Chapter 6

"Master Brother!" Fanning strode swiftly, his monk's robe flapping in the wind as he rushed from outside the valley, bringing a gust of strong wind.

Fakong introduced Ning Zhenzhen to him.

Ning Zhenzhen smiled and clasped her hands in greeting.

Fanning hurriedly clasped his hands in return, his plump face flushed as if he had been drinking, his eyes darting and not daring to look directly at Ning Zhenzhen, and his voice soft and gentle.

Fakong told him that he was going to Mingyue Nunnery and that he should go with him.

Fanning nodded vigorously.

Although Mingyue Nunnery and Jinguang Temple were on good terms, and Mingyue Nunnery was the closest neighbor to Jinguang Temple, only a hundred miles away, he was still not at ease.

The three left the medicinal valley.

Fanning and Fakong ran together like the wind, with Fanning holding Fakong's shoulder.

Fakong felt as if he were sitting in an open-top Ferrari, with the scenery rushing towards him and whizzing past, creating a strong sense of impact.

Ning Zhenzhen was light as a cloud, moving incredibly fast.

As the sun set and dusk approached, the three arrived at Mingyue Nunnery—a temple built in a pine forest.

The Great Snow Mountain was covered in snow all year round, but the area below was lush and green, becoming colder and less green the higher up you went.

Mingyue Nunnery was located at the foot of Mingyue Peak, hidden in the pine forest, with red walls and green tiles, and faint smoke rising from the chimneys.

A river two zhang wide, formed by the melting snow from the mountain, flowed past the pine forest, and the sound of rushing water could be heard within Mingyue Nunnery.

On the other side of the river, several small courtyards were built, each independent and arranged in a staggered manner, following the mountain's slope.

As soon as they reached the river, two beautiful middle-aged nuns came forward to greet Fakong and the others, leading them to a small courtyard on the other side of the river.

Mingyue Nunnery was a nunnery, so men were not allowed to enter, which is why this area was built for male guests.

The two beautiful nuns, one tall and one petite, had faces like young girls and a cold, clear demeanor.

Fakong nodded inwardly, confirming that the cultivation techniques of Mingyue Nunnery indeed had the effect of preserving youth, as rumored.

"Ning Sister, since you're here, why not go and see the Treasure Tree directly?" Fakong asked, his eyes scanning the courtyard.

On the left was a flower bed with six types of flowers in full bloom, their fragrance wafting through the air. On the right was a bamboo grove, rustling in the wind.

Under a rockery was a small pavilion where one could admire the bamboo and flowers.

A small stream wound around the rockery, flowing under the pavilion and over the moss-covered pebbles, its clear water babbling gently.

Though small, the courtyard was quiet, elegant, and refined.

Ning Zhenzhen smiled and said, "Master Brother Fakong, you should rest first and gather your strength."

"That's true," Fakong nodded.

He speculated that the experts from Dule Temple and Jingye Temple were trying to treat the Taiyin Treasure Tree.

After all, he was too young and not as significant as those from Dule Temple and Jingye Temple.

Ning Zhenzhen smiled and withdrew.

Fanning stared at the courtyard gate, his gaze lingering for a long time.

Fakong shook his head with a smile and sat down in the pavilion.

It wasn't until a servant brought in tea that Fanning, looking dejected, sat down beside Fakong, his mind elsewhere.

Fakong took the teacup and examined it closely.

The cup was made of white jade, crystal clear and smooth, exquisitely pure.

He smiled, knowing that Jinguang Temple didn't have such refined teacups, only coarse earthenware ones.

He took a sip of the tea but then showed a look of regret.

The tea was good, but the brewing technique was not, wasting such fine tea leaves, which was a pity.

But as a guest, it was best to say less.

He put down the white jade cup and formed a hand seal.

After reciting a Clear Mind Spell, Fanning was still distracted, leaving Fakong helpless.

It seemed the Clear Mind Spell wasn't powerful enough, only able to clear the mind and dispel distractions, but not to control the release of hormones like dopamine.

He knew that trying to persuade Fanning would be futile.

Ning Zhenzhen was incomparably beautiful, her smile like a flower, and which man could resist her?

He was immune because he had seen many beauties and was calmed by the Medicine Buddha.

Fanning, who spent all day at Jinguang Temple, couldn't resist seeing someone like Ning Zhenzhen.

