Chapter 828
The Birth of the Ancient Bodhi Tree
Looking at the overwhelming tide of ferocious beasts before him, Xiao Ling raised his eyebrows slightly. Although he showed no fear, a hint of impatience flashed in his eyes. Fighting such a large number of high-level magical beasts would only waste time and was not worth it.
While the ferocious beasts below were still baring their teeth and roaring at each other, unaware of the commotion in mid-air, Xiao Ling's mind stirred, and the vast spiritual power within his Niwan Palace surged out like a tide, transforming into an invisible light screen that tightly enveloped him and Xun'er. The aura on their bodies was instantly wiped away completely, without even a trace of battle qi leakage.
While concealing himself with his mental energy, he flicked his fingertips, and strands of spatial power flowed from his body, silently distorting the void around them. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, the two figures seemed to merge into the world, completely disappearing without a trace.
Although the ferocious beasts below were all extremely fierce and had extremely keen instincts, they still failed to notice the abnormality in the void above their heads. They continued to thrash and roar on the plain, their bloody and malevolent aura soaring into the sky.
Seeing that this method worked, Xiao Ling nodded slightly. If they were truly targeted by these countless ferocious beasts, even if he and Xun'er were strong enough to fight each other, it would inevitably cause endless trouble and delay their journey to find the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
The most urgent task at hand is to cross this plain infested with ferocious beasts and delve into the core of the ancient domain to search for traces of the Bodhi Tree. This is far more prudent than getting entangled with these beasts.
With his mind made up, Xiao Ling embraced Xun'er's waist, lightly touched the distorted void with his toes, and his figure, like an invisible stream of light, quietly swept towards the depths of the plain.
The two traversed the dense horde of ferocious beasts, with enormous, menacing creatures just inches away, yet they remained completely unnoticed, silently crossing this blood-red, perilous land.
Crossing the black plains inhabited by ferocious beasts, Xiao Ling, carrying Xun'er, continued speeding in the direction indicated by Bodhi Seed. The aura unique to the ancient wilderness grew stronger, and the surrounding天地能量 (heaven and earth energy) was faintly mixed with a trace of ancient and desolate meaning.
After traveling for dozens of miles, the scenery ahead suddenly changed. Layers upon layers of thick, grayish-white fog rolled in from nowhere, like a hanging curtain covering the entire road ahead. The fog was so thick that it could not be dispersed, and even the surrounding mountains and trees were blurred into indistinct shadows, and everything in sight was hazy.
This fog was no ordinary mountain miasma. As soon as one stepped in, a strange power quietly spread out, and even the surrounding void seemed to be covered with a thin veil, becoming somewhat stagnant.
Xiao Ling's soul perception, once it touched the thick fog, was as if it were blocked by an invisible barrier. The perception range that could originally cover tens of thousands of miles was suppressed by more than half. He could only barely detect the movements within a few dozen feet to his side. Beyond that, it was all a chaotic blur.
This strange phenomenon suddenly made Xiao Ling feel a little surprised. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly as he pondered to himself that, according to the situation, passing through that group of ferocious beasts should lead to the approximate area where the Bodhi Ancient Tree was born.
Although Xun'er and I arrived a little earlier, and the Bodhi Tree had not yet fully appeared, given the Bodhi Tree's profound foundation, even if it had concealed its presence, there should have been some signs, right? How come we couldn't find any trace at all?
He held Xun'er's waist, paused slightly, and did not venture into the fog rashly. His bright eyes peered through the thick fog at the chaotic world ahead, his fingertips unconsciously twirling, and the doubts in his heart grew stronger.
Xun'er, standing beside him, also concealed herself, her clear eyes slightly narrowed, and a faint light quietly condensed in her palm as she became wary of the unknown dangers that might be lurking in the fog.
Following the faint guidance of the Bodhi seeds, the two traveled several more miles through the thick fog. The surrounding fog remained thick, and the sluggishness of their suppressed soul perception did not diminish in the slightest. Only the faint, ancient, and desolate feeling between heaven and earth grew more and more profound.
Halfway there, Xiao Ling felt a slight, almost imperceptible movement in his storage ring. With a thought, the lustrous Bodhi seed floated out of the ring and landed steadily in his palm.
At this moment, the Bodhi seed was slowly emitting a soft emerald halo. Although the halo was faint, it was exceptionally clear in the hazy fog. The pure Bodhi energy flowing within it was also several times stronger than before, and even the surrounding fog seemed to be slightly rippled by this gentle aura.
This sudden movement caused Xiao Ling and Xun'er to stop in their tracks. Their gazes instantly fell on the Bodhi seed in their palms, and a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.
"Brother Xiao Ling, why did this Bodhi seed suddenly become like this?" Xun'er tilted her head slightly, her clear eyes full of doubt, and asked softly.
