bookbashuk Chapter 108 Bestowing Treasure Peaches
Chapter 108 Bestowing Treasure Peaches
Chapter 109 Bestowing Treasure Peaches
The Lesser Five Elements Grand Formation is not as focused on killing as the Heavenly Gang Life-Giving Grand Formation, but its advantage lies in its long-lasting influence.
The innate spiritual soil within the formation sank into the earth's veins, transforming into thick earth energy.
Earth energy generates metal, metal energy condenses and sharpens, and then in turn generates the pure and moist virtue of water.
Water nourishes the roots of trees, allowing the wood energy to flourish and reignite as the Southern Bright Fire.
When the fire is extinguished and turns to ashes, it returns to the earth.
Thus, the five elements generate each other in a continuous cycle, and though the garden is only a small space, it forms its own little world of creation.
Within a few days of the formation being completed, auspicious energy rose from the herb garden, and five-colored rays of light slowly flowed along the branches and leaves of all kinds of spiritual plants.
The ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree stretched its branches and leaves, its drooping light even clearer than before. The Jade Dew Blessed Fungus, nourished by the fertile soil, had leaves as lustrous as jade, its pure and auspicious energy lingering around it. The Nine-Colored Calamus also moved with the vitality of the wood element, its roots penetrating the spiritual earth, its radiance flickering, showing a hint of returning to its origin.
The most significant change was to the branch of the peach tree.
This tree is a branch of a top-grade innate Ren water spiritual root, so its roots are naturally extraordinary.
However, due to the lack of high-quality spiritual soil to support it, although there was vitality, it was difficult to fully realize its potential.
Now that the innate soil supports the source and the Lesser Five Elements Grand Array nourishes it day and night, its spiritual energy is restored, and its growth immediately changes.
Those few unripe peaches on the branch changed every day for thousands of years afterward.
At first, the peel was still pale green, but later it gradually turned a light golden color.
The water-like patterns on it gradually deepen and become denser, like fine water veins flowing around the fruit, subtly reflecting the pure and subtle meaning of the innate Ren water.
A wisp of medicinal fragrance slowly wafted out from the secret room.
The fragrance was sweet and mellow, untouched by worldly dust, and gradually spread throughout the entire Qinghei Mountain as it flowed through the energy within the formation.
The white fox clan living on the mountainside and the Yan Yuan clan settled in the Western Regions often smelled this fragrance. Whenever the medicinal aroma entered their noses, they felt their minds clear and their internal magical power flowed more smoothly.
Some minor demons who have been stuck at a bottleneck for many years are just one step away from a lucky break.
Now, after inhaling the fragrance of the peach medicine a few more times, it was as if things were going smoothly, and he broke through the old barrier.
Time stands still in the mountains; one is unaware of the changing seasons.
In the blink of an eye, thousands of years have quietly passed.
On this day, a bright light suddenly shone from within Qinghei Mountain, and a strange fragrance soared straight into the sky.
The fragrance tinged the mountain mist with a faint pink and gold hue, making it appear as if celestial clouds had fallen upon the mountain peaks from afar.
The peaches have finally ripened.
Xuan Yao sat upright on the white jade platform under the Enlightenment Tea Tree, with nine round and plump immortal fruits on a jade plate in front of him.
Each peach possesses an innate, luminous quality, with subtle patterns appearing on its skin. Its fragrance is delicate yet lingering, moist yet not cloying, truly a rare creation born of the Ren water element.
Xuan Yao looked at it for a moment, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
He then issued a decree to convene a small meeting in Uchiyama.
Before long, the disciples and leaders of the various tribes in the mountains had all gathered at the foot of the platform.
The eldest disciple, Yan Yuanzi, stood at the very front.
The guardian spirit bird Lingxiao, the green-robed boy Qingya, the red-haired boy Yuanguo, the white fox clan chief, and the Yanyuan clan's ancestor Yanheng all stood respectfully in attendance.
Even the Xuan Shui Old Dragon, who had just been released from his punishment at the bottom of the Wind and Thunder Pool, was now lying on the outermost edge of the crowd.
This old dragon had previously committed evil deeds out of greed and was punished by being sent to the bottom of the pool to be tempered by the Southern Ming Fire.
The Southern Fire is extremely yang and pure, and is most effective at burning away impurities and karmic obstacles.
Although the old dragon has suffered greatly, its scales still bear the marks of fire and its aura is much weaker than before, most of its mixed demonic energy has been refined away, and its water elemental essence has become much purer.
