Becoming a Deity from Planting the Bodhi Tree-Chapter 322 - 164: One Mountain, One Sea, Suppressing the Jin Family’s Descendants_3

"Is that... a mountain?"

Ji Jingqiu's vision captured a scene that was shockingly wondrous.

Previously, he saw the sky half enveloped in darkness and half close to a cosmic belt, but now, it was clear that what was mistaken for darkness was actually a massive, dense rock stratum.

[It is a mountain, do you remember the Nether Sea we entered in the Great Universe?]

"Nether Sea? Do you mean the Spirit Ocean?"

[Yes, in your terms, it is the Spirit Ocean. Deep within the Spirit Ocean lies a wilderness, and at the very end of that wilderness stands a mountain.]

[And this is Yanfu State, one of the Nine States, so what we see here is a reversed image.]

[What you are seeing now is just the faint shadow of a corner of the mountain, invisible by day, only at night does it reveal itself.]

Ji Jingqiu gazed at the mountain's side profile for a long time before softly asking, "Aunt Mu, has anyone from the Nine States truly ascended this mountain?"

[No, as far as I'm aware, no one has.]

[Just as no creatures from the Great Universe have ever ventured deep into the wilderness, the creatures of the Nine States have never reached the mountain's peak, not even close—it can only be touched at specific times.]

[Legend has it that this mountain and sea hide the origins of all worlds, the root of all paths. Even the Four Demons desire the secrets within.]

"Senior He hoped that one day I might stand in for him, to ascend this mountain and uncover the secrets it holds."

[...It seems, He truly holds great expectations for you. I need to reassess you.]

"Aunt Mu, are Senior He and the others really dead?"

[I don't know... In truth, I have been dead for a long time.]

[After my death, He and the others planted my Divine Intent core into the seed of a Divine Tree, transforming me into a god-like existence. This Divine Tree is my temple, and though I live to this day, I am also bound to this 'temple,' unable to leave.]

Ji Jingqiu's heart was moved, no wonder Aunt Mu called herself an elf, having now turned into an ancient tree.

And Aunt Mu's words brought to mind a secret Bage had once told him.

Years ago, the Mu Family, hand in hand with the Federation, used the last strand of Marshal Mu's consciousness as a base to sculpt a Divine Body, intended to serve as the deity within the temple.

Resulting in that strand of consciousness, through the Power of Faith and Will—also known as the power of longstanding legends—the full Manifestation into this world.

But after awakening, the deity refused the Federation's and descendants' proposals, leaving only a profound statement—

"The temple is a prison, trapping the four corners of heaven, no peace within my heart."

In other words, for gods, the temple and devotion are both the foundation for existence and the limitation.

Under the vast night sky.

The ancient tree that had been quiet for many years glowed, enveloping the surrounding mountains in a layer of hazy luminescence.

Ji Jingqiu, sitting under the tree, spent his first night in the Nine States accompanied by the elders.

...

...

The next day.

The young people of the clan began to gather, full of fighting spirit.

Overnight, the Clan Leader had called them all together, announcing that a young Heavenly Pride of their age from the clan above had come to measure their worth.

This spurred the already eager clan descendants, hoping for the Inheritance Ancient Road, to rush to sign up for the challenge like chickens blood.

The people of this clan lineage were born for battle, with all being warriors, never fearing challenges.

Jin Lie looked at these clamoring youngsters with satisfaction, instructing:

"Make sure to perform well; don't let others look down on our lineage."

"Clan Leader, rest assured! We guarantee to outdo ourselves!"

"Clan Leader, is it someone from the Top of the Mountains?"

"Really? Someone from the Top of the Mountains is here?"

"Aoao, I've got an itch in my fist!"

A group of young people followed the Clan Leader in a mighty throng.

Meanwhile.

At the town gates, several guests arrived.

"Keep your wits about you during this visit, don't bring our clan's bad temper here!"

A middle-aged man leading the group, with the air of command in his brows, scolded a few youngsters.

"Don't worry, Clan Elder, why the fuss?" the leading young man said indifferently, "The clans here have been far away from the Top of the Mountains for ten thousand years, and their bloodline is probably diluted by now."

The young man known as Lei Dong, came from the Top of the Mountains, their power all bearing the Sky Wolf Bloodline, also known as the Werewolf Clan.

This visit was meant to recruit the Jin family.

The middle-aged man scolded, "What do you know? This lineage hasn't had a break in Heavenly People, and the bloodline has always been in its prime."

Lei Dong exclaimed in surprise, "Heavenly People unbroken? Why wouldn't such bloodline return to the Top of the Mountains, at the very least they could acquire a seat on the council."

The middle-aged man replied, "That's none of your concern, just behave yourselves."

Lei Dong was chagrined; he had heard that they were pulled in for an arranged marriage, initially resistant, but now, hearing that the Heavenly Person lineage was unbroken, realized the bloodline strength must not be weak.

The middle-aged man, named Lei Yuanting, stated gravely:

"Though the Jin family's young generation lacks a Sealing King, there are several Marquis, and a few other youngsters have promising bloodlines, reflected in the [Sky Wolf Realm]. Our Top of the Mountains bloodline has been waning in recent years, coinciding with the Age of Great Struggle, in urgent need of fresh bloodline infusion."

"This has alerted the Elder Council, hoping we can welcome the Jin family back to the Top of the Mountains. If any of you speak out of turn and affect this visit's exchanges, once we return, you'll be demoted back to your respective clans!"

Everyone became somber, bowing in agreement.

Lei Yuanting then nodded satisfactorily and said, "Let's go."

They entered the town, clarifying their intentions to the guards.