"Although I am old, I have a way to solve this problem; after all, as a spirit born from flora, I am one with the earth and can naturally locate them."
Having spoken, the Old Demon closed his eyes tightly and summoned his Divine Skills. A multitude of roots sprouted from beneath his feet, densely growing into the ground.
After some time, he opened his eyes with a look of delight and exclaimed, "I've found them!"
Lin Fang offered a faint smile and followed the Old Demon's guidance. In a short while, they arrived in front of a modest temple where an Earth God's statue was enshrined.
No sooner had they entered the temple than a majestic voice called out, "What kind of Monster dares to intrude upon this Temple?"
But Lin Fang merely smiled slightly, following the direction of the voice, and with a gentle outstretched hand, he drew forth an old man with a white beard using his Mana.
The old man was rather short, dressed in rich brocade robes like that of a wealthy family elder, and held a Wooden Staff in his hand. His feet flailed comically in the air, for he was the local Land God.
"Put me down this instant, have you rogues no sense of public morality, don't you know to respect the old and cherish the young?"
"Oh, my aching back, why did you really put me down?" the Earth God called out while gently rubbing his waist.
"Wasn't it you who asked me to put you down?" Lin Fang said with a smile.
The Earth God then took a closer look at these unexpected visitors, and with just one glance, he knew they were not to be trifled with, especially the green-clad Old Demon, who had a very strong demonic power. This was not something a minor deity like himself could contend with.
So, with a smile on his face, he asked, "May I know what brings you to my humble Temple, esteemed guests?"
Watching the Earth God's shift in demeanor, Lin Fang could not help but admire the capabilities of an Immortal who could survive in such a perilous environment.
This Earth God was very good at reading the room and sailing with the wind—a truly adept tactician.
As the saying goes, 'It's hard to slap a smiling face.' With the Earth God adopting such an attitude, even the Old Demon felt it impolite to be aggressive, so he began to explain his situation in detail.
"I only ask that you, Earth God, taking into account my urgent longing for my child, think carefully to see if you can find any trace of my son," the Old Demon pleaded earnestly in the end.
After listening to the Old Demon, the Earth God gradually furrowed his brows as if trying to remember something. After a long moment, he finally spoke softly, with an expectant look from the Old Demon, "The little Ginseng Spirit you spoke of, I do have some impression of. It indeed appeared here not long ago and then vanished without a trace."
"However, I recall that during those days, pupils from the Wuzhuang Temple were here as well, though I am unsure of their business. It's very likely your child's disappearance is related to them," he continued.
"Wuzhuang Temple, Great Immortal Zhen Yuan?" Lin Fang murmured, furrowing his brows, wondering what connection this Immortal's Blessed Land might have with it all. What would those disciples want with a Ginseng Spirit?
If it were any ordinary Cultivator, that would be another matter, but what standing did the Wuzhuang Temple have, and why would its disciples need a little Ginseng Spirit?
Lin Fang felt as though there was some secret hidden within all this, and the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, who shone so brightly in the Journey to the West, seemed to be veiled in a layer of mystery, leaving his true face elusive.
"You outsiders may not know, but every few years Wuzhuang Temple clears out the monsters from the surrounding area. Otherwise, why do you think there isn't a single monster to be seen here? I advise you to leave quickly, lest you offend those Immortals and find yourselves unable to escape the consequences," he warned.
"Many thanks for your guidance, Earth God!" the Old Demon said with a hint of worry, thanking the Earth God before leading Lin Fang and the others away from the Land God Temple.
After a while, the Old Demon turned and said to Lin Fang, "Thank you, young friend, for your assistance. Let us part ways here!"
"Wait, are you planning to head to Wuzhuang Temple?" Lin Fang suddenly stopped the somewhat dispirited Old Demon and asked.
"That's a given. Now that I know his whereabouts, dead or alive, I must go and see for myself," the Old Demon said softly, his voice carrying a sense of firm resolve.