It now lies on the ground, its dragon eyes occasionally glancing at the jade plate on the platform, filled with longing, yet it dares not show the slightest sign of overstepping its bounds.
Xuan Yao's gaze swept over the crowd, and he nodded slightly.
"Since I established the Qingheishan Daoist Temple, you have all performed your duties diligently and cultivated yourselves, which can be considered as not failing the trust I have placed in you."
The peaches in the mountains are now ripening; they are a gift from the creation of heaven and earth.
Today, I, this humble Taoist priest, bestow this fruit upon you as a reward for your service in protecting this sacred site.
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked and bowed down in unison.
Xuan Yao raised his hand and took the first peach, looking at Yan Yuanzi at the front.
"Yan Yuanzi, please step forward."
Yan Yuanzi respectfully stepped forward, prostrated himself, and kowtowed.
Xuan Yao bestowed the peaches upon him and said gently, "Although you entered the sect late, you are naturally intelligent and diligent in your cultivation."
When I was in seclusion, you took charge of all the affairs in the mountain and did so in a very orderly manner.
This first peach is bestowed upon you. This fruit contains the essence of primordial Ren water, which can harmonize the water and fire energies within your body, further advancing your Water-Fire Refining Realm Array.
Yan Yuanzi accepted the peach with both hands, and felt a surge of abundant water-based life force flow from his palms into his meridians.
The energy was warm and gentle, clear and not cold, which matched the fire energy in his body, and he felt both respect and joy.
He kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Disciple thanks Master for bestowing this treasure. I will definitely cultivate diligently in the future and live up to Master's high expectations."
Xuan Yao took a second peach and looked at Ling Xiao.
"Lingxiao, you have been with me for a long time."
Over the years, they have fought to protect the Dharma, never retreating despite wind, thunder, and danger, and have made contributions.
This peach is bestowed upon you. Use its power to create your own water element, and diligently hone your wings of wind and thunder, lest you stray from the path of Taiyi.
Lingxiao stepped forward and accepted the immortal fruit. A flash of lightning appeared in his eyes, which then disappeared.
It lowered its head and said in a deep voice, "Lingxiao is willing to protect the Daoist temple for the Great Master, even at the cost of ten thousand lives."
Xuan Yao nodded, his gaze falling on the White Fox Clan Chief.
"Chief White Fox, since you entered the mountain, you have managed the trivial matters of the temple and assisted Yan Yuanzi in governing, ensuring that the various tribes in the mountain live in peace and harmony."
"I bestow this peach upon you, hoping that you will continue to work diligently and live up to the expectations placed upon you by this humble Taoist."
The White Fox Clan Chief originally thought that such a primordial spiritual fruit might not fall into his lap.
Hearing Xuan Yao speak, he was both surprised and delighted.
She stepped forward and accepted the peach with both hands, bowing respectfully and saying, "Your Excellency's generous gift will be forever remembered by the White Fox Clan. We will do our utmost in serving you in the future and will not dare to slack off in the slightest."
Xuan Yao then bestowed the fourth peach upon Ancestor Yan Heng.
"Yan Heng, since you led the Yan Yuan clan into the mountains, you have been working day and night to manage the earth's veins and water veins, which has been quite arduous."
You were injured by the True Man Chi Li in the past, which damaged your foundation in Taoism.
The innate vitality within these peaches can replenish your essence and extend your lifespan.
Ancestor Yanheng held the peach in trembling hands, tears streaming down his face.
He knew he had damaged his very foundation, and without a great opportunity, his lifespan would likely be limited.
Now that Xuan Yao has bestowed such a divine fruit upon him, it is no less than a life-saving grace for him.
Ancestor Yan Heng prostrated himself on the ground, his voice choked with emotion: "The great master's kindness is like giving us a second life, and the Yan Yuan clan will never forget it."
Then, Xuan Yao looked at Qingya.
"Qingya, you have guarded the temple for many years without ever slacking off. This peach is just right for you. You are originally a plant, and with this blessing of Ren water, you can solidify your foundation and achieve enlightenment as soon as possible."
Qingya stepped forward with joy, accepted the peach, bowed in gratitude, and then respectfully withdrew.
At this point, there were still four peaches left in the jade plate.
Xuan Yao's gaze swept over the crowd and landed on the Xuan Shui Old Dragon on the outermost edge.