Xiao Ling frowned slightly, staring at the Bodhi seed gleaming with emerald light in his palm. He couldn't figure out the reason for it. Just as he was about to respond to Xun'er, his soul perception, which had just spread out beside him, suddenly trembled slightly, as if it had been gently touched by a faint but clear Bodhi aura.
A thought struck him, and he immediately turned his gaze, following the direction of his senses, looking into the depths of the mist.
Just then, a dull tremor suddenly came from the ground beneath their feet. The tremor was weak at first, but in an instant it became as violent as thunder rolling across the ground!
Thick fog churned and surged wildly around them, trees on both sides shook violently, the crisp sound of breaking branches echoed one after another, cracks spread across the ground like a spider web, and gravel and dust fell in a flurry, the entire world seemed to shake violently under this force.
The unexpected turn of events prompted Xiao Ling to react swiftly. He tightened his grip on Xun'er, pulling her firmly into his arms. He instantly unleashed the power of space beneath his feet, lifting the two of them dozens of feet into the air, where they hovered steadily, avoiding the churning rubble and cracked ground below.
Xun'er, holding onto Xiao Ling's arm, looked down at the shaking mountains and the cracking earth below. Her clear eyes narrowed slightly, her expression changed, and she asked urgently in a soft voice, "Brother Xiao Ling, what exactly is going on?"
Xiao Ling's gaze was fixed on the direction below where the tremors were most intense. His eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "It seems that the real behemoth is finally about to appear. This commotion is the Bodhi Ancient Tree about to manifest itself."
Xiao Ling and Xun'er landed slowly on a rock that had not been shattered by the earthquake. As soon as they stood up, a clear and mellow aura suddenly surged out from the thickest part of the fog in front of them. The aura was as clear as a spring and as refreshing as dew, carrying an indescribable ancient vitality, and spread out in all directions like a tide.
The spread of this refreshing aura was extremely rapid, seemingly possessing the supreme power to break through barriers and dispel fog. Wherever it passed, the thick, impenetrable gray-white fog melted away layer by layer, like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun, and in just a few breaths, it completely dispelled the fog that had surrounded the area for thousands of miles.
Suddenly, the world opened up, and the mountains, forests, and plains that had been shrouded in mist became clearly visible. Even the clouds on the distant horizon became clear, and everything in sight was bright and clear.
As this refreshing aura continued to spread, the tremors beneath their feet not only did not lessen, but became even more intense. Cracks spread wildly across the ground like giant pythons, reaching unfathomable depths. Collapsed soil and rocks flew everywhere, and surrounding trees fell one after another. The sounds of booming and cracking intertwined, making the heavens and earth buzz, as if the entire core of the ancient domain was trembling for the awakening of the owner of this aura.
This earth-shattering shaking lasted for about half an incense stick's time. When the tremors finally subsided, the refreshing aura reached its peak, condensing into a faint emerald light curtain that enveloped the surrounding area. Xiao Ling and Xun'er gazed into the distance and saw, a thousand feet away, on a vast plain, a colossal tree unlike any they had ever seen before, slowly revealing its true form from the depths of the earth.
The tree was covered in a warm, verdant green, its branches strong and vigorous like dragons, its roots intertwined and embedded in the cracked earth. Countless branches stretched wildly toward the sky, and its trunk, thicker than a thousand feet, pierced the clouds, seemingly trying to break through the heavens. Even the most distant branches were thicker than those famous ancient trees in the Central Plains.
Its canopy spreads out, blocking out the sky and covering the entire plain, even making the surrounding mountains look like its backdrop. The leaves are the color of translucent jade, shimmering with a faint glow under the sunlight. Each vein seems to be engraved with ancient patterns, exuding the vastness and weight of time.
A vast and magnificent ancient vitality emanated from this giant tree, sweeping across the entire core of the ancient domain. Even the energy of heaven and earth seemed to be drawn to it, flowing slowly around the tree trunk. Its profound essence was far beyond what any plant or tree in the world could match. Just a glance from afar was enough to inspire a sense of awe in people.
Above that verdant tree, wisps of refreshing air rise and intertwine and ripple in the sky above the treetop, sometimes transforming into flowing nebulae, sometimes condensing into unfolding lotus flowers, and in an instant, transforming into a rushing stream, ever-changing and unpredictable, revealing a profound and mysterious meaning that transcends the mundane.
Xun'er gazed at the colossal tree that blotted out the sky, her clear eyes filled with awe. Her jade-like hand unconsciously gripped Xiao Ling's sleeve, her red lips parted slightly, her voice brimming with undisguised wonder.
