Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 97: Banquet for the Four Lands
The top of Jindou Mountain, the third day of June.

Niu Yi had already placed a long stone table under the peach tree.

On this stone table, there are all kinds of fine wines and spiritual fruits, emitting waves of tempting aroma of wine and fruit. Moreover, after all, the guests invited to the banquet are several local people, so naturally the incense of the gods is indispensable.

This was the first time he had formally hosted a banquet for friends since arriving at Jindou Mountain, so he naturally took it very seriously.

At this time, Niu Yi was sitting on a stone bench next to the long stone table, calculating with his hands when the three land gods would arrive. Suddenly, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and then he looked at the six white jade wine bowls on the table with a smile.

"I never thought that the six white jade wine bowls carved from jade back then would be of use now."

Just at this moment, a breeze rose from the ground and turned into the figure of the Earth God of Jindou Mountain.

Niu Yi looked at the Earth God and smiled, saying:

"Did the Earth God see the true face of that female fairy?"

"No," the Earth God shook his head helplessly, "The fairy has taken Liu Qiaoqiao away, but I think it must be with..."

When the Earth God said this, he pointed to the sky again.

Niu Yi nodded in understanding, then smiled and said:

"Now that Liu Dongchen and Liu Qiaoqiao have each left to cultivate with others, there is nothing else to worry about in Shangtang Village, and the Earth God can rest assured."

Back then, not long after Liu Dongchen came down the mountain, he was found by a Taoist priest and taken away to practice Taoism.

Niu Yi and the Earth God thought that the matter had come to an end, but just ten years ago, Liu Qiaoqiao rescued a woman at the stream in the back mountain of Shangtang Village.

However, this woman was actually a female fairy. She had observed Liu Qiaoqiao for ten years and only now took her away to cultivate immortality.

The appearance of the female fairy made the Earth God a little nervous. After all, although Liu Dongchen was gone, the people of the Liu family were Liu Dongchen's blood relatives in this life. How could he not care?

The God of Land went to Shangtang Village every few days, but the female fairy ignored him. However, after so many years, the God of Land finally noticed something.

But the Earth God shook his head and said,
"That's not the case. We still need to take better care of that person's blood relative. But now, I can feel much more at ease."

"But then again, those three should be arriving soon."

Niu Yi smiled and nodded:

"Those three came together, and they brought an unexpected visitor with them."

"Jindou Mountain has changed a lot since the last time I came here."

"That's right. I only heard about it before, but now I see it with my own eyes. This Jindou Mountain is now like a fairy mountain in the world."

"I've also heard Qing'er describe it, but seeing it now gives me a completely different feeling."

In the forest not far from Jindou Mountain.

The old man who looked like an elder and was dressed in a dark green robe from the land of Yunwu Mountain; the pot-bellied and golden-robed man from Baoquanjian; the young scholar who looked like an elder and was dressed in a cherry blossom robe from the land of Luoying Valley; and Yao Qing'er, were all looking at the mist-shrouded Jindou Mountain in front of them and sighing.

"Every time Qing'er comes to Jindou Mountain, she feels that the spiritual mist on the top of the mountain is thicker than the last time."

Yao Qing'er looked at the Jindou Mountain with anticipation in her eyes.

Just as the landowner of Falling Cherry Valley had said, the impenetrable leader of Jindou Mountain, Niu Yi, might be able to offer some guidance on how to break through to the Demon General realm. Right now, she was feeling her way through the river, without anyone to guide her. If this person could offer her even a little guidance, it would be extremely valuable.

As they moved quickly, they arrived at the foot of Jindou Mountain and soon saw Niu Yi and the Jindou Mountain Earth God who were waiting there.

Niu Yi took the lead and stepped forward, bowed and saluted, laughing:
"Hahahaha~ It's been a long time since we last met. The three Earth Gods and Miss Qing'er are still as charming as ever~ Seeing the four of you again really makes Niu Yi happy~"

However, the three land gods all bowed in return and said enthusiastically:
"Hahaha~ It's Chief Niu Yi, he's even more glorious than before~ I think his magic power has increased greatly, he has entered the realm of the demon commander~"

"Haha~ Now that Chief Niu Yi lives in Jindou Mountain, it has transformed into this fairyland. We are so lucky to be able to see this scene~"

"Thank you, Chief Niu Yi, for hosting us. Please don't mind me bringing Qing'er with me. I have something to ask of you, Chief Niu Yi."

Niu Yi looked at the sincere face of the Landlord of Luoying Valley and the somewhat anxious and expectant Yao Qing'er, and couldn't help but smile and said:
"I think Miss Qing'er is not far from the Demon General realm. If Miss Qing'er is willing, I can talk to her briefly about this realm."

Hearing this, the Landlord of Luoying Valley and Yao Qing'er couldn't help but show surprise on their faces. Yao Qing'er even bowed to Niu Yi again and said:
"Thank you, Chief Niu Yi."

"Miss Qing'er, you're welcome. You and I are old acquaintances. Please don't stand here at the foot of the mountain. I have prepared fine wine and spiritual fruits at the top of the mountain. Please move to the top of the mountain, please~"

"Okay, okay, please~"

"Please, please~"

Soon, Niu Yi brought the four land gods and Yao Qing'er to the top of Jindou Mountain. The three land gods who had never been here before couldn't help but show expressions of shock and admiration.

However, this place was surrounded by spiritual mist. Under the sunlight, a colorful spiritual light flashed from time to time. The spiritual roots on the top of the mountain were so lush and green, and huge spiritual peaches and spiritual oranges were growing on the trees.

Among them, the most eye-catching one is the spiritual tangerine tree in the center of the tangerine grove, which is bearing nine nine-leaf precious tangerines, and the tangerine fragrance wafting from it is also the most intense.

In addition, the pond with lotus flowers blooming all year round, the stone bridge pavilion, and even the thatched cottage all appear so poetic and picturesque.

The Cloud Mist Mountain God of Land could not help but exclaim in admiration:

"Great! It's truly a wonderful fairy mountain. I remember that a hundred years ago, this Jindou Mountain was covered with rocks. Although it was a good fairy mountain, it wasn't anything special."

Baoquanjian land looked at the scenery in front of him and couldn't help but say with envy:

"Yes, it seems that Chief Niu Yi has transformed Jindou Mountain into a fairyland. Jindou Earth God, you are truly lucky to have such a good neighbor like Chief Niu Yi."

The land god of Jindou Mountain just smiled and stroked his beard, but his pride was clearly revealed.

Niu Yi looked at everyone and smiled, saying:
"You guys are really flattering me. I just like to grow flowers and trees on weekdays."

"I'm inviting you all to a banquet today because the nine-leaf tangerines on my mountain are now ripe, and the jars of tangerine leaf wine I brewed that year are also ready. I'd like to invite you all to come and taste it."

As Niu Yi spoke, he led everyone to the long stone table and sat down with them.

As Niu Yi waved his palm towards the nine-leaf tangerine tree, six nine-leaf tangerines flew over by themselves and landed in front of each of the six of them.

Niu Yi smiled and said:

"This Nine-Leaf Treasure Orange blooms once every ten years and bears fruit once every ten years. It tastes excellent. I'd like to invite you all to taste it together."

(End of this chapter)