In the mountains, the passing of time goes unnoticed, cold ends without knowing the year.
Xu Qing's closed cultivation in Chishui seemed only to last a few days, but upon leaving the Nether River and returning to the mortal world, he discovered that fourteen years had already passed.
In Jinmen Prefecture City, three people of distinct appearances walked together.
"They say the number three gives birth, and change occurs every seven; Brother, you've been in seclusion for two cycles of seven years, surely you've undergone two transformations?"
"..."
Xu Qing glanced sideways in astonishment, as his senior brother was truly insightful, no wonder the patriarch named him with the character for enlightenment.
Noticing Xu Qing's surprise, the Great Sage chuckled, "Back then, I too underwent a change at seven years, but it was after a total of only seven years of cultivation."
"..."
Xu Qing was left at a loss for words. As one born an ordinary zombie from the lower ranks, were it not for the protection of the Sutra of Salvation, he would have long been reduced to mere dust. How could mere talent compare to the disruptive beings nurtured by heaven and earth?
"Brother's cultivation comes as naturally as eating and walking, aligning perfectly with the way of nature, whereas I seem rather dull, requiring over two hundred years of cultivation just to match Brother's seven years of skill."
Xu Qing sighed, then turned to the youth who had adopted the name Daoist Lianpeng, curiously asking, "Third Master, how many years did you cultivate to attain the Dao?"
The youth lamented, "I cultivated for three years in the womb, then followed my master for eighteen years, a total of twenty-one years."
After speaking, the youth, still unconvinced, said, "Monkey...Brother Sun, did you truly attain the Dao in seven years?"
"Why would I deceive you? I first attained the Dao in seven years, then learned the Divine Techniques."
The youth admired him in his heart but refused to admit it aloud.
"Words need evidence; you claim to attain the Dao in seven years, but there must be a teacher to testify..."
The Skinny Daoist, using the name Stone Grandson, laughed:
"I was nurtured by heaven and earth, my Divine Techniques innate, without a sect, heaven and earth bear witness."
"..."
The youthful Daoist glared at the Skinny Daoist, thinking, I sure don't believe you!
Feeling somewhat defeated, Xu Qing decisively changed the topic:
"Brother Shi, Brother Lian, my Dao fruit may not be fully perfected, but I have passed through two barriers, and the upcoming journey northwest will not require the laborious protection of you two brothers."
Beside him, the Skinny Daoist with the alias Stone Grandson sneered, "You speak easily, but if there's room for maneuver, I'd rather go and protect you than search for that broken box."
"What box?" On the other side, the youthful looking, ethereal youth asked inquisitively.
"This is a matter for adults; children should ask less!"
"Surname Shi, don't think I don't dare to challenge you in a mystical duel here!"
The Daoist Stone Grandson performed a ceremonial gesture, pretending seriousness and said, "Only bratty youngsters love to quarrel; as for me, mature and always reciting Buddhist texts, I disdain such fighting..."
"..."
The fair-faced youth and Xu Qing almost simultaneously turned to look at the Skinny Daoist.
This moment spoke louder than words.
"Why are you two looking at me? Do you think I'm lying? I'm a monk, and monks don't tell lies."
Seeing how the plants and creatures beside him were about to start bickering, Xu Qing hurriedly intervened, "Let's focus on the important matters; there's no rush for a duel, after the great disaster, I will act as a judge for you two brothers to determine the winner."
After separating the two, Xu Qing turned to the Daoist Stone Grandson again: "That box is most important, please make sure to go through the effort, elder brother."
"Remember, remember! Why do you nag like my master? I'll get you that broken box in a few days!"
Beside him, the Sea Meeting God murmured, "Your brother really doesn't talk certainty, a thousand years ago, he borrowed a purple-gold bowl from the venerable on the Spirit Mountain, said he would return it in ten days, but when the time came, he reneged on the debt."
"Later when the two venerables from the West demanded it back, he not only refused but claimed it was left at my mansion while playing in the Celestial Palace, causing me to be blocked by the two venerables. If I hadn't been clever, it would've reached the Celestial Venerable; Brother Xu, tell me, could such deeds be done by a Holy Buddha?"
The Daoist Stone Grandson instantly got agitated, "Who's reneging? That purple-gold bowl originally belongs to my old Sun family, what's it got to do with the Venerable Buddha!"
"The purple-gold bowl..."
Xu Qing paid no heed to the Great Sage's monkey disposition, suddenly asking, "Could that bowl be a treasured item of merit as well?"
"As well?" Upon hearing mention of treasure, the Daoist Stone Grandson, as if triggered by some underlying mechanism, immediately brightened up, "Indeed it's a treasure of merit, has Brother encountered other treasures?"
Nearby, Daoist Lianpeng swiftly responded, "It's said when three people gather; if indeed there are treasures left in the lower realm, heh heh..."
"..."
Xu Qing gazed at his nose and meditated, the items like the Red Luan ball, Dou Mi bowl, Blood Lake vase, and the Stone to Repair Heaven in his possession were all rare merit treasures. Some had been refined through vast calamities, others were undergoing trials.
These treasures could stand their ground compared to the merit bowl left from the Westward Journey's tribulations.
"No need to get excited, brothers; all those treasures are within my Three Teachings, there might not be any other leftover treasures in the lower realm."
The Daoist Stone Grandson regrettably said, "I thought I could reclaim my old profession, never expected there would be no opportunity."
The youth laughed, "Who says there are no treasures? I heard the Underworld has two significant treasures left in the lower realm, incomparable to ordinary items."
The Daoist Stone Grandson was immediately intrigued, "You mean the treasure book scattered by the Yin Emperor of the Underworld?"
Xu Qing feigned ignorance, "What treasure book?"
The youth glanced at the eager Skinny Daoist, then transmitted secretly to Xu Qing, "The Three Realms have ultimate treasures, these are the Celestial, Earth, and Human Books. The Celestial Book is divided into two volumes, the upper celestial list and the lower Ruyi Treasure Book, held by the Celestial Emperor; the Earth Book is one volume, named the Treasure Mirror of Heaven and Earth, held by the Earth Ancestor, the Shanhai Jing is a fragment of the Earth Book, merely a drop in the ocean. Finally, the Human Book of Life and Death, originally held by King Yama, but it was split into two, cast into the mortal world, and their names unknown to this day."