Chapter 384 Master and Disciple
After Shan Baishu left, Ji Rong looked at Niu Fen, who had become much more plump in just four months, and said, "Niu Fen, why didn't you stay on your mountain? I came looking for you as soon as I got back."
Niu Fen's eyes darted around, then he raised his honest face and said with a smile, "Lord Ji, I am your ox, so naturally I am closest to you."
Why didn't Senior Blackbird come back with you this time?
Ji Rong looked at him and chuckled, "Niu Fen, so you really can't bear to part with Xi Tong."
She won't be returning for now. The beings of Juzhou, having heard of her attainment of the "Immortal Lord of Extreme Yang," have specially invited her to be well cared for at Tanghe Mountain.
Since you miss Him so much, go and keep her company. You need an elder to guide you. Go and stay there peacefully. In a few years, we will be able to trade with Juzhou, and then travel will be much easier.”
"Ah? In Juzhou?" Upon hearing this, Niu Fen immediately waved his hooves and said, "Lord Ji, I won't go. Let me go with you."
Ji Rong peeked out, looked Niu Fen's fat face from left to right, and said, "Niu Fen, are you really not going?"
Speaking of which, apart from the foundation laid by your elder brother at the beginning, your cultivation level was achieved under Xi Tong's encouragement, right?
But you've gained weight so quickly since she left.
"Xi Tong is both a teacher and a friend to you. Now that she has gone blind and lost a claw while trying to attain enlightenment, she can't eat properly anymore. Are you really willing to leave her there alone, eating only snow water?"
Niu Fen struggled and said, "Lord Ji, if I go there, that black bird will surely make me farm again. Juzhou is all frozen soil, how can I, Niu, possibly do that?"
Ji Rong patted Niu Fen's head and tapped it lightly, saying, "You have to go, Niu Fen."
Comfort breeds laziness; your talent isn't exceptional, but you're lucky.
Because of our relationship, you have always been treated well, but we are too busy to take care of you. Over the years, only Xi Tong has been able to keep you in check.
Although she is strict with you, she won't torture you to death. If you follow her, your cultivation will improve step by step.
"If you wish to stay by my or my elder brother's side, it's simple. Return whenever you reach the Emperor realm."
Niu Fen, however, was still worried and said, "Lord Ji, I couldn't resist asking Senior Shi to open the storage ring she entrusted to me. I gave the two divine servants a lot of things. What if she asks about it if I go there?"
Moreover, I acted impulsively back then, saying that if she came back, I would give her all the treasure. Little Niu, I regret it now.
"Not to mention that she hasn't come back, she's nowhere to be seen now, so even if there is treasure, we won't be able to find it."
Ji Rong calmly said, "Your agreement with her is your business. You're all grown up now, do you need me to teach you how to do things?"
Upon hearing this, Niu Fen's eyes lit up, and he immediately nodded and said, "I understand, Lord Ji. I'll go right now. Blackbird treats me like a mentor, and now that she's not well, I should go and take care of her."
“Alright.” Ji Rong said, “Then go pack your things now, brother. Call a cultivator to send Niu Fen to Tanghe Mountain in Juzhou.”
Jiaojue nodded, then turned and told Abai to call Tangye to take the ox over.
Although the Emperor Bird Xiutangye was declining in health and had gone downhill, she was not talkative and was willing to lower herself to make money. It was most appropriate for her to send Niu Fen to Juzhou.
Upon hearing Niu Fen's voice, Xi Tong was only slightly surprised before she understood. Uncharacteristically, she patted Niu Fen's back and smiled slightly, saying, "Niu Fen, I am very touched that you have come to accompany me."
"I won't have you plow the fields anymore; you can carry me around all the time. How about I teach you some real skills?"
Upon hearing this, Niu Fen did not hesitate and immediately bowed, saying, "Master, Immortal Lord Jiyang, please accept my bow."
Xi Tong nodded in satisfaction and handed all the treasures Ji Rong had given her to Niu Fen, saying, "This is my possessions; please keep it safe."
Instead of the expected questioning and beatings, Niu Fen was met with even more treasure. He was momentarily stunned and stood there dumbfounded.
But then Xi Tong continued, “Niu Fen, I am a bird with only ambition. Now I possess the essence of the sun's fire, and I might burn to death one day. Rather than let these treasures turn to ashes with me, it would be better to give them to you, Niu Fen.”
