Eternal Saber

Chapter 639: Chapter 60: Celestial Bodhi

"Old man, is there any way to heal this injury?"

Chen Tang asked.

The chubby old man shook his head and said, "No way. Those two Barbarian Grandmasters are assured to leave only after striking a lethal blow, certain that I am now a cripple."

Chen Tang comforted, "There will always be a way."

The chubby old man’s eyes flickered, but he stayed silent.

Li Zhongmou looked remorseful and said, "Senior, I apologize, it’s our fault for implicating you."

"Ha ha!"

The chubby old man laughed heartily and said, "Even if you hadn’t come, the Barbarian ambitions are clear; they would have come south sooner or later, and I still wouldn’t have escaped this disaster."

"In this life, I’ve traversed north and south, killed corrupt officials, eradicated bandits, drunk the strongest wines, have several friends who shared life and death, taught proud disciples, and even sneaked into the Imperial Palace, ha ha!"

"I’ve lived freely and happily, laughed through half my life, at this age, if I die, then I die, there’s nothing to regret."

Speaking of proud disciples, the chubby old man glanced at Chen Tang.

Although they never formally became mentor and disciple, he always regarded Chen Tang as a personal disciple in his heart.

By the end, the old man’s eyes darkened and he said, "It’s just unfortunate that with this crippled body, I’m afraid I can’t enter the capital to save people, nor can I help you defend Liangzhou against the Barbarians."

Chen Tang felt, in this moment, that the old man seemed much older, enveloped by a sense of decline.

What a character he used to be.

The world’s greatest thief, One Step to the Clouds.

He entered the Imperial Palace twice, saving Emperor Wu’s descendants, Yuan Qingshan and Yuan Qingmu siblings.

In the Lightweight Skill, even Emperor Wu held him in high regard.

But now, this is how it ends, willing yet powerless.

In the Changsheng Hall, everyone’s mood dropped, heavy-hearted.

Each person felt a looming pressure.

Chen Tang also felt it was a thorny situation.

The old man’s injuries.

Barbarians moving south, Liangzhou on the brink of danger.

And Heigou’s head will fall after autumn...

Every matter seems almost unsolvable.

At this moment, a group of Imperial Physicians from Wusun Country entered the hall to examine the old man’s injuries.

After each checked, they all looked troubled and shook their heads.

"Don’t waste time on me."

The old man pointed to Li Zhongmou’s side and said, "Go check on their injuries."

Chen Tang grabbed the Chief Imperial Physician, frowned, and asked, "Is there really no way? Surely there are some mystical treasures or natural wonders that might heal such injuries?"

Hearing this, the Chief Imperial Physician’s expression changed slightly, as if recalling something, he said, "When you mention this, I do remember..."

"Remember a fart, just leave!"

The old man waved his hand, scolding and interrupting him, urging the Chief Imperial Physician to leave quickly.

"Then I shall take my leave."

The Chief Imperial Physician gave a forced smile.

Seeing this, Chen Tang refused to let him go, sternly demanding, "Recall what you were saying, tell me!"

"This..."

The Chief Imperial Physician glanced at the old man, looking distressed.

"Speak!"

This matter concerned the old man’s injuries, Chen Tang gripped the man’s wrist, applying slight pressure.

"I’ll talk, I’ll talk!"

The Chief Imperial Physician winced in pain, quickly relenting, "I also saw in ancient writings from Wusun Country a record I never witnessed firsthand. It is said that on the peak of Wusun Celestial Mountain grows an Exotic Bodhi Tree."

"Oh?"

Chen Tang’s face showed intrigue.

"It’s all nonsense."

The old man immediately said, "Bodhi trees typically grow in warm climates and are not cold-resistant."

"Celestial Mountain rises into the clouds, the summit perpetually snow-covered, where drops freeze into ice, and the air is thin. Other than Bodhi Trees, there’s nothing alive up there."

The Chief Imperial Physician rapidly agreed, "Yes, yes."

But Chen Tang remained unconvinced, believing the world was full of wonders.

Being able to grow on Celestial Mountain is why it’s called an Exotic Bodhi Tree.

"Old man, you are mistaken."

Chen Tang said, "I’ve heard you mention before, the ’Fuyao Technique’ was created when you happened upon a rare Exotic Beast on Celestial Mountain, meditating at the foot for seven days and nights. So how can you now say there’s nothing alive up there?"

The old man gave a wry smile, muttering, "Your memory serves you well."

"Continue speaking."

Chen Tang urged the Chief Imperial Physician.

The man said, "According to that ancient book, the Exotic Bodhi Tree bears fruit named Celestial Bodhi, drawing upon the essence of Celestial Mountain and the flowers of sun and moon, truly a rare treasure."

"It is said Celestial Bodhi contains extremely potent vitality, can revive the dead, flesh white bone, nourish the Dantian, renew muscles, forge bones, repair meridians, and restore life force."

Chen Tang turned to the old man, curious, "If there’s a solution, why didn’t you let it be said?"

The old man was evidently aware of this, not only refraining from mentioning it himself but also stopping the man from speaking.

With the matter exposed, the old man reluctantly said, "At the summit of Celestial Mountain, there indeed is an Exotic Bodhi Tree, but these heavenly treasures are inevitably surrounded by powerful Exotic Beasts. Remember the Exotic Beast I mentioned to you."

Chen Tang nodded.

Emperor Wu had also mentioned it to him, a few types of Exotic Beasts in the world, including a mention of the Tianshan Golden Eagle.

"Some call that beast a Golden Eagle."

The old man’s face revealed a look of reminiscence, eyes still unable to mask the shock, slowly stating, "But where in the world is there such a massive and terrifying Golden Eagle? I suspect it might be the legendary Golden-winged Roc Bird! Or perhaps this Exotic Beast carries the bloodline of the Golden-winged Roc!"

Everyone felt a thrill in their hearts.

The old man continued, "In my youth, on my first trip to Celestial Mountain, I didn’t actually reach the summit, I merely saw this Golden-winged Roc halfway up, a fleeting glance whose visual and spiritual impact made me meditate at the mountain’s base."

"Later, after cultivating to Grandmaster status, I finally reached the summit, witnessing the Golden-winged Roc up close. That impact was even more intense than the one I felt in my youth!"

"I merely met the eyes of the Golden-winged Roc, almost scared my soul from my body, turning and fleeing down Celestial Mountain. Upon reflecting, that moment marked clear that the Golden-winged Roc’s gaze was a warning, that the area was its territory."

"It didn’t directly kill me, accounting for me keeping my life, since then I haven’t dared to step upon Celestial Mountain again."

This was one of the rare embarrassing experiences in the old man’s life.

Had he not mentioned it, others would remain oblivious.

Yet now, the old man spoke openly and without reservation.

Even a Grandmaster found the Golden-winged Roc so terrifying to behold he chose to flee, unwilling to dare set foot upon Celestial Mountain again!

Chen Tang finally understood why the old man was reluctant to bring this up.

For the old man knew upon hearing about the Celestial Bodhi, Chen Tang would inevitably ascend Celestial Mountain.

And inevitably encounter this terrifying Exotic Beast!

Changsun Ming was taken aback, unable to resist asking, "Senior, do you mean to say the Roc Bird could kill you, making it..."

The old man replied, "The Roc Bird’s power can compare to a Grandmaster of Transformation Realm."

Everyone felt secretly shocked.