DreamersGN Chapter 248 On the Path to Enlightenment, Five Villages Temple
Chapter 248 On the Path to Enlightenment, Five Villages Temple
And so, life goes from birth to death.
In a very short time, it unfolded clearly before the eyes of Houtu Zuwu.
"Birth, growth, aging, death... the cycle repeats itself."
Houtu, the ancestral witch, stood in front of a small mound, seemingly moved.
"call!"
After taking a deep breath, she turned to look at Niu Ben beside her and said:
"The lives of these human beings are truly fragile!"
Houtu was deeply moved.
You must understand that these decades or centuries are but a fleeting moment for an ancestral witch like her.
But for human beings, it is their entire life.
Other races in the primordial world had an average lifespan of tens of thousands of years, far exceeding that of ordinary humans.
If one can cultivate to the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, one can enjoy eternal life.
Niu Ben stood silently, without saying anything.
He knew in his heart that the human race, after multiplying to this day, was no longer what it used to be.
The first batch of human beings created by the sage Nuwa from clay were all born with innate Dao embryos and possessed exceptional aptitude.
Those human beings naturally have extremely long lifespans.
However, with continuous reproduction, the bloodline is constantly diluted.
Now, ordinary people make up the vast majority of the human race.
After a moment of silence, Niu Ben finally spoke:
"Fellow Daoist Houtu."
"Different life forms have different meanings of existence."
Let's go!
Upon hearing what Niu Ben said, Houtu Zuwu breathed a sigh of relief and then left with Niu Ben without lingering.
Next, the two continued to wander through the primordial world, experiencing the cycle of life and death.
On this day, Niu Ben and Houtu, the ancestral witch, arrived at a blessed land of immortals.
Upon closer inspection, one sees a cluster of pine and bamboo trees and several pavilions halfway up the mountain. Beside the mountain gate stands a stele inscribed with the words: "Longevity Mountain, Blessed Land; Wuzhuang Temple, Grotto Heaven."
Niu Ben immediately recognized it upon seeing this.
This place is none other than Zhen Yuanzi's Daoist temple, Wanshou Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple.
As soon as the two landed, they saw light and shadow flickering outside the mountain gate.
The person in the lead was a Taoist priest with a long beard, wearing a purple-gold crown, a carefree crane cloak, and shoes. He had an ancient face and a kind and generous temperament.
Who else could it be but Zhen Yuanzi?
Behind him were two young Taoist disciples.
"Hahaha!"
Upon seeing Niu Ben and Houtu, the Ancestral Witch, Zhen Yuanzi couldn't help but burst into laughter:
"I had a premonition today, for two distinguished guests have arrived!"
"Fellow Daoist Niu Ben, Fellow Daoist Hou Tu, I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"
Zhen Yuanzi said with a smile.
I am familiar with Niu Ben, the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones.
As for Houtu, the ancestral witch, it wasn't the first time they had met; they had seen her before at a sermon held by the Three Pure Ones.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi!"
Seeing Zhen Yuanzi's politeness, Niu Ben and Hou Tu also treated him with courtesy.
At this moment, Zhen Yuanzi's gaze swept over the two of them before settling on Niu Ben, and he asked softly:
"Fellow Daoist Niu Ben, what are you doing with Fellow Daoist Hou Tu?"
It is quite rare for the ancestral witch of the witch clan to travel with the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones.
Niu Ben smiled slightly and explained:
"Fellow Daoist Houtu felt something and traveled through the prehistoric world in search of opportunities. I happened to be there and joined her on her journey."
"Since I was passing by your place, I thought I'd come and pay you a visit."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi nodded in understanding and didn't ask any further questions. He then warmly invited him:
"I see."
"Fellow Daoists, please come into the temple for a chat."
Next, Niu Ben and Hou Tu, led by Zhen Yuanzi, entered the Wuzhuang Temple.
After taking his seat, Zhen Yuanzi turned his gaze and gave a wink to the two young disciples behind him.
Upon receiving Zhen Yuanzi's gaze, the two young disciples immediately understood and withdrew.