He needed to improve his Clear Mind Spell as soon as possible.

---

The sunset dyed the sky and the courtyard red.

Fanning practiced boxing in the courtyard, the wind whistling around him.

Fakong cast a Revitalizing Spell on a few flowers in the flower bed.

Ning Zhenzhen pushed open the door and entered.

She wore a white robe like snow, her eyebrows slightly furrowed with worry.

Fanning stopped abruptly, his face turning red as he clasped his hands in greeting.

Ning Zhenzhen smiled and returned the greeting.

Fakong released his hand seal and said slowly, "The seniors from Dule Temple and Jingye Temple couldn't cure it?"

Ning Zhenzhen nodded bitterly, "Yes."

"What's the problem?"

"It's not a disease; it's the end of its natural life, beyond human control."

All things in the world, except for the original nature, have a beginning and an end.

The Taiyin Treasure Tree had lived for over two thousand years and was now reaching the end of its life.

"I'm afraid I can't do much either if it's the end of its life."

"At least you should take a look," Ning Zhenzhen said. "The abbess has agreed that, regardless of whether you can cure it or not, you can view the 'Sutra of the Bodhisattva Moonlight's Wisdom.'"

"The 'Sutra of the Bodhisattva Moonlight's Wisdom' carved on the Western Sutra leaves."

"Exactly!"

"Very well, then I'll take a look at the Taiyin Treasure Tree," Fakong smiled.

Ning Zhenzhen pulled out a white handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to Fakong.

Fakong covered his eyes with it.

Ning Zhenzhen stepped closer, her fragrance wafting, and helped tie the handkerchief, not only covering his eyes but also his ears, and then gently tightened it.

Suddenly, it was as dark as night, and the sound of the stream became distant, even the rustling of the bamboo was inaudible.

The handkerchief not only blocked his vision but also his hearing.

Ning Zhenzhen placed her hand on his shoulder, and he felt his body float, the sound of the stream growing more distant. After a dozen breaths, his feet touched the ground again.

The handkerchief was removed.

In the dark cave, a tree emitting a soft glow appeared before his eyes.

It was a tree about his height, resembling a peach tree, emitting a gentle glow.

Twelve branches each bore a fist-sized fruit, like a peach.

Dust-like specks of light floated and diffused, slowly sprinkling onto the branches and leaves, merging with the tree's glow.

Fakong focused his attention.

Two branches of the tree were dull and lifeless, and one of them still bore a Taiyin fruit, which was also dimmer than the others.

He took a few steps forward and examined it closely.

"Can I touch it?"

"…Yes, but be careful."

Fakong slowly placed his hand on the tree, immediately knowing it wasn't a peach tree, just similar in appearance.

In the deep blue stillness, the Medicine Buddha's right hand, holding the Dew Branch, trembled slightly.

Fakong focused his senses, and a flash of insight came to him.

The Taiyin Treasure Tree had stimulated the use of the Dew Branch.

He slowly released his hand, looking at the Taiyin Treasure Tree with regret and sighed.

"Did you find the problem?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"…" Fakong shook his head.

"Master Brother Fakong?"

"Ah—!" Fakong sighed.

Ning Zhenzhen's bright eyes flickered, and she said calmly, "No way?"

"Ah—!" Fakong sighed deeply, shaking his head, "Difficult! Difficult!"

Ning Zhenzhen's voice grew even lighter, her beautiful face calm and indifferent, "Master Brother Fakong, if you have any other requests, please speak up!"

Fakong inwardly sighed, acknowledging the power of her wisdom.

She could faintly sense his thoughts, almost like mind reading.

"I have two small requests, of course, I must also make it clear that this Taiyin Treasure Tree has indeed reached the end of its life, and there's truly nothing I can do."

"Then what?"

"It's possible to cultivate a new Taiyin Treasure Tree using its branches."

"The nunnery has tried many times over many years, and it's impossible to succeed."

"Others may not succeed, but I might."

Ning Zhenzhen said coldly, "State your conditions, Master Brother Fakong."

"I want a branch and a Taiyin fruit, and also the Taiyin Small Cultivation Technique."

"…I'll report to my master," Ning Zhenzhen said expressionlessly, "Please wait."

She floated away lightly.

Fakong smiled.

Mingyue Nunnery would agree to these conditions.

The Taiyin Treasure Tree was too important to Mingyue Nunnery, and these conditions were minor.

