Volume 2 Chapter 44 Thirty Thousand Years of Time

  Zhuang Xiong finished speaking, still finding it hard to believe. With great difficulty, he turned his head around and saw Zi Yu's excited big eyes sparkling as if saying: "There is a very good spiritual root here, comparable to the top ten innate spiritual roots. Master, please praise me!" Zhuang Xiong was on the verge of tears, still looking at Zi Yu with an incredulous gaze, gritting his teeth and asking: "The place you said had spiritual roots is really here? How did you end up here?"

  The purple jade seemed to still be a bit dazed, turned back and looked again, only to see a mountain peak rising into the sky, with clouds and mist swirling around it, flowers and grasses covering the ground, trees standing tall, spiritual beasts running about, and celestial birds singing in long cries. It was truly a beautiful scene of a paradise on earth. At the entrance stood a stone monument, inscribed with: "Wan Shou Mountain blessed land, Wu Zong Guan cave heaven". On top of the mountain stood a pavilion, with two pillars bearing a couplet written in bold and powerful characters: "Long life without aging, divine immortal mansion, sharing the same longevity as heaven, Taoist family home". However, the signboard above the door was covered up, while another outer layer of signboard had only three large words written in a different thick font: Wu Zong Guan. Indeed, Zhuang Xiong made a sorrowful discovery - he wanted to go to Dong Hai, but instead ended up at Zhen Yuan Zi's Wan Shou Mountain Wu Zong Guan.

  Zhuang Xiong glared at Zi Yu, who was pretending to be innocent, and finally couldn't help but roar with anger: "Of course I know there's a spiritual root here! I also know that the spiritual root here is one of the top ten innate spiritual roots, the Life Fruit. Back then, I would often come to this place to eat and drink, and even the couplet on your family's gate was written by me! Didn't I tell you to go to the East Sea? Why did you end up coming here? You didn't listen to a word I said, did you?!

  Zhuang Xiong was so stimulated that he almost went crazy, and even the self-taught roar burst out, startling Zi Yu to shrink his neck in fear. The lovely creature tilted its head, thought for a moment, and then used its paws to draw the shape and position of the spiritual root, explaining one by one how the two of them ended up here.

  Zhuang Xiong had just finished listening to Zi Yu's explanation, and didn't think that his earlier angry roar would have startled Qing Feng and Ming Yue. The two of them came out to take a look, and saw Zhuang Xiong standing there listening to Zi Yu's gestures. Ming Yue couldn't help but exclaim in surprise: "It's Master Xiong the Bear."

  "Come on, go and inform Master quickly."

  It turned out that although Zhuang Xiong had caused enough trouble at Wuzhuangguan last time, he had given Qingfeng and Mingyue a pair of precious swords before leaving, which made the two very happy and changed their impression of Zhuang Xiong. As for the ginseng fruit? That was the old master's, not theirs, and the old master hadn't said anything about it, they were just running errands, what did it have to do with them? At this time, seeing that Zhuang Xiong was at the door, the two of them were busy going to inform Zhenyuanzi, and surprisingly didn't even greet Zhuang Xiong first. Meanwhile, Zhuang Xiong still didn't know that he had already been detected by Qingfeng and Mingyue, and was still shocked by the circuitous route he had taken.

  Zhuang Xiong was both furious and perplexed, as he didn't think the Wuzhuang Temple posed any danger, and he also thought Ziyu's choice was normal. But why did it lead to such an unexpected outcome? Just as Zhuang Xiong was puzzled, he heard a voice laughing and asking: "Brother Xiong, you're quite well-informed, aren't you? How did you know that my fruit is ripe these days? Why didn't you come down when you reached the door, and instead made me invite you?"

  At this time, Zhuang Xiong was worried about the route problem. When he heard the question, he answered without thinking: "Who knows when your fruit is ripe? Who needs you to invite me? I'm going to the East Sea..." As soon as he said that, Zhuang Xiong suddenly woke up and stopped abruptly, staring at Zhenyuanzi who was smiling at him from the gate of Wuzhuangguan. He smiled awkwardly and said: "Oh, it's Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi! Is the fruit ripe? I have something to do in the East Sea, but this time I'm just passing by, so I don't dare trouble Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi to invite me. Just leave two fruits for me, and I'll take my leave." Saying that, he sat on the back of Ziyu and hurriedly urged him to leave.

  The purple jade figure transformed into a flowing light, and Zhenyuanzi couldn't help but feel bewildered: Why did this foodie hear that the fruit was ripe and leave? It's really strange. Also, he said he was going to the East Sea earlier? My Wanshou Mountain is located in the southwest, how could he end up here if he wanted to go to the East Sea? Could it be that he got lost? Thinking of Zhuang Xiong's three eyes and six ears divine connection, Zhenyuanzi shook his head, dismissing this idea. For a while, he couldn't think of any reasonable explanation, so he gave up and shook his head as he returned to his inner observation.

