Chapter 98: An Overabundance of Fortune, Uncertain Blessings or Curses, the Three-Month Deadline Arrives!

"What is this?"

Gazing at the bizarre scene before him, Lu Fei felt a sudden jolt of shock. But he quickly composed himself, realizing: "The giant tree before me is the legendary spiritual root of heaven and earth, the Ginseng Fruit Tree!"

"And those babes hanging from the branches—all pale and tender, with fully formed limbs and distinct facial features, wiggling with the wind and wailing—they are the Ginseng Fruits!"

"So this is what Ginseng Fruit actually looks like!" Lu Fei was truly stunned.

*Slap!*

Just then, a hand landed heavily on his shoulder, startling him further.

"Hahaha..." A voice rang out from beside him.

Lu Fei turned instantly to see his senior brother, Mingyue, looking at him with a mischievous grin. "Junior brother, you were scared, weren't you?"

Looking at Mingyue, who was a full head shorter than him, Lu Fei let out a breath and nodded. He then turned his gaze toward the towering, sky-blocking tree in the distance and asked, "Senior brother, what is this tree? And the spiritual energy here...?"

Lu Fei took a deep breath, feeling as if his entire body were submerged in an ocean of spiritual energy. He reached out to brush aside the visible, white, cotton-like wisps of spiritual energy floating in the air. "I can feel how incredibly dense the spiritual energy is here; it’s truly astonishing. And what are those babes hanging on the tree?"

Seeing Lu Fei’s expression shift from shock to lingering fear, and then to curious inquiry, Mingyue laughed even more heartily. "Do not rush, junior brother. Let me explain it to you in detail."

Mingyue set down the carrying pole from his shoulder and pointed to the lush, canopy-like tree. "That is the divine treasure I mentioned to you—the Ginseng Fruit Tree!"

"It is not a child," Mingyue added, seeing Lu Fei point to the lifelike figures on the branches. He shook his head with a proud smile. "That is the fruit borne by our tree, known as 'Ginseng Fruit,' also called 'Grass-Return Elixir.' It blossoms once every three thousand years, bears fruit every three thousand years, and takes another three thousand to ripen. It requires a full ten thousand years before it can be consumed. And in those ten thousand years, it only produces thirty fruits."

"A mortal only needs to smell one to live for three hundred and sixty years. If one is fortunate enough to eat one..."

Knowing his senior brother's personality, Lu Fei asked at the right moment, "And what happens if one eats one?"

Mingyue grew even prouder. "Heh, that is truly extraordinary! You can live for forty-seven thousand years."

"Furthermore, the dense spiritual energy you asked about is because our Ginseng Fruit Tree is a spiritual root of heaven and earth, naturally capable of gathering energy. When you arrived at Longevity Mountain, you must have noticed how thin the energy was in the surrounding areas, while our mountain is rich with it. That is naturally the work of the tree."

"The 'epiphany' you experienced yesterday is also related to this tree. With your current strength, your golden core—no, you are a demon, so it should be called a 'demon core,' though it is the same thing—the bottleneck to reaching the demon core stage is essentially gone. As long as you raise your cultivation, condensing energy into a core will be as natural as water flowing into a channel."

Lu Fei, having already experienced the invisible yet tangible bottleneck when advancing from a minor demon to a demon general, was overjoyed. He knew all too well how painful and desperate that hurdle felt. If advancing from a demon soldier to a demon general was already so difficult, the struggle to reach the demon commander or demon core stage would have been unimaginable. But now, according to Mingyue, his path seemed clear of obstacles. What incredible luck!

"Is the epiphany truly that profound?" Lu Fei asked, his face showing a mix of surprise and delight. He had heard his senior brothers mention it yesterday, but he hadn't fully grasped its significance until now.

"Of course," Mingyue nodded. "This is what our senior brothers who have been fortunate enough to experience it have said. If it is so for them with their deep cultivation, how much more so for you?"

Seeing Lu Fei’s expression, Mingyue, thinking he was skeptical, quickly added, "Don't think an epiphany is easy to come by. Among all the brothers in our temple, including you, only about a third have been fortunate enough to experience one."

Lu Fei, naturally hoping for the best, looked at Mingyue’s serious expression and quickly said, "I would not dare think otherwise. After yesterday afternoon, I tried to see if I could enter that state again, but it was impossible."

