"Whoosh!"

An intense green light streaked across the void like a long green whip, striking fiercely at the swiftly incoming Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert.

The green light was a branch of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Sensing the release of killing qi from the Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert, the Bodhi Ancient Tree immediately launched a fierce counterattack.

Although an Immortal Emperor Realm expert’s body is incredibly resilient, impervious to fire and water, and resistant to Immortal Artifacts, the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s branch was far mightier than typical Immortal Artifacts.

Simultaneously, as the branch whipped out, an ancient mystical force enveloped the Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert, making him feel trapped in a quagmire, unable to perform Immortal Technique Secrets, as he watched helplessly while the roaring branch struck his body.

"Ah!"

Amidst the screams, the Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert’s skin was torn where the branch struck him, blood mist splashing, and he flew backward, landing a thousand feet away, just outside the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s canopy.

All the immortals present understood this was the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s punishment for the Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert. However, they were surprised that such a dignified Immortal Emperor Realm expert ended up in such a disgraceful state under the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s assault. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

If the punished were themselves, Immortal King Realm experts, wouldn’t their outcome be even more tragic?

It is evident that when such a naturally occurring spiritual entity like the Bodhi Ancient Tree loses its "temper," its power is terrifying.

In the Immortal Realm, it is said that beneath the Bodhi Ancient Tree is a place for peaceful introspection, for immortals of all kinds to use for Enlightenment. Whoever here harbors killing intent, even an Immortal Emperor, will be punished.

Now it seems this legend could be true.

"Did you already know this would be the result?"

Watching the Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert being beaten a thousand feet away by the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s branch, Qin Yaorao’s small mouth opened slightly in surprise and joy, transmitting to Fang Bai.

She already knew Fang Bai’s previous life, understanding that he was once the Emperor’s Palace Master and Invincible War Emperor of the Immortal Realm, he should know some secrets about the Bodhi Ancient Tree unknown to other immortals.

Otherwise, how could Fang Bai remain calm while facing the wrath of that Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert? And how could he leisurely sit with her under the Bodhi Ancient Tree waiting for that Starshine Sect expert to launch an attack?

The Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert was only mildly punished and not severely injured. He leapt to his feet, gazed at the Bodhi Ancient Tree with lingering fear, his face changing colors, yet dared not approach again.

Fang Bai smiled and beckoned to the Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert once more.

The Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert, seeing this, was enraged, pointed at Fang Bai from afar, and shouted, "Don’t be arrogant, little immortal! This Immortal Emperor will guard here and see how long you can stay under the Bodhi Tree!"

Fang Bai had his own method of escape, unfazed by the threat, laughed, "Then indeed, keep guarding!"

He ignored the shouting and with Qin Yaorao sat cross-legged on the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s sturdy roots, focusing on cultivation.

With the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s protection, Fang Bai was entirely unconcerned that the Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert could stealthily approach him and Qin Yaorao.

The Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert waved his hand, letting two sect disciples escort Xinghe Immortal King back to the Sect for healing, while he himself stayed at a high point a thousand feet away from the Bodhi Ancient Tree, sitting cross-legged, with closed eyes for rest.

In the mind of the Starshine Sect’s Immortal Emperor Realm expert, Fang Bai not only injured the Sect’s most promising disciple, Xinghe Immortal King, but also publicly challenged himself as an Immortal Emperor, if he didn’t properly punish him, the Starshine Sect’s reputation would be lost.

He wanted to show Fang Bai the serious consequences of injuring the Sect’s disciples and offending him, an Immortal Emperor Realm expert.

Though he closed his eyes, he still observed in all directions and listened to all sounds, thinking if that white-clad little immortal left a hundred feet from the Bodhi Tree, he could sense it.

He considered Fang Bai as fish on a cutting board, a sheep waiting for slaughter, confidently believing as long as he didn’t leave, Fang Bai was trapped.

Others knew they would not clash again for the moment, so with no spectacle to watch, they each returned to their cultivation state, continuing their Enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Immortal cultivation is timeless.

In the blink of an eye, more than a month passed.

Fang Bai and Qin Yaorao practiced under the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s roots, having an advantage over other immortals, but Fang Bai, having been an Immortal Venerable in his past life, had an understanding and perception of the Dao of Cultivation that reached an unreachable realm for most immortals, thus short-term Enlightenment under the Bodhi Ancient Tree had minimal effect on him.

Yet Qin Yaorao was different, having just entered the Immortal Realm and possessing a low cultivation level, the Bodhi Ancient Tree offered her significant benefits.

During this month, she repeatedly experienced Ambrosia Baptism, gaining Enlightenment numerous times. If Fang Bai could give her a petal from a Chaos Lotus, she might even advance immediately.

Fang Bai and Qin Yaorao shared a deep connection, he sensed the changes occurring within Qin Yaorao.

However, with so many immortals present, this wasn’t an ideal place for advancing a realm. Fang Bai planned to assist her advancement with the Chaos Lotus petal after leaving.

During this time, immortals continued arriving from all directions at the Bodhi Ancient Tree, joining the ranks of those seeking Enlightenment.

During this time, another high-level member of the Starshine Sect arrived with a group of Immortal King Realm disciples. Ordered by the Sect Master, they were to assist the Immortal Emperor Realm expert who arrived first in slaying Fang Bai and avenging Xinghe Immortal King.

For Fang Bai and Qin Yaorao, this was clearly bad news, which left Qin Yaorao somewhat worried.

Fang Bai held her hand, transmitted, "Do you want to hear some good news?"

Qin Yaorao looked at him quizzically.

Fang Bai gestured towards an immortal meditating hundreds of feet southward, continuing his transmission, "That immortal is an old acquaintance from my past life. A thousand years ago, he was known as the ’Variable Immortal King.’ Having now advanced to Immortal Emperor Realm, he should be referred to as ’Variable Immortal Emperor.’ With him here, we can escape easily!"

Qin Yaorao glanced at the immortal Fang Bai mentioned, noting his average attire and ordinary appearance, one to blend into a crowd of immortals without drawing attention, responded, "Variable Immortal Emperor? What does that title mean?"

Fang Bai laughed, "He specializes in concealing his aura and mastering many transformation abilities, able to shift into any gender, age, which confuses immortals about his authenticity. Such secret techniques are unmatched in the Immortal Realm except by me."

Qin Yaorao asked, "But there are many Starshine Sect experts. Can that Variable Immortal Emperor singlehandedly face them?"

Fang Bai mysteriously smiled, saying, "That fellow is slippery and deceitful, just watch him put on a good show!"