Chapter 736: Crimson Lotus

Before him lay a pool radiating astonishing life essence, making one wonder if this were the legendary blood of a god—and under such an immense flood of life essence, a crimson lotus had somehow sprouted.

The lotus platform was about a zhang in diameter, with twelve petals resembling carved crimson gold, translucent and glowing with auroras.

But upon closer observation, the crimson lotus had grown from within the pool, rooted by a stem—it was not naturally formed, merely shaped into crimson gold over time by the environment's influence.

"Incredible—this is a lotus platform born of heaven and earth, a treasure naturally nurtured by creation itself," said Xiang Xiangzi, her eyes wide; even as a peak Sanhua cultivator, she had never heard of such a marvel.

Yet ancient texts of the Tian Dao Sect recorded that after a Dao-seeker opened a paradise realm, the interplay of heaven and earth could sometimes give birth to natural treasures.

Most Dao artifacts could be forged by human hands.

But natural treasures could not be artificially crafted, for they were forged by heaven and earth as the furnace, transformation as the artisan, yin and yang as the charcoal, aided by the five elements, and refined over countless seasons.

This place formed its own space.

Like a paradise realm, and with such an immense flood of life essence nourishing it, even crimson gold statues could emerge—so perhaps a treasure born of heaven and earth was possible here.

"Truly unbelievable—if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd never have believed the ancient legends of paradise realms were true," said Xuan Yuezi, equally astonished; even after centuries of cultivation, today had broadened her horizons.

Xiang Xiangzi licked her lips and said: "There must be the corpse of a god in this pool—the crimson lotus must have grown atop it."

"How can you be certain?" Li Yi, drawn to the crimson lotus, remained alert, his gaze scanning the surroundings.

He feared other crimson gold beings might be lurking nearby, ready to strike a fatal blow at a critical moment.

Caution was always wise.

"Heavenly treasures require the full balance of yin, yang, and the five elements to form. Here, there is an immense flood of life essence, yet lacking yin-yang and five-element qi—but in this unique environment, this crimson lotus still grew. That means its roots must be anchored where yin, yang, and the five elements are complete."

Xiang Xiangzi said: "Only humans possess yin-yang and five-element qi within them, for the five viscera represent the five elements, and with the addition of life and death qi, they achieve full balance. But ordinary humans lack sufficient qi to nurture such a lotus—only the body of a god can provide enough nourishment."

"Tai Yi, this crimson lotus holds boundless transformative power—it will greatly benefit your cultivation and growth. Today, I shall retrieve it for you."

She sensed a certain Daoic resonance.

It seemed this crimson lotus had bloomed solely for Tai Yi—others had no connection to it; forcibly taking it would bring harm.

Why, Xiang Xiangzi did not know—her realm allowed her to sense Daoic resonance, but not to comprehend heavenly fate.

Cultivators deeply understood Daoic resonance.

So Xiang Xiangzi directly declared the lotus's ownership, gripped her crimson gold sword tightly, leapt forward, channeling the power of Long Hu, and slashed at the lotus's stem.

Yet the lotus merely trembled slightly—its stem remained unharmed.

"Even the crimson gold sword combined with Long Hu's power cannot cut this lotus?" Xiang Xiangzi froze, stunned beyond belief.

Though her crimson gold sword was not a Dao artifact, it was sharp and sturdy enough; with Long Hu's power, its strength was astonishing—nothing it couldn't cut, not even top-tier Dao artifacts could withstand her full force without a crack.

"I don't believe I can't take this lotus."

Frustrated, Xiang Xiangzi switched weapons and struck again with her black gold arrow.

The black gold arrow could pierce even crimson gold—so far, nothing it couldn't destroy.

Yet even after her black gold arrow struck, the crimson lotus only shook violently—still not falling, though a small wound now marred its stem.

But under the torrent of life essence, the wound healed instantly.

"No way—even a Shan Zhu-level expert can't harm this lotus?" Zhao Fangji and Jiang Mingtian stared wide-eyed.

The lotus looked fragile, yet proved astonishingly unique.

Li Yi also froze.

Had he not known Xiang Xiangzi's strength, he'd have found this impossible to believe.

