Chapter 183: A Hundred Cycles of Samsara!
At the same time, Jiang Yun also timely awakened from his cultivation and saw the recovered Bodhi Ancient Tree.
Seeing Jiang Yun wake, Xiao Yi Xian excitedly pulled him over. "Jiang Yun, look! The Bodhi Ancient Tree has already recovered!"
Jiang Yun smiled and nodded, rubbing Xiao Yi Xian's forehead. Gently, he said, "I can see. You must be exhausted from this period."
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian's heart warmed. Pressing her lips together, she said softly, "I'm not tired. With the Bodhi Ancient Tree replenishing my energy, I never once felt my Dou Qi run dry."
Looking at Xiao Yi Xian, Jiang Yun said nothing more. How could she not be tired? Even if Dou Qi was no longer an obstacle, refining Bodhi Seeds and continuously manipulating a heavenly flame was still an immense drain on one's spirit and mental energy.
But since Xiao Yi Xian insisted otherwise, Jiang Yun could hardly expose her.
"Rustle, rustle!"
Just then, the Bodhi Ancient Tree nearby let out a series of rustling sounds, drawing Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian's gazes.
The two turned their heads to look and saw the Bodhi Ancient Tree slowly extend a branch. Finally, like a human hand, it stroked Xiao Yi Xian's head. From that branch, Xiao Yi Xian could clearly feel an emotion that could only be called delight.
"No need to thank me. It's been completely purged now, right? No lingering traces left behind?" Xiao Yi Xian smiled, reaching up to pat the Bodhi Ancient Tree's branch, speaking with a touch of playfulness.
"Rustle, rustle!"
Hearing Xiao Yi Xian's question, the Bodhi Ancient Tree swayed once more. Then, a strange, peculiar fluctuation rippled outward. Xiao Yi Xian immediately felt a fatigue that seemed to originate from the very depths of her soul surge up from within. It made her eyelids droop instantly, and then her head slowly hung down.
Leaning directly into Jiang Yun's arms, she sank into a deep, profound slumber.
"Weng! Weng!"
Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's head droop as she fell into deep sleep, a strange, peculiar sound also emanated from within the Bodhi Ancient Tree. Then, a burst of emerald-green radiance erupted, like countless tendrils, surging toward Xiao Yi Xian.
Seeing this scene, knowing full well what kind of opportunity this was, Jiang Yun naturally did not stop it. He allowed the Bodhi Ancient Tree to pull Xiao Yi Xian tightly against its tree body.
The very instant the two made contact, the tree body rippled with wave after wavering fluctuation. And Xiao Yi Xian slowly melted and merged into it, finally seated cross-legged at the very center of the tree body, as still as a sculpture, utterly motionless.
Jiang Yun had watched the entire process. Within his mind, however, things were far from as calm as the surface. Qing Ming had silently appeared within his consciousness at this moment, observing the Bodhi Ancient Tree's every move. Gazing at Xiao Yi Xian within its body, he marveled, "To think it's actually a moment of enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree! This is a tremendous, heaven-sent opportunity! Even in the Great Thousand World, I only know by chance that in that—"
"Senior Qing Ming, it's said that those who experience a moment of enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree all gain the potential to reach the Dou Di level. I wonder—is that true?" Jiang Yun's heart stirred. With some curiosity, he asked.
After a moment of silence, Qing Ming spoke, "I've heard that in the Great Spiritual Mountain of the Great Thousand World, there is a Bodhi Ancient Tree—their supreme treasure. Every thousand years, they hold a Bodhi Assembly. If one has the karmic fortune, one may even obtain a chance for enlightenment within the Bodhi Tree, drawing the surrounding continents to flock there like mad!"
"From this, one can see the effects of the Bodhi Ancient Tree. To be honest, that a Bodhi Ancient Tree exists on the Dou Qi Continent—I was quite astonished back then as well!"
Hearing this, Jiang Yun asked curiously, "Then could we..."
