As the Golden-Winged Great Peng approached with dignified courtesy to knock on the door, the sound of the knocker echoed, prompting two Daoist boys to appear.

 

The one on the left loudly inquired, "Who visits our abode, and for what purpose might you come?" The Golden-Winged Great Peng replied, "Nothing much, I seek a few ginseng fruits from your Master Zhen Yuanzi."

 

Sun Wukong couldn't help but snicker to himself, finding the Golden-Winged Great Peng's direct approach amusingly similar to robbery. As expected, the faces of the Daoist boys paled, one of them said, "This matter is beyond our decision-making. We must consult our master before we can give an answer."

 

With that, they hurried back inside. The Golden-Winged Great Peng remarked, "Not even inviting us inside? Is this how you treat your guests?"

 

With large strides, he entered the temple, followed naturally by Sun Wukong and the Bull Demon King. Suddenly, a clear voice declared, "What impudence! Do you think you can just barge into the Five Villas Temple as you please?"

 

The trio felt an invisible force preventing them from moving forward. Sun Wukong was amazed; without even seeing the person, they were already stopped by such divine power.

 

Glancing at the Bull Demon King and the Golden-Winged Great Peng, both appeared somewhat embarrassed.

 

The Bull Demon King, with a bitter smile, said, "It's this trick again," as if he had experienced it before.

 

The Golden-Winged Great Peng soared into the air, shouting, "You two hold off this old man, I'll go to the backyard for the fruits!"

 

Sun Wukong, realizing the situation, yelled, "Brother, run!"

 

But it was too late. A sweeping sleeve from the heavens enveloped the Bull Demon King and Sun Wukong, while the Golden-Winged Great Peng had already fled, leaving behind only a taunting laugh in the sky.

 

Sun Wukong, trapped within the sleeve, thought to himself about the irony of facing Zhen Yuanzi's universe within a sleeve again, this time without even laying eyes on the ginseng fruit, feeling wronged.

 

The cunning of the Golden-Winged Great Peng was apparent; by bringing Sun Wukong and the Bull Demon King to the Five Villas Temple, Zhen Yuanzi would naturally assume they were accomplices, leaving him no choice but to act.

 

Sun Wukong had hoped to benefit from a fight between the Golden-Winged Great Peng and the great immortal Zhen Yuan, but he had outsmarted himself, falling into the trap of being too clever by half.

 

 "I am Zhen Yuanzi, over 20,267 years old, residing in the Five Villas Temple on Mount Wanshou in the Western Continent of Cattle Gifting. In the vast continents, among millions striving for spiritual cultivation, none are as fortunate, yet as frustrated as I am.

 

Initially unaware of the divine, I lived obliviously for decades until a peculiar seed fell from the sky directly into my possession. This seed set me on an extraordinary path of cultivation. With this life-enhancing seed, even a fool like me knew it was a treasure. Living among the common folks was perilous.

 

So, I left home secretly, without even my family knowing my secret. Choosing secluded paths, the seed granted me immense strength, repelling beasts and demons alike with mere stones. However, the more valuable the treasure, the greater the danger.

 

This universal truth made me increasingly fearful. Eventually, I reached Mount Wanshou, a picturesque and rugged place ideal for settling down. Despite over 22,000 years passing, I vividly remember planting the seed.

 

It sprouted green shoots upon touching the soil, and within hours, a towering tree stood tall. Though the tree was magnificent, its visibility made me anxious. Known for attracting attention, I feared staying could lead to my demise. Yet, abandoning it felt worse than death. Resolved, I built my home here, guarding the tree. I sensed it would bring greater benefits without misfortune. The tree's daily growth rejuvenated me. Within days, I appeared in my thirties, adopting the look of a Daoist priest for its semblance of divine presence. After two centuries, knowing my family had moved on, I realized familial ties were trivial compared to the pursuit of immortality. From the mountain top, I pondered how many others sought immortality. Despite failures and deaths, hope remained essential. This hope, or Tao, didn't guarantee immortality but was the foundation of enlightenment and progress, leading to transcendence. After five centuries of contemplation, I gained immense power. While mortals also have enlightenment opportunities, their short lives limit them. My treasure, offering extended life, was a divine gift."

