Chapter 2643 - 2641: On Mount Jilei

Chapter 2643: Chapter 2641: On Mount Jilei

Zhen Yuanzi and Long Fei, after becoming sworn brothers with Sun Wukong, immediately had ginseng fruits brought over for hospitality.

Everything was according to his design, and as for Long Yuanchu’s theft of the ginseng fruit, he had long put it out of his mind.

Lin Yingying received a fruit; seeing that it looked just like a little child, pure and clean, she couldn’t resist taking a bite.

She gave this fruit to Long Yuanchu, who became addicted to it, not caring about filial piety as he devoured it in a few bites; instantly, his face glowed red, Essential Qi overflowed, and he felt utterly comfortable.

The Bald Dog and Ground Rat Demon King, along with Da Heiniu, stood nearby, swallowing their saliva.

Before, they had only managed to steal one without picking more before Wuzhuang Temple discovered them.

Though similar to peaches, both replenishing longevity, they have a small difference.

Peaches nourish the spirit, whereas ginseng fruit nurtures the body.

If a body cultivator eats this ginseng fruit, it’s extremely beneficial.

Zhen Yuanzi was pleased, and after a banquet, personally invited Long Fei and Sun Wukong’s party to visit the orchard in the back mountain.

On this back mountain stood an ancient tree, over a hundred meters tall, lush and verdant.

Its branches were slender, resembling a broom.

The crystal-clear fruits hung on it, as if children were hidden among the branches.

As the wind passed, these fruits shook continuously.

Faintly, there was a sound like children laughing, truly a wondrous first Spiritual Root on earth.

With pride, Zhen Yuanzi spoke, "This item was born at the dawn of Primordial Chaos, when the heavens and earth separated, the only root of its kind in the Three Realms. It’s called the Grass Returning Pill, also known as the Ginseng Fruit! It blooms every three thousand years, bears fruit every three thousand years, and matures in another three thousand years. Every ten thousand years, it only produces thirty fruits. A single sniff grants three hundred and sixty years of life; eat one, and live for forty-seven thousand years."

The crowd was intrigued, looking at the tree in growing awe.

Long Yuanchu, with wide eyes, asked, "Uncle Zhen Yuanzi, can this tree be moved? Was it here since the world’s beginning?"

Zhen Yuanzi laughed heartily, "You cheeky kid, still eyeing my tree? Truth be told, only the gold-rich lands of Western Cow Hee Continent could nurture such spiritual treasure. This item thrives on Golden Energy, its body as hard as iron, tougher than a Saint’s Legal Weapon by threefold; another place simply wouldn’t have such abundant Golden Elemental Power."

Sun Wukong scratched his ears and cheeks, "Indeed, indeed. No wonder my staff couldn’t crack the ground here back in the day; now it makes sense. This Spiritual Root gathers Golden Elemental Power from all directions, making the ground as tough as metal and stone."

"Among the five elements, gold should overpower wood. Unexpectedly, this Spiritual Root combines wood with gold—it truly is extraordinary."

Long Fei similarly marveled, thinking that in a pinch, this ginseng fruit tree could turn into a Divine Weapon.

Its branches and leaves could sweep away souls with one stroke.

This tree holds the longevity of wood and the sharpness of gold.

Impervious to water and fire, inherently remarkable.

Zhen Yuanzi laughed heartily, very pleased with Long Fei’s compliment.

After visiting, Long Fei and Sun Wukong clasped fists with Zhen Yuanzi in farewell.

Sun Wukong initially wanted Long Fei to visit Flower Fruit Mountain for drinks, but Long Fei had other matters to attend to and didn’t agree.

Little Yuanchu, however, was jubilant, clamoring to go.

Sun Wukong liked him a lot and whisked him away on the clouds.

Lin Yingying was a bit anxious, fearing the boy might get into mischief with Sun Wukong.

Long Fei reassured Lin Yingying, and took her, along with Bald Dog, to the Western Xia Kingdom.

Sun Wukong possessed great skill, and Long Yuanchu following him would only bring benefits, not trouble.

They descended on the Royal City in Western Xia, where outside, the Song Army laid siege; inside, people flowed continuously.

This place was called Lingzhou, a land of outstanding beauty and fertile waters.

It was surrounded by lush greenery, a rare oasis in arid lands.

The war had not yet affected the city, but conversation around it was widespread.

Major grain stores, rice shops, and oil stores were all lined up with long queues for grain purchases.

Long Fei and his group took a tour of the streets before finding an inn to stay.

The innkeeper, noticing their foreign accents, exclaimed in surprise, "Guests, you dare come here at this time? Do you not know the Song Army is about to reach the city gate?"

Long Fei chuckled, "We have business to attend to, there’s no choice. The Song Army’s approaching, aren’t you worried, innkeeper?"

The innkeeper sighed, "I have a family and business here, I can’t just leave! Can you believe it, all this chaos because of a woman?"

"Everything will be alright!"

Long Fei offered reassurance, booked two rooms and asked the innkeeper to arrange a private dining room.

He ordered some signature roasted meat and mare’s milk wine.

The local cuisine was cooked by fire, retaining nomadic traditions.

When the food arrived, it was a large platter of roast lamb.

Covered in spices, its aroma was truly enticing.

Bald Dog and the others had been confined by Zhen Yuanzi for days without meat, and hastily tore off a lamb leg to devour.

Long Fei and Lin Yingying sipped wine, amusedly watching, "Where did Chu Feng and the others go? Why are only you here?"

Bald Dog shook his head with mouthfuls of lamb, "We parted in the Kunlun Mountain region. They secretly climbed Kunlun, seeking fortune. We, with the master, crossed Kunlun Mountain and stumbled upon Wuzhuang Temple grounds."

Ground Rat Demon King curiously asked Long Fei, "Master, why are we here? This place is barren with no Spiritual Root treasures."

"Have you been here before?"

Long Fei asked them.

The three nodded in unison, telling Long Fei, "This is Buddhist Sect territory—the temples are plentiful and incense prosperous."

Da Heiniu added, "Further west is the territory of our ox clan brother, Bull Demon King."

Ground Rat Demon King said, "Hong Hai’er, who once feuded with us, is also from here; like his father the Bull Demon King, he commands many demon soldiers, ruling one side and famed in these lands."

Long Fei nodded, had dinner, and sent them three back to their room for recuperation.

Zhen Yuanzi had injured their Essence, and even consuming peaches wouldn’t recover them quickly.

He left with Lin Yingying, heading to a nearby mountain peak.

The mountain was shrouded in thunderclouds; though the day was clear, frequent thunderclaps could be heard.

Lin Yingying, curious, asked, "What are we doing here?"

Long Fei chuckled, "Looking for someone."

He thought a moment, shook his head to correct, "Rather, looking for a Fox Demon."

Lin Yingying glared and pinched him, "What are you saying? You keep a Fox Demon here?"

Long Fei explained, "Not me, the Bull Demon King kept one."

"The Bull Demon King?"

Lin Yingying raised an eyebrow, unsure if he was jesting, and followed him up the mountain.

It was a beautiful spot, surrounded by the desert, yet lush atop the mountain.

At the peak, a waterfall cascaded with a rumbling roar.

Long Fei and Lin Yingying entered a cave by the waterfall, where weeds grew wild, clearly abandoned for some time.

Lin Yingying eyed the surroundings with a frown, "Are you sure there’s a Fox Demon here? I don’t see even a ghost."

Long Fei mysteriously said, "You’re right, we’re here to find that ghost!"