"This evil tree spirit is much more sinister than the contaminated tree spirit we saw at the beginning."
Xiao Ming's eyebrows furrowed as he watched the evil tree spirit securely bound by layers of tree branches within the tree spirit space.
Even a close examination of the evil tree spirit's true form had caused considerable impact on his soul. He could only imagine how terrifying this thing truly was.
It was no surprise that it had been able to intertwine with the good tree spirit from ancient times to the present. Its ability was not small.
When the evil tree spirit had clashed with Elder Tong Xuan, it hadn't even unleashed its true abilities. It had merely used the energy of its host body, which Xiao Ming believed had been created by the evil tree spirit fusing with two Dou Saints by some unknown means.
One of these Dou Saints was likely the missing Gu Clan Dou Saint, and the other, Xiao Ming suspected, belonged to the Hun Clan.
Even though it had only used the energy of its host body, the evil tree spirit had easily defeated a three-star Dou Saint. Xiao Ming felt that his decision not to intervene had been the right one.
The evil tree spirit seemed to notice the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree seedling in Xiao Ming's hand, and began to struggle violently, emitting a slowly spreading dark aura. This forced Xiao Ming and the girls to take a few steps back.
Qing Lin's sharp eyes noticed that the branches and vines around the evil tree spirit had turned slightly black.
"Young Master, quick, take a look!"
Following Qing Lin's gaze, Xiao Ming's complexion changed slightly. He hastily asked the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, "Senior, what's going on?"
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree extended its branches to touch Xiao Ming's head, and he received a flood of information in his mind.
"I see. Since the evil tree spirit is also a tree spirit, once it enters the tree spirit space, it can fight for control of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree's main body."
"But why didn't you just eliminate it earlier? That way, it wouldn't have affected you."
"Rustle rustle!"
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree seemed to explain. It directed the evil tree spirit towards Xiao Ming and presented an image. It was the exact scene of him purifying with the Bodhisattva Seeds earlier.
Xiao Ming understood. The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree wanted him to purify this evil tree spirit as well. But could this thing really be purified? He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to withstand the resentment of the evil tree spirit!
Therefore, Xiao Ming quickly shook his head and said that he couldn't do it.
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree became anxious.
(The following exchange takes place in 'tree language'.)
Bodhisattva Ancient Tree: *Rustle rustle!* (No, you can do it!)
Xiao Ming shook his head: I can't!
Bodhisattva Ancient Tree: *Rustle rustle!* (You can!)
Xiao Ming: I can't!
Bodhisattva Ancient Tree: *Rustle rustle rustle!* (I can share half with you. It can help your soul breakthrough!)
Xiao Ming: Ahem, in that case, I think it can be done...
Zi Yan looked at Xiao Ming's excited face and couldn't help but say, "Xiao Ming, are you really going to refine that thing? It doesn't look like a good idea at all!"
She couldn't understand Xiao Ming's communication with the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, but in her perception, the evil tree spirit was emitting a very dangerous aura.
Qing Lin also grabbed one of his sleeves and looked at him with concern.
"Well, Senior said that after it is refined, this tree spirit can be split in half with me. It has the potential to help my soul break through," Xiao Ming turned and gently stroked his two partners' soft cheeks before speaking, not hiding anything from them.
According to some ancient records, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree possessed three treasures: the Bodhisattva Heart, the Bodhisattva Seed, and the chance to comprehend the nature of the world through the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, which was the Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation.
But there was another treasure that few people realized. It was the Bodhisattva Tree Spirit that the unnamed Dou God coveted. In fact, not many knew that the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had a spirit in the first place.
Although Xiao Ming was aware of the tree spirit, he had never considered going after it. After all, the last Dou God who had set their sights on it had left nothing but ashes behind.
But now, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had agreed to share half of this tree spirit with him. Of course, he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
Although this tree spirit was only half of the evil tree spirit that had split off, and it was undeniably inferior to a genuine tree spirit, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree claimed that it could help his soul breakthrough. It was highly unlikely that such a claim could be false.
