90: Ginseng fruit tree
Somewhere at the boundary between the East and the West, Wanshou Mountain was situated.
Thus, when Luo Hou detonated the western earth veins, Zhenyuanzi could be said to have witnessed it with his own eyes.
However, his strength was insufficient, and coupled with the lack of advance preparation, even though he held the Book of the Earth—a treasure closely linked to the earth veins—he could only stand by and watch.
Under Zhenyuanzi's guidance, Qing Wu and the others found Wuzhuang Temple, which was perfectly integrated with its surroundings, nestled within a range of mountains.
It must be said that this place was truly well-hidden; it was not easy for ordinary people to find, and if Zhenyuanzi were to seal it off using the Book of the Earth, it would be completely untraceable.
No wonder they couldn't find Wuzhuang Temple no matter how they searched last time; there was a reason for it.
As they walked to the front of the temple, the gates opened automatically before they could even announce themselves, and two young attendants ran out from inside.
One had delicate features and was as agile as a clear breeze, while the other had a face of pure innocence with eyes as clear as the full moon; they were the two Daoist boys, Qingfeng and Mingyue.
The two opened the gates and bowed respectfully to Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun. "Greetings, Master. Greetings, Old Ancestor."
They then looked at the three followers with a hint of confusion.
Especially at the smiling Qing Wu.
He looked so similar—too similar. This person's aura washed over them, giving them a sense of familiarity.
As attendants highly valued by Zhenyuanzi, besides handling daily chores, they were also responsible for tending to the Ginseng Fruit Tree.
So, upon seeing Qing Wu's profound and deep temperament, they felt that he, like the Ginseng Fruit Tree, was full of the accumulation of time and the weight of ages.
Seeing the two dazed on the spot, before Zhenyuanzi could give further instructions, Hongyun acted as if he had returned to his own home.
"Qingfeng, Mingyue, the Old Ancestor and your Master have brought some good friends over. Hurry and set a banquet to entertain them properly."
"As you command." The two little ones then trotted back inside.
"My two young attendants are unruly; please do not take offense, Fellow Daoist." Zhenyuanzi apologized slightly for the way Qingfeng and Mingyue had stared at Qing Wu.
Qing Wu waved his hand. "It is no matter. I find them quite likable as well."
These two had certainly left a deep impression on him.
In that famous shouting match with the Monkey, they had scolded him into such a state of depression that he was left scratching his head in frustration for a long time.
In the end, however, it was the Ginseng Fruit Tree that bore the brunt of it all, being toppled to the ground by the Monkey.
It truly hadn't provoked anyone.
"Fellow Daoists, please!"
Led by Zhenyuanzi, the group entered the temple.
As a cool breeze brushed their faces, everyone felt the dust of the world wash away from their bodies.
The courtyard was built along the mountain slope, and on both sides of the green jade-paved walkway, various Spirit Medicines grew freely.
The entire Wuzhuang Temple lacked any sense of opulence, yet everywhere it manifested a Concept of hiding heavenly secrets within the ordinary.
The Spiritual Qi of the earth veins converged here, further highlighting a sense of profound weightiness.
This matched perfectly with the temperament of Zhenyuanzi, who was known as the Ancestor of Earthly Immortals.
Everyone took their seats, and Qingfeng and Mingyue briskly set the banquet, bringing out various spiritual fruits and fine brews.
"Fellow Daoists have come from afar, and I have nothing special to entertain you with, only these mountain goods. I hope you do not mind," Zhenyuanzi said with a smile as he stroked his beard, personally pouring wine for everyone.
The group raised their cups and drank together, the atmosphere becoming very harmonious.
At this time, Qingfeng and Mingyue each came up carrying a tray, each tray holding nine ginseng fruits.
When they reached Qing Wu and the other, the two of them only took one each, and they didn't eat, only looked.
Zhenyuanzi was stunned. Did these two not like them?
He had never heard of such a thing; after all, the value of a ginseng fruit was right there, and no one could ignore it.
Just like the fellow next to them who was currently feasting greedily.
