After Li Yi brought the original Tongtian back to Kunlun Mountain, he headed directly for the Grand Pure Palace.
Upon arriving at the Grand Pure Palace, Tongtian said to Li Yi:
"Elder Brother! Second Brother, he!"
Li Yi looked at the extremely weak Yuanshi and sighed:
"Second Brother is too severely injured. To fully recover, he needs a spiritual elixir to reshape his meridians!"
Tongtian quickly asked:
"Elder Brother, do you have one?"
Li Yi shook his head and said:
"Second Brother's injury can only be completely mended by the Nine Revolutions Meridian-Reshaping Pill. Although I can refine this pill, I am missing the primary ingredient!"
Upon hearing this, Tongtian immediately said:
"Elder Brother, just tell me what's missing! I'll go find it now!"
Li Yi said to Tongtian:
"This Nine Revolutions Meridian-Reshaping Pill requires nine types of supreme heavenly spiritual roots as a guiding agent for refinement. The Enlightenment Tea can count as one. I still need eight more. These spiritual roots are already claimed by others!"
Tongtian immediately declared:
"I'll go find them. Elder Brother, please take good care of Second Brother!"
With that, he turned to leave.
Li Yi quickly stopped Tongtian. Li Yi knew Tongtian's temperament was somewhat impulsive, and he might offend someone, leading to refusal. So, he said to Tongtian:
"Your personality is too reckless. It's better if I go. You stay and take care of Second Brother. Give him three drops of the Three Lights Divine Water daily and help him refine it. This will ensure Second Brother's injuries do not worsen."
Tongtian also knew that Li Yi going out to search would indeed be more suitable than himself. He didn't argue with Li Yi and said:
"Elder Brother, go with peace of mind. I will take good care of Second Brother!"
After receiving Tongtian's reply, Li Yi turned and left Kunlun Mountain.
After Li Yi left Kunlun Mountain, he knew that the Ginseng Tree was in Zhenyuanzi's possession. However, Zhenyuanzi cherished the Ginseng Tree as if it were his own life, and it was unlikely he would give face to Li Yi if he went directly.
Li Yi suddenly thought of Hongyun. When Hongyun accidentally entered Kunlun Mountain in the past, his brothers had hosted him.
Hongyun was also a close friend of Zhenyuanzi. Perhaps bringing Hongyun along would make things much easier.
Thus, Li Yi headed towards Hongyun's Fire Cloud Cave.
Upon arriving at the Fire Cloud Cave, Li Yi saw two young attendants at the entrance. Li Yi said to the two attendants:
"This humble Taoist is Taishang. I have come to visit fellow Taoist Hongyun! I would trouble you two to announce my arrival!"
The attendants, seeing Li Yi's extraordinary bearing, dared not delay. They quickly said:
"Senior, please wait a moment. My brother and I will immediately inform our Master!"
With that, they entered the cave.
The two entered the Fire Cloud Cave and met Hongyun:
"Master, a Taoist outside claims to be Taishang and has come to visit. We seek your decision!"
When Hongyun heard that Li Yi had come to the Fire Cloud Cave, he immediately said:
"Quickly invite him in! No! I will go to greet him myself!"
Li Yi, seeing that the two attendants had entered and there was no response for a long time, and thinking of Yuanshi's injuries, became increasingly agitated.
When Hongyun saw Li Yi, he quickly bowed forward:
"I did not expect the esteemed friend to grace my humble abode. I apologize for my lack of proper reception! Forgive me! Forgive me!"
Li Yi returned the bow and got straight to the point:
"To be frank, I have come today to seek a favor!"
Seeing Li Yi's directness, Hongyun knew there must be an urgent matter. Otherwise, Li Yi would not have been so impolite as to immediately state his request.
Hongyun dared not delay and quickly invited Li Yi into the cave.
After Li Yi entered the Fire Cloud Cave, before even sitting down, he directly said:
"Fellow Taoist, when you gifted my brother the Ginseng Fruit in Kunlun Mountain, you mentioned it was from a close friend. I wonder if fellow Taoist Hongyun would be willing to introduce us?"
Hongyun was greatly surprised and quickly asked:
"Why are you seeking my friend, fellow Taoist?"
Hearing Hongyun refer to Zhenyuanzi as a friend, Li Yi knew the rumors were true and that their friendship was indeed strong.
