Chapter 1097: with translation of chapter title

Although it is merely an image from who knows how many ages ago, that aura makes their souls feel a trembling sensation.

Besides a Dou Emperor expert that exists only in ancient legends, who else could possess such an oppressive pressure that weighs on heaven and earth?

And while Lin Feng and the others were stunned, within the light cluster, that black silhouette stood before the vast Bodhi Ancient Tree tens of thousands of zhang tall, as if saying something.

But soon, the Bodhi Ancient Tree swayed its branches, as if indicating refusal.

Seeing this, that silhouette suddenly launched an attack on the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Facing his attack, within the Bodhi Ancient Tree towering tens of thousands of zhang high, waves of terrifying, heaven‑shaking energy also began to permeate.

In this terrifying clash, even this heaven and earth collapsed downwards.

This collapse was not like anything; it was a genuine, outright collapse!

Upon witnessing this shocking scene, all the women stared in astonishment at the battle within the light cluster, finding it truly unbelievable that this Bodhi Ancient Tree had once crossed blows with a Dou Emperor expert.

Although Lin Feng had long known this Bodhi Ancient Tree, in the era when Dou Emperors had not yet disappeared, it had once crossed blows with a wounded Dou Emperor.

But now, seeing it with his own eyes, he could not help but feel a deep sense of awe and longing.

At the same time, the images within the light cluster began to dance faster.

Finally, it paused at the battle's final stage.

Suddenly, that black silhouette was fiercely struck by a devastating gust of wind that swept in from outside the images.

Accompanied by a Dou Technique exploding with power beyond description, that black figure, together with his body and this heaven and earth, was blown into utter nothingness.

"Hiss!"

Seeing the black silhouette blown into nothingness by the explosion, even Lin Feng, who had long known the outcome, felt his heart jump violently.

Obviously, that earlier sudden attack must have been launched by a Dou Emperor expert whose strength was not weak, and perhaps even greater than that of the black‑clad Dou Emperor.

And with the Bodhi Ancient Tree and another unseen Dou Emperor joining forces, that black‑clad Dou Emperor was shaken into nothingness!

"Two Dou Emperors."

Upon seeing the images within the light cluster, the other seven women could not help but twitch violently at the corners of their eyes.

Such beings, which hardly exist outside of legends, they actually saw two of them at once today.

Although this was merely an image, that unique, sovereign‑like aura still made everyone's souls tremble.

However, the images within the light cluster before Lin Feng and his companions did not cease just because the black‑clad Dou Emperor had fallen.

Soon, within that void, silently, strands of black airflow began to emerge.

As soon as these currents appeared, they swiftly sliced through the void and suddenly surged into the towering body of the Bodhi Ancient Tree, which stood tens of thousands of zhang high.

With the influx of these currents, the pure qi that had permeated the Bodhi Ancient Tree in memory instantly acquired a faint hint of gloomy chill.

Watching this, aside from Lin Feng, the several women's bodies jerked in surprise, then they gazed thoughtfully at the miniature Bodhi Ancient Tree before them.

Obviously, the Bodhi Ancient Tree after being invaded by the black qi felt completely different from the impression they had when they first saw it in the vision.

"Pfft!"

As the women lost themselves in thought, the light cluster gradually dimmed and finally turned into a mass of intangible substance.

But soon, that mass of intangible substance split like lightning into eight parts, each rushing into the minds of several people, ultimately becoming a strange stream of information that spread out.

Then Lin Feng and his companions were suddenly forced to receive this information stream; aside from their shock, they quickly closed their eyes to digest the concrete details it contained.

After a long while, they slowly opened their eyes.

At this moment, their gazes upon the Bodhi Ancient Tree before them already held a hint of enlightenment.

From the information transmitted by the ancient tree, they learned many things.

The Bodhi Ancient Tree before them has existed for who knows how many ages.

The images previously seen in the light cluster were from that very distant Dou Emperor era, when a Dou Emperor expert gravely wounded, unable to escape pursuit by a stronger enemy, forcibly drew out the Bodhi Ancient Tree, hoping the tree would heal his injuries.

But in the end, the angry ancient tree refused, joined forces with his opponent, and slew him!