"The Great Immortal Zhen Yuan of the Wuzhuang Temple is said to be the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, shared monarch with the world, one of the top powers in the Three Realms. What separates you, a monster, from seeking death by standing at his doorstep?" Lin Fang asked, frowning.
"I know this all too well, but if I am to live without knowledge of his well-being, I fear I may never find peace in this lifetime," he said.
"Forget it, let me do it. You cannot hide your Demon Qi, going there would be suicide. Better I go and scout for you," Lin Fang said.
Lin Fang had intended to walk away from the matter, not wishing to delve any deeper, as even Immortals like Zhen Yuanzi gave him immense psychological pressure. However, when he caught sight of the Old Demon's eyes, he found himself unable to take another step.
Those eyes, so reminiscent of his own father's in the previous life, filled with paternal love and concern, inevitably brought memories of his father to mind.
He wondered how his father was faring back on Earth, pondering if his sudden disappearance might have left his father with the same restlessness and despair.
Thus, Lin Fang decided to help him, perhaps because there was still a flame burning fiercely in his heart, remaining true to his conscience.
"Absolutely not. You've said it yourself; the Wuzhuang Temple is no ordinary place. If your actions were to cost you your life due to our connection, a hundred deaths would not be enough to atone for my sin," the Old Demon urgently tried to dissuade Lin Fang.
But Lin Fang had already made up his mind, "Don't worry. I won't act impulsively like you. Besides, I am only going to investigate the situation, not create an uproar. As long as I conceal my Demon Qi well, a visit to the Wuzhuang Temple is still within reach."
Moreover, Lin Fang knew that before long, the Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi would have to leave on business, which would greatly reduce his own risk.
In the end, Lin Fang managed to persuade the Old Demon to stay behind with Little Fox, concealed within the mountain forests, while he alone set out on the road to the Wuzhuang Temple.
The Wuzhuang Temple lay hidden not far to the west. Lin Fang soon discovered its location, which, like Lady of Mount Li's abode, was concealed within Wanshou Mountain, invisible to the ordinary eye.
However, Lin Fang had learned from the Earth God the method of entry: On the fifteenth of each month, at the hour of Chen, disciples from the Wuzhuang Temple would emerge from Wanshou Mountain to procure supplies for their journey to the distant Baoxiang Kingdom, the optimal moment to infiltrate.
True to prediction, two days later it was the fifteenth. Lin Fang waited patiently, concealed in the mountain forest, when he saw several disciples in Daoist Robes walk out from the void. In that instant, Lin Fang sensed the presence of Wanshou Mountain. Seizing the moment of inattention, he swiftly slipped in among them.
A disciple suddenly turned, glancing back in the direction they had come from for a moment.
"What's wrong, big brother?"
"Nothing much, I thought I saw a shadow flicker for an instant."
"How is that possible? Big brother, are you sure you didn't see wrong? Who would dare to come to Wanshou Mountain, wishing to become fertilizer for the Ginseng Fruit?" a younger disciple said, laughing.
"Watch your words, junior brother. It's better not to speak of such things in public," the elder disciple said, schooling his face.
"Understood, big brother. But really, what's there to worry about? Aren't they just monsters? Is it worth your caution?"
"What do you know? Some things you do, but never say. If others were to find out, it's easy to give people a handle against us. And don't forget, plenty of people in the heavens are watching over our master. Now's not the time to cause him trouble."
The junior disciple nodded in agreement, yet he commented with a laugh, "When we return, the Ginseng Fruit should be just about ripe. Master will surely reward us with one for our years of hardship. Finally, we will see some returns."
At these words, a smile also surfaced on the big brother's face. They were all looking forward to the Ginseng Fruit, a precious rarity of Heaven and Earth, indeed a life-extending treasure, thanks to their master with his vast Divine Skills for cultivating it.
As they talked, the group gradually receded into the distance, heading towards the Baoxiang Kingdom in the West.