txolops Chapter 84, 5th Village, Li Fafen Runren Ginseng Fruit
Chapter 84, 5th Village, Li Fafen Runren Ginseng Fruit
Seeing everyone's anxiety, Li Fa simply smiled and remained silent.
Zhen Yuanzi, who was watching from the sidelines, knew that Li Fa was teasing the monkey, but he didn't point it out.
Wukong, being exceptionally clever, understood somewhat from Li Fa's expression and said, "Old Daoist, don't make fun of me! Just tell me, what do you want in order for me to heal the tree?"
Li Fa then laughed and said, "Great Sage, you are indeed clever. Very well, I will not make things difficult for you. But you must do me one thing."
Wukong said, "What is it? Tell me quickly!"
Li Fa said, "This young boy of mine is named Baili Bo. He was originally from Jinping Prefecture, but he fled to the East because of a crime and settled down at Baihu Ridge."
He didn't want a corpse demon to collude with an old monster to steal his relics, seize his cave, and drive him out.
"I promise to seek justice for him. The corpse demon is no problem, but I fear that old monster is extremely powerful. I hope the Great Sage can lend a hand."
Upon hearing this, Wukong laughed loudly, "So it was something difficult! It's about subduing demons and monsters! Don't worry, old Taoist, I, Old Sun, am an expert at subduing demons. If we ever run into that old monster again, I'll make sure he loses his life!"
Li Fa nodded, turned to Zhen Yuanzi, cupped his hands and said, "Great Immortal, since that's the case, this humble Taoist will make a fool of himself."
Zhen Yuanzi returned the greeting and said, "Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist."
They also called on the little fairy to loosen the reins of Tang Sanzang and his companions, and together they arrived at the orchard.
The tree lay fallen on the ground, its roots exposed, its leaves fallen and branches withered—a truly pitiful sight.
Seeing this, the gentle breeze and bright moon couldn't help but shed tears again.
Li Fa took out the water-covered bowl, lifted the lid, and saw that the bowl was filled with the Three Lights Divine Water, with sunlight, moonlight, and starlight flowing in three colors, dazzling and brilliant.
He muttered incantations, first using the Five Elements Escape Technique to straighten the tree, then throwing out the alms bowl, which flew into the sky.
The alms bowl tilted slightly, and the Three Lights Divine Water instantly transformed into a clear stream, sprinkling onto the roots of the ginseng fruit tree.
In an instant, a wonderful fragrance filled the air, and rays of light shone everywhere.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the entire tree was restored to its original state, still with green branches and leaves, lush and gloomy, with twenty-three ginseng fruits on it.
The two boys, Qingfeng and Mingyue, said, "When the fruit disappeared the other day, we only counted twenty-two. Now that it has returned, how come there is one more?"
The pilgrim said, "Time will tell. The other day, I only stole three, and when the last one fell to the ground, the local earth god said that the treasure would enter the earth. Pigsy kept accusing me of cheating and letting the news slip by. It's only now that I've finally understood."
Zhen Yuanzi also showed delight, cupping his hands and saying, "Fellow Daoist, your methods are truly remarkable! This Three Lights Divine Water is indeed infinitely powerful!"
Wukong also said, "Old Taoist, you do have some skills after all, but this bowl of yours looks rather familiar to me."
Li Fa realized he was in trouble; he had almost forgotten that Sun Wukong had seen this treasure.
Fortunately, he had a quick wit and put away the alms bowl, saying without changing his expression, "Great Sage, you flatter me. Most alms bowls in this world look the same, so you seem familiar."
As they were speaking, Li Fa suddenly had a thought. A golden light flashed before his eyes, and words appeared on the Merit Chart:
[Successfully Saved the Ginseng Fruit Tree]
Please select a reward:
[Optional Reward 1: Ten Jiazi of Mana from the "Creating Heaven and Earth Technique"]
[Optional Reward Two: Master the Five Thunders (Supernatural Power)]
[Optional Reward 3: Vajra Ruler (Acquired Spiritual Treasure)]
Without hesitation, Li Fa silently recited in his mind: "Choose option two, master the Five Thunders."
In an instant, a mysterious information surged into my mind, causing my internal organs to tremble. The five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth converged and condensed into thunder.
He felt that with a thought, he could summon wind and thunder, and command lightning.
Overjoyed, he did not show it on his face, but simply cupped his hands to Zhen Yuanzi and said, "Great Immortal, the tree has been saved. I am fortunate to have fulfilled my mission."
