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It's not just a win-win, no, to be more accurate, it's a win-win-win!
Initially, the Empress thought Jiang Liu's proactive offering of a treasure as a congratulatory gift would inevitably cost her something in return. However, in the end, she only lent out the Map of Mountains and Rivers for a hundred years without any real loss to herself—it indeed turned out to be quite a profit!
And for Zixia? Originally, being taken in by the Empress as an adopted daughter was a huge gain in itself, but she also received a Seven-Colored Feather Coat. Then, Jiang Liu gave her a Ginseng Fruit—naturally, this was also a big win.
Last was Jiang Liu. A Seven-Colored Feather Coat? It was merely one of the many Legendary Level Equipment items dropped after running hundreds of dungeon instances—equipment of which there was plenty more in his Gang's Treasury. Giving away one such piece was no big deal.
A Ginseng Fruit indeed is a treasure, but its effects were minimal for Jiang Liu, who had already consumed one.
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To exchange a Ginseng Fruit for the Map of Mountains and Rivers—isn't that considered a massive profit?
Let alone a single Ginseng Fruit—even if it meant using all the items he had in his inventory, or stripping off all his Equipment, Jiang Liu wouldn't hesitate.
After all, if he could run instances in the Map of Mountains and Rivers, wouldn't there be chances to drop all kinds of Equipment and props in the future?
Therefore, for the Empress, Zixia, and Jiang Liu, this was an occasion where all three parties made a great profit.
Holding the Map of Mountains and Rivers with satisfaction, Jiang Liu's heart swelled with joy. From now on, he would no longer have to worry about the map suddenly being taken back by someone.
To hold it in his hands for a hundred years? He could now thoroughly run dungeon instances.
Moreover, Sun Wukong's Cultivation Level had also broken through to the status of a Daluo Golden Immortal. To a certain extent, the difficulty level of the Map of Mountains and Rivers' instances appeared to rise with the tide.
"It seems that Master really loves this Map of Mountains and Rivers!" Seeing how Jiang Liu was so delighted with the map, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing exchanged glances—this was the first time they saw their Master with such an expression.
Ordinarily, when Master took out various treasures, he wouldn't even bat an eyelid.
Look at Xiaobai? His entire Equipment covered him from head to toe, and occasionally, he would even bring out a few more powerful Dharma Treasures to replace what he was wearing.
"It's because Master follows the path of cultivation through slaughter. The world within the Map of Mountains and Rivers, both real and illusionary, offers killings that can, likewise, enhance Master's Cultivation Level! That's why Master is so determined to get this map," Little White Dragon explained as he heard the conversation between Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie.
"Moreover..."
Upon saying this, Little White Dragon paused momentary, then continued, "Furthermore, I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, but these days accompanying Master in the slaughter within the Map of Mountains and Rivers, I feel that my own Cultivation Level has increased, far faster than usual by who knows how many times!"
"Oh? Xiaobai, you mean, by joining Master in the combat within the world of the map, your Cultivation Level can also grow stronger?" Little White Dragon's last remarks startled Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing as they looked at him in amazement.
"If I'm not mistaken, that should be the case!" Little White Dragon nodded affirmatively.
"To cultivate through killing, it's not only one's own slaughter that can enhance Cultivation Level, but also joining others in the battle can improve others' levels too? I have never heard of this before..." Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing looked at each other in confusion.
...
Putting aside their conversation, elsewhere, with the speed of Sun Wukong, catching up to Zixia was, of course, a piece of cake.
Zixia had only just left, and Sun Wukong soon caught up with her.
"Eh? Old Sun? What's this?" Originally thinking Sun Wukong wouldn't send her back home, Zixia was surprised to see him catching up and asked curiously.
"It was my Master who thought it might be dangerous for you to go back alone, fearing you might encounter something like the Nightmare incident again. Hence, I, Old Sun, have come to escort you," Sun Wukong said, walking beside Zixia.
"So that's how it is.." Realizing Sun Wukong's bluntly pragmatic response meant it wasn't his own initiative to escort her, Zixia felt a tinge of disappointment.
Yet, she quickly found herself joyous again.
Sun Wukong was a man who didn't understand romance, that much was certain, but now it seemed that Holy Monk Xuanzang was willing to play matchmaker for her and Sun Wukong, which was indeed good news.
It appears that helping Holy Monk Xuanzang choose the Map of Mountains and Rivers was indeed a worthwhile endeavor.
"By the way, Zixia, Master asked me to give this to you!" Having caught up to Zixia, Jiang Liu immediately raised his hand, took out the Ginseng Fruit, and presented it to Zixia.
"This? What's this?" Zixia's eyes widened, marveling at the Ginseng Fruit in Sun Wukong's hand.
Clearly, she had never seen a Ginseng Fruit before.
But as a Fairy responsible for the exotic herbs in the Glycyrrhiza Garden of the Empress, Zixia certainly had heard of it and quickly exclaimed in surprise, "Is this, could it be the legendary Ginseng Fruit from Wuzhuang Temple!?"
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"Indeed, this is the Ginseng Fruit!" Sun Wukong nodded and said.