"That won't work!" Before Jiang Yun could finish, Qing Ming slowly shook his head. Solemnly, he said, "The strength of this Bodhi Ancient Tree is sufficient to rival a quasi-Heavenly Sovereign. If it is determined to flee, even I could not stop it."
"What a pity." Nodding, Jiang Yun did not dwell on it further. Shaking his head, he murmured quietly.
Just then, Jiang Yun looked toward the Bodhi Ancient Tree with some stunned astonishment.
After pulling Xiao Yi Xian inside, the Bodhi Ancient Tree seemed to hesitate. It did not immediately begin the cycle of samsara. Instead, it let out a series of rustling sounds toward Jiang Yun.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Yun was momentarily dazed. He never imagined that, in the end, there would actually be a share for him as well!
"Yun'er, this is a rare, hard-to-come-by opportunity! You absolutely must not miss it!" Seeing this, even Qing Ming grew somewhat agitated. In a rare display, he urged.
"Alright!" Seeing this, Jiang Yun also nodded. Since the opportunity was there, he naturally would not miss it. But before that, he spoke to Qing Ming within his body: "The Bodhi Ancient Tree is no ordinary entity. If I enter its body, it's hard to guarantee it won't discover the Saint Demon Flame and the Qing Ming Tower within me. To be safe, Senior Qing Ming, please take the Saint Demon Flame and conceal yourself for now!"
Jiang Yun was not worried about whether the Bodhi Ancient Tree could see through the issue of his bloodline. The Xie Ling Clan inherently possessed the bloodline of the citizens of the Great Thousand World and could cultivate both spiritual energy and evil qi.
So long as he did not actively expose it, even a Saint-grade Heavenly Sovereign would not detect anything abnormal—let alone the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
"What you say is not without reason. If we were at its innermost core, there would indeed be some risk. But if we are only here, I am still confident it will not discover me!" Qing Ming nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
After everything was properly arranged, a faint spatial fluctuation emanated from within Jiang Yun's sleeve. In the next instant, he slowly walked toward the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
Seeing Jiang Yun take such initiative, the Bodhi Ancient Tree wasted no further movement. Extending a branch, it pulled him into its body and stuffed him right beside Xiao Yi Xian. In the next moment, a pair of jade-like arms unconsciously wrapped around Jiang Yun's neck. The two tightly embraced one another.
Just as both had entered within, the emerald-green trunk of the Bodhi Ancient Tree swayed. A sensation of divine sanctity and wisdom spread forth from the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian entered, together, into a hundred cycles of samsara, never abandoning one another.
At the same time, this space also fell into utter, complete silence. Only the rustling sound of leaves brushing against one another, as the tree canopy swayed and fluttered, could be heard.
And while this space gradually grew calm—the outside world was anything but calm.
The Bodhi Ancient Tree had drawn the continent's many 'ordinary people' and the imperial clans into open conflict. Although, at the very start, seizing the sudden timing, they had caught the various clans off guard, allowing countless people to break through the clans' defensive lines and rush toward the Bodhi Ancient Tree—
Naturally, they all returned empty-handed. Even though the Bodhi Ancient Tree, this sacred, divine entity, was right before their eyes, they all felt as if they had no idea where to even begin.
Having already recovered, the Bodhi Ancient Tree was now filled with divine sanctity and serene peace. Naturally, it would not strike out at the crowd without reason.
Yet while the Bodhi Ancient Tree did not strike, there were those of savage, brutal temperament who, after gaining nothing, felt fury surge upward and directly attacked the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
And their attacks were instantly met with the Bodhi Ancient Tree's counterattack. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, that Half-Saint's attack landed on the Bodhi Ancient Tree's body—yet it did not even manage to damage a single leaf.
In contrast, the other party was struck by a single retaliatory branch from the Bodhi Ancient Tree and was whipped until his soul nearly shattered.
