333: Fire Lotus Seeds

To put it bluntly, this matter is actually not worth mentioning!

Xiao Cui and that fellow Heishan both cultivated into human form because Tang Ku took the Brick away, which then caused them to be influenced by the energy of the earth's veins. In a sense, they are basically from the same root and origin.

In other words, the cultivation environment and things that Xiao Cui likes, Heishan likes as well.

Moreover, the aura on Xiao Cui is similar to Heishan's; the two are like siblings, which is why Heishan naturally feels a sense of closeness to Xiao Cui.

Wherever Xiao Cui goes, this fellow will likely follow closely. Even if she gets annoyed or tired of him, he will never abandon her and will even continue to treat her well, as evidenced by his fight with Xiao Cui just now.

Heishan never once fought back, only using his rocky body to withstand the blows.

"Alright, stop being so coy... I will go retrieve that treasure for you, and you can just keep it with you at all times. Also, Heishan truly cares for you; you shouldn't abuse him just because he looks ugly. That's not right!"

Tang Ku lectured, "Although your hearts are not bad, you don't realize that your actions have already affected the ordinary people nearby..."

"If you are willing, you can become my disciples starting today, and I will take you to the Great Tang!"

"In the future, you will have the opportunity to perform meritorious deeds, and eventually attaining the right fruit will be a matter of course. Are you willing?"

Xiao Cui was overjoyed, immediately kneeling on the ground to kowtow. Catching sight of Heishan still standing there foolishly with a bewildered expression, she suddenly pulled him down, saying, "You idiot, kowtow and call him Master!"

Heishan seemed to finally realize what was happening and kowtowed along with Xiao Cui.

"Master, please... please accept your disciples' bow!"

Xiao Cui kowtowed three times clearly, while Heishan followed suit, stuttering, "Ma... Ma... Ma..."

"Alright, alright, having the intention is enough, no need to say more!" Tang Ku hurriedly stopped them and helped them up.

Xiao Cui couldn't be happier. After cultivating for so long, this was the first time they had found a backer. And this backer was not only a powerful Immortal with great Divine Ability but also their benefactor. For two members of the Yao Race, this was a tremendous blessing. Even their own Seniors had never had such good fortune; most were caught by so-called Immortals and refined into things like Immortal Pills.

Looking at the Buddha light on Tang Ku, this Immortal was very likely a Buddha from the Western Buddhist Realm!

"Hmm, I am not wealthy, so I won't give you any welcoming gifts for now. When I have more gear later, I will make it up to you. Just take note of it for now!"

Tang Ku smiled happily.

Xiao Cui smiled sweetly and asked, "Master, who is this Immortal..."

Tang Ku smiled, "This is the Erlang Shen of Guanjiang Estuary; you may address him as True Monarch."

Xiao Cui was startled and hurriedly bowed. Yang Jian pursed his lips and said with a smile, "Not bad, little girl..."

As he spoke, all three of his eyes looked at Heishan. Heishan turned green with fear, hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, stammering, "Don't... don't split me... Im... Immortal... My... my grandpa... is still... still demented to this day... don't... don't split me!"

Erlang Shen was speechless, "I really don't want to split you!"

Tang Ku patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, alright, stop scaring the children. It seems they know quite a bit about your family's mountain-splitting exploits; any stone spirit must fear your reputation... And don't forget, your nephew seems to have made a name for himself doing the same thing!"

Yang Jian was surprised, "How does the Holy Monk know even this? Why do I feel like I have no secrets in front of you?"

Heishan's face grew even paler, stammering, "Chen... Chenxiang... split... split... Mount Hua... was my... my... my third grandpa..."

Yang Jian rubbed his temples and said, "Alright, I think I understand now... Well, Heishan, you don't need to worry about me splitting you. Both of us were trying to save people at the time, not targeting you... um... these rocks."

"But... but using... using us to press people... also... also... is you... you... Immortals!" Heishan said woodenly.

"You blockhead, why must you bring up such sensitive topics!"

Xiao Cui gave this fellow a kick on the backside, nearly sending Heishan flying. He rubbed his butt and said, "Don't... don't hit... the butt... that's... that's the softest part!"

Tang Ku waved his hand, "Alright, alright, you two lead me to see what this Fire Lotus Seed is..."

"Yes, Master... You blockhead, hurry up!"

Xiao Cui kicked Heishan's butt, leading Yang Jian and the others into the deep forest.

Come to think of it, the fact that such an oasis could naturally form in this Gobi desert, and that this land has both shrubs and trees, many animals living here, and rare treasures like the Fire Lotus Seed appearing here, it can truly be considered a blessed land!

Before long, they arrived at a pool in the forest. The pool water was clear and transparent, and there was even a faint aroma like fine wine, making one feel refreshed.

In the center of the pool, an area was sprawled with lotus flowers and leaves, all of which were a fiery red color, resembling magma from beneath the earth.

In the very center of these lotus flowers, a single seed pod stood more than half a meter taller than the surrounding lotuses, looking like a crane in a flock of chickens, extremely unique.

Visible to the naked eye, the seed pod was only the size of an infant's fist, but it contained only one lotus seed, fiery red, with small flames flashing around it from time to time, which was truly miraculous.

"So that's how it is..."

Seeing this, Yang Jian and Tang Ku understood instantly.

"It seems this oasis exists in reliance on this Fire Lotus Seed. As the saying goes, 'extreme Yin produces Yang.' Although the Fire Lotus Seed is fiery in nature, its extremely Yang characteristic actually stimulated the surrounding water veins, drawing them here to neutralize its Yang Qi. This is far more miraculous than the Flaming Mountain!"

Yang Jian sighed, "However, Holy Monk, if you really take this Fire Lotus Seed away, then this oasis..."

Tang Ku nodded, "My methods are mostly combat-oriented and Buddha Dharma; I do not have Yin and Yang Feng Shui techniques... This is tricky!"

Yang Jian also frowned, "Although the Seventy-Two Transformations includes Feng Shui arts, it cannot forcibly stabilize earth or water veins... I have no solution either!"

Xiao Cui, being lively, said repeatedly, "Then let's not take it, let's not take it. If destroying the oasis ruins the livelihood of the surrounding people, it's not worth it. Besides, being able to follow Master and listen to your teachings is already a great blessing; how could I dare to hope for more?"

Heishan nodded, "Th-that's... th-that's... that's right..."

"Hehe, it's not that I have absolutely no way... Hmm, how about this: when we return to Chang'an, I will invite someone to help. They will be able to stabilize the water veins while also retrieving the Fire Lotus Seed..." Tang Ku smiled, "Let's go, we'll come back in a few days..."