Word Count: 2,632 Words
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After catching the Bodhisattva Seeds, Xiao Yan smiled and flicked his finger. Several seeds floated through the air, coming to rest before Xun Er and Yun Yun.
Both women looked momentarily surprised before accepting them with a smile. These seeds were not for them personally but for the factions behind them: people like Gu Qing Yang, Gu Hua, and the Flower Sect elders, each of whom represented a force of their own. How the seeds would be distributed was left to Xun Er and Yun Yun's discretion.
But there was more!
Having helped the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree clear even the negative energy lodged within its trunk, the tree spirit no longer needed to split its consciousness to suppress that evil will. Over a dozen tender shoots sprouted from the ground and wove themselves into meditation cushions.
Rustle rustle rustle~
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree shook its branches. Xiao Yan read its intent, nodded, and turned to the others. "Brother Ancient Tree says you can all sit here and cultivate. While it won't be as powerful as the true Hundred Reincarnations Enlightenment, you'll still enter a state of sudden comprehension. It should help with breaking through to Dou Saint in the future."
Among the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree's 'three treasures' was enlightenment beneath its boughs. This enlightenment differed from the Hundred Reincarnations, which was exclusive to whoever possessed the Bodhisattva Heart. Without the Heart, attempting the Hundred Reincarnations would muddle one's inner self, making it impossible to distinguish reality from illusion.
Everyone present stood dumbfounded.
Nalan Yanran, cradling her Psychic White Fox, stared at the grinning Xiao Yan in astonishment. "What... what exactly did you do inside the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree?"
If Xiao Yan had claimed right then and there that this tree had been planted by the Xiao Clan's Dou God, not a single person would have questioned him.
Is this tree yours?!
How else could it follow your every command?!
Not only could he channel the ancient tree's power, he had also obtained both the Bodhisattva Heart and the Seeds. Now even this enlightenment opportunity had conveniently waited until after he had dealt with Jiu Feng and the others!
"This... the Dou Qi Continent has witnessed the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree appear many times throughout history, but there has never been a record of anything like this." Gu Qing Yang wore an odd expression. The Gu Clan naturally possessed extensive records of its appearances.
The Bodhisattva Tree appeared once every millennium, and never like this!
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree was more like an incarnation of the Dou Qi Continent itself, a messenger of sorts. Every thousand years it would manifest, and those who obtained the Bodhisattva Heart and underwent the Hundred Reincarnations would then walk the world. Some created Dou Techniques and Qi Methods that passed down through the ages; others invented entirely new things. The Bodhisattva Pill, for instance, had been created by an ancient Bodhisattva Ancient Saint.
The Bodhisattva Pill's appearance had made breaking through far less difficult for the Dou Venerates of the continent.
Meanwhile, Bodhisattva Seeds and enlightenment beneath the tree were gifts bestowed upon those fortunate enough to find them. Each appearance of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree elevated the continent's overall strength, like a teacher educating the masses.
Never had it behaved like this!
Xiao Yan spread his hands with a smile. "Nothing special. The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree just had a pest problem, so I cured its illness."
Naturally, he could not reveal that a Dou God's dying negative energy had caused the tree's affliction. The mere words 'Dou God' carried far too much weight.
"What about you?" Cai Lin swept the area with a single glance and immediately noticed that everyone had a meditation cushion except Xiao Yan.
"I'll first refine a batch of Bodhisattva Pills. After that, I'll enter the tree for the Hundred Reincarnations," Xiao Yan said calmly.
"Bodhisattva Pills? Brother Xiao Yan, you're planning to use the Hundred Reincarnations to break through to Dou Saint in one leap?!" Gu Qing Yang exclaimed, his expression shifting dramatically.
Xiao Yan did not hide his intentions. He smiled and nodded. "If not Dou Saint, at least Half-Saint."
A complicated look settled across Gu Qing Yang's features. He had finally managed to surpass Xiao Yan's cultivation through the Gu Clan's inheritance trials, and yet... Xiao Yan was already planning to break through to Dou Saint while he himself remained a mere Six-Change Dou Venerate.
Xiao Yan caught his expression, rubbed his nose, and said with an awkward grin, "Just giving it a try. I'll probably only reach early Half-Saint at best."
With only the Bodhisattva Pill, the Hundred Reincarnations would indeed likely yield Half-Saint at most. But with Mao Wu factored in, things became far less predictable. At minimum, there was a genuine chance of achieving true Dou Saint!
Soon enough, everyone stopped wasting time. Each chose a meditation cushion and settled into cultivation while Xiao Yan retrieved his Medicinal Cauldron to begin refining Bodhisattva Pills. Mao Wu had not yet finished its evolution, so he still had some breathing room.