"Niu Fen, you must cultivate diligently. In your spare time, teach the young cultivators of Juzhou how to farm, so they can live a better life."
Upon seeing the treasure and hearing Xi Tong's heartfelt words, Niu Fen was already moved to tears. He gripped the storage ring and nodded repeatedly, saying excitedly, "Master, you've been so good to me! I'll listen to whatever you say!"
Xi Tong brushed him with her wings again, without saying a word.
So, the next day, Niu Fen began a lively life in Juzhou, enduring trials of fire and rolling on ice.
Sometimes, when Xi Tong saw that he really couldn't take it anymore, he would let him rest for three days. But he wasn't just lying there for nothing; he still had to go to the foot of Tanghe Mountain to guide the junior cultivators in clearing the wasteland.
Although it was hard work, Niu Fen felt that Xi Tong's attitude towards him was very wrong this time, so he became very diligent in his cultivation. He didn't slack off or talk back, which earned him the title of "Master Niu" in Tanghe Mountain.
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After seeing Niu Fen off, Ji Rong and Shan Shui went together into the Shoudao Palace to listen to Jiao Jue recount the findings of their recent mountain patrols.
Jiao Jue squinted and said with pleasure, "Colorful Bird, the border guards sent word that cultivators from the Chijian Mountains are frequently appearing, showing a strong tendency to expand into the Lianyun Mountains and Fulu Mountains. I went to check, and it's true."
The Lianyun Mountains should rightfully be inherited by the Shan Baishu, but we don't want it. However, the Fulu Mountains are vast and rich in resources, and now there are far too many cultivators in our Danxue Mountains. Should we take this opportunity to seize some territory as well?"
Ji Rong thought for a moment and then said, "Brother, this is not appropriate. You living gods still hold a large amount of source flow. If you fight now, it will only result in mutual destruction."
Since we need territory, how about the Python God Mountains? When we passed through the Python God Mountains years ago, we found that it was still empty because of the poisonous barrier.
You should also ask the witches if they are willing to go.
Having said that, Ji Rong turned to look at the mountains and rivers and asked, "Divine Lord, are there any mountain gods who have passed through the Python God Mountain Range?"
Shan Shui took the bowl and looked at it, saying, "Yes, there should be a mountain spider, a mountain scorpion, a mountain snake, a mountain poisonous bird, and a mountain frog there."
Ji Rong then said, "Divine Lord, you may ask them to take all the spiritual veins to the Jade Void Mountain Range, and then have the mountain gods of Liangzhou, Buzhou, and Xizhou take the spiritual veins over as well."
Shan Shui nodded and said, "Yes, I should have gone to their territory too."
"Young friend Ji Rong, please summon my elder brother."
Then, He cupped his hands towards Jiao Jue and said, "Jade Lord, thank you for your care these past few days. I must be leaving now."
Ji Rong soon brought out the plump Shan Wu. She patted Shan Wu's belly and said with a smile, "Uncle, you should lose weight. Eat less along the way, so you won't be able to carry the Divine Lord."
As she spoke, she handed a small gourd to Shan Shui and said, “My Lord, do not force anything. When this source is exhausted, that will be the time for you to return.”
Shan Shui nodded to Ji Rong and said, "I understand." Then he sat on Shan Wu's back and sped towards the Canglan Temple.
After bidding farewell to Shanshui and Shanwu, Ji Rong went back to the Dragon and Phoenix Palace and took a nap by the tree trunk. When she was bored, she would check where Qingpingzi had written and occasionally offer her own suggestions. Her days were leisurely and fulfilling.
Since Ji Rong returned, Jiao Jue has become very busy. It often takes the two small dragons with power out, and when they return, it tells Ji Rong about what happened outside.
For example, Xi Zhu has never truly shown his face again.
Jiao Jue privately said to Ji Rong, "Judging from Xi Tong's behavior in the past, I know that she is good at playing tricks, but she is also unusually stubborn. There must be something wrong with the power she gave to Xi Zhu."
Ji Rong replied, "During our trip to Guangyang Mountain, the Mountain and Water God and I thoroughly offended Him. It's good that He is not doing well, but that's good for us."
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