72: Ice and Fire Lotus Seeds

Lin Feng reacted almost instinctively. The flowing cloud immortal binding silk transformed into a thin shadow, precisely coiling around the lotus seed that flew out mixed with debris, and instantly retracted.

At the same time, his Wind-Following Steps rapidly moved, avoiding a sweeping flame impact. His figure staggered, yet the entire process was incredibly natural, not drawing any special attention.

He clutched the lotus seed in his palm, feeling a strange sensation of intertwined coolness and warmth. He then quickly placed it into a pre-prepared jade box that could block its aura, hiding it within his black jade bracelet.

At this moment, the core of the battlefield was in ruins. The pond water was murky, the Spiritual Veins were in disarray, and many ice fire lotus petals were scattered amidst the desperate struggle of both Sect's Disciples and the aftermath of explosions. The Chiyan Sect Disciples began to retreat frantically at the Elder's signal.

The Tianxuan Sect Disciples, on the other hand, pursued while trying their best to collect the scattered lotus petals.

Lin Feng, mixed in the crowd, symbolically chased for a few steps before retreating with the command to participate in vigilance and battlefield cleanup.

'The Chiyan Sect was so decisive... Fortunately...' His expression was normal, but his heart was surging.

After the battle, a tally showed that the Tianxuan Sect recovered some lotus petals, but their losses were also significant. Regarding the ice fire lotus, the record naturally stated, "Destroyed in Old Ghost Chi's detonation, completely annihilated."

Several days later, Lin Feng's rotation period ended, and he safely returned to the Sect.

As soon as he returned to his Immortal Cave on Baoyue Peak, after sealing the Formation, he eagerly went to the Hidden Spirit Spring.

He carefully took out the lotus seed. Its surface was slightly dull, with a faint crack, as if it had fallen into a deep sleep.

'It was indeed damaged in the explosion... I wonder if it can still revive...'

He pondered for a moment, then took a jade vessel, filled it with spirit spring water, and gently placed the lotus seed near the spring's eye, slowly nourishing it with its pure and gentle Spiritual Qi.

"Whether you can regain vitality depends on your fortune," Lin Feng whispered.

He sat cross-legged by the spirit spring, holding the jade bottle containing the "earth core spirit quenching milk" in his hand.

'earth core spirit quenching milk...' He silently repeated the name he had heard from the Chiyan Sect Disciple. The Spiritual Qi's condensation and the peculiar properties of this item far surpassed any Foundation Establishment Stage Medicinal Pill or spiritual material he had ever seen. It even held a faint attraction and resonance for his "Heart Sword," which was nourished by the Nine Profound Sword Heart Art, indicating it was absolutely no ordinary item.

But, that was all.

'What are its specific effects? Should it be consumed directly, or refined into a Medicinal Pill? What is the dosage? What are the taboos?'

A series of questions surfaced in his mind, but there were no answers.

The demise of Senior Brother Zhao Ming, the "Spirit-Stealing Reverse Formation" deep within the Black Abyss Forest, the secret machinations of someone in the Tianxuan Sect... This "earth core spirit quenching milk" was deeply involved, and behind it likely stood one or even several high-ranking Core Formation Elders within the Sect.

'Possessing a treasure makes one a criminal... Moreover, the origin of this treasure is utterly unclear.' He took a deep breath, gripping the jade bottle tightly, his fingertips slightly white from the exertion.

'This item must never be revealed to others. At least not until its true value is understood and I possess sufficient self-preservation ability.'

He slowly returned the jade bottle to the deepest part of his black jade bracelet, storing it separately from other important items.

Lin Feng sat quietly in his Immortal Cave for a long time, the sadness Zhao Li inadvertently revealed when mentioning her brother appearing before his eyes.

'This matter... I can't keep it from her after all. She has the right to know that her brother might not have died by accident.'

