Chapter 180: The Winds and Clouds Stir!
The sudden news of the Bodhi Ancient Tree's emergence was like a depth charge, instantly detonating the Central Plains' surface, which had only just calmed.
Even the ancient imperial clans, who in the past stood high above, looking down upon all, were stirred and restless.
In the past, whenever the Bodhi Ancient Tree emerged, it would invariably bring heavenly phenomena. By then, the entire Central Plains would likely be able to sense it. This process often lasted for a period of time, giving the various powers of the Central Plains time to react.
But this time was exceptionally different. The Bodhi Ancient Tree had appeared utterly, completely out of nowhere, giving the various powers no time to react at all.
At this moment, everyone could see the sky to the south of the Central Plains.
There, an exceptionally peculiar pure qi, like surging waves, suddenly swept across the sky, ultimately spreading far, far into the distance.
Whoever inhaled this pure qi—deep within their minds, almost everyone saw the same image:
An ancient, heaven-touching giant tree. An aura of wisdom spread forth from the ancient tree!
And this—was the legendary Bodhi Ancient Tree!
The Pill Tower.
The important figures of the Pill Tower were all gathered together at this moment. Gazing from afar at that heaven-supporting tree silhouette on the horizon, looks of wonder flickered uncontrollably in their eyes.
"The Bodhi Ancient Tree... I never imagined it would emerge once again. I wonder how much bloodshed and turmoil this will stir up this time." The Grand Elder withdrew his gaze and let out a sigh of emotion.
"Grand Elder, with the Bodhi Ancient Tree emerging, should we send people?" Xuan Kongzi stepped forward and cupped his fists toward the Grand Elder.
Hearing this, apart from the Grand Elder, everyone present was somewhat stirred. It had to be known that none of them had yet reached Dou Sheng. The Bodhi Ancient Tree's allure to them was still exceedingly great.
"This time, the imperial clans will likely also make a move. You decide for yourselves!" After a moment of silence, the Grand Elder spoke in a deep voice. "In truth, Jiang Yun would be the best candidate. It's just a pity we don't know where he's run off to. With such a massive commotion, you should be able to meet him at the Bodhi Ancient Tree."
Hearing the Grand Elder's words, everyone nodded, each with their own thoughts.
And at this moment, Yao Chen, who had yet to recover, looked at Xiao Yan with some emotion. "Your strength is still a bit lacking. If you had the strength of a Dou Zun, you would have a chance!"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's heart stirred. Scratching his head with a bit of regret, he shrugged.
Though the allure of becoming a Dou Sheng was enormous, he knew his own limits. At this moment, he was still just a tiny Dou Huang. The battles of Dou Zuns were not something he could yet participate in.
"Xuan Yi, you're already just a single step away from Half-Saint. This opportunity comes once in a thousand years—you absolutely must not miss it!"
Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Yao Chen could only shake his head with a wry smile. Looking at Xuan Yi beside him, he spoke.
Hearing this, Xuan Yi gazed at Yao Chen and gently shook her head. "I've heard that the Liu clan possesses a Nine-Revolution Soul-Returning Herb that is beneficial to the soul. Their clan leader happens to need a seven-colored, eighth-tier pill to save his life. I'm afraid I won't have the time to go."
"Xuan Yi, you..." Hearing this, Yao Chen looked at Xuan Yi with visible emotion.
Xuan Kongzi, watching from the side with a pang in his heart, looked at the Grand Elder and said, "The Pill Tower cannot be left without someone to guard it. To prevent a sneak attack from the Soul Hall, it's enough for just Tian Leizi to go. Besides, I've already faintly gained some insights into breaking through to Half-Saint. I no longer need a Bodhi Seed."
"Xuan Kongzi..." Tian Leizi looked at Xuan Kongzi in astonishment, wondering when his old friend had gained such insights. Could it have been born from eating too much dog food?!
The Grand Elder nodded. Looking at Tian Leizi, he said, "Then Tian Leizi will lead the group. Anyone who wants to go—go together and take a look!"
"Yes!"
Ancient Sacred Mountain.
This sacred ground of the Gu clan. At this moment, Gu Yuan stood here calmly. His eyes seemed to pierce through layer upon layer of void and see that heaven-supporting, earth-standing Bodhi Ancient Tree in the southern region of the Central Plains.
"The Bodhi Ancient Tree has emerged. Won't you let Xun'er go and seek her fortune?" A steady voice rang out. The Black Annihilation King, Gu Lie, appeared behind Gu Yuan. His gaze was also fixed in the direction of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
After all, the Bodhi Ancient Tree was different from other opportunities. Even the imperial clans could not provide an opportunity with the same effects. Thus, every time the Bodhi Ancient Tree emerged, they would stir at the news and act—no longer remaining high and aloof as before.
"Xun'er's strength is far too lacking compared to theirs. Having Gu Lin and the others go will be enough," Gu Yuan said, his gaze flickering faintly as he shook his head.
"If there are no conditions, then create conditions. We can join forces with the various imperial clans. Those above Dou Zun shall not be permitted to act."
