Its main vein is Kunlun.
The section of the Qinling Mountains closest to Chang'an is considered a sacred land, known as the "City of Immortals," the "Crown of Grotto Heavens," and the "Number One Blessed Land Under Heaven."
This is Zhongnan Mountain.
All of them were Earth Immortals: Tieguai Li, Han Zhongli, Jiang Liu, and the fortune-telling Taoist Yuan Shoucheng. They traveled three hundred miles out of Chang'an, riding the wind and clouds. Even though Zhang Guo's strength was still weak, being carried along by the group made him seem like a celestial being. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhongnan Mountain came into view in the distance.
"Brother Jiang, what kind of rare treasure have you acquired... You're really keeping it a secret. Fine, fine. Yuan Tiangang discovered an ancient immortal's cave dwelling in Zhongnan Mountain, with elegant scenery. Moreover, three years ago he obtained a pot of fine wine, brewed by Du Kang, the wine sage of the Middle Ages, which he has treasured ever since and is reluctant to drink. Today, I will use Brother Jiang's treasure to force him to hand over that pot of fine wine..."
Han Zhongli waved his banana leaf fan, rolled up the corner of his clothes to reveal his big belly, and kept smacking his lips, clearly having been craving that pot of Dukang wine for a long time.
Tieguai Li nodded and said, "His Zhou Tian Divine Calculation is indeed profound. Fellow Daoist Shoucheng, your divination skills are also remarkable. Perhaps you can deduce that I need to refine a batch of God-Breaking Pills, but I still lack Dragon Blood Ginseng and Nine-Star Divine Sunflower. If you can deduce that, I will divide these God-Breaking Pills into three portions for you."
Yuan Shoucheng gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, "You all know my abilities. I can deduce ordinary things and observe their aura and appearance, but these rare and precious treasures are truly beyond my reach. Even my nephew, a master of the I Ching, might not be able to calculate them. All the treasures in the world depend on fate! Speaking of the Breaking God Pill, Fellow Daoist, you are preparing to break through to the Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation realm. Congratulations in advance! Breaking through to the Void Realm means entering the Celestial Immortal realm!"
Tieguai Li laughed and said, "It's still early, it's still early!"
Traveling on the wind, even in the dead of winter, had no effect on the group.
Not long after, Yuan Shoucheng pointed down and said, "We're here. Follow me. Tiangang said he's going to perform a divination to predict the changes in humanity over the next three thousand years. But he can't possibly predict it all by himself, not even a fraction of it. That kid Li Chunfeng went to the Fire Cloud Palace in the Thirty-Three Heavens and hasn't returned yet, so he's just wasting his time. Judging by the time, he should be out of seclusion by now."
As the group descended from the clouds, they saw snow covering the green mountains. Under the harsh winter, the Zhongnan Mountains were adorned with jade branches and leaves, a pure white expanse of white.
The bare branches were covered with glistening snowflakes, like silver bars clinging to the branches, adding a touch of brilliance to their withered state. In the distance, a few cotton-like white clouds drifted across the snow-capped peaks, making the sky appear exceptionally vast. Wisps of wispy snow mist rose slowly, swirling and drifting around the mountainside, like a pure white silk scarf lightly draped around a fairy's neck.
Yuan Tiangang wanted to create a system to calculate the changes in human nature over three thousand years.
Everyone was solemn. The changes in human affairs are beyond the comprehension of even the greatest supernatural powers. Only a sage can glimpse a fraction of the ways of Heaven.
Jiang Liu knew in his heart that it had indeed been discovered, but he wasn't sure if the calculation was accurate. In his previous life, he had only heard of it, never seen it, let alone studied it.
However, the saying "a person's name is like a tree's shadow" has been passed down for over a thousand years, and many historical events are subtly connected to it, which makes one admire the divination methods of Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng using the I Ching.
Even the slightest calculation is admirable.
The Fire Cloud Palace, revealed by Yuan Shoucheng, was the residence of the three ancient sage emperors: Emperor Fuxi, Emperor Shennong, and Emperor Xuanyuan. Their status was equivalent to that of sages, but their strength was inferior. They had the name of sages, but not their power.
Fuxi developed the Eight Trigrams and transmitted the principles of the Book of Changes to King Wen of Zhou, which led to the ability to calculate the changes of heaven and earth using human power.
