A hundred years, not long, yet not short either.
At least for Su Qing, a century was already quite a long time.
Over these past hundred years, many things had happened between heaven and earth, and even the peaceful Changbai Mountains were no exception...
The once somewhat unruly Changbai Mountains demons had now become very well-behaved.
Most had even become Su Qing's subordinates.
Even if disobedient demons occasionally appeared.
Most of the time, there was no need for Su Qing to intervene.
Even those formerly rebellious demons would help resolve the trouble.
Besides that, the faith at the foot of the mountain had also become more prosperous.
After all, Su Qing had stayed in the Changbai Mountains for so long and had manifested her divine power many times...
In the eyes of the residents near the Changbai Mountains, Bi Ling Yuanjun was a genuine guardian deity.
Perhaps it was precisely for this reason.
Although Su Qing was clearly a mountain deity, many other titles had been added to her through word-of-mouth among mortals.
Su Qing found this somewhat speechless, yet she was helpless to change it.
After all, she couldn't reveal herself to explain these things.
So, she mostly let it develop naturally.
In any case, for Su Qing, having more faith and Incense Power wasn't a bad thing.
Even at her current Heavenly Immortal realm, this faith and Incense Power were still quite useful.
Meanwhile, in the small courtyard on the mountain.
Significant changes had also occurred.
The familiar courtyard had been expanded considerably, and before she knew it, it was almost the size of a small garden.
The initial reason for expanding the courtyard was simply to plant more spirit herbs, but later, for aesthetic reasons, many other miscellaneous things were added.
Thus, it eventually took shape.
Besides the courtyard, the greatest change was also seen in one person.
This person was Ao Ying.
A hundred years had passed.
Ao Ying, who was already quite diligent in her cultivation.
Now, with Su Qing's help, she had also reached the Earthly Immortal realm.
Such a realm might not be considered exceedingly high...
But compared to when they first met, it was already a world of difference.
However, Ao Ying's changes were not merely in her cultivation realm.
There were also changes in her figure...
She didn't know when, but her belly had grown quite large.
Clearly, the Dragon race was indeed as she had said... very talented in this regard.
Su Qing was a little surprised by this, yet at the same time, she felt it was reasonable.
After all, Ao Ying had already told her...
It was merely developing as originally anticipated.
However, what left Su Qing slightly puzzled was that Ao Ying's belly had been large for two or three years, yet she still hadn't given birth...
Evidently, the Dragon race and humans were still different.
Naturally, Su Qing had inquired about this.
After all, asking when one didn't know was far more useful than guessing blindly.
When Ao Ying heard Su Qing's question, she smiled faintly and said:
“So, Sister, you were wondering about this? Actually... while the Dragon race is different from humans, it's not usually this long. That's for normal couples. But for those like you and me, it does take a bit longer. And it also depends heavily on cultivation level...”
“Although I am now an Earthly Immortal... I'm only newly at the Earthly Immortal stage, so it will probably take another ten years or so to successfully give birth.”
After receiving Ao Ying's answer, Su Qing wasn't too surprised, merely nodding slightly.
Honestly, it wasn't far off from what she had guessed.
It was just that the duration was a bit longer than she had anticipated.
“I see.” Su Qing nodded, smiling, and said, “Then let's take it step by step.”
“Even if I wanted to speed things up, I don't have the ability...” Ao Ying replied with a helpless smile.
Su Qing chuckled awkwardly at that, then chatted with her about other things.
They had much to talk about, and as they chatted, a lot of time slipped away.
In the blink of an eye.
Another day.
Su Qing woke up early in the morning and practiced her sword in the courtyard.
However, while practicing, she suddenly noticed something unusual about the Bodhi Tree in the courtyard.
The Bodhi Tree's leaves... seemed to have withered and yellowed considerably.
As if winter had arrived.
Su Qing put away her sword, looked at the Bodhi Tree, and couldn't help but ask, “What's wrong with you?”
