Chapter 223: Another ginseng fruit tree?

What? That ginseng fruit tree is actually fellow Daoist's cultivation foundation?

To be honest, Ao Yifan didn't expect that either; the truth of the matter turned out to be this.

"Fellow Daoist, this matter is of great importance; why would you inform me?"

This time, Ao Yifan was a bit at a loss.

What a naive simpleton is Zhenyuan Daxian, to lay his heart out to someone he just met?

Ao Yifan absolutely did not believe it.

And the reason the other party revealed such an important matter to me is definitely because they have huge designs!

Having laid out everything concerning my cultivation foundation, Ao Yifan even suspected that this kind‑looking old fellow wanted to rob and kill him!

"Fellow Daoist, aren't we old acquaintances?"

Zhenyuan Zi took a sip of tea, smiled at Ao Yifan and said: "Since we're old acquaintances, I naturally trust fellow Daoist, so telling you this is actually no big deal."

Hearing that, Ao Yifan couldn't help but laugh awkwardly; he never imagined that one day he would lift a stone only to drop it on his own foot.

However, since this matter has already drawn him in, Ao Yifan wanted to see what medicine the other party was selling from their gourd.

"I don't know what trouble fellow Daoist has encountered, but is it related to that ginseng fruit tree?"

Ao Yifan asked.

"Exactly, it's about the ginseng fruit tree!"

Zhenyuan Zi sighed and said: "In fact, ever since the ginseng fruit tree bore a new ginseng fruit last time, I discovered the problem—it actually began to resist communicating with me."

"Why is that? Have you asked it what the specific reason is?"

Ao Yifan said.

"I have asked about this as well, but the reply I got was something I never expected."

Zhenyuan Zi gave a wry smile and said: "Do you know, fellow Daoist, why the ginseng fruit tree refuses to communicate with me?"

"This..."

Ao Yifan looked speechless; how could he possibly know why the ginseng fruit tree would refuse to talk to Zhenyuan Zi?

Zhenyuan Zi didn't keep beating around the bush, but spoke plainly: "I have sat beneath the ginseng fruit tree for a thousand years, and finally got a faint response—the ginseng fruit tree in my backyard feels lonely and wants me to help it find another ginseng fruit tree for companionship."

"What the heck?"

Hearing Zhenyuan Zi's words, Ao Yifan was stunned into silence.

A tree, having lived too long, grew depressed and wanted to find a companion of its kind.

Is that reasonable?

But the crucial point is that this tree is an innate spiritual root born when chaos first opened; it can be said to be one of a kind in the world.

"That ginseng fruit tree—there's probably only this one in the whole world, fellow Daoist; where would you go to find another one for it?"

Ao Yifan said, half‑laughing, half‑crying.

"Yes!"

Zhenyuan Zi also shook his head helplessly and said: "I, too, am troubled by this; now that the ginseng fruit tree refuses to communicate with me, it amounts to cutting off my foundation for sainthood, and I am utterly at a loss."

Looking at Zhenyuan Zi with some pity, having to deal with a temperamental tree counts as his bad luck.

But soon Ao Yifan noticed that Zhenyuan Zi, as well as Qingfeng and Mingyue opposite him, were staring at him.

"Fellow Daoist, what are you staring at me for?"

Ao Yifan's expression immediately turned a little odd, and he said: "Fellow Daoist, you wouldn't be thinking of having me help you find another ginseng fruit tree, would you?"

"Cough cough"

After a light cough, Zhenyuan Zi said: "Fellow Daoist, although this sounds a bit absurd, my Heaven‑Earth Treasure Mirror points to you as the one who can break the current impasse; that should not be wrong."

"Earth Book Heaven‑Earth Treasure Mirror?"

As for the famed Earth Book, Ao Yifan naturally knows of it.

After all, Zhenyuan Zi carries great renown, and his mastery of the Earth Book accounts for a large part of that.

Moreover, it is said that the Earth Book can perceive the Three Realms and foresee past and future events.

Although Ao Yifan feels there is some exaggeration in that.

After all, among the Three Realms, even those great supernatural beings would be hard for the Earth Book to pry into.

But the Earth Book's power is also undeniable.

Now, according to Zhenyuan Zi's words, he sought me out because the Earth Book gave a warning.

"Could it be..."

Ao Yifan thought to himself, and his gaze involuntarily fell on Qingfeng and Mingyue beside Zhenyuan Zi.

The ginseng fruit tree is an innate spiritual root born when chaos first opened; logically, it is almost impossible for another to appear in this world.

But Ao Yifan actually knows a way to find another ginseng fruit tree.

However, there is an element of gamble involved, which even Ao Yifan cannot control.

Yet, adding the Earth Book's warning, Ao Yifan feels this might actually work.

That is, Ao Yifan could bump into another ginseng fruit tree from Qingfeng and Mingyue.

After all, according to the original heavenly trajectory, Qingfeng and Mingyue have eaten ginseng fruit.

If I make an effort, I might actually manage to bump into a ginseng fruit tree on them.

"But how should I say this?"

Looking at the delicate‑featured Qingfeng and Mingyue, Ao Yifan felt a bit embarrassed.

After all, I'm not the type who falls in love at first sight.

"But having said that, I hit it off with this Earth Immortal Ancestor at first glance; if I had a chance to help him, I wouldn't be..."

Seeing Ao Yifan staring at his two disciples, Zhenyuan Zi also recalled that before setting out for the Jade Pool to attend the Peach Banquet, the Heaven‑Earth Treasure Mirror had given a warning.

That is, these two disciples of mine are related to this chance of my becoming a sage.

Furthermore, thinking of Ao Yifan being that chance of my becoming a sage, Zhen Yuanzi's eyes flashed with a hint of realization.

Immediately, only hearing Zhen Yuanzi say: "Fellow Daoist, have you already gotten a clue about another person's ginseng fruit tree? This matter, is it related to my two disciples?"

As expected of the ancestor of earth immortals, just from these details he can see so much, and there's no need for me to bother explaining.

"Well, fellow Daoist, to be frank, I indeed have some clues about another person's ginseng fruit tree, but this matter requires your two disciples to cooperate with me."

Ao Yifan hesitated and said: "Just, this method, however, requires your two disciples to make a sacrifice; I fear you may not be able to accept it."

"This..."

Hearing that his two disciples would need to make a sacrifice, although he didn't yet know exactly what it was, Zhen Yuanzi didn't know how to respond.

After all, he is a master who cherishes his disciples, and would not casually sacrifice his disciples.

Meanwhile, at the side, Qingfeng and Mingyue exchanged a glance, then in unison said: "Master, thank you for your many years of teaching; if we two can help you accomplish the foundation for becoming a sage, even if we sacrifice ourselves, we are willing!"

"Good disciple!"