Chapter 38: The Bodhi Tree, the Remains!
As the two pressed deeper inward, the surrounding space warped and distorted. After a whirl of disorienting vertigo, space shifted and transformed. What now appeared before them was a vast, endless, boundless ocean of black mist—stretching as far as the eye could see.
"It's this disgusting, detestable aura!" Seeing this black ocean, Zi Yan didn't even bother to conceal her loathing and revulsion. She tightened her grip on Jiang Yun's arm.
Jiang Yun's heart stirred faintly. With a raise of his hand, a green protective barrier descended upon Zi Yan. Only then did Zi Yan's expression ease considerably.
"Little Yun, look over there!" Having suppressed the disgust in her heart, Zi Yan's eyes darted about restlessly. Pointing ahead, she couldn't help but shout loudly.
Jiang Yun focused his gaze and looked. In the distance, evil energy occasionally surged and erupted forth. Above it all, an enormous, colossal grand array had materialized, blocking and resisting these onslaughts.
And at the very center of that grand array, an ancient, primeval giant tree stood silently and motionlessly at the eye of the formation—as if it had existed there since before the primordial, primordial past itself.
This giant tree possessed a massive, enormous trunk a full thousand zhang in circumference, like a heaven-linking, earth-connecting pillar propping up the very sky. The densely packed, gnarled, ancient tree-veins covering its trunk all spoke unmistakably of its ancient, aged, timeless aura.
From time to time, faint, gentle streams of pure, clear energy would diffuse and spread outward from within the tree's body, rippling and drifting across this stretch of heaven and earth, wearing away and dissipating the evil energy dispersing through the air.
"That's the Bodhi Tree?" Zi Yan was momentarily entranced and dazed. Even with her thick, carefree nerves, she was utterly awed and stunned by the giant tree before her eyes.
"This is the Bodhi Tree. It is indeed a great, wondrous, rare treasure. I only wonder... just how much more divinely marvelous and miraculous the even more legendary Bodhi Ancient Tree must be!" Jiang Yun was also awed and shaken. At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh with deep, profound feeling.
"The Bodhi Tree!" Qing Ming's figure silently appeared at Jiang Yun's side. Zi Yan, however, could not see the other. His tone carried a trace of nostalgic reminiscence and distant memory. "What a pity... it is already dead."
"Dead?" Jiang Yun was briefly stunned and dumbfounded at these words. Fixing his gaze closely upon it—that vast, majestic, surging life force absolutely could not be faked. It was actually dead?!
"Do not be deceived by the thriving, vigorous vitality contained within its body. Look—its roots have already lost all life and vitality. What remains now is merely the residual life-force energy it possessed in life, naturally dispersing and fading away. A hundred years from now, all of this will be utterly exhausted and consumed. And according to this old man's observations—it is also a hundred years' time before that Soul-Devouring Clansman's corpse will also completely dissipate and vanish."
"I must say—that junior of later generations was indeed somewhat dazzling and extraordinary. Were it not for the inherent limitations of this world, perhaps the Great Thousand World would have gained yet another Heavenly Sovereign. Even an Immortal-grade... is not entirely out of the question!"
Qing Ming spoke, clearing Jiang Yun's confusion. At the same time, he expressed a trace of regret and lamentation that the Purifying Demon Saint should meet his end in such a manner.
Jiang Yun remained silent and speechless. On this Dou Qi Continent, there had been countless, innumerable individuals of heaven-shaking, dazzling talent and brilliance. Yet due to the lack of Origin Qi, they had been trapped and confined at the half-step Dou Di realm, meeting their ends in such hasty, unfulfilled, tragic fashion!
Geniuses such as the Yellow Springs Demon Saint, the Purifying Demon Saint, Xiao Xuan, and others—without exception, all had met their regretful, tragic curtain calls because of this very reason.
"I absolutely will not end up like them—bringing my story to a close steeped in regret and unfulfilled longing!" Thinking of the deeds and fates of these individuals, Jiang Yun secretly steeled his resolve and determination in his heart. The thirst and desire for strength within him grew even more pressing and urgent.
"Little Yun, look there!" Just at this moment, Zi Yan suddenly let out a series of anxious, urgent cries. Her voice carried faint, trembling quivers, as if she were afraid of something.
This was not something commonly seen in Zi Yan. Jiang Yun couldn't help but swiftly turn his gaze. Within that boundless, endless ocean of demonic energy, wispy strands of pure, clear energy drifted downward. Everywhere they passed, the surrounding evil energy madly, frantically surged to erode and devour them. The moment the two met, they would erupt with sizzling, hissing, crackling sounds. In the end, both would evaporate and vanish into complete nothingness.
And at the very source of that evil energy—a ten-thousand-zhang demonic shadow stood sealed and bound by several thick, massive chains.
