Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Bodhi of Time

Institute of the Arcane Arts. Celestial Pavilion.

“So, esteemed immortals, you are speaking of one of the Eight Immortals—Lan Caihe?”

“Indeed. He is also a celestial teacher of the Institute, but years ago he began roaming the mortal world and has seldom returned. Now that you have displayed a celestial art bearing his mark, you must have encountered him.”

Lan Caihe, whom Master Yuran mentioned, was not entirely unknown to Huasheng. Yet, his impression of Lan Caihe was mostly shaped by tales and films recounting the legends of the Eight Immortals.

Huasheng wondered, if Lan Caihe truly existed in this world, how could a mere mortal like himself have crossed paths with him? It was said that when gods descend to the mortal realm, they always disguise themselves, and ordinary eyes cannot perceive their true forms. Even if an immortal appeared as he truly is, how could a mortal recognize him?

“I have indeed heard Lan Caihe’s name since childhood, but I have no idea what he looks like, nor had I ever imagined I would meet him,” Huasheng replied truthfully.

The three immortals exchanged glances.

Celestial Master Jueguang asked Master Huolei, “Can you confirm that the Samadhi True Fire Huasheng released is truly that of the immortal Lan Caihe?”

“There is no mistake! If it were a minor spell from an average citizen of Sacred Pingning, perhaps I might doubt my eyes. But the Samadhi True Fire is a transcendent celestial art, and one wielded by an Eight Immortal—how could I possibly be mistaken?” Master Huolei’s voice was as bold and booming as ever.

“If it truly was the Samadhi True Fire, any mortal who touched it would have been reduced to ashes. Yet Huasheng was able to seal it within himself for so long—how do we explain that?” Master Yuran said. “It seems necessary to discuss this with the Headmaster.”

Master Jueguang pondered for a moment before saying, “Indeed, we must meet with the Headmaster. Especially since Lan Caihe rarely lingers in Sacred Pingning, only the Headmaster himself might be able to find him. But recently, he vanished abruptly; I’ve heard he has long been untraceable.”

Then, Master Jueguang raised his palm, fingers splayed and curling inward like petals closing around the heart of a flower. The formation of light enveloping the whole floor contracted, merging into a single point before fading into the air.

“Tianjizi, Weiyu—your efforts in protecting the formation have been exhausting! You may rise.” Master Jueguang addressed the two guardians on either side.

Tianjizi and Weiyu slowly brought their outstretched hands together, and the barrier surrounding all sides of the Celestial Pavilion gradually drew back to their backs.

Then Tianjizi stood up, unable to contain his eagerness, and asked, “Just now, you mentioned Lan Caihe, esteemed immortals—do you have news of my father?”

Master Jueguang replied, “There are still no leads for now. But it seems we have at least found a thread—perhaps we can pursue it further.”

Tianjizi cast a doubtful glance at Huasheng. “Did you really see my father? Please, do not conceal anything from us.”

Huasheng bowed with hands clasped. “I am truly sorry; I have no recollection at all…”

At this moment, Master Yuran addressed Huasheng, “Huasheng, Weiyu—you may withdraw for now. We have a few matters to discuss with Tianjizi.”

After bowing respectfully, Huasheng descended the wooden staircase from the Celestial Pavilion.

Once outside, he did not go far, but sat beneath a great parasol tree, hoping to wait for Weiyu.

Yet after a long while, there was still no sign of her.

Suddenly, it occurred to Huasheng—what if Weiyu had flown off another way and he’d missed her? Immortals and spiritfolk were not bound to mortal habits like descending stairs—they might simply turn and ride the clouds away.

He was berating himself for his oversight when, to his relief, he saw Weiyu descending the stairs at a measured pace.

Was she not deliberately trying to catch up to me? His heart leaped with excitement, and he stepped forward to greet her—then hesitated. What if she was still angry? Wouldn’t that only invite embarrassment? Still, this matter couldn’t be left unresolved; it might as well be faced now, and perhaps break the ice.

“Hey!” Huasheng forced a smile, though his expression was a little stiff.

Weiyu raised her head. “You’re still here?”

“I… was waiting for you.”

“Mm.” She replied, but said nothing more.

Huasheng’s mind spun rapidly, searching for a way to break the awkward silence. In haste, he said, “Just now, it wasn’t convenient to speak with you.”

“There was nothing inconvenient about it,” Weiyu replied coolly. “What could you not have said at that time?”

Huasheng felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him but pressed on: “Still, seeing you there took me by surprise.”

“The Institute holds ceremonies now and then, and the Student Committee is often called to assist the immortals with protective duties.”

“Not just any student can serve as a guardian, can they?”

“One must be thoroughly versed in both the Artful Illusion and Profound Clarity levels of celestial arts, and even have learned parts of the Supreme Lingxiao arts to qualify.”

Huasheng felt a pang at her words.

“It’s nothing really, just menial tasks,” Weiyu continued. “By the way, how are you and Mieying?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Mieying’s elder sister, Immortal Qingmiao, has shown me kindness. If you get along well with Qingmiao’s younger sister, it will surely please her.”

“Would that make you happy?”

“My happiness is none of your concern, is it?” Weiyu glanced at him.

“All right, Weiyu. It’s my fault, isn’t it? But you know I went to the Tianmu Trial because I didn’t want Tianjizi to cause us trouble.”

“Immortal Qingmiao’s sisters are all renowned beauties, and they are kin to Nezha, the Firewheel Heavenly King. How could I ever compare?”

