CHAPTER 282: CHAPTER 281: YUN ZHONGZI’S ENTRUSTMENT

After listening to Yun Zhongzi recount the origins of his connection with the Hongyun Ancestor, Yun Zhongzi stated his purpose for coming: "I’ve heard, junior brother, that you and Zhen Yuanzi are sworn brothers. As your senior, I’d like to ask you to help me resolve this mortal entanglement."

Yun Zhongzi, born anew from the reincarnation of Hongyun, had no desire to revert back to being Hongyun. Back in the day, amidst an explosion, Kunpeng had seized the chance to extract the last strand of Hongyun’s Divine Soul from his body, leaving Yun Zhongzi feeling an unprecedented sense of liberation.

At this moment, he wasn’t particularly inclined to face his old friends. This time, he merely wanted Nezha to convey a message: Hongyun is dead; my old friend, let it go.

The task didn’t seem challenging. Nezha nodded and readily agreed.

Yun Zhongzi knew that once Nezha promised to take on something, he would certainly handle it impeccably. After hesitating for a moment, he produced a small crystal ball.

"Junior brother, Hongyun Ancestor once controlled this item. Over the years, I and Hongyun’s sub-souls have tried to sever all connections, but I have no clue about this thing’s whereabouts. However, this object can sense Hongyun’s sub-souls. I offer it to you as compensation."

"If junior brother truly manages to uncover even a trace of its whereabouts, it would certainly bring you immense good fortune."

Nezha eyed the crystal ball in front of him, somewhat in disbelief. Just for running an errand, was the mission reward really this extraordinary?

Yun Zhongzi then elaborated: "I don’t know much beyond this, but the Nether River and Kunpeng definitely each hold a fragment of Hongyun’s sub-souls. Even if one were lucky enough to find them, whether they can be collected to reconstruct that item remains an unknown."

Reflecting on the preciousness of that object, Nezha found it reasonable. Without further politeness, he accepted the crystal ball.

The two shared a few drinks before Yun Zhongzi cheerfully took his leave, returning to his abode for cultivation.

Nezha didn’t delay either. He gave a few instructions to Yang Chan and the others before descending to the Lower Realm to visit his dear elder brother, Zhen Yuanzi.

The Wuzhuang Temple was situated atop Longevity Mountain, at the boundary between East Earth and West Earth.

Nezha’s errand was personal, so he changed back into his white Daoist robe, with his silver crown tied up as a Taoist. Walking leisurely, he admired Longevity Mountain’s scenery while ascending the mountain.

Still, thanks to his agility, he quickly reached the Wuzhuang Temple. From the outside, it was slightly different from what he had imagined. There were no grand phrases like "Immortal Mansion of Eternal Youth and Longevity" adorning its gates—just a plain and simple Wuzhuang Temple.

Nezha gazed at it for some time, captivated by the intense Earth Elemental Law emanating from it, unable to look away.

When he finally snapped out of his reverie, the temple gate had already opened. Two Daoist disciples, roughly his age and clad in plain robes, stood with heads bowed.

Upon seeing Nezha come to himself, they bowed in unison and greeted: "Qingfeng (Mingyue) salutes the young master!"

Nezha glanced briefly at the famous Qingfeng and Mingyue Immortals of the Three Realms. Their cultivation was indeed substantial—both had reached Profound Immortal levels. It wouldn’t be surprising if they were occasionally addressed as great immortals.

Nezha wasn’t the type to act arrogant. Chuckling warmly, he said, "Nephews, no need for formalities. It’s my first visit, and I didn’t bring any valuable gifts. Here, take these for fun."

Saying that, he handed them two golden bricks.

These golden bricks were refined by Nezha himself using a special method mimicking the creation of the Sky Flipping Seal. They weren’t just excellent magical treasures; even if their functionality wasn’t needed, their pure gold material was valuable anywhere.

Qingfeng and Mingyue were visibly pleased, though slightly hesitant. While such small trinkets might be easy to accept, these seemed too valuable to take casually.

At this point, laughter echoed from behind the door as Zhen Yuanzi spoke, "Why are you two dawdling? Hurry up and thank young master Nezha for his gift."

The two disciples’ faces lit up.

"Thank you, young master, for your generous reward!"

Nezha smiled and nodded. With his current standing, Qingfeng and Mingyue weren’t worth currying favor from—but Zhen Yuanzi certainly was.