Its body was pitch-black, like refined, tempered iron. Across its body were littered and strewn ferocious, hideous scars. It had eight eyes. Its four limbs touched the ground. It possessed an enormous, gaping maw filled with rows of black, razor-sharp fangs. What's more, upon its colossal, titanic frame, four gigantic wings were spread and extended.
At this moment, it lay there in absolute, utter stillness and silence. Countless torrents of evil energy diffused and spread outward from its form. Even dead for so many, countless years—that ferocious, vicious, malevolent, evil aura had not diminished or weakened in the slightest.
No wonder Zi Yan was afraid!
The gap between a Dou Saint and a Dou Wang was simply far too vast—it was a crushing, overwhelming suppression at the very level of life itself.
"Don't be afraid. It's already dead!" Feeling Zi Yan's little hands turn somewhat cool and cold, Jiang Yun couldn't help but voice his reassurance.
As for himself—he had even seen a Demon Emperor before. How could he possibly be affected and swayed by a mere Dou Saint?
"Hmph! I wasn't scared at all!" Jiang Yun actually dared to look down on her—it made Zi Yan feel rather indignant and resentful. Yet her tightly clenched little hands still betrayed her tense, nervous state of mind.
"Little Yun, there doesn't seem to be anything here we can use!" Jiang Yun's warm palm involuntarily calmed and soothed Zi Yan. After glancing left and right, inspecting the surroundings, she spoke with some disappointment.
"No. There is still something." Jiang Yun spoke with a smile. Under Zi Yan's puzzled, questioning gaze, he turned his eyes toward that demonic corpse and the Bodhi Tree.
As a member of the Xie Ling Clan, Jiang Yun could simultaneously cultivate both evil energy and spiritual energy. This demonic corpse could serve as nourishment, providing him with the means for rapid, swift growth.
Although he still had not decided whether to cultivate evil energy alongside his current path... a treasure tucked away in one's own embrace was the only true, reliable treasure.
What's more, since they were already here, there was naturally no reason to return empty-handed. That Bodhi Tree, containing such immense, vast life force, could still sustain and maintain itself for at least another hundred years.
Those falling strands of pure, clear energy—they were an incomparably rare, hard-to-come-by aid and assistance on the path of cultivation. Jiang Yun would naturally not let them slip away.
After taking away the Bodhi Tree, the corpse of that Soul-Devouring Clansman would also naturally become a problem. The resulting consequences and aftermath would, of course, have to be properly handled and resolved.
"Grandpa Qing Ming..." Having made his decision, Jiang Yun spoke aloud within his mind.
"Heh heh. Since you have this idea, I naturally support it. Fortunately, I have recovered somewhat over this period. Otherwise, I truly would not have the confidence to pack away these two enormous behemoths." Qing Ming naturally knew what Jiang Yun was thinking. He unconditionally supported Jiang Yun's idea.
Qing Ming's attitude moved Jiang Yun deeply. Even though Jiang Hong was not here right now, Jiang Yun could still feel the other's care and concern!
"Zi Yan. What you are about to see next... you absolutely must not reveal even half a word to anyone. Understand?" Having received the reply, Jiang Yun turned his head to look at Zi Yan, his expression unprecedentedly solemn and serious.
The Qing Ming Tower was Jiang Yun's greatest, utmost secret. Even though Jiang Yun trusted Zi Yan completely and utterly, he still exercised the utmost, extreme caution and prudence!
Seeing the solemn, grave Jiang Yun, Zi Yan was momentarily startled and frightened. Yet she, too, couldn't help but reply with the utmost, gravest seriousness, "What happens next—I absolutely will not reveal even half a word about it! Otherwise... may I never again get to eat delicious, tasty pellets!"
An occasion that was clearly, distinctly so solemn and serious—yet the moment Zi Yan chimed in, it instantly became something between laughter and tears.
Jiang Yun's expression made Zi Yan feel embarrassed and awkward as well. Realizing she seemed to have made a bit of a fool of herself, an embarrassed, flustered Zi Yan lifted her little foot and stamped it straight down onto Jiang Yun's foot.
"What are you laughing at?! I was clearly being very serious!"
"Alright. I believe you." The force Zi Yan used wasn't large at all—it felt about the same as an itch, a tickle. Watching Zi Yan, who was faintly on the verge of turning embarrassment into anger, Jiang Yun quickly, hurriedly agreed.
"What method do you have to take all these things away?" Seeing Jiang Yun admit his 'mistake,' Zi Yan's mood improved considerably. At the same time, she was somewhat curious and puzzled.
Hearing this, a mysterious, enigmatic smile surfaced on Jiang Yun's face. He raised his hand and tossed forth a precious tower. The tower swelled and expanded against the wind!
What followed next—Zi Yan witnessed the single most soul-shaking, mind-blowing scene of her entire life!
At the very same time.
