The shape of this fruit is similar to a child of less than three months, with complete limbs and features.

Upon hearing this, the man in the robe smiled and replied, "This is called... Ginseng Fruit."

....

"Please sit first, have a cup of tea, and then we can slowly discuss."

With a wave of his hand, the man in the robe created a bamboo table and two bamboo chairs in the courtyard in front of the pavilion.

It's worth noting that these were all crafted from the purple bamboo outside. Sitting on them, one feels a peculiar coolness spreading throughout the body, making one feel much more refreshed.

It seems that the purple bamboo is indeed extraordinary.

After sitting down, the man in the robe took out a pair of exquisitely carved small porcelain cups from his sleeve.

Then he turned his head and gently called inside the pavilion, "Bring the tea."

The next second, two axolotls with legs stood upright and walked out of the pavilion, carrying a teapot to start brewing tea.

Su Mu was also observing the two axolotls with great interest.

"These are my two little Daoist children. Their cultivation level is too shallow, so they can't transform into human form here."

The man in the robe explained.

After a while, the axolotls gently placed the brewed tea on the table and retreated, waiting at the back.

The man in the robe picked up the teapot with his right hand, pinched his sleeve with his left, and poured a cup of tea for Su Mu, then served himself.

.....

As the tea entered the cup, a peculiar tea fragrance filled the nostrils.

Su Mu picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Good tea!

Nothing can compare to this. Compared to the tea that Su Han offered, it's like heaven and earth.

One is a national treasure, and the other is horse urine.

....

"It seems you enjoy tea?"

Although the man in the robe was drinking tea, he was constantly watching Su Mu's demeanor and emotions.

"It's okay."

"When I'm tired from work, I like to drink some tea alone. It's meticulous and thirst-quenching," Su Mu replied.

.....

"You still have to work?"

The man in the robe asked with a surprised look.

Hearing this, Su Mu waved his hand and said, "Of course I have to work. I patrol every day, maintain order, and handle both big and small matters."

"It's tiring."

...

Upon hearing this, the man in the robe laughed and said, "I almost forgot, you're in charge here, and indeed have a lot of unexpected situations to handle."

"The peace of this river cannot be maintained without your hard work."

"I don't have good wine here, so I'll use tea as wine to toast you."

"If it weren't for you maintaining order, I wouldn't be able to live here peacefully, let alone drink tea with you. I've benefited in some small part."

At the end of his words, Su Mu smiled and waved his hand, saying, "You're joking."

...

After a brief interaction, the man in the robe formally introduced himself:

"I have no real name, only a Daoist title, called Zhen Yuanzi."

Seeing this, Su Mu also introduced himself: "I have no Daoist title, just Su Mu."

"Let's not ask about age or seniority, shall we call each other Daoist friends?" Zhen Yuanzi said.

Su Mu replied, "Of course, we are all cultivators."

....

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, how long have you lived here?"

Su Mu opened another topic.

"This... it's hard to say, I can't remember clearly. Anyway, it's been a long time."

"I don't like fighting and competition, so I secluded myself for a long time to cultivate a method to perfection before coming here, far from conflict."

Zhen Yuanzi took a sip of tea and sighed heavily.

Upon hearing these words, Su Mu understood.

It seems this Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi is a reclusive sage, who came here to retreat into the mountains.

Sigh, he got tired of life outside and returned here to seclusion.

And I, darn it, haven't even been out yet!

There's a saying: those outside the walls want to come in, while those inside want to go out.

....

"Daoist friend, achieving success and retiring into the mountains is the dream and realm many cultivators long for,"

Su Mu said with a smile.

Indeed, only those at the top deserve the words "retiring into the mountains."

For others, can that be called retiring into the mountains?

That's just returning to the countryside! (City life is too tricky, I want to go back to the countryside)

.....

"What success and fame, I'm just a little figure."

"Couldn't compete, couldn't fight, so I retreated to find a stable place."

"The longer one lives, the more they want to live longer. I don't have big pursuits, just living longer years is enough."

Zhen Yuanzi said leisurely.

But within these seemingly casual words, there was a hint of self-mockery.

"Senior, you're too humble; you just don't want to compete."

When others are self-mocking, you can't just say, "Yes, yes, you're indeed useless," you have to flow with their words.

Who knows, they might just be genuinely humble?

...

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi smiled wryly and waved his hand.

"Fellow Daoist Su, is that mischievous monkey really taken in by you?"

At this moment, Zhen Yuanzi remembered something and asked Su Mu.

"Yes, I haven't had it for long, and you just asked if I was its master."

"In fact, I'm kind of half its master, after all, I've taught it some spells."

Su Mu replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi paused, all the doubts in his heart suddenly cleared up, and he exclaimed, "So it was you who taught it the method, no wonder..."

Su Mu heard some unusual undertone and asked, "What's wrong, has Little Monkey caused any more trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi waved his hand and said, "No, not at all."

"I was just sighing; this mischievous monkey getting your guidance changed its original fate."

"It's been calculated by others, but they didn't foresee your involvement."

"However, for this monkey, meeting you could be considered its good fortune."

....

"However, although this mischievous little monkey is naturally unruly, its potential is extraordinary."

"You might consider paying more attention to it,"

Zhen Yuanzi clearly knew the man before him would be the future lord of the River of Time, with numerous followers stronger than the monkey under his command.

Thus, his words also hoped to secure an opportunity for Little Monkey.

Hearing this, Su Mu was surprised.

"Doesn't Little Monkey often come to steal your things?"

"So, Fellow Daoist, you... actually like it quite a bit?"

...

"Hahaha, this mischievous monkey and I have known each other for a long time; I do have some affection for it."

Zhen Yuanzi laughed heartily.

"I trust your judgment. I'll take extra care of it in the future," Su Mu responded.

．．．．

"Little Rascal, come over here."

Zhen Yuanzi beckoned to Little Monkey in the distance.

The next second, Little Monkey came over.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.