Volume One, Chapter Eleven: A Sudden Transformation

Three days later, at the mouth of the valley, Jin Duo and Xin Yu walked hand in hand, affection shining in their eyes, their steps slow and lingering.

“Yu’er, last night Grandfather discussed our marriage with the Grand Elder. Next month, we’ll be wed. Are you happy?” Jin Duo asked.

Yu’er’s face flushed with shyness, and she shot Jin Duo a playful glance, nodding her delicate head, happiness radiating from her every feature.

Neither of them knew that the elders had acted so swiftly only because of their indiscretions the previous night; the elders feared Xin Yu might be with child, which would bring disgrace upon the family.

“We have turned misfortune into blessing, all thanks to the grace of the Divine Tree. Let us offer it our deepest thanks today,” Jin Duo said.

As he spoke, they arrived beneath the ancient tree. They straightened their robes, adopting solemn expressions, and knelt in reverent worship. When their rites were done, Jin Duo helped Xin Yu to her feet.

Xin Yu happened to glance upward, then pointed at the tree in astonishment. “Oh! Jin, look—what’s that?”

Jin Duo followed her finger, and he too was taken aback. “Peaches! Wow, the Divine Tree has borne fruit! But why are there only two?”

Their exclamations roused Yu Mu from his slumber.

Since becoming the tree, Yu Mu had never known fatigue or drowsiness, but for some unknown reason, he had fallen into a deep sleep three days ago and had only just awakened, still feeling languid and weak. Upon hearing their conversation, he looked in the direction of their gaze and was shocked: at some point, two peaches had grown on the tree.

“Hurry, tell Grandfather and inform the Ancestor. This is momentous!” Xin Yu exclaimed, dashing towards the valley entrance.

But Jin Duo pulled her back. “Wait, Yu’er.”

She stopped. “What is it?”

“Yu’er, there are exactly two peaches, and we’re the first to discover them. Could it be that the Divine Tree knows of our upcoming marriage and has bestowed these as gifts?”

Xin Yu hesitated, but before she could respond, Jin Duo leapt into the air and plucked both peaches, one in each hand. It was too late for Yu’er to stop him.

Don’t pick my peaches! Yu Mu cried inwardly, but his struggle was in vain.

Jin Duo landed lightly, turning his hands to reveal two plump, glistening peaches.

“They’re huge—and smell wonderful!” Xin Yu was immediately captivated by their fragrance.

“Here, one each,” Jin Duo said, handing a peach to Xin Yu.

She hesitated, but in the end, the enticing aroma was too much to resist, and she accepted the peach.

Crunch.

“Wow, it’s delicious—so fragrant and sweet! Yu’er, you must try it!” Even before Xin Yu had bitten into hers, Jin Duo had already taken a hearty bite, releasing a heady aroma. By the time she tried to stop him, it was already too late.

Seeing things had come to this, Xin Yu no longer hesitated—after all, the peaches were simply irresistible. She took a delicate bite.

Wow!

Her eyes, usually crescent-moon slits when she smiled, now opened wide in surprise.

“Delicious, isn’t it?” Jin Duo smiled, watching Xin Yu’s enraptured expression.

She nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at grain.

The two devoured their peaches hungrily, not stopping until both fruits were gone.

“So fragrant!” they said in unison, utterly satisfied.

“Jin, did you find a pit inside?” Xin Yu asked.

“No,” he replied.

“How strange! Jin, I feel a little dizzy.”

“Me too, what’s—” But before he could finish, the two of them collapsed to the ground.

“Could it really taste so good it knocks people out? That’s a bit much,” Yu Mu grumbled inwardly, though he took a bit of pleasure in their predicament.

Before long, yet another little creature joined this group of gluttonous sleepers.

As night fell, the little wine spirit woke first and flew away. After a while, Jin Duo and Xin Yu woke as well, realizing they had slept for an entire day. Flustered, they hurriedly departed.

The next morning, before dawn, the Sect Leader and Grand Elder arrived at the teleportation array with Jin Duo and Xin Yu, waiting in respectful anticipation.

What’s going on? Yu Mu wondered.

He soon noticed that Jin Duo and Xin Yu were markedly different from before.

Could it be...?

As Yu Mu pondered, the teleportation array shimmered, and an old man appeared within the light.

It was none other than the Patriarch of the Peachwood Sect, Ancestor Fengchen. Since the day after Zhong Hui attained enlightenment, he had not visited. Now, clearly having come in haste, he brought only two young attendants, both boys of fourteen or fifteen. Despite their youthful appearance, to accompany Fengchen they must be loyal and highly skilled.

One of the boys held a staff, the other a cane—Fengchen’s two magical implements, weapons commonly used among the Peachwood Sect.

“Greetings, Ancestor,” the four greeted him reverently.

Fengchen waved a dismissive hand, but his gaze was fixed on Jin Duo and Xin Yu, barely containing his excitement. “Tell me in detail what happened yesterday.”

“Yes, Ancestor,” the pair replied, recounting the events of the previous day.

As he listened, the astonishment and delight on Fengchen’s face deepened. In a stride, he reached the ancient tree and began examining it thoroughly.

Everyone’s attention was on the tree, so no one noticed the glint that flashed in the eyes of the boy holding the staff before his expression returned to normal.

After a while, Fengchen muttered, “This Divine Tree seems somewhat withered, as if it’s lost much of its essence. Could it be related to fruiting?”

His eyes flashed with insight. He suddenly turned, sternly addressing the two elders. “Who else knows of this?”

His tone startled the elders, who replied at once, “Ancestor, aside from the four of us, only the children's parents and a few relatives know.”

“Good. Make sure it stays that way—no word of this must spread.”

“Yes, Ancestor.”

“One more thing.” The elders, about to leave, stopped. “I am taking Jin and Yu’er with me. I intend to accept them as my direct disciples. Inform their parents.”

The elders were first stunned, then overjoyed, dropping to their knees. “Thank you for your grace, Ancestor! You two, kneel and greet your master!”

Jin and Yu’er quickly knelt. “Greetings, Master.”

Such an act from Fengchen would astonish anyone, even those within the Daoist sects themselves.

As the patriarch of the sect, Fengchen was the highest-ranking figure among Daoists, and had not taken disciples in centuries. Generations had passed since then, and among the second generation, only a handful remained. With this act, Jin and Yu’er would be elevated to a status rivaling the Ancestor himself, generations above the likes of Guan Yuyun and Zhong Hui. Such an unprecedented event was enough to leave anyone dumbfounded.

Yet only Fengchen himself understood his reasoning. Having lived for a millennium, he had seen countless talents, but upon meeting Jin and Yu’er, even he was shaken. Never before had he encountered such powerful spiritual energy in anyone.

Though all walked the Daoist path, each was different, just as no two people were alike. Those who built their foundation through enlightenment far surpassed those who followed the usual path. Zhong Hui was already considered exceptionally gifted, but compared to these two, she paled in comparison.

For over a thousand years, the sect had lacked such extraordinary talent. Zhong Hui’s enlightenment had already marked her as the most promising successor, and he had intended to groom her as his heir. But now, upon meeting these two, his mind was changed.

Normally, Jin and Yu’er would have apprenticed under Guan Yuyun or Zhong Hui, but then they would always be beneath Zhong Hui should they seek to lead the sect. By taking them as his own disciples, Fengchen ensured their status.

None of the four present suspected the patriarch’s true intentions—if they had, they would have been utterly dumbstruck.