A month passed in what felt like the blink of an eye. How much one could glean from this enlightenment beneath the Bodhisattva Tree depended entirely on individual talent and cultivation level.
The Flower Sect elders awakened first after just a few days. Their advanced age meant their potential was largely exhausted; even this brief enlightenment was already an immense fortune for them.
They saw that Yun Yun remained deep in meditation and used the passage opened by the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree to depart the Ancient Wasteland Region first. Venerable Tian Huo and Hai Bodong followed shortly after. The enlightenment left Hai Bodong looking especially refreshed and invigorated, his entire demeanor bright with renewed clarity.
Both elders noticed Xiao Yan still refining pills and chose not to disturb him. They hurried back to the Yan Alliance to enter seclusion, eager to consolidate their newfound insights.
Subsequently, Gu Qing Yang, Gu Hua, and the other Gu Clan Generals awakened, along with Xun Er, Yun Yun, Little Fairy Doctor, and Cai Lin. Their cultivations were already quite high, their paths to Dou Saint mostly established. For them, this enlightenment mainly provided direction and clarity for that final breakthrough. They were all very close; Xun Er, in fact, stood just one final step away!
Xun Er naturally wanted to wait for Xiao Yan to finish his refinement. Gu Qing Yang and the others took the Bodhisattva Seeds and departed the Ancient Wasteland Region first.
Yun Yun glanced at Nalan Yanran, who remained lost in meditation, then turned her gaze deeply toward Xiao Yan. A flash of melancholy crossed her beautiful eyes before she turned and departed alone for the Flower Sect without a word.
The Xiao Yan of today was nothing like the boy from their time in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. He was no longer alone and no longer weak. What had happened in that cave could never occur again.
After Yun Yun left, Little Fairy Doctor crushed the spatial jade slip Xiao Yan had given her and returned to the Xiao Realm. During her enlightenment, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had entrusted her with a tender shoot to plant there.
With this shoot from the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, Little Fairy Doctor was confident the Xiao Realm would soon recover its primeval vitality and flourish with life once more.
Nalan Yanran, who had the lowest cultivation, and Qing Lin, who possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, reaped the greatest harvest. Neither had awakened even after a full month. The once bustling space around the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree now held only five people, or more accurately, with Xiao Yan busy refining, only Xun Er and Cai Lin remained awake.
Fortunately, Qing Lin soon awakened from her enlightenment as well. With this lovable little maid present, the atmosphere became somewhat less awkward!
Three days later, a refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted from the Black Demon Cauldron. Emerald pill essence soon permeated the entire space. Xiao Yan's refinement proceeded quickly; he completed the Bodhisattva Pill in just over a month.
With his alchemy mastery, successfully refining Bodhisattva Pills was virtually guaranteed, especially now that he possessed the Bodhisattva Heart. Even without actively refining it, the Heart's unique properties of calming the mind and sharpening concentration had subtly enhanced his alchemy. Its effects were quiet, working beneath the surface like roots drawing water.
If he had the ingredients for a tier 9 pill, his success rate at that level would certainly not be low.
"The pill is complete!"
Beneath the tree's shade, Xun Er and Cai Lin opened their eyes simultaneously and looked toward Xiao Yan. Qing Lin, who had been preparing tea for the two women, immediately set down the teapot and rushed over.
Emerald pill mist enveloped Xiao Yan. Over a dozen puppets soared into the air, golden light emanating from each body as they connected into a formation, channeling all their energy to Xing Tian at the front.
With their combined strength, Xing Tian's power reached the 7-star or even 8-star Dou Venerate level. He withstood all the Pill Lightning with ease.
After storing the completed Bodhisattva Pill, round and emerald like a plump Bodhisattva Seed, Xiao Yan turned his gaze toward Xun Er and Cai Lin.
Xun Er met his eyes and offered a radiant smile. Her beautiful gaze flickered warmly over him as she said, "Xiao Yan ge-ge, please give the Bodhisattva Pill to Sister Cai Lin. Xun Er doesn't need it."
Her words brought a wave of relief washing over Xiao Yan's heart. He had only managed to refine a single pill! Xun Er had already reached Nine-Change; with the Bodhisattva Pill, her breakthrough would be all but certain. Whether he could find the time to refine a second one remained far from certain.
However, Cai Lin slowly shook her head, her voice calm. "Give the pill to Xun Er. Her cultivation is higher than mine. It will be of more use to her."
As the two were about to go back and forth, Qing Lin scurried over with a steaming teapot on a tray. "Young Master Xiao Yan, you must be thirsty after refining for so long. Please have some tea first."
"Ah, thank you, Qing Lin." Xiao Yan gratefully accepted a cup and took a long, refreshing sip.
