The Bodhi tree!

Lin Xun had once seen a real Bodhi tree in a flashback to eons ago. It was the scene of Saint Monk Duji and Black Phoenix Saint Queen.

That tree looked as tough as a coiling dragon and had branches that reached the sky to inform that it was from bygone eras. The leaves were verdant as if carved from jade, sprinkling billions of green rays that dyed the heaven and earth with a sacred weather.

At that time, Saint Monk Duji was sitting under the Bodhi tree alongside Black Phoenix Saint Queen, delving into the great dao and deducing secret arts.

After endless years of work, the two of them had eventually created the supreme Great Treasury Silent Scripture.

Lin Xun still remembered clearly the serious vow Saint Monk Duji had made with a smile on his face.

“If I were a demon, I would save all buddha from becoming demons!

“If I were a buddha, there would be no demons in the world!”

[1]

Those words were domineering to the extreme, carrying a lawless, ‘what I say is the law’ kind of spirit.

However, the Great Treasury Silent Scripture they had created was too heavenly so they had been struck with a taboo tribulation power. Their condition thereafter was unknown, and they had left only a piece of Bodhi wood that sealed within it the breath of that taboo catastrophe, which had ultimately fallen into Lin Xun’s hands.

At the moment, after having listened to the information from Emperor Faded Lightning, Lin Xun suddenly caught onto a problem.

Who destroyed the Bodhi tree that I saw back then, reducing it to only a charred piece of dead wood?

Was it that taboo tribulation power?

But according to Senior Sister Ruo Su, the Bodhi tree, which is only produced in uncharted lands, can resist and even seal taboo powers!

Inexplicably, an idea popped into Lin Xun’s mind. “Could it be the Nameless Emperor?”

His eyes flickered as he couldn't figure it out.

However, he was certain that the verdant, dazzling Bodhi tree that had been destroyed back then had now been reborn in the bombardment of the lightning law power storm in front of him!

Although it was still a baby, one day it would definitely grow back into that sky-blotting tree again, shedding billions of green rays upon the world!

Emperor Faded Lightning Ji Xuan said, “Of course, what I've just told you is just a rumor. Whatever mysteries the Bodhi tree contains, perhaps only you can personally find out about them in the future.”

Lin Xun nodded. Right at this moment, amidst the lightning storm, a strange gray flame abruptly appeared and blanketed toward the Bodhi tree.

“The End’s Needfire!” Ji Xuan's face changed drastically, and he fiercely grabbed out through the cage.

Boom!

An ancient and solid lightning seal engraved with lightning dao runes emerged and blocked the strange gray flame.

“Quickly put away the Bodhi Tree!” shouted Ji Xuan.

Lin Xun immediately waved his sleeve and retrieved the Bodhi tree sapling into the Dao Endless Pagoda.

Almost in that same instant, a thunderous sound resounded as the gray flame overbearingly incinerated the lightning seal.

Lin Xun broke out in a cold sweat. That was a strike from Emperor Faded Lightning, but it was no match for ‘The End’s Needfire’ and had acted like a piece of paper in front of the latter! Р�

Just at this moment, however, The End’s Needfire soundlessly vanished.

Ji Xuan said with relief, “Luckily, that fire didn’t touch the Bodhi tree, otherwise it would have been burned down.”

He then proceeded to explain it to Lin Xun, “The End’s Needfire was born from the highest law power of the Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone, so its terror is beyond what you can imagine. Be it a cultivator or a sacred object like the Bodhi Tree, their only outcome would be utterly incinerated upon contact.

“It’s probably because the Bodhi tree's metamorphosis was so astonishing that it attracted the attention of that Needfire and almost led to a great disaster.”

Only then did Lin Xun realize the dreadfulness of The End’s Needfire. His expression couldn't help but falter slightly as he said, “So to speak, the Bodhi Tree can no longer get you out of the cage?”

Ji Xuan's eyes gleamed strangely, as if he hadn’t expected that Lin Xun was still thinking about getting him out at a time like this.

“It's already done enough.” Ji Xuan breathed in deeply. “The Bodhi tree has drawn roughly thirty percent of the lighting law power. Since it’s much weaker than before, I may be able to break free if I exert all of my strength.”

Lin Xun's eyes lit up. “Do you still need my aid?”

Ji Xuan smiled faintly. “No need.”

Saying this, he stood up. His long, disheveled gray hair danced as a terrifying might spread from his majestic figure.

In that second, he resembled a lightning lord rising from the midst of destruction, causing the area to quake.

Buzz! Buzzz!

The cage that was imprisoning him produced waves of strange fluctuations, and the colorful lightning bolts ruthlessly struck down with earth-shattering power.

However, Ji Xuan stepped forth, grabbed on the wall, and violently tore it apart!

It forcefully created a huge gap in the cage wall. Countless electric sparks viciously splashed against Ji Xuan, splitting open his skin and flesh. He became so badly mangled that he looked like he could die at any moment.

However, he seemed oblivious to it as it took another step forward, this time stamping hard on the crack he had just torn, and got out of the cage!

His dashing valor was matchless. His attitude was domineering and unbridled like a deity breaking his shackles and rushing into freedom!

Rumble!

