Not as the three Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagles had expected, Xu Fang traveled westward, but did not head directly west. Instead, he stopped at the eastern and western boundary.
"Senior, aren't we going to the west to avenge Dong Wang Gong?"
"Yes, why did we stop here?"
"We haven't even reached the lair of Zhun Ti and Jie Yin yet!"
The three Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagles were puzzled when Fen Bao Yan stopped moving and slowly descended, asking questions.
They had already imagined a revenge scene, with Xu Fang blocking the western path to avenge their deceased good friend Dong Wang Gong and seek justice.
As their followers, they were also prepared for a great battle.
After all, Dong Wang Gong was a bit猥琐 (wěi suǒ - lewd/obsequious) in his smile, a bit boastful, and a bit of a clown.
Well, he didn't leave a very good impression on everyone, but he was on good terms with them, so of course they had to seek justice for him!
"When did I... forget it, you all stop talking nonsense and get off the boat!"
Xu Fang found it difficult to explain, so he rushed the three Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagles off Fen Bao Yan.
Since they had arrived in the territory of others, it was not appropriate to swagger around on Fen Bao Yan, as it would be too impolite.
The three Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagles landed and looked up to see a tall mountain soaring before them, filled with abundant spiritual energy, lush vegetation, and countless towering ancient trees. Occasionally, spiritual beasts could be seen leaping about. It was a veritable cave-haven of blessings.
"Senior, where is this..."
"This is the Five Zhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, the dojo of the great immortal Zhen Yuan Zi. You all be observant and don't embarrass yourselves!"
Xu Fang replied and immediately stepped onto the mountain path.
"Longevity Mountain? Five Zhuang Temple? Zhen Yuan Zi?"
The three Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagles murmured these names, their gazes soon sharpening as they thought of something.
"Is Senior here to find the great immortal Zhen Yuan Zi as an ally to flatten the west?"
"It seems so. Senior was so close to Dong Wang Gong, how could he remain indifferent to his death?"
"However, even in his grief, Senior is still so thoughtful. It seems we were overthinking."
The three Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagles speculated amongst themselves.
Xu Fang, walking ahead, listened to their words and felt increasingly like crying without tears.
"If I don't go to the west, how will this end? Will they be very disappointed?"
Xu Fang pondered in his heart. Since they had such strong wishes, he might as well go to the west.
After all, Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren had not yet attained the position of saint. It should be fine for him to go.
When they become saints in the future, such a good opportunity will not be available!
In the Five Zhuang Temple, Zhen Yuan Zi and Hong Yun Dao Ren were sitting and discussing the Dao. However, Hong Yun Dao Ren was clearly distracted and soon found himself saying nonsensical things to Zhen Yuan Zi.
Zhen Yuan Zi stopped his discourse and sighed helplessly.
"Alas! Hong Yun, Hong Yun, how many times has this happened? Didn't I tell you? If you can't comprehend the Hong Meng Purple Qi, you can't comprehend it. There's no need to worry about it so much. Why don't you ever listen?"
Facing his friend's reprimand, Hong Yun Dao Ren knew he meant well and didn't get angry. Instead, he also sighed.
"I know you, Zhen Yuan Zi, mean well for me, but I can't be at ease until I comprehend this Hong Meng Purple Qi!"
Speaking of this, Hong Yun Dao Ren looked at Zhen Yuan Zi and pleaded.
"How about I leave the Five Zhuang Temple and travel around the Primordial World? Perhaps I can comprehend it then?"
"Don't even think about it! Did you forget what fellow Daoist Xu Fang said? Right now, countless beings in the Primordial World are eyeing the Hong Meng Purple Qi in your hand. Aren't you just walking into a trap?"
"But I can't comprehend it here either!"
"You are really... how can you not understand! Wait! Alright, alright. Since I can't persuade you, I'll find someone who can."
As Zhen Yuan Zi spoke, he immediately stood up and walked directly towards the door.
Hong Yun Dao Ren sighed, not knowing what Zhen Yuan Zi was up to, and followed him.
Zhen Yuan Zi arrived at the gate of the Five Zhuang Temple, and with a surge of his mana, the gate opened directly. He saw four beings outside, one of whom was in the lead, with his hand suspended in mid-air, about to knock. Seeing the gate open, he withdrew his hand.
"Too slow, too slow! Zhen Yuan Zi, if you hadn't come any sooner, I would have just broken down the door!"
"Alas, it's because Hong Yun caused this, I didn't notice our distinguished guest's arrival. Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, welcome, welcome!"
Zhen Yuan Zi strode forward, grabbed Xu Fang, and pulled him towards the Five Zhuang Temple, shouting as he walked.
"Qing Feng, Ming Yue, quickly go get some Ginseng Fruits to entertain our distinguished guest!"
As Zhen Yuan Zi spoke, two magical treasures appeared and fell before the two young attendants who had heard the commotion.
"I know about these Ginseng Fruits, but why do we need these two items to pick them?"
The head of the little Qilin, Xiao Qilin, poked out in front of Zhen Yuan Zi, a head full of question marks.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle and Ao Xue also looked at Zhen Yuan Zi with confusion.
"You wouldn't understand this. Ginseng Fruits are heavenly spiritual roots that are in conflict with the five elements. They fall when they encounter metal, wither when they encounter wood, turn into nothing when they encounter water, become charcoal when they encounter fire, and burrow into the earth if they fall onto it."
"That's why the Jin Ji Zi is used to knock them down, and they are then placed in jade containers."
Zhen Yuan Zi explained to them, and the three Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagles suddenly understood. However, the Qilin's head soon had another question.
"Since they wither when they encounter wood, why haven't the Ginseng Fruits withered on the tree?"
"This..."
Zhen Yuan Zi was speechless and didn't know what to say. He directly ignored the question and, with Xu Fang, fled from the little Qilin and landed before Hong Yun Dao Ren.
This fellow asked too many questions; if he continued, he would want to hit the Qilin!
After Hong Yun Dao Ren and Xu Fang exchanged greetings, Hong Yun Dao Ren began to complain to Xu Fang.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, just tell me, why is Zhen Yuan Zi so unreasonable? I just want to travel around the Primordial World, and he absolutely refuses to agree!"
Xu Fang listened to Hong Yun Dao Ren's words, glanced at Zhen Yuan Zi, who looked helpless and shook his head repeatedly.
"Isn't he imprisoning me, Hong Yun Dao Ren? If we weren't acquaintances, I would really think he was coveting my Hong Meng Purple Qi. Alas!"
Hong Yun Dao Ren continued to complain, yearning for freedom. He had an extremely strong feeling that if he appeared in the Primordial World, he would be able to comprehend the Hong Meng Purple Qi in his hand.
Xu Fang's heart leaped upon hearing his words.
Was this timely? Zhen Yuan Zi was clearly no longer able to hold back Hong Yun Dao Ren. If he had been a moment later, it would have been too late, and Hong Yun Dao Ren would have already left the Five Zhuang Temple!
Thinking of this, Xu Fang breathed a sigh of relief and spoke solemnly.
"Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, you really cannot leave the Five Zhuang Temple. You will die!"