  Zhuang Xiong had no idea that he almost revealed the fact that he was supposed to go to Donghai but ended up at Wanshou Mountain. He didn't dare to linger, fearing that if Zhenyuanzi asked him about it, he wouldn't know how to respond. In front of the ginseng fruit and his own reputation, Zhuang Xiong made a rare and correct judgment in an instant. The fruit was just a fleeting desire, and missing one chance to eat it wouldn't make a difference. However, if his reputation were ruined here, it would be irreparable. Imagine having three eyes and six ears of divine insight yet still getting lost; even more absurdly, he was supposed to go to Donghai but ended up at Wanshou Mountain in the southwest. In the future, Sanqing, Zhenyuanzi, and the others would look at him with what kind of strange gaze?

  Zhuang Xiong shivered with fear, not daring to think further, and ordered Zi Yu to continue drinking on the road. However, it was unclear whether Zi Yu was intentionally being difficult due to her bad mood from being scolded or if it was just a habit, but in any case, she kept provoking Zhuang Xiong into constant anger along the way.

  "Soul faded, where are you going in that direction? Lotus Spirit Root? Of course I know there is a lotus spirit root, my old man also knows that it's one of the four lotus sons born from the chaotic green lotus, the industry fire red lotus. However, that's in the Blood Sea, what are you doing going in that direction?"

  "Die, Ah Zi, wrong again! What's with the bamboo? I'm a bear, but not a panda, and I don't eat bamboo. Why are you drawing a bamboo for me? That direction is South Sea, but I'm going to East Sea! East Sea! Did you hear clearly or not? Of course, I know that island in South Sea is nice, but... Ugh, why do I need to explain things to you? Just listen carefully, I'm going to East Sea!!! You just lead me to East Sea and stop asking so many questions!"

  "Stop right there, Dead Purple! Can't you see that blue star fruit tree over there? I've told you before, I love collecting spiritual roots. You saw the spiritual root and didn't stop for me? What's with going to the East Sea? We can go to the East Sea too, but we still need to collect spiritual roots, don't you understand?! Don't look at me like that, this isn't conflicting, what's wrong with collecting spiritual roots on the way to the East Sea?! Ugh, I'm dying. Why do I even bother telling you? What business is it of yours what I do? Just mind your own path and stop for me when you see a spiritual root, that's all!"

  "Damn it, you're still here after all these days? Why haven't you left yet? Do you have a spiritual root or something? If you do, then wake me up! What's the meaning of just staying here like this? When did I ever say anything like that? Can you please understand what I'm saying properly? Don't take things out of context, okay?"

  Zhuang Xiong felt like crying but had no tears, thinking that he seemed to have found not a mount, but an overbearing master. No wonder his father and Tongtian's mounts were all oxen - they were obedient and honest. He even thought of finding an ox for himself. Zhuang Xiong suddenly worried about his reserve disciple Kong Xuan, who didn't seem like a good person either. Who knows what would happen in the future? As he thought, Zhuang Xiong felt that his life was indeed arduous and long. However, seeing Zi Yu's innocent, lovely yet lost eyes, thinking of his pitiful circumstances, Zhuang Xiong couldn't bear to abandon him after all.

  Zhuang Xiong, under duress, didn't know how much time he had spent wandering the vast expanse of Hong Huang Continent. In the end, he had no choice but to use his Three Eyes and Six Ears Divine Ability to observe, and also felt that Zi Yu seemed to be in a bad mood, or perhaps was just young and mischievous? Was it a rebellious phase? Anyway, Zhuang Xiong thought he should teach him properly, so he stopped leisurely drinking wine and instead spent his free time lecturing Zi Yu on various principles. He also took out Kong Xuan, who was still an egg, to lecture the two of them. Unexpectedly, it actually had an effect. Even without Zhuang Xiong's investigation, they seemed to be making no mistakes along the way. Sometimes, Zhuang Xiong couldn't even find a starting point for his teachings and could only say a few words or simply change the subject.

  At this time, Zhuang Xiong was not clear about anything, and it was all because of Zi Yu's intentional actions. It seemed that he couldn't bear the sight of his own leisurely and idle self, or perhaps he had some doubts about his own words, doubting his own abilities? Did he only believe in his own lectures after hearing them himself? It seemed that this young man, Zi Yu Qilin, was not simple at all. Zhuang Xiong clearly felt that his dignity as an old master had been challenged, and he was actually being looked down upon by his mount as a lazy and idle person? Or was he being suspected by his mount of being a low-handed braggart? It seemed that either way was very unpleasant. However, at this time, Zhuang Xiong really couldn't find a way to retort, and the other party wouldn't speak up, nor had they said anything. Their eyes were also adorably serious, and everything was just his own speculation. What could be said?

