223: The forbidden land of Yaochi, guarded by the divine lotus.

At the hour of Wei, Yaochi was shrouded in clouds and mist, with Immortal Qi permeating the air. The divine essence flowing between heaven and earth was gentle and mellow, appearing purer than in other regions of the Divine Realm. Everywhere, one could see thousand-year-old Immortal Plants and Spiritual Plants that never withered. Crystal-clear Immortal Dew condensed on their leaves, making crisp sounds as they dripped, weaving into a pleasant immortal rhythm. However, the Forbidden Ground in the deepest part of Yaochi was different from the peaceful exterior. Dense spiritual mist swirled at the entrance, interwoven with fine ancient Restriction runes. As the runes circulated, they emitted a majestic protective aura. Ordinary Cultivators, let alone entering, would be repelled by the Restrictions just by approaching. Only Yaochi Core Disciples or those holding a token could barely enter.

The Immortal of Luo Water was dressed in an elegant white skirt with light green lotus patterns embroidered on the hem. Surrounded by the holy immortal light unique to Yaochi, she led the way at the front. Having grown up in Yaochi since childhood, she was extremely familiar with the environment of the Forbidden Ground. Her fingertips lit up with spiritual light as she channeled her own Yaochi Origin Power, slowly touching the Restriction runes at the entrance. With the injection of immortal light, the Restriction runes gradually softened, opening a narrow passage in the mist. The runes on both sides of the passage continued to flicker, but they were no longer aggressive, silently guarding the peace of the Forbidden Ground.

"The Forbidden Ground is filled with layers of Restrictions and residual ancient energy fluctuations. We must proceed with caution and avoid touching things we shouldn't," the Immortal of Luo Water turned to warn Yu Lan and the Sea Cultivation Saintess beside her, her tone carrying a hint of solemnity. Yu Lan, dressed in a light green Daoist robe with gentle eyes, nodded slightly upon hearing this. Her spiritual sense slowly spread out, perceiving the energy anomalies around them: "Don't worry, I will keep an eye on the Restriction nodes. If there's any abnormality, I will alert you immediately." The Sea Cultivation Saintess, dressed in a deep blue long skirt, looked steady. Faint water-attribute divine essence swirled around her fingertips, ready to respond to any sudden situation: "My water-attribute divine essence can assist in resisting some Restriction energy. If we encounter danger, our cooperation will surely resolve it."

The three women supported each other, slowly advancing along the passage opened by the Restrictions. The spiritual mist in the Forbidden Ground was even denser than at the entrance, and visibility was extremely low, allowing only a vague glimpse of the blurry outlines ahead. Beneath their feet were warm bluestone slabs carved with ancient lotus totems. The totems were surrounded by faint immortal light, which slowly lit up with the three women's footsteps as if guiding the way. Occasionally, they could see a few rare Innate Spiritual Plants along the way, their leaves shimmering with seven-colored spiritual light and emitting a rich vitality. However, they were encased in invisible energy; they were clearly the Guardian Spirits of the Forbidden Ground and could not be lightly touched.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the spiritual mist ahead gradually thinned, and a clear pool of water came into view—it was the Reincarnation Pool. The pool water was light blue, like a warm blue sapphire. Its surface was calm and without waves, yet it faintly exuded a mysterious power that could reflect a Cultivator's true heart and past. Green moss and low Immortal Plants grew by the pool. The Immortal Dew on their leaves dripped into the pool, creating tiny ripples. As the ripples spread, countless blurry images faintly emerged, appearing like fragments of the pasts of different living beings, both eerie and sacred.

In the center of the Reincarnation Pool, a giant lotus blossomed quietly; it was the nine-colored divine lotus. The lotus stem was straight and upright, entirely translucent white, emitting a faint spiritual glow. Its leaves possessed nine different colors—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, white, and gold—layered like carved glaze. Fine light particles swirled around the edges of the leaves, slowly drifting onto the pool's surface, emitting an ultimate power of purification and protection. The flower bud was large and full, slowly blooming, with crystal-clear Innate Divine Dew condensing on its petals. As it dripped, it nourished the surrounding energy, making the aura of the entire Reincarnation Pool even purer. The divine lotus was surrounded by a dense aura of ancient divine essence, echoing the energy of heaven and earth. It had clearly grown here for tens of millions of years, a true Innate treasure.

"That is the nine-colored divine lotus!" The Immortal of Luo Water's eyes flashed with a hint of joy, and she spoke softly, "As expected, it grows in the center of the Reincarnation Pool. Its aura is even purer and stronger than recorded." Yu Lan and the Sea Cultivation Saintess also expressed their amazement. As their spiritual senses felt the purification power emitted by the divine lotus, the restlessness in their hearts gradually dissipated, leaving only tranquility and awe.

