Above the North Sea, one can see surging waves and rolling white snow-white waves. Oddly shaped islands rise from the sea, with strange rocks and lush greenery, each possessing its own unique beauty.
"Gagagagagagaga!"
Having not gone on an adventure with Xu Milu for too long, A Chou happily raised his head. Two bony spurs beside his turtle ears, which resembled neither horns nor wings, twitched slightly, making a "swish" sound.
"It's alright, I know. By the time we return to Earth this time, the manor should be finished. There will be a whole forest for you to run around in, and no one will notice you even if you run all over the mountain."
Xu Milu sat cross-legged on the turtle's back and gently tapped the dark green shell in response.
—The current Ah Chou is more than a size larger than it was in the Gourmet World. The patterns on its shell faintly reveal a jade-like luster, and its appearance is becoming less and less like an ordinary turtle.
Xu Milu asked Sun Wukong and learned that A Chou's growth rate was normal. It was still in its growth period and was eating food rich in spiritual energy every day. Once it grew to a certain size, its growth rate would slow down.
In fact, the two of them set off half a month ago. However, in the vast North Sea, even with the Bewitching Tree Branch on their bodies, it was still quite difficult to find the traces of a small island. Xu Milu was afraid that traveling on clouds would cause her to miss the traces of the Ghost Kingdom, so she followed the Bewitching Tree Branch's guidance all the way north, traveling during the day and sleeping at night, and did not encounter any danger.
Before she came, the Clean Altar Messenger had warned her that the North Sea was a complex place with many ancient islands, many strange beasts and fierce gods, and even many reclusive immortals who lived in seclusion there. He told her that if she encountered any danger, she should save her life first and then go back to Chang'an to find him and regain her dignity.
—These words, though spoken with a hint of banditry, reveal the Clean Altar Messenger's protective nature.
Mo Xuan went even further, wishing he could travel with her. Even Yin Wenjiao couldn't help but worry for several days when she heard that Xu Milu was going to Beihai.
But clearly everyone was overthinking it. Along the way, Xu Milu told Ah Chou to stay far away from any small islands she saw in the distance. Some islands were shrouded in black mist and infested with ferocious beasts, while others appeared ethereal and otherworldly, radiating light and dazzling beauty. She avoided them without looking back.
Since she began cultivating immortality, the opponents she has encountered have been either insignificant spider demons or eagles, but this is all because she has lived in Chang'an for a long time. Chang'an has a human emperor and is guarded by gods and Buddhas. She has not yet encountered some truly dangerous exotic beasts.
If they were to actually fight, let alone Nezha, Xu Milu might not even be able to defeat Ao Moang.
After all, Prince Moang's fighting prowess is renowned among the Four Seas Dragon Clan, while she, a little phoenix who is not yet an adult, even if she is exceptionally talented and has become a disciple of the Great Sage, has only recently embarked on the path of immortality, so it is better for her to develop in a low-key manner.
Xu Milu firmly believes that before having sufficient strength, developing stealthily is the best solution.
This time, however, in order to find the phoenix, she had to miss Wei Ying's wedding banquet.
Fortunately, none of the three were particularly reserved. Cheng Chumo agreed to leave her a jar of good wine, while Wei Ying, upon hearing that Xu Milu was going to an overseas fairy island, hurriedly asked her to bring back something from the overseas fairy mountain as a gift for his future wife.
[Host, based on the data I compared the topographical maps of Earth and the Journey to the West world, I found that they have no consistent landmarks, so I cannot pinpoint the exact location of the 'Ghost Kingdom'.]
Xiao Qi suddenly appeared and gave a hint.
Xu Milu picked up the small branch of the maze tree hanging from her waist, glanced at it to get a general idea of its direction, and noticed that the branch in her hand was slightly warm and the bark was shimmering faintly. She then had a rough idea of what was going on.
“It’s alright. It looks like we’re getting closer and closer to Que Mountain. According to Sister Yin, the ‘Corpse of Erfu’ should be on the shore of the North Sea. After crossing Que Mountain, if we continue north, we should be able to find the Ghost Kingdom.”
It is said that those who wear the Mystic Tree will not get lost, but it seems to have limitations. In the face of an ancient place like the 'Corpse of Erfu', it seems to lose its power, and Xu Milu can only search according to the direction pointed out by Yin Wenjiao.
The bark of the Migu tree is pitch black. When worn, it will rotate on its own to guide the wearer. If the wearer is in the right direction, it will become slightly warm. As the wearer gets closer to the destination, white light will gradually emerge from the bark, engulfing the blackness. When the entire branch has completely changed color, it means that the destination has been reached.
On the night of the forty-second day after their departure, the branch of the Migu tree at Xu Milu's waist finally transformed from a piece of "black charcoal" into a smooth, jade-like branch. It was burning hot in her hand, like a piece of jade that would automatically heat up.
Xu Milu looked in the direction indicated by the Migu Tree and immediately understood what the Clean Altar Messenger meant when he said, "The beauty of Zhaoyao Mountain is so great that ordinary people can recognize it at a glance."
In the midst of the endless mountain range, a mountain peak stands quietly, easily visible at a glance. The mountain is covered with towering, cloud-piercing magnolia trees, which, against the backdrop of the night, radiate a precious light, like beacons in the darkness, illuminating almost the entire Zhaoyao Mountain.
The bark of the living Migu tree has black veins, and white light shines from the roots to the branches and then to the veins of the leaves, each part sparkling with a jewel-like brilliance. The Migu trees form a "path of light". When the wind blows, the Migu trees sway, and the glittering light seems to sway, forming an exquisite path of light. Walking in it is like strolling on the other side of the Milky Way.
The light from the Migu Tree illuminated the entire Zhaoyao Mountain as bright as day, and specks of light flowed from the deep mountains to the cliffs on the mountainside. White waves crashed against the rocks, producing a sound like the striking of gold and jade.
"...There is a tree that looks like a grain tree but has black veins, and its flowers shine in all directions. It is called the Migu tree, and wearing it will prevent one from getting lost."
Xu Milu gazed at the mountain with fascination, fully appreciating the beautiful scenery before her. Even Ah Chou tilted his head, not daring to make a sound, as if afraid of disturbing the scene.
...
...
Zhaoyao Mountain was indeed flamboyant. As soon as Xu Milu jumped off the turtle's back, she felt that the sand on the shore was a bit uncomfortable to step on. She couldn't help but kick the culprit out with her toe, and an egg-sized "stone" popped out of the sand.
The stone had a strange color, resembling brass but darker, with a brownish outer layer.
"Wait, what's the line from 'Many trees grow on Zhaoyao Mountain' again?"
Xu Milu suddenly snapped out of her daze, her eyes practically screaming "money-grubber."
Zhaoyao Mountain is the foremost of the Magpie Mountains, abundant in osmanthus and gold and jade.
Gui is the cassia tree, which is said to be rich in gold and jade.
She knelt down, turned the "stone" over, and washed it clean in the seawater, revealing the true nature of this unassuming stone:
This is a piece of pure, natural gold, which appears to be of very high purity and is radiating a golden glow under the light of the magnolia tree.
Despite not lacking money, Xu Milu couldn't help but swallow hard as she looked at the large and small golden bumps on the beach.
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