In the valley, Gu He unleashed the flame, condensing his natal divine flame and continuously burning it against the mountain wall before him.
Gu He's natal divine flame was a fusion of heavenly flames, making its power extraordinary.
Under the relentless scorching of the divine fire, the mountain wall gradually began to melt.
Soon, a large hole appeared in the rock face before Gu He's eyes.
With a thought, he expanded the range of the flames, sweeping them across the surrounding area.
As the hole grew wider and deeper, a fist-sized crack suddenly emerged before him.
From within the fissure, a thick mist of dou qi surged forth, violently gushing into the outside valley.
"It seems the dou qi mist in this valley truly originates from within this mountain wall." Sensing the purity of the dou qi mist, a gleam flashed in Gu He's eyes.
Without hesitation, Gu He intensified his efforts, directing the flames deeper into the mountain.
Moments later, as the natal divine flame continued its relentless burn, a three-meter-deep cavity had been carved into the rock.
Then, within the depths of the hollow, a patch of darkness abruptly appeared.
Gu He stared intently, surprise flickering across his face.
"I've actually burned through the mountain wall!"
"There really is another cavern inside!" Gu He eyes brightened with excitement as he gazed at the breached rock.
Without pause, he amplified the flames, further widening the opening.
Before long, the darkness within the cave grew more pronounced, and a shadowy space slowly came into view.
Soon, a black passageway lay before Gu He, from which an overwhelmingly dense dou qi mist violently erupted.
"Such richness… such purity!"
"Cultivating here would undoubtedly multiply one's progress several times over!"
After a moment of marveling, Gu He peered into the dark passage.
His vision met only pitch-black emptiness, revealing nothing.
Focusing his mind, he released his soul power, probing the depths of the shadowy tunnel.
As his spiritual senses advanced, Gu He's expression shifted.
Within the darkness, he detected light—and within that light, an immensely powerful dou qi fluctuation.
"There truly is a treasure hidden inside!"
"This dou qi… it doesn't belong to a beast. It must be a natural treasure of heaven and earth!"
"I must investigate!"
Slowly opening his eyes, Gu He vanished from his spot in a flash.
In an instant, his figure appeared deep within the passage.
Now, before him lay a pool of crystal-clear water, its surface rippling with intense dou qi fluctuations.
"This pond… its water is entirely condensed dou qi!" Gu He murmured in astonishment.
Yet, what captivated him most was the lotus flower floating at the pool's center.
A radiant, seven-colored lotus rested upon the water, its refreshing fragrance permeating the dark space.
"A Seven-Colored Lotus…" Gu He's gaze remained fixed on the exquisite bloom.
The lotus stood about ten feet tall, its petals shimmering with a hazy, multicolored glow.
From a distance, it resembled a masterfully carved sculpture.
As the light flickered across its petals, terrifying surges of dou qi pulsed before finally gathering at the lotus's heart.
"Lotus seeds!" Gu He's pupils constricted sharply.
Nestled within the seven-colored lotus was a cluster of blue light—a finger-sized lotus seed.
Rings of cyan radiance emanated from it, exuding an aura of reverence.
Staring intently at the lotus, a sudden realization struck Gu He.
From the inherited memories of a Ninth-Rank Alchemist, he recalled information about this very plant.
"The Nine-Colored Holy Lotus!"
Legends spoke of an ancient treasure surpassing all natural wonders—the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus.
Born to condense endless dou qi, its mere existence once sparked wars among the continent's mightiest forces.
When pursued, the sentient lotus had split into nine seeds, scattering into the void.
Later, one seed was recovered and painstakingly cultivated into an Eight-Colored Holy Lotus.
Though inferior to its nine-hued predecessor, the Eight-Colored Holy Lotus still possessed immense power.
With its aid, an ordinary family had risen to become one of the continent's supreme powers.
Gu He's mind raced.
"Could this Seven-Colored Lotus be a descendant of the Eight-Colored Holy Lotus?"
"If so… my luck is beyond measure."
The mere thought of the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus's legendary effects sent a surge of exhilaration through him.
Though the Seven-Colored Holy Lotus's power was but a fraction of its ultimate form, it remained one of the mainland's rarest treasures.
"No wonder… no wonder this valley is perpetually bathed in pure dou qi, nurturing so many rare herbs. It was all because of this Seven-Colored Holy Lotus!"
Recalling the valley's abundant flora, everything suddenly made sense.
"This time, I've truly stumbled upon a priceless treasure." Gu He's gaze lingered on the lotus.
If he transplanted it into his own courtyard, he could create a supreme cultivation ground.
Then, another thought struck him.
What if he bestowed this lotus upon his disciples?
With the system's ten-thousandfold return, he might even revive the legendary Nine-Colored Holy Lotus of antiquity.
The mere idea made his throat tighten, his eyes burning with desire.
The Nine-Colored Holy Lotus could forge a peerless holy land for cultivation.
In the original story, the eight ancient clans had thrived in isolated pocket realms, where the dou qi density far surpassed the outside world.
But with a Nine-Colored Holy Lotus at its core, any faction he established could surpass even those ancient families' sacred grounds.
Heart pounding, Gu He approached the pool, preparing to transfer the lotus into his system space.
Then, as he observed the liquid dou qi filling the pond, he remembered his original purpose.
"Isn't this the perfect place to cultivate?" A faint smile crossed Gu He's lips.
After scanning the pool with his soul power and confirming no hidden dangers, Gu He stepped into the dou qi-rich waters without hesitation.
…
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