Of course, the black‑clad Dou Emperor who was slain, in his final moment before death, employed a special method that inflicted terrible trauma upon the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Because, as seen from the earlier vision, the Bodhi Ancient Tree at its peak stood tens of thousands of zhang tall.

But now it has become merely a few thousand zhang in height.

According to the Bodhi Ancient Tree, the reason for this is that the black‑clad Dou Emperor was not completely eradicated.

Because, at the moment of his demise, he gathered all his negative emotions and poured them entirely into the Bodhi Ancient Tree!

And over countless years, those negative emotions spawned by the black‑clad Dou Emperor have gradually eroded the tree spirit of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Thus, the Bodhi Ancient Tree's tree spirit, which was not particularly wise to begin with, has begun to tread a dark and chilly path.

In other words, the Bodhi Ancient Tree's tree spirit is constantly being eroded by the negative emotions of that Dou Emperor expert.

If this continues, sooner or later the Bodhi Ancient Tree will cease to be itself, instead becoming completely controlled by the black‑clad Dou Emperor's negative emotions and turning into another incarnation of him.

As for the illusion they just experienced, it was originally a normal test of mental fortitude.

But because of the black‑clad Dou Emperor's negative emotions, it has become a presence that devours human souls.

As long as those who enter cannot awaken within a certain time, their souls will be gradually absorbed completely by those negative emotions.

Finally, they become soulless puppets controlled by those negative emotions.

Meanwhile, the Bodhi Ancient Tree initially could still firmly suppress these negative emotions.

But as the absorbed soul power increased, those negative emotions have also been growing ceaselessly over these countless years.

By now, even the Bodhi Ancient Tree can no longer hold out.

Therefore, it had no choice but to continue appearing in the world to seek a solution.

During the intervening tens of thousands of years, because the Bodhi Ancient Tree did not want those negative emotions to grow by absorbing others' souls, it was forced to hide itself and cease appearing in the world.

"Hiss, those negative emotions, from being unheard of at the start, have now left even the Bodhi Ancient Tree capable of battling a Dou Emperor helpless. I truly do not know how many experts, over these countless ages, have lost themselves in the illusion and finally had their souls devoured by the black‑clad Dou Emperor's negative emotions!"

Upon hearing this news, even Lin Feng could not help but let out an exclamation of astonishment.

His tone was filled with profound disbelief.

After all, although he had read the original work, he only knew the general course of the battle between this Bodhi Ancient Tree and the black-clothed Dou Emperor.

As for these detailed data, he only learned of them today.

Upon hearing Lin Feng's sigh, the other seven women also nodded in agreement, and then some dazedly said: "I never expected that this Bodhi Ancient Tree, which emerges once every thousand years, would actually have such a major event after not appearing for over ten thousand years!"

Thinking of this, the several women couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.

If it weren't for Lin Feng giving each of them a Bodhi Seed this time, at the critical moment the fresh aura emitted by the Bodhi Seed would have awakened the spiritual intellect suppressed deep within their hearts.

Every one of them would have fallen for the previous illusion and thus been unable to come here.

After Lin Feng expressed his astonishment, he thought that the current Bodhi Ancient Tree possessed two kinds of spiritual intellect within it.

One portion is its own, which can be called benevolent spiritual intellect; this can be seen from the fact that, in order not to harm others, it silently endured underground for tens of thousands of years.

As for the other portion, it is the spiritual intellect formed from the black-clothed Dou Emperor's negative emotions after absorbing other people's souls.

This spiritual intellect leans toward evil.

Of course, judging from the present situation, the one now controlling the Bodhi Ancient Tree's body should be that benevolent spiritual intellect.

Thinking of this, Lin Feng gazed at the verdant ancient tree before him and then said: "You told us all this, wanting us to help you dispel that spiritual intellect formed from the black-clothed Dou Emperor's negative emotions?"

"Whoosh!"

As soon as Lin Feng's words fell, the small tree before them suddenly began to sway its branches and leaves, as if nodding.

"Indeed."

Upon receiving the affirmative answer, Lin Feng's heart immediately flickered with surprise.

After all, having read the original work, he knew that this Bodhi Ancient Tree was quite generous; helping it could bring him considerable benefits.