"Xun'er is already a Dou Zong now. At the Dou Zong level, she still has a chance to contend. As for the opinions of those Dou Zuns of the Central Plains..."
"Hmph! If our clan's Dou Shengs take the field, would they dare have any opinions?!"
A domineering look flashed through Gu Lie's eyes. He actually wanted to sweep the Central Plains' Dou Zuns completely off the board.
Hearing Gu Lie's domineering idea, a look of strong temptation flickered through Gu Yuan's heart. Even he could not ignore the effects of the Bodhi Heart. That was a sacred item that could allow one to break through to Dou Sheng in the shortest possible time, without any side effects!
"First, contact the Lei clan, the Yan clan... and the Yao clan. After all, the southern region borders them!" In the end, Gu Yuan chose not to dismiss Gu Lie's suggestion. Most importantly, there were those two people who had appeared in the Central Plains during this period.
Jiang Yun! Yun Yi!
Their talent was simply far too terrifying. Even Gu Yuan had no confidence that Gu Xun'er could keep up with their footsteps if she simply progressed step by step.
"It's been a while since I saw Lei Ying, Yan Jin, and Yao Dan. I wonder how their strength has progressed!" Seeing Gu Yuan agree, Gu Lie chuckled lightly. His figure slowly dissipated atop the peak of Ancient Sacred Mountain.
The Soul Hall.
Yun Yi looked at the restrained Hun Feng and Hun Yu before him. Indifferently, he asked, "Did the clan send you to contend for the Bodhi Ancient Tree this time?"
Hearing Yun Yi's cold, detached words, Hun Feng and the other man's bodies trembled. Carefully, cautiously, they said, "The clan instructed us to do our utmost to assist you in seizing the Bodhi Heart."
"Heh heh... Though their strength cannot compare to yours, they can still be of some use." Along with the two had come the old man, Hun Mo. At this moment, he looked at Yun Yi with a face full of smiles.
"Mm." Hearing this, Yun Yi fell silent for a moment. In the end, he said nothing more and merely nodded.
"I have no idea what madness has seized the Gu clan this time—to actually want us to form an alliance and demand that Dou Zuns not be allowed to enter the fray for the Bodhi Ancient Tree. The Yan clan, Lei clan, and Yao clan have all responded in agreement..." Seeing this, Hun Mo laughed as he stroked his long beard and spoke with puzzlement.
"Naturally, it's because none of the Gu clan's younger generation is a match for the Young Master. So they came up with this rotten idea, wanting to restrict the Young Master from acting." Gu You sneered coldly. Then, his face full of disdain, he said, "To actually think they could fantasize about using a mere agreement to stop the Young Master from taking action—that Gu clan is truly dreaming. The Bodhi Heart will inevitably be a prize in our Young Master's grasp."
Hearing Gu You's words, a wave of eerie, cackling laughter immediately rang out within the great hall. Yet at this moment, Yun Yi was frowning deeply in thought. After a long silence, he asked, "So currently, our clan is the only one that hasn't agreed to the pact the Gu clan proposed?"
"Does that Gu clan truly think of itself as the head of the eight ancient clans, that it can order our clan around as well?" Hun Mo shook his head and sneered coldly.
"What are you thinking?" Hun Mie Sheng looked at Yun Yi, who had been frowning the entire time, and asked curiously.
"Mm!" Yun Yi nodded. With a grave expression, he said, "I do have an idea. However, I need to ask for the Master and the Clan Leader's opinion."
"Is that so?" Hun Mie Sheng nodded, asking no further. Raising his hand, he tore open a spatial rift. "Then I'll have to trouble Elder Mo to make another trip!"
The old man, Hun Mo, nodded solemnly. Taking Yun Yi with him, he swiftly stepped into the spatial passageway.
"Senior Shen Nong, this place will very soon attract large numbers of people. Let's explore the Bodhi Ancient Tree as quickly as possible!" Retracting his gaze from the Bodhi Ancient Tree before him, Jiang Yun looked at Shen Nong beside him and spoke.
"Good!" Shen Nong nodded. He naturally knew just how immense the commotion the Bodhi Ancient Tree's emergence would cause. Though he did not fear trouble, having less trouble was always better.
Just like his neighbors—if the Yao clan came pestering him, that would also be exceptionally headache-inducing.
Afterward, the three split into two groups and made their way together to explore the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian's speed was exceedingly fast. A distance of several thousand li took only a few short minutes. By the time the two arrived several hundred zhang from the Bodhi Ancient Tree, the unusual phenomena within a hundred zhang were remarkably distinct.
Drawing near, even Xiao Yi Xian could faintly feel a sense of unease rising from deep within her heart. Though this unease was very subtle and concealed, it was tangibly, genuinely present.
Xiao Yi Xian frowned as she looked at the Bodhi Ancient Tree ahead. Her elegant brows furrowed slightly. Coming to Jiang Yun's side, she spoke in a low voice, "Jiang Yun, something's not right here. Within that pure qi—which appears so vibrant and brimming with life—there's hidden a kind of somewhat sinister, chilling gray qi. This gray qi gives one a deeply uncomfortable feeling!"
