Chapter 559: Enlightenment Beneath the Bodhi Tree

After seizing these Bodhi Seeds, Xiao Yan chuckled, then flicked his fingers; the seeds in his hand shot forward, hovering one by one before Xun Er and Yun Yun.

Xun Er and Yun Yun first froze in surprise, then smiled and took them; these Bodhi Seeds were not for them, but for the factions behind them—like Gu Qingyang, Gu Hua, and the Elders of the Flower Sect—who belonged to powerful groups, and how to distribute them was left entirely to Yun Yun and Xun Er to decide.

Not done yet!

After Xiao Yan helped the Bodhi Ancient Tree purge all negative energy from within its trunk, the tree's spirit no longer needed to deploy clones to suppress the evil consciousness; suddenly, over a dozen tender sprouts emerged from the ground, curling into a meditation cushion.

Rustle-rustle-rustle—the Bodhi Ancient Tree swayed several branches; Xiao Yan, understanding its intent, nodded and said: "The Ancient Tree says you may sit upon it to cultivate. Though not as powerful as true Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation Enlightenment, it can still grant you a state of Enlightenment, aiding your future breakthrough to Sage Emperor."

One of the Three Treasures of the Bodhi Ancient Tree is "Enlightenment Beneath the Bodhi Tree"—this Enlightenment is not Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation; Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation is exclusive to those who possess the Bodhi Heart. Without the Bodhi Heart, one cannot undergo Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation, or else the experience would warp the mind, blurring one's sense of self.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, everyone present was stunned into silence.

Nalan Yanran, holding the Jing Ling Bai Hu, stared in astonishment at Xiao Yan's smiling face and asked: "W-what did you do during your time inside the Bodhi Ancient Tree?"

If Xiao Yan now claimed the Bodhi Ancient Tree had been planted by a Dou Emperor of the Xiao Clan, no one would doubt it.

Is this tree yours?!

Otherwise, why does it obey every order of yours?!

You can command the Ancient Tree's power, obtained the Bodhi Heart and Bodhi Seeds, and now even this Enlightenment Beneath the Bodhi Tree only appeared after you dealt with Jiu Feng and the others!

"T-this… the Dou Qi Continent has seen the Bodhi Ancient Tree many times, but never has any record shown such a thing…" Gu Qingyang's expression turned peculiar; his Gu Clan naturally had records of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

The Bodhi Tree appears once every thousand years—never has it been this extraordinary!

The Bodhi Ancient Tree resembles the embodiment or emissary of the Dou Qi Continent. It appears once every thousand years, and those who obtain the Bodhi Heart and Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation walk among mortals. Some create Dou Techniques or Cultivation Methods passed down for generations; others invent entirely new things—like the Bodhi Pill, created by an ancient Bodhi Sage Emperor.

The appearance of the Bodhi Pill made it less difficult for Dou Zun on the Dou Qi Continent to break through.

The Bodhi Seeds and Enlightenment Beneath the Bodhi Tree are gifts bestowed upon cultivators fortunate enough to come—each appearance of the Bodhi Ancient Tree elevates the overall strength of the Dou Qi Continent, like a teacher guiding all beings.

But never has it been like this!

Xiao Yan shrugged and smiled: "Nothing much—just that the Bodhi Ancient Tree had a pest problem, so I treated its illness."

Xiao Yan obviously couldn't reveal that the problem stemmed from the negative energy left behind by a dead Dou Emperor—the very words "Dou Emperor" carried too great an impact.

"What about you?" Cai Lin glanced around and realized every cushion here was meant for someone—but none were for Xiao Yan.

"I'll first refine a batch of Bodhi Pills, then enter the Bodhi Tree to undergo Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation," Xiao Yan said calmly.

"Bodhi Pill? Brother Xiao Yan, you plan to use Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation to break through to Sage Emperor all at once?!" Gu Qingyang's face changed, exclaiming in shock.

Xiao Yan didn't hide it; he nodded with a smile: "Even if I can't break through to Sage Emperor, I'll at least reach Half-Sage."

Hearing this, Gu Qingyang's expression turned strange—he had barely completed his Gu Clan's inheritance, his cultivation realm once again surpassing Xiao Yan's—yet now Xiao Yan was already preparing to break through to Sage Emperor, while he remained a Sixth Turn Dou Zun.

Seeing Gu Qingyang's odd expression, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose awkwardly: "Just trying—it'll probably only get me to early Half-Sage."

With only the Bodhi Pill, Xiao Yan's Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation would indeed only reach Half-Sage level—but with Mao Wu added, the chance of breaking through to true Sage Emperor was certainly real!

Soon, everyone stopped wasting time, choosing a cushion to sit on and begin cultivating; Xiao Yan also pulled out his Alchemy Furnace to refine the Bodhi Pills, since Mao Wu had not yet completed its evolution—he still had time.