One had to know that his soul realm was currently at the peak of the Heaven Realm. If he made another breakthrough, he'd be able to enter the Emperor Realm!
An Emperor Realm soul could rival an eight-star Dou Saint, and it was also a requirement for refining Di Tier Pills.
So it was definitely worth taking a small risk!
After explaining the situation and potential benefits to Zi Yan and Qing Lin, the two of them said nothing else and simply urged him to be careful.
Xiao Ming nodded, then found a place to sit cross-legged and prepared to purify the evil tree spirit.
When the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree saw that Xiao Ming was ready, it immediately handed over the evil tree spirit. However, it didn't release its grip immediately. Instead, it used its control over space to hold the evil tree spirit securely in place, preventing it from moving erratically.
Xiao Ming opened his mouth and let out a pitch-black flame that flew directly at the evil tree spirit.
Sensing that the situation was deteriorating, the latter released a large amount of black fog to cover the flames. This fog then flew towards Xiao Ming, who was in close proximity.
Xiao Ming's vision darkened and the scene changed. He found himself back in Holy Pill City.
"It's still creating illusions. But having experienced countless cycles of reincarnation, I've developed considerable resistance to them. I won't get lost in them easily. Break for me!"
Outside, Qing Lin and Zi Yan watched with concern as Xiao Ming's eyes turned pitch black, only to return to normal a moment later.
Not much time passed before Xiao Ming's eyes changed their color again.
After going back and forth over a hundred times, Xiao Ming's aura had become significantly weaker.
When the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree saw this, it extended its branches and touched him. A flood of pure energy rushed into his body, causing a series of crisp cracking sounds.
This revitalized Xiao Ming's spirit. Taking advantage of the situation, he directed another flame at the evil tree spirit, surrounding it.
Under the influence of the Heavenly Flame, faint traces of dark energy seeped out of the evil tree spirit and gradually dissipated into nothingness.
"Rustle rustle!"
The evil tree spirit couldn't resist anymore. The Heavenly Flame not only purified the Dou God's resentment, but also undermined its already feeble intelligence.
However, this time, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree would not allow the evil tree spirit to interfere with Xiao Ming. A large amount of clear air erupted, enveloping the evil tree spirit.
The clear air not only isolated the evil tree spirit's dark aura, but also had a positive effect on expelling the Dou God's resentment.
...
In the outside world, Elder Tong Xuan was helped up by Gu Xun'er and others. He was given healing pills, and his injuries improved somewhat.
However, his face remained swollen and bruised, a far cry from the majestic image he had before.
"Elder Tong Xuan, what shall we do now? Should we ask the clan for help?"
Gu Qing Yang asked cautiously as he looked at Elder Tong Xuan.
"No need. I'll send you back right away," Elder Tong Xuan replied as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"What about Elder Gu Yun? Is she..." Gu Qing Yang's voice trailed off.
"She has most likely met an unfortunate fate," Elder Tong Xuan shook his head.
Although his strength wasn't on par with Xiao Ming's, he had lived long enough and had a discerning eye. He was beginning to piece things together after fighting the strange figure for so long.
'Sigh, I was planning to invite Xiao Ming to visit our Gu Clan to discuss some important matters, but let's forget about that now. I'll have someone deliver a message to the Heavenly Court instead.'
Elder Tong Xuan looked up at the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, which stood tall like a pillar supporting the sky. He sighed and then made a hand gesture. There was a ripple in the space, and the people from the Gu Clan disappeared from sight.
As for those who hadn't left yet, they exchanged glances. Those who had no one to pick them up left on their own, while those with arrangements, such as the Heavenly Court, broke their spatial jade tokens, and a Half-Saint Elder shattered the space to transport them away.
The plain quickly returned to its previous state of tranquillity.