Xun Er smiled at Qing Lin's thoughtful gesture, then stepped gracefully toward Xiao Yan. Her lovely eyes gazed up at the man before her as she gently straightened the collar of his robes. "Xiao Yan ge-ge, Xun Er truly doesn't need the Bodhisattva Pill. The enlightenment beneath the tree has already given me everything I need to break through to Dou Saint. I only need to return to the clan and receive the final inheritance."
At the mention of 'Dou Saint,' a captivating blush colored her exquisite, peerless face. The shy, beautiful expression made Xiao Yan's heart flutter. Xun Er's beauty was something even the Bodhisattva Heart could not suppress!
She opened her jade-like arms and embraced him tightly, whispering, "When that time comes... let's return to Wu Tan City, shall we?"
The suggestion made Xiao Yan's heart melt. Wu Tan City held countless memories for the two of them. It was where their story began. He understood her meaning perfectly: returning to Wu Tan City meant marriage!
For Xiao Yan, the roots of the Xiao Clan would always lie in Wu Tan City. Just as one returned to their hometown to celebrate a wedding with family and friends, Wu Tan City was where Xun Er had spent her childhood. Compared to the Gu Realm, it felt far more like home.
He tightened his embrace around her willowy waist and gently stroked her silky hair, whispering back, "Of course. When the time comes, we'll call Big Brother, Second Brother, and Father. We'll gather every last member of the Xiao Clan and let all of Wu Tan City know."
His promise filled Xun Er's heart with sweetness, a warmth that spread slowly through her entire being.
She released him gently and turned her gaze to Cai Lin. "Sister Cai Lin, you must watch over Xiao Yan ge-ge carefully. Don't let him become even more of a womanizer."
The words made Xiao Yan swallow nervously.
Cai Lin cast a cold glance at her slightly guilty-looking husband. This journey to the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had truly opened her eyes to just how many romantic entanglements surrounded this man.
Half the people who gained enlightenment under this tree are part of your harem, aren't they!
After placing a gentle kiss on Xiao Yan's lips, Xun Er did not linger. Her most pressing priority now was to return to the Gu Clan and undergo the final inheritance ceremony.
For the descendants of Dou God Clans, advancement became exceedingly difficult after reaching the Dou Saint level. The clan inheritances only provided a path that far. Beyond Dou Saint, one had to seek their own opportunities.
Once Xun Er departed, Xiao Yan offered a sheepish smile, about to say something when the entire space began to tremble violently. The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree quaked as if caught in the throes of a great upheaval.
"What's happening?!" Cai Lin's battle instincts flared in an instant.
"It's complete?!" Xiao Yan froze for a heartbeat before his eyes blazed with wild joy. Mao Wu's evolution had finished even faster than he had expected!
Something flickered in Cai Lin's gaze, as if she sensed what was unfolding.
"You need this pill. Use it," she said, her commanding tone brooking no argument.
Xiao Yan nodded. He truly did need the Bodhisattva Pill right now for his attempt at breaking through to Dou Saint!
He produced a large jade box and beckoned with his hand. Crystalline liquid began to seep up through the ground, coalescing before him. This was pure Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva, the raw essence secreted by the ancient tree's very roots, far more potent than the diluted version he had once obtained at auction. Even a Rank 8 magical beast would covet it.
"Take this." He handed the box to Cai Lin, his expression turning grave. "This raw essence of Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva will strengthen your physical vitality and better prepare your body for your own Dou Saint breakthrough. Wait for me. Once I emerge from the Hundred Reincarnations, I'll refine another Bodhisattva Pill for you. Then we'll head to the Yellow Springs Mountain Range."
Cai Lin didn't immediately take the box. Her cold eyes fixed on him, burning with a rare, fierce emotion. "I don't care what you need to do for this tree. I want you to come back alive."
She grabbed his collar, yanked him down, and pressed a fierce, domineering kiss against his lips. Then she released him just as abruptly, turned to Qing Lin, and said, "We're leaving."
With a final worried glance at Xiao Yan, Qing Lin bowed deeply and hurried after Cai Lin. The two vanished through the spatial passage, leaving the Ancient Wasteland Region behind.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The entire space shook without cease, as if the heavens were falling and the earth splitting apart. It felt as though something world-shaking was about to be born!
"That girl... how is she still in enlightenment?!" Xiao Yan's gaze fell upon Nalan Yanran, who remained seated on her cushion in peaceful meditation, the Psychic White Fox curled in her arms with its eyes closed. He could not help feeling speechless.
As a newly advanced 1-star Dou Venerate, Nalan Yanran was reaping the greatest benefit of anyone. She stood at the very beginning of her Dou Venerate journey, miles away from even contemplating the Dou Saint realm. For her, this enlightenment was like a blank canvas upon which endless wisdom could be written.