"Exactly," Mingyue said, satisfied with Lu Fei’s response. He picked up his water buckets again. "That is why your epiphany upon arrival is your own great fortune."

"And you know," Mingyue said, looking up at the fruits that swayed in the wind, emitting sounds like the cries of infants, "the time for our Ginseng Fruit to ripen is almost here."

Hearing this, Lu Fei understood immediately and suppressed his excitement. "Senior brother, you mean...?"

"Master already said," Mingyue continued, and Lu Fei could hear the hidden excitement in his voice, "that when the fruit ripens this time, all the brothers in the temple will get to taste it."

Mingyue turned to Lu Fei. "So, junior brother, you have great luck and good fortune!"

With that, Mingyue picked up his buckets and walked away. Lu Fei, feeling overwhelmed by the news, quickly picked up his own buckets and chased after him. "Senior brother, do you mean I will also get to taste the Ginseng Fruit?"

Mingyue nodded. "Of course, you are a member of our temple."

Lu Fei asked again, "And when will it ripen?"

Mingyue replied, "In three months."

Lu Fei instantly remembered that his teacher, Zhenyuan, had told him to seek him out in three months. Though he had already asked his senior brothers about this yesterday, he simply said, "That is indeed very soon."

"Right?" Mingyue said. "I told you that you have great fortune. Do you know how long I have been waiting for that day?"

"How long?"

"Over five hundred years. Senior brother Qingfeng has been waiting even longer."

For the rest of the time, Mingyue kept talking about the past. Lu Fei responded occasionally, but his mind was racing. In three months, the fruit would ripen. He had arrived at Wuzhuang Temple and had the incredible luck of experiencing an epiphany on his first day. Now, he would also be present for the ripening of the Ginseng Fruit, which only occurred once every ten thousand years. Coming to Wuzhuang Temple was truly the best decision he could have made.

In three months, his teacher Zhenyuan would likely teach him cultivation techniques. With the help of the Ginseng Fruit, his transition to a new cultivation path should be smooth and swift.

At this thought, Lu Fei grew even more expectant.

Just then, he received a message through his spiritual sense. His expression changed, and he slowed his pace.

"Junior brother?" Mingyue, noticing the change, asked, "Is something wrong?"

Lu Fei stopped, set down his heavy buckets of spiritual spring water, and bowed to Mingyue.

Mingyue set down his pole, concerned. "What happened? Tell me. With us brothers here, we will not let you be bullied."

Lu Fei explained, "I have a Spirit-Seeking Mouse that has been with me since I was a minor demon. It accompanied me through years of hardship in the Great Wilderness. When your senior brothers came to fetch me yesterday, the little one had wandered off too far, so I couldn't bring it. I left a trace of my spiritual sense in it and knew it was outside the temple yesterday. I intended to ask if I could bring it in later, but just now, I felt its call for help. It must be in danger outside."

"No need to say more!" Mingyue interrupted. "The mouse is a small matter, but its safety is paramount! Let’s head back quickly. We’ve finished the preliminary work for the spiritual rice. Once we drop off the water, we can go rescue your mouse."

Lu Fei followed suit, and they hurried back. He had meant to ask about his little companion, Xiaobai, last night, but had been distracted by the firewood chores and the epiphany.

Soon, they returned to the kitchen courtyard. Mingyue relayed the situation to Qingfeng, who didn't hesitate. Together, they rushed toward the temple gate.

After Qingfeng and Mingyue recited a spell to open the heavy gates, Lu Fei dashed out, following the signal in his mind. Not far away, a large white mouse sensed Lu Fei and sprinted toward him, diving into his chest.

*Squeak, squeak, squeak!*

Xiaobai squeaked in excitement and grievance. Before Lu Fei could soothe it, three larger white mice appeared in the distance, chasing after them. Seeing them, Xiaobai jumped down and bared its teeth, growling fiercely.

Lu Fei understood immediately: Xiaobai had been bullied by these three larger mice.

"Junior brother, is this your Spirit-Seeking Mouse?" Mingyue asked as he and Qingfeng caught up.

"Yes. Thank you both for opening the gates for me," Lu Fei said, then called out, "Xiaobai."