Before long, the two young Taoist disciples returned.
One of the young Taoist boys was carrying a plate lined with a silk handkerchief, on which were placed two porcelain cups.
Inside the porcelain bowl were two fruits.
The fruit was like a newborn baby, complete with all four limbs and five senses.
As soon as it was served, a wonderful fragrance wafted up, containing a vast amount of Yi wood essence and the Dao of life.
"Oh?"
"Is it the fruit of ginseng?"
Niu Ben was startled when he saw it. He immediately recognized that the two fruits in the porcelain bowl were ginseng fruits.
He was no stranger to the fruit of life.
This ginseng fruit, also known as "grass ginseng pill," resembles a three-day-old infant and takes ten thousand years to mature.
It takes three thousand years for the flower to bloom, three thousand years for the fruit to bear fruit, and three thousand years for the fruit to mature, producing only thirty fruits at a time.
Hearing about it can add 360 years to one's life, and eating it can make one live for 47,000 years.
In addition, ginseng fruit also possesses the characteristics of the five elements.
It falls when it encounters gold, withers when it encounters wood, dissolves when it encounters water, scorches when it encounters fire, and enters when it encounters earth.
That is why it needs to be collected by striking with a gold tool, lined with a silk cloth and caught in a porcelain container, and then dissolved in water for consumption!
"Fellow Daoists, this is a celestial fruit cultivated by my Wuzhuang Temple, the Ginseng Fruit."
Please try it!
Zhen Yuanzi said with a smile that Niu Ben and Houtu Zuwu were both of extraordinary status, and since they had come to his Wuzhuang Temple, he would naturally treat them well.
As Zhen Yuanzi spoke, the young Taoist boy placed the porcelain bowl containing ginseng fruit in front of Niu Ben and Houtu Ancestral Witch, while another young Taoist boy poured spiritual spring water into the bowl.
The next moment, the ginseng fruit inside the porcelain bowl dissolved upon contact with water, releasing a burst of spiritual energy.
"Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi!"
Niu Ben thanked Hou Tu and, without standing on ceremony, began to enjoy the food.
Although Houtu was born into the Wu tribe and did not cultivate the primordial spirit, she clearly felt after tasting the fruit that it would greatly benefit her in stabilizing her ancestral witch body.
Niu Ben didn't care much. Although the ginseng fruit was good, it was useless to him.
Next, Niu Ben and Zhen Yuanzi began to discuss Daoist principles and metaphysics.
Zhen Yuanzi stroked his long beard, his gaze gentle, and spoke first:
"Fellow Daoist Niu Ben, you are the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones and have received the true Dao from Pangu. I have long admired you."
"I am fortunate to offer this as a starting point for further discussion."
"I observe this vast and boundless land, which bears all things and nurtures all living beings. Its virtue is supremely profound, and its nature is supremely tranquil."
"Therefore, my way lies in the word 'guarding'."
"Guard this spiritual vein of mountains and rivers, guard this root of heaven and earth, comprehend the mysteries of the Earth Book, sort out the earth veins, stabilize the universe, and seek to prosper together with all things."
As Zhen Yuan spoke, countless flashes of light appeared around him.
From that spiritual light, the illusory image of the earth's veins appeared, winding and flowing, carrying endless vitality and profound weight.
Niu Ben remained calm and smiled faintly:
"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi is too modest."
"Fellow Daoist, you have wielded the Book of Earth and dredged the primordial earth veins; your merits are immeasurable."
"The way of defense is the anchor of stability, the foundation of security, and is worthy of admiration."
At this point, Niu Ben paused briefly, then changed the subject:
"However, the way of heaven and earth is not only about stillness and restraint, but also about dynamic balance."
"The great god Pangu created heaven and earth, and the pure rose and the turbid descended; this was a single movement."
"The interplay of Yin and Yang, the changing of the four seasons, are all forms of movement."
"My way lies in understanding the origin, discerning the rules, and acting in accordance with the trend."
"Even when necessary, we must follow the right path and break through the impasse with force."