Perhaps Zhongli's decision to enter the Demon-Sealing Tower stirred something in everyone.
For a moment, Diluc and the others also felt tempted, gazing at Jiang Yan with eager anticipation.
If they could enter the Demon-Sealing Tower and spend some time there before the Seven Peaks Tournament… perhaps… they might even secure an excellent ranking.
But Jiang Yan had already seen through their thoughts, and he cut them off decisively.
"First Seat Zhongli has reached the critical point of late Spirit Transformation, and every one of his arts is at least at the level of mastery.
Thus, he may train in the Demon-Sealing Tower. But most of you still fall short.
Be it spellcraft, combat experience, or even mastery of treasures—none of you are as complete as First Seat Zhongli.
For him, the Demon-Sealing Tower is a place of nine deaths and one life. For you, it would be certain death, ten out of ten.
With your current state, nine times out of ten you wouldn't last more than a few months.
So let us not bring up the matter of the Demon-Sealing Tower again."
His words left them disappointed, but they had to admit he was right.
Compared to Zhongli, they were lacking.
Not only in cultivation, but in combat experience, spellcraft, and even essential treasures of the immortal path.
Exploring the Nine Nether Secret Realm already pushed them to their limits—how could they dream of the Demon-Sealing Tower?
For now, the tower remained nothing more than a distant hope.
"Besides the Demon-Sealing Tower and such rewards, the ancestors also bestowed upon Mount Shu two divine trees.
The Tea of Enlightenment and the Bodhi of Inquiry."
As Jiang Yan spoke, he stretched out his hand. Two small saplings appeared in his palm.
In the next moment, a subtle fragrance spread outward.
The sweet aroma of tea and the rich scent of bodhi flowed through their noses like a gentle stream.
It was as if a mysterious power pierced their bodies and souls.
In an instant, many felt their spirits uplifted, their cultivation realms loosening.
Even the parts of their arts that had been difficult to grasp suddenly grew clear, as if they had entered a state of sudden enlightenment.
They blinked in astonishment, staring at the two unassuming saplings floating in Jiang Yan's hand.
They looked ordinary, even plainer than most spiritual herbs.
At least herbs usually glowed faintly—these saplings looked no different from wild plants on the roadside.
But the effect…
Even the finest spiritual medicines of Mount Shu could not compare.
And this was only from breathing in their fragrance. If they actually tasted them… wouldn't they instantly achieve enlightenment and break through?
"The Tea of Enlightenment and the Bodhi of Inquiry?"
Alice muttered, inching closer to sniff at the divine trees.
Suddenly, her eyes widened, her mind clearing, long-buried memories surging forth.
"This… this is one of the Ten Innate Spiritual Roots born at the dawn of creation!"
"Innate Spiritual Roots? Isn't that…"
Ningguang recalled Alice mentioning such things before during her exchanges with Jiang Yan.
Alice nodded firmly, her gaze burning as she looked at the saplings in Jiang Yan's hand.
"The Ginseng Fruit Tree of Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi, and the Peaches of Immortality in Heaven's Court—those are Innate Spiritual Roots!
It's said a single bite can grant instant immortality!
The Tea of Enlightenment and the Bodhi of Inquiry are also among those legendary roots! But I don't know their specific uses.
The records I've read hardly describe their effects."
Venti frowned.
"You've read records? I thought you only ever studied spells and arts."
Alice froze, then glared at him.
"What! Don't tell me storybooks don't count as records! I've read Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods!
The Sect Master already said those tales truly happened—just with some differences.
If those don't count as records, are you saying I'm ignorant?"
Venti immediately shut his eyes, lips sealed, assuming the look of a saint lost in meditation.
Seeing this, Jean quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Sect Master, are these Tea of Enlightenment and Bodhi of Inquiry truly Innate Spiritual Roots?"
Jiang Yan nodded, then shook his head.
"You could say they are, and also say they are not."
The group looked utterly confused.
Jiang Yan explained with a smile:
"The true Innate Spiritual Roots—there are only ten across all the heavens and worlds. Each one requires an impossibly harsh environment to grow.
Not even the Quantum Sea could sustain them.
Take the Ginseng Fruit of Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi, for example. To support its growth, he refined an entire Great Thousand World into its soil.
Every Innate Spiritual Root is held by a mighty being. To possess one is to stand at the level of the Great Luo.
Even a Taiyi could not bear the burden of sustaining one.
Thus, these Tea of Enlightenment and Bodhi of Inquiry are not the true Innate Roots."
Puzzlement filled their eyes.
"Then why did Sect Master say…"
Before Guuji Yae could finish, Jiang Yan continued with a laugh:
"These two are branches grown from saplings derived from the true Innate Roots.
In that sense, they are indeed of Innate origin."
Realization dawned, and delight spread among them.
Though not the true Innate Roots, if such things were given directly to Mount Shu, the sect would never withstand it.
The instant they touched down, Mount Shu itself would be drained dry—and still might not manage to grow even a single leaf.
After all, in status, the Innate Roots stand even above the Taiyi.
But even a branch from a derivative sapling was already unbelievable.
