Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Zhenyuan Daxian released his grip, took half a step back, accepted Chen Jiao's half-bow, and then smiled again:

"I accept this bow today, but only once, and never again."

If you ever come to my desolate mountain retreat again, and if you continue to be so polite and bow so readily,

This humble Taoist priest must close his mountain gates and dare not welcome you.

After speaking, he took Chen Jiao's wrist and led him to a prayer mat that had been set up to sit down. His expression was kind, as if he were talking to his own son or nephew.

A disciple in green robes presented fresh fruits and vegetables, placing them in a jade dish on the table.

Chen Jiao took a small amount; its taste was clear and sweet, and it contained a spiritual essence.

The immortal chuckled and said, "Nephew, just take a small sip. Don't eat too much. Save some for your stomach."

Having said that, he turned to Qingfeng and Mingyue, who were standing by the door, and said:

"You two go to the ginseng garden, take the golden cudgel and the elixir plate, and bring three fruits to the True Lord to taste."

Qingfeng and Mingyue were both taken aback upon hearing this. They exchanged a glance and saw surprise in each other's eyes.

The two of them clearly remembered that when their master had instructed them to deliver the visiting cards, he had mentioned that if Zhenjun accepted the invitation, he should be treated with two ginseng fruits.

Why is there another one today?

Although he had doubts, he dared not ask any more questions, and simply replied respectfully "Yes" before retreating to prepare.

The two children returned to their room first. Qingfeng took out the special golden cudgel for picking fruit, and Mingyue brought out the red plate for receiving the fruit. She also specially took out several soft silk handkerchiefs to put at the bottom of the plate in case of any accidents.

Once everything was ready, I went straight to the back garden.

The garden gate opened slightly, revealing a scene quite different from the outside.

The garden was not filled with many flowers and exotic plants, but in the center stood a giant tree that reached for the sky, its canopy spreading out like a canopy. This was the innate spiritual root—the ginseng fruit tree.

A poem describes the extraordinary nature of this precious tree:

Roots intertwine in the sacred earth, leaves reach for the sky; for millennia, its fruit remains steadfast and enduring. Agate beads on branches sway and fall, coral fragments beneath leaves shatter and rejoin.

Neither mortal nor immortal, of any kind, neither alluring nor seductive, but naturally born. It was a single spirit sprout in the primordial chaos before the world was divided.

A gentle breeze, carrying a golden mallet, climbs the tree trunk. The bright moon, below, holds aloft a crimson plaque, waiting intently.

It turns out that there are many rules regarding ginseng fruit, and there are taboos related to the five elements.

It falls when it encounters gold, withers when it encounters wood, dissolves when it encounters water, scorches when it encounters fire, and enters when it encounters earth.

Therefore, special gold tools are needed to knock the stems off when picking them, and a special tray or similar object must be used to catch them; there must be no mistakes.

Qingfeng aimed carefully and struck the stem with a golden mallet.

With a soft "thud," a fruit fell, landing squarely on the alchemical plate in Mingyue's hand.

The fruit was shaped like a three-day-old child, with all four limbs and facial features, trembling slightly in the dish, and emitting a wonderful fragrance.

After this was done three times, Qingfeng jumped down from the tree and examined the spiritual fruit on the plate with Mingyue.

Her skin was delicate and smooth, with a shimmering sheen and an enticing fragrance. Just one whiff of it made one feel refreshed and invigorated, as if every pore on one's body had opened up.

Mingyue couldn't help but move closer, take a deep breath, and show a look of ecstasy on her face.

After a long pause, he suddenly remembered something and whispered:

"Senior brother, when Master sent the two of us to invite the True Lord last time, he clearly said that if the True Lord was willing to come, we should give him two ginseng fruits to entertain him."

Why are there three today?

The breeze, too, snapped out of its reverie amidst the fruity fragrance. After a moment's thought, it hesitated and said:

"Perhaps... Master was particularly pleased to see that the True Lord did not use any ceremonial procession, but climbed the mountain on foot, showing utmost sincerity and respect?"

So, you added one more to show your favor?

Mingyue tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said:

"Perhaps so. However... we, the Taiyi Xuanmen, cultivate the supreme Dao and advocate tranquility and non-action."

The word "etiquette" refers to worldly rules and regulations. How could someone of Master's spiritual attainment bestow such a precious fruit upon him for such a reason?

Qingfeng also found it puzzling and shook his head, saying, "Master's profound meaning is beyond our comprehension."