Meanwhile, Xuan Yuezi observed intently, then said: "Xiang Xiangzi, return. With our current means, we cannot take this lotus."

"Why?" Xiang Xiangzi turned.

"You said this lotus draws upon yin, yang, and the five elements, forged by heaven and earth's transformation—so anything within those elements likely cannot harm it. To sever the lotus, you need something outside yin, yang, and the five elements."

Xuan Yuezi said: "Or an object possessing equal yin-yang and five-element qi, yet stronger than the lotus—unfortunately, we lack both conditions. We should consult the Bald Daoist—perhaps the Dao Artifact Sect's heritage can forge such a complete Dao artifact."

Xiang Xiangzi fell silent for a moment, then sighed: "You're right—only something outside yin, yang, and the five elements can sever this lotus. Otherwise, force won't work."

Who would have thought a peak Sanhua cultivator would one day be powerless against a single crimson lotus?

What is this?

Entering a treasure mountain and leaving empty-handed?

That would be utterly humiliating to admit.

"Immortal, perhaps I can try," Li Yi said, hearing their exchange, suddenly struck by an idea. He stepped forward.

"Tai Yi, you think you can take this lotus?" Xiang Xiangzi asked, surprised.

Xuan Yuezi watched him curiously.

Li Yi said: "I have no great confidence—but I might succeed, because I possess one thing that lies outside yin, yang, and the five elements."

He reached into his Five Elements Bracelet and pulled out a divine needle.

The needle glowed transparent golden, like a thread of sunlight, yet impossibly sharp—just its presence made the light pierce the eyes painfully.

"Is that… a needle?" Xiang Xiangzi squinted.

Li Yi said: "It's the Fei Mu Needle—neither metal, wood, nor iron—it's condensed from the mythical creature Fei Mu. It lies beyond yin, yang, and the five elements, and is extraordinarily sharp—perhaps it can sever this lotus."

"Try it," Xuan Yuezi said immediately. "This lotus has fully bloomed—if you don't take it now, it will wither and decay, eventually becoming a seed."

Without hesitation, Li Yi focused his mind—the Fei Mu Needle shot forward instantly.

Like a thread of sunlight passing—gone in an instant.

Then, an uncanny thing happened.

The crimson lotus, which had withstood the crimson gold sword and black gold arrow, now silently detached and fell.

"It worked."

Xiang Xiangzi's eyes lit up—she instantly reached out with her spiritual power, enveloped the lotus, and drew it to her.

Soon after,

a crimson lotus a zhang wide lay before Li Yi.

Yet as he stared, he saw nothing extraordinary—it emitted no boundless radiance, revealed no immense power, appearing utterly plain.

But Li Yi knew it was a supreme treasure—its power simply required time to understand.

"Tai Yi, try absorbing it with your Primordial Spirit," Xuan Yuezi suddenly suggested.

"I'll try," Li Yi said, not placing it in his Five Elements Bracelet, but instead casting a glow of his Primordial Spirit over it.

Then, instantly—

something unexpected happened.

The crimson lotus trembled, then transformed into a streak of aurora and surged toward Li Yi—within a heartbeat, it vanished into his body.

Li Yi stood frozen.

For he felt a crimson lotus within his mind, and his soul sat upon its platform.

A strange radiance emanated from the lotus—his soul absorbed it, growing stronger, expanding.

"This…" Li Yi had no words to describe the sensation.

Like a baby returning to the womb, or a soul flying into paradise.

Warm, comfortable, joyful.

And an unparalleled sense of safety—as if his soul were shielded by the lotus, immune to any harm.

"A treasure tied to the Primordial Spirit?" Xuan Yuezi nodded slightly, understanding the lotus's purpose.

If she guessed right, Li Yi's Primordial Spirit was being protected and nourished by the lotus.

As long as it remained within him, his Primordial Spirit would continuously strengthen.

Even if he simply slept, one day his Primordial Spirit would blossom—no deliberate cultivation needed. And with the lotus's protection, his Primordial Spirit would be nearly invulnerable.

Few in the world could pierce the lotus and harm Li Yi's soul.

(End of Chapter)