The Doll Fruit Tree
After settling into the Medicine King Sect, it was time to head to the Scripture Pavilion to collect a cultivation method. Additionally, every disciple could claim a Bigu Pill from Elder Shi Zhu every seven days. One pill would sustain them for a full week, replenishing all bodily needs.
Eating mundane food was forbidden within the sect, as it tainted one's cultivation. Violators faced punishment under sect rules.
Of course, water was still allowed.
Beyond that, the sect provided nothing else—disciples had to earn extras through missions.
Wei Yun followed the guiding disciple to the Scripture Pavilion, where Elder Bai Shu sat at the entrance, eyes closed in meditation, looking almost asleep.
A long line snaked out the door. Senior disciples distributed the first volume of the Medicine King Scripture, the sect's foundational technique. In past years, outer disciples got only basic methods, but this year was an exception—they were handing out the core scripture itself. It showed how seriously the sect took disciple training. Even just the first volume was a rare boon.
Back at his cave abode with the manual in hand, Wei Yun was about to dive in when Mo Xiu Yun knocked.
"What brings you here, Senior Sister?" He swung open the wooden door to greet her.
"It's like this," Mo Xiu Yun said. "We've got our cultivation method now, but we can't just hole up and meditate forever. Sure, we get a Bigu Pill every seven days, and the twelve seasonal uniforms are free—clothes and food covered. But to stand out, we need to work harder than the rest. That's why I'm thinking of picking up some missions, earn a bit of spirit money for emergencies. At the very least, we need some magical tools. How else are we supposed to fight off rivals or demons later?"
Wei Yun saw right through her. "Senior Sister, you're not just trying to become an inner disciple quick so you can get close to Senior Brother Bai Wu You, are you?"
Mo Xiu Yun puffed out her ample chest. "And if I am? You in or not?"
Wei Yun shrugged. "If Senior Sister insists, how can this little brother say no? I'll risk it all to keep you company. Shall we grab a mission now?"
"Not yet." She grinned. "First, let's claim our Bigu Pills and the sect uniforms."
"Sure."
They went to Elder Shi Zhu's treasury. Each got a Bigu Pill and the Medicine King Sect's standard outfit.
Then they headed to the Mission Hall, already bustling with disciples. Elder Su Mu didn't handle it personally—a managing inner disciple kept the records.
They scanned the board. Most tasks were beyond them: hunting demons, exterminating zombies, finding Nine-Leaf Spirit Mushrooms, scouting the three great demonic sects' movements. The rewards were generous, but way over their heads.
Finally, they picked the safest option—one that just took time and effort: gathering herbs from the back mountain cliffs.
Obviously, the easy spots were taken. What was left were the tough ones, including "Vermilion Fruit," used in pill refining. One fruit earned a single low-grade spirit money coin. A few more, and they'd be set.
No choice—they took it. The manager gave them info on Vermilion Fruit and its locations.
They returned to their caves first.
Wei Yun donned the sect uniform: a spring-weight cyan robe, tough yet soft, clearly custom-made by Yin Yue Dynasty tailors. Great Ming had no such skill.
The outer disciple robe bore an embroidered herb, marking their status.
He admired himself— not as handsome as Bai Wu You, but sturdy and martial enough.
Then he swallowed the thumb-sized, pale brown Bigu Pill. It settled in his stomach like food, slowly turning to warm currents that restored his energy.
Stepping out, he spotted Mo Xiu Yun emerging too. Her black hair in a daoist bun, cyan robe hugging her curvaceous figure, paired with her pretty face—she had an otherworldly fairy air. If only her cultivation matched.
Wei Yun clapped, eyes wide in mock surprise. "Eh? Where'd this fairy come from? Never seen you around before."
Mo Xiu Yun laughed and cursed. "Junior Brother, your acting's too over-the-top. Go join a theater troupe for lessons—next time it'll be convincing. Come on, let's head out."
Geared up, arms around each other's shoulders, they set off for the back mountains.
Along the way, they passed many new outer disciples rushing to their own missions. Everyone chased their goals—no slacking.
The back mountains stretched vast, misty peaks endless, white cranes soaring now and then—a true immortal paradise.
