Chapter Thirty-Two: White Plum and Bitter Apricot

The spiritual spring bubbled forth, transforming into a meandering stream that wound its way through the depths of the canyon. The fissures shaken open by the shifting of the earth’s veins had now become natural channels, perfectly fashioned to cradle the flow of the spring, as if they were the very arteries of the world, sculpted by nature itself.

Countless rare herbs and marvelous flowers flourished in abundance along both banks of the stream, their lush greenery attracting bees and butterflies that danced and hovered amidst the vibrant tapestry.

At this moment, Liu Xiyue was utterly stunned by the scene before her. She felt as though she were a mere mortal who had, by some stroke of fate, stumbled into a legendary paradise. Otherwise, how could she behold such a wondrous sight, with innumerable immortal blossoms and spiritual medicines vying for beauty and fragrance?

Beside her, Bai Yi was the first to recover her senses. Gazing at the gushing spiritual spring, her eyes shone with crystalline light. Such a scene, brimming with vitality, was something she had never witnessed in her life. Was this the handiwork of a true cultivator just now? To command such power—it would not be an exaggeration to say he could rival the forces of creation itself!

Just as Bai Yi was still reeling from shock, Liu Xiyue suddenly pointed toward the horizon and called out, “Sister Bai Yi, look over there!”

Her voice was filled with disbelief, as though she had witnessed something beyond imagination.

Bai Yi followed the direction of her gaze. Not far away, the main peak of Red Pine soared skyward, wreathed in clouds and radiant with the golden glow of the setting sun. The light played upon the shifting mists, rendering the entire Red Pine Daoist sanctuary ethereal, like a realm of immortals.

Within the crimson clouds, a figure descended from the high cliffs, riding the wind. One among them wore azure Daoist robes, the hems fluttering with the wind, his bearing relaxed and unrestrained as he walked between the clouds, exuding a sense of freedom and ease.

Witnessing this, Liu Xiyue’s eyes widened. Unbidden, a line of poetry surfaced in her mind: “Clad in rainbow robes, riding the wind as a steed; the lord of the clouds descends in splendor.”

Was she still on Red Pine Mountain? Could the figure before her be the legendary immortal? For a moment, Liu Xiyue’s thoughts were in turmoil, and she could only stare wide-eyed toward the horizon.

That azure-robed silhouette, borne by the wind, drew near in the blink of an eye.

Bai Yi, sharp-eyed, immediately recognized Lin You and cried out excitedly, “The Master is here!”

Liu Xiyue could now clearly see who had arrived, but her astonishment had only deepened, bordering on incredulity. The sheer cliffs of Red Pine Peak soared to such heights that even a great master would be dashed to pieces leaping from above—yet the young Daoist before her moved as if an immortal from legend, drifting serenely on the wind, shattering all her previous notions of reality.

She felt that nothing she had witnessed in the past decade could compare to the marvels she had seen today, and could not help but feel a deep curiosity for the youth before her.

Lin You descended, hands clasped behind his back, as though treading invisible steps in the air.

His gait was unhurried and composed, and before long, he stood before the two young women.

“Master!” Bai Yi ran joyfully to Lin You’s side, her fox tail swaying gently, eyes brimming with admiration.

Lin You’s expression was gentle as he said, “Many thanks for your help, Daoist Bai. From here, leave the rest to me.”

At this, Bai Yi’s smile deepened, her fox-like eyes narrowing into two crescent moons. She felt that her earlier efforts had truly not been in vain.

Liu Xiyue watched Lin You with a hint of curiosity, sensing that the youth before her had changed yet again since their last meeting. His eyes shone like stars, his presence was even more transcendent and ethereal, as though he had merged with the very essence of heaven and earth—a true immortal walking among mortals.

The three waited for a short while, until from the distant mountain path, a hurried figure appeared—Daoist Yuyin.

Upon reaching them, Daoist Yuyin offered a wry smile and bowed with clasped hands. “Forgive me, brother, for keeping you waiting!”

Moments ago, standing before the dizzying precipice, he had not dared to let Lin You carry him down by flight, and so had chosen to make his own way with lightfooted skill.

Just then, his eyes caught the bubbling spiritual spring and he exclaimed in surprise. His gaze swept past his companions and fell on the abundant patches of spiritual herbs along the banks. His astonishment could no longer be contained.

He promptly knelt down, carefully reaching out to touch the precious medicines. These swathes of rare herbs were sights he had only ever glimpsed in dreams—yet now they appeared before him in living color.

“This... this is dendrobium, and that, purple ganoderma... and this one, heavenly starflower...” He was so excited he could barely form words, identifying each herb along the shore with near-obsessive delight.

Though his own Daoist courtyard boasted a medicinal field, the plants there could not compare to the spiritual vitality of those before him. Was this the spiritual spring his junior brother had spoken of? Its transformative power was beyond belief!

Only after a moment did he compose himself, straightening to bow apologetically. “Forgive my loss of composure! I have few hobbies in life other than cultivating spiritual medicines, and so I could not help myself.”

Lin You smiled gently and shook his head. “This place will be the new medicinal garden of our Daoist sanctuary. In the future, I must ask you to watch over it, brother.”

“No trouble at all! None at all!” Daoist Yuyin stroked his graying beard, eyes shining. “From tonight on, I’ll sleep right here!”

Lin You nodded and led the three to the source of the spiritual spring. The ground around the spring seemed blanketed with a verdant carpet—fresh, dewy grass sprouted everywhere, some adorned with pure white flowers, dotting the sacred ground with delicate blooms.

He stopped several paces from the spring’s mouth. With a thought, the spring divided, sending out two slender streams, one to the left and one to the right, winding away from the source.

Next, he produced a small plum sapling. Bai Yi’s eyes lit up at the sight. The spiritual spring pooled at his feet, crystal clear and exuding an invigorating fragrance.

Lin You held the plum sapling, its white roots bare, and planted it into the shallow pool. The instant it touched the water, the tiny tree sent out a mass of roots, burrowing swiftly into the spring, its branches and leaves unfurling, growing more lush and vibrant by the moment.

Then, he took an apricot pit and walked to another pool. There, he planted the bitter apricot seed. Its jade-like shell shattered as soon as it touched the spring water, and a white root darted out, greedily drinking in the water. Only when the water’s surface had dropped by a shallow layer did two green leaves break free from the remaining shell, stretching themselves luxuriously.

The golden afterglow of the setting sun bathed the tender leaves, making them gleam brilliantly, as though celebrating the birth of new life between heaven and earth.

Daoist Yuyin stared blankly at the apricot kernel, memories flooding his mind. He had tried to plant it before, but every attempt had ended in failure, and eventually, he’d given up and treasured it instead. He had never imagined he would see this bitter apricot take root and sprout in his lifetime.

In the heart of the scene, plum and apricot stood sentinel by the spring, facing each other in silent watch, both nurturing the very veins of the land beneath them.

A mountain need not be high—if it has trees, it is endowed with spirit.

These spiritual roots and sacred plants, born of the world’s own creation, naturally sensed the pulse of the land and nourished it. Even in this age of dwindling spiritual energy, Red Pine Mountain remained lush and vital, its secret lying in the ancient pine’s harmonizing of the earth’s veins.