Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 32 Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree

After bidding farewell to the carefree Celestial Venerable, Liang Yu embarked on his journey home once again.

However, the first stop was Shencha Mountain, which later became known as the Immortal Mountain. Of course, now this mountain should be called Wuji Immortal Mountain.

After all, this is already his dojo, so it's better to move it.

Liang Yu stopped in front of the mountain and discovered that this sacred mountain consisted of only one peak. The black mountain stood tall, with ancient trees growing among it, lush and vibrant. The mountain was not tall, but it possessed an inexplicable aura that inspired a sense of mystery and solemnity.

In the lush ancient forest, the Wudao Ancient Tea Tree stood out like a crane among chickens, immediately catching Liang Yu's eye. Although this tree was the smallest, almost completely obscured by the other towering trees, its unique aura was too obvious.

The place where the ancient tea trees of Wudao are located naturally exudes a Taoist charm that can automatically bring people into a state of ethereal and natural enlightenment, making it hard not to notice.

Liang Yu's eyes suddenly flashed with divine light, and he saw that the essence of heaven and earth was condensing within the mountain, which, given time, should evolve into a divine spring.

Liang Yu stepped into the mountain, and the ancient tea tree of enlightenment rose from the ground, using its roots to run to Liang Yu in small steps, and transmitted its voice: "Greetings, Heavenly Venerable".

This ancient tree is over ten meters tall, vigorous and upright, full of vitality, but its bark is covered with cracks, bearing the marks of time and exuding an ancient charm.

The ancient tree has few leaves left, only about thirty. It should have 108 leaves each year, so they must have already been picked. But even the remaining leaves reveal something extraordinary.

These leaves are colorful, each one as clear and flawless as a rare gem, and each has a different shape.

There are leaves shaped like pagodas, bells, and tripods, as well as leaves shaped like mythical beasts such as dragons and phoenixes, and even leaves shaped like ancient immortals.

Each leaf shimmers with divine light, containing the various natural rhythms of heaven and earth, and is truly wondrous.

In later generations, when Ye Fan entered the Undying Mountain and saw this ancient tree, it was only a little over three meters tall and half a meter thick, but now it is much larger.

Liang Yu understood the reason after just a moment's thought.

This ancient tree has had a very unfortunate history; it grew in the mountains, but misfortune struck from the sky.

Countless ancient emperors throughout history have thought of bringing this tree home, but unfortunately, this tree can only grow in this place. Once it leaves, its vitality will weaken and it will eventually die.

But who are these so-called "proclaimed believers"? These people are arrogant and self-important, each believing that heaven is greater than themselves. When faced with such a situation, their first thought is always that just because others can't do it doesn't mean they can't.

Thus, the ancient tea tree underwent various trials repeatedly. From the Primordial Era to the Ancient Era, the ancient tea tree suffered countless ravages.

Of the things that have been explicitly stated, the Qilin Ancient Emperor transplanted it next to the Fire Qilin Cave, almost causing it to die; the Wushi Emperor once tried to transplant it, which almost caused the ancient tree to wither and die; and the Immortal Emperor once cut down its trunk to make a coffin.

There are countless others that haven't been explicitly stated. It's safe to say that if someone were to write a chronicle of the Immortal Mountain, the entire period from the Primordial Era to the Desolate Era would be a chronicle of the suffering of the Enlightened Ancient Tea Tree.

But we are still in the mythological era. Perhaps the celestial beings of our mythological era are of higher quality, so the poor ancient tea trees have not yet suffered all of this.

Therefore, it still has a trunk that is more than ten meters tall, and it has not yet developed the running skills that people in later generations could use as legs to run as fast as they could.

Liang Yu pulled out a nine-colored humanoid divine tree from the Sea of ​​Wheels and said, "Let's get to know each other, since they are all trees under my tutelage."

The humanoid divine tree spoke through its divine sense: "Human, I haven't had enough yet, let me have another breath..."

Liang Yu, his face dark, pressed it to the ground. This thing was addicted to absorbing his life essence.

The human-shaped divine tree took root and grew to the same height as the ancient tea tree that had attained enlightenment in an instant.