Li Yi no longer concealed his intentions. He bowed to Hongyun. Before Hongyun could react, Li Yi said:
"Fellow Taoist, save me! My second brother has been injured and desperately needs eight types of heavenly spiritual roots. I implore you to introduce me. Li Yi will be eternally grateful!"
When Hongyun heard that Yuanshi was injured, he thought it was no wonder Li Yi was so anxious. He knew from his time in Kunlun Mountain that the three brothers had a very close bond!
However, Hongyun was indeed in a difficult position. He said to Li Yi:
"Fellow Taoist, to be honest, my friend cherishes the Ginseng Tree as his life. I fear he may not give it to you!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yi knew Hongyun had misunderstood. He quickly said:
"Fellow Taoist, you misunderstand. I do not want the Ginseng Tree itself, only some of its branches."
Hearing this, Hongyun immediately said:
"That is better. My friend resides at the Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain. I shall accompany you there now!"
Li Yi was overjoyed:
"My brother's life is in danger. I implore you to take me there quickly!"
Seeing Li Yi's urgency, Hongyun knew that Yuanshi's injuries could not be delayed. He immediately said:
"Let us depart at once!"
With that, he and Li Yi headed towards Longevity Mountain!
Along the way, Hongyun, thinking Li Yi was unaware of his friend's identity, introduced Zhenyuanzi to Li Yi in detail.
When Li Yi and Hongyun arrived at Longevity Mountain, Hongyun directly led Li Yi towards a Taoist temple halfway up the mountain!
Upon reaching the temple entrance, Hongyun said to two attendants:
"Qingfeng, Mingyue, quickly go inform fellow Taoist Zhenyuanzi to come to the main hall. We have a distinguished guest today!"
Qingfeng and Mingyue both recognized Hongyun. Hearing him say this, they quickly went to inform Zhenyuanzi.
After Qingfeng and Mingyue left, Hongyun directly pulled Li Yi into the Wuzhuang Temple.
Li Yi initially felt this was somewhat rude, believing they should wait for Zhenyuanzi to arrive before entering.
However, he couldn't resist Hongyun's persistent pulling and entered with him!
As Li Yi and Hongyun had just arrived at the main hall, they saw Qingfeng and Mingyue following a Taoist towards the hall.
When Hongyun saw Zhenyuanzi arrive, he immediately said:
"Fellow Taoist Zhenyuanzi, allow me to introduce you. This is fellow Taoist Taishang from Kunlun Mountain!"
Li Yi quickly stepped forward to pay his respects:
"Greetings, fellow Taoist Zhenyuanzi!"
Zhenyuanzi returned the bow:
"Greetings, fellow Taoist Taishang!"
He then added:
"Are you the distinguished guest fellow Taoist Hongyun mentioned?"
Li Yi gave a wry smile:
"It is all due to fellow Taoist Hongyun's praise. I do not dare to accept such a title!"
Hongyun interjected:
"Fellow Taoist Taishang need not be modest!"
Suddenly, Zhenyuanzi said to Hongyun:
"Brother, what brings you here today?"
Hongyun replied:
"It is not I who have a request, but fellow Taoist Taishang who seeks your help!"
Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi looked at Li Yi. Li Yi quickly said:
"I have a medicinal pill that requires a branch from your Ginseng Tree. I have come specifically to request it!"
Zhenyuanzi, whose face had been smiling, immediately fell as he heard Li Yi mention the Ginseng Tree's branch!
He said coldly:
"Fellow Taoist, please return. I have no Ginseng Tree!"
Seeing this, Hongyun was not surprised at all.
So, Hongyun smiled and said:
"Brother Yuan, don't be so hasty to refuse! Fellow Taoist Taishang is seeking a branch from your Ginseng Tree to save his brother!"
Li Yi also said:
"Please grant my request, fellow Taoist. I am willing to owe you a favor!"
Zhenyuanzi had not expected Li Yi to offer a favor in exchange for a branch of the Ginseng Tree.
This showed that their brotherhood was indeed deep!
One must know that a favor from a powerful individual like Li Yi was very valuable.
Hongyun also pleaded on his behalf. After much persuasion, Zhenyuanzi finally agreed to retrieve a branch from the backyard and give it to Li Yi.