"Li Chunfeng entered the Fire Cloud Palace. So, these two are disciples of Emperor Fuxi? Humanity, Heaven—it seems the Three Sages have been working hard for humanity all along!" Jiang Liu pondered to himself, feeling somewhat ashamed. "When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when prosperous, one should benefit all under heaven. If one has the ability, one should do something for humanity! Moreover, for my Hidden Dragon Temple to prosper in the Journey to the West world, I alone cannot do it. I need to befriend the Eight Immortals. Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng are both outstanding figures of their time..."
The old Taoist priest Yuan Shoucheng led the group into a valley. After turning left and right, suddenly, the scenery unfolded before their eyes, and they entered a canyon filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
The green hills are faintly visible and the water is clear and bright. The breath of spring is in the air. The spring water is gurgling. Butterflies, flowers and birds are flying. It is a scene of paradise.
This is a small world isolated from the greater world. The entrance is protected by a powerful array, not particularly strong, but still too strong for ordinary people to enter. Jiang Liu felt he wouldn't have been able to get in without Yuan Shoucheng leading the way.
The bluestone steps are covered with moss. The steps stretch into the depths, and ahead, the mountain peaks are beautiful and full of vitality. In the distance, a thousand-meter-long waterfall is cascading down from a high mountain, a white ribbon like an inverted Milky Way, with a thunderous roar like ten thousand horses galloping, magnificent and beautiful.
"It truly lives up to its reputation as a blessed land, with extraordinary scenery, like a pure land outside the world."
Among the group, Zhang Guo was the weakest and most ignorant. He had only managed to create a cave dwelling while cultivating in the Zhongtiao Mountains; he didn't possess the ability to change the seasons and maintain a perpetually spring-like climate.
Han Zhongli laughed and said, "Little Zhang Guo, this is just a small world. Once you reach the Earth Immortal level and enter the Thirty-Three Heavens, you will know what the Immortal Realm is."
“Immortal! I am only at the sixth level of Refining Essence into Qi. I don’t know when I will reach the level of Earth Immortal. I really need the guidance of you immortal masters!” Zhang Guo said solemnly.
"It won't be long! Believe me, it won't be long before you become an Earth Immortal," Jiang Liu said with absolute certainty.
Tieguai Li shook his iron crutch, causing the medicine gourd on it to move and release a fragrant aroma. He said, "Zhang Guo has the potential to become an immortal, but reaching the Earth Immortal realm requires painstaking effort. Even with my and Fellow Daoist Zhongli's elixirs, it's still the same..."
Han Zhongli nodded, pausing as he waved his banana leaf fan, and said, "I started cultivating during the Han Dynasty. It took me two hundred years to become an Earth Immortal and five hundred years to reach my current level. Even if Xiao Zhangguo has our full assistance, it will still take him several decades to reach the Earth Immortal level... unless he has a rare and precious treasure, and it must be a true immortal item."
The river flows with celestial spiritual roots, and Dragon Tooth Rice is one of them. Although it cannot compare to ginseng fruit or peaches of immortality—the difference between heaven and earth, dragon and insect—it is still a spiritual object for foundation building. Dragon Tooth Rice cannot increase lifespan or vital energy, but daily consumption can subtly improve one's constitution, cleanse the marrow and refine the essence, and shed the mortal body.
Jiang Liu determined that even a pig could become an immortal if it ate Dragon Tooth Rice every day without interruption.
Chapter 259 The Shock of the Spiritual Root
A winding stone path leads to a secluded spot. Amidst the roar of the waterfall, the moss-covered path meanders deep into the beautiful, ethereal mountains, surrounded by ancient trees whose branches twist and turn like powerful dragons. Scattered among the trees and vegetation, a few houses can be seen, perfectly harmonious with nature.
Jiang Liu looked around. The spiritual energy in this small world was extremely abundant, far richer than that of Qianlong Mountain, which possessed a small spiritual vein. Zhongnan Mountain was known as the "First Blessed Land," so such spiritual energy was not surprising. In the forest, ginseng was as thick as a child's arm, lingzhi mushrooms hung with nine leaves, and many other unnamed herbs shimmered, containing subtle radiance, their fragrance permeating the air, refreshing and invigorating.
As they approached the house, a girl in red stood in front of the door. It was none other than Li Fu, the daughter of Li Jing and Zhang Chuchen, and a disciple of Yuan Tiangang.
