Chapter 1423: Reciprocating Kindness

"He killed Hou Yi?" Everyone was shocked. Based on the legends they had heard, Hou Yi was portrayed as an exceptionally mighty figure, so it was surprising that such a person could be killed.

Although Pang Meng was not weak, he still seemed far from Hou Yi's legendary strength.

The leaves of the great mulberry tree swayed with a peculiar rhythm. "Some people who passed through the mulberry forest back then said so. And over the years, I've seen Pang Meng occasionally fall into a frenzied state, muttering things like, 'I'm sorry, Master,' or 'Don't blame me, don't blame me.' It seems to corroborate those rumors."

Hearing this, everyone fell silent. It seemed the rumors were likely true.

Yun Jianyue said, "There's no need to be surprised. No matter how powerful Hou Yi was, he wasn't immortal. As the saying goes, 'an open spear is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.' Since Pang Meng was Hou Yi's apprentice, a sudden sneak attack might well have succeeded. Throughout the history of our Sacred Sect, countless masters have been killed by those close to them."

The others realized this was true and couldn't help but sigh, lamenting that such a great hero had ultimately died at the hands of someone close to him.

"By the way, what about Hou Yi's wife, Chang'e?" Zu An asked. Seeing the women's complicated expressions, he quickly explained, "Pang Meng seemed to be calling Chang'e's name right before he died."

Did they think he was that lecherous?

No matter how beautiful Chang'e was, she was still someone else's wife.

"Indeed, I heard travelers passing through the mulberry forest mention it back then," the great mulberry tree replied. "Some said Pang Meng became Hou Yi's apprentice because he was also a skilled archer who prided himself on his archery, believing he was no less than Hou Yi. He challenged Hou Yi to a contest out of disbelief, and only after losing did he become Hou Yi's apprentice to learn his techniques. Another theory is that he was captivated by Hou Yi's wife, Chang'e, the moment he saw her, and became Hou Yi's apprentice simply to get closer to her."

Zu An's expression was strange as he thought, "Cao Cao might be dead, but the spirit of a 'Cao thief' exists in every era."

It was quite incredible that this large mulberry tree, being immobile, could have heard so many things. Just how gossipy were the passersby back then?

"Pang Meng is indeed a shameless scoundrel!" Yun Jianyue scoffed. She had already felt his gaze on her was unsettling.

Yan Xuehen and Yu Yanluo nodded in deep agreement. As women, and very beautiful ones at that, they had encountered many men. No matter how men tried to conceal it, the lust in their eyes was difficult to hide from their perception. Pang Meng's gaze towards them had been filled with blatant possessiveness, and his deliberate attempts to conceal it only further proved his depraved character.

"I heard a traveler say that Chang'e took the elixir of immortality not because she coveted eternal life and abandoned Hou Yi, but because she was forced by Pang Meng at the time and had no choice but to consume it to protect herself," the great mulberry tree said.

"Pang Meng truly deserves to die many times over! Not only did he murder his master, but he also tried to molest his master's wife!" Yan Xuehen rarely got angry, but in her moral code, either of these actions was an unforgivable transgression, let alone both.

"Indeed, even within our Sacred Sect, someone so utterly without principle would be condemned to a thousand cuts," Yun Jianyue said. She was no longer employing her charm techniques, and though dressed the same as before, her entire demeanor radiated killing intent.

Yu Yanluo looked somewhat lost in thought, remembering that her uncle had also caused so much trouble because he coveted her beauty.

Zu An, meanwhile, pondered. Pang Meng was a large wild boar. He couldn't help but think of Zhu Bajie, and then he recalled the mythological story where Marshal Tian Peng was banished to the mortal realm and reincarnated as a pig for molesting Chang'e in heaven. Could there be a connection?

Just then, several emerald-green leaves drifted down from the sky and landed before them. They instinctively caught them.

The great mulberry tree then said, "The Great Swamp of Dongting ahead is filled with miasma. Outsiders and animals who enter will easily be poisoned to death. Carry these leaves with you to avoid harm from the miasma. They will also benefit your injuries."

Zu An looked at the leaves in his hand. They were distinctly different from ordinary mulberry leaves, emerald green and translucent, glowing from within. They looked more like jade pendants than leaves.