But immediately afterward, he feigned helplessness and spread his hands, saying: "You overestimate me; the other spiritual intellect within you is something left behind by a Dou Emperor powerhouse, and with my Nine-turn Dou Zun strength, there's no way I can resolve it."

"Yeah, we're just Dou Zuns; how could we deal with what a Dou Emperor left behind?"

Hearing this, the other several women also nodded, indicating their inability to help against that evil spiritual intellect.

What these eight people said was indeed true; without external aid, trying to forcibly extract the Dou Emperor powerhouse's negative emotions from within him is absolutely impossible.

After all, even as strong as the Bodhi Ancient Tree, it has been reduced to such a miserable state by that evil spiritual intellect.

Among them, the strongest is at most a Nine-turn Dou Zun, which is only one ten-thousandth of the Bodhi Ancient Tree's peak strength—what could they possibly do?

If one is not careful, drawing those evil spiritual intellects formed from the black-clothed Dou Emperor's negative emotions onto oneself would truly be a certain death.

"Whoosh whoosh~"

Just as the previous speakers' words faded, a light cluster suddenly burst forth from the miniature ancient tree.

Within the light cluster, a flame appeared, and then a Bodhi Seed emerged.

Subsequently, the flame blazed, refining that Bodhi Seed.

Immediately afterward, a stream of pure qi emanated from the refined Bodhi Seed and finally seeped into the ancient tree's body.

Along with the influx of this pure qi, the Bodhi Ancient Tree simulated by the light cluster saw its pervasive chill fade somewhat.

"You mean, we should refine the Bodhi Seeds to produce that pure qi in order to dispel those negative emotions?"

After watching the video inside the light cluster, all the women except Lin Feng were stunned.

But immediately afterward, the women twitched the corners of their mouths, each looking at the Bodhi Seed in her hand and dubiously said: "Just this one impure Bodhi Seed—could it really help you dispel the negative emotions left behind by a Dou Emperor powerhouse?"

"Whoosh"

Upon hearing this, the ancient tree shook its branches, and then green specks of light floated out from within it, finally hovering before Lin Feng.

Of course, the azure scales and Yun Yun lacking the special flame were excluded from within.

As the light gradually weakened, the faces of the eight instantly became dazed.

Because those specks of light before them were all Bodhi Seeds!

Moreover, looking at their crystal-clear translucence, they were obviously far purer than the Bodhi Seed Lin Feng had given them—by who knows how many times.

"One, two, three—one hundred eighty."

As their gazes swept over those green specks of light, the women couldn't help but twitch the corners of their mouths.

Even Lin Feng, who had been mentally prepared nearby, was the same.

After all, although this Bodhi Seed is not as terrifying as a Bodhi Heart, it can still aid Nine-turn Dou Zun Peak powerhouses in increasing their chances of breaking through to Half Saint.

If placed outside, let alone these Bodhi Seeds of extremely high quality.

Just the mottled Bodhi Seeds in everyone's hands could already drive countless Dou Zun powerhouses into a frenzy of competition!

After all, who among those who have gone to the continent and are Dou Zun cultivators wouldn't want to break through to the Half Saint Realm?

However, the Bodhi Seed, which is exceedingly rare in the outside world, has been produced by this Bodhi Ancient Tree in a batch of one hundred eighty all at once!

Thinking of this, the seven women all felt their throats go dry and their hands tremble slightly.

Because these Bodhi Seeds are far superior to the ones they hold in their hands.

If given a choice, an estimated ninety-nine percent of people would rather take one Bodhi Seed from the Bodhi Ancient Tree than two from Lin Feng.

"However, using Bodhi Seeds to dispel negative emotions is just too wasteful!"

Gazing at the Bodhi Seeds hovering before them, although they weren't hers, Cao Ying instantly felt immense heartache at the thought of having to refine them with fire.

However, compared to the seven women anguished over this, Lin Feng appeared much calmer.

After seeing things unfold as he had anticipated, he immediately turned to the seven women and said: "You all first give me the Bodhi Seeds; they might come in handy later."

"Bodhi Seeds?"

