Chaos Spirit Field

Since Zhao Shanhe made his promise, the atmosphere of the Journey to the West team has changed significantly. Before, the relationship between him and Sun Wukong and others was more like that of master and servant, but now it is more like a true master and apprentice.

Sun Wukong returned from exploring the area and reported to Zhao Shanhe, "Master, there is a high mountain five hundred miles ahead. On the mountain stands a Taoist temple called Wuzhuang Temple."

Zhao Shanhe, hearing Sun Wukong's words, couldn't help but feel the urge to take a detour. Zhen Yuanzi's strength shouldn't be underestimated; it might even surpass his own. In that case, the situation could become uncontrollable. He couldn't help but laugh at himself. Life is full of challenges and adventures, and he didn't know when he'd become so timid. Perhaps it's true, as the saying goes, the stronger you are, the less courageous you become. Even if he wanted to escape, it was impossible. The journey west couldn't avoid Wuzhuangguan.

As the group gradually approached the mountain, Zhao Shanhe couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "Beautiful mountains, beautiful waters, what a wonderful place! What a pity..."

Zhu Bajie asked curiously, "Master, what do you mean by 'what a pity'?"

Zhao Shanhe explained, "This mountain is a rare and blessed place, but the wood veins here are too strong, which destroys the overall feng shui. If we establish a sect here, I'm afraid it will be difficult to achieve anything."

"Master, you also understand Feng Shui."

"Learning never ends. It's always good to know more. Troubles that are supposed to come will eventually come."

Zhen Yuanzi, who was hiding in the air, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "This Xuanzang is quite interesting. He actually revealed the problem of Wanshou Mountain in one sentence. He is indeed a son of destiny born to meet the calamity. How on earth did he discover this poor Taoist?"

When they arrived at the Taoist temple, they saw a stele on the left side of the mountain gate. On it were ten large characters: "Wanshou Mountain, a blessed land; Wuzhuang Temple, a cave paradise." Above the gate, they saw a couplet: "The immortal residence of immortals; the Taoist home of a life as long as the sky."

Sun Wukong said, "Master, this temple master's tone is even more arrogant than that of a saint."

Zhao Shanhe smiled and said, "Wukong, if you knew this man's background, you wouldn't think so. What he said is actually correct. According to legend, before the beginning of chaos, the world gave birth to ten spiritual roots. The first one is called the Chaos Green Lotus, which gave birth to Pangu, the great god who created the world. The second one is called the Hollow Willow, which gave birth to Jie Yin Taoist, one of the two saints in the West. The third one is called the Yellow Plum. It is said that eating one can prove the Great Luo of the Hun Yuan. The Demon Ancestor Luo Hou once ate one, but because it was too against the will of heaven, it was destroyed by the heavenly calamity and turned into a second-level immortal apricot, creating... Lei Zhenzi and Yang Nianhe's Wind and Thunder Wings. The fourth is the Bodhi tree. Eating one seed grants enlightenment, and gave birth to Zhunti, one of the Two Saints of the West. The fifth is the Mother Peach Tree. A single fruit can earn you a Golden Immortal. Unfortunately, it was so powerful that the Taoist Ancestor forged it into the Pantao Garden and bestowed it upon the Queen of Heaven, significantly reducing its effectiveness. The sixth is the Ginseng Fruit Tree on Longevity Mountain, which gave birth to Zhenyuanzi. This ginseng fruit grants mortals eternal life, surpassing the effectiveness of Bodhi seeds. It's ranked sixth because Zhenyuanzi is far inferior to my master, Zhunti.

At this moment, Zhen Yuanzi walked out of the Taoist temple. He smiled and said, "Xuanzang, I am indeed not as good as Taoist Zhunti. But the ten great spiritual roots of Hongmeng are not ranked like you did."

Zhao Shanhe clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully, saying, "I am Xuanzang, the poor monk. I am honored to meet Senior Zhen Yuanzi. I wonder where I went wrong."

"The hibiscus tree should be second."

"Senior Zhen Yuanzi, if you listen to me rank the ten spiritual roots, you'll know if it makes sense. Seventh is the Fusang tree. Legend has it that this tree is the ultimate spiritual root of fire, resembling two mulberry trees growing from the same root. It gave birth to Emperor Jun and Xihe, whose souls were scattered with the destruction of the Ancient Demon Court, hence its ranking seventh. Eighth is the Gourd Vine. The gourds it produces have countless uses. Taishang Laojun's purple gold gourd and Lu Ya's Immortal Slaying Flying Knife were both crafted from gourds grown on this vine. Ninth is the Bitter Bamboo, Master Jie Yin's magic weapon, but I can't elaborate on that. Tenth is the Laurel Tree, also known as the Immortal Tree, which gave birth to the Moon Star Lord. The laurel tree is full of treasures, inexhaustible. Senior, I wonder if what I say is correct."

Zhen Yuanzi pondered for a moment and said, "Xuanzang, what you said does make sense. You are qualified to enter my Wuzhuang Temple."

Zhao Shanhe said helplessly, "Senior, can I refuse?"

"What do you think, Qingfeng and Mingyue, why don't you come out to welcome the guests?"

Two little Taoist children came out of the Taoist temple and said crisply, "Dear guests, please come in."

When Zhao Shanhe and his group entered Wuzhuang Temple, Long Shisi suddenly asked, "Master, are there any ginseng fruits to eat in Wuzhuang Temple?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi smiled and said, "Qingfeng, Mingyue, go to the backyard and pick five fruits for our distinguished guests to taste."

Zhao Shanhe knocked Long Shisi angrily and said, "Little Shisi, you're the only one who talks too much. Don't you know that you should be soft-hearted when you receive a favor?"

"Master, we can just eat without helping. Could you please stop hitting my head all the time? It will make me stupid."

Zhao Shanhe laughed out loud at this. "You're really stupid. If it were someone else, it would be easy to explain, but it's not so easy to deny Zhen Yuanzi's debt."

"Master, as long as you have thick skin, there is no debt that you can't get away with. We can just finish our meal and leave."

"You even managed to force us to stay. Do you think I'm thicker-skinned than him? Besides, all of us combined are no match for him. You're really going to kill me this time."

Zhen Yuanzi felt a pang in his heart. This man and horse were too mean. It was no different from scolding a bald man in front of a monk. He couldn't help coughing.

Zhao Shanhe looked at Zhen Yuanzi with an embarrassed expression. He said, "Senior Zhen Yuanzi, I thought you were preparing vegetarian food, but I didn't expect you to be here. I was talking about that person just now, not you."

Zhen Yuanzi said with a forced smile, "I am thick-skinned and not afraid to speak out. Xuanzang, you are so knowledgeable that you even know about the ten great spiritual roots of Hongmeng. Please help me think of a way to break this difficult feng shui situation."

Zhao Shanhe replied, "Senior, it's actually very simple to break the feng shui of a single tree. All you have to do is chop down the ginseng fruit tree. I heard Wu Gang's axe is very sharp. You can go find him."

"Xuanzang, your method won't work. I just want to break the feng shui situation that is so difficult to support alone, not to destroy Wuzhuang Temple."

"Senior, there is gain only when there is loss. As the saying goes, there is no creation without destruction, right?"

Zhen Yuanzi pondered for a moment and said, "Xuanzang, your words have truly awakened me from my dream. I would like to ask you to save this ginseng fruit tree."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a loud bang, and the ginseng fruit tree in the backyard of Wuzhuang Temple collapsed to the ground. A moment later, Qingfeng and Mingyue came to report: "Sir, our ginseng fruit tree has fallen."