72: The calm before the storm...

It was unknown where so much blood had come from; even if the blood of hundreds of millions of Cultivators were gathered, it likely wouldn't form such a massive Blood Pool.

Legend has it that the netherworld blood lotus is bred within this Blood Pool.

Only... in this vast expanse of blood, where could one find any sign of the netherworld blood lotus?

"What are you guys worried about!"

"Isn't this wang here?"

"Behold this wang's great Divine Ability!"

The dog proudly raised its head and began sniffing vigorously in the air.

Then, for a long while, there was no movement.

"Can you do it or not!"

Xiao Bufan mocked.

"Don't talk!"

The dog was quite dissatisfied and barked once at Xiao Bufan.

Shortly after, its eyes lit up: "This way!"

Then, it ran forward excitedly... that appearance really didn't look any different from a dog that had caught a scent.

"Heh, good dog!"

Xiao Bufan praised and followed.

Shi Tian and Su Muhuang followed suit.

At first, they didn't encounter any Cultivators, but gradually, the Cultivators they met became more numerous.

Because the abyss was so large, the place where Shi Tian's group of three encountered the Blood Bats was only a small area; other Cultivators might not have encountered danger in other places, or perhaps they were powerful and had resolved the dangers themselves.

That was why they had arrived here ahead of them.

Seeing them, some of these Cultivators showed wariness and left to find their own Opportunities afar.

While some others showed a fierce glint in their eyes, setting their sights on the trio.

Only, they were uncertain of the trio's actual strength and didn't dare to act rashly, only following from a distance under the cover of the poisonous mist.

This, of course, couldn't escape the dog's sensitive nose.

"There are several groups of people tracking us..."

The dog reminded them in a timely manner.

"Don't worry about them."

Shi Tian said coldly, "If they dare to act, I'll send them to see the Buddha... no, to see the Dao Ancestor!"

Domineering aura leaking out!

After searching forward for another period of time, the dog suddenly barked excitedly—

"Found it!"

"Follow me!"

It ran toward the distance like lightning, leaving behind afterimages in the air.

"Too slow."

Xiao Bufan picked up the dog with disdain and, under the dog's guidance, continuously moved forward.

The speed was indeed not on the same level.

After walking for a full half-hour, a small hill abruptly appeared within the Blood Pool, less than ten meters high, pitted and hollowed like a reef in the sea; atop the reef grew a blood-colored lotus over a meter tall, its stem deeply rooted in the mountain body, swaying without wind.

The blood lotus was a bud ready to bloom, wanting to open but not yet opened.

"netherworld blood lotus!"

The eyes of the three all narrowed.

However, what surprised them even more was that... at this moment, there were actually many people surrounding the mountain, appearing to belong to different camps, all eyeing this blood lotus covetously.

Seeing the three people and one dog arrive, they immediately cast unfriendly gazes.

But strangely, not a single person moved to pick the netherworld blood lotus.

It seemed they were all waiting for an appropriate moment.

"Everyone, be careful."

Shi Tian transmitted his voice secretly.

For these people to be able to reach here, none should be simple.

Moreover, they didn't immediately move to snatch it, obviously knowing something and having planned ahead.

If they moved rashly, regardless of whether there was danger, once the netherworld blood lotus was in hand, they would immediately become the target of all; the bird that sticks its head out gets shot, and they would likely become the first wave of cannon fodder, their lives and Dao ending.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Better to stake out first and see the situation.

"Understood."

Xiao Bufan and Su Muhuang nodded, watching the changes quietly.

"Boss, why aren't we moving yet?"

"Are you stupid!"

"The Taiyi Immortal Sect's Saint, Holy Son, is here. Do you want to die?"

"Sigh, it seems this netherworld blood lotus will inevitably fall into Holy Son's hands in the end."

"That's not necessarily true; he, Holy Son, is merely at the Peak Integration Stage. If we join forces for a sneak attack, we might not be without a chance!"

"The boss is right!"

"..."

Similar remarks were being exchanged secretly below.