Outside, a battered, wretched, disheveled figure was 'spat' out from the spatial passageway.
"Ptooey—"
That figure was none other than Han Feng. At this moment, he no longer bore the slightest trace of his usual elegant, scholarly refinement. Instead, his entire body was covered in blood and filth. There was not a single patch of uninjured, intact flesh upon him. The very moment he emerged, he vomited a mouthful of black, pitch-dark blood.
At this moment, Han Feng did not dare to be the slightest bit careless or negligent. Trembling, quivering, he retrieved a jade-green pill radiating a faint, medicinal fragrance from his storage ring. He opened his mouth and swallowed it in a single gulp.
Had anyone been there to witness it, they would certainly have cried out in shock and astonishment. For this was precisely the tier 6 Revitalizing Yang Pill—renowned as a life-saving, healing treasured pill, as long as one still had a single breath left!
Even for someone of Han Feng's wealth and status, it was extraordinarily, painfully valuable. Yet right now, he could no longer afford to concern himself with such things. After swallowing the pill and feeling his internal injuries beginning to improve and stabilize, a faint smile surfaced on his face.
"Han Feng! Where do you think you're going—"
Suddenly, an icy, bone-chilling voice rang out from the spatial passageway behind him. Han Feng's expression immediately changed drastically.
"Mo Tianxing!" Gnashing his teeth as he shouted the newcomer's name, Han Feng did not hesitate in the slightest. His silhouette flickered, and he shot explosively into the distance.
Only after Han Feng had departed did Mo Tianxing's figure slowly materialize at the original spot. At this moment, he too appeared exceptionally battered, wretched, and disheveled. The desperate, reckless fugitives of the Black-Corner Region were simply far, far too numerous. With Han Feng using the tempting allure of pills to buy and bribe, there was no shortage of people willing to strike and make a move.
Even Mo Tianxing, a 3-star Dou Zong, found himself somewhat overwhelmed and stretched to his limits!
Watching the vanished Han Feng, Mo Tianxing's expression was dark and hideous to a horrifying, frightening degree. Once Han Feng returned to Feng City, with all the connections, networks, and influence he had accumulated over so many years, it would be exceedingly difficult for the Black Emperor Sect to ever seize back the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva.
And if he were to release and spread the news, Mo Tianxing could not guarantee that no Dou Zun would be drawn and attracted over. When that time came... he was afraid he wouldn't even be able to snatch a single hair or feather. This left Mo Tianxing caught in a dilemma—unable to advance, unwilling to retreat.
"Father, where is Han Feng?" The newcomer was quite young in appearance. His handsome, dashing face carried a hint of dark, sinister softness. At a single glance, one could tell he was a smiling tiger—exactly like Mo Tianxing, carved from the very same mold.
At this moment, his pristine, snow-white robes were also thoroughly stained and covered in bloodstains. He'd lost much of his original, carefree, debonair air, gaining instead several degrees of dark, venomous ruthlessness.
It was precisely Mo Tianxing's son—Mo Ya, a Dou Huang expert.
"He escaped!"
Mo Tianxing's expression was hideous. He spoke through clenched, grinding teeth.
"Sect Leader! We should immediately make straight for Feng City! Otherwise, once Han Feng recovers and catches his breath, he will be far from easy to deal with!" Qi Shan, the chief alchemist of the Black Emperor Sect, immediately spoke up.
As an alchemist himself, he knew best of all the summoning, rallying power of an alchemy grandmaster. This had been more than evident within the secret realm just moments ago.
"Han Feng is cunning and crafty. Now that he has already escaped alive—without absolute, perfect confidence—he will absolutely not easily, lightly show himself!" Mo Tianxing regained his icy calm and spoke in an even, steady tone.
"Shua, shua, shua!"
Hearing this, the expressions of Mo Ya and Qi Shan also turned rather ugly. Just at that moment, countless, innumerable sounds of tearing, ripping wind rang out. Silhouettes could be seen continuously, ceaselessly bursting and shooting out from within the ruins.
"Where is Grandmaster Han Feng? Did he escape the pursuit?!"
"Mo Tianxing is right there! It seems Grandmaster Han Feng has already gotten away safe and sound!"
"Hahaha— This being the case, this old man's Emperor-Breaking Pill is finally secured! I must also thank Sect Leader Mo!"
"Well spoken! Were it not for Sect Leader Mo, who knows when my Dou Ling Pill would ever have been secured!"
"..."
At this moment, as the crowd converged and gathered, words flew back and forth. Some people began to grow giddy, arrogant, and utterly carried away—completely failing to notice the increasingly dark and unsightly expressions of Mo Tianxing and his group.
Idiots!
