you wish to eat Ginseng Fruit, simply come to my Five Villages Temple.

I will absolutely not be stingy. I guarantee that you will eat until you are fully satisfied."

As he spoke, he reluctantly returned the Nine Revolutions Golden Pills he had just accepted to Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan smiled and shook his head. "Since Uncle-Master Zhen Yuanzi is reluctant to part with it, I cannot force someone to give up what he loves.

Consider these Nine Revolutions Golden Pills my gift upon meeting you. I happen to have other matters to attend to, so I will not trouble Uncle-Master Zhen Yuanzi any longer."

After speaking, he bid farewell to Zhen Yuanzi and Red Cloud Ancestor, then turned and headed toward the small gate.

Seeing Chen Xuan leave as soon as he said he would, Red Cloud Ancestor became extremely anxious.

He hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Chen Xuan. "Little Friend, why be in such a rush? It will not be too late to leave after tasting the Ginseng Fruit."

Chen Xuan stopped and looked at Red Cloud Ancestor. "Uncle-Master Hong Yun, I have a poem for you. Would Uncle-Master Hong Yun care to hear it?"

Hong Yun immediately nodded. "I am all ears."

Chen Xuan immediately raised his hand and wrote in the air, reciting as he wrote:

A dwelling lies within the North Sea, You formed Karma by yielding your seat. No hardship can be seen today, Only then will you know that I am me.

After Chen Xuan finished speaking, he turned and headed out once more. He paid no heed to the stunned Red Cloud Ancestor and Zhen Yuanzi.

Yet Chen Xuan was anxiously waiting for Zhen Yuanzi to call him back.

Sure enough, just as Chen Xuan was about to step through the small gate, Zhen Yuanzi's voice rang out.

"Little Friend, please stay. It is not impossible to cut off a branch from the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

So long as you can find the Three Lights Divine Water and help me protect the Ginseng Fruit Tree's origin,

I am willing to give you one branch of the Ginseng Fruit Tree as a gift upon meeting you."

Chen Xuan immediately stopped and turned around. "Would three days and three nights of rain from the Three Lights Divine Water be enough to protect the Ginseng Fruit Tree's origin?"