 

From then on, I regarded myself as a favorite of the heavens, convinced that my fate was destined to be glorious. I was full of pride, until the day he appeared...

 

That day was beautiful and sunny, the sky clear for miles, yet my heart was shrouded in gloom.

 

As usual, I sat atop a large boulder on the mountain peak, meditating to quiet my mind. In truth, I had long since developed the celestial eye, which allowed me to sense every movement within several miles.

 

Suddenly, my heart tightened with an indescribable sense of danger. I used my divine consciousness to probe around but found nothing. However, when I turned around, I saw a monk standing under my treasured tree, examining it closely.

 

This monk was exceptionally handsome, with a kind face and a smile at the corners of his mouth. Yet, in his gaze, I saw a special expression—one of greed. I had seen this same look when I had acquired a certain seed.

 

The monk behaved as if I did not exist; his eyes were fixed only on the tree, as if it naturally belonged to him, as if he was its rightful owner by divine right. I disliked this intensely.

 

I charged at him, using the stone-flying technique I had just learned. He did not even dodge; without moving a finger, with just a glance, he stopped the world.

 

I stood there, speechless, watching the suspended stones in the air, my fear reaching its peak. He was a celestial being with great supernatural powers. With a mere thought, he could reduce me to ashes.

 

The monk still wore his hypocritical expression and said a phrase that assured me I could keep on living: "It is better left in your care than mine."

 

After withdrawing his supernatural powers, the monk inquired about the origins of the tree. I dared not lie and told him everything truthfully. The monk nodded slightly, appreciating my honesty.

 

He then helped me build a large courtyard, which he claimed was not a courtyard, but a Taoist temple. "Continue being a Taoist priest here," he instructed, "and watch over this tree for me." I felt extremely uncomfortable; it was my tree, yet in an instant, it had become his. "You have a connection with this tree, so I won't seize it, but the fruits belong to me," he declared firmly, as if there was no one in the world worthy of his respect.

 

Later, he set up many protective formations around the Taoist temple to guard it securely. He left me many books on Taoist practices, urging me to learn quickly. The more I learned, the less he needed to worry.

 

I felt like crying without tears, feeling like nothing more than a watchdog.

 

The monk then named me "Zhen Yuan Zi."

 

"Zhen" means to guard, and "Yuan Zi" refers to the seed of the tree. I did not understand the origin of "Yuan Zi," and the monk said it was my fate. If I had known earlier, I might have already died. "The answer is in the books I gave you. Find it yourself."

 

After all this, the monk left, and later, I learned his name.

 

Rulai (Tathagata).

 

 

Annotations :

 

Zhen Yuanzi (镇元子): A legendary Taoist immortal, also known as the Master of the Earth, renowned for his profound cultivation and possession of the magical ginseng fruit tree, which grants longevity and spiritual enlightenment. In mythology, he is often depicted as a figure of wisdom, possessing deep knowledge of Daoist practices and the natural world.

 

 

Ginseng Fruit: In Chinese mythology, the ginseng fruit is a rare and miraculous fruit that can extend one's life or even grant immortality. It is often associated with high-level spiritual cultivation and is sought after by many practitioners in the hopes of achieving eternal life.

 

 

Tao (道): A fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy, particularly within Daoism (Taoism), representing the way, path, or principle governing the harmonious workings of the universe. Cultivation of the Dao involves aligning oneself with this natural order through practices aiming at spiritual enlightenment and immortality.

 

 

Five Villas Temple (五庄观): A fictional location often featured in Chinese mythology and literature as a place of profound spiritual significance, where immortals reside and cultivate the Dao. It symbolizes a serene and sacred space away from the mundane world, conducive to spiritual growth and enlightenment.