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, seeing the colorful egg Kong Xuan rolling around on the auspicious cloud under the Qilin's feet, playing happily. This Kong Xuan was just a colorful egg, previously always in the formation, now for the first time touring the Hongyuan Continent. After listening to Zhuang Xiong several times, he saw the beautiful scenery of the Hongyuan Continent and couldn't help but feel excited. He didn't know if it was Zi Yu who told him or if he himself sensed that Zhuang Xiong had a particularly good temper, so he actually asked Zhuang Xiong not to return to the space within the Qiankun fan, wanting to stay outside to tour the beautiful scenery of the Hongyuan Continent.

  Zhuang Xiong was fed up, and at first, he ruthlessly threw the乾坤扇 into space. However, after hearing that timid and clear voice, he went back and forth and eventually agreed. From then on, this Easter egg began to roll around in the auspicious clouds under Zi Yu's feet. Kong Xuan's divine thoughts seemed weak to Zhuang Xiong, but they were extraordinary talents, and could be seen from thousands of miles away. As long as Zi Yu flew a little lower, it was still possible to see them. However, Zhuang Xiong seriously suspected that there was some kind of exchange between Zi Yu and Kong Xuan, but he didn't know how they communicated with each other - one used eye language, and the other had no eyes and used divine thoughts. Although Zhuang Xiong felt curious, he couldn't keep monitoring them, and the two did a good job of keeping secrets, so much so that he never discovered anything. However, he always felt like something was related to himself, as if it was something bad happening to him.

  It wasn't long before signs of the two communicating with each other began to emerge, and Akira couldn't help but feel secretly pleased that his seventh sense was still quite strong. However, it was clear that their methods of dealing with him had changed - one used a sweet, gentle voice to softly plead with him in his ear, while the other looked at him with an innocent, childlike gaze. He really didn't know how to refuse them anymore... Was this a good thing? Akira felt his dignity declining, most notably in that he was almost never scolding them on their journey, but instead lecturing them more and more often. Suddenly, it occurred to him that the two seemed just like his own children, and he was just a doting father? Was this what happened to everyone who had kids? But were they really his children? Why did he have this mistaken impression? He himself was still just a big kid... He must be thinking incorrectly - maybe it was because of his brother? Akira felt that life was truly cruel, and somehow he had inadvertently become an expert at making sarcastic remarks.

  Until he finally saw the vast sea in the distance, Zhuang Xiong seemed to feel a little excited, his sad journey to the East China Sea had finally arrived. He urged Zi Yu to hurry up and rush over. However, despite the hundreds of millions of miles of distance, they didn't care about any spiritual fruits along the way, and they actually arrived at their destination in less than an hour, which showed that Zi Yu's speed was indeed very fast.

  Zhuang Xiong had been to the ocean in his past life, but he only felt that it was a sight to behold with its vast expanse. However, this sea was nothing compared to the boundless and endless Hong Huang. Standing on the shore where waves were surging, looking at the turbulent East Sea, Zhuang Xiong felt his heart pounding, and he couldn't help but let out a loud roar towards the sky, as if wanting to shout out all the pent-up energy in his chest and be cleansed by the seawater. Zhuang Xiong patted Ziyu's back and shouted: "Quickly, rush into the sea! We want to frolic in the ocean and find a home. Create a happy fairy cave!" After finishing speaking, Zhuang Xiong seemed to have thought of something and hurriedly added: "Not rushing into the seawater, but continuing to move forward towards the east, searching for an island on the sea."

  Zi Yu nodded and was about to continue on her way, but then she heard Hong Jun's voice echoing across the vast expanse: "The 30,000 years have passed, and in a hundred years, the Zi Xiao Palace will once again open its doors. Those who are destined may come to listen."

  Zhuang Xiong's face was red with rage, and he was on the verge of tears. He let out a loud roar at Zi Yu: "You're a dead man, Ah Purple! Three million years, a whole three million years, have been wasted wandering around the Hongyuan Continent, without accomplishing anything worthwhile! Shut up, wrong, shut your eyes! Of course, I know it's not all your fault, but don't try to confuse me with that look in your eye. Even if I wasted time myself before, how many years did you lead me astray in the Hongyuan Continent? Over a million, less than two million, right? That's enough time for me to find an island in the Eastern Sea and settle down! Kong Xuan, don't interrupt, what was that? At least find them? Ah, not bad. Zi Xuangong? Zi Xuangong!" Oh yeah, and there's also Zhuanti waiting at the Zi Xuangong Temple to apologize to me in person, this is an opportunity that can't be missed!

  Zhuang Xiong vented almost, under Kong Xuan's reminder, instantly reacted, and after kissing Kong Xuan's colorful egg, he put it into the Qian Kun fan, jumped onto Zi Yu's back, and shouted: "Target, Purple Palace, full speed ahead."

  Zi Yu also knew the importance of this matter and was very curious about the opening lecture at Zi Xiao Palace, so he instantly accelerated his speed to the limit and transformed into a stream of light rushing out.