He stood up and straightened his robes, his expression returning to calm. He walked straight out of the Immortal Cave, transforming into a streak of light and flying towards Tianshu Peak.

Tianshu Peak still had a faint heat and a trace of metal smelting aura.

Zhao Li was hunched over her desk, engraving a complex artifact pattern, while Ye Yuner watched curiously from the side, occasionally asking questions in a low voice.

Lin Feng softly called out, "Junior Martial Uncle Zhao."

Zhao Li looked up and, seeing Lin Feng enter, said, "Since you've reached Foundation Establishment, just call me Senior Sister. Is something the matter?"

Ye Yuner's eyes lit up, and she greeted him with a smile, "Senior Brother Lin. Are you here to ask about Artifact Refining again?"

Lin Feng patted Ye Yuner's forehead, then turned his gaze to Zhao Li, his expression slightly solemn: "Senior Sister Zhao, there are indeed some urgent matters I'd like to consult you about privately."

Zhao Li's fingers paused slightly. She looked up and carefully observed Lin Feng's expression. She remained silent for a moment, then said to Ye Yuner beside her, "Yuner, take these Magical Artifacts to the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion."

Ye Yuner blinked, looked at Lin Feng, then at Zhao Li, and nodded obediently: "Oh, okay, Master." With that, she left Tianshu Peak.

"What is it?" Zhao Li put down her carving knife and looked calmly at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng took a deep breath, organizing his words, his voice lowered: "Senior Sister Zhao, during this rotation in Luoyun Valley, I went to the Black Abyss Forest to carry out a mission."

He continued, his tone slow and steady: "Deep in the forest, I... encountered some things that involved... some secret operations of the Chiyan Sect, and... some undisclosed arrangements that may exist within the Sect.

Based on some clues I saw and heard... there are many suspicious points surrounding the demise of Senior Brother Zhao Ming back then. It's highly possible that... he might have detected or touched upon certain... forbidden secrets."

He paused, seeing Zhao Li's lips pressed into a pale thin line. She stood up, her body swaying slightly, her fingers on the desk curling slightly, knuckles white from the exertion.

"So... that's how it is..." she murmured softly, her voice carrying a hint of imperceptible tremor, yet also a cold calm. "The Sect's... upper echelons... indeed have someone..."

She slowly sat back down, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I... actually had my suspicions early on.

My brother... although he was solitary, he was extremely cautious and keenly perceptive of earth vein Formations... He shouldn't have perished so easily... The Sect's investigation back then was also vague... I always... dared not think deeply..."

She paused, her gaze falling on Lin Feng: "My cultivation is low, merely Foundation Establishment. In the face of this matter, even with a blood feud, I am powerless to investigate.

But you are different. Your talent far surpasses mine, your mind is meticulous, and what's more rare is... you have the courage and intent to tell me the truth."

She was silent for a moment, then took out a small, dark purple pendant with flowing light from her Storage Pouch.

"This is a 'hidden star pendant' I refined using a piece of 'Star-Concealing Purple Gold' I obtained by chance," Zhao Li said, handing the pendant to Lin Feng, her voice calm but with an undeniable implication.

"Wearing it close to your body can, to a certain extent, conceal your aura and disrupt others' Divine Sense probes. It's quite effective for Foundation Establishment Cultivators. You... might find it useful when traveling outside in the future."

She paused, adding: "This item is of no great use to me anymore. I hope you... will be more careful in the future."

Lin Feng was slightly startled. He took the pendant; it was cool to the touch, but he could feel the exquisite spiritual power and Zhao Li's heartfelt intention within it.

He understood that this was not a simple gift. He solemnly accepted it, saying in a deep voice, "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior Sister. Lin Feng will certainly make good use of it and not fail your kind intentions."

Zhao Li nodded slightly, saying no more.

Just then, Ye Yuner's light footsteps and humming tune came from outside.

Zhao Li quickly reined in all her outward emotions, returning to her usual cool and aloof demeanor.