Chapter 136: 136. Chapter 134: Preaching the Dao, is Xuanzang exposed?

136. Chapter 134: Preaching the Dao, is Xuanzang exposed?

When Dapeng heard Zhenyuanzi's words, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes. He knew about innate and acquired spiritual Qi, having participated in the great battle at Qinglong Pass that caused the fragmentation of the Primordial World.

However, he truly did not know that Ginseng Fruit grown with innate spiritual Qi and those grown with acquired spiritual Qi tasted different.

After all, he had never eaten a Ginseng Fruit grown with innate spiritual Qi.

"No wonder that fellow Shennong doesn't come here much anymore; it turns out that's the reason." Panhuang smiled after hearing Zhenyuanzi's complaint.

"Shennong Daoist friend's palate has indeed been spoiled by me," Zhenyuanzi also smiled.

Panhuang and Zhenyuanzi truly enjoyed this way of interacting. Aside from the brothers and sisters in the Netherworld, only Zhenyuanzi, Minghe, and the Changxi sisters could make Panhuang feel this relaxed. Others were either too respectful or feared and resented him.

Therefore, most of the time, Panhuang maintained a high and mighty posture—not because he wanted to, but because he had to.

"They will probably take a long time to digest the spiritual energy of the Ginseng Fruit. Let's not disturb them for now; we can come back after they finish their cultivation," Panhuang said to Zhenyuanzi.

"Very well. Panhuang Daoist friend, let's play a few games of Go. It has been a long time since I played with you; speaking of which, this game of Go was created by you, Daoist friend."

"Let's play two games then," Panhuang nodded.

"Dapeng, you stay here and watch over their cultivation," Panhuang said to Dapeng before leaving.

"Understood!" Dapeng nodded.

"Qingfeng, Mingyue, you two stay here and keep watch as well," Zhenyuanzi also instructed his acolytes.

"Yes, Master!" Qingfeng and Mingyue nodded.

"You are truly lucky!" After Panhuang and the others left, Dapeng looked at Xuanzang and the others who were cultivating and said.

If not for Panhuang, Xuanzang and the others would never have had such an opportunity. Panhuang had him stay here to guard them, which clearly meant there was more to come. If he guessed correctly, it was likely a sermon.

Otherwise, why would they need a guardian in a place as safe as Wuzhuang Temple? If they needed a guardian to cultivate in Wuzhuang Temple, Zhenyuanzi might as well retire from the Primordial World.

"Two immortal acolytes, is there anything else coming up?" Dapeng asked Qingfeng and Mingyue.

"Dapeng senior brother, you will know when the time comes; it is not convenient for us to say more." Mingyue shook his head.

They were only acolytes; they dared not speak of matters concerning Panhuang and Zhenyuanzi.

But upon hearing their words, a smile appeared on Dapeng's face. It seemed there was indeed a stroke of fortune awaiting them.

Three days later, Ao Mo'ang was the first to finish his cultivation. His aura was still at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, but Dapeng could see that he could break through at any moment.

The day after Ao Mo'ang finished, Sun Wukong also finished. His situation was the same as Ao Mo'ang's: peak Taiyi Golden Immortal, ready to break through at any time.

Three days after Sun Wukong finished, Xuanzang finished. His cultivation had risen from Golden Immortal to the mid-stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal. It seemed Xuanzang had gained the most this time.

After Xuanzang finished, the Black Bear Spirit also finished. His cultivation had now reached the late stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal.

"The effect of the Ginseng Fruit is truly powerful!" the Black Bear Spirit exclaimed.

"It is one of the ten great innate spiritual roots, after all. If it weren't powerful, could it be called one of the ten great innate spiritual roots?" Dapeng smiled.

"Now that our cultivation is finished, should we go and bid farewell to the Saint and Great Immortal Zhenyuan?" Xuanzang asked.

"Don't be in such a hurry!" Dapeng smiled.

"Everyone, please wait a moment; we will go and inform the Master," Qingfeng said quickly.

They couldn't let Xuanzang and the others leave just like that! The Saint's sermon was coming up; if they left, where would they go to listen to the Dao?

"That wouldn't be very polite. We should go together to pay our respects to the Saint and Great Immortal Zhenyuan," Ao Mo'ang said quickly.

"No matter, let the two acolytes go," Dapeng said.

Qingfeng and Mingyue bowed to the group and then left the rear hall.

"Your stroke of fortune has arrived!" After the acolytes left, Dapeng looked at the group with a smile.

"Fortune? Doesn't eating the Ginseng Fruit count as a stroke of fortune? I feel this is already a huge stroke of fortune; after all, this isn't something ordinary people can eat," the Black Bear Spirit said.

Dapeng said nothing, and the others were a bit confused, but Ao Mo'ang's expression suddenly changed.

"Could it be...?"

"Yes!" Seeing Ao Mo'ang's reaction, Dapeng knew he had guessed it.

"What is it? I'm a bit confused," the Black Bear Spirit asked, looking puzzled.

"You will know soon enough," Ao Mo'ang smiled.

No sooner had Ao Mo'ang finished speaking than Qingfeng and Mingyue walked in, their faces filled with barely contained excitement.

"Everyone, please prepare yourselves; the Master will be here shortly," Mingyue said.

The two of them then tidied up the meditation cushions in the rear hall, and the group immediately understood what was happening.

"Is it what I think it is?" The Black Bear Spirit's voice trembled slightly.

"Adjust your state of mind," Xuanzang smiled and patted the Black Bear Spirit on the head.

"Yes, Master!" the Black Bear Spirit nodded.

After everyone was seated, Panhuang and Zhenyuanzi walked in. Seeing that everyone was ready, Panhuang sat in the seat of honor at the head of the rear hall, while Zhenyuanzi sat below Panhuang, at the front of the group.

"Since I have encountered you all, I shall preach the Dao. How much you can comprehend depends on yourselves," Panhuang said with a smile.

After speaking, he began to preach. For a time, heavenly flowers fell and golden lotuses sprang from the earth throughout the rear hall. As these manifestations touched them, everyone instantly entered a state of sudden enlightenment.

Everyone else was fine, but Xuanzang forced himself to wake up from the state of enlightenment. He discovered that as his Buddhist power increased, his demonic energy was increasing even faster, and he was struggling to suppress it.

If the Saint discovered he had fallen into the demonic path, Xuanzang could not imagine the consequences.

Therefore, he resisted with all his might, choosing to forgo this stroke of fortune rather than expose his demonic nature.

However, things went against his wishes; even though he did not enter the state of enlightenment, wisps of demonic energy still seeped from his body.

"It's over!" Zhenyuanzi noticed the demonic energy the moment it appeared and opened his eyes immediately.

When Zhenyuanzi opened his eyes, he did not find the source of the demonic energy, which puzzled him. However, this confusion lasted only a few breaths before he fell back into enlightenment.

Meanwhile, Xuanzang was filled with confusion. The moment Zhenyuanzi opened his eyes, countless heavenly flowers and golden lotuses poured into his body, instantly suppressing the demonic energy within him.

Xuanzang knew the Saint had intervened. But why would the Saint help him hide it instead of destroying him upon discovering he had fallen into the demonic path? (End of chapter)