Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 219 Pears and Dates
Jinguan Cave, Qianyuan Mountain.

Niu Yi and Taiyi Zhenren were watering many spiritual roots and plants in the garden.

He now understands that when Taiyi Zhenren cultivates a garden, all he needs to do is sow the seeds, and how they grow is entirely up to the spiritual plants themselves.

After Niu Yi arrived, he used the Sun Essence and Moon Dew Technique twice a day and watered the garden with his own concocted spiritual water for several days, which caused the spiritual plants in the garden to grow wildly.

It looked as if it were starving, frantically absorbing the nutrients around it.

Seeing this scene, Taiyi Zhenren couldn't help but feel a little interested.

After all, his previous hobbies, apart from cultivation, were mostly about wine. Planting some flowers, plants, pines, cypresses, and bamboo was just for aesthetic purposes and he didn't care much about them. But now, Niu Yi's methods have shown him some new ideas.

In particular, the last time Nezha pulled up so many of his spiritual herbs, he accidentally set fire to the garden, leaving it barren ever since.
“Fellow Daoist, this golden plum tree needs frequent pruning in its early growth stages to ensure it grows more luxuriantly. Otherwise, in the early stages of growth, the golden plum tree will disperse its nutrients to cultivate more branches, which is actually…”

Niu Yi and Taiyi Zhenren each carried a watering can, watering each spiritual root and plant in the garden as they walked by. Niu Yi also talked eloquently, explaining the characteristics of each spiritual root and plant to Taiyi Zhenren.

Taiyi Zhenren followed behind Niu Yi as he watered the plants, nodding repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, but Niu Yi wasn't sure if he had taken all the words to heart.
Before long, Niu Yi and Taiyi Zhenren had watered all the spiritual roots and plants in the garden. Looking at the thriving garden in front of him, Taiyi Zhenren felt a sense of accomplishment.

Just then, Niu Yi handed a ceramic bottle to Taiyi Zhenren.

Under the curious gaze of the real person, Niu Yi smiled and said:

"As you know, fellow Daoist, I possess the Sun and Moon Divine Power in the Pot. This small bottle contains spiritual liquid for cultivating spiritual plants. Even after I leave, if you have the time, you can water the many spiritual plants in this garden."

This spiritual liquid was refined by Niu Yi using the Heavenly Treasure Bottle and the water of the Heavenly River. It contains incomparably pure spiritual energy and is most nourishing to all things.

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren's eyes lit up. He took the porcelain bottle and said:

"Very well, I've seen your spiritual liquid, fellow Daoist, and it's truly a fine product. I won't stand on ceremony then!"

Niu Yi smiled and nodded. He knew that Taiyi Zhenren was completely genuine, just like how he had given him the Golden Spirit Pearl without hesitation back then. He was a man of true character.

For Niu Yi, being with Taiyi Zhenren was exceptionally comfortable.

Over the next few days, the two spent their time either drinking and chatting or discussing the Dao. In particular, Taiyi Zhenren's understanding of the Dao of Metal and the Dao of Fire was very profound, from which Niu Yi benefited greatly.

Niu Yi has recently put aside other cultivation paths and focused on cultivating the Fire Path.

If things continue at this pace, it should take him less than twenty years to fully comprehend the Great Dao of Fire and gather all five elements.

Shangtang Village.

Today, Shangtang Village is the largest village in the mountainous region. Except for the lack of towering city walls, it is almost indistinguishable from a small town.

At this moment, outside Shangtang Village, a young man dressed in white, carrying a sword on his back, looked at the village before him, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.

"Hundreds of years have passed, and it's completely unrecognizable from what it used to be. The only thing that's still somewhat familiar is..."

The young man looked toward the bustling, incense-burning earth god temple not far away, and walked toward it. Before long, he saw the earth god statue that his grandfather had erected in the temple.

Centuries have passed, and the stone statue has shown some signs of age and weathering, but thanks to the maintenance by the local temple keeper and generations of villagers, the statue has not changed much.

"This young man looks unfamiliar. Did he come here specifically to offer incense?"

Hearing the voice behind him, the young man turned around and saw a temple keeper dressed in temple keeper's robes with a small mustache smiling at him.

The temple keeper took over his grandfather's job at the age of sixteen and guarded the local earth god temple. Over the past thirty years, people have come and gone in an endless stream, and he has seen countless people, but the person in front of him gave him a very special feeling.

The young man looked at the temple keeper and smiled:
"I'm not here to burn incense, I'm here to find someone."

"Oh? I wonder who you are looking for, young man. I am from Shangtang Village. To be honest, I grew up in Shangtang Village. Although Shangtang Village has a large population, there are very few people I don't know."

The young man looked at the temple keeper's confident face and nodded, saying:
"The temple keeper must know this person, but the one I'm looking for is also an elder in my family, so I won't trouble the temple keeper."

The temple keeper nodded regretfully, about to say something, when his eyes gradually widened.

Suddenly, the statue of the Earth God above emitted bursts of light, and an old man, exactly like the statue, stepped out from it, leaning on a wooden cane, and came to the young man.

