Fangzheng looked at Wanderer Tranquil and realized that not only was she curious, but she was also a little happy. It was the joy of meeting someone of the same profession. Thinking back to the desolate surroundings and his past self, Fangzheng immediately felt the same way as Wanderer Tranquil. It was the joy of meeting a living person after living in the mountains for a long time! Just as Perfected Letian had said, humans were ultimately social animals. Leaving the world to cultivate one's body, entering the world to cultivate one's mind. Only by combining both could one attain the Dao. On this point, Perfected Letian had gone further than Fangzheng. Wanderer Tranquil seemed inferior to him.
With this in mind, he replied, "This Penniless Monk does have some understanding of carvings."
"Venerable One, you are being humble. This Penniless Priest's polishing technique is something ordinary people can't tell. Venerable One, not only did you manage to see through it, but you could also tell what's inside. It's truly not simple. This Penniless Priest's Daoist temple hasn't had visitors in years. Since you are here, why don't you take a seat in front? This Penniless Priest also wishes to understand the outside world. How has it changed after all these years, "said Wanderer Tranquil with a smile.
Fangzheng was taken aback as he asked, "Perfected One, are you implying that you have been living in seclusion for many years?"
Fangzheng knew that Wanderer Tranquil was only in her thirties. If she had been living in seclusion for many years, wouldn't that mean that she had buried herself deep in the mountains at a young age? That was the age when women were like flowers, experiencing the best times in the world. Be it in life or love, they were the most perfect times. To give up everything and enter the mountains at such a time? Wanderer Tranquil was probably someone with a story.
Wanderer Tranquil smiled. "I've been living in seclusion for ten years. Venerable Fangzheng, this way please."
As they walked, Wanderer Tranquil said, "This Mt. Xiaojun is remote, and there aren't any special products or minerals on the mountain. Apart from bamboo, there are only shrubs. The economic value is very low, and there aren't many old trees. However, the scenery is still alright … However, it's far inferior to the famous mountains and rivers outside. Therefore, it's rare for anyone to come up the mountain in a year. Venerable One, I'm afraid such a place is a joke. "
When Wanderer Tranquil said that, she smiled bitterly. From her point of view, Fangzheng had probably never come to such a crappy place his entire life. At the same time, she was curious as to why the monk had come up the mountain.
However, the moment Wanderer Tranquil said that, Fangzheng shook his head. "Perfected One, you might not know, but this Penniless Monk's monastery is a godforsaken place. Perfected One, this place has green mountains and clear waters. The place This Penniless Monk is at is sealed off by heavy snow during winter. No one goes up the mountain. In the summer, the sun was high up in the sky, but there was no one around. In spring, the villagers were busy farming, but there was still no one. Only when it's time for the autumn harvest will people go up the mountain to take a look. They're just climbing high to feel the autumn. "
With that said, Fangzheng felt like pouring out his grievances, so he spoke very sincerely.
When Wanderer Tranquil heard that there was someone like her who chose to cultivate in such a bitter and cold land, she immediately felt a sense of respect for Fangzheng. "Back when This Penniless Priest entered the mountain, my friends said that this Penniless Priest had buried my golden age. My fellow Daoists said that This Penniless Priest was a person of great perseverance. Now that I look at you again … I'm inferior! "
Fangzheng immediately felt bitter when he heard that! Wanderer Tranquil had entered the mountain to cultivate, but what about him? He had been adopted by a monk when he was young. It could be said that the heavens had assigned him a job the moment he was born! By the time he grew up, Zen Master One Finger had left, and the bastard System had descended. It had completely pressed his bald head onto a mat and rubbed it casually …
With this in mind, all Fangzheng could do was smile bitterly … Yet, he couldn't smile. After all, this was something that made others think highly of him. Although he was passive in his posturing, he still had to put on a show. He couldn't let it go to waste midway.
Hence, Fangzheng immediately denied the compliment.
As they spoke, the two circled around a tiny bamboo forest. Fangzheng finally saw a huge banyan tree. It was extremely large, and its crown blotted out the sky. It was like the umbrella of the Four Heavenly Kings, protecting the area beneath it.
Behind the banyan tree was a two-story Daoist temple! The Daoist temple was similar to One Finger Monastery. It had walls that surrounded the tree, but One Finger Monastery's walls were made by the System. It was tall and lofty. As for the walls here, they were different. They were made of a plant covered in sharp thorns. These plants grew to the height of a person, and they intertwined with each other. There was no need for people to take care of them, so they naturally formed a unique natural wall. Although it lacked the grandeur, it perfectly presented the charm of nature.
Upon seeing Fangzheng curiously look at the thorny plant, Wanderer Tranquil said with a smile, "That's a local plant known as the Wolfberry Orange. Its other names are Iron Fence Fort, Smelly Orange, Wolfberry Plum, Citrus Orange, Orange Red, and Stinky Wolfberry. Over here, it's typically used to plant as a hedge. Its fruit can be used as medicine, helping to reduce impurities and treating prolapse of the anus. Its seeds can be used to extract oil. Its leaves, flowers, and skin are said to be able to extract essence. However, This Penniless Priest isn't able to produce it, nor does This Penniless Priest have any use for it. Therefore, This Penniless Priest can only extract oil from its fruit and use it as a hedge. "
Fangzheng marveled. "This is the first time This Penniless Monk has seen such a magical plant. Indeed, the world is filled with wonders."
Wanderer Tranquil smiled and didn't say a word.
In the yard, there was a square table under the banyan tree. It was made of stone, and it wasn't even. From time to time, water droplets from the banyan tree would splash onto the table, as though it was telling of the origins of the potholes.
There were a few boulders by the side, and on top of the boulders was a wooden plank that could be considered a chair.
However, what truly piqued Fangzheng's interest was that the square table was near the banyan tree. The banyan tree's fallen roots twisted, and when these twisted roots came together, they formed a chair!
Fangzheng's eyes lit up even more as he came in front of the naturally formed chair. Like a curious baby, he asked, "Perfected One, is this naturally grown?"
However, Wanderer Tranquil shook her head and said, "No. This Penniless Priest took advantage of the situation and spent many years to create it."
Fangzheng was even more curious when he heard that.
Wanderer Tranquil wasn't stingy either. She guided Fangzheng to take a seat before taking out an old tea set. Among all the tea sets, only the Purple Clay Teapot looked extraordinary. Despite being poured in with clear water, the tea that came out had the fragrance of tea!
Fangzheng was even more curious.
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