Chapter 30: Blood, Betrayal, and Bodhi’s Fall

                  

Time inside the cave seemed suspended, though it was only a fleeting instant. In that moment, nearly half of Bai Shuo’s blood poured into Chong Zhao’s body. He gazed at her pale face, raising a trembling hand to touch her neck.

“Enough, A‑Shuo… thank you for your blood…”

His voice carried a sinister edge. Suddenly, he struck her shoulder with a palm, sending her flying like a broken kite before she crashed heavily to the ground.

“A‑Zhao…” Bai Shuo coughed blood, staring at him in shock.

“Junior Brother?!” Er Yun froze, unable to comprehend.

Chong Zhao burst into wild laughter. He gripped the thorn in his chest and pulled it free with ease. The Bodhi vines binding him retreated. In a flash, he transformed into the masked Evil Bodhi, his body surging with malevolent power—far stronger than when he had fought Fan Yue in the forest.

“The Evil Bodhi?!” Er Yun cried. How had he taken Chong Zhao’s form without her noticing?

Bodhi reveled in his ascension. “A mere lower realm yields spirit blood like yours. I drained the Eastern Sea for years, yet divinity eluded me. But your blood has pushed my Golden Core to Major Achievement!”

Bai Shuo’s face was deathly pale. His strike had nearly severed her life force. “A‑Zhao… where is he? What have you done?”

“Without him, how could I have tricked you into offering your blood? Since you’ve aided my ascension, I’ll grant you a dying wish.”

With a wave, the vines revealed Chong Zhao bound to the true Bodhi tree heart, thorns piercing his chest, his Golden Core flickering faintly.

“A‑Shuo… run…” Chong Zhao whispered.

Bai Shuo pleaded, “Release him, and I’ll give you the rest of my blood.”

“You dare bargain? You’re prey.” Bodhi sneered, raising his hand as vines sharpened into deadly spikes.

At the brink, Bai Shuo shouted, “The Lord of Haoyue Hall has ties to me! Kill me, and you’ll provoke him!”

The vines halted. Bodhi laughed. “The Yao Race knows no mercy. Do you think he’d risk himself for you?”

“Why not? If you crave my blood, others do too.”

“You made a deal with him?” Bodhi’s voice sharpened.

“Yes!” Bai Shuo cried toward the cave’s entrance. “Lord! Hall Master Haoyue!”

No answer came. Only Bodhi’s triumphant laughter.

He bound her in vines, lifting her into the air. “Did you think your paper puppet could find my true form? This island is my body. I’ve reached demi‑godhood. No one can break my barrier—not even Haoyue.”

Outside, Fan Yue stood at the peach grove, crimson robes billowing. He struck the barrier with demonic energy, but it held firm. “He’s devoured the island. The island is him.”

Inside, Bodhi’s hand tightened around Bai Shuo’s neck. “Thank you for your blood. To die by my hand is no wasted life.”

“A‑Shuo!” Chong Zhao strained against the thorns, blood pouring, despair filling his eyes.

But Bai Shuo lifted her head, gaze clear. “Even if I’m an ant, my fate isn’t to die by you… Fan Yue!”

A dark red crescent mark flared between her brows. Crimson demonic energy erupted, striking Bodhi with a single palm. His body convulsed as Fan Yue’s power consumed him.

Fan Yue descended like a deity, cradling Bai Shuo. With a wave, he severed the vines binding Chong Zhao and Er Yun.

“You… how could Fan Yue’s demonic power be inside me?” Bodhi spat blood as his true form burned.

“Because you’re stupid,” Fan Yue said coolly. “Or unlucky—meeting someone smarter than you, useless trash.”

Bai Shuo grinned at Bodhi. “My blood only works if I give it willingly. You threatened A‑Zhao’s life, knowing I’d sacrifice myself. But when you drank my blood, you swallowed Fan Yue’s Origin power. That was your death warrant.”

Bodhi’s body turned translucent, hatred in his eyes. “What a ruthless girl. I underestimated you.”

“Flattery won’t help.” Bai Shuo clapped her hands. “Lord, this rotten wood is yours. A deal’s a deal. A‑Zhao, let’s go home!”

But before she could reach him, a blinding white light surged. Chong Zhao’s terror froze her. Fan Yue’s silver chain shot forward, colliding with Chong Zhao as he scooped her aside. The light missed them—but ensnared Er Yun, dragging him to the Bodhi tree heart.

The heart reignited, black radiance flickering. Evil Bodhi rose again, clutching Er Yun’s throat and a luminous jade slip—the source of that terrifying immortal power.

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