This made the crowd hold the Bodhi Ancient Tree in even greater awe and reverence. From that point on, no one dared act recklessly before the Bodhi Ancient Tree again.
Everyone could only stiffen their scalps and employ all manner of methods, attempting to communicate with the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
And during this period, the various clans also reacted. Each clan dispatched a single one-star Dou Sheng to the scene. In an instant, the tide was turned.
After weathering a storm of bloodshed and carnage, the many powers of the continent reached a consensus. This time, the Bodhi Ancient Tree would be explored by those beneath the Dou Zun level.
Thus, the upheaval caused by the Bodhi Ancient Tree's emergence was finally suppressed. Yet a new storm was also quietly brewing in the shadows.
"I have no idea for what reason, but the various great imperial clans actually joined forces and pushed out some kind of pact—demanding that Dou Zuns not participate in the struggle for the Bodhi Ancient Tree. It's truly baffling!"
Battered, dusty, and having gained nothing, Tian Leizi returned to the Pill Tower and regrouped with everyone. With a face full of gloom, he spoke.
"I suspect it may be because the cultivation of their younger generation is relatively weak, and the timing of the Bodhi Ancient Tree's emergence was also somewhat unfavorable," Yao Chen said, a thoughtful look flickering in his eyes as he speculated.
"That's probably it. But if that's the case, wouldn't Jiang Yun also be restricted?!" Xuan Kongzi nodded, then spoke with a face full of stunned disbelief.
"!" Hearing this, everyone immediately realized the same thing. Right—if that was the case, wouldn't Jiang Yun be restricted as well? He had originally been the most promising candidate to obtain the Bodhi Heart. Who could have imagined he would be kicked out of the game just like that? Would he be willing to accept this?
"Looking at it now, they not only want their own younger generation to obtain this opportunity—they also want to restrict Jiang Yun's development. Have they begun to feel fear?" Yao Chen sneered coldly, his voice low and dark.
"Jiang Yun's whereabouts are currently unknown. I hope he can keep his cool!" After pondering for a long while, Xuan Kongzi could, in the end, only sigh helplessly.
"If that's the case, Xiao Yan might just have a chance to contend!" Xuan Yi at this moment looked toward Xiao Yan beside her. At present, Xiao Yan—under the medicinal nourishment of Xuan Yi, a top-tier eighth-tier alchemist—had already broken through to the peak of nine-star Dou Huang. With all four heavenly flames fully erupting, even a nine-star Dou Zong would have to avoid his edge.
"Teacher!" Hearing this, Xiao Yan was visibly tempted. He turned his head to look at Yao Chen beside him.
"Go. This is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years. Go and meet the geniuses of the various clans. Besides—your little girlfriend should also be coming." Yao Chen looked at Xiao Yan with a smile, his tone teasing.
"Xun'er, huh..." Hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression froze. He murmured quietly. In his mind, the scene of that girl's departure was still vivid before his eyes. We're finally going to meet again?
At the same time,
at a spatial wormhole in the Southern Region, space also rippled with a wave of fluctuation. Then, figure after figure burst forth from the void. With a series of swift, crisp sounds, they stood in neat, orderly formation across this plaza. Aura after aura of formidable, imposing, and deadly sharpness erupted like a volcano.
Afterward, the spatial fluctuations did not cease. A slender, graceful, captivating figure slowly materialized within that warped, twisting space. Then, raising a jade-like foot, taking a light step, she crossed through space and appeared beneath this sunlit sky.
A slender, graceful young woman in green—her refined, elegant, exquisite, and captivating face—raised her head slightly, gazing toward the distant direction where the Bodhi Ancient Tree stood. Then, she unfolded a gentle smile.
A single smile that could topple a city!
"Xiao Yan gege... we're finally going to meet again. I believe that when you see Xun'er, you'll definitely be given a big fright!"
"Big Brother Hun Ya! This time, Hun Yu, Hun Feng, and Lord Yun Yi are all unable to come due to their cultivation levels. The heavens are truly aiding Big Brother Hun Ya!"