"Rumors have it that the Ginseng Fruit is a supreme treasure of the Wuzhuang Temple, akin to the Empress' Peach with Purple Patterns. It also flowers and bears fruit once every nine thousand years. Upon consuming it, one can share the longevity of heaven and earth, and shine alongside the sun and moon. This, this..." Staring at the Ginseng Fruit in astonishment, Fairy Zixia obviously couldn't believe it.
The Holy Monk actually possesses treasures like the Ginseng Fruit? To give it to her? Isn't that too precious?
"Since Master gave it to you, just accept it. The Map of Mountains and Rivers could originally be exchanged for a Peach. It's what you deserve!" Ignoring Zixia's shocked expression, Sun Wukong directly stuffed the Ginseng Fruit into her hands while speaking.
"But, this Ginseng Fruit is too valuable. I just said that the Map of Mountains and Rivers was merely a reciprocal gift for this Seven-Colored Feather Coat!" Even though anyone would want a treasure like the Ginseng Fruit, Zixia still felt undeserving.
"If I give it to you, just keep it. Saying too much would seem pretentious. Besides, Master has three of them, so giving you one is no big deal!" Sun Wukong waved his hand and replied.
"Rumors say that Grand Immortal Zhenyuan of Wuzhuang Temple is the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, and even the Empress and Jade Emperor hold him in the highest respect. His Ginseng Fruits, only thirty ripen every nine thousand years. The Holy Monk has that many!?" Sun Wukong didn't need to mention it, but once he did, the fact that Jiang Liu originally had three Ginseng Fruits made Zixia even more astonished.
"My Master and that old man Zhenyuan are sworn brothers. Besides those three, each of us had one when we were at the Wuzhuang Temple!" Sun Wukong said with a grin.
"Who could have imagined that there existed such a relationship between the Holy Monk and Grand Immortal Zhenyuan?" Hearing Sun Wukong's words, Fairy Zixia was even more shocked.
She had already thought Holy Monk Xuanzang was extraordinary, but now it appeared he was even more impressive than she imagined.
To become sworn brothers with Grand Immortal Zhenyuan? Not anyone could achieve such a feat!
Zixia cherished her time with Sun Wukong, even if it was just the time to send her back. Therefore, with Sun Wukong by her side, she deliberately slowed down their flight.
Walking and chatting, their time alone was extremely precious.
It took nearly a Chinese Hour to fly back to the Moon Palace from the Mortal World. Once there, Sun Wukong waved his hand and then turned to leave.
Watching Sun Wukong's departing figure, a smile lingered on Zixia's face. For her, this descent to the Mortal World could be said to have reaped a huge reward.
Not only did she become the Empress' adopted daughter, but she also gained the support of Holy Monk Xuanzang and his companions. With their help, her relationship with the Monkey would certainly progress further.
"Fairy Zixia, you're back..." As Zixia watched Sun Wukong's fading figure, feeling secretly delighted, it wasn't long before the Jade Rabbit came hopping over, looking very happy.
Zixia reached out her hands and hugged the Jade Rabbit, gently stroking its snowy white fur.
"Fairy Zixia, did you see Holy Monk Xuanzang on your trip to the Lower Realm!?" Comforted by Zixia's strokes, the Jade Rabbit's eyes squinted contentedly, then it promptly asked.
"I certainly did!" Zixia nodded and replied.
After a brief pause, Zixia continued, "Moreover, this trip to the Lower Realm gave me a deeper understanding of the Holy Monk. He truly is awe-inspiring; his conduct and dealings with others are admirable!"
"Wow, really? What did the Holy Monk do this time? Please tell me..."
Hearing there was news about Holy Monk Xuanzang, the Jade Rabbit's eyes suddenly widened, and it eagerly pressed for details.
...
As for Jiang Liu, successfully acquiring the Map of Mountains and Rivers was naturally a cause for celebration. After Sun Wukong's return, Jiang Liu was in a great mood. He spent three days on the road, eating, drinking, and making merry, before finally setting off on his journey.
Of course, Jiang Liu was far from idle during these three days. As for the dungeons in the Map of Mountains and Rivers, limited by Sun Wukong's own imagination, he was bored with the repetition of dungeons like Spirit Mountain, Heavenly Court, and Demon Realm.
Thus, during these three days, Jiang Liu also drew quite a number of monster images and corresponding maps for Sun Wukong.
He had Sun Wukong incorporate these monsters and maps as new dungeons.
These dungeons were modeled after popular games from his previous life.
For instance, the League of Legends series of jungle dungeons, with the ultimate BOSS, Big Dragon, mini BOSS Little Dragon, and other Wild Monsters like the three wolves, red and blue BUFFs...
World of Warcraft dungeons, with the existence of the Tribe and Alliance.
Hot-Blooded Legend dungeons, such as Pig Cave, Woma Temple, and the like.
Even the various dark forests and dungeons from Dungeon & Fighter.
With these fresh elements integrated, Jiang Liu found brushing up these dungeons gave him a sense of déjà vu, like the holographic game modes from the web novels of his previous world.