Chapter 495: Seven Days of Chanting—The Bodhi Tree Manifests
"Quick… go welcome the young lady and her husband!"
Bing Aogu hurriedly called to the disciples who had remained behind in the mountain estate, leading them toward the entrance.
By the time they arrived, the frost-colored dragon-drawn carriage of the Great Sage from Extreme Cold Manor had already descended from the sky.
"We pay our respects to the Young Lady and her Husband!"
Before Bing Aogu could even speak, the disciples behind him shouted in unison.
For a thousand years, Extreme Cold Manor had never taken first place in the Cycle War. This victory filled the younger generation with pride. Their admiration for the young lady was deep and genuine.
Seeing this scene, Bing Xiaofeng and Madam Bing's expressions darkened to the extreme.
If Bing Yan were to become the next lord of Extreme Cold Manor, not a single person in the entire sect would dare oppose it.
Bringing her back was indeed a grave mistake.
At that moment, Bing Yan and Chu Feng stepped down from the carriage hand in hand.
Bing Aogu quickly approached with forced politeness. "Yan'er, you've worked hard."
"There's no need for such formal words, Manor Lord. We'll be leaving Extreme Cold Manor today. Our presence won't affect your position."
Bing Yan's tone was as cold and distant as ever.
At those words, the atmosphere shifted sharply. Everyone began to look at the manor lord with strange expressions, though none dared to speak.
"Won't you stay a while longer?"
Bing Aogu wanted nothing more than to mend his relationship with his daughter.
"If I stayed any longer, I fear certain people would wake from their dreams screaming in terror."
Bing Yan's cold gaze swept toward Bing Xiaofeng and Madam Bing hidden among the crowd.
Feeling her eyes upon them, the mother and son lowered their heads quietly. Inwardly, they were pleased, but neither dared show it.
"As you wish," Bing Aogu said faintly, unwilling to humiliate himself further.
Bing Yan ignored him and turned to Chu Feng. "Husband, let's go."
"Alright."
Chu Feng responded lightly and, under the complicated gazes of everyone in Extreme Cold Manor, walked hand in hand with her toward the manor's interior.
Soon, they arrived at the teleportation array, stepped onto it, and vanished from sight.
That night, Chu Feng and his group returned to Miaomiao Mountain.
After a brief round of celebration for their great victory and the addition of two new members, the atmosphere was lively.
During the feast, Bing Yan turned toward Xiao Jin and asked, "Husband, how do you plan to arrange Xiao Jin's future?"
Hearing this, Xiao Jin immediately looked at Chu Feng with anticipation.
Chu Feng replied without hesitation, "Let her stay here for now. How far she goes will depend on her own fortune."
"Thank you, Mister Chu."
Xiao Jin stood quickly, her face bright with excitement, though in her heart she thought secretly—so long as she could stay by his side, she would one day have the chance to climb into his bed.
Chu Feng's calm voice interrupted her thoughts. "Sit down."
After the feast ended, Bing Yan personally led Bing Qin to a separate courtyard to rest and talk privately.
Bing Yan was the first to speak. "Qin'er, tell me what plans you have for your future."
Bing Qin replied softly, "Aunt, I will follow your wishes in all things."
Bing Yan gently stroked her head with affection. "Silly child, everyone must choose their own path. Though I wish for you to become the next lord of Extreme Cold Manor, if you do not desire it, I will not force you."
"Aunt is like a second mother to me. I will do anything for you—and I want to prove myself for my mother's sake."
At last, Bing Qin spoke the thought she had long buried in her heart.
Bing Yan smiled. "A good child—filial and resolute. Stay by my side and cultivate. Once you reach the rank of a King, you may decide your future for yourself."
"Yes."
Bing Qin nodded softly, her determination only growing stronger.
The night passed peacefully.
Early the next morning, Bing Yan awoke and found that her husband—who usually loved to sleep late—was already up.
She frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Husband, is something wrong?"
"..."
Chu Feng's face darkened. "What, am I not allowed to wake up early unless something's wrong?"
Bing Yan smiled faintly. "It's just unexpected, that's all."
Chu Feng didn't bother hiding his thoughts. "I want to see if I can cultivate this Holy Seed into a Holy Tree."
Bing Yan's eyes lit up instantly, her face full of expectation. "Husband, you'll definitely succeed."
"Come, let's go. I'll find a good place first. When the sun rises, I'll plant the Holy Seed and chant for seven days to see if it can sprout into a sacred sapling."
With that, Chu Feng left with Bing Yan.
After stepping out of the courtyard, the two went their separate ways.
Chu Feng wandered across Miaomiao Mountain for a while before finally selecting a perfect spot.
"In his past life, the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree after seven days of meditation. Then, in this life, I—Chu Feng—shall chant for seven days to witness the birth of a Holy Sapling."
Time slipped by quietly. When the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, Chu Feng planted the Holy Seed, watered it, fertilized it, and then sat cross-legged on the spot, beginning his recitation.
This time, he chose to chant the Diamond Sutra from his previous life.
"Thus have I heard. Once, the Buddha dwelt in the Jeta Grove of Anathapindika's Garden in the country of Shravasti…"
His voice was not loud nor hurried, yet each word resonated with the essence of the Great Dao, spreading gently through the air.
The first to hear him was the Golden-Winged Great Sage. Having long been connected to Buddhist teachings, he immediately came over and sat quietly beside Chu Feng, not daring to interrupt.
As time passed, disciples from all over Miaomiao Mountain gathered one after another, sitting cross-legged around Chu Feng to listen and cultivate along with the scripture's rhythm.
Before anyone realized it, everyone present had entered a deep meditative state.
A faint golden Buddhist radiance began to envelop Miaomiao Mountain.
After the first day, the light rose seven zhang high.
After the second day, it reached fourteen zhang.
…
By the seventh day, the Buddhist glow covering Miaomiao Mountain had risen to forty-nine zhang high, shimmering like divine light descending upon the mortal realm.
Such a phenomenon naturally drew the attention of the disciples from the Dao-Seeking Academy.
However, none of them were surprised anymore. They merely wondered why the Great Sage of Heaven and Earth was suddenly engaging in Buddhist cultivation.
When Chu Feng's chanting finally ceased, he slowly opened his eyes and immediately looked toward where he had planted the Bodhi seed.
There, a small Bodhi tree about seven inches tall swayed gently, radiating a soft golden light.
Chu Feng could clearly sense the joy emanating from the tree, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly in satisfaction.
"Holy crap!"
The Golden-Winged Great Sage suddenly exclaimed, startling everyone out of their meditative state.
Chu Feng glared at him, exasperated. "You damned bird, why the shouting? Where's your dignity as a Great Sage?"
The other cultivators didn't speak, but their eyes all showed agreement.
Pointing at the small Bodhi tree before Chu Feng, the Golden-Winged Great Sage shouted again, his voice trembling with excitement. "The… the Bodhi Tree—it's really grown!!!"
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