Journey to the West: Deer Power Immortal, Starting from Becoming a Disciple of the Supreme Lord Tais

Just as he was sighing, he suddenly heard footsteps outside, and two young Taoist boys walked in one after the other.

The one walking in front was exquisitely beautiful, with a crown and double sideburns; he was none other than the Gentle Breeze Boy.

The one following behind, dressed like Qingfeng, was the Bright Moon Boy.

These two boys had been following Zhen Yuanzi in his cultivation for a long time and were quite skilled. They were usually in charge of the ginseng fruit tree and were very clever. However, at this moment, both of them had a strange expression on their faces. When they came closer, they bowed and paid their respects.

"Master, when we examined the restrictions in the temple, we discovered that the restriction on the nine-branched Ganoderma lucidum fruit that you sealed in Dongshan hundreds of years ago has been broken, and the fruit is nowhere to be found. It is feared that it has been stolen by someone. We two disciples wish to go and investigate." Qingfeng said.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi smiled slightly and said casually, "What Nine-Branch Lingzhi Fruit? When has such a thing ever existed? You two little ones, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Mingyue was taken aback and hurriedly said, "How could you forget, sir? Hundreds of years ago, when you went to the East Sea for a meeting, you found a nine-branched Ganoderma lucidum fruit on the East Mountain when you returned, and sealed it with a restriction."

"I asked you why you didn't take it and plant it in the temple. You said that only those with a karmic connection to it could take it, and that it couldn't be forced. I remember these things clearly, how could I be wrong?"

Qingfeng chimed in, "That's right, that's right. I remember it too. The Ganoderma lucidum fruit grows with nine branches growing together, each branch like red jade and each leaf like emerald. I've even gone to see it a few times, so I'm sure I'm not mistaken."

Zhen Yuanzi merely smiled, neither arguing nor admitting anything. He simply flicked his sleeve and said calmly, "Perhaps you two have fallen into demonic possession during your cultivation, creating illusions. My Wuzhuang Temple only has ginseng fruit; we've never had any lingzhi fruit."

"Alright, alright, this is a trivial matter. You all go and water that spiritual root, lest you miss the appointed time."

Qingfeng and Mingyue wanted to continue, but they saw that Zhen Yuanzi had already closed his eyes, his face calm and serene, clearly indicating that he did not want to talk anymore.

Having followed Zhen Yuanzi for so long, the two of them were well aware of their master's temperament.

If the old man continued to act this way, they would not get any answers even if they asked him until the end of the world. The two could only bow and retreat with full of doubts, whispering among themselves all the way, saying that the master was acting very strangely today.

After the boy had gone far away, Zhen Yuanzi opened his eyes again. A glint flashed in his eyes, as if he could see through thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, and saw that the three demons were busy running around for those lonely souls.

"Now that you have taken those nine Ganoderma fruits, it is your good fortune." Zhen Yuanzi murmured to himself, his voice so soft that only he could hear it. "If you use your kindness wisely, you will not fail the creation of heaven and earth. If you can complete this meritorious deed, it will be a wonderful story."

The way is:

The sacred fruit is meant to be kept by those with a predestined connection; only a kind heart can bring about a good reward.

Do not say that a demonic being is devoid of righteousness; a single thought of compassion is better than arduous cultivation.

...

Meanwhile, Lu Qingxuan rode a cloud toward the first house, and in less than half a cup of tea's time, a gray city wall came into view.

Descending from the clouds, Lu Qingxuan landed at the entrance of East Street, straightened his robes, and transformed into an ordinary Taoist priest, walking along the street.

The east street of the county town is much more lively than the countryside, with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares filling the air.

Lu Qingxuan found an old man selling candied hawthorns and politely asked, "Old man, may I ask if there is a family named Zhou on East Street? The family has a schoolteacher named Zhou Mingyuan."

For some reason, the old man's expression changed immediately upon hearing the name Zhou Mingyuan. He looked around and lowered his voice, asking, "Is the Taoist priest asking about Mr. Zhou?"

"Sigh... Mr. Zhou suddenly passed away half a month ago, without any explanation. His house was at the end of this street, in the alley on the right, with a pomegranate tree in front of the door."

"But the Taoist priest is going now..."

The old man hesitated, then shook his head.

Lu Qingxuan frowned slightly: "Just what?"

The old man sighed, "Taoist priest, go and see for yourself. What a terrible thing to do."

After saying that, the old man left in a hurry, as if afraid of getting tainted by some bad luck.

Lu Qingxuan became suspicious and quickly walked in the direction the old man pointed.

The alley wasn't deep, and you could see a pomegranate tree in the distance. Under the tree was a half-old wooden door, but at this moment, a group of people, at least a dozen, were gathered in front of that door.

If you listen closely, you can faintly hear a woman's cries and men's gruff shouts coming from inside.

"What are you crying for? Zhou Mingyuan died young, it was the River God who took him! You're all so ungrateful, insisting on dragging the whole street down with you!"

"That's right! The River God has decreed that a pair of young boys and girls must be offered up every year. Since your Zhou family has no men, you should offer up your children!"

"My...my husband's body is barely cold, how could you..."

A woman's voice, trembling with tears yet defiant, said, "My mother-in-law and I have discussed it; we can't give up the child. If you keep pressuring me, I'll go to the authorities and sue you!"

"tell?"

A shrill voice sneered, "Even the county magistrate believes in the river god, who are you going to sue? Let me tell you the truth, if you don't hand over the child today, we'll tear this house down!"

Lu Qingxuan scanned the area with his divine sense and saw a young woman dressed in plain clothes being blocked at the door by two burly men. The woman was tightly protecting her two siblings, who were about five or six years old.

The woman had blood seeping from her forehead, as if she had hit the door frame while being pushed.

Beside her stood an elderly woman with white hair, leaning on a cane, trembling all over, her lips quivering as she couldn't speak.

The crowd was mostly made up of strong, young men, with a few women standing around pointing and adding fuel to the fire.

The leader was a short, fat man with a face full of scars. He was dressed in silk and had a curved knife at his waist. He didn't look like a respectable commoner, but rather like the leader of a rogue.

"How interesting. A group of people bullying an orphan and a widow, aren't they ashamed?" Lu Qingxuan's voice was not loud, but it carried a hint of coldness.

Hearing the words, the short, fat man glanced over, saw that it was a young Taoist priest, and didn't take him seriously. He sneered, "Oh, where did this wild Taoist priest come from? This is none of your business, mind your own business and get out of here."

Lu Qingxuan ignored him and instead looked at the young woman: "Madam, is this Zhou Mingyuan's home?"

The woman looked up, tears welling in her eyes. Seeing Lu Qingxuan in his Taoist robe, a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes, and she nodded repeatedly: "It is indeed the Taoist Master. My husband, Zhou Mingyuan, suddenly fainted half a month ago. We consulted doctors, but they couldn't find anything wrong with him. He passed away a few days later. However, we are poor and cannot afford a burial. Now these people want to seize my two children. Please, Taoist Master, do justice for my Zhou family..."

Lu Qingxuan nodded; he already understood most of what had just happened.

What kind of river god is this, offering up young boys and girls? He must be some kind of monster.

However, since Zhou Mingyuan's body has not yet been buried, let's help him return to life first, and then talk about other things.