"Fellow Daoists, please do not be polite. Here at my place, there are plenty of ginseng fruits!"
Even after he spoke, the two remained disinterested, which made Zhenyuanzi even more puzzled.
It wasn't that the ginseng fruits had lost their attraction, but Yuan Feng simply had things she liked more, so she didn't care much.
As for Qing Wu, he was looking over the ginseng fruit in his hand, pondering how to speak up.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Fellow Daoist. I have a request, I wonder if it is possible?"
"Please speak, Fellow Daoist."
After thinking for a moment, Qing Wu decided to speak directly. "I would like to borrow a look at the Ginseng Fruit Tree in your residence, if I may."
Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi suddenly understood. So he had set his sights on his Ginseng Fruit Tree; no wonder he didn't care for the fruits.
"In that case, please go ahead, Fellow Daoist."
Qing Wu was also stunned. Such readiness was truly something he hadn't expected.
"You trust me so much, Fellow Daoist, that you would easily let me see your temple's supreme treasure?"
Zhenyuanzi explained with a smile, "Although I do not know your specific origins, I feel that you have an aura somewhat similar to that old tree of mine. There must be some fate between you."
"Furthermore, that old tree has been a bit lazy lately. If you can go and give it a bit of a wake-up call, you would be doing me a favor."
Zhenyuanzi then personally led him there.
Passing through a winding corridor, they reached the backyard. He pushed open a seemingly ordinary wooden door, and the view suddenly opened up.
A towering ancient tree stood between heaven and earth, its trunk coiled like a hornless dragon, and its bark naturally inscribed with profound dao patterns.
Among the branches and leaves hung several infant-shaped fruits, emitting a hazy jade light.
This was the Ginseng Fruit Tree, one of the ten great Innate Spiritual Roots of the Primordial World.
Qing Wu stepped forward slowly and lightly touched the trunk with his fingertip. In an instant, the entire ancient tree trembled violently, its leaves moving without any wind.
The dao patterns on the bark lit up one by one, actually resonating with the Green Wood dao rhyme flowing around Qing Wu.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Wu truly is..." Zhenyuanzi thought silently to himself. He did not pry further and withdrew on his own.
Qing Wu closed his eyes and concentrated, his Primordial Spirit already connected with the Ginseng Fruit Tree, which transmitted fragments of ancient memories.
"So that's how it is," Qing Wu murmured. He felt the unique way of survival of the Ginseng Fruit Tree:
Using absolute 'restraint' to prove the principle of the Five Elements' balance. For example:
Metal restrains Wood, yet Wood can generate Fire to counter-restrain Metal;
Wood restrains Earth, yet Earth can generate Metal to counter-control Wood... and this was only a single level of deduction.
If one were to deduce several more levels, the changes would be truly infinite.
If this could be used to form a formation, its power would surely be boundless... A thousand years later, Qing Wu suddenly opened his eyes and struck out a Divine Ability with his palm, directly plucking a ginseng fruit.
The ginseng fruit, governed by the mutual restraint of the Five Elements, fell into his palm but did not disappear.
Then, Qing Wu looked up at the Ginseng Fruit Tree and flicked out a green leaf, which merged into the tree.
"It's a pity I cannot take you with me. Whether you can achieve such a transformation depends entirely on yourself."
Receiving this strand of dao rhyme, the Ginseng Fruit Tree's leaves made a rustling sound, as if expressing gratitude.
Then, it unexpectedly and immediately grew a new round of ginseng fruits, which fell down all at once.
There were thirty in total, and they were about to disappear upon hitting the ground.
Fortunately, Qing Wu was quick and caught them all.
"Thank you. We shall meet again if fate permits!"
The purpose of their visit had been achieved, and Qing Wu and his companion took their leave.
At the same time, at Zhenyuanzi's request, Lu Shu stayed behind to help him repair the western earth veins.
Qing Wu naturally agreed; this was also a rare good thing for Lu Shu.
Being able to cultivate alongside Zhenyuanzi, the Ancestor of Earthly Immortals, would not only earn him Karma but also help him strengthen his own comprehension of the earth.