Chapter 310

"However, the Demon-Locking Tower is not like the Nine Nether Secret Realm; it does not have the protection of the Elders."

"Once you enter the Demon-Locking Tower, you will face endless life-and-death crises every single day."

"Just as I said before, I will no longer stop you from risking your lives. After all, only through battle can one truly temper an invincible heart."

"But you must also consider carefully: the slightest carelessness will result in a death without a burial place."

Zhongli was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I understand. I have already made my preparations."

"I am stuck at the edge of the late stage of Refining Qi into Spirit, and I am only one step away from reaching the peak."

"I want to try. Perhaps by experiencing life-and-death crises within the Shushan Demon-Locking Tower, combined with the laws of time, I can successfully break through."

At that time...

The Nine Nether Secret Realm...

The Green Wind Ox!

Jiang Yan saw the murderous intent in Zhongli's eyes at a glance. There was no need to guess; Zhongli was planning to kill the Green Wind Ox.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Yan still nodded.

"You may, but you must not step onto the sixth floor or above."

"Within three days—which is three years inside the Demon-Locking Tower—you must return to Shushan."

Zhongli cupped his hands and said in a deep voice:

"I obey the Sect Master's decree!"

In three years, Zhongli was not confident he could break through to the peak of Refining Qi into Spirit.

Do not look at it as just one step; that step has blocked countless people—it is impossible to count.

Perhaps with one moment of enlightenment, he could break through.

Perhaps even after several decades, he would have no breakthrough at all.

But...

The opportunity of the Demon-Locking Tower gave Zhongli hope.

Cultivators often say that there is a great opportunity between life and death.

Zhongli wanted to take a gamble.

If he did not resolve the Green Wind Ox, his conscience would be uneasy, and he would be unable to cultivate with peace of mind.

This could be considered a private feud, and also a family grudge.

192. Asking the Bodhi, the secret of the struggle between Buddhism and Daoism?

Perhaps it was Zhongli entering the Demon-Locking Tower that stimulated everyone.

For a time, Diluc and the others were also moved, looking at Jiang Yan with anticipation.

If they could enter the Demon-Locking Tower for a period of time before the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, perhaps...

They could achieve a good ranking then.

However, Jiang Yan saw through everyone's thoughts and decisively stopped what they wanted to say.

"Peak Master Zhongli's cultivation has reached the critical point of the late stage of Refining Qi into Spirit, and his techniques are at least all mastered."

"Therefore, he can train in the Demon-Locking Tower, but most of you are lacking."

"Whether it is techniques, combat experience, or even magic treasures."

"You are not as complete as Peak Master Zhongli. For him, the Demon-Locking Tower is a place of nine deaths and one life, but for you, it is ten deaths and no life."

"Entering in your current state, nine times out of ten, you would not survive a few months."

"The matter of the Demon-Locking Tower should not be mentioned again."

Hearing this, everyone was a bit disappointed, but the situation was indeed as Jiang Yan said.

Compared to Zhongli, they were indeed lacking quite a bit.

Not just in cultivation, but also in combat experience, techniques, magic treasures, and other things essential to cultivators—they were all lacking.

Exploring the Nine Nether Secret Realm was already a huge pressure for them, let alone the Demon-Locking Tower.

In the short term, the Demon-Locking Tower remained just a beautiful hope.

"Besides rewards like the Demon-Locking Tower, this time the Ancestors also bestowed two great divine trees upon Shushan."

"The Enlightenment Tea Tree and the Bodhi of Inquiry."

As he spoke, Jiang Yan reached out, and two small saplings appeared in his palm.

The next moment, that fragrant scent spread out in a trickle.

The sweet tea fragrance and the rich Bodhi scent flowed past everyone's noses like a small stream.

It also seemed to turn into a mysterious power that penetrated their bodies and souls.

Instantly, many people noticed that not only was their spirit greatly shaken, but their realms were loosening.

Even those techniques they previously did not quite understand now seemed to become clear, as if they had had an epiphany.

Everyone came back to their senses, looking in disbelief at the two saplings floating in Jiang Yan's hand.

They looked ordinary, even more low-key than spiritual herbs.

At the very least, spiritual herbs would glow, but these two saplings looked exactly like the grass and trees seen everywhere by the roadside.

But this effect...

Even the best spiritual herbs currently discovered by Shushan could not compare.

This was just from smelling the scent; if one were to taste a bite, one might break through on the spot.

"The Enlightenment Tea Tree and the Bodhi of Inquiry?"

Alice muttered, quietly leaning in to smell the scent of these two divine trees.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, her mind became clear, and long-sealed memories flooded into her mind.

"These are... these are the ten innate spiritual roots born since the creation of the world!"

"Innate spiritual roots? Aren't those..."

Ningguang still remembered the things Alice mentioned when she communicated with Jiang Yan.

Alice nodded decisively, looking at the two saplings in Jiang Yan's hands with burning eyes.

"The Ginseng Fruit of the Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi and the Flat Peaches of the Heavenly Court are both innate spiritual roots!"

"Things that are rumored to make one an immortal on the spot after eating them!"

"Enlightenment Tea Leaves and the Bodhi of Inquiry are also legendary innate spiritual roots! But I don't know what their specific uses are."

"Regarding the effects of these two great spiritual roots, there isn't much description in the classics I've read."

Venti asked puzzledly:

"You've read classics? I remember you only ever read various cultivation techniques!"

Alice's face turned awkward, and she glared at Venti.

"So what! Don't novels and storybooks count as classics! I've read Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods!"

"The Sect Master has said that these stories do indeed exist, just with slight differences."

"How can Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods not count as classics! Are you saying I'm unlearned!"

Hearing this, Venti hurriedly looked at his nose and his heart, closing his mouth and saying nothing in a calm manner.

Seeing this, Jean hurriedly changed the subject to smooth things over.

"Sect Master, are these Enlightenment Tea Leaves and the Bodhi of Inquiry really innate spiritual roots?"

Jiang Yan nodded, then shook his head.

"They can be said to be, and they can be said not to be."

Now, everyone was even more confused.

Jiang Yan explained with a smile:

"There are only ten true innate spiritual roots in the entire myriad worlds, and the growth environment for each one is very harsh."

"Let alone Teyvat, even the Sea of Quanta cannot support an innate spiritual root."

"Taking the Ginseng Fruit of the Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi as an example, in order to support the growth and maturation of the Ginseng Fruit."

"The Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi melted down an entire Great Thousand World to serve as the soil for the Ginseng Fruit's growth."

"And every innate spiritual root is in the hands of various great powers; those who hold innate spiritual roots are all Daluo."

"Otherwise, even Taiyi would be unable to support the growth of an innate spiritual root."

"These Enlightenment Tea Leaves and the Bodhi of Inquiry are naturally not true innate spiritual roots."