Soon, a month passed; how much one gained from Enlightenment Beneath the Bodhi Tree depended entirely on one's talent and cultivation realm.

The several Elders of the Flower Sect awakened first after a few days of enlightenment—they were elderly, their potential exhausted; merely receiving this Enlightenment was already a tremendous fortune.

Seeing Yun Yun had not yet awakened, the Flower Sect Elders used the passage opened by the Bodhi Ancient Tree to depart first from the Manhuang Ancient Domain; next came Tian Huo Zunzhe and Hai Bodong. After their enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree, Hai Bodong looked refreshed, his spirit clear and invigorated.

Seeing Xiao Yan still refining the Bodhi Pills, the two elders did not disturb him; they hurried back to the Yan Alliance to enter seclusion and internalize their enlightenment.

Afterwards, Gu Qingyang, Gu Hua, and the four Commandants of the Gu Clan, along with Xun Er, Yun Yun, Xiao Yixian, and Cai Lin, gradually awakened—mainly because their cultivation realms were too high; for them, the path to Sage Emperor was already largely fixed.

This Enlightenment primarily illuminates the path to Sage Emperor, giving one direction for breakthrough—but these few were already extremely close to Sage Emperor; Xun Er, in fact, was only one step away!

Xun Er naturally wished to wait until Xiao Yan finished refining the pills; Gu Qingyang and the others took all the Bodhi Seeds and departed the Manhuang Ancient Domain first.

Yun Yun glanced at Nalan Yanran, still in deep enlightenment, then looked deeply at Xiao Yan; her beautiful eyes dimmed slightly, and without a word, she left the Manhuang Ancient Domain alone, returning to the Flower Sect.

Xiao Yan was no longer the same as when he was in the Mo Shou Shan Mai—he was no longer alone, no longer weak; what happened in that cave could never happen again.

After Yun Yun left, Xiao Yixian shattered the Space Soul Jade Slip Xiao Yan had given her and returned to the Xiao Realm, for during the Enlightenment, the Bodhi Ancient Tree had given her a tender sprout to plant within the Xiao Realm.

With the Bodhi Ancient Tree's sprout, Xiao Yixian believed the Xiao Realm would soon return to its primal state, vibrant and full of life.

The two with the lowest cultivation—Nalan Yanran and Qing Lin, who possessed the Qi San Hua Tong—gained the most, yet still had not awakened after a month. Suddenly, the once-bustling space beneath the Bodhi Ancient Tree held only five people—more accurately, only two women: Xun Er and Cai Lin.

Fortunately, Qing Lin soon awakened from her enlightenment; with this lovable little maid around, the atmosphere was no longer so awkward!

Three days later, a refreshing medicinal fragrance spread from the Black Demon; soon, a lush green Pill Fragrance filled the entire space—Xiao Yan's Pill Alchemy was swift, completing the refinement in just over a month.

With Xiao Yan's Pill Alchemy skill, his success rate for the Bodhi Pill was already extremely high; now, with the Bodhi Heart in his possession—even without refining it—the Bodhi Heart's innate ability to calm the spirit, soothe the mind, and sharpen focus had subtly enhanced his Pill Alchemy.

Had he possessed the medicinal materials for a Ji Pin Dan Yao, his success rate for a Ninth Rank Pill would now be no lower.

"The Pill is complete!"

Beneath a shaded branch of the Bodhi Tree, Xun Er and Cai Lin, seated cross-legged, opened their eyes simultaneously and turned toward Xiao Yan; Qing Lin, who had been serving tea to the two ladies, immediately set down her teapot and rushed over.

A jade-green Medicinal Mist enveloped Xiao Yan; twelve puppets flew into the air together, each emitting waves of Golden Light, linking into a Sealing Array that channeled all energy to the foremost Xing Tian.

With all power fused, Xing Tian's strength reached Star Seven or even Star Eight Dou Zun level, effortlessly catching every Pill Lightning.

After securing the Bodhi Pill—a jade-green, round seed-like pill—Xiao Yan turned toward Xun Er and Cai Lin.

Seeing Xiao Yan look their way, Xun Er smiled sweetly, glancing at him and saying: "Brother Xiao Yan, give this Bodhi Pill to Sister Cai Lin—I don't need it."

Hearing Xun Er's words, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief—he had only one Bodhi Pill! Xun Er was already Ninth Turn; with this Pill, she could break through easily. Refining another one might not leave enough time.

Cai Lin, of course, also needed the Bodhi Pill.

Cai Lin slowly shook her head, her voice calm: "Give this Bodhi Pill to Xun Er—her cultivation is stronger than mine; she's more suited for it."

Hearing this exchange, Qing Lin hurried over with the tea and said: "Young Master Yan, you've been refining pills for so long—you must be thirsty. Please, have some tea."