At another spatial wormhole, a group of black-robed figures stepped out. The crowd looked toward Hun Ya, who led at the very front, and fawned.
"Heh heh... The geniuses of the various clans are no weaklings. On this trip, we absolutely must not bring shame to our clan's face!" Hun Ya gazed into the distance with a face full of burning fervor, his low, deep voice ringing out.
"Yes!"
Hearing the uniform, synchronized response behind him, Hun Ya was instantly filled with heroic, lofty aspirations. This time, for some reason unknown to him, the clan had dispatched nearly the top one hundred geniuses of the entire Dou Zong realm. He had been given command to seize the Bodhi Heart.
At this moment, his heart was brimming with confidence. Gazing in the direction of the Bodhi Ancient Tree, Hun Ya wanted to shout out loud:
"I'll take on ten at once!"
Right now, not only the great imperial clans, but the powers of the Central Plains had also dispatched their own younger generation toward the territory of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
Even the Heavenly Demon Phoenix, far off in the Beast Domain, had sent its young experts to participate in the fray.
The struggle for the Bodhi Ancient Tree had already, unmistakably, become a grand gathering of the younger generation.
Deep within the Yao Realm.
A colossal mountain, towering high into the clouds, was situated here. One could faintly see clusters of great halls and buildings at its summit.
At the peak of Yao Mountain, clouds and mist wreathed. Strange, wondrous pill fragrances spread outward, giving one a feeling of being utterly relaxed and carefree, as if within a fairyland.
At the summit of Yao Mountain, vast, sprawling fields of medicinal ingredients gathered like an ocean. Above this sea of medicine, suspended in the empty air, was an immensely enormous, colossal plaza. At the four corners of the plaza stood four enormous medicinal cauldrons, from which the qi of pill fragrance billowed. Pillars of smoke pierced straight into the clouds.
A white-robed, white-haired elder watched a group of young people refining pills below. After a long while, he turned to a red-haired elder beside him and asked, "With the Bodhi Ancient Tree emerging this time—who from our clan has gone?"
This man was the Clan Leader of the Yao clan—a seven-star Dou Sheng, a ninth-tier Mystic Pill Grandmaster—Yao Dan.
And the red-haired elder was the Yao clan's number two figure, Elder Wanhuo—a six-star Dou Sheng, also a ninth-tier alchemist.
Hearing Yao Dan's inquiry, Elder Wanhuo was momentarily taken aback. Then, cupping his fists, he said, "It should be Yao Tian and Yao Xingji leading the team."
"What about that girl, Yao Ling?"
Nodding, Yao Dan asked casually.
"I heard she's gone into seclusion," Elder Wanhuo shook his head and spoke quietly.
"In seclusion, is she?" Yao Dan murmured quietly, then sighed. "It seems our little ones are all under immense pressure."
With a bitter laugh, Elder Wanhuo shook his head. "Who could say otherwise? Two geniuses—Jiang Yun and Yun Yi—have appeared one after another. That Yun Yi is one thing—only his cultivation is formidable. But that Jiang Yun—he's an eighth-tier, nine-colored alchemist! Even now, I still can hardly believe that someone could reach such heights at this age!"
Elder Wanhuo's voice was laden with deep, profound wonder and amazement.
"Having pressure is a good thing. It saves them from walking around with their noses in the air." Yao Dan nodded. Even he found Jiang Yun's natural talent breathtakingly stunning, and often secretly lamented in his heart.
"This time is precisely an opportunity to catch up to him!" Elder Wanhuo chuckled lightly, speaking with a face full of anticipation.
But Yao Dan shook his head. In a deep voice, he said, "True geniuses are not so easily surpassed. What's more..."
"What's more, do you truly believe Yao Tian and the others can out-contend the Gu clan and the Hun clan?"
Hearing this, Elder Wanhuo was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Yao Dan... compared to Gu Yuan, you are indeed the one who sees things more clearly!"