"Is this the legendary Bodhi Ancient Tree? It is said that even a Dou Di powerhouse might not be able to contend with the Bodhi Ancient Tree. Now that I have seen it with my own eyes, I realize how magnificent and imposing it is."
Her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. Gazing at the ancient tree, she felt both awe for this wondrous creature of nature and an undisguised curiosity. She even unconsciously softened her breathing, as if afraid of disturbing the silence of this ancient spirit.
Xiao Ling's gaze lingered on the colossal tree that blotted out the sky. Even from a distance of thousands of feet, its majestic aura, which spanned countless ages, still rushed towards him like a tidal wave, filling this powerful figure, who had already stepped into the Dou Sheng realm, with a sense of indescribable curiosity and awe.
The dense shade of the trees, like a hanging curtain, spreads out and envelops the entire plain in a warm, verdant light. The crisscrossing lines on the tree trunks seem to be engraved with the traces of millions of years, and every inch of the texture exudes antiquity and vicissitudes, like an ancient sacred object standing between heaven and earth, silently witnessing the rise and fall of the wild and ancient land.
Even with his current cultivation level and vision, he couldn't help but secretly marvel at how this spiritual object, which gathered the spiritual energy and origin of countless ages, truly lived up to its reputation.
He withdrew his gaze, his palm tightening slightly as he gripped Xun'er's cool little hand even tighter. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his tone carried a hint of certainty and expectation.
"Xun'er, now that the Bodhi Ancient Tree has appeared in the world, it is an immense opportunity. Let's go there now and see if we can seize the opportunity. If we can get the help of the Bodhi Ancient Tree, will you be able to break through the shackles and reach the Dou Sheng realm? It all depends on this."
Upon hearing this, Xun'er's eyes flashed with genuine anticipation. She nodded gently, her hair swaying slightly with the movement, and her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable firmness: "Alright, Brother Xiao Ling, let's go there now."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Ling slightly flipped his wrist, and the power of space quietly flowed, steadily supporting Xun'er beside him. The two of them touched the ground with their toes at the same time, and their figures, like two light streams of light, suddenly soared into the air.
Her clothes fluttered in the wind, sweeping across the still-unsettled earth below. The cracked ravines and fallen trees rushed past, leaving only the towering tree ahead in ever-widening clarity.
At the same moment, in the northeastern part of the Central Plains, a very special and refreshing aura suddenly emanated from the void, spreading outwards like layers of ripples, and in an instant, it filled most of the Central Plains.
Anyone who inhales this pure energy will suddenly have a clear image appear deep in their mind: an ancient giant tree that blocks out the sky, its vigorous branches reaching straight into the clouds, its whole body surrounded by a warm green light, and a vast aura containing the wisdom of eternity slowly spreading from the tree, shaking people's hearts and minds.
Everyone knows that this is the legendary Bodhi tree, which is only recorded in ancient times!
The Central Plains were utterly shaken in that instant!
Once the news of the Bodhi Tree's reappearance was confirmed, all forces across the Central Plains responded in kind.
Previously hesitant sects and families all abandoned their reservations and quickly dispatched their elite forces to the Desolate Ancient Domain, hoping to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and obtain a sliver of Bodhi fortune.
Even the ancient races that used to hide in the world and be high above others could not hide their unusual movements.
The Soul Clan and the Ancient Clan, the two top races, acted the most swiftly, dispatching their most elite young disciples in formation to speed towards the core of the Desolate Ancient Domain.
In an instant, the winds of change gathered throughout the Central Plains, and countless figures sped toward the Desolate Ancient Domain.
The desolate ancient realm, already stirred by the news of the impending appearance of the Bodhi Tree, is destined to experience an even more turbulent upheaval and become increasingly noisy and tumultuous the moment the tree truly appears.
……
In Saint Pill City, at the Pill Tower, Yao Chen's gaze swept over the group of figures below, all fully prepared for departure, before finally settling on Xiao Yan, who stood at the very front. He nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yan, you will be leading this operation. You must always keep the safety of everyone in the team in mind."
Xiao Yan raised his eyes to meet Yao Chen's gaze, his expression calm, and replied, "Don't worry, Elder Yao, I will definitely keep an eye on it."
Yao Chen nodded slightly and waved his hand, "Now that everything is ready, let's set off immediately. If you encounter any unexpected events along the way, you can directly contact Xiao Ling for help. That kid has probably already penetrated deep into the core of the Desolate Ancient Domain, so you might be able to run into him."
Xiao Yan nodded again upon hearing this, then turned around and raised his hand to signal. The people from the Spirit Talisman Hall behind him immediately focused and waited for orders.
He lightly touched the ground with his toes, his figure leaping into the air first, followed closely by the crowd. Each figure transformed into a streak of light, speeding towards the direction of the Desolate Ancient Domain. (End of Chapter)