152: Chapter 152 Kinmen Mountains

The Jinmen Mountains stretched majestically like a giant dragon lying across the land, separating the two states of Qing and Hong.

Beneath its main peak, Jinqué Peak, lay a naturally formed lake shimmering with dense spiritual mist. At the center of the lake stood a singular, extraordinary lotus, drawing attention from all directions: the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart Lotus.

The lotus was about three feet tall, its entire body as crystal clear as if carved from green jade, emitting a refreshing and heart-cleansing fragrance.

Seven layers of lotus petals overlapped, and atop them, seven mysterious natural apertures could be seen opening and closing. Each pulse caused the surrounding Spiritual Qi to rise and fall like tides, wreathed in rosy light.

The entire lake's surface was shrouded in a dreamlike halo because of it. However, the bud at the center of the petals had not yet fully bloomed; it was not yet completely mature.

Many Cultivators had already gathered around the lake's shores, including Loose Cultivators from both Qing and Hong, as well as Disciples from smaller Sects who had heard the news.

A faint scent of blood hung in the air, and several hideous corpses of Erosion Beasts were scattered along the shore, clearly slain by collective effort before the crowd arrived.

At this moment, everyone's gaze was focused on the extraordinary lotus at the lake's center with a mixture of greed and restraint.

According to the unwritten rules of the cultivation world, no one could move to snatch a Spirit Medicine before it was ripe. However, there are always those bold and reckless enough to try—and naturally, they were dead.

On a massive green stone closest to the lake's center, an old man with white hair and a youthful complexion sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. His aura was as deep as the sea, and his invisible Nascent Soul Stage Spiritual Pressure blanketed the core area of the lakeshore, deterring any petty thieves from approaching.

"Who is this old man? What a powerful pressure!"

A Loose Cultivator with a Hong State accent whispered to his companion.

"Fellow Daoist, you must be from Hong State, right?"

A Qing State Loose Cultivator nearby lowered his voice, speaking with a hint of awe. "This is Grand Elder Jing Chengfeng of Liuyun Temple! Originally, he was stuck at Golden Core Great Perfection, undergoing secluded meditation to wait for his Lifespan to run out. But I heard Temple Master Liu obtained a 'Nascent-Breaking Pill' from the Moonshadow Sect, and he broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage in one go!"

"Now, in this Qing State, besides the Moonshadow Sect, Elder Jing is the undisputed number one! Who would dare to act up under his nose?"

The questioner gasped, his gaze toward Jing Chengfeng filling with reverence.

Just then, the sound of something breaking through the air came from the horizon.

Led by Liu Sisi, Xia Yingying, Jing Hong, and several Liuyun Temple Elders arrived gracefully on streaks of light, landing beside Jing Chengfeng on the lakeshore.

"Elder Chengfeng," Liu Sisi acknowledged with a nod.

Jing Chengfeng immediately opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing through them before vanishing. He stood up and bowed respectfully to Liu Sisi, the current Temple Master. "Temple Master."

His gaze swept over Xia Yingying, and sensing the pure, stainless immortal aura on her, he also bowed slightly in greeting. "Fairy Xia." His attitude was polite, carrying a trace of respect for the Moonshadow Sect.

No sooner had the group from Liuyun Temple settled than several more powerful auras descended one after another.

The leaders of several major Sects from the eastern bank of the Qing River had also arrived.

Sect Master of Yongyue Sect, Yun Menglu, was dressed in a moon-white palace gown. Her figure was curvaceous and her temperament elegant; time had not faded her charm, and she smiled beautifully with a twinkle in her eyes.

Sect Master of Yunlai Sect, Guan Yu, was a burly middle-aged man. Meanwhile, the Sect Leader of Hundred Refinements Gate, Wu Baolin, was a lean and capable old man.

Yun Menglu's gaze immediately fell upon Liu Sisi, a flash of envy crossing her eyes that she couldn't quite hide. She stepped forward gracefully, bringing a fragrant breeze with her, and smiled warmly. "Temple Master Liu, it has been a long time. You look even more radiant than before."

