Word Count: 2,845 Words
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This was because within the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree lay the Bodhisattva Heart. Whoever obtained it would have their own heart transformed into Bodhi.
The clearest proof came from the last time the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had appeared. Back then, a mere 2-star Dou Venerate, by some miraculous stroke of fortune, had seized the Bodhisattva Heart from under the noses of countless Nine-Change Dou Venerates and Half-Saints. In the end, he became the legendary Bodhisattva Ancient Saint, a name that shook an entire era.
Such an almost god-like effect was enough to drive anyone mad. Whoever obtained the Bodhisattva Heart would, in effect, hold a direct pass to break through to Dou Saint and step into the peak stratum of this world!
"No wonder the Ancient Treasure Pavilion agreed to Xiao Yan's alchemy promise. So it's because the Bodhisattva Tree is about to emerge!"
Many in the crowd came to their senses. Once the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree appeared, Bodhisattva Seeds would begin circulating on the market. With Bodhisattva Seeds once again present on the Dou Qi Continent, any alchemist capable of refining Bodhisattva Pills would instantly become the sweetest prize in existence.
The Bodhisattva Heart was unique, but the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree produced many Bodhisattva Seeds every time it appeared. Even failing to obtain the Bodhisattva Heart, just winning a single seed would already be a massive windfall. Refined into a Bodhisattva Pill, it too could open a path to the Dou Saint realm!
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree was essentially a divine assembly line for producing Dou Saints!
Yet for reasons unknown, this tree that by rights should emerge once every millennium had vanished for close to ten thousand years.
A single Bodhisattva Pill alone would already have been enough to serve as the grand finale of this spatial trade fair.
There was no doubt that once this news spread, the entire Dou Qi Continent would go mad.
"Old Man Bao Shan, do you know the specific location where the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree will appear?" someone called out.
Every gaze in the hall swung toward Bao Shan. Was the intelligence being auctioned today actually the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree's location?
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Bao Shan answered directly. "Everyone, there's no need to be impatient. Since our Ancient Treasure Pavilion has chosen to reveal this news, we naturally won't keep hiding anything. This time, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree will appear deep within the Ancient Wasteland Region."
"The Ancient Wasteland Region!!!"
Faces across the hall changed at once. The Ancient Wasteland Region alone was enough to make even bold experts turn pale!
Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor exchanged a glance. What a coincidence. Right on our doorstep!
Both of them knew all too well how terrifying the Ancient Wasteland Region was. Xiao Yan had once fought a life-and-death battle there against a super ferocious beast that was already very close to Rank 9. Only when the creature realized it couldn't do anything to him did it retreat, and only after that did the beast tides of the Ancient Wasteland Region subside.
One could imagine that although most ferocious beasts in the Ancient Wasteland Region were berserk and lacked reason, there were still leader-level super lifeforms within. Those beings were likely already close to, or had already stepped into, Rank 9.
On the Dou Qi Continent, there were two places with the greatest density of magical beasts: the Beast Region and the Ancient Wasteland Region.
An elder's gaze flickered with thought as he murmured, "No wonder the three factions behind the Ancient Treasure Pavilion would release this kind of intelligence…"
"Why is that? They have Nine-Change Dou Venerates and even Half-Saints. It shouldn't be hard for them to enter the Ancient Wasteland Region," someone else asked.
"Hehe, then you're underestimating that deadly land far too much. If a Dou Venerate enters the Ancient Wasteland Region, they might still have a chance to survive. But once a Dou Saint steps inside, everything turns upside down. The waters in the Ancient Wasteland are far too deep. Rumor says even Dou Saints of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe don't dare enter. Going in means certain death."
"You think the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe don't want to enter the Ancient Wasteland Region to search for the remains, essence blood, and other treasures of the Ancient Heaven Phoenix and Ancient Heaven Serpent?"
"Entering alone is nothing but suicide. Only by luring a large number of people in to scatter the attention of the Ancient Wasteland's super ferocious beasts can one hope to fish in troubled waters."
Many suddenly grasped the deeper intent behind the three factions' move.
"Hehe, every time the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree appears, it triggers heavenly phenomena. Within the next month, everyone should gradually begin to sense something. When that time comes, you'll know that this old man's words weren't false." Old Man Bao Shan smiled, eyes narrowed. "The intelligence has already been given to everyone. This spatial trade fair has thus ended smoothly. Thank you all for your continued support."
The great hall fell briefly silent. Then, one after another, people rose to their feet and began filing out.
If they only rushed toward the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree after its emergence a month from now, not that many people would arrive in time. But with a full month's advance notice, Dou Venerates from even beyond the Central Plains would flood into the Ancient Wasteland Region!
And that was precisely the effect the three factions behind the Ancient Treasure Pavilion wanted.
"Let's go as well. We'll deal with the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree later. For now, we have other things to handle."
Little Fairy Doctor and the others nodded to Xiao Yan and followed him out of the Ancient Treasure Pavilion.