"Grandmaster Uncle, Immortal Master Li, Immortal Master Zhongli, Immortal Master Jiang, Fellow Daoist Zhang. My master has instructed me to lead you all to the Star Gazing Cliff on the back mountain. A small feast has already been prepared..."
Han Zhongli laughed loudly, "Yuan Tiangang, what a Yuan Tiangang! Nothing can escape his calculations. We want his fine wine, but I wonder if he has brought out Dukang wine yet!"
Yuan Shoucheng produced a golden carp as if by magic, and said, "Li Fu! Your cooking skills are not bad. Take this carp and cook it, and make some of your signature dishes as well."
"Fine wine is all I need. Let's go see if Yuan Tiangang is feeling the pinch. Today, I, Zhongli Quan, am determined to drink his Dukang wine. Brother Jiang, your treasure must be of good quality..."
Li Fu returned the greetings one by one. In this peaceful and serene place, she was as beautiful and ethereal as a fairy. Finally, she drifted away like a gentle breeze.
The group followed closely, and saw a solitary peak rising in the back mountains, with an old pine tree atop it, its branches spreading like a canopy. A figure sat beneath the pine, a stove in front of him boiling tea, white steam rising from a copper kettle and dissipating into the sky. The peak was surrounded by sheer cliffs, smooth and without any footholds, and a spring flowed around its base.
Upon reaching the mountain peak, Yuan Tiangang had already stood up, his robes flowing and sleeves billowing. He cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoists, Uncle, I have prepared some fine wine and have been waiting for you for a long time!"
Jiang Liu looked at Yuan Tiangang, then at a clay-sealed pottery jar, and thought to himself, "This Yuan Tiangang truly lives up to his reputation."
Han Zhongli and Tieguai Li, two of the Eight Immortals, were clearly familiar with him. Han Zhongli joked, "Old Yuan! You're really willing to take this out. This jar of Dukang wine is no less than the celestial wine in heaven. You weren't this generous before!"
Yuan Tiangang laughed and said, "If you, Zhongli Quan, had come alone, you naturally wouldn't have enjoyed a single drop of this fine wine. This time, you only benefited a little from it..."
As he spoke, he bowed again to Jiang Liu and said respectfully, "Fellow Daoist is mysterious and unpredictable. I, Yuan Tiangang, dare not make any predictions. I have prepared a small feast for you, please!"
Jiang Liu breathed a sigh of relief. He thought the man could figure something out, but it turned out he didn't even dare to try!
"You're too kind, fellow Daoist."
A stone table, a few stone stools—everything seems ordinary and simple, but its beauty lies in its tranquility and naturalness, a peaceful haven like a paradise, cleansing the soul, escaping the world's troubles.
Although the old Taoist priest Yuan Shoucheng was Yuan Tiangang's uncle, he was the weakest among them, second only to Zhang Guo. However, he was most interested in Jiang Liu, who possessed dragon aura and the appearance of an emperor. Yuan Tiangang's statement that he dared not make a prediction had truly startled him, and he couldn't help but secretly wipe away a cold sweat.
Divination and fortune telling, if done incorrectly, can backfire and harm oneself.
"I need to be careful from now on. It's better to cultivate in seclusion! Although one can cultivate one's mind in the bustling city, one will be entangled in karma, and one wrong move could lead to death..."
Jiang Liu was unaware that at this very moment, the old Taoist priest who had started the Journey to the West had given up his career as a fortune teller in Chang'an.
Since fortune-telling is not practiced, there would be no incident of the Jing River Dragon King violating the heavenly rules. If the Jing River Dragon King had not died, the Tang Emperor would not have gone to hell. Without going to hell, there would have been no Tang Sanzang to hold the Water and Land Ritual...
Although the Journey to the West was already predetermined, these small details couldn't change the overall trend, but they did slightly alter history. The small wing of the river began to shake the rolling wheels of the Journey to the West.
"Brother Jiang, can you bring out the treasure you mentioned now?" Han Zhongli said.
Everyone looked over.
Jiang Liu had been keeping it a secret, not revealing a single word, which piqued their curiosity.
Although Jiang Liu's current strength is considerable, he also knows that without a solid foundation, his achievements are like castles in the air. No matter how high he builds, if he offends a truly powerful being, he might not even get anyone to plead for him. Befriending the Eight Immortals is his first step. The Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave, once they grow up, will become high-ranking officials in the Heavenly Court.