"Sect Master, what are the effects of the Tea of Enlightenment and Bodhi of Inquiry?"
Alice asked curiously.
Jiang Yan studied the saplings in his hand for a moment, then spoke softly:
"The Tea of Enlightenment is in the hands of none other than the Great Luo being, the Great God Fuxi.
In the ancient days, his incarnation descended among mankind, becoming the Heavenly Sovereign, the Ancestor of Humanity. For humanity, he bore deep affection.
Later, when Mount Shu flourished, becoming one of the mightiest human sects in the Immortal Realm,
To show his favor, the Great God Fuxi bestowed a sapling of the Tea of Enlightenment.
This branch is what our ancestor managed to preserve.
Its effect is just as the name implies—it is for enlightenment.
A single sip can clarify the deepest truths of the laws, allowing instant breakthroughs.
For Golden Immortals, the true Tea of Enlightenment has tremendous power.
This gifted branch may not be of such high grade, but below immortality, its effects are extraordinary.
To illuminate the self, to comprehend the laws—this is a treasure every cultivator dreams of."
Ningguang and the others understood at once.
Just inhaling the fragrance had made them feel close to sudden enlightenment.
If they were to drink a single cup…
They might achieve breakthrough after breakthrough.
But such a thing was clearly priceless. Jiang Yan surely intended to keep it as a sect-protecting heritage.
"As for the Bodhi of Inquiry…"
Jiang Yan paused, then spoke quietly:
"This root is under the care of the Present Buddha of Mahayana Buddhism—Shakyamuni himself.
He too is a Great Luo being."
Confusion rippled through them. Mount Shu clearly stood under Daoism's banner.
How did Buddhism come into this?
Alice scratched her cheek, lowering her voice:
"Sect Master, how did the Bodhi of Inquiry come to Mount Shu? Buddhism and Daoism aren't exactly on gift-giving terms, are they?
Everywhere I've read, Buddhism and Daoism are bitter rivals, fire and water.
Even in modern worlds where both exist, their hostility is obvious.
So how did Mount Shu receive such a gift from Buddhism?
Could it be… some trick?"
She immediately rejected her own thought.
At most, Mount Shu's ancestors were Taiyi. How could they possibly take something from a Great Luo's hands?
And not just any Great Luo—one of the highest among them, the Present Buddha himself.
If Mount Shu truly had that ability, their name would already resound across the heavens.
Jiang Yan chuckled at her guess, shaking his head.
"As the saying goes, how could a sparrow understand the ambitions of a swan?
So it is with cultivators—how could ants comprehend the minds of the mighty?
What you call the Dao–Buddhism struggle is nothing more than mortals fighting for power and profit under borrowed banners.
But to those who stand at the peak of the myriad worlds—the Great Luo—do you think orthodoxy matters?
Even if Daoism or Buddhism utterly suppressed the other, what difference would it make to their leaders?
Do you really believe that the faith of mortals lends strength to a Great Luo?
The Great Luo draw the power of the Dao itself into their beings. They rely on nothing, bound by nothing. They alone are truly free.
It is said, 'Heaven and Earth are not benevolent; they treat all things as straw dogs.' In essence, this describes the Great Luo.
To them, whether a mighty Taiyi or a crawling ant—there is no difference. They care not.
In their eyes, nothing across the heavens matters, save other Great Luo.
Now do you understand the true relationship between Daoism and Buddhism?"
Alice fell silent. After a while, Ningguang asked cautiously:
"So… the supposed conflict between Buddhism and Daoism never truly existed? It was just mortals exploiting their names for power?"
Jiang Yan nodded in satisfaction, his voice soft:
"According to my master, Daoism's Three Pure Ones and Buddhism's Three Buddhas are the closest of companions.
One could even call them friends.
In Daoism, the Grand Supreme represents the beginning, the Primordial Heavenly Lord the process, and the Upper Purity the end.
In Buddhism, Dipankara represents the past, Shakyamuni the present, Maitreya the future.
Do you think such kindred paths would make them enemies—or friends?"
None dared answer.
Jiang Yan shook his head.
"Mortals often measure the Great Luo by human feelings. But know this—the Great Luo cannot be measured.
They cannot be known, cannot be seen, cannot be imagined, cannot be conceived.
They may feel for all beings, or be utterly indifferent. But either way—they are beyond an ant's understanding.
That is why the great sects of the cultivation world, especially those with power in the Upper Realm, never concern themselves with Dao–Buddhism disputes.
So…"
Jiang Yan paused, his tone dropping low:
"This Bodhi of Inquiry truly was a gift from the Present Buddha to Mount Shu."
Suddenly, Furina frowned.
"But Sect Master, if the Great Luo are unknowable, then how could Mount Shu learn of their relationships?"
At her words, Jiang Yan looked at her with interest. After a long moment, he said with deep meaning:
"In the old days, when Mount Shu of the Upper Realm was revered as one of Daoism's heads, do you think its backing was merely a handful of Taiyi ancestors?"
Everyone froze. The next moment, goosebumps erupted across their skin.
Ningguang stared at Jiang Yan in disbelief.
"Behind Upper Realm Mount Shu… was a Great Luo?!"
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