Zhu Bajie hurried to break the awkward silence for Guanyin.
"Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, Bajie is right. It has been so long since I last used this spell that I have grown a little rusty. Let me try again. I will surely be able to save the Ginseng Fruit Tree."
Guanyin gave Zhen Yuan a long, pointed look, thinking that Zhen Yuanzi had forgotten the script.
"It's all right, Bodhisattva. Just a little mishap. Please continue."
Zhen Yuanzi promptly shook his head, indicating that he did not mind.
Guanyin drew a deep breath. Thinking Zhen Yuanzi had forgotten to cooperate, she repeated her earlier actions.
This time, she was meticulous, afraid that something might go wrong at some step again.
"Come back to life!"
She made her second attempt, sprinkling twice as much Three Lights Divine Water over the Ginseng Fruit Tree.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
This time, the Ginseng Fruit Tree did stir, but unfortunately, it seemed to be another final flicker of life. His leaves moved again, yet instead of reviving, they appeared to have exhausted their vitality and withered at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Swish, swish!
In less than three seconds, all his leaves had fallen. His branches seemed to grow moldy, and as everyone watched expectantly, mushrooms sprouted from his trunk instead.
"Wh-what is going on?"
"He didn't come back to life, and now he's growing mushrooms?"
"He looks even more thoroughly dead now!"
Zhu Bajie was utterly astonished.
Guanyin trembled and hurriedly looked at Zhen Yuanzi, then at the Ginseng Fruit Tree. Surely not? Was Zhen Yuanzi dropping the ball at this crucial moment and refusing to follow the script?
Had she crashed and burned?
"Whew, Bodhisattva, it seems your method cannot save my Ginseng Fruit Tree. What spell did you use? Why