"Dear, what do these words mean?" Cai Lin and Xiao Yi Xian both frowned as they looked at the few ancient words.
"Two moons appearing together, nine stars aligning- it refers to a rare celestial phenomenon!" Gu Fei explained with a smile. "This phenomenon only occurs once every thousand years. The 'Tidal Shift of Heaven and Earth' is an anomaly triggered by this celestial event. The last sentence means that on the day of this tidal shift, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame will also descend upon the world."
"A thousand years?" Xiao Yi Xian looked disappointed. That time frame seemed excessively long.
"The last time this celestial anomaly occurred was 997 years ago, which means the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame will descend in three years," Gu Fei explained further. The reason for this is that the seal left by the Purifying Demonic Lotus Saint will be severely weakened under the tidal shift, and only then will the Demonic Flame attempt to break through the seal. At that time, many in the world will sense the descent of the Demonic Flame. The complete remnant map is a contingency plan left behind by the Purifying Demonic Lotus Saint."
"So that's how it is..." Xiao Yi Xian and Cai Lin nodded in understanding.
At this moment, Gu Fei touched the ancient map. Suddenly, the demonic lotus pattern on the map wriggled as if it were alive, transforming into a streak of lightning that shot straight into Gu Fei's brow!
The sudden change caused both Cai Lin and Xiao Yi Xian to turn pale with shock. "Dear!"
The map was too strange, and no one could tell whether this thing was good or bad.
"Don't worry, it's fine..." Gu Fei reassured them with a smile. He could sense a white light mass embedded in his brow. Despite the mysterious light, Gu Fei wasn't worried about it harming him.
"What just happened?" Cai Lin asked.
"That's something left behind by the Purifying Demonic Saint... the one who came closest to becoming a Dou God!" Gu Fei explained. "Although some records describe the Purifying Demonic Lotus Saint as somewhat sinister, he was generally a straightforward and upright person. He shouldn't have left behind anything too nefarious..."
Cai Lin was still worried, finding Gu Fei's reasoning too flimsy, but seeing his confidence, she decided not to press further. Gu Fei had never taken unnecessary risks.
"Alright, let's head back to the Gu Realm!" Gu Fei decided, disregarding the mysterious light at his brow as he led the two women back to the Gu Realm.
---
Half a month later, in the Gu Realm, a large hall was filled with several Gu Clan elders seated at the top, while many young Gu Clan experts gathered below. Most of them were high-level Dou Venerates, including Gu Qing Yang and Xun'er, both at the peak of 9 Change Dou Venerate, on the verge of breaking through to half-saint.
"The Bodhi Ancient Tree is about to appear. This time, we will send you young ones to seize this opportunity as a form of training..." one of the Gu Clan elders said with a smile. Even though the Bodhi Ancient Tree is a rare opportunity, the elders didn't seem overly concerned. After all, the Bodhi Heart, a treasure said to enable instant sainthood, held little attraction for those already at the Dou Saint level. Moreover, the existence of the Bodhi Heart was merely a legend; no one had ever confirmed its reality.
"Don't worry, we will complete the task with perfection..." Gu Qing Yang and the others responded confidently.
"They should stay in the Gu Realm. I'll handle this personally..." At this moment, Gu Fei entered the hall, his words causing some doubts among the crowd.
"Young Master Gu Fei, what do you mean?" an elder asked politely.
"All opportunities surrounding the Bodhi Ancient Tree, I'll handle them. The young ones don't need to go..." Gu Fei repeated. Currently, the Gu Clan and the Hun Clan were locked in various conflicts. Allowing the young Gu Clan prodigies to venture out could expose them to ambushes by Dou Saint-level experts from the Hun Clan seeking revenge.
"Very well, since Young Master Gu Fei has this in mind, we'll agree," the elders said, giving their consent. Gu Fei's influence within the Gu Clan was now among the top five, so his decisions carried significant weight.
"Brother Gu Fei, this is a rare training opportunity. Please let me go with you..." Xun'er pleaded, her eyes filled with hope. During their last trip to the Heavenly Tomb, she had experienced Gu Fei's care and wanted another chance to be alone with him in the mysterious Ancient Wasteland Region.
"Bringing you along would only make you a burden," Gu Fei replied, rejecting Xun'er's request without hesitation.
"Miss Xun'er, you possess the divine bloodline. The Hun Clan has already harbored malicious intentions toward you before. It's best if you don't go this time!" one of the elders chimed in.
Gu Qing Yang, Gu Yao, and the others didn't argue against Gu Fei's decision, trusting that he had valid reasons.
"Why can't I go..." Xun'er felt deeply disappointed, realizing that her influence in the Gu Clan was nowhere near Gu Fei's. His single word could determine whether the younger generation would participate in the Ancient Wasteland Region expedition.
Afterward, Gu Fei left the Gu Realm alone, not bringing anyone along to avoid potential ambushes by the Hun Clan. Over the past half-month, the Central Plains had become increasingly restless. Countless forces had already sent advance teams toward the Ancient Wasteland Region, though the main forces had yet to move, waiting for confirmation that the rumors were true.
As Gu Fei left the Gu Realm, a sliver of dawn broke the horizon, casting sunlight across the land. In the north-eastern sky of the Central Plains, a peculiar and potent aura suddenly swept across the sky like a wave. Those who inhaled this aura all experienced the same vision- a towering, ancient tree exuding wisdom.
This was the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree!
In that moment, the entire Central Plains erupted into a frenzy.
"Brother Gu Fei, if you won't take me, I'll go on my own..." An hour after Gu Fei's departure, Xun'er quietly left the Gu Realm, heading towards north-east of the Central Plains.
(TL/n: Thanks for pointing out my mistakes so far- I'm always correcting them when I have the chance. Thanks a lot for the support and don't forget to leave a review if you're enjoying it so far! I'll catch you all on the next episode~)