Quite a few people cursed inwardly, secretly in their hearts. What were you doing, picking and clawing at Mo Tianxing's raw, bleeding wounds at a time like this?! Just moments ago, the situation had been chaotic and confused. Mo Tianxing couldn't possibly have made an enemy of everyone. There was no guarantee he'd settle scores afterward. Now, with the common target of their concentrated fire gone and Han Feng already safe, all one needed to do was silently, secretly count their immense profits and fortune. Yet now, speaking out in such impatient, hasty excitement—wasn't this just pouring salt directly onto Mo Tianxing's gaping wounds?
The vast majority of the crowd silently, quietly distanced themselves from that group. The gazes they cast at those few individuals were as if watching a pack of walking dead men.
And indeed—Mo Tianxing spoke, his expression dark and overcast. "Does the esteemed company here find Mo... amusing?"
"..."
The moment Mo Tianxing opened his mouth, everyone felt a terrifying, dreadful murderous aura lock onto and blanket the tops of their heads. Everyone snapped back to their senses. This was a Dou Zong! They had actually, just moments ago, been gossiping and poking fun at a Dou Zong!!!
"No! Sect Leader Mo—please, allow me to explain—"
"Then explain in your next life!" Mo Tianxing spoke with cold, emotionless indifference. His palm clenched in the air toward the positions of those several people. Instantly, a terrifying, dreadful force of spatial power erupted. In that very instant, everyone felt their bodies become utterly unable to move.
"Netherworld Hand!" Gazing at these people, Mo Tianxing struck out with a single, full-force palm.
With a deafening bang, over a dozen Dou Wangs and Dou Lings instantly exploded into misty clouds of bloody vapor.
"Hmph—" After cleaning up and dealing with the crowd, the stifled, pent-up resentment and frustration in Mo Tianxing's heart dissipated considerably. With a sweep of his sleeve, the bloody mist in the air instantly dispersed and vanished without a trace.
He swept an icy, frosty glance over the remaining people—Su Mei, the Gold and Silver Elders, Kui Shan, and the others.
Very quickly, a smile surfaced once more on Mo Tianxing's face. Yet this only put every single person present on heightened, maximum alert.
"It seems... in the not-too-distant future, a Medicine Saint shall emerge and rise from our Black-Corner Region!" Mo Tianxing wore an expression of longing and reverent anticipation as he spoke these yearning words. Then, he turned his head to look at the crowd and continued, "When that time comes, with the assistance of a Medicine Saint—Dou Zong, Dou Zun—none shall be mere distant, unreachable dreams any longer! Everyone present here—congratulations, felicitations are in order!"
Secretly observing the crowd, who remained utterly unmoved and unresponsive, Mo Tianxing said no more. He turned his head and looked at Mo Ya and Qi Shan. "Ya'er, Elder Qi. We should return now. Another day, we shall pay a visit to Feng City and formally offer our apologies and amends to the future Medicine Saint!"
"Yes! Father (Sect Leader)!" Mo Ya and Qi Shan exchanged a glance, cupped their fists, and replied.
Watching the three of them lead the men of the Black Emperor Sect away, the crowd present exchanged a few brief pleasantries and then each took their leave on their own ways.
As for the words Mo Tianxing had spoken—everyone understood them perfectly well in their hearts. They were all old foxes of a thousand years. How could they be so easily stirred or incited?
Of course... just what each person secretly, inwardly thought and calculated—that was known only to themselves.
And thus, this so-called Dou Zun's ruins also drew its final curtain and came to a close. Han Feng had become the greatest winner, the ultimate victor!
At this moment, no one had yet discovered the disappearance of Yuan Yi and Fan Lao. Otherwise, another massive wave of turmoil and commotion would likely have erupted.
A wave of dizziness washed over his head. The sensation of solid ground met the soles of his feet. When he opened his eyes once more, they were already in a stretch of primeval, primordial forest.
"Alright. This time, we can also be said to have reaped quite a bountiful, plentiful harvest. It's time to return to the academy and properly digest and absorb it all!" Jiang Yun swept the surroundings with his soul power. After confirming there was no danger around them, he finally brought out the map and spoke slowly.
"Mm! This time, I'm going to advance straight to Dou Huang!" At this moment, Zi Yan no longer bore the slightest trace of the earlier awed, shocked expression from within the secret realm. She had completely returned to her usual, carefree, boisterous self, speaking with soaring, valiant spirit and mettle.
"Once I advance to Dou Huang—Little Yun, I'll take you to 'tour' the Black-Corner Region properly!" Patting Jiang Yun on the shoulder, Zi Yan made a series of sly, nudging, winking faces.
Was that 'touring' of yours actually proper and legitimate?
"Alright!" Jiang Yun agreed with a smile. By his own estimate, Zi Yan's breakthrough this time would certainly not be short at all. By that time, he himself would likely also be a Dou Wang. With the two of them joining hands, even a Dou Zong would be hard-pressed to keep them.
They would also have initially, preliminarily gained the capital to freely roam and adventure across the continent!
(End of Chapter)