“Let’s make the trade a year from now.”
Lu Changsheng saw that Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable could no longer remain calm and, fearing that he might resort to extreme measures, decided to release Dantai Meng after a year while Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable would have to pay a certain price for it.
“Kid, I am waiting for you.”
Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable was only remotely controlling the disciple of Mount Taihua Sacred Land and could not see Dantai Meng within the Mountain and Rivers Chart.
After speaking, a wisp of demonic qi emerged from the body of the disciple of Mount Taihua Sacred Land and dissipated into nothingness.
The disciple of Mount Taihua Sacred Land then fell to the ground and took a while to wake up: “What happened to me? Saint Lord? Holy Son?”
Lin Xuantong said, “You were just controlled by the Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable.”
“Hiss… Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable…”
The disciple of Mount Taihua Sacred Land was frightened afterward.
He was just a minor Earth Immortal disciple, yet he was controlled by the notoriously evil Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable.
Fortunately, with the identity and status of Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable, he disdained to kill someone as insignificant as him, which allowed him to escape this disaster.
“Are you preparing to negotiate with Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable? Are you confident?”
Lin Xuantong was worried about Lu Changsheng’s safety.
Given the strength of Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable, even the ancestors of Mount Taihua Sacred Land were no match for him. Lu Changsheng going to the Nine Nether to negotiate with Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable poses certain risks.
“The Immortal Dragon Emperor should have made full preparations, especially since one of the conditions for the exchange is his son.”
Lu Changsheng was still confident in the foundation of the Immortal Dynasty; he also simulated through the system the outcome of negotiating with a disciple, which should be safe.
“This is a great opportunity to prove oneself. If you can come out unscathed from the negotiation with Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable, surely many elders of the sacred land will be even more convinced.”
Lin Xuantong decided to let Lu Changsheng take the risk this time.
“There’s still one year left.”
Lu Changsheng would have to release Dantai Meng after a year and was somewhat reluctant. For the time being, there would be no Divine King Realm disciples to bestow gifts upon.
Granting treasures and cultivation techniques to Divine King Realm disciples made the system more likely to return high-level treasures.
“What are you going to do?”
Dantai Meng, hearing Lu Changsheng’s intentions, thought Lu Changsheng was going to do something to her.
“Take this Bodhi tree.”
Lu Changsheng seized the last year of the discipleship opportunity and directly bestowed a Bodhi tree to Dantai Meng.
This Bodhi tree was one of the treasures that Lu Changsheng found in the Qing Emperor’s Mausoleum.
Legend has it that ancient Buddhas comprehended enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, so the Bodhi tree has the effect of increasing the chance of sudden enlightenment.
“…”
Dantai Meng received a Bodhi tree and had mixed feelings.
Why did Lu Changsheng give her a Bodhi tree?
After all, as the daughter of Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable, how many Bodhi trees could she want?
“No, this Bodhi tree seems to have some divine properties, but it’s just too ancient, and it’s almost dead by now… Hmph, makes sense, if it was a thriving and flourishing Bodhi tree, he would not have given it to me.”
Dantai Meng noticed the unusual aspects of this treasure, but unfortunately, the Bodhi tree was about to end its lifespan.
[Ding, you have bestowed the “Enlightenment Bodhi Tree” (Dead) to your disciple Dantai Meng, and received the Billion Times Return Reward: “Enlightenment Bodhi Tree” (One Hundred Million Years).]
After giving the nearly dead Bodhi tree to Dantai Meng, the system rewarded a Bodhi tree that is only one hundred million years old!
A hundred million years, for an Enlightenment Bodhi Tree, is still quite young!
“The Bodhi tree found in the Qing Emperor’s Mausoleum turned out to be the legendary Enlightenment Bodhi Tree used by ancient Buddhas for enlightenment. It’s incredible. The Qing Emperor truly lives up to his reputation, having such a treasure in his mausoleum.”
Lu Changsheng had read about this Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure in ancient tomes.
The Enlightenment Bodhi Tree, much like the Enlightenment Tea Tree — the treasure of Mount Taihua Sacred Land, both have the effect of aiding in enlightenment.
Compared to the Enlightenment Tea Tree of Mount Taihua Sacred Land, which is rarer because the Enlightenment Tea is suitable for cultivators practicing various paths, the Enlightenment Bodhi Tree is specifically suited for practitioners from the Buddhist Sect.
In the Ancient Times, high-level ancient Buddhas almost each had an Enlightenment Bodhi Tree and meditated under it.
It can be said that the Enlightenment Bodhi Tree is an essential treasure for the ancient Buddhas.