Facing Su Qing's inquiry, the Bodhi Tree remained silent for a moment before quickly replying, “As you can see, I am dying.”
Hearing this, Su Qing naturally didn't believe it and replied, “I don't believe that. Your roots are connected to a branch of the Ancestral Vein; how could you die so easily?”
“No... I am truly dying.” The Bodhi Tree, realizing Su Qing didn't believe her, spoke again, “It's just that the ‘dying’ I speak of might be different from what you imagine.”
Su Qing paused slightly at her words, then rubbed her chin, recalling some things about the Bodhi Tree.
She remembered everything from the past vividly.
In fact, to prevent herself from forgetting important things, she had specifically kept a diary... and recorded her past.
After a moment of thought, Su Qing vaguely had an answer in her mind and asked, “Are you going to fully mature?”
“It seems you've guessed it.”
“That doesn't really count as dying, does it?”
“It's the same... The tree that exists in reality, which is me, is dying.” The Bodhi Tree quickly transmitted its consciousness, saying.
Su Qing shook her head slightly upon hearing this, saying, “But you will actually still be alive.”
“...” Faced with Su Qing's stubbornness, the Bodhi Tree clearly had no intention of continuing the conversation.
“Then what should I do?” Seeing the Bodhi Tree's silence, Su Qing changed the subject, asking what she could do.
After all, as the one who planted the Bodhi Tree, there must be something she could do.
Moreover, she still had a newly sprouted Bodhi Seed in her mind!
And Su Qing felt that after the Bodhi Tree in the courtyard withered, it would most likely enter her mind... merging with the newly sprouted Bodhi Tree.
Forming a ‘truly complete’ Bodhi Tree.
Facing Su Qing's question, the Bodhi Tree remained silent for a long time before quickly transmitting its consciousness, replying, “For now, you don't need to do anything. When something needs to be done, I will naturally inform you.”
Hearing this, Su Qing spread her hands and said, “Can't you tell me in advance so I can prepare?”
“No... I myself don't know what will happen when the time comes, so naturally, I cannot let you prepare in advance.” This time, the Bodhi Tree answered very quickly.
And it expressed itself frankly, which was rare.
Su Qing's mouth twitched slightly at that. Although she wanted to complain, she didn't know where to begin.
After a long pause, she asked again, “Then how long do you estimate until you can enter the next stage?”
The Bodhi Tree pondered for a long time, then replied, “Very soon, about two or three months.”
“That is indeed very soon.” Su Qing nodded slightly.
Three months was a short time, and for Su Qing, it would pass in a flash.
“Then when you begin, remember to tell me...” Su Qing said slowly, looking at the Bodhi Tree.
The Bodhi Tree merely transmitted a 'hmm', and then fell silent.
Su Qing's feelings towards the Bodhi Tree were quite complex.
But at the very least, Su Qing certainly wouldn't watch the Bodhi Tree wither and die.
After her chat with the Bodhi Tree ended, Su Qing didn't continue practicing her sword. Instead, she entered the alchemy room to continue her alchemy cultivation.
After so many years, Su Qing had long since mastered the refining of Transformation Pills.
Although limited by materials, Su Qing still couldn't refine Transformation Pills that would allow demons to perfectly transform solely by relying on them. However, she could enable them to transform into a human to the greatest extent possible.
It was just that... demons who transformed into humans using this Transformation Pill would still retain some demonic characteristics to varying degrees.
For example, ears, or a tail.
Of course, if the demon who took the Transformation Pill was truly too weak...
Then the result would be a bit abstract.
But no matter what, the Transformation Pill was still very effective.
In fact, over the past century, a large part of the reason why the Changbai Mountains demons had become so obedient was due to Su Qing's Transformation Pills.
After all, most demons hoped to be able to transform.
The reasons varied.
Some demons wanted to become like Su Qing.
Some believed it would allow them to cultivate faster.
While others hoped to integrate into human society.
Of course, there were also those who wanted to infiltrate human society to prey on people...
However, such demons... would naturally not be able to obtain Transformation Pills from Su Qing.
