Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 505 - 276: Time of Farewell

"Lu Xun, take a break." The familiar voice reached the focused Lu Xun, who then stopped chopping wood, turned his head, and greeted Old Apricot with a brilliant smile.

"Very good. When I first saw you, you were constantly worried about restoring the nation every day, thinking too much. You must realize this is one of the most difficult things in the world. To succeed, one must have an extraordinary resolve. If you immerse yourself in it all day, you will only exhaust your energy," Old Apricot said with a smile.

Seeing the smile return to Lu Xun's face, Old Apricot knew that the child had stepped out of the shadows and begun to truly confront his own life. Having overcome this hurdle, there was now a glimmer of hope.

Many who sought to restore their nations carried such heavy burdens that they became nervous and indecisive, falling into disadvantage and ultimately losing their lives.

This barrier is one of the heart. No one else can help; one must overcome it alone. Once past it, the sky and ocean await, facing even tougher challenges becomes possible. Failure to overcome it means sinking forever, better to live secluded in the mountains.

"Lu Xun thanks Old Apricot for enlightening me all these days and dispelling the bitterness in my heart," Lu Xun said sincerely as he bowed in thanks to Old Apricot.

In that time, he thought a lot. The burden of restoring the nation was like an invisible mountain crushing him, leaving him breathless. Many nights, lying in his ancestral home's bed, he couldn't sleep. Remembering his deceased father and relatives, tears would uncontrollably wet his bedding.

Restoration sounds simple, but when he prepared to face it, he realized it was a desperate abyss, giving him no hope. After losing his status and reputation, he faced a world ringed by wolves with blood-red eyes, fighting on the land that once belonged to his family, dying the earth red with blood.

Lu Xun woke from nightmares countless times, dreaming of fighting endlessly with these ambitious men, drenched in blood. He saw himself decapitated, clearly seeing his body twitching powerlessly in a pool of blood, leaving him void of confidence.

Therefore, only by toiling to the point of physical exhaustion could he drown out his mental fears and sleep well. During such times, a crisp sound of reading would resonate in the small courtyard, comforting like a spring breeze or the fierce sun in winter, soothing his spirit lost in endless darkness. Later, he learned these were sounds of his ancestor studying here, recorded by Old Apricot.

However, time eventually dilutes everything. After overcoming initial fear, helplessness, and despair, the strong Lu Xun started to adapt to the mental pressure. Beneath those penetrating sounds of reading, he slowly faced his inner self and began to truly see himself.

From that day on, he began to listen to Old Apricot recount the stories of the Great Ancestor. Those meager entries in history books, when told by Old Apricot, who experienced it, still conveyed deep despair and helplessness to Lu Xun. He found it hard to imagine how the Great Ancestor survived and gradually climbed to a high position, accomplishing the status of a Feudal Lord.

These stories also inspired the timid young man. If the ancestor could do it, he too should be able to do the same.

When he truly overcame this difficult time, Lu Xun realized that all his worries and fears were merely self-inflicted torment. Restoring the nation was not merely a matter of words; it required practical action, step by step, not self-pity.

Old Apricot, looking at the now resolute Lu Xun, felt moved by his difficulties—a young man bearing such a mission and facing such hardships was not easy even for him, but Lu Xun had managed to overcome his mental barriers in such a short time, a truly remarkable feat.

"True to the Lu Family's lineage, now you can really face this cruel world. Seeing you like this, I am very relieved," Old Apricot nodded with satisfaction.

After speaking, he pointed his wooden staff gently, and a huge branch of the Apricot Tree bent down, bearing a large apricot.

To Lu Xun's astonishment, the green apricot visibly ripened to yellow, exuding a heart-penetrating fragrance. Just a gentle whiff made his whole body relax, as if every pore opened up.

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"Now that you have overcome your mental barrier, and knowing you as I do, I suspect it's also time for you to leave. This apricot was ripened with my mana. Eating it will increase your strength, extend your life, and keep you from sickness," Old Apricot said as he gently plucked the ripe apricot and handed it to Lu Xun.

"With this, you'll be better equipped to face challenges. Take it."

Lu Xun looked at Old Apricot gratefully and, unable to resist, knelt and said, "A gift from an elder, I dare not refuse. Lu Xun thanks you for your care!" After saying this, he solemnly bowed to Old Apricot and swallowed the apricot in one bite.

As soon as it entered his mouth, Lu Xun felt a warm flow straight into his stomach, quickly warming his entire body as if soaking in a hot spring. He could distinctly feel his body strengthening, becoming more robust, with dark impurities emerging from his skin, residues from the grains he had consumed.

At this moment, Lu Xun felt exceptionally good, his senses sharp, and the world seemed brighter. A foul smell caught his attention; looking down, he realized a thick layer of grime had accumulated on his body and he shyly smiled.

"Go and clean up well. The full benefits of the fruit are yet to be seen. You'll understand soon," Old Apricot said with a laugh, patting Lu Xun's head affectionately like a loving grandfather to his grandson.

Lu Xun thoroughly enjoyed this feeling. Having never experienced familial affection from the Imperial Family, he felt a grandfather's love from Old Apricot and regarded him dearly as such.

Old Apricot, a spirit of the Apricot Tree, had lived through long years and seen through human hearts. It was because of Lu Xun's affectionate regard that he had helped him thus far; otherwise, according to his agreement with Lu Wu, handing over the apricot would have sufficed, without the need to extensively remove Lu Xun's mental barriers.

After Lu Xun cleaned up and left his room, he found that Old Apricot, who had been waiting in the courtyard with a smile, had vanished without a trace. Lu Xun knew the time for parting had come, having more important tasks ahead.