Chapter 7: Yun Zhongzi (Seeking Collection and Recommendation)

  Pine trees are cut into famous giant doors, where few people know the wonderful use; although there is no treasure energy rushing against the Dipper, three days become ash and evil energy leaves.

  Shen Gong Bao knew that the giant Que was made by Yun Zhongzi, and it was carved from a pine branch. However, Shen Gong Bao had also searched for some ancient pine trees' branches to refine the giant Que, but they didn't have any ability to slay demons or evil spirits. It seemed that the original pine tree used by Yun Zhongzi must be extraordinary, not an ordinary ancient pine or cypress.

  When Yuanshi Tianzun said he was going to the Zixiao Palace, Shen Gongbao knew that the era of sealing gods was about to begin, and this time it was Hongjun Daozu who convened a meeting with all the saints to discuss the sealing of gods.

  At that moment, Shen Gong became anxious and had originally wanted to think of a way to get some good magic weapons for slaying demons and exorcising evil spirits later, but now he could only trouble Yun Zhongzi.

  Shen Gong Bao is very envious of Yun Zhong Zi, because Yun Zhong Zi is a blessed immortal who has no illness or disaster throughout his life, and is not affected by karma or the cycle of reincarnation.

  Shan was one of the twelve Golden Immortals from the Tianyi Sect, who had his three flowers on top of his head and five elements in his chest removed by the Jiuyou Huanghe Formation in Yunxiao, becoming an ordinary person. However, Yún Zhōngzǐ, who was standing next to him, did not enter the formation and suffer this calamity. It seems that the rumors about Yún Zhōngzǐ being a lucky and virtuous immortal are not unfounded.

  Among the brothers of Shengong Bao and Guanzhong Shi, if we don't count Fung Lam, Yun Zhongzi's cultivation is probably the most profound, and Guang Chengzi can't compare with him.

  However, Yun Zhongzi is a low-key person and doesn't care about the power within the sect. He is indeed a virtuous immortal with excellent relationships with his fellow disciples and gets along well with everyone.

  After Yuanshi Tianzun left, everyone dispersed and returned to their own Daoist temples to continue their cultivation.

  "Yun Zhongzi, Shixiong, please stay!" Shen Gongbao shouted loudly as he saw Yun Zhongzi riding on a cloud in the distance.

  Yun Zhongzi heard someone calling him from behind, and he curiously stopped in his tracks, turned around to look, but it was the youngest junior brother of the second generation, Shen Gongbao.

  Yun Zhongzi held a duster in one hand and a basket of water and fire flowers in the other, wearing a jade robe with yin-yang patterns, a green silk scarf on his head, and cloud-stepping shoes on his feet. His face was handsome, and as the clear wind blew across his face, his clothes fluttered, making him look like a god of fortune, truly a dragon among men.

  Shen Gong Bao bowed and said: "Cloud Master, your younger brother pays his respects!"

  Yun Zhongzi held his duster and replied, "But I don't know why Shifu's younger brother stopped me, what teachings do you have for me?"

  "There's nothing else, it's just that my junior brother has something to ask of you." Shen Gong Bao said directly, Yun Zhongzi was very good-natured, so there was no need to beat around the bush.

  "Oh?" Yun Zhongzi lightly waved his sleeve, "I don't know what you mean, brother. If it's within my power, I'll certainly lend you a helping hand."

  Shen Gong Bao heard this and said, "I've heard that Yun Shixiong's Zhongnan Mountain has a ancient and strange tree. If you cut its branches and carve them into wooden swords, they can also be used to slay demons and exorcise evil spirits. I'm curious about it, and I'd like to broaden my knowledge a bit more. But I don't know if Yun Shixiong will grant me this wish?"

  "Haha, it's just a small matter, Junior Brother doesn't need to worry. Just follow me to Mount Zhongnan and that's all. I didn't expect you to know about that ancient tree, Junior Brother is indeed a well-informed person." Yunzhongzi smiled and with a wave of his sleeve, led Shen Gongbao towards Mount Zhongnan.

  Shen Gong Bao and Yun Zhongzi stepped on the auspicious cloud together and went to Mount Zhongnan. Before long, the two arrived at Mount Zhongnan.

  Shen Gong Bao looked down and indeed, it was a blessed land of the immortals. Although it couldn't compare to Kunlun Mountain, it was still a wonderful place. The sun shone through the misty light, gently locking in the greenery. After the rain, the dark colors were cold and mysterious, with hints of blue. Withered vines entwined ancient trees, gentle streams flowed through the mountain valleys, and ancient trees stood tall amidst the lush bamboo. Rare flowers and auspicious grasses competed in beauty, and the mountain ranges rose and fell like a sleeping dragon. It was truly indescribably wonderful.

  "Brother Yun has indeed found a wonderful place, and I'm so envious of my younger brother!" said Shen Gongbao, bowing his hands to Cloud Middle Child with a hearty smile.

  Yun Zhongzi waved his hand and said, "Oh no, oh no, the other fellow disciples' Daoist temples are also not to be underestimated compared to my humble abode. When you have time, younger brother can go take a look, then you will know that what I say is not empty words."

  "Alas, I wonder where I will end up in that desolate land with no future."

  Yun Zhongzi smiled, "Junior brother, why must you belittle yourself? Although the vast and desolate land is not as good as it was in the past, there are still many blessed lands of immortals that are not few in number. As long as one searches carefully, finding a blessed land shouldn't be difficult."

  Then, he led Shen Gongbao to the cave mansion and arrived at the cave mansion. He ordered the child to bring the spiritual fruit wine to entertain Shen Gongbao.