Liu Sisi responded coolly, "Sect Master Yun flattery is too kind."

Yun Menglu said with a beaming smile, "Rest assured, Temple Master Liu, we have only come to witness this wondrous sight. We have no intention of laying a finger on the Heart Lotus."

She turned her gaze to Xia Yingying beside Liu Sisi, showing a genuine fondness.

"This Fairy must be the sixth Disciple under Sect Master Ling of the Moonshadow Sect, Fairy Xia? Truly, she is a masterpiece of heaven and earth, pure and exquisite. Just looking at her brings joy to one's heart!"

As she spoke, she flipped her wrist, and a jade pendant emitting a soft moonlight glow and feeling warm to the touch appeared in her palm.

"A small token for our first meeting; please take it to play with, Fairy Xia. This is the Moonlight Spirit-Concentrating Pendant. It has the effect of calming the mind and is somewhat beneficial for cultivation."

She gently pressed the jade pendant into the hands of the somewhat dazed Xia Yingying.

The other two Sect Masters also hurried forward to state their positions.

"Temple Master Liu, please be the judge; we have also come merely to observe the ceremony!"

"Indeed, this lotus rightfully belongs to Liuyun Temple and Fairy Xia!"

Following this, the two also brought out meeting gifts. The Yunlai Sect Master gave a bottle of 'Green Cloud Pills' that could quickly restore spiritual power, while the Sect Leader of Hundred Refinements Gate gave a small piece of 'Red Fire Essence Gold,' a top-tier material for forging fire-attribute Magical Artifacts.

Xia Yingying looked at the several glowing gifts suddenly thrust into her hands. Her small face flushed slightly, and she felt a bit lost, but she still gave the Sect Masters a sweet, well-behaved smile. Her voice was crisp as she said, "Thank you, Seniors!"

That innocent smile and soft, sweet voice made Yun Menglu's eyes light up. She screamed 'cute' in her heart and couldn't resist the urge to pinch the girl's little face.

The Loose Cultivators on the shore watched with burning envy.

"Moonlight Spirit-Concentrating Pendant! Green Cloud Pills! Red Fire Essence Gold! Tsk tsk, what a generous hand!"

"Nonsense, that is the Personal Disciple of the Moonshadow Sect's Sect Master! Didn't you see that even Grand Elder Jing was polite to her?"

"No wonder those Sect Masters were so agreeable; it turns out people from the Moonshadow Sect have arrived... Is there even any suspense left regarding the ownership of this Exquisite Heart Lotus?"

A day passed quietly amidst the anxious and reverent waiting of the crowd.

Finally, the moment for the Exquisite Heart Lotus to mature arrived!

The tightly wrapped bud at the lake's center suddenly shuddered! Seven-colored rosy light abruptly shot out from the seven apertures, piercing straight into the sky.

A rich, exotic fragrance instantly filled the entire valley, clearing the minds of all who smelled it. The seven originally closed petals seemed to be moved by an invisible, skillful hand, slowly unfurling layer by layer at a speed visible to the naked eye.

As each petal unfurled, it was accompanied by a crisp and pleasant heavenly sound. At the center of the stamens, seven lotus seeds the size of dragon eyes were clearly visible. The seeds were crystal clear, containing seven-colored flowing light and emitting a surging spiritual Opportunity.

"It's done!"

Countless people cried out in their hearts simultaneously, their eyes becoming incredibly fervent.

Liu Sisi's gaze sharpened, and she whispered to Xia Yingying beside her:

"Yingying, wait here for a moment. Sister will go and pluck this Opportunity for you."

Xia Yingying nodded vigorously, her apricot eyes full of anticipation. "Mhm! Be careful, Sister Sisi!"

Just as Liu Sisi moved, a sharp and piercing wild laugh exploded in the sky.

"Hahahaha! Fortunately, this Perfected Lord made it in time! This Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart Lotus belongs to this seat!"

Along with the voice, a Nascent Soul Stage pressure no weaker than Jing Chengfeng's crashed down like a mountain, instantly enveloping the entire Jinqué Peak Heavenly Lake.