Holding one, he felt a cooling sensation spread throughout his body. The stinging pain from his wounds immediately turned into a soothing coolness, and their recovery speed significantly increased.

"Thank you, Senior," Zu An said, delighted. His own injuries were minor, but Yan Xuehen and Yu Yanluo were wounded. With this aid, there was hope for their recovery.

As expected, Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue also showed expressions of joy, having clearly felt the miraculous healing effects. They both expressed their gratitude.

"Senior has given us something so precious, we truly don't know how to repay you," Yun Jianyue said. Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen were both highly respected figures, usually addressed as "Senior" by others. However, in front of a great mulberry tree that had lived for tens of thousands of years, addressing it as "Senior" felt appropriate.

Yun Jianyue, in particular, was somewhat wary. As someone from the Demonic Sect, she was suspicious of everything; there was no such thing as unprovoked kindness. Why would this mulberry tree treat them this way?

The great mulberry tree emitted a voice that sounded ancient and magnanimous. "These leaves are not precious to me; giving you a few is like you losing a few strands of hair. There's no need for so much thanks. In fact, I should be thanking you for getting rid of Feng Xi, that great menace. He's chewed up so much of the mulberry forest over the years, causing me endless misery. Fortunately, you took care of him."

Zu An asked, surprised, "Oh, but this entire mulberry forest is your manifestation. Couldn't you deal with it yourself?"

The great mulberry tree replied, "Feng Xi was an ancient great demon, and he had merged with Pang Meng. He wasn't so easy to deal with. Moreover, my abilities lean more towards creation; I am not skilled in destruction."

Feeling the vibrant life force on the leaves, Zu An roughly understood what it meant.

"Senior, do you know anything about the elixir of immortality?" Yu Yanluo seized the opportunity to ask. Zu An had inquired about it several times before, and she had taken note. This tree had lived for an immensely long time, so it might know ancient secrets.

"I have heard some things about the elixir of immortality," the great mulberry tree replied. "One plant is in the Jade Pond, owned by the Queen Mother of the West, and is extremely precious. Another is in the Great Wilderness, a Koelreuteria tree elixir on a red stone. I later heard it was claimed by a Human Emperor."

Zu An was surprised. "There are two elixirs of immortality?"

The great mulberry tree chuckled. "Who said there's only one elixir of immortality? It's highly probable there are more than just these two in the world, simply undiscovered because they grow in rare or dangerous places, or have peculiar appearances."

The group instantly felt a surge of excitement. They had thought the elixir of immortality was merely an illusory myth, never imagining it actually existed.

Even if they had been more detached, they couldn't remain indifferent. Moreover, cultivators strive against both people and heaven, embracing an anti-heavenly path that takes from the insufficient to give to the abundant. How could truly desireless individuals reach profound cultivation realms?

The great mulberry tree then said, "The elixir of immortality has the potential to grow. The well-known elixirs are all controlled by powerful peak existences and cannot be given to outsiders. Furthermore, the elixir itself is sentient; even if you find it, you might not be able to grasp it. If one could obtain a seed of the elixir, nourish it with their heart's blood, and accompany its growth, successfully making it recognize them as its master, it would not only grant immortality but also greatly enhance the master's cultivation speed. This is far more beneficial than merely finding a mature elixir."

The group was deeply shaken. They had never encountered such information in any cultivation texts. If it were to spread, it could overturn the understanding of many aspects within the entire cultivation world.

The group continued to ask for more details about the elixir of immortality and the Heavenly Emperor. The great mulberry tree spread its two thick branches as if they were hands. "I don't know about those things either. Don't forget, I am just a tree. I merely overheard some information when certain figures stopped to rest and chat while passing through the mulberry forest back then."

Zu An's expression was strange. He thought that the information just revealed probably wasn't something ordinary travelers would know. He wondered which important figures had stopped to rest in the mulberry forest all those years ago.

Seeing that they couldn't elicit any more information, Zu An and the others thanked it again. "Senior, you've helped us so much. Is there anything we can do for you in return?"

It was important to reciprocate kindness. The tree had given them precious mulberry leaves and shared so many secrets; taking all that without offering anything in return would be impolite.