Having more friends means having more options, and Jiang Liu still trusted the Eight Immortals' character. Yuan Tiangang and his nephew were also great masters of the I Ching.
Jiang Liu prepared to take out the Dragon Tooth Rice, intending to make a real connection with them.
A sword-shaped grain was held in Jiang Liu's hand. It was three feet, three inches, and three centimeters long and had mysterious patterns on it.
This single grain of grain astonished everyone.
"Is this grain?"
Tieguai Li's eyes widened in surprise.
Although Yuan Tiangang had maintained a calm demeanor, seemingly unfazed even by a collapsing mountain, his heart was thrown into turmoil upon seeing this tiny seed: "This is a seed of a spiritual root!"
Since ancient times, there has been a saying about the Ten Great Spiritual Roots: Chaos Green Lotus, Yellow Plum, Grass Elixir, Bodhi Root, Peach Tree, Hibiscus Tree, Gourd Vine, Banana Tree, Bitter Bamboo, and Green Willow.
Of these spiritual roots, only the ginseng fruit and the peaches of immortality survived; the rest were refined into treasures. The ginseng fruit, just by smelling it, grants 360 years of life; eating one grants 47,000 years. The peaches of immortality ripen once every 3,000 years; those who eat them attain immortality. They ripen once every 6,000 years; those who eat them ascend to heaven and live forever. They ripen once every 9,000 years; those who eat them live as long as heaven and earth, as old as the sun and moon.
While there may be some exaggeration, it should not be underestimated.
Those spiritual roots that have been refined into treasures are innate treasures.
"No, no, your spiritual root hasn't reached the strength of an innate spiritual root. It contains very little spiritual energy from heaven and earth. It's slightly inferior to a thousand-year-old ginseng, probably around seven hundred years old." Tieguai Li was a master alchemist and very familiar with the effects and properties of medicines, so he immediately compared it to ginseng, which was commonly used.
Han Zhongli also recovered from his surprise and said, "That depends on how long it takes for the grain to mature!"
That hits the nail on the head!
The ripening time determines the rarity and value of this Longya rice.
A 700-year-old ginseng root is very precious to mortals in the Journey to the West world, but it is nothing to earth immortals.
But if it's a thousand or ten thousand ginseng roots, or a ginseng root that's seven hundred years old, even a celestial being couldn't produce it.
“Since it’s a grain, it’s naturally harvested twice a year.” As soon as Jiang Liu finished speaking, he noticed that everyone’s pupils dilated.
Two harvests a year!
Ten thousand acres of fertile land!
Everyone seemed to see a scene of harvest before their eyes: golden, sword-shaped rice stalks, laden with fruit.
Chapter 260 Extraordinary Origins
"don't want!"
Amidst cries of shock, pain, and indignation, Jiang Liu peeled off the outer husk of the sword-shaped grain, revealing a warm, jade-like luster inside.
For grains, once the outer husk is removed, they lose their ability to reproduce and are transformed from grains into rice.
Rice, of course, is for eating.
"You...you..." Yuan Tiangang pointed at Jiang Liu, at a loss for words, and could only close his eyes in anguish. This spiritual root belonged to Jiang Liu; its destruction was heartbreaking, but there was nothing he could do.
"There must be more, there must be more!" Han Zhongli's fan speed noticeably doubled.
Zhang Guo clenched his fists so tightly that he could hardly breathe. In all his years of cultivation, he had only acquired a fish drum of immortal artifact level and a donkey that had not yet become a demon. He would be overjoyed for three days if he found a hundred-year-old ginseng. He had never even thought about spiritual roots.
Tieguai Li's fingers, which were gripping the iron crutch, were slightly bluish, clearly indicating that he was not at peace with himself. However, after all, he had cultivated Taoism for nearly a thousand years, and his composure was extraordinary.
"Alright, alright, the best thing about this thing is eating! One for each of us, try it and see what it tastes like." With that, Jiang Liu peeled seven in a row.
Seven roots, this includes Li Fu, who is still in the future.
"Don't peel mine, I won't eat it. Keep it and plant it..." Yuan Tiangang hadn't finished speaking when he shut his mouth because Jiang Liu's hands moved very quickly.
When Li Fu carried the food box to the summit, he saw his master, several immortals, and Zhang Guo gathered around a large cauldron in the center.