Escorted by Zhen Yuanzi into the Wuzhuang Temple, they stepped through the gate and were met with a wave of spatial fluctuation. Suddenly, the group found themselves within a vast world, leisurely riding clouds toward the central Wuzhuang Temple.

Engaging in idle chatter during the journey, Zhen Yuanzi explained that this realm was a world he created using the Earth Book and the Innate Spirit Root Ginseng Fruit Tree, naming it the Earth Immortal Realm. During the ancient days when the Demon Clan massacred the Human Clan, Zhen Yuanzi sheltered a portion of humanity here, where they’ve continued to live ever since.

The cultivation ceiling for beings in this realm allowed them to attain Taiyi Golden Immortal status, which was nothing to scoff at.

This also earned Zhen Yuanzi his title as Ancestor of Earth Immortals.

As Nezha toured the realm, he couldn’t help but think of how absurd the stories in *Journey to the West* were. After all, the Ginseng Fruit Tree’s roots served as the pillars of the realm itself. Even someone like Zhao Gongming, a Quasi-Saint, wouldn’t be able to topple it, but somehow a monkey managed to do so? Truly outrageous.

The closer they got to the Wuzhuang Temple, the stronger the presence of Earth and Wood Elemental Spiritual Energy became. With the Houtu bloodline flowing in Nezha, such an environment allowed him to feel exceptionally comfortable.

Finally, Nezha witnessed the legendary Innate Spirit Root Ginseng Fruit Tree. As someone who possessed another of the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots—the Fusang Tree—he didn’t find it particularly uncommon.

Zhen Yuanzi instructed Qingfeng and Mingyue to fetch some Ginseng Fruits while he welcomed Nezha into the main hall for a banquet and a discussion on Dao.

Well, the discussion primarily consisted of Zhen Yuanzi lecturing while Nezha listened.

Meanwhile, Qingfeng and Mingyue, having gone to a secluded spot, brought out their golden bricks to examine. The golden surface glimmered with earthy yellow inscriptions, and its base bore a finely engraved miniature "Li" character. Even with their proximity to treasures under Zhen Yuanzi’s tutelage, such artifacts were a rare sight for them.

"This young master looks rather youthful, yet his generosity is remarkable."

"Perhaps he only appears young. As our ancestor’s sworn brother, he’s likely a great immortal who’s cultivated for countless Yuan Hui."

After playing with the bricks for a while, the pair dared not delay further. Using a Golden Hammer, they deftly harvested Ginseng Fruits and brought them to the main hall, discreetly placing them on the table before the two and then retreating outside.

Nezha didn’t stand on ceremony; he ate the fruits while listening to Zhen Yuanzi expound on Dao.

The lecture spanned three years.

Nezha’s understanding of the Earth and Wood Elemental Laws significantly deepened, inspiring him to refine his cultivation further. With effort, the yellow and green Divine Lights he possessed could ascend to greater levels.

"Dear brother, you’re a man of countless obligations. How is it you found time to visit my Wuzhuang Temple?"

Nezha, never one for beating around the bush, got straight to the point: "Elder brother, I’ve come at someone’s behest to deliver a message."

"The message comes from Senior Yun Zhongzi of the Chan Sect’s Fude True Immortals. He asked me to tell you: Hongyun is dead; from now on, there is only Yun Zhongzi."

Zhen Yuanzi, known for his virtuous character among his peers from the Zixiao Palace, had maintained a good relationship with Yuanshi Tianzun. However, he had never been aware of Yun Zhongzi’s connection to Hongyun.

Instinctively, he started performing the Mystic Sect Immortal’s habitual calculation gesture but soon sighed deeply, relaxing his hands. Now that he knew the outcome, what was the point of deducing further?

He could empathize with Yun Zhongzi’s sentiments. Having cultivated for many years and forged his own life, how would one feel if someone suddenly appeared to declare, "You are not you; you are Hongyun"? This would unsettle anyone.

Especially for Zhen Yuanzi, who had long desired to resurrect his old friend Hongyun.

Yun Zhongzi truly wished to avoid the matter as much as possible.

"Dear brother, what’s the full story?"

Nezha organized the details he knew and replied, "Back then, Senior Hongyun fell prey to a joint attack by the Nether River and Kunpeng, his Divine Soul split into three parts..."