Just as the three women were about to approach the Reincarnation Pool, an ethereal white figure suddenly emerged from behind the divine lotus. The figure was composed entirely of pure immortal light, dressed in an ancient-style lotus-patterned skirt, with a gentle and holy face and a hint of majesty in her eyes. She was surrounded by a protective aura of the same origin as the divine lotus—it was the remnant soul of the Lotus Platform Fairy. The remnant soul hovered above the pool's surface, calmly watching the three women. Her voice was ethereal and soft, yet it carried an indisputable power: "Three Fairies have come from afar; I assume you are here for the nine-colored divine lotus? This lotus is the treasure of Yaochi, guarding the balance of the world's positive energy, and cannot be taken lightly. If you wish to pluck its petals, you must pass my test to prove that your hearts are pure and that you truly have the sincerity to protect the world. Otherwise, do not come within a single step of the divine lotus."

Upon seeing this, the three women quickly bowed in respect, their tones reverent. The Immortal of Luo Water spoke: "Senior, we have come to seek the petals of the divine lotus not for selfish reasons, but to resist the core of nothingness at the edge of the Universe. The core of nothingness is the ultimate negative energy, and it is about to break through the barrier and invade. Only the petals of the divine lotus can stabilize the Nine Universe Guardian Formation, block the Evil Energy, and protect the peace of all things. We are willing to accept Senior's test to prove our hearts and will never fail the protective power of the divine lotus."

Hearing this, the remnant soul of the Lotus Platform Fairy showed a flash of understanding in her eyes and slowly nodded: "I have already sensed the movements of the core of nothingness. If you truly can protect the world, I am naturally willing to help. My test is simple—the three of you will drink the water of the Reincarnation Pool together and hold fast to your true hearts within the illusion, undisturbed by obsessions. Only then will you pass the test. The Reincarnation Pool water can reflect the true heart and amplify obsessions. If greed or delusions arise in your hearts, you will be trapped in the illusion forever, never to escape. Only by holding fast to your original intentions can you safely walk out and take the petals of the divine lotus."

After speaking, the remnant soul of the Lotus Platform Fairy waved her hand, and three drops of clear pool water rose from the Reincarnation Pool, slowly floating before the three women. The pool water was surrounded by a faint spiritual light and held a mysterious power. The three women looked at each other, their eyes full of determination. Without the slightest hesitation, they simultaneously reached out to catch the pool water and tilted their heads to drink it.

The pool water was warm upon entry, flowing slowly down their throats and into their bodies. As soon as it entered their stomachs, the three women felt their vision go dark, and their consciousness gradually sank into an illusion. In the illusion, they were on a balcony of the Hongmeng Divine Palace. Lu Chen stood in the center, his expression gentle, but he only looked at one of them, ignoring the other two. The scene shifted constantly; sometimes it showed Lu Chen in danger, and the three of them fought for the chance to save him, refusing to yield to one another. At other times, it showed them arguing because of Lu Chen's attention, their words filled with barriers and estrangement, as if their deep past friendship had vanished, leaving only obsession and contention for Lu Chen.

In the illusion, Yu Lan saw Lu Chen treating only the Immortal of Luo Water with tenderness, and a hint of bitterness arose in her heart. However, she immediately cleared her mind—her friendship with Lu Chen and her sisters was never about competing, but about protecting. No matter when, protecting Lu Chen, protecting each other, and protecting this world was her original intention, not for exclusive attention. The Sea Cultivation Saintess watched the arguing figures in the illusion with a calm heart. She knew deeply that only by being of one heart could sisters overcome all difficulties; competing would only hurt each other. Protection and trust were the most precious bonds between them. The Immortal of Luo Water felt the estrangement of the other two in the illusion, her heart full of helplessness, yet she always remembered that they were sisters fighting side by side, not enemies. Only by working together could they protect everything they wanted to protect.

A moment later, the three women opened their eyes simultaneously. There was no confusion in their eyes; instead, there was a bit more determination and clarity. The obsessions in their bodies were reflected by the Reincarnation Pool water, yet they held fast to their true hearts and were not trapped by the illusion. This purity and sincerity earned a look of full approval from the remnant soul of the Lotus Platform Fairy. "Very good. Your hearts are pure, and your friendship is deep. You indeed have the sincerity to protect the world. You have passed the test." The remnant soul spoke slowly and waved her hand. The nine-colored divine lotus in the center of the Reincarnation Pool swayed slightly, and the three innermost petals slowly detached. Shimmering with seven-colored spiritual light, they floated toward the three women.

