Chapter Sixty: Bitter Apricot Seedlings, The Malady of Lost Souls

After seeing the two off, Elder Jade Tranquility’s tone brimmed with excitement as he spoke to Lin You, “Junior Brother Jade Dawn, I observed that both men possess extraordinary bearing—their identities must be far from ordinary. For our Daoist Palace to establish a connection with them this time is truly a blessing!”

The scene he had just witnessed—Zhang Yuan breaking through to the realm of Grandmaster—had utterly astonished him. After all, there were only eight Grandmasters in the world; each was a living legend in their own right. The elder accompanying him was no less remarkable, exuding an aura that could only be cultivated after years of holding high office.

Therefore, Elder Jade Tranquility had already formed a vague suspicion about their identities and could not help but feel a stir of excitement. After all, their Chisong Daoist Palace lay within the elder’s domain. If they could win a bit of his favor, countless benefits would surely follow.

Seeing the excitement on his senior brother’s face, Lin You only shook his head slightly. His senior’s perspective was still shackled by worldly concerns, unable to transcend the limitations of a conventional sect. Little did he realize that Chisong Daoist Palace was gradually becoming something altogether unique, no longer needing to rely on any secular power.

In time, Chisong Daoist Grounds would become a sanctuary that, though in the world, stood apart from it—a true immortal haven. For those two to forge a connection with the Daoist Palace was their fortune, not the palace’s. After all, the ambitions and empires of the mortal world were but fleeting illusions. The future Chisong Daoist Grounds would stand aloof above the dust of the world, watching dynasties rise and fall across the river of time.

But such thoughts need not be voiced directly. With a serene smile, Lin You replied, “Whether their identities are noble or humble makes no difference to the Daoist Palace. All will be revealed in due time.”

Elder Jade Tranquility nodded at his words. Yet his expression grew hesitant, and he offered a contrite apology, “Junior Brother, you are a man apart from the world, yet I have drawn you into these mundane affairs. I fear I have delayed your cultivation for no good reason.”

The annual Songyuan Festival, though initially intended to heal the suffering of the common people, had over time turned into a contest for fame and profit. Such worldly disputes were hardly fitting distractions for his junior’s meditative practice.

But Lin You only smiled. “Who in this world can truly escape the ties of fate? There is no need for concern, Brother. This year’s gathering may yet present a great opportunity for our Daoist Palace.”

“An opportunity?” Elder Jade Tranquility echoed, puzzled.

Lin You nodded with a smile, gesturing toward the Spirit Spring Valley. “The apricot grove within the valley is the key to this opportunity.”

Following his gaze, Elder Jade Tranquility looked toward the valley. Hundreds of scattered apricot saplings now grew there, dozens of which he had planted himself. Whenever he thought of the spiritual apricots buried in the earth, he could not help feeling a twinge of regret.

A few days prior, at his junior’s request, he and the disciples had harvested every apricot from the old wild apricot tree, clearing a patch of ground in the valley to plant them. Each time he buried a precious apricot, he felt a pang in his heart.

And no wonder—for these were priceless spiritual fruits! To simply bury them in the earth was as painful as tossing away potent herbs.

Still, since his junior had asked him, he trusted there was a reason and did not question further, but spent his days tilling the soil and watering the seeds with spring water. After several days of diligent work, all the apricots had sprouted under the nourishing spring, each one already thick as a thumb. Though it would be some time before the grove could be called a true “apricot forest,” it was already taking shape.

Gazing into the valley, Lin You saw the hundreds of young saplings, standing tall and arranged artfully around the ancient ancestor tree at the center. Though the saplings were still tender, under the careful watering of the spring, they exuded an unmistakable aura of vitality. Clearly, their caretakers had been diligent.

Moved by this, Lin You clasped his hands in sincere thanks to Elder Jade Tranquility. “Thank you, Senior Brother. I am indebted to you and the disciples for your efforts these past days.”

Elder Jade Tranquility, still gazing at the apricot grove below, was momentarily stunned when he heard Lin You’s thanks. His expression grew discontented as he replied, “You wrong us by thanking us, as if we are outsiders.”

“My apologies for the slip, Brother. I beg your pardon for my careless words,” Lin You said with a gentle smile, bowing once more.

Elder Jade Tranquility hurried over to help him up, laughing heartily. “That’s better! There’s no need for such formality among family.”

He then asked, somewhat perplexed, “But Junior Brother, these saplings are still so young. Even with the spring water, it will take years for them to mature. What use can they be now?”

He could not understand what opportunity Lin You saw in these tender saplings.

Lin You shook his head with a smile. “Do not worry, Brother. I have my own plans. But when the time comes, I will need your and the disciples’ help once more.”

…

Dusk was falling.

Within the official post house of Jinhua Prefecture, a child of five or six lay on the bed, eyes tightly shut. At his bedside stood an old man and a middle-aged man bearing an ancient sword on his back.

The old man gazed at the unconscious child and sighed. His cherished grandson had, some time ago, suddenly lost his wits—sometimes foolish, sometimes comatose. He had sought out every famed physician to no avail, and so had come to this medical gathering in hopes of finding someone who could cure the boy.

He sighed softly and said to the child, “Yuanlin, don’t worry. Grandfather will find a way to heal you.”

Zhang Yuan, standing behind him, looked at the unconscious child, a trace of pain in his eyes. He reached out to stroke the boy’s head and comforted the elder, “Rest assured, Elder Guo. My master is a man of profound abilities—he surely has a way to save Lin’er.”

As he spoke, his hand suddenly froze, and a fierce killing intent surged from his body. Yet, for fear of harming Elder Guo and the child, he forced himself to suppress it.

Sensing something amiss, the old man pressed, “Yuan, what is it?”

Zhang Yuan stared fixedly at the child for a long moment before saying coldly, “It’s not an illness at all! Lin’er’s ‘spirit’ is missing.”

“What? What spirit?” The old man did not immediately understand.

“In other words, Yuanlin’s very soul has been stolen!” A glint of murderous intent flashed in Zhang Yuan’s eyes.

Had it not been for his master’s guidance, allowing him to break through to the realm of Grandmaster and comprehend the will of martial arts, he might never have noticed. The child’s condition was not some strange disease but a result of his soul being stolen. Without one’s spirit, foolishness and stupor were inevitable.

The old man realized this as well, and a chilling fury rose in his eyes.