Of course, it would be more tactful to propose the conditions after successfully cultivating the new tree, and Mingyue Nunnery would likely agree. But proposing them now had the implication of coercion and taking advantage of their situation.

However, it was better to be cautious and straightforward.

As for the method, he had indeed thought of one.

The Dew Branch could transform life force into vitality and instantly transfer it, combined with the Revitalizing Spell, which should be enough to cultivate a new Taiyin Treasure Tree branch.

With a rustle of her robes, Ning Zhenzhen returned with a faint fragrance, "My master has agreed."

"Good."

Fakong smiled and pointed to the dull branch, "Ning Sister, cut this branch."

"This one?" Ning Zhenzhen hesitated.

This branch was already dull and clearly not viable. Even a healthy branch might not survive, let alone this one.

"This one," Fakong said.

Ning Zhenzhen no longer hesitated, lightly slicing with her right index finger, the branch fell into her left palm.

She turned and handed it to Fakong.

Fakong pointed to the nearby soil, "Plant it and water it."

Ning Zhenzhen planted it in the soil and then floated away.

Fakong gently touched the branch.

In the deep blue stillness.

A beam of clear light rose from the lotus petals and drifted to the Dew Branch in the Medicine Buddha's right hand.

When the Dew Branch touched the light, it spread and merged with the void.

This light represented one year of life force, transferred through the Dew Branch to his hand and then to the branch.

Ning Zhenzhen brought a pot of clear water.

Fakong took it and poured a little, then began reciting the Revitalizing Spell.

An hour later, the branch began to glow, and the surrounding light particles slowly drifted over and settled on it.

Ning Zhenzhen noticed it sprouting new buds, looking at Fakong in surprise, thinking she must have seen wrong.

Fakong couldn't help but marvel at the power of the Dew Branch.

The cost of one year of life force was painful, but the effect was immediate.

It was as if a year's growth was condensed into a short half-hour, the new buds slowly growing. Under Ning Zhenzhen's amazed gaze, it grew into a tree over three meters tall, a meter taller than the original Taiyin Treasure Tree.

Ning Zhenzhen's shock turned to numbness.

Fakong's expression was calm, but he was inwardly amazed.

He hadn't expected the combined effect to be so powerful, truly astonishing. Fortunately, it concerned the Taiyin Treasure Tree, and Ning Zhenzhen wouldn't tell anyone.

"Does the Taiyin Treasure Tree bear fruit every five years?" Fakong asked.

"Yes."

"Then it will need four more years to bear fruit again," Fakong said. "This old tree should have about five years left, and it will return to the earth after the next fruiting."

Ning Zhenzhen slowly nodded.

"Ning Sister," Fakong smiled.

Ning Zhenzhen huffed and lightly sliced a branch, which bore a Taiyin fruit.

Fakong put it in his sleeve, "If there are any more problems, come to the medicinal valley."

"Let's go."

Ning Zhenzhen handed him the handkerchief.

Fakong covered his eyes, and in the darkness, his body floated until the sound of the stream returned to his ears.

"Alright." The handkerchief was removed, and Fakong found himself back in front of the courtyard.

A full moon hung in the sky, its light gently falling.

Fanning was waiting in the courtyard, bathed in the moonlight, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Fakong return.

Ning Zhenzhen took out a thin book from her sleeve and handed it to Fakong, "This is the Taiyin Small Cultivation Technique. Return it to me before you leave. …Also, when practicing the Taiyin Small Cultivation Technique, you must first consume a Taiyin fruit to enter the initial stage."

"Alright." Fakong smiled and took it.

Ning Zhenzhen said, "As for the 'Sutra of the Bodhisattva Moonlight's Wisdom,' Aunt Lianyu will bring it over."

She then turned and left with a cold expression.

Fanning waited until her graceful figure disappeared before reluctantly turning his gaze to Fakong, "Master Brother, did you cure it?"

"Yes."

"If you cured it, why did you offend Ning Sister?"

"It's fine."

Fakong smiled dismissively, sat down at the stone table in the pavilion, and opened the Taiyin Small Cultivation Technique, inhaling the fragrance from the flower bed.

The Taiyin fruit and the branch of the Taiyin Treasure Tree were already in the Time Wheel Pagoda, along with a pile of brown soil he had collected while Ning Zhenzhen was away.

The Time Wheel Pagoda was in a state of time stasis.