Before it could finish its previous complaint, it changed its tune: "What kind of place is this? It's incredible, it's practically paradise on earth." The Enlightened Ancient Tea Tree was naturally aware of its existence, but this arrogant attitude still displeased it somewhat.

This is clearly my land. I was here first. You didn't even say hello. Even if you are a divine medicine from the Heavenly Venerable, you can't be this rude, can you?

So it coughed and said, "Fellow Daoist, this is my home, named..."

The humanoid divine tree retorted indignantly, "What do you mean, 'your home'? There is only one master here, and that is the great, boundless Heavenly Venerable. Are you trying to rebel?"

The ancient tea tree, having attained enlightenment, was stunned. He quickly explained, "No, that's not what I meant. I meant..."

The humanoid divine tree interrupted it directly: "Traitors and rebels deserve to be killed by everyone. We are both immortal divine medicines, like half-brothers. I really don't want to fight among ourselves. But since you dare to have rebellious intentions, I have no choice but to put righteousness above family ties."

The ancient tea tree had never seen anything like this before, and was immediately overwhelmed by the barrage of accusations.

It shook its leaves and said tremblingly, "Little tree, you have unintentionally committed such a grave offense. Please forgive me, for we are both immortal medicines."

The humanoid divine tree smiled with satisfaction: "Not bad, not bad, you're teachable. Since you're sincerely begging for mercy, I'll show you some compassion. But why should I believe in your sincerity?"

The ancient tea tree, puzzled, asked, "Do you want me to bow three times and kowtow nine times, prostrate myself on the ground, and plead guilty with a bundle of thorns on my back?"

The humanoid divine tree swayed its canopy: "No, no, no, you have lived here for many years and accumulated wealth. Do you have connections to send me? I can smooth things over for you and make some arrangements, and this matter will be over."

The ancient tea tree hesitated for a moment: "But I really have no savings, and I'm afraid I can't afford it. These leaves belong to the Celestial Venerable, and I dare not use them."

The humanoid divine tree sneered, "Don't be so stubborn! I'm reluctant to punish you severely because you're new here and don't know the rules; but you're obstinate and have disregarded my good intentions. Since that's the case, then you can wait for the executioner's blade!"

The ancient tea tree cried out, "I'm innocent! Please, great tree, investigate! I truly have no wealth left, as Heaven and Earth bear witness!"

Seeing that it was indeed impossible to extract any benefit from the humanoid divine tree, it sighed, "If that's the case, then it's difficult. Don't think that just because I'm a close tree to the Heavenly Venerable, I'm not walking on thin ice. Countless divine herbs and immortal trees are eyeing my position. They're just waiting for me to make a mistake so they can overthrow me and take my place. So, it's very difficult for me to protect you."

“Great Tree, the Heavenly Venerable is all-seeing and has the keen eye to see the truth. He will certainly not let you be wronged. How could such a trivial matter shake your position?” the Enlightened Ancient Tea Tree comforted.

“Thunder and rain are both the emperor’s favor, but serving the emperor is like walking on thin ice. Although I am close to the Heavenly Venerable, the feelings of those in power are unreliable.” The humanoid divine tree sighed, then changed the subject, “I have a plan to resolve this matter, but I’m afraid you won’t agree to it.”

The ancient tea tree, having attained enlightenment, said, "Please speak, great tree."

The humanoid divine tree could barely suppress its laughter: "You can consume your own essence to transform into immortal liquid. With such a precious elixir, what problem cannot be solved?"

The ancient tea tree, Wudao, was in a dilemma: "But this will severely deplete my vital energy."

The humanoid divine tree said, "Tell me, I finally caught someone guilty of treason, and instead of getting any benefits, I have to bear the risk of being implicated. Isn't that unfair?"

The ancient tea tree, having attained enlightenment, said, "It's not suitable."

The humanoid divine tree continued, "It's not fair that you have to risk your life for saying the wrong thing, is it?"

The ancient tea tree, having attained enlightenment, shook its branches repeatedly, saying, "It's even less suitable."

The humanoid divine tree feigned seriousness and said, "What is a little bit of origin? Can it compare to our lives and property?"

(End of this chapter)