"This evil tree spirit is much more sinister than the contaminated tree spirit we saw at the beginning."
Xiao Ming's eyebrows furrowed as he watched the evil tree spirit securely bound by layers of tree branches within the tree spirit space.
Even a close examination of the evil tree spirit's true form had caused considerable impact on his soul. He could only imagine how terrifying this thing truly was.
It was no surprise that it had been able to intertwine with the good tree spirit from ancient times to the present. Its ability was not small.
When the evil tree spirit had clashed with Elder Tong Xuan, it hadn't even unleashed its true abilities. It had merely used the energy of its host body, which Xiao Ming believed had been created by the evil tree spirit fusing with two Dou Saints by some unknown means.
One of these Dou Saints was likely the missing Gu Clan Dou Saint, and the other, Xiao Ming suspected, belonged to the Hun Clan.
Even though it had only used the energy of its host body, the evil tree spirit had easily defeated a three-star Dou Saint. Xiao Ming felt that his decision not to intervene had been the right one.
The evil tree spirit seemed to notice the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree seedling in Xiao Ming's hand, and began to struggle violently, emitting a slowly spreading dark aura. This forced Xiao Ming and the girls to take a few steps back.
Qing Lin's sharp eyes noticed that the branches and vines around the evil tree spirit had turned slightly black.
"Young Master, quick, take a look!"
Following Qing Lin's gaze, Xiao Ming's complexion changed slightly. He hastily asked the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, "Senior, what's going on?"
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree extended its branches to touch Xiao Ming's head, and he received a flood of information in his mind.
"I see. Since the evil tree spirit is also a tree spirit, once it enters the tree spirit space, it can fight for control of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree's main body."
"But why didn't you just eliminate it earlier? That way, it wouldn't have affected you."
"Rustle rustle!"
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree seemed to explain. It directed the evil tree spirit towards Xiao Ming and presented an image. It was the exact scene of him purifying with the Bodhisattva Seeds earlier.
Xiao Ming understood. The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree wanted him to purify this evil tree spirit as well. But could this thing really be purified? He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to withstand the resentment of the evil tree spirit!
Therefore, Xiao Ming quickly shook his head and said that he couldn't do it.
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree became anxious.
(The following exchange takes place in 'tree language'.)
Bodhisattva Ancient Tree: *Rustle rustle!* (No, you can do it!)
Xiao Ming shook his head: I can't!
Bodhisattva Ancient Tree: *Rustle rustle!* (You can!)
Xiao Ming: I can't!
Bodhisattva Ancient Tree: *Rustle rustle rustle!* (I can share half with you. It can help your soul breakthrough!)
Xiao Ming: Ahem, in that case, I think it can be done...
Zi Yan looked at Xiao Ming's excited face and couldn't help but say, "Xiao Ming, are you really going to refine that thing? It doesn't look like a good idea at all!"
She couldn't understand Xiao Ming's communication with the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, but in her perception, the evil tree spirit was emitting a very dangerous aura.
Qing Lin also grabbed one of his sleeves and looked at him with concern.
"Well, Senior said that after it is refined, this tree spirit can be split in half with me. It has the potential to help my soul break through," Xiao Ming turned and gently stroked his two partners' soft cheeks before speaking, not hiding anything from them.
According to some ancient records, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree possessed three treasures: the Bodhisattva Heart, the Bodhisattva Seed, and the chance to comprehend the nature of the world through the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, which was the Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation.
But there was another treasure that few people realized. It was the Bodhisattva Tree Spirit that the unnamed Dou God coveted. In fact, not many knew that the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had a spirit in the first place.
Although Xiao Ming was aware of the tree spirit, he had never considered going after it. After all, the last Dou God who had set their sights on it had left nothing but ashes behind.
But now, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had agreed to share half of this tree spirit with him. Of course, he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
Although this tree spirit was only half of the evil tree spirit that had split off, and it was undeniably inferior to a genuine tree spirit, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree claimed that it could help his soul breakthrough. It was highly unlikely that such a claim could be false.
