Chapter 130: The Awakening of the Azure Lotus

The winds were calm, and in the blink of an eye, a day had passed. The Taiping Sect continued to operate as usual, with no signs of anything abnormal.

Having waited a full day without result, Jiang Chen was not anxious; he possessed at least that much patience.

"I hope this poisonous snake shows its tracks this time."

After glancing beyond Muyu Island, Jiang Chen gripped a peach wood branch, maintaining his sensory vigilance as he arrived at the Western Slope. While this exertion was taxing on his mental energy, it remained well within his limits.

"Young Master."
"Sect Master."

When Jiang Chen reached the Western Slope, Hong Yu and Old Huang, who had been waiting there, immediately stepped forward to greet him. Jiang Chen nodded in acknowledgment.

Soon, escorted by the two, Jiang Chen arrived beside a spiritual pond. This pond was situated above the Western Slope, where the spiritual spring water flowing from the mountain cave would first settle before being diverted to irrigate the spiritual fields of the entire slope.

"Young Master, ever since this green lotus was planted here, it has remained very quiet. Its growth state is stable, and it shows nothing unusual," Hong Yu said, noticing Jiang Chen staring intently at the flower in the pond.

This green lotus had been brought by a white crane when the Taiping Sect first opened its gates. It was not only a first-grade spiritual item but also held symbolic significance. Because of this, ever since Jiang Chen entrusted it to her care, she had tended to it personally, never daring to be the slightest bit negligent.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen observed the lotus closely but did not speak immediately. At this moment, he had pushed his sensory perception to its limit. In his perception, the lotus's vitality was indeed fine, but strangely, its spiritual essence had fallen into complete dormancy, as if it had become an empty shell.

"This is rather peculiar..." Jiang Chen frowned, confirming the anomaly.

Hearing his words, Hong Yu studied the lotus carefully, but to her eyes, there was nothing unusual about it. Seeing this, Old Huang, who had been standing to the side, seemed hesitant to speak.

"If you have something to say, speak your mind. There is no need for concealment. The origin of this lotus is quite mysterious, and it is truly important to me," Jiang Chen said, having keenly sensed Old Huang's unease.

Meeting Jiang Chen's gaze and understanding his stance, Old Huang no longer hesitated. He had been concerned because Hong Yu had cultivated this lotus with such care, and he feared others might lack the proper touch and damage it.

"Sect Master, I used the 'Wood Listening Technique' to sense it, and this green lotus seems to dislike its current environment," Old Huang said in a low voice.

Hearing this, Hong Yu frowned, while Jiang Chen fell into deep thought.

"Try to communicate with the green lotus and see what kind of environment it truly desires," Jiang Chen said after a moment of reflection.

Without further hesitation, Old Huang revealed the characteristics of his deer-demon heritage and channeled the Wood Listening Technique to its fullest. This was merely a simple talismanic art meant for sensing the state of flora, with no other practical use. However, Old Huang possessed a certain talent, and in his hands, this simple art had indeed produced some curious changes.

A moment later, as he withdrew his palm, a look of shock and confusion appeared on Old Huang’s weathered face.

"Sect Master, this green lotus seems to prefer environments that are harsh—the harsher, the better."

Although hesitant, Old Huang recounted what he had sensed. Jiang Chen did not reply immediately, looking at the healthy-looking lotus. Seeing this, Old Huang felt increasingly uneasy. Such a result defied common sense; spiritual plants were delicate, most requiring high standards for their growing environment. High-grade spiritual plants often only grew in blessed lands and were rarely seen in the outside world. This green lotus, however, seemed to act in complete opposition to this.

"Sect Master, my methods are shallow; it is possible I sensed it incorrectly," Old Huang added, his confidence wavering.

Jiang Chen waved his hand. Though surprised by the answer, he did not doubt Old Huang’s judgment. In this field, Old Huang was truly gifted; otherwise, he would not have invested further in his training.

"The harsher, the better? There is indeed such a place on Muyu Island. Perhaps it can satisfy the needs of this lotus."

Thoughts raced through his mind, and Jiang Chen considered the Spirit Grotto—specifically, the Weapon Pool within it. The pool was permeated with the aura of blades and weapons. As more artifacts were tempered there, the danger within grew, so much so that not even living flesh dared approach it, let alone a plant.

"Let’s try it."

With a plan in mind, Jiang Chen did not hesitate. He wove his Qi into threads and transplanted the lotus from the spiritual pond.

An hour later, Jiang Chen arrived at the Spirit Grotto with the lotus.

"I hope you like this place."

Protecting the lotus with his true Qi, Jiang Chen planted it into the Weapon Pool. At that moment, he heightened his senses to the extreme. If the lotus showed the slightest sign of distress, he would immediately remove it. Regardless of whether the lotus was as precious as he suspected, it was at least a first-grade spiritual item and could not be easily destroyed.

The moment the green lotus touched the Weapon Pool, the dormant spiritual essence within it began to show signs of revival. Noticing this change, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

"It seems this lotus truly does prefer a harsh environment."

As this thought surfaced, Jiang Chen slowly withdrew his true Qi, removing the protection he had cast over the plant. As time passed, the green lotus took root in the Weapon Pool, and its dormant essence began to awaken.

At a certain moment, the lotus bloomed anew. Its spiritual essence fully recovered, and at that instant, it resonated with the aura of the grotto, causing graceful green lotuses to manifest throughout the pool. These phantom lotuses stood guard around the central jade lotus seat.

In that moment, the clear and spiritual aura of the lotus completely suppressed the malevolent energy of the Weapon Pool, creating an atmosphere of profound peace. Standing there, Jiang Chen felt a sense of comfort in body and mind; even his circulation of true Qi became noticeably smoother.

"Spiritual resonance. These offspring lotuses are essentially illusions, a manifestation of its spiritual essence. There is only one true green lotus."

Locking his gaze on the original flower, Jiang Chen perceived its evolution. The previous lotus could only be said to have been "alive," but now it had begun to truly grow. Twelve lotus seeds had already formed within its seed pod; they would be fully mature in a matter of time.

"I wonder what mysteries these lotus seeds hold."

With the pool full of green lotuses before his eyes, Jiang Chen pondered the secrets of the seeds.