There truly is a ginseng doll.
Luo Yu was stunned: “Dao companion”? What kind of thing is that? Could it really be what he was thinking? Did this old man mistake Qin Yue for a woman? Or worse, did he think Luo Yu himself was female?
Qin Yue pushed Luo Yu aside, her face stoic as she said, “We are not Dao companions.”
Gong Jingqian coughed awkwardly, sneaking another glance at Luo Yu’s expression and pretending to forget what he’d just said. “Honored guests, please follow this old man inside. Allow me to explain everything regarding the spiritual ginseng from the beginning.”
The three entered the “humble abode” once more. Luo Yu and Qin Yue took their seats, while Gong Jingqian flung aside his tattered robe and sat down as well, shaking his head as he spoke: “Since the Han dynasty, people have often entered these mountains to harvest ginseng. In the past century, it has become even more common. People harvest ginseng without restraint, seeking only wealth and longevity, heedless of maintaining harmony with heaven. I have witnessed the plight of the spiritual ginseng in these mountains, and fear that before long, they will vanish from the world. Out of pity for their fate and duty-bound, I have hidden the spiritual ginseng elsewhere. I realize this has caused trouble for you both, and I humbly beg your forgiveness.” With that, he stood and made a deep bow.
Luo Yu, recalling all the wild ginseng that had disappeared from his grasp, flushed and hurried to say, “You did it with good intentions. How could we blame you?”
Qin Yue simply sat there, silent and expressionless.
Gong Jingqian continued, “Since you two have come seeking the spiritual ginseng, I should hand them over. Yet, these ginseng are also sentient. After spending so long with them, I have grown attached. Though all things in the world have their purpose, as decreed by Heaven, I ask you to show some mercy and not take too many.”
Luo Yu felt a twinge of guilt and dared not speak. Instead, Qin Yue said, “Take us to where you have hidden the ginseng first.”
Gong Jingqian hesitated, struggling inwardly, but realizing that the two would likely find the place even without his guidance, he nodded and led them away.
They crossed several mountains together and came upon a secluded valley. This valley was much like the one where Gong Jingqian resided, but the terrain was unusual—a forested plain pressed right up against a range of sheer, towering peaks that stood like a natural barrier, abrupt and imposing.
Luo Yu extended his spiritual sense into the valley. Good heavens! It was packed with wild ginseng—clusters and clusters, some over a thousand years old, making up half the number, the rest several centuries old, and only a rare few less than a hundred. More astonishingly, he spotted three or five strange creatures darting about the woods.
As soon as the old man reached the valley entrance, Luo Yu noticed those strange beings rushing toward them at high speed. Looking closer, he saw they were actually little children, wearing red bibs—some just toddlers, others a few years older, and the youngest had ginseng leaves sprouting from their heads. Were these the legendary ginseng children?
Each child was fair-skinned and adorable, brimming with spiritual energy. They gazed curiously at Luo Yu and Qin Yue from a distance, not daring to approach.
Gong Jingqian became anxious and waved them away. “Go on, scatter!” At his words, their expressions changed, and they vanished in a flash, leaving Luo Yu feeling rather awkward.
A trace of fear appeared on Gong Jingqian’s face, and he trembled in silence.
Qin Yue gave a cold snort. “Are you afraid I’ll catch them to refine pills?”
Gong Jingqian lowered his head. “I beg for your mercy, honored benefactor.”
Qin Yue replied icily, “Just gather some of the spiritual ginseng under three hundred years old and bring them here.”
Gong Jingqian was overjoyed at hearing this. “I shall go at once! Please wait here and don’t wander, lest you frighten them.”
Qin Yue nodded, drew out several jade boxes, and tossed them to him. The old man cradled them and hurried off to collect the ginseng.
Luo Yu, curious, asked Qin Yue, “Why are all these ginseng children so young? By rights, they should be at least a thousand years old. Shouldn’t they look like old men?”
Qin Yue answered, “Ginseng live exceedingly long lives—a thousand years is but childhood to them. After taking human form, of course they appear as children.”
Luo Yu was astonished. “So the appearance of a shapeshifting spirit is determined by age? If my Little Bei takes human form, wouldn’t he look older than me?”
Qin Yue replied, “How should I know? It depends on when he manages to transform.”
Luo Yu was alarmed. “I’d better feed him more elixirs so he transforms sooner. I don’t want him turning into my stepmother one day!”
While they spoke, Gong Jingqian returned with the jade boxes. Qin Yue didn’t even glance at them, simply tucked them into her bracelet and said coldly to Gong Jingqian, “There isn’t even a formation here to protect them. If someone else shows up, things won’t be so easy.”
Gong Jingqian wiped the cold sweat from his brow. “My power is meager, and I know nothing of formations. I beg you for advice.”
Qin Yue shook her head. “Our powers are not much higher than yours, and we can’t think of a solution. If these spiritual ginseng prove useful in the future, we’ll set up a formation here once we’ve gained greater abilities.”
Gong Jingqian was delighted. “This place is remote and little visited by immortals. There’s no danger for at least a century. I only hope you’ll remember your promise.”
