Chapter 46: The Fiery Jujube Spiritual Root, The Realm of Immortals

Cao Kong and the Golden Leopard did not hurry to leave. This place was a medicinal garden, abundant with all kinds of spiritual herbs and fruits, each varying in value. The God of Longevity had drawn out the wood spirit energy from this land and gifted it to Cao Kong, leaving the garden devoid of its spiritual source. Therefore, it was necessary to harvest or transplant some of the precious plants; otherwise, with the depleted spiritual energy, they would be difficult to nurture.

The mature spiritual herbs and fruits could simply be picked, but the more valuable herbs that had not yet reached their full years required careful transplantation, with great attention to technique. Fortunately, the Golden Leopard’s heritage was exceptional; his mastery of nurturing spiritual plants was unparalleled, and his three years of cultivation here had laid a solid foundation. Some of his methods could be applied directly. Had not the monkey, when it caused trouble and toppled the ginseng fruit tree, sought out the Three Stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity for help first?

Thus, the two brothers began to inventory the spiritual plants: which could be harvested, which needed transplanting. They marked them in advance, so after bidding farewell to the Yellow Lion Spirit, they could return and collect or move them as necessary.

There was no other option. If they hastily transferred the spiritual plants to Misty Mountain and left them unattended for long, Cao Kong would not be at ease.

Half an hour later, having finished the inventory, Cao Kong’s face broke into a blissful smile—never before had he been so wealthy. There were more than ten different kinds of spiritual herbs, the most precious being a fire jujube tree, which had not yet borne fruit but was just coming into bloom. Both Cao Kong’s “Wine Sutra” and the Golden Leopard’s inherited knowledge contained records of this tree.

It was said to be descended from a spirit-root jujube tree on Penglai Immortal Isle. For mortals, its fruit prolongs life and cures all illnesses; for cultivators, it extends lifespan, clears the meridians, and aids cultivation. Though this tree was likely grown from the seed of the original, it was still a delight. If it possessed even a tenth or a twelfth of the original’s efficacy, it would be a rare treasure in the human world.

The original tree bloomed once every hundred years, and bore fruit another hundred years later; as for this one, its cycle was unknown, but with signs of blooming, perhaps it would bear fruit within a century—something to be eagerly anticipated.

After making his calculations, Cao Kong condensed five drops of sweet dew, which the wind carried forth and scattered as countless droplets, nurturing the spiritual energy of the land. When all was prepared, he finally felt at ease and departed with the Golden Leopard, heading straight for Leopard Head Mountain.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, atop Leopard Head Mountain, the two came to bid farewell to the Yellow Lion Spirit. Three years of friendship called for an in-person goodbye.

The Yellow Lion Spirit was immediately struck by a sense of loss. Cao Kong and the Golden Leopard had long held a place in his heart just below the Six Lions, and he considered them friends.

Cao Kong teased with a laugh, “Great King Yellow Lion, a man of your stature feeling sentimental? I had thought you were quite carefree when you moved out from Bamboo Joint Mountain.”

Hearing Cao Kong’s banter, the Yellow Lion Spirit’s melancholy faded a little, and he realized this was not a parting of life and death. Moreover, Misty Mountain was only a thousand miles away—hardly a great distance for him; meeting again would not be difficult.

Thinking it through, the Yellow Lion Spirit clenched his fist and thumped Cao Kong’s shoulder, laughing loudly, “I am only reluctant to part with your fine wine.”

Cao Kong shook his head with a smile: “That is easily solved. All the wine on the mountain is yours. When I brew new batches, I’ll bring them to you, or you can come to Misty Mountain, where we can drink together and revel until the end.”

The Yellow Lion Spirit was embarrassed by the phrase “until the end”—his lack of literary refinement catching up with him.

Cao Kong laughed heartily. “But those jars I buried underground must be kept. I want to share them with you after a hundred years, to savor the taste of time.”

The Yellow Lion Spirit grew solemn, clasped his hands, and replied, “Naturally, it’s a promise.”

Cao Kong and the Golden Leopard likewise clasped their hands and turned to pack. The brothers had little to take.

Cao Kong brought with him a statue of his master, the Heavenly Lord Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering, and the incense burner used for worship. Regardless of whether his master could see or not, as a disciple he must demonstrate proper reverence, which was also his true intention.

As for the Golden Leopard—well, the fellow brought a quilt and pillow, being particular about his bed.

After riding the wind to Misty Mountain, Cao Kong reverently placed the statue of Taiyi in the Folded Mountain Cave, presented incense, and bowed in the disciple’s manner. Then he went in search of the Golden Leopard, only to find the leopard already had his bed made.

Cao Kong chuckled, and the two set out again for the place of the God of Longevity’s legacy. Now, there was no need for guidance from the Southern Star. The Golden Leopard recited the incantation from his heritage—three turns to the left, three turns to the right—and the secret realm opened.

They picked the spiritual fruits and harvested the mature herbs, piling them together. The transplantation of the spiritual plants was entrusted entirely to the Golden Leopard.

The Golden Leopard used his magic to dig up the plants along with the surrounding soil, then performed a spell, infusing the plants with the ceaseless vital energy within him to protect their spiritual essence from harm.

All the spiritual plants were properly handled, but when it came to the fire jujube tree, the Golden Leopard was noticeably more cautious. Even Cao Kong condensed his last two drops of innate sweet dew to safeguard it. This was the most precious of treasures.

Fortunately, all went well—the fire jujube tree, along with its soil, was uprooted, and Cao Kong sprinkled sweet dew over it.

By now, most of the contents of the medicinal garden had been taken, though seeds remained, already scattered. Once spiritual energy gathered again, in a hundred years this would be another land of spiritual abundance.

With everything completed, they seized the cover of night, rode the clear wind to Misty Mountain, and along the way, Cao Kong deployed a magical shield for fear the spiritual herbs might suffer from the elements.

Upon arrival, they wasted no time planting the jujube tree and other spiritual plants. The Golden Leopard continuously performed spells, casting radiant light over the plants.

The light fell, and the spiritual plants stretched their leaves, roots embedding themselves deep into the earth, bursting with vitality.

Yet, the Golden Leopard soon wore a worried expression: “Brother, these spiritual plants, especially the fire jujube tree, require vast amounts of spiritual energy. Misty Mountain can sustain them, but their growth will be slow.”

In truth, the soil in that secret realm was originally spiritual farmland, but since all the wood energy had gone to Cao Kong, it had reverted to ordinary earth.

The Golden Leopard sighed, “If only Misty Mountain had spiritual farmland or a spring.”

Cao Kong smiled faintly, taking out an object that made the Golden Leopard’s eyes shine. It was the wood spirit pearl Cao Kong had acquired in the past. Buried in the soil, it could transform wood energy to nourish the land and plants.

Cao Kong buried the pearl, pressed his hand to the earth, drew upon the wood energy from his liver, and combined it with innate Dao energy to activate the wood spirit within the pearl.

In an instant, ordinary earth became spiritual soil, stretching for ten miles and beyond. The Golden Leopard followed suit, performing a spell to concentrate the wood energy within these ten miles, ensuring it would not dissipate.

The fire jujube tree absorbed the spiritual energy, the other plants stretched themselves freely, and their faint radiance mingled with the mist that shrouded Misty Mountain.

If anyone witnessed this, they would exclaim: truly, a realm of immortals.