Lu Changsheng has the Enlightenment Tea and did not need the Enlightenment Bodhi Tree, but among his disciples, only Chen Yi is a practitioner from the Buddhist Sect, making him the most suitable recipient.
Lu Changsheng guessed that there might not be any higher-level treasures that could replace this, after all, the ancient Buddhas used such treasures as well.
So Lu Changsheng directly bestowed it to Chen Yi.
To be precise, Lu Changsheng transplanted the Enlightenment Bodhi Tree to the summit of Yuntai Peak.
Thus, Yuntai Peak became even more of a Cave Heaven Blessed Land.
The Enlightenment Bodhi Tree, even the Buddhist Holy Land—Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple and Mt. Sumeru Holy Land, do not have many of these trees.
Chen Yi meditated under the Bodhi tree, looking as if he had turned to stone, motionless, engaging in Path Comprehension.
No matter the wind and rain, the growth of grass and trees, or the birds that landed, Chen Yi remained unwavering.
“Sister, Sister, could it be that our junior brother has petrified while meditating?”
Ning Qianqian saw Chen Yi as though he had no breath left, fearing that the junior might have succumbed to a devilish curse and petrified.
“Let’s go check on him.”
Lu Qinglian was unsure too because Chen Yi’s breath was fading.
“If you don’t want him to succumb to demonic influence, I advise you not to disturb him.”
Yun Qianyue stopped the rash duo.
Having seen many Ancient Buddhas, she knew that Buddhists value sudden enlightenment even more.
Now, Chen Yi sitting under the Bodhi tree, though seeming lifeless, was actually undergoing a transformation, from death to life.
For him, this was a critical moment.
“We didn’t realize our junior sister knew so much; we were rash.”
Lu Qinglian and Ning Qianqian also didn’t dare to disturb Chen Yi’s deep meditation, fearing that it might lead him into demonic trance.
“…”
Although Yun Qianyue had been resurrected, being addressed as ‘junior sister’ by these two younger-generation members was somewhat awkward.
Helplessly, within the Three Realms, when it comes to sects, seniority is respected based on the order of discipleship; as the last disciple taken by Lu Changsheng, she of course was the junior sister.
“She’s right, this is a critical moment in your junior brother’s sudden enlightenment, do not disturb. Lian, one year from now, you will accompany your master on a trip to the Nine Nether Domain.”
Lu Changsheng must bring a disciple to foretell good or ill fortune.
“No problem.”
Lu Qinglian heard that she could go on an adventure down the mountain again and nodded repeatedly.
Lu Changsheng looked towards Yun Qianyue, guessing that perhaps Yun Qianyue and Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable knew each other from before.
Back when the Heavenly Sect was still in existence, Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable had long been renowned; theoretically, Yun Qianyue and the Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable should have crossed paths.
“I can’t go, otherwise Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable will know I have been resurrected.”
Yun Qianyue shook her head, indeed recognizing the Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable.
“How did you compare to the Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable in the past?”
“Hard to say.”
Yun Qianyue’s terse response shocked Lu Changsheng.
From what Yun Qianyue suggested, at her peak, she could contend with the Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable?
The Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable was a Demonic Dao powerhouse who survived from ancient times, and Yun Qianyue was a peerless genius cultivated by the Ancient Heavenly Sect Leader. It was unexpected that Yun Qianyue had the strength to rival the Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable.
As spring passed and autumn came, Chen Yi remained under the Enlightenment Bodhi Tree for a year without any movement; moss even began to cover his body, making him appear as if he had petrified.
“It seems that his Path Comprehension is no small matter; without three to five years, he cannot leave his meditation. I will leave Yuntai Peak for a while; keep a close watch on the residence.”
Lu Changsheng instructed his chief disciple, Lin Qingzhi, to stay behind at Yuntai Peak, then set off for the Nine Nether Domain to negotiate with the Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable.
Accompanying him was also the Princess.
The greatest assurance for Lu Changsheng was the Immortal Dragon Emperor.
Given the status and identity of the Immortal Dragon Emperor, he should not break his word, responsible for countering the Hallucinatory Dark Demon Venerable to prevent any harm to these juniors.
With the Princess following, the Immortal Dragon Emperor would surely put in effort.
“I can finally go back… Strange, why do I feel a bit reluctant?”
Dantai Meng inexplicably felt somewhat reluctant.
Inside the Mountain and Rivers Chart, Lu Changsheng bestowed treasures on her daily, making her almost forget to return.
No, no, Dantai Meng, Dantai Meng, you are the daughter of the Demon Lord, worldly-wise, how can you be swayed by a few small favors to develop a fondness for someone?
“Wait till I return to the Demon Realm, I’ll make you regret it. Humph.”
Dantai Meng returned to her usual style.