“Why not? Even if they are beautiful—”

“So you admit her sisters are pretty?”

“No, no! I was only making a comparison. In my eyes, her sisters are just nine talking parrots!”

At last, Weiyu, usually as cold as frost, let out a laugh. “But Mieying is from a noble spirit clan, and you call them parrots? If she hears, she’ll tear you limb from limb!”

Seeing her laugh, Huasheng finally relaxed. “Honestly, going to the Tianmu Trial was reckless of me. I never expected the Institute would be full of masters—by myself, I might not have passed even the first round.”

“Don’t belittle yourself! Today’s events only happened because you used a Supreme Lingxiao art, didn’t they?”

“Don’t tease me.”

Weiyu smiled sweetly. “But you’re very brave! Bravery isn’t about strength—it’s about daring to challenge what lies beyond your limits.”

“How do you know I’m brave?”

Weiyu leaned closer, gazing into his eyes. “Why wouldn’t I know? You have many strengths, though you don’t see them.”

Huasheng’s face flushed red, and he hurriedly changed the subject. “Still, we haven’t found the cause of the Samadhi True Fire. The mystery only deepens.”

Weiyu seemed to recall something, and frowned in silence.

“What is it?” Huasheng asked.

“I might have a way to recover your lost memory,” Weiyu said hesitantly.

Delighted, Huasheng exclaimed, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? What is it? We should try at once!”

“But… it might be dangerous.”

“Dangerous?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me first. Let’s see if it’s worth the risk.”

“There is a treasure called the Bodhi of Time.”

“Bodhi of Time? What is that?”

“The so-called Bodhi of Time allows one to manipulate the time of an object. For example, if you cast a spell on a sapling, it can instantly become a towering tree, or you can revert a giant tree to a sapling in a moment.”

“Such a miraculous treasure exists?”

“If we had the Bodhi of Time, we could return your mind to the period when your memory was lost and retrieve what you’ve forgotten. Then, once you return to the present, the mystery would be solved—and you’d find out how you met Lan Caihe.”

“Then why aren’t we going to find this Bodhi of Time right now?” Huasheng urged.

Weiyu replied, “The Bodhi grows on the Bodhi Tree of Time, which bears only a single fruit every thousand years. And each fruit can only be used once.”

“So if someone took it in the last thousand years, there wouldn’t be another yet? With so much time, surely someone in Sacred Pingning would have taken it—the odds are slim.”

“Not necessarily. The Bodhi Tree of Time is hidden deep within a certain cave, and legend says there’s celestial magic guarding it, making it almost impossible to approach. So, it may still exist,” Weiyu said, resting her chin on her hand in thought.

“Where is this cave?”

“It’s at the bottom of a place called the Winding Strings Cavern.”

“Winding Strings Cavern? I’ve only ever heard of the Spider Silk Cavern.” Huasheng felt he was learning many new terms today.

“It’s called Winding Strings because there are many strings within.”

“Strings? Do you mean like zither strings?” Huasheng laughed. “Wouldn’t walking through it play music?”

“Not zither strings. How should I put it…” Weiyu paused to gather her thoughts. “Do you know what everything in the mortal world is made of?”

“At the smallest scale, cells?”

“Smaller than cells?”

“Atoms? Or maybe protons? Neutrons?” Huasheng racked his brain for classroom memories.

“And what are protons and neutrons made of?”

“That…” Huasheng was stumped.

“Neutrons are made of one up quark and two down quarks. There are many particles lighter than neutrons—like electrons, positrons, neutrinos.”

Huasheng began to feel dizzy.

“And smaller than those are strings—energy strings. Strings are the foundation of the world. In reality, inside every fundamental particle is a thin, vibrating string. They are so tiny that they appear as points. The more violently the string vibrates, the greater the particle’s energy; the gentler, the less energy. Energy and mass are two sides of the same coin—the greater the mass, the greater the energy. Countless vibrating strings compose the universe, and the universe is like a symphony of energy strings. Their motion is complex, so three-dimensional space cannot contain their trajectories; only higher-dimensional space can accommodate their vibrations.”

“I don’t understand a word of that. Are you saying the world is made of strings?”

“Energy strings, yes. That’s why different things can have similar forms—typhoons are round, sound waves are round, water waves are round. It’s because all matter is made of vibrating energy strings, and these strings determine the universe’s ten-dimensional space.”

“Ten dimensions?” Huasheng was even more bewildered. “What are you talking about?”

Weiyu folded her arms and explained, “The ‘space-time’ of the mortal world is made up of both time and space. Ten dimensions mean nine spatial dimensions and one of time. Didn’t the immortals say in class that the world appears the way it does only because mortals can perceive these dimensions?”

Huasheng asked, “But what does that have to do with Winding Strings Cavern?”

“In Winding Strings Cavern, there are primordial one-dimensional energy strings. These strings exist in two states: at rest and vibrating in unison. The one-dimensional strings that make up the world weave together into a three-dimensional net. It’s much like the Spider Silk Cavern, existing in a parallel, intertwined state of time and multidimensional space. Only in such a place can a Bodhi capable of altering time be nurtured.”

Huasheng’s eyes widened. “Even though I don’t fully understand, your explanation makes me feel that Winding Strings Cavern will be the most dangerous place I’ve ever set foot in! I feel like I could be broken down into protons and neutrons at any moment—or even unraveled into a single strand!”