After all, Su Qing's Transformation Pills weren't given out casually, nor were they free. To obtain a Transformation Pill, loyalty alone wasn't enough.
Perhaps it was precisely because Transformation Pills were not easy to obtain.
That's why these demons of the Changbai Mountains were exceptionally obedient and very willing to help Su Qing with various tasks.
Time flew by, and dusk approached.
Su Qing's last batch of pills was also successfully refined.
Su Qing packed all the Transformation Pills, then stood up and stretched.
Although Su Qing's initial purpose for cultivating and refining Transformation Pills was to help her lazy Little Sparrows transform...
But who knew, these little fellows didn't love cultivation at all, much less wanted to transform.
As a result, by the end of her cultivation, the Transformation Pills ended up being used elsewhere.
However, just in case, Su Qing still refined a few special Transformation Pills.
These Transformation Pills were naturally the most perfect kind...
Prepared for those Little Sparrows.
When they wanted to transform, she would give them to eat.
Time flew like an arrow.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
And after three months.
The Bodhi Tree in the courtyard had now shed its leaves.
Looking as if it were on its last breath.
However, despite its dying appearance, Su Qing could clearly feel a vast and terrifying aura of life force still within the Bodhi Tree.
Moreover, this life force was mixed with an immense amount of spiritual energy.
Clearly.
The Bodhi Tree's dying appearance was merely a facade.
As she pondered, Su Qing closed her eyes and introspected her Niwan Palace.
Indeed, within her Niwan Palace, the Bodhi Tree also began to radiate a strong vitality, and this vitality had an extremely strong connection with the life force contained within the 'dying' Bodhi Tree.
“It seems there's no problem for now,” Su Qing thought to herself.
She then walked to the Bodhi Tree's side and said, “Do you want me to do anything now?”
The Bodhi Tree did not answer at first. After a while, a slightly weak will entered Su Qing's mind.
“Just stay by my side; I'll handle the rest myself.”
Su Qing paused slightly upon hearing this, then nodded slightly and said, “Are you alright?”
“I know my own situation much better than you do; just trust me.” The Bodhi Tree replied weakly, “I also don't wish to completely disappear...”
The Bodhi Tree's words made Su Qing thoughtful, but she nodded and then sat down, leaning against the tree trunk of the Bodhi Tree.
Leaning against the Bodhi Tree, Su Qing could clearly feel a surge of vitality within her Niwan Palace.
And this powerful surge even brought her some influence.
She couldn't describe the feeling; if she had to, it was probably somewhat comfortable?
At any rate, it didn't make her feel repulsed.
Su Qing didn't know what she should do, so she simply leaned against the tree, quietly closed her eyes, and calmly observed the entire process with her consciousness.
Meanwhile, in a place unknown to Su Qing, tens of thousands of meters high in the sky.
An old man was observing everything in the courtyard.
He held an incantation in his hand, assisting the Bodhi Tree with some subsequent matters...
Although the Bodhi Tree had now matured, it still lacked some accumulation. Without his assistance, there was still a possibility of failure in completing its transformation.
However, in such matters, any possibility of failure was unacceptable.
Therefore, he intervened.
And with his help, the Bodhi Tree's subsequent process indeed became much smoother...
Without any further difficulties.
In the blink of an eye, dusk approached.
He also finished his work and returned to his residence. As he left, he cast a deep glance at Su Qing and muttered to himself, “Ah, well, this is probably the last time I'll see her. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself.”
With that, he turned and vanished.
Under the Bodhi Tree, Su Qing slowly opened her eyes. Vaguely, she seemed to hear her master saying something.
But when she came to, she realized she had merely fallen asleep.
She stood up and stretched, then turned her head to look at the Bodhi Tree beside her.
By now, the Bodhi Tree had completely withered, and all its life force had vanished.
Witnessing this, Su Qing once again introspected her Niwan Palace...
However, when she introspected her Niwan Palace, she couldn't help but freeze, her mouth agape in astonishment.
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