Chapter 331 - 181: Fierce Battle with Jin Yuanzai
Xuzhuang and Zhong Shenxiu had no need to cast their own spells. The Jide Taoist had already empowered them with an Escape Technique, letting them tear through the sky to the towering Spirit Root and land upon a leaf of the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree.
From a distance, the details had been unclear. But now that he was standing upon it, Xuzhuang was astonished to discover that on this jade-like leaf, every single vein, as if sketched by a divine hand, followed an inexplicable pattern. It resembled some kind of nameless Talisman, though it was unfortunately incomplete. Comprehending its profundities would be no easy task.
’These leaves are rare treasures in their own right, comparable to the finest materials used for talismans. They could easily withstand the Daoist arts of a Primordial Spirit True Man. Just wearing one for an extended period could prolong your life.’
Bitu’s voice continued in his mind, ’That said, plucking a leaf from the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree is no simple feat. But if you have a use for one, you might want to give it a try.’
’So it has such marvelous properties.’ Xuzhuang glanced at the platform-sized leaf beneath his feet but didn’t dwell on the matter. Instead, he turned to Zhong Shenxiu and asked, "Brother Zhong, what are your plans for our next move?"
According to what the Immoral Taoist had said, this competition had very few restrictions. Whether they split up or moved as a group, whether they focused on picking the Pearl Fruits or fought their opponents for them—it was all within the rules.
Of course, the same applied to their opponents, who also outnumbered them by one. For Xuzhuang and Zhong Shenxiu, acting together might seem like the best option. ’But,’ Xuzhuang thought, ’Zhong Shenxiu’s thinking should align with my own.’
Sure enough, Zhong Shenxiu simply tucked the Jade Ruyi in his hand into his sleeve. He then pointed in a direction and said with composure, "If we head this way toward the Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit at the summit, we should pass three Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruits en route."
"I’ll take this path. With any luck, I’ll rendezvous with you, Brother Xu, at the site of the Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit."
"Very well." Xuzhuang smiled faintly and cupped his hands in a salute. Zhong Shenxiu gave a slight nod and set off. It was as if the ground shrank with his every step; in the blink of an eye, he had already traveled far into the distance along the branch.
Xuzhuang retracted his gaze and peered between the jade-like branches. During their flight here, he had already observed the distribution of the Pearl Fruits.
As if by nature’s own design, the single Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit hung alone at the highest point, while the eleven Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruits were distributed fairly evenly below. By starting from the other side and making a few slight detours, he could also harvest three Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruits.
’But things would surely not be so easy.’
A glint flashed in Xuzhuang’s eyes. A streak of rainbow light suddenly shot out from the gourd at his waist. It flickered faintly in mid-air before turning invisible, hiding itself in an unknown location.
With the Taiyi Rainbow Sword released, Xuzhuang lingered no more. He summoned a gentle breeze that instantly enveloped him, lifting him into the air and carrying him away through the boughs.
The Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree was unbelievably massive. Each leaf was a platform, and its branches were like great thoroughfares extending in all directions. Furthermore, the angle of every bough and trunk was so uniform it seemed meticulously sculpted, making the whole tree resemble a labyrinthine city.
For a cultivator of Xuzhuang’s level, however, this was hardly a challenge. Furthermore, Flying Escape techniques weren’t forbidden here. Following the direction he had memorized, he quickly reached the general vicinity. But after searching high and low, he couldn’t find the Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruit that was supposed to be there.
Xuzhuang rechecked his bearings several times and confirmed he hadn’t mistaken the direction. His brow suddenly furrowed as a realization seemed to dawn on him. He instantly abandoned the idea of a meticulous, inch-by-inch search. Summoning an escape light, he departed, no longer following his original plan. He now streaked like lightning directly toward the third Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruit on his intended route.
By skipping the second Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruit, Xuzhuang no longer needed to make any detours. In just a few moments, he found his destination. A massive fruit, hanging among the branches and leaves, appeared in his line of sight. It was the color of cyan jade and so perfectly smooth it seemed to reflect the surrounding scenery.
𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
Xuzhuang didn’t relax. He drew the Jade Ruyi from his sleeve and headed toward the Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruit.
Before he could get close, just as he had anticipated, a streak of golden light shot out abruptly from the side, aimed straight for his head.
Xuzhuang was prepared. Without any visible movement from him, a small, condensed orb of mist shot out to intercept, trailing a white stream of smoky qi. With a soft POP, the orb burst apart, and the golden light was sent flying, striking the nearby branches and leaves.
It seemed that while the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree was generally immobile, it was not truly an inanimate sculpture of jade. Struck by the golden light, the leaves and branches swayed violently for a long moment, but in the end, they did not break.
"SQUEAK! SQUEAK!" A distinctly pained cry came from between the branches. A golden macaque wearing a Daoist Robe and a Primordial Scarf leaped out, catching the falling streak of golden light. It was a small hammer inlaid with gold and jade.
’To think that a small hammer thrown by a mere macaque could shatter my Thousand Jin Dharma Qi, which has already been refined into my Gangyun.’
However, Xuzhuang remained expressionless and did not give chase. He flew straight to the Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruit and gently tapped its stem with the Jade Ruyi. The Pearl Fruit immediately fell free.
The moment it detached from the Spirit Root, the Cyan Tribulation Pearl Fruit began to shrink rapidly. In an instant, it was no bigger than a fingernail.
Xuzhuang had no time for astonishment. He took out an empty, purified bottle—originally used to contain Yuanzhen—and drew the Pearl Fruit inside. Only then did he turn around calmly. His gaze did not fall on the macaque with the golden hammer; instead, he looked up.
Sure enough, on a slender branch above, stood Jin Yuanzai. A faint smile graced his features as he stood serenely with his hands clasped behind his back. With a flash of golden light, the macaque holding the golden hammer appeared on his shoulder.