Perhaps the True Lord's "rites" are not merely worldly formalities, but rather the essence of the Way? Enough of this wild speculation; the important thing is to hurry and report back."

The two children discussed it for a few moments, but ultimately still didn't understand, so they stopped thinking about it and carefully returned to the main hall to report back, carrying the elixir plate containing the ginseng fruit.

The hall was quiet and serene, with wisps of incense smoke rising gently.

Zhenyuan Daxian sat facing Chen Jiao, took out a jade pot, poured two cups of tea, pushed one cup in front of Chen Jiao, and then asked with a smile:

"It has been a long time since I last saw Boyang. I wonder how he is doing?"

Are they still practicing alchemy in the Tushita Palace? And what kind of elixir are they refining this time?

Chen Jiao bowed and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Master. I am well."

However, he hasn't been refining elixirs lately. Some time ago, he ordered me to go to Lingtai Fangcun Mountain to invite Patriarch Bodhi to ascend to the celestial realm for a chat.

I imagine that at this moment, the two masters are still in the Jade Capital, sitting face to face, their game of chess still ongoing.

"Oh?"

The smile in Zhenyuan Daxian's eyes deepened, as if there was a hint of reminiscence, and he said:

"He actually went to disturb Bodhi's quiet meditation."

Boyang certainly knows how to find companions. Bodhi, on the other hand, prefers tranquility and is deeply versed in the profound mysteries of Taoism. Discussing Taoism and engaging in martial arts with him is indeed a pleasure.

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of sighing, yet also a touch of mockery:

"He is truly carefree. He only has two disciples, Xuandu and you, under his tutelage, but both of them are accomplished, so he doesn't need to worry about them much."

In contrast, although I have some disciples in my temple, very few of them are capable of carrying on the great Dao and upholding the sect's authority.

Whenever I think of this, I am filled with envy for Boyang's peaceful and happy life.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao said solemnly, "Great Immortal, you are too modest."

This junior has come to the temple and has seen that the disciples under the Great Immortal have a serene demeanor, a solid foundation, and their speech is full of Taoist charm, which shows that they have received the Great Immortal's true teachings and are well-educated.

To be able to receive teachings from a great master is already an immense opportunity.

Even the two celestial children, Qingfeng and Mingyue, have shown remarkable intelligence, and their future prospects are limitless.

The Great Immortal is the ancestor of all earthly immortals, bestowing blessings upon all living beings and having countless disciples. This is a blessing from heaven and earth, far surpassing the carefree solitary pursuit of virtue.

Zhenyuan Daxian waved his hand and sighed:

"My dear nephew, you only see the surface, but you don't understand the essence."

Training children and passing on the tradition may seem like a flourishing endeavor, but it is actually a laborious and demanding task. It is like planting spiritual roots that require constant care and pruning before they can be expected to grow into useful timber.

Like Boyang, who selected one or two fine pieces of jade, meticulously carved them, and then let them roam freely, finding true freedom in the process.

Not long after.

Then, the sound of light footsteps could be heard, and Qingfeng and Mingyue carefully entered the hall, carrying a cinnabar tray lined with a silk handkerchief.

The three ginseng fruits on the plate were glistening and radiant, filling the room with a unique fragrance. They were shaped like infants and looked incredibly lifelike.

Upon seeing this, Zhenyuan Daxian nodded slightly and smiled at Chen Jiao:

"Nephew, this is a wild fruit from the mountains, called 'Grass Returning Elixir,' also known as Ginseng Fruit."

This is just a small token of my appreciation, nothing more than a thirst quencher; let me offer it and see how it tastes.

Although the immortal spoke modestly, the preciousness of this fruit is known throughout the Three Realms.

Ordinary immortals are already blessed to even smell its fragrance, let alone taste one.

Qingfeng presented the elixir tray to Chen Jiao's table.

Chen Jiao looked down and saw the fruit lying on a white silk handkerchief. Its skin was as clear as jade, with a faint radiance and a refreshing fragrance.

Upon hearing this, one's mind becomes clear, and the energy throughout the body seems to become more vibrant.

He knew that this thing was formed from innate spiritual roots, and it would bloom once every three thousand years, bear fruit once every three thousand years, and take another three thousand years to mature. In the short term, only thirty pieces could be obtained every ten thousand years, making it extremely precious.

The immortal treated me with three coins, a truly extraordinary show of courtesy.

This is where dreams begin, and where dreams come true.