The lightning law power all around went completely berserk. They struck toward Ji Xuan like crazy while releasing such overwhelming might that made Lin Xun's blood run cold.

This was too terrifying!

Not to mention helping, he was not even qualified to intervene!

In a matter of moments, Ji Xuan was drowned out by the lightning storm, his flesh annihilated inch by inch.

Just as Lin Xun’s anxiety reached its peak, a loud laugh rang out from the blazing storm.

“Go!”

Swish!

Instantly after, Lin Xun felt a gentle force wrapping him up, and he disappeared in place.

……

When his field of vision cleared up, Lin Xun realized that he was still in the depths of the swampland. He could still see the torrential lightning bolts raging in the far distance, sending explosions and shivers through the region.

The only problem was that Ji Xuan was nowhere to be seen.

The next moment, however, Ji Xuan's voice rang out, “Little Friend, thank you.”

Lin Xun looked down and only then noticed that a black jade talisman was hanging from his lapel. The talisman was flowing with abstract lights that made it look incomparably mysterious.

Ji Xuan’s voice came from this talisman.

He informed Lin Xun quickly, “All that’s left of me currently is my primordial spirit, and only by hiding within this Sky-Blotting Talisman can I avoid the suppression of that lightning law power.

“Therefore, I can only trouble you to bring me out with you when you leave the Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone.”

Lin Xun agreed without hesitation, “I am obliged.”

Ji Xuan said, “Although I can't help you kill your enemies, I can tell you what I know about Mount Heedless. Perhaps it can help you avoid some of the perils there and find that one chaos treasure faster.”

Lin Xun's eyes lit up.

Ji Xuan, like Senior Sister Jun Huan, had also explored Mount Heedless. As an Emperor expert, the information he had gotten from Mount Heedless was bound to be better-quality than that of others.

If someone like that were to be his guide, then the benefit would be self-evident.

“I really appreciate it, Senior!” Lin Xun thanked him earnestly.

“You don’t need to stand on ceremony with me like that. Since you are Jun Huan's junior brother, we can be considered of equal seniority. Since I’m older than you, you can just call me Big Brother Ji Xuan from now on,” said Ji Xuan.

Lin Xun revealed an odd expression.

The mighty Emperor Faded Lightning actually regards me as his peer and lets me call him big brother…

Ji Xuan teased, “What’s wrong, you don’t want to?”

Lin Xun hurriedly said, “Big Brother Ji Xuan!”

Ji Xuan revealed a satisfied smile, “From now on, you only have yourself to rely on. However, should you encounter fatal trouble, I, as your big brother, won’t hesitate to put my life on the line to keep you safe.”

After that, the black talisman fell into silence.

Lin Xun wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn’t bother Ji Xuan.

He knew very well that Ji Xuan had already exhausted the little strength he had left in order to break free.

“As long as he lives, he’ll eventually fully recover…”

Lin Xun couldn't help but look forward to the future. When Emperor Faded Lighting appeared in front of the world again, just how magnificent and striking would he be?

The lightning law power that covered the distant horizon gradually dissipated into quietness.

“It turns out that four days have already passed…” Lin Xun sank into thought.

During this period of time, he had befriended Emperor Faded Lightning Ji Xuan and obtained the Great Faded Lightning Scripture. Even the charred Bodhi wood had been reborn into a true Bodhi tree sapling. The harvest could be considered bountiful.

In fact, his cultivation had improved greatly during the consecutive days of enlightenment. He was only a hair's breadth away from reaching perfection in the Supreme Saint-King Stage!

Quietly feeling the sea of surging qi around him, Lin Xun took a deep breath and looked far outside the swamp.

“Time to leave this place. I wonder how Huangfu Shaonong and his lot will feel when they know I’m still alive…”

Lin Xun started moving toward the distance.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

……

“Senior Brother, it's already been four days. Do we really have to wait any longer?”

Outside the swamp, Huangfu Shaonong's group was hiding in an ancient forest. Everyone's expression already showed signs of impatience.

Suddenly, Zhuanxu Heng perked up. “Look, the lightning power is starting to dissipate!”

The crowd looked up toward the depths of the swamp and saw that the terrifying lightning power covering that area was really receding like a dying tide.

“Get ready to move. Remember, take utmost caution! If we encounter anything out of place, make sure to attack with everything you got, and never have any reservations.” Huangfu Shaonong's eyes were calm, and his voice was loud and clear.

The group nodded in unison.

“Let’s go!”

When the lightning law power in the swamp completely disappeared, Huangfu Shaonong and his companions, who had been waiting for days, did not delay to jump into action.

Their hearts were burning with enthusiasm.

If Lin Xun had died, then he would definitely leave behind those divine Emperor-grade treasures of his, as well as a supreme fortune relating to becoming an Emperor and an Ancestor.

Even if he managed to stay alive by sheer luck, then he probably could never have imagined that they would come back to kill him, right?

Twaang!

Huangfu Shaonong’s group had only just entered the swampland when suddenly, a thunderous bowstring vibration pierced across the sky, leaving an echo in its wake.

Danger!

Their expressions dropped in unison, and their immediate decision was to evade.

1. See chapter 960 if you want to go back and read that part ☜