The aura of chaos was the very breath of a newborn world, filled with boundless energy. If the Bodhi Tree could grow within it, maybe it really did stand a chance of transforming and becoming immortal.
The chubby little baby scrunched up its cute brows, its pudgy face wrinkling together. The sight made Song Wanníng laugh out loud. She wasn't in any hurry, calmly waiting in place.
The other little ones, however, were so excited. It felt like they'd just gained another younger sibling, and none of them wanted to end up as the youngest.
After about half a stick of incense, the little baby finally began to loosen up. It stammered and shuffled, slowly tumbling down from the top of the tree. Once it reached the front, it backed up a few steps, then crept forward again, inching closer and closer to Song Wanníng.
The temptation was just too strong. The Bodhi Tree's heart wavered. It twisted its tiny fingers together, then hopped right in front of her.
The instant the little baby pounced forward, Song Wanníng's sea of consciousness felt as if a gentle breeze had brushed over it, comfortable and refreshing. She crouched down and stretched out her hand.
The baby backed up in fear, chewing nervously on its finger. After a moment of hesitation, it finally stepped into her palm.
Song Wanníng rose to her feet, smiling down at the little one with eyes brimming with warmth and affection.
That round, baby-fat face and grape-sized eyes melted her heart completely.
"Don't be scared. I'll send you inside to take a look. If you want to come out, just tell me anytime."
With that, she gently placed the baby into her internal world.
At first, the little one was so nervous its tiny body was stiff all over. But once it entered her internal world, it froze for a moment, then suddenly lit up as if it had discovered some incredible treasure. With a squeal, it dashed straight toward the chaotic aura.
Although the aura was slowly dissipating, the world was still in its formative stage. It would take a long time before it completely vanished. So for the Bodhi Tree, cultivating here was no problem at all. It stretched out its arms and legs, hopping about inside the internal world, thrilled beyond measure.
The unlucky ghost hid nervously in the corner. The aura around the Bodhi Tree made him tremble in fear. Luckily the internal world was huge, so he wasn't worried about finding a place to hide.
"Little one, see? I didn't lie to you, did I?"
Song Wanníng sank her divine sense into her internal world, watching the baby bounce around. Her smile grew even brighter. She'd been worrying about where to transplant the Bodhi Tree, but now it was clear there was no place more perfect than her internal world.
Hearing her voice startled the baby so badly it flinched, then slowly lifted its head. Its eyes brimmed with longing as it gazed at her. It loved it here, truly loved it.
"Then how about we move your true body inside too, hmm?"
Her tone was soft, coaxing like one would with a timid child. This little one's courage was tiny, even the faintest stir could frighten it. Pitiful, yet so very adorable.
The baby nodded, and before Song Wanníng even moved, the Bodhi Tree outside suddenly ripped itself free, roots and all. The sudden upheaval startled even her. Its roots were overwhelming, spreading for dozens of miles in every direction.
That single yank shattered all the ground around it, as if a giant earth dragon was turning over, booming tremors shaking the land. Nearby birds and beasts shrieked in terror, fleeing frantically in all directions.
Boom!
A massive cloud of dust surged into the sky.
Song Wanníng immediately flew into the air, watching from above, utterly shaken.
Far away, Wu Qingfeng was alarmed too, and rushed skyward. He saw a colossal tree with sprawling roots thrusting up toward the heavens, blotting out the sun as the sky dimmed in an instant.
"The Bodhi Tree?"
Wu Qingfeng's eyes widened in shock, then filled with delight.
So it had been found after all! He'd nearly thought he was doomed.
A wide grin spread across his face.
Looking back at the twists of the last ten years, he never could've imagined his life would change so drastically. From being a high elder of Medicine King Sect, lofty and respected, to becoming a cautious loose cultivator, careful with every step...
Yet being freed from Mu Zixu's control left him feeling light, unburdened.
"Ah!"
Wu Qingfeng sighed, flying toward the Bodhi Tree. Sure enough, when he drew closer, he spotted Song Wanníng's figure. Only she could stir up something this earth-shaking. Just as he was about to speak, the Bodhi Tree suddenly vanished. He froze, stunned, eyes wide with disbelief. If he wasn't mistaken, the Bodhi Tree had rushed straight toward Song Wanníng before disappearing. Did that mean she'd used some method to uproot the entire Bodhi Tree?
"Hiss—"
Wu Qingfeng sucked in a sharp breath. Mu Zixu had spent ages plotting, scheming to bring the Bodhi Tree along when ascending. But he'd said it was almost impossible. Yet in reality, the Bodhi Tree had simply vanished like that...
Wu Qingfeng swallowed hard, the look in his eyes toward Song Wanníng now filled with dread. Losing to her hadn't been unjust at all. He really had been blinded by pig fat before, to ever think of going against her...
"You're here?"
Song Wanníng glanced back at him.
That light, fleeting look made every alarm in Wu Qingfeng's heart go off. His hair stood on end. He hurriedly plastered on a smile. "Yes, Senior Song, I just got here. I didn't see a thing!!!"
He was genuinely terrified she might kill him to keep things quiet!
"Hehe."
Song Wanníng chuckled softly, her lips curving higher as she watched him squirm. Her gaze swept the surroundings and landed on some herbs. She raised her finger toward them. "These herbs don't look bad."
"I'll pick them!"
Wu Qingfeng jumped at the chance, darting forward in a flash to gather herbs with all his might.
Song Wanníng felt much more satisfied watching him, then sank her divine sense back into her internal world. She found the Bodhi Tree had already chosen a spot and settled down. Its roots burrowed into the ground, spreading rapidly until they anchored firmly at the very center of the chaotic aura.
The little baby lay on the treetop. When it noticed her gaze, it timidly peeked its head out, then quickly ducked back down.
Song Wanníng shook her head with a helpless smile. This little one was still scared of her!
"Sister, why won't it come out and play?"
Long Ling hopped up and down on her shoulder, clearly disappointed.
The other little ones had been eager to play with the baby, but it had vanished instead.
Song Wanníng stroked their heads with a smile. "The baby's shy, and it still needs to cultivate. It probably won't come out often. You all go play on your own."
She waved them off.
The group was livelier than ever now. Every day was filled with joy, not a trace of boredom.
As for her, even in these quiet days, life had gained a little more warmth.