Hearing his father's voice, Xiaobai abandoned its confrontation and leaped into Lu Fei’s arms.

"These are your father's senior brothers. You must call them uncles," Lu Fei instructed. Xiaobai, far from an ordinary mouse, understood him perfectly. It stood up and waved its little paws, acting cute to win them over.

The two immortal boys, who knew little of the outside world, were amazed. "This mouse is so clever... its fur is so smooth."

Mingyue, being bold, picked up Xiaobai and stroked it. Qingfeng pondered, "Pure aura, filled with spiritual energy, and early wisdom. It is indeed a true Spirit-Seeking Mouse. You have good luck, junior brother. With this mouse, finding spiritual treasures will be much easier."

"It has helped me a lot," Lu Fei agreed.

Qingfeng glanced at the three wild mice and said, "Since you have found your mouse, let's go back."

As they walked back through the gates, the three wild mice looked on with envy. They were merely ordinary mice that had gained a sliver of intelligence and white fur from living on Longevity Mountain; they were no match for a true spiritual creature like Xiaobai.

Once the heavy gates closed, Lu Fei asked, "Do you know much about this kind of Spirit-Seeking Mouse?"

Mingyue shook his head. "This is the first time I've ever seen one."

Qingfeng thought for a moment. "I have read about them. They are born in areas of dense spiritual energy and possess innate wisdom, which is why they instinctively find other treasures. However, because they are so favored by heaven, it is extremely difficult for them to take human form like ordinary demons. You should keep it with you, junior brother."

Lu Fei stroked Xiaobai’s head, not overly surprised. He had long suspected this.

"Junior brother," Qingfeng cautioned, "I know these mice love to burrow, but Wuzhuang Temple is a self-contained celestial domain. While there are no forbidden arrays, there are still dangers. You must keep your mouse under control."

"It knows it is lucky to be here; it will not be reckless," Lu Fei promised.

"Good." Qingfeng looked at the sky, where the sun was beginning to rise. "The morning lesson is about to start. We must go."

Lu Fei tucked the curious Xiaobai into his grey robe and followed his brothers to the main hall.

Soon, they arrived at the circular plaza in front of the main hall, where a dozen senior brothers in blue robes were already gathered. Lu Fei sat at the periphery with Qingfeng and Mingyue, feeling the powerful, hidden auras of the others.

When the sun broke the horizon, a middle-aged disciple with a refined and tranquil air took the lead seat. This was the senior disciple, Qingchen.

Qingchen’s aura was one of absolute "stillness." Even just looking at his calm, dark eyes made Lu Fei’s restless heart settle into a profound peace. He couldn't gauge Qingchen's strength, but as the chief disciple of Zhenyuan, it surely surpassed that of a human immortal.

Qingchen began to chant the scriptures. Lu Fei focused his mind, listening intently. Although he didn't understand everything, the rhythm and tone of the chanting cleared his mind and sharpened his understanding of his own "Demon Breathing Technique." It was truly effective.

Half an hour later, the lesson ended.

"How was it, junior brother?" Mingyue asked later. "I love listening to Senior Brother Qingchen chant."

"It was indeed wonderful," Lu Fei replied, then asked, "Is there a place where I can read the scriptures Senior Brother Qingchen was reciting?"

Qingfeng smiled. "The scriptures are in the library. You are free to visit, but I suggest you start from the first floor to build a foundation."

"Thank you, senior brother," Lu Fei bowed.

"Let's go. The morning lesson is over, but our work has just begun," Mingyue said, heading toward the kitchen.

As the sun set that evening, Lu Fei realized that the "black wood" he was assigned to chop was fixed in quantity—once finished, no more appeared until the next day. It was clearly a test of discipline.

In the days that followed, Lu Fei’s life was a routine of morning lessons, chopping wood, drawing water, reading in the library, and meditation. His days at Wuzhuang Temple were fulfilling and peaceful, and he felt more and more fortunate for his decision to leave home.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

For the disciples of Wuzhuang Temple, this summer was destined to be extraordinary. Lu Fei was finally waiting for the day to see his teacher, Zhenyuan, again, while all the other disciples awaited the once-in-ten-thousand-years ripening of the Ginseng Fruit.