Hearing this, the women's pretty faces momentarily froze, not knowing why he suddenly wanted to take back the Bodhi Seeds.

But considering that Lin Feng wouldn't act without reason, and that these were originally his gifts to them—including Zhao Ran among the seven women—they didn't press further.

Immediately, the women extended their jade hands, pushing the verdant beads in their palms toward Lin Feng.

Seeing the incoming Bodhi Seeds, he then waved his hand and stored them all in his space ring.

"Whoosh whoosh~"

Just as Lin Feng collected those Bodhi seeds, the small ancient tree shook again, as if urging everyone.

Seeing this, Lin Feng immediately smiled slightly.

Because only he knew that substituting for the Bodhi Ancient Tree's trunk would not only not waste time in vain, but would also bring unexpected benefits!

Thinking this, Lin Feng immediately said to the small tree: "Um, tree spirit, don't rush; the flames inside my body can be split. I'll divide two flames for Qing Lin and Yun Yun, so that all eight of us refining the Bodhi seeds together will surely be faster."

As he spoke, Lin Feng spread his palm, and a cluster of green flame and a cluster of yellow flame immediately appeared above his palm.

Then he swung his arm, tossing the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire and the Wind Fury Dragon Flame respectively toward Qing Lin and Yun Yun.

As for Qing Lin and Yun Yun, although they didn't know why Lin Feng did this, out of trust they each swiftly caught the gentle Strange Fire flying toward them and then held it in their hands.

Swish!

Seeing that Lin Feng could actually split multiple flames, the Bodhi Ancient Tree immediately shook its branches quickly.

From the speed of its shaking, the tree's mood at this moment was clearly very excited.

Upon seeing this, Lin Feng immediately said to the other seven women: "Each of you refine these Bodhi seeds to help the tree rid itself of those negative emotions."

As his words fell, he extended his arm and immediately flung his palm open.

Immediately after, a crimson blaze rose gently from his palm.

Then, with his other hand, he picked up a Bodhi seed and tossed it into the fire before him.

At the same time, the flame above his palm suddenly expanded, its violent heat incessantly roasting the pure green round pearls inside.

The other girls, seeing this, likewise imitated, summoning their own flames, then picking up the Bodhi seeds before them and beginning to refine them.

However, since this Bodhi seed is more than ten times better than the Bodhi seeds Lin Feng obtained from the Bodhi-transformed bodily fluid, it contains extraordinarily potent energy.

Even with the aid of Strange Fire, refining it still entails some difficulty.

Thus this refinement lasted over half an hour before Lin Feng managed to refine that Bodhi seed into a cluster of crystal-clear liquid.

Then that liquid was further calcined for over ten minutes, after which it slowly evaporated into a wisp of fresh air carrying a hint of green.

As for that wisp of fresh air, after seeping out of the flames, it immediately shot entirely into the Bodhi Ancient Tree, into its jade-like trunk.

Accompanying the infusion of that wisp of fresh air, the Bodhi Ancient Tree's trunk suddenly began to tremble.

Immediately after, a wisp of extremely faint black qi seeped out silently, eventually dissipating into nothing.

Whoosh!

However, at the instant that wisp of black qi dissipated, a faint, almost imperceptible strange current that even Lin Feng could hardly detect suddenly paused.

At the same time, Lin Feng also suddenly sensed that something deep in his mind had also faintly trembled.

Immediately after, that extremely faint seven-six, without any warning, turned a corner, and before Lin Feng could even react, it shot into his mind and then soon disappeared.

Damn it, what is this!

Seeing that, in the dissipating black airflow, something suddenly turned and shot into his mind, Lin Feng's heart sank, his face flashing with shock and panic.

After all, this thing flowed out from a Dou Emperor.

Now that it has entered his body, how is he to deal with it?

However, the other girls seemed not to have noticed this situation, all earnestly refining the Bodhi seeds before them.

As for the Bodhi Ancient Tree, it seemed to have sensed Lin Feng's situation.

But it merely glanced over, then took no further action.

However, Lin Feng saw that the ancient tree seemed to know his situation.

Under the awe of the two characters 'Dou Emperor', he also dared not be careless.