After a tea's worth of walking, they reached the western cliff—the Vermilion Fruit spot.
A sheer ten-thousand-ren drop yawned before them, abyss below shrouded in clouds. Fierce winds whipped, chilling them to the bone. Hearts tightened.
They'd thought it easy. Now? One slip, and they'd be smashed to bits.
No wonder no one took it.
Scouting, they spotted a few crimson saplings on the wall, a few dozen feet down. No flight tools, normal lightness skills wouldn't reach.
Vermilion Fruit took years to bloom, fruit, and ripen. These trees bore over a dozen ripe red orbs.
Wei Yun checked. "Looks like we need ropes. One holds, the other descends. Sound good, Senior Sister?"
"Wise idea, Junior Brother."
They gathered tough vines and bark nearby, twisting into a long hemp rope. Tossed down—it reached perfectly.
"Who goes?" Wei Yun eyed her.
"Guess." Mo Xiu Yun shrugged innocently.
No words needed—it was him. He cleared his throat. "Senior Sister, hold tight. My life's in your hands."
"Relax. With me here, you won't die." She patted her chest.
Wei Yun cracked his knuckles. "Watch closely, Senior Sister. This little brother will fetch 'em!"
He tied the rope to an old pine, gripped it, and descended—big frame, but with most acupoints unblocked by qi, he moved light as a feather.
Mo Xiu Yun crouched at the edge. "Good luck, Junior Brother. No promises I can haul you up."
He forced a bitter smile, no time for banter. Soon, he neared the trees.
Mo Xiu Yun lit up—red fruits within reach!
Wei Yun plucked two, pocketed them.
Then—a piercing eagle cry echoed!
Her face paled. "Junior Brother, danger! Up now!"
He heard it, turned—a massive golden-winged eagle burst from the clouds below.
Golden eyes gleaming, iron-hook beak, steel talons, wings spanning yards, flashing in the sun. Majestic, fierce!
It dove at him claws-first—hostile intent clear!
"Senior Sister, pull!" Wei Yun's face drained, forgetting the fruits.
"Climb yourself—I'll cover!" She clutched a stack of talismans, chanting silently.
He seized the rope, twisting aside as claws raked past.
Talons gouged the cliff like tofu—ancient rock, tough as he'd felt nearly cut. This eagle shredded it effortlessly. Deadly!
It screeched, wings fanning gale-force winds like blades. His skin stung, cracking with blood trails.
Wei Yun grim—couldn't beat it. Beak, claws, feathers sharper than blades. Swords wouldn't scratch it, and it cultivated some divine ability. No match for normal cultivators!
Idea struck—he gripped rope, feet kicking off the wall frantically.
Mo Xiu Yun hurled talismans—fireballs peppered it, no damage but slowing pursuit. Perfect distraction.
Wei Yun scrambled up, collapsing safe.
The eagle retreated, guarding its turf without advancing.
"Close call!" Mo Xiu Yun patted her chest. "You okay, Junior Brother?"
"Fine." He pulled out two red fruits, grinning. "One each."
"You're something!" She beamed, taking hers.
Golden-winged great eagles were ancient beasts—fierce, untamable. Who knew it guarded here? Newbies like them, uninformed, blundered in. Lucky to escape.
Back at the hall, the manager gawked at their return. Each got a low-grade spirit money coin—their first reward.
Task done, they strolled Medicine King Mountain, soaking in the scenery.
Dozens of peaks, springs cascading, vibrant flowers, ten-li groves. But the star: the sect's treasure, the Doll Fruit Tree!
In the Hundred Herbs Garden behind the main hall, array-guarded, entry checked and logged to protect it.
At the gate, inspected and registered, they entered.
"Wow! So beautiful—" Mo Xiu Yun gaped at the towering emerald giant.
Every visitor sighed in awe.
Wei Yun's heart stirred at nature's wonder.
Hundred acres of rare herbs, daily tended—but simple work, queues long. Not for rookies.
Center: a colossal tree, hundred-zhang tall, piercing clouds, lush emerald leaves glowing faint green. Trunk needed several adults to encircle.