Luo Yu asked, “What do you plan to do now? Will you stay in the mountains?”
Gong Jingqian replied gloomily, “I was once granted this post by the heavens, recorded in the golden register, and allowed to exist here on incense offerings. If I leave, I’ll lose the incense and likely revert to being a ghost.”
Luo Yu thought for a moment and asked Qin Yue, “He’s a ghost cultivator—can he practice human cultivation methods?”
Qin Yue said, “It’s possible, but extremely difficult. Ordinary ghost cultivators absorb yin energy and avoid heavenly tribulation. Although they can’t reach the Great Dao, as long as they have yin energy, they are virtually immortal and have no need to cultivate spiritual energy. Ghosts who cultivate spiritual energy are called spirit ghosts. Upon forming their foundation, they can rebuild their bodies, but must endure heavenly tribulation, and may eventually attain the Great Dao.”
Luo Yu nodded, then told Gong Jingqian, “I’ll teach you a cultivation art. I can’t guarantee you’ll reach the Great Dao, but it should keep you safe. Once you have the power to leave, you can decide for yourself which path to follow.”
Gong Jingqian was so moved he dropped to his knees with a thud. “Gong Jingqian thanks his benefactor and teacher!”
Luo Yu was embarrassed and quickly helped him up. “I’m only teaching you a method, not taking you as a disciple. There’s no need for such ceremony. I’m a modern man—we don’t follow these rites.”
Gong Jingqian replied gravely, “I was taught from childhood to honor my teachers and respect the Dao. Even if you disregard etiquette, I must observe it.”
Luo Yu fell silent. The persistence of the ancients was indeed hard to change, so he let it be.
He sat in the woods and carefully explained the cultivation method from “Inquiry into the Pivot” to the old man, leaving his home address as well, in case Gong Jingqian had further questions. Then, rising to his feet, he prepared to leave with Qin Yue.
Qin Yue was gazing at the distant peaks at the end of the valley. Luo Yu walked over and asked, “What are you looking at so intently?”
Qin Yue replied, “I have a feeling there’s something odd about those mountains.”
Luo Yu looked as well. “The more I see, the stranger it seems. Should we go take a look?”
Qin Yue nodded slowly and said to Gong Jingqian, “Lead us over there.”
Gong Jingqian, deferential as ever, led them through the valley toward the mountains. As they approached the base, Luo Yu increasingly sensed a fluctuation of magical energy. Qin Yue said, “Just as I thought.”
Gong Jingqian was puzzled, “Honored benefactor, have you seen through the mystery of this place?”
Qin Yue replied, “This is certainly a grand illusion array set by an ancient master to keep mortals out. Beyond it lies a domain of cultivators. You’re keeping the spiritual ginseng here at great peril.”
Luo Yu reached out to touch the mountainside, sending out his spiritual sense, and said excitedly, “We should be able to get through this array.”
Qin Yue nodded. “It only wards off mortals. With our cultivation, passing through is no problem.”
Gong Jingqian grew anxious, realizing that for centuries he’d been sleeping beside tigers and lions without ever knowing it.
Qin Yue looked at him and said coldly, “It’s unlikely that cultivators actually reside inside this array. If they did, your ginseng children would have been lost long ago.”
Luo Yu asked, “Are there many such grand arrays? How can you identify them so quickly?”
Qin Yue explained, “Cultivators are more calculating than ordinary folk. Since ancient times, whenever they found a good land, they would claim it and conceal it with illusion arrays. What mortals see as barren and dangerous is often, in reality, a blessed paradise. This practice continues to this day. The strength of the array depends on the cultivator’s power; the territory may be large or small. Even you, in the future, may find yourself marking off your own domain. In arrays like this, which aren’t heavily fortified, the area is considered public and not privately owned. If it were private, the formation would be impenetrable.”
Luo Yu was thrilled. “Let’s go in and have a look!”
Qin Yue nodded. “You can return on your own, Gong Jingqian. No need to wait for us. The spiritual ginseng have survived here for thousands of years—one more century won’t matter. This place is dangerous, though, so teach the children some of that cultivation method for self-defense.” With that, she took Luo Yu’s hand, summoned her power, and forced their way through the array.
Beyond the barrier, they found themselves still in a red pine forest. This forest also boasted many wild ginseng—some hundreds, some thousands of years old—likely growing undisturbed for centuries.
They didn’t linger, but soared out of the forest. After running for a long time, the terrain began to slope downward, and other trees appeared amid the pines. They hurried on for half an hour before finally leaving the woods.
Stepping out, they found themselves at the edge of a cliff. Gazing out, they saw a sea of ancient trees, lush and verdant, competing for glory. In the distance, majestic peaks rose, waterfalls cascaded from the heavens, a jade pool sparkled under the sky, the scene like an immortal realm. Exotic flowers and grasses grew everywhere, birds soared, beasts bounded, fish swam, bees and butterflies bustled—truly a beauty unseen even on television.
This time, Luo Yu didn’t shout as he once had. The breathtaking grandeur left him speechless.
[End of chapter]