The three women quickly stepped forward to catch the petals. The petals felt warm and moist in their hands, containing a rich power of purification. As soon as they touched them, a stream of pure energy flowed into their bodies through their fingertips, nourishing their divine essence. Just as Yu Lan was carefully holding a petal, wanting to feel the energy closely, her fingertip was accidentally scratched by a tiny thorn remaining on the lotus stem, and a trace of blood seeped out as she felt a slight sting. "Yu Lan!" Seeing this, the Immortal of Luo Water immediately took a step forward, took out a bottle of Yaochi Immortal Dew from her Storage Pouch, and carefully dripped it onto Yu Lan's wound. Shrouded in gentle immortal light, the wound healed instantly without leaving a trace. The Sea Cultivation Saintess then quickly reached out and gently supported the petal in Yu Lan's hand to prevent her from being injured again, whispering, "Be careful, there are fine thorns on the divine lotus stem; don't get scratched again."

Looking at their concerned faces, Yu Lan's eyes were filled with warmth, and she said softly, "Thank you both, I'm fine now." The three women smiled at each other, their sisterly bond growing even deeper at this moment. Without needing many words, their hearts were already connected.

The moment the three petals were stored by the three women, the nine-colored divine lotus suddenly erupted with a dazzling seven-colored spiritual light. The spiritual light converged into a golden stream of light, circled once in the air, and landed steadily in the hand of the Immortal of Luo Water, transforming into a simple, ancient booklet—the cover was engraved with five large characters: "Lotus Seat Purification Technique". This technique contained the essence of the nine-colored divine lotus's purification, capable of purifying all negative energy and filth. Especially against the extreme negative energy of the core of nothingness, it had a very strong restraining effect, being even more powerful than the previous Chaos Purification Art, and was a key aid in resisting Evil Energy.

As the Immortal of Luo Water browsed through the technique, her eyes were filled with joy. She quickly handed the booklet to Yu Lan and the Sea Cultivation Saintess. The three of them browsed it together, feeling more confident in purifying Evil Energy. Just then, the Sea Cultivation Saintess's spiritual sense suddenly detected a faint fluctuation of spiritual light at the bottom of the Reincarnation Pool. She looked down at the pool's surface and saw a warm jade pendant lying quietly deep at the bottom, emitting a faint spiritual light that echoed with the surrounding pool water. "There's something at the bottom of the pool," she reminded softly, then circulated her water-attribute divine essence. A gentle water Dragon slowly dove to the bottom of the pool, lifted the jade pendant, and brought it before the three women.

The jade pendant was entirely translucent white with a warm texture, and the ancient character for "Affection" was carved on it. The character was rounded and surrounded by a faint power of emotion. When the Immortal of Luo Water reached out to touch the jade pendant, her eternal marriage contract faintly heated up the moment her fingertip touched it. The jade pendant also erupted with a soft spiritual light, and the two resonated with each other. The light emitted could easily purify the faint traces of filthy energy remaining in the surrounding air—clearly, this jade pendant was closely related to their emotional bond and might play an important role when resisting the core of nothingness.

"This jade pendant contains a rich power of emotion and can resonate with the eternal marriage contract to purify Evil Energy." Yu Lan looked at the jade pendant, her eyes full of surprise and joy. "It seems this is an aid the Senior specifically left for us." The remnant soul of the Lotus Platform Fairy looked at the jade pendant in the three women's hands and smiled slightly, her voice ethereal: "This is the jade pendant of affection, containing the pure power of emotional bonds. It can restrain the negative energy of the core of nothingness. Keep it well; it will certainly be of great use in the future."

The three women quickly bowed in thanks and properly stored the jade pendant of affection. The remnant soul of the Lotus Platform Fairy looked at them with eyes full of expectation: "I hope you can use the divine lotus petals and the jade pendant of affection well to resist the core of nothingness and protect the peace of the world. Go now, do not delay the time for the defense deployment." After speaking, the figure of the remnant soul gradually became transparent and slowly merged into the nine-colored divine lotus. The divine lotus returned to its calm state once more, yet it seemed to have gained a bit more of a gentle aura.

The three women did not stay any longer. Holding the nine-colored divine lotus petals and having stored the Lotus Seat Purification Technique and the jade pendant of affection, they turned and walked toward the exit of the Forbidden Ground. Their steps were steady and firm, surrounded by the purification power of the divine lotus and their bond with each other, their hearts full of confidence. The spiritual mist of the Yaochi Forbidden Ground gradually enveloped the Reincarnation Pool once again. The nine-colored divine lotus continued to bloom quietly, guarding the positive energy of the world, while the three women, carrying the hope of protection, sped toward the Hongmeng Divine Palace. A crucial defense deployment concerning the safety of the world was about to receive new support.