The Medicine King Sect's guardian treasure. Legend: eight millennia ago, founder Yao Wang Lao Zu brought the seed from the Immortal Realm, planting it as the sect's root, anchoring fortune. As long as it stood, the sect endured.
Three-century cycle: century to bloom, bear, ripen.
One fruit: mortals gained longevity, disease immunity, three centuries life. Cultivators: stronger body, faster cultivation, realm breakthroughs. Prime pill ingredient.
Now, branches laden with fist-sized, infant-shaped fruits—hundred-plus visible, green-glowing, unripe for years.
Disciples circled, counting eagerly.
So close, yet untouchable—save massive contributions for a reward grant.
After viewing, they left for their caves.
En route, Mo Xiu Yun's eyes sparkled. "Junior Brother, so many missions, but easy ones are taken. When do we shine? Today's Vermilion Fruit was risky, but no real danger..."
Wei Yun met her lively gaze. "Out with it, Senior Sister."
She grinned, pivoting. "I've thought it over. We can do it—prep better, I distract the eagle, you grab more and escape. Odds at least eighty percent!"
He hesitated. "But that eagle..."
"It appears on schedule. With prep, no problem."
Still unsure, she fanned flames. "Our sect's strict: registered, outer, inner, true disciples, elders, sect master. With our mediocre roots, when do we rise? Oh, heard this: top ten true disciples include handsome Bai Wu You—and Senior Sister Ye Chen Yu, country-toppling beauty,Fairy incarnate. Sect's number one belle, top ten in cultivation world, single... Not tempted, Junior Brother? Inner disciple soon, maybe taste her charms..."
Wei Yun knew Ye Chen Yu—paired with Bai Wu You as the sect's stars. Her master: Elder Bai Zhi. Special "Spirit Jade Body," profound cultivation, famed beauty like her master—one of the realm's top ten.
Bai Wu You: prodigy, Elder Bai Shu's disciple, close to Bai Zhi. Innate "Heavenly Sword Body," sword mastery elite. "White Young Master," one of righteous path's "Three Young Masters" with Tai Xuan's "Wind Young Master" and Small Secret Sect's "Buddha Young Master."
Legends, out of reach—even inner disciples couldn't touch her.
But Wei Yun wasn't one for ease. Shui Hong Yao's betrayal ignited him—that vixen lured him, his weak heart the trap, but attempted murder? She'd pay.
He pondered, nodded. "Fine. Tomorrow morning, on the dot!"
"That's my Junior Brother. May you claim your beauty soon!" She smiled, departing.
Wei Yun slipped to the treasury that night. Still busy—disciples buying pills, tools.
Stated needs, a smiling female disciple led him. "One low-grade spirit money for protection? Not top-tier, but first-time discount: half off. Pick one."
He nodded, browsing.
Tool grades: Mundane with talismans = talisman tools, anyone could make. True magical tools: mana-forged with Earth Fiend Bans. More layers, stronger. At seventy-two, evolved to one Heavenly Dipper Ban = treasure tool, upgradable further.
Budget limited— he chose embroidered cloth shoes, one Earth Fiend Ban layer. Low-grade tool.
Paid, left.
Back home, infused true essence, refined, swapped shoes.
No strong defense or attack, but boosted leg strength, lightness skill—perfect for cliffs.
Evening: meditated as usual.
Dawn next day, met Mo Xiu Yun. Armed: her robe hid wooden sword, talismans. They grinned, headed to the cliff.
Vast back mountains—few risked cliffs despite missions. Rewards good, life better.
Rope still there. They prepped, peered—no eagle. Wei Yun stepped light, descended gripping rope.
Mo Xiu Yun clutched wooden sword, eyes locked below—ready to talisman-sword at first sight.
He reached trees, snatched several fruits—eagle cry! It burst from mist, diving!
"Filthy beast, sword!"
Mo Xiu Yun struck: yellow talisman into sword—glowing yellow, arrow-fast to its back. Clang! Sparks flew, sword snapped—eagle unscathed, charging!
She paled—too strong! But pressed with more talisman-swords.
Wei Yun grabbed extras, dodged barely, started climbing—then Mo Xiu Yun's scream pierced the air!