Jiang Yun nodded. Bringing Xiao Yi Xian with him, he continued advancing toward the ancient tree. Just as they arrived beneath the heaven-touching phenomenon, they could gradually feel an exceptionally concealed, lurking, sinister chill—as if it were slowly, inexorably freezing into the very marrow of their bones.
Just as the two arrived at the base of the Bodhi Ancient Tree, standing there, looking up, they could at last truly feel just what kind of heaven-towering, colossal size this ancient tree—of who knew how many years—possessed.
"Tch!"
When they reached the base of the Bodhi Ancient Tree, within the tree body a hundred zhang above, brilliant, dazzling radiance suddenly erupted. Transforming into a pillar of light, it directly enveloped both of them within.
The sudden turn of events did not cause Jiang Yun to panic. A pristine white flame rapidly blazed to life in his palm. Within the flame, an emerald-green cluster of light floated and bobbed.
It was precisely that Bodhi Seed.
A massive amount of life force from within the flame poured into the Bodhi Seed, causing it to abruptly erupt with blinding, intense radiance, covering both Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian.
"Swoosh!"
In the next instant, that pillar of light rapidly shrank. With a swish, it was sucked back into the tree body at lightning speed. And vanishing along with it were Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian at the base of the tree.
"Rustle, rustle..."
As the two vanished, the Bodhi Ancient Tree, standing silently upon this grassland, suddenly emitted faint rustling sounds.
Dense, tightly packed branches intertwined and wove together, hanging down from the canopy. And when these branches touched the ground, they slowly split open. Five figures, their expressions utterly blank, slowly stepped out from within.
As these five figures emerged, the space between heaven and earth immediately undulated and churned violently. A terrifying, oppressive might abruptly spread forth!
"Swoosh—"
Just then, Shen Nong abruptly appeared on the scene. Seeing the five figures, he murmured quietly, "I never imagined there were actually five Half-Saints under the Bodhi Ancient Tree's control. This Bodhi Ancient Tree is somewhat abnormal!"
He, too, had sensed that sinister, chilling feeling transmitted through the pure qi of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
Yet after circling once, he still couldn't figure out how to gain the Bodhi Ancient Tree's acknowledgment. He had a feeling that if he tried to force it, he would absolutely suffer a terrifying backlash.
After circling around once more, Shen Nong, finding no way to proceed, spoke strangely: "How odd. Why haven't I seen Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian?"
Then, it abruptly dawned on him. The corner of his eye twitching violently, he inhaled sharply. Staring at the Bodhi Ancient Tree in disbelief, he said, "N-no way!!!"
A vast, blanketing, pure-white radiance filled their vision. Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian stood hand in hand within this world of white light. There was not a single other figure around them.
"What happened?"
Xiao Yi Xian pressed her hand to her forehead and spoke with some bewilderment. At this moment, she felt that her memories seemed, faintly, to be in some disorder...
"We are now inside the Bodhi Ancient Tree. How do you feel?" Jiang Yun held the glowing Bodhi Seed in one hand. After confirming that Xiao Yi Xian was real, he spoke gently.
"Jiang Yun!" Seeing Jiang Yun, Xiao Yi Xian cried out in delighted surprise. Her heart immediately felt settled. Rubbing her muddled head, she said quietly, "I'm fine."
"Mm!" Hearing this, Jiang Yun nodded. Raising his head, he looked at the distant ring of light. "There's only one exit ahead. Let's go take a look."
Toward Jiang Yun's suggestion, Xiao Yi Xian had no objections.
Afterward, Jiang Yun pulled Xiao Yi Xian along as they walked toward that ring of light and stepped inside.
The moment they stepped into the ring of light, the Bodhi Seed in Jiang Yun's hand suddenly emitted a faint humming sound. A stream of cooling, refreshing air flowed into the two's minds.
As the cooling, refreshing air poured in, the surrounding space began to twist and warp violently. Like a shattered mirror, with a resounding bang, it burst apart.
As heaven and earth burst apart, the two's minds went momentarily blank. What ultimately appeared before them was a space suffused with a deep, verdant green.
Within this space, an ancient tree—roughly a dozen or so zhang tall—stood as if it had existed there since the dawn of time. This tree was entirely, vibrantly emerald green, as if carved from the finest, most exquisite jade, radiating an astonishing life force.
"The Bodhi Ancient Tree!" Xiao Yi Xian looked at the tree ahead and covered her mouth in delighted surprise. Although everything was somewhat hazy and unclear, the Bodhi Ancient Tree before her truly was identical in every way to that nearly thousand-zhang colossal Bodhi Ancient Tree in the outside world.
At this moment, that entirely emerald-green Bodhi Ancient Tree suddenly trembled faintly. An enormous cluster of light drifted out from within its body, finally floating before him.
Within this cluster of light was a Bodhi Ancient Tree that reached a towering ten thousand zhang high. And before the ancient tree, in midair there, stood a figure clad in black, treading upon empty air. An aura—as if he were the supreme sovereign of all heaven and earth—slowly spread forth from this man.
Under this aura, even that ten-thousand-zhang colossal Bodhi Ancient Tree appeared rather small and insignificant.