When the old dragon saw the master looking at it, its body trembled, and it quickly buried its huge head deep in the ground, not daring to even breathe.
In the past, it was overcome by greed and almost caused trouble, and was punished by being imprisoned at the bottom of the pool for a thousand years.
The Southern Ming Fire burned day and night, burning away not only the demonic and turbid energy, but also grinding away most of the greedy and vicious energy in its heart.
Moreover, it had personally witnessed the power of Kong Xuan's Five-Colored Divine Light and experienced Xuan Yao's thunderous methods, so how could it dare to harbor even the slightest delusional thought now?
Xuan Yao observed its aura and saw that although it had not fully recovered from its injuries, it showed signs of repentance, so he spoke calmly.
"Old Jiao, do you know your mistake?"
The old dragon kowtowed repeatedly, its voice trembling: "This little demon knows its mistake. This little demon will never dare to harbor any wicked thoughts again, I only beg Your Excellency for mercy."
Xuan Yao nodded slightly, raised his hand and waved, and a peach transformed into a stream of light, landing steadily in front of the old dragon.
"Although you have made a big mistake, you have done your best to manage the waterways over the years."
This peach is given to you for two reasons: first, to heal your wounds from the fire, and second, to encourage you to be loyal to your master in the future.
If they dare to cause trouble again in the future, this humble monk will not let them off lightly.
The old dragon stared at the innate immortal fruit before him, momentarily unable to believe it.
It thought that it was already incredibly lucky to have survived.
Who would have thought that I would receive a peach today?
This fruit is precious to others, but for a water-based demon like itself, it is an unparalleled spiritual object that replenishes its essence.
The old dragon was immediately moved to tears, and knelt repeatedly while holding the peaches, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Excellency. I will dedicate myself to protecting Green Black Mountain to repay Your Excellency's kindness."
Having bestowed these gifts, Xuan Yao then looked at the red-haired boy, Yuan Guo, standing to the side.
Yuan Guo stared longingly at the jade plate, and seeing that everyone else had received something but he had none, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
However, he knew the rules and dared not ask for it. He just lowered his head and secretly looked at Xuan Yao's expression.
Seeing this, Xuan Yao smiled slightly.
"Yuan Guo, your cultivation is still shallow, and you sometimes act impulsively, unwilling to calm your mind and cultivate. The potency of the peaches of immortality is not light, and since your foundation is not yet stable, consuming them rashly may not be a good thing."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Guo immediately lowered his head and said, "I understand."
Xuan Yao reached into his sleeve, took out a jade bottle, and poured out a drop of milky white dew.
The dewdrop, no bigger than a fingertip, was surrounded by a pure and auspicious aura, its inner light warm and gentle, the very essence of the Jade Dew Blessed Fungus.
"This drop of blessed dew is given to you as encouragement. If you can restrain your mind and diligently cultivate yourself, you will naturally reap the benefits in the future."
Upon seeing the Fuzhi Dewdrop, Yuan Guo's disappointment dissipated considerably. He happily stepped forward to accept it and respectfully bowed, saying, "Thank you, Master. I will certainly cultivate diligently in the future."
Xuan Yao did not bestow any more peaches upon the remaining three.
He took out a box made of ten-thousand-year-old cold jade, carefully sealed the three immortal fruits inside, and then set up several layers of blessing and fortune restrictions on the outside of the box before putting it into his sleeve.
These innate spiritual fruits, if left within the Daoist temple, will provide a valuable foundation for future interactions with outsiders and for handling unforeseen circumstances.
After the bestowal of rewards was completed, Qinghei Mountain was filled with joy.
Having received the immortal fruit, the disciples held Xuan Yao in even greater reverence.
It should be known that such innate spiritual fruits, if placed in the outside world, would be enough to attract many powerful beings to fight over them.
However, in the Qinghei Mountain, the magistrate was able to reward those who had made contributions, without being selfish or biased, which naturally won people's respect.
This incident has further strengthened the unity of the people in the temple.
The White Fox clan became increasingly docile, the Yan Yuan clan members worked even harder, and their disciples diligently cultivated their skills.
Xuan Yao sat upright on the white jade platform, watching the crowd below joyfully bow and express their gratitude, and felt at peace in his heart.
The foundation of the Taiyi Dao has been established, and the foundation of the Daoist temple has been solidified. Although there will still be storms on the path of cultivation ahead, it will be much easier to navigate them from now on.