The two exchanged a few words, then walked out of the earth god temple as if no one else was around. "This...this..."

The temple keeper rubbed his eyes hard, glanced at the bright sunshine outside, and muttered:
"The Earth God has appeared to grant his power!?"

Suddenly, the temple keeper seemed to realize something, slapped his forehead, and hurriedly started walking towards the outside. But when he went out, although there were many pedestrians coming and going outside, the old man and the young man were nowhere to be seen.

Many passersby looked at the temple keeper strangely, but the temple keeper paid no attention and just stood there looking lost and dejected.

He didn't know why he chased after them, and even after chasing them, he didn't seem to know what he was supposed to do. Perhaps he just wanted to see his faith again?
On the other side, the young man was walking with the local earth god in the mountains and forests, but the earth god seemed to be acting strangely.

The young man shook his head helplessly and said:

"Please don't do that. Even though I have regained my memories of my past life, Liu Dongchen is still the same Liu Dongchen. I will always remember that you have been by my side taking care of me."

This young man was none other than Liu Dongchen, a disciple of the Heavenly Venerable Taiyi Jiuku who descended to earth years ago, and who came from Shangtang Village.

Upon hearing this, the Golden-Hooped Earth God relaxed a little, but could only nod with a wry smile.

The aura emanating from the person beside him was putting a lot of pressure on him.
In terms of strength, he's alright. He should be at the Taiyi realm now, which is comparable to Niu Yi's realm, but he probably hasn't gone as far as Niu Yi yet.

What made him somewhat uncomfortable was the superior aura emanating from the celestial talisman.

As a disciple of one of the Four Emperors, the Golden-Hooped Earth God should have never met such an existence in his lifetime, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Seeing this, Liu Dongchen could only shake his head and give up, then said:

"Speaking of which, could you please ask the Earth God to give this to the Immortal? Oh, by the way, this Golden Flower Imperial Wine from heaven was also a gift I brought down to give to the Earth God."

As Liu Dongchen spoke, he waved his sleeve, and several treasures appeared in front of the two of them, then slowly floated towards the Earth God.

The heavenly wine and golden flowers are excellent treasures that can enhance the cultivation of immortals. Earthly deities and immortals are not qualified to drink them. However, the Golden-Hooped Earth God was not so excited when he saw these treasures.

Years ago, Niu Yi brought back two jugs of imperial wine and two golden flowers, which he shared with the people on the mountain. He also took the opportunity to have a couple of drinks.

Of course, these two items were still extremely valuable to him. Just as he was about to decline, he saw Liu Dongchen stuff the imperial wine and the golden flower directly into his arms.

Then, pointing to the two floating, fiery red seeds, he said:
"Earth God, please give these two Fire Date Spirit Seeds to the Immortal Master. These two items will surely be of great use to the Immortal Master."

Upon hearing that the two spiritual seeds were actually fire date spiritual seeds, the Golden-Hooped Earth God's eyes widened slightly. But when he heard that the two seeds would be useful to Niu Yi, he quickly took them and promised to deliver them to Niu Yi.

The Fire Date, though it may not look impressive, is actually a famous celestial fruit, often mentioned together with the Pear. These two celestial fruits can prolong life, enhance cultivation, and help one comprehend the Great Dao, offering numerous benefits.

It's unclear where this person obtained these two Fire Date Spirit Seeds, but considering Liu Dongchen's identity in his previous life, it doesn't seem so difficult to understand.

Seeing that the Golden-Hooped Earth God had accepted everything, Liu Dongchen smiled, nodded, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Earth God, I have come here to offer these treasures, but unfortunately I am not yet fully accomplished and have other matters to attend to. I must go see my grandfather and then take my leave as soon as possible."

"Please tell the Immortal Master that I will go to Jindu Mountain to formally meet him in 300 to 500 years to express my gratitude for your kindness back then."

After Liu Dongchen finished speaking, he took two steps back and quickly disappeared into a thin mist, leaving only the Golden-Hooped Earth God staring blankly at the thing in his arms.

Inside the Golden Light Cave, Niu Yi, who was pruning the branches of the spiritual plants, sensed the message coming from the divine incarnation and a look of surprise flashed across his face.

"Fire Jujube Spirit Seed? This is a real treasure."

Niu Yi recalled that a few years ago at the Heavenly Peace Assembly, the Barefoot Immortal offered the Buddha a few pears and a few fire dates, which shows how precious these things are.

Besides the Barefoot Immortal having this item, the Old Man of Longevity should also have this Pear and Fire Date. It's just unexpected that Liu Dongchen would find two spirit seeds for him.

The spiritual seed of this treasure is not so easy to obtain.

"Fire Dates, Fire Dates... Could it be that Liu Dongchen received news from the Celestial Venerable that I am seeking the Five Elements Spirit Pearls, and that's why he specially found Fire Date Spirit Seeds for me?"

Niu Yi pondered this in his heart.

If he had the Fire Jujube Spirit Seed in hand, he wouldn't need two seeds; even just one would be enough for him to exchange for the Fire Spirit Pearl. He could simply add some fire-elemental incense.

(End of this chapter)