Every group of people was not easy to deal with, and they wouldn't just hand over the netherworld blood lotus because Holy Son came from the Taiyi Immortal Sect, one of the five top powers of the Imperial Continent.

Heaven And Earth Treasures are obtained by the capable.

Why must it be Holy Son's?

Does the netherworld blood lotus have his name written on it?

"How much longer until the netherworld blood lotus matures?"

At the position closest to the small mountain, an elegant and refined Young Master lightly fanned a folding fan.

His appearance was handsome, with starry eyes and sword-like eyebrows.

To describe it in one sentence, that would be—

A man as elegant as jade, a Young Master unparalleled in the world.

He was the Saint of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, Holy Son.

Born into a Mortal noble family in the Imperial Continent, he entered Qi Refining at age three through self-study, stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm at age five, and with a casual wave, created a rainbow of Sword Qi; his talent was extremely prodigious, and he was subsequently favored by the Taiyi Immortal Sect, defeating all peers within the Sect with a crushing posture.

Becoming the Saint of the Taiyi Immortal Sect.

Thereafter, he was even more unstoppable, his Realm advancing by leaps and bounds; ordinary Cultivators would take at least over a thousand years to step into the Integration Realm, while he took less than three hundred years to Cultivate to the Peak Integration Stage.

Whether in appearance, temperament, talent, or background, he could be called unparalleled in the world.

Such a peerless figure naturally drew the admiration of countless female Cultivators.

Even here, there were many female Cultivators casting affectionate glances at him one after another, while he had long since become accustomed to this situation, his expression indifferent, acting as if he didn't see it.

"Replying to the Saint."

Hearing Holy Son's question, a Disciple from the Alchemy branch nearby replied respectfully: "It still needs about ten days."

"Can it not be picked in advance?"

"No, if the netherworld blood lotus is picked before it matures, the medicinal power will be reduced by more than half, which would be a waste of God's gifts; to ensure the medicinal power doesn't dissipate, please wait patiently, Saint!"

"Mm."

Although he had long anticipated such an answer, Holy Son still felt a bit disappointed.

He appeared gentle and refined on the surface, but in reality, he was extremely proud, accustomed to being surrounded like the moon by stars, high and mighty; it was impossible for him not to be proud.

Sweeping his gaze over the crowd present, he said coldly: "Then wait a little longer. If anyone dares to eye the netherworld blood lotus... kill!"

The voice was icy, falling into the ears of everyone present.

Holy Son did not deliberately lower his voice, clearly intending for those present to hear, telling everyone that he, Holy Son, was determined to have this netherworld blood lotus, and no one should think of touching it!

A blatant threat!

Many people frowned upon hearing this.

Quite a few also felt a chill in their hearts, clearly frightened by Holy Son's words.

However, not everyone bought it.

"Hmph, what a big tone!"

"Who does he think he is? He's in the Integration Realm, and I'm also in the Integration Realm. Why would I fear him? Why doesn't he ask if he's afraid of me?"

Someone was displeased and muttered in a low voice, so low it was almost only audible to themselves.

Holy Son glanced in the direction of this person.

This person was immediately startled, turned their head away, and avoided Holy Son's gaze.

Time passed bit by bit.

New people kept coming here.

Everyone tacitly did not act, quietly waiting for the moment the netherworld blood lotus matured.

Ten days later.

Finally... the budding netherworld blood lotus, as if stimulated by something, slowly bloomed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Like the Equinox Flower blooming in Hell.

Everyone's eyes also gradually widened with the blooming of the netherworld blood lotus, their gazes becoming increasingly greedy.

Desire, at this moment, was completely ignited... "Move!!"

Within the red poisonous mist, streaks of light suddenly appeared, seemingly long-premeditated, heading straight for the netherworld blood lotus!

Before the figures even arrived, countless lights from Magic Treasures soared into the sky.

Colliding with each other.

Boom!

Bang!

Swoosh!

The poisonous mist was blasted away by the Magic Treasures, revealing ferocious and fierce faces.

In an instant, the originally silent bottom of the abyss was completely reduced to an Asura battlefield.