Zhen Yuanzi laughed heartily, stepped forward, and took Li Fa's hand, saying, "Fellow Daoist is truly a great benefactor of my Wuzhuang Temple! We should stay and drink to our hearts' content!"
He immediately instructed Qingfeng and Mingyue to quickly arrange a banquet.
Before long, a vegetarian feast was laid out in the main hall, filled with delicacies from the immortals, including lingzhi mushrooms, celestial fruits, and fine wines, a dazzling array of dishes.
Zhen Yuanzi invited Li Fa to take the seat of honor, with Tang Sanzang and his disciples accompanying them. Baili Bo also got a seat and sat at the lower end.
After several rounds of drinks, Zhen Yuanzi raised his cup and said, "Today's events are all thanks to your help, fellow Daoist. I have no way to thank you, so I wish to become sworn brothers with you. If you ever need my help in the future, I will never refuse."
Upon hearing this, Li Fa immediately stood up and said, "Great Immortal, your words are too kind! You are the ancestor of all earth immortals. What virtue or ability do I possess to dare to become sworn brothers with you?"
Zhen Yuanzi laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist, please don't be so modest. We are destined to meet, and I admire your open-mindedness. If you refuse, it would be an insult to me."
Seeing his earnest sincerity, Li Fa could no longer refuse and had no choice but to agree.
The two then discussed their ages; Zhen Yuanzi was the older brother, and Li Fa was the younger brother.
We greeted each other again and drank a few more cups.
After the banquet, Zhen Yuanzi ordered Qingfeng and Mingyue to pick ten ginseng fruits, place them on a silk handkerchief on a cinnabar tray, and present them to Li Fa, saying, "Brother, these fruits are for you to eat. They can prolong your life and nourish your spirit."
Li Fa declined, saying, "Brother, how can this be? This fruit is precious; only thirty are produced every ten thousand years. I have already eaten one; how can I take another?"
Zhen Yuanzi said, "Brother, you saved my immortal root, so it would be only right for you to pick all the fruit from the tree. Don't refuse."
Seeing his insistence, Li Fa had no choice but to accept it. He then looked at Baili Bo and said with a smile, "Brother, I cannot keep this treasure to myself. My little Taoist disciple is very loyal; may I share one with him?"
Zhen Yuanzi smiled and said, "Let Brother Ren make the arrangements."
He then gave one to Baili Bo.
Baili Bo was overjoyed and repeatedly thanked him.
Wukong, watching from the side, said, "True Man of Ultimate Transformation, I, Old Sun, am also an old acquaintance of yours. I owe you a favor, so do I have anything to offer?"
Li Fa laughed, "You little monkey, you knocked down your brother's tree, and he hasn't even settled accounts with you yet, and you already want the fruit?"
Wukong chuckled awkwardly, "Hasn't it already been cured?"
Li Fa said, "Very well, considering your filial piety in taking the punishment for your master, I will give you one as well."
He took another one and handed it to Wukong.
Wukong was overjoyed.
Seeing this, Pigsy also chimed in: "Old Immortal, I'm an old acquaintance of yours, and I'm also filial..."
Li Fa waved his hand: "You? You should be thanking your lucky stars if you don't cause any trouble. Go on!"
Pigsy looked dejected, and everyone burst into laughter.
Li Fa gave Tang Sanzang another fruit, after all, his original form had once been an attendant of the old monk.
Only then did the old monk realize the extraordinary nature of the celestial treasure, and he ate it without mentioning it.
Another one was given to Qingfeng and Mingyue, making Bajie's mouth water. Li Fa couldn't bear to see it any longer, so he took another one and asked Sha Wujing and Bajie to share it.
Finally, they took two more coins, one for themselves and one for Zhen Yuanzi, and everyone was happy.
The next day at dawn, Tang Sanzang and his disciples packed their belongings and prepared to travel west.
Zhen Yuanzi and Li Fa personally escorted them to the mountain gate.
Tang Sanzang clasped his hands together and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Great Immortal, and thank you for saving my life, Old Immortal. This humble monk will now take his leave."
Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing also bowed.
Li Fa cupped his hands and said, "Elder, take care on your journey. Great Sage, do not forget your promise to me."
Wukong said, "I know, I know!"
So the four of them set off on the main road and traveled westward.
This is exactly:
The sworn brotherhood forged on Longevity Mountain is profound, and the divine waters of the Three Lights revitalize the spirit.
When we pass by White Tiger Mountain someday, let us recount the kindness we shared today.