As Xiao Yan left, countless gazes clung to his retreating back. Cold light flashed in many eyes as greed and reason battled fiercely in their depths.
Everyone knew that offending Xiao Yan would bring no good end. Setting aside the Gu Clan behind him, what benefit could there be in provoking a peak 8th-tier alchemist?
But if someone managed to rob him, then vanish into seclusion for a few decades, change their name and identity… a hundred years later, they would be a new man. Back then, hadn't Xiao Yan himself done something similar, charging into the Snake-People Tribe to snatch Cai Lin's Green Lotus Core Flame?
After leaving the spatial trade fair, Xiao Yan's group came to a stop in a stretch of yellow-sand desert.
"Sister Ya Fei, hide in the Nihility Space for now." Xiao Yan took a Soul Robe from his ring and draped it over her shoulders.
Ya Fei realized she would only hold the group back in combat. Her beautiful eyes dimmed slightly. She didn't argue and simply nodded. "Be careful, Little Brother Xiao Yan."
Then, under everyone's gaze, she stole a quick kiss on his cheek. Her own cheeks flushed red. In the next moment, she stepped into the black-flame passage leading to the Nihility Space.
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and coughed twice before changing the subject. "Everyone, you've been following for quite some time. If you keep tailing me, I'll head back to the Gu Clan for a family visit."
His voice, infused with Dou Qi, stirred the air. He knew perfectly well that countless Dou Venerate experts had been shadowing them since they left, even following through spatial jumps like stubborn ghosts.
Of course, while his relationship with Xun Er ran deep, that didn't mean his connection with the Gu Clan itself was particularly close. He possessed no spatial jade slips from Gu Clan Dou Saints and had no way to summon help from that side.
Moreover, the Dou God Clans had an agreement. None of them would directly intervene in the Dou Qi Continent's affairs, allowing it to develop independently. Otherwise, the entire continent would have been enslaved by the Dou God Clans ages ago.
But while the Gu Clan couldn't act, the Hall of Souls could. Xiao Yan's relationship with them was anything but simple. He held a Soul Command Token, and Zhu Li had even given him a spatial jade slip. Although that slip was meant to open a passage to Eastern Dragon Island, it could still serve as a life-saving trump card in an emergency.
The moment the Gu Clan was mentioned, even those who suspected Xiao Yan of 'borrowing the tiger's might' grew hesitant.
Anyone who had reached the high-level Dou Venerate realm naturally knew of the Dou God Clans and their non-interference agreement. They also knew the ancient clans wouldn't lightly break that pact, but fear was fear. What if the Gu Clan's precious princess flew into a rage? She wouldn't even need to act personally!
Even Little Fairy Doctor couldn't help a small, helpless smile as she watched Xiao Yan lean so brazenly on his connections, eating soft rice while acting tough.
The Gu Clan's name indeed made many people wary of acting rashly. But the Dou Qi Continent had never lacked desperate men. It had never lacked people like the Xiao Yan of the past.
For example, the Three Ghost Scorpion Demons.
Space twisted before them and three black-robed figures walked out. Xiao Yan didn't even need to ask who they were.
"As expected, those three old things couldn't swallow this breath."
"Well, you all know what sort of sect their Cloud Rain Sect is. That sect specializes in cultivating human cauldrons to enhance their strength, selecting talented young girls, teaching them cultivation methods, making them cultivate bitterly for more than ten years, then using Cloud Rain Sect's special dual cultivation technique to absorb the Dou Qi in their bodies. In the end, all those women wither and die of old age within ten days."
"The beauties around Xiao Yan all possess special constitutions. Those three old monsters have probably been drooling over them for a long time."
Since Xiao Yan had already revealed his identity, Little Fairy Doctor and the others naturally saw no reason to continue hiding beneath black robes.
Cai Lin's eyes went dark when she saw the three blocking their path. Rumor had it that the Cloud Rain Sect had once attempted to form an alliance with the Profound Sky Sect and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, only to be rejected for unknown reasons.
When their gazes fell on Cai Lin and the others, the Three Ghost Scorpion Demons' eyes instantly filled with undisguised lechery. For them, women with special constitutions were the most coveted treasures in existence.
"Haha, didn't expect even the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to show up. One for each of us brothers. Enough to keep us well-fed for a long time." Ren He Zi, the weakest of the three, didn't even bother hiding the filth in his gaze as he stared at Qing Lin, looking her up and down. That disgusting look made the girl's face turn frosty, a sliver of cold killing intent flashing in her eyes.
Feeling the naked lust in their gazes, Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor's faces grew icy as well. Dou Qi began to gather in their palms with lightning speed.
"Nine-Change Dou Venerate, Eight-Change, and one Six-Change…" Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength swept over the three and immediately gauged their levels. It was no mystery now why they dared block his path with such misplaced confidence. Working together, they could indeed retreat with their lives even in the face of a high-level Half-Saint.
He had just been preparing to take on Tian He Zi and Di He Zi himself, leaving Cai Lin and the others to hold Ren He Zi down, when Cai Lin suddenly caught his hand. Her eyes allowed no room for argument. "You handle Tian He Zi. Leave the rest to us."
