Volume One: The Calamity of the Lich Chapter 129: Zhen Yuanzi’s Dao, The Greenwood Immortal

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What neither Taiqing nor the Eastern King knew was that, at the very moment they discussed Zhen Yuanzi, he himself was encountering some trouble.

"Brother Zhen Yuanzi, what is it exactly that you seek to accomplish on this journey?"

Hongyun had observed that, in matters of cultivation, there were times when Zhen Yuanzi seemed no different from himself, yet at other times, there appeared a gulf between them, subtle and profound.

"You’ll find out in due time," Zhen Yuanzi replied with a mysterious smile to Hongyun’s inquiry.

Seeing this, Hongyun could only stew in his own confusion.

"We’ve arrived. This place is rather fine," Zhen Yuanzi remarked as he surveyed the valley ahead, which teemed with myriad rare and exotic flowers, ancient trees soaring skyward, all brimming with vibrant life.

"Brother Zhen Yuanzi, are you certain this is the place you sought? Clearly, this land already has a master. Shouldn’t we refrain from disturbing the owner here?" Hongyun, upon hearing Zhen Yuanzi’s words, glanced around before staring at him in disbelief.

"Why should I, a humble Daoist, fear what you do not? Since I’ve chosen this path, it’s only a matter of time before I must face the many mighty cultivators of this vast wilderness," Zhen Yuanzi replied, as if making idle conversation.

Noting the resolve in Zhen Yuanzi’s expression, Hongyun understood that there must be a reason behind his actions, even if he could not comprehend it at present.

Never before had Hongyun felt so keenly that he and Zhen Yuanzi did not exist on the same plane.

Though they appeared as companions in discourse, brewing tea and debating the Dao, more often than not, Hongyun found Zhen Yuanzi’s intentions utterly inscrutable.

"If you’ve already decided, Brother Zhen Yuanzi, then I shall share in your madness this once!"

Yet, unbeknownst to them, the moment they set foot in this place, a pair of watchful eyes had already taken notice.

"Why have these two come to the patriarch’s domain? Even if I seldom travel these desolate lands, any cultivator can see this place is clearly claimed. Or perhaps they harbor some scheme beyond my understanding?" mused the Daoist of Verdant Wood, the master of this very Spiritwood Valley.

He was admiring the myriad wondrous flowers and herbs within the valley, all the while surreptitiously observing the movements of Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun.

The next instant, however, the Daoist of Verdant Wood could restrain himself no longer—his aura surged, and he bellowed, "How brazen, to trespass and meddle in the patriarch’s domain! Do you truly think I am not present?"

Just as Zhen Yuanzi produced the Earth Tome to attune himself to the ley lines of this place, the hidden patriarch could no longer abide it and burst forth.

"Brother Zhen Yuanzi, cease at once! The master of this place has appeared!" Hongyun cried, both he and Zhen Yuanzi clearly hearing the thunderous anger in the patriarch’s voice.

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Hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi first withdrew his connection to the ley lines, then slowly stowed away the Earth Tome.

"I am but a humble Daoist, Zhen Yuanzi, greeting this fellow cultivator," he said.

"Shameless! Do you know who I am, and dare address me as a peer?" retorted the Daoist of Verdant Wood, so incensed that his nose seemed crooked with rage.

"Ah, but in this, I agree with you," Zhen Yuanzi replied evenly. "There is always a sequence to learning, and the accomplished should be accorded respect. Yet by my estimation, our cultivation is not so far apart. To speak plainly, it seems your command over the laws is somewhat unstable."

This remark only deepened the patriarch’s ire.

He was, after all, a primordial greenwood transformed into human form; every step of his cultivation had been hard-won through exceptional perseverance. His origins had always been a sore point. At first, he believed persistence would yield success, but as time passed, he found further progress increasingly elusive. As a result, his mastery of the laws was never truly at ease.

Now, with Zhen Yuanzi exposing this flaw in a single sentence, his face darkened till it was as black as the bottom of a pot.

"You impudent whelp! Let me teach you a lesson, so you’ll know the immensity of heaven and earth!" he snarled, producing a lustrous jade staff and channeling his power into it.

As he raised the staff, Zhen Yuanzi saw countless trees and flowers around them suddenly grow and entwine, as if intent on imprisoning the two of them.

Zhen Yuanzi, seeing the threat, dared not be careless; he swiftly summoned the Earth Tome, its primordial yellow aura enveloping both himself and Hongyun.

"It would be best if we refrained from violence, fellow Daoist. Restore the surroundings, and let us discuss matters calmly," Zhen Yuanzi proposed after a lengthy stalemate, seeing that the patriarch had made no headway against him.

"How laughable! Now that you’ve seen the might of the patriarch, you wish to make peace? If you have any courage, dismiss that turtle shell of yours and let us see!"

Needless to say, the Daoist of Verdant Wood refused to heed Zhen Yuanzi’s suggestion. Once more, countless trees formed into several wooden dragons, assailing the protective shield of the Earth Tome.

Yet, despite the fierce and impressive onslaught, the patriarch could do nothing against Zhen Yuanzi’s defenses.

"Is this truly necessary, fellow Daoist?" Zhen Yuanzi sighed lightly and, with that, activated the Earth Tome to once again connect with the ley lines.

Suddenly, the Daoist of Verdant Wood saw the countless trees and vines under his command rapidly wither away.

"What’s happening? Is this your doing?" he demanded, glaring at Zhen Yuanzi with a dark, resentful expression.

"What is it you truly want?"

"Shouldn’t I be the one asking that? It was you who attacked first, without even allowing me a chance to explain," Zhen Yuanzi replied, spreading his hands helplessly.

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At that moment, a sigh drifted into the ears of all three.

"Who’s there?" the Daoist of Verdant Wood cried, his expression changing drastically.

"Wait!" Zhen Yuanzi quickly interjected, though it was unclear whether he addressed the patriarch or another.

"Do you take me for someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong?" came a voice, as a middle-aged Daoist in azure robes appeared, moving through a myriad of laws, his entire being shrouded in mist.

"Greetings, Master!" the moment Zhen Yuanzi sensed his presence, he hurriedly bowed in respect.

"Enough of these formalities," the figure replied, waving off Zhen Yuanzi’s salute with indifference.

"Who are you, and what is your purpose here?" asked the Daoist of Verdant Wood in alarm, finding this newcomer as inscrutable as a wisp of fog.

Then, upon hearing Zhen Yuanzi’s address, a sense of foreboding crept over him.

"There is no need for concern. Given the years you have cultivated, it is natural you may not recognize me—but the name Qingxuan, you surely must have heard," the newcomer said casually.

"Daoist Sovereign Qingxuan?" The patriarch’s heart chilled at the words. How could he not know?

As a greenwood spirit who had attained the Dao, he could not be unfamiliar with the legendary name of Qingxuan. Though Qingxuan rarely appeared, every appearance marked a world-shaking event.

As if sensing his thoughts, the man spoke again: "You need not worry. My presence here is solely for the sake of you two."