However, so as not to worry his wife, he secretly sent a mental transmission to the Bodhi Ancient Tree: 'Tree spirit, what is that which just entered my body?'

Swish~

Hearing that, the tree spirit immediately shook its branches, then a message swiftly transmitted into Lin Feng's mind.

This message consisted of only two short words: 'Source Qi.'

What?!

Upon receiving these two short words, Lin Feng's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the ancient tree.

But soon, he suddenly recalled the words spoken earlier by the clan chief of the Sky Phoenix Tribe.

Deep within his mind lay a wisp of Source Qi sealed by the Medicine Emperor!

Could it be that within those Dou Emperor's negative emotions lies Source Qi? Then, drawn by the Source Qi within my mind, it rushed into my body and merged with those Source Qi?

Thinking this, Lin Feng looked again at the ancient tree and sent a mental transmission: 'Tree spirit, did you see whether the Source Qi that entered my body contains anything harmful to me?'

Swish~

Hearing that, the ancient tree's tree spirit shook its branches again, indicating negation.

Then, it pointed its branch at the Bodhi seed before Lin Feng, urging him to quickly refine the Bodhi seed.

Seeing this, Lin Feng took a deep breath, nodded, and continued picking up a Bodhi seed to begin refining.

As long as it poses no harm to him, gathering more Source Qi is only beneficial.

Thinking this, Lin Feng couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth upward, smiling as he continued refining the Bodhi seeds.

As several people refined without pause in this timeless space, after an unknown amount of time, they finally finished refining the last Bodhi seed.

As for the fresh air emanating from within the Bodhi seeds, it continuously flowed into the Bodhi Ancient Tree, cleansing its internal Dou Qi negative emotions.

At the same time, each time the black mist expelled by the Bodhi Ancient Tree, an invisible, intangible mysterious current would shoot into Lin Feng's body.

Faced with this situation, Lin Feng was delighted to the point of being unable to close his mouth.

After all, that mysterious energy capable of helping one break through the Dou Emperor realm could truly be called the most precious item in this Dou Qi continent.

Therefore, looking at these strands of source emperor qi continually drilling into his body, how could he not be happy?

Even if the setting were appropriate, he would be so excited as to want to start dancing.

Swish~

However, the 180 Bodhi seeds ahead had just been refined, and the Bodhi Ancient Tree immediately swayed its branches.

Immediately after, the same number of emerald-green light clusters floated out from the tree's branches and drifted to the front of the crooked Lin Feng and his seven companions.

"Huff, ancient tree, we really can't go on; let us rest a while."

Seeing the Bodhi Ancient Tree effortlessly produce those Bodhi seeds, Lin Feng immediately plopped down on the ground, waved his hand, and panted heavily.

The difficulty of refining the Bodhi seeds far exceeded his expectations.

Even with his current ability, the fighting qi within him could not possibly sustain the refining.

"Yes, ancient tree, these Bodhi seeds of yours are of such high quality that refining them consumes enormous amounts of fighting qi and spirit. We really can't hold on any longer; please let us rest."

Upon hearing this, Xin Lan, the weakest and most exhausted among them, immediately waved their hands wildly in agitation and refused.

After all, he is the most exhausted among them, so seeing these Bodhi seeds reappear, his emotions are also the most agitated!

Meanwhile, Zhao Ran beside them, having only Beast Fire, found the refining just as exhausting.

So, right after Zhao Ran finished speaking, she immediately explained: "Yes, these Bodhi seeds of yours—perhaps because you've tempered them for ten thousand years—are of excellent quality. Refining them consumes a tremendous amount of my fighting qi."

Hahaha~

Seeing the eight people go on strike, the Bodhi Ancient Tree immediately scratched its trunk with its branches, a helpless expression all along.

However, it soon seemed to have found a solution.

Immediately afterward, its branches swayed again, and bursts of green light exploded forth from its trunk.

Meanwhile, at the base of the Bodhi Ancient Tree, eight emerald-green ancient futons were rapidly forming.

In the blink of an eye, those eight emerald-green futons rapidly solidified in the light.

Then the Bodhi Ancient Tree suddenly shot out eight branches, lifting Lin Feng and his companions, all of whom sat upon those futons.