"But—"
"I may not be as strong as you now, but when you encounter an obstacle, I'll help you clear it away, no matter what it is."
Cai Lin's firm, decisive words left even Xiao Yan momentarily stunned. Perhaps this was Cai Lin's unique sort of tenderness, a warmth more domineering than any other, a concern as fierce and burning as a Heavenly Flame.
So this is what it feels like to be protected by a mature lady. This is what it feels like to be shielded!
Cai Lin glanced at Little Fairy Doctor. In that instant, the two women came to a perfect, wordless understanding.
Little Fairy Doctor immediately unleashed the Woeful Poison Body. Her black hair streaked into grayish white, and strands of poisonous flame capable of corroding even empty space wrapped around her entire body. If one looked closely, that venomous flame faintly resembled a gigantic bird.
"Hehe, pretty little thing, you're really that eager already?" Sensing that Little Fairy Doctor had fixed him as her target, Ren He Zi's tone dripped with filth, though a trace of wariness glinted in his eyes.
After all, Little Fairy Doctor already possessed One-Change Dou Saint-level strength, and she bore both the Woeful Poison Body and a Heavenly Flame. No one in their right mind would dare underestimate her at full power.
BOOM!!!
Little Fairy Doctor opened with a Tian Class Dou Technique. Her pupils turned gray-white like a death god gazing coldly down on the world.
Woeful Demon Poison Claw!
Her claw swept out. Five gray poison streaks tore through the void, corroding all things. Even the space along their path showed signs of being poisoned.
!!!
"Hah!"
Ren He Zi's expression changed. He could sense how terrifying that single claw was, and he dared not take it lightly. He immediately unleashed a defensive Dou Technique.
Sizzle!!!
The Woeful Demon Poison Claw slammed into his defenses. On the surface it seemed blocked, but wisps of poison gas exploded outward. Toxic miasma surged toward Ren He Zi like an ocean tide.
"Third Brother!" Di He Zi was shocked. How was this Woeful Poison Body so much stronger than the ones recorded in old rumors?
A strong sense of vigilance rose in Di He Zi's heart. With a thunderous crash, seven-colored Heavenly Lightning blasted down from overhead.
"Hmph, petty tricks!"
Di He Zi instantly formed seals and pointed his finger toward the sky. His finger blazed like a miniature sun. This was the Setting Sun Finger Xiao Yan had purchased. It was actually a Dou Technique they cultivated!
Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
Suspended in mid-air, Cai Lin's cultivation was still only at 9-star Dou Venerate, far inferior to an Eight-Change Dou Venerate like Di He Zi.
But Cai Lin wasn't fighting alone.
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!!!
A streak of green light flashed past. A massive blue sea serpent suddenly emerged and lunged at Di He Zi.
"That's the Flood Serpent Tribe?!"
"Right, didn't the Flood Serpent Tribe attack Yan Alliance cities recently and then get repelled?"
"It's the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"
Qing Lin formed hand seals with a resonant hum. Her Spiritual Strength surged dramatically as her cultivation shot up four full stars in an instant.
Green light flared in her eyes. A piercing beam of light shot straight at Di He Zi.
Even with Eight-Change Dou Venerate strength, Di He Zi couldn't help falling into a brief daze when struck by the beam of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
Crack!
Seizing that flicker of lost focus, Cai Lin snapped her lightning whip. It lashed out like a giant python, slamming heavily into Di He Zi.
The combined might of the two women was terrifying.
"Damn it, get away from me!" Di He Zi exploded with power, choosing to break through with sheer force. Terrifying Dou Qi swept out in a surging wave, blasting the giant serpent and Cai Lin's follow-up strikes away in an instant.
At that very moment, black flame flickered into existence behind him. A headless puppet emerged soundlessly. Xing Tian, having absorbed the power of all the other puppets, drove his fist forward with all his might, smashing squarely into Di He Zi's back.
BOOM!
The impact made the surrounding space ripple like water. That single punch drove Di He Zi down into the yellow sand.
"A puppet?!"
Before Tian He Zi even had time to move to his brother's aid, a ghost-like silhouette appeared right in front of him. Xiao Yan stood there smiling faintly, but the chill in his eyes could freeze marrow.
"I truly didn't expect someone who hasn't even reached Half-Saint to dare play highway bandit."
Under Tian He Zi's horrified gaze, a multicolored Clan Mark slowly surfaced on Xiao Yan's forehead. The intricate lines of the mark spread instantly across his entire body. A power that had vanished from the Dou Qi Continent for countless years resurfaced in that moment!
"A Clan Mark?!!"
The Xiao Clan!
The Xiao Clan's Dou God Bloodline did not enhance Spiritual Strength. It did not boost Dou Technique power. It did not toughen the physique like the Lei Clan and Yan Clan bloodlines.
The Xiao Clan's Dou God Bloodline possessed one, and only one, special ability: enormously amplifying Dou Qi!