"Oh, oh, thank you, Qing Lin," Xiao Yan took the teacup, sipped the clear tea, and exhaled deeply.

Seeing Qing Lin's obedient demeanor, Xun Er smiled, stepped lightly forward, and gazed at the man before her, gently smoothing his robes: "Brother Xiao Yan, I don't need the Bodhi Pill. The Enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree has already granted me all conditions needed to break through to Sage Emperor—I only need to return home and receive the final clan inheritance to break through smoothly."

At the mention of "Sage Emperor," Xun Er's exquisite, otherworldly face flushed with a charming blush; seeing this tender shyness, Xiao Yan's heart swayed. Even the Bodhi Heart could not suppress Xun Er's beauty!

Xun Er opened her jade arms and hugged Xiao Yan tightly, whispering: "When the time comes, let's return to Wutan City, shall we?"

Hearing Xun Er speak of returning to Wutan City, Xiao Yan's heart softened. Wutan City held too many memories of him and Xun Er—it was where they began. Xun Er's words were unmistakable: return to Wutan City and marry.

For Xiao Yan, the Xiao Clan's roots were always in Wutan City—just as one returns home to invite relatives and friends to a wedding. Xun Er had spent her childhood in Wutan City; compared to the Ancient Realm, Wutan City felt more like home.

Xiao Yan hugged Xun Er's slender waist, gently stroking her smooth hair, and whispered, "Alright, when the time comes, we'll invite Big Brother, Second Brother, and Father—all the Xiao Clan youths—so the whole of Wutan City knows."

Hearing Xiao Yan's promise, Xun Er's heart sweetened, a warm tide slowly spreading through her body.

Xun Er slowly released her hold, then turned to Cai Lin and said, "Sister Cai Lin, you must watch over Brother Xiao Yan—he can't be allowed to stray again."

At Xun Er's words, Xiao Yan involuntarily swallowed hard.

Hearing this, Cai Lin cast a cold glance at Xiao Yan, who looked slightly guilty; this journey to the Bodhi Ancient Tree had truly shown her just how many romantic entanglements fate had destined for him.

One meditation beneath the Bodhi Tree, and half your Xiao Clan members benefit, is that right?!

After lightly kissing Xiao Yan, Xun Er did not linger—now, for her, the most important thing was returning to the Gu Clan to receive the clan's final inheritance.

For a Dou Emperor Family, advancement beyond the Sage Emperor becomes extremely difficult, for the clan's inheritance only reaches the Sage Emperor level; beyond that, there is no legacy, and one must seek fortune on one's own.

After Xun Er departed, Xiao Yan gave a wry smile. Just as he was about to speak, the Bodhi Ancient Tree suddenly shuddered violently, and the entire space began to tremble.

"What's going on!?" Cai Lin exclaimed in alarm.

"It succeeded!?" Xiao Yan froze for a moment, then his eyes blazed with ecstatic joy—Mao Wu's evolution was even faster than he'd imagined!

"You need this Bodhi Pill—take it first," Cai Lin said, as if sensing something.

Seeing Cai Lin's usual domineering tone, Xiao Yan nodded—he truly needed the Bodhi Pill to break through to Sage Emperor!

Xiao Yan pulled out a large Jade Box, then gestured with his hand; a clear, translucent liquid slowly seeped from the ground of this special space. This original Puti Huati Yan was far superior to the ones he had once auctioned—it was the pure essence, secreted by the roots of the Bodhi Ancient Tree, potent enough to greatly benefit even Eight Rank beasts.

"Keep this original Puti Huati Yan—it will strengthen your physical Life Force and help you break through to Sage Emperor better. After I emerge from Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation, I'll refine a Bodhi Pill for you, then we'll head to Huang Quan Shan Mai," Xiao Yan said solemnly as he handed the Jade Box to Cai Lin.

Cai Lin did not take the Puti Huati Yan. She gave Xiao Yan a cold look and said, "I don't care what you're doing for the Bodhi Ancient Tree—I demand you come back alive."

Then Cai Lin seized Xiao Yan's collar, yanked him close, and fiercely kissed him before leaving the Manhuang Ancient Domain with Qing Lin.

Boom—Boom—Boom!! The entire space shook uncontrollably, as if heaven cracked and earth split—as if something was about to be born!

"How is this guy still in Enlightenment!?" Xiao Yan stared at Nalan Yanran, still seated on her cushion, hugging the closed-eyed Jing Ling Bai Hu in deep meditation—it left Xiao Yan speechless.

Just now, Nalan Yanran, still at One Star Dou Zun, had gained the greatest benefit—since she was still at One Star Dou Zun, let alone Sage Emperor, even Dou Zun was just beginning; the Bodhi Tree's insights were most useful to her, like a blank sheet of paper, ready to absorb countless truths.

I've posted eight thousand characters now; another chapter will be added tomorrow. I went out to eat today.

(End of Chapter)