  The fragrance of the lingguo wafted everywhere, its flavor was delicious and juicy, the wine brewed with it was extremely fragrant, and it felt refreshing to drink. After the two men had enjoyed it for a while, under Shen Gongbao's repeated reminders and urging, Yun Zhongzi finally took Shen Gongbao to a secluded valley in the depths of Mount Zhongnan.

  The valley is shrouded in mist, and it's hard to find without the Cloud Child leading the way. Upon entering the valley, one realizes that it's only a few dozen feet in diameter, with rare flowers and auspicious grasses covering the ground, their fragrance intoxicating and dizzying.

  What is most surprising is that among them, a ancient pine tree stands upright, the trunk of the ancient pine tree is straight and straight to the sky, there are not many branches, but each branch is very dense, the pine needles are like needles, the tip of the leaves hang with dew drops, green and shiny, reflecting a green light.

  The tree crown is round in shape, hidden among the clouds and fog, neither high nor low, as if flying over from high altitude, it's not easy to spot, only by looking up from the valley can you see its mystery.

  "This is what the poor Taoist accidentally discovered, but it's a heavenly spiritual root. When I found it, I was overjoyed." Yun Zhongzi said, his words still filled with some excitement.

  Shen Gong Bao gazed at the tall ancient pine and said, "I don't know if Big Brother can enlighten Little Brother and dispel his doubts. Forgive Little Brother's ignorance, but until now he has not been able to recognize what kind of heavenly spiritual root this tree is."

  "After Pangu's creation of the world, many spiritual roots were born in the vast and desolate land. Some were born before the chaos and later fell to the desolate land, known as pre-heavenly spiritual roots, such as the life-giving fruit tree of Zhenyuanzi Shibo, or the Fusan tree in the Sun Star. The spiritual roots that grew after the creation of the world are called post-heavenly spiritual roots. There are countless numbers of this kind of spiritual root, for example, the evil-repelling cypress in front of us." Yunzhongzi said calmly.

  "Is this a demon-repelling green pine?" Duke Sheng Bao stretched out his hand and pointed at the green pine in the valley, "I don't know what special effect this tree has."

  Upon hearing this, Yun Zhongzi laughed and said: "This spiritual root's ability is indeed singular, it can't be like the Town Temple Master's life fruit tree that bears spiritual fruits. It can only be used for refining magic treasures to ward off evil spirits. This spiritual root has a unique aura that can dispel demons and evil spirits, causing ghosts and monsters to not dare approach. If ordinary ghosts and monsters get close, they will turn into flying ash in no time."

  Shen Gong Bao was overjoyed and said, "I don't know if my elder brother can spare a branch to give to his younger brother as a keepsake. I'll make a wooden sword in advance to commemorate this."

  "It's a small matter." Yun Zhongzi said, and then stretched out his hand to beckon. A branch of the extraordinary pine tree flew over from mid-air and landed in his palm. He then turned to ask Shen Gongbao: "I don't know what kind of style Master wants, but I have some experience with crafting instruments. Let me help you complete this sword."

  "Very good, thank you, Master!" Shen Gongbao thanked him.

  Only to see the son of the cloud taking a branch and throwing it into the air, lightly sweeping his hand a few times, the invisible aura striking the branch, the leaves flying horizontally, some wood chips floating by, in no time, a simple and unadorned wooden sword was formed.

  Handing over the wooden sword, Yun Zhongzi said: "Younger brother, are you satisfied?"

  Shen Gong Bao put down his wooden sword and said: "Elder brother's move is naturally very good, then please let elder brother give it a name."

  Yun Zhongzi withdrew his sleeve, pondered for a moment, and recited: "A pine tree is carved into a famous giant Que, its subtle uses few people know; although it has no precious energy to collide with the Cow Dipper, in three days it will turn to ash and the evil spirit will depart."

  Shen Gong Bao was overjoyed, and his heart was filled with delight. Due to his arrival, the giant sword appeared more than twenty years earlier than expected. However, this time it would not be allowed to be destroyed without being seen in action. He said, "Good, let's name this sword Giant Void. Perhaps one day we'll see its extraordinary prowess, but for now, it's unknown."

  Yun Zhongzi was perplexed after listening, feeling that there was something more to Sheng Gongbao's words, but his train of thought was interrupted by Sheng Gongbao.

  Shen Gong Bao sheathed the giant void sword and said, "Just now I saw Shifu successfully forge the giant void sword in one breath, it was extremely elegant. May I ask Shifu to teach me the way of refining equipment?"

  Yun Zhongzi listened and said with joy: "What's impossible? Usually, I study the art of refining equipment alone, which often makes me feel frustrated. Now that I'm discussing it with my junior brother, maybe there will be a breakthrough."

  Having said that, he led Shengong Bao to the place where he usually practiced every day. The doubts just now were immediately thrown behind his brain, and Shengong Bao naturally followed Yun Zhongzi closely.

  For the next half month, Shen Gong Bao and Yun Zhong Zi discussed the way of refining instruments. Yun Zhong Zi had profound theoretical knowledge and many years of experience, speaking fluently and incessantly, allowing Shen Gong Bao to gain a lot from it.

  Shen Gong Bao, although lacking extensive experience in refining equipment, gained insight from the various methods of refining equipment he had heard and seen in later generations. For example, the story of Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, as well as the principles of tempering through a thousand hammerings and a hundred refinements, also inspired Cloud Senior to have epiphanies and be delighted time and again.