One had to know that his soul realm was currently at the peak of the Heaven Realm. If he made another breakthrough, he'd be able to enter the Emperor Realm!
An Emperor Realm soul could rival an eight-star Dou Saint, and it was also a requirement for refining Di Tier Pills.
So it was definitely worth taking a small risk!
After explaining the situation and potential benefits to Zi Yan and Qing Lin, the two of them said nothing else and simply urged him to be careful.
Xiao Ming nodded, then found a place to sit cross-legged and prepared to purify the evil tree spirit.
When the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree saw that Xiao Ming was ready, it immediately handed over the evil tree spirit. However, it didn't release its grip immediately. Instead, it used its control over space to hold the evil tree spirit securely in place, preventing it from moving erratically.
Xiao Ming opened his mouth and let out a pitch-black flame that flew directly at the evil tree spirit.
Sensing that the situation was deteriorating, the latter released a large amount of black fog to cover the flames. This fog then flew towards Xiao Ming, who was in close proximity.
Xiao Ming's vision darkened and the scene changed. He found himself back in Holy Pill City.
"It's still creating illusions. But having experienced countless cycles of reincarnation, I've developed considerable resistance to them. I won't get lost in them easily. Break for me!"
Outside, Qing Lin and Zi Yan watched with concern as Xiao Ming's eyes turned pitch black, only to return to normal a moment later.
Not much time passed before Xiao Ming's eyes changed their color again.
After going back and forth over a hundred times, Xiao Ming's aura had become significantly weaker.
When the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree saw this, it extended its branches and touched him. A flood of pure energy rushed into his body, causing a series of crisp cracking sounds.
This revitalized Xiao Ming's spirit. Taking advantage of the situation, he directed another flame at the evil tree spirit, surrounding it.
Under the influence of the Heavenly Flame, faint traces of dark energy seeped out of the evil tree spirit and gradually dissipated into nothingness.
"Rustle rustle!"
The evil tree spirit couldn't resist anymore. The Heavenly Flame not only purified the Dou God's resentment, but also undermined its already feeble intelligence.
However, this time, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree would not allow the evil tree spirit to interfere with Xiao Ming. A large amount of clear air erupted, enveloping the evil tree spirit.
The clear air not only isolated the evil tree spirit's dark aura, but also had a positive effect on expelling the Dou God's resentment.
...
In the outside world, Elder Tong Xuan was helped up by Gu Xun'er and others. He was given healing pills, and his injuries improved somewhat.
However, his face remained swollen and bruised, a far cry from the majestic image he had before.
"Elder Tong Xuan, what shall we do now? Should we ask the clan for help?"
Gu Qing Yang asked cautiously as he looked at Elder Tong Xuan.
"No need. I'll send you back right away," Elder Tong Xuan replied as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"What about Elder Gu Yun? Is she..." Gu Qing Yang's voice trailed off.
"She has most likely met an unfortunate fate," Elder Tong Xuan shook his head.
Although his strength wasn't on par with Xiao Ming's, he had lived long enough and had a discerning eye. He was beginning to piece things together after fighting the strange figure for so long.
'Sigh, I was planning to invite Xiao Ming to visit our Gu Clan to discuss some important matters, but let's forget about that now. I'll have someone deliver a message to the Heavenly Court instead.'
Elder Tong Xuan looked up at the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, which stood tall like a pillar supporting the sky. He sighed and then made a hand gesture. There was a ripple in the space, and the people from the Gu Clan disappeared from sight.
As for those who hadn't left yet, they exchanged glances. Those who had no one to pick them up left on their own, while those with arrangements, such as the Heavenly Court, broke their spatial jade tokens, and a Half-Saint Elder shattered the space to transport them away.
The plain quickly returned to its previous state of tranquillity.
