Translator: AnubisTL
World of Eternal Night, Precious Lotus City.
Beneath the pitch-black night sky, the frigid wind whipped Li Qing's robes, causing them to flutter violently. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression serene as he gazed at the massive Lotus Building before him, which resembled a colossal lotus throne.
Boom!
This time, he unleashed his formidable divine sense power without restraint, sweeping directly into the depths of the Lotus Building.
In an instant, the entire structure of the building materialized clearly in Li Qing's mind, revealing every person and object within.
This brazen probing went completely undetected by the Blood Lotus Sect members. Li Qing's divine sense had grown so powerful that only cultivators at the core formation realm or higher could sense its presence.
Of course, the Blood Lotus Sect's mysterious sect leader was among those who could.
As Li Qing's divine sense penetrated the deepest recesses of the Lotus Building, he discovered a blood pool, its entire bottom stained crimson as if painted with fresh blood.
Before Li Qing's divine sense could probe further, a shocked divine thought surged from the center of the blood pool.
"Which fellow Daoist has graced us with their presence? This Yue has failed to offer a proper welcome. Please forgive my oversight!"
As the voice faded, a peculiar crimson lotus bloomed at the bottom of the blood pool, revealing a robust middle-aged man within its petals.
Boom!
Yue Qiusheng took a single step forward, his figure soaring into the air with incredible speed, hurtling toward the surface.
As the Blood Lotus Sect Leader ascended, the entire lotus-shaped building spontaneously unfurled its petal-like structures.
In the next moment, a figure clad in a blood-red kasaya burst forth, hovering in the air, his gaze locked onto the sources of the surrounding divine sense power.
The Blood Lotus Sect Leader spotted a young man dressed in a pristine, unadorned Daoist robe. The biting wind whipped through his garments, accentuating his already upright posture.
This youth, with his unremarkable features, radiated an aura of profound restraint, making it impossible to gauge the depth of his power.
The Blood Lotus Sect Leader was certain this man was no ordinary person. He hadn't sensed such formidable divine sense power in countless years, a power that sent shivers down his spine.
"May I ask who you are?"
Before the Blood Lotus Sect Leader could finish his question, Li Qing merely glanced at him indifferently before calmly striding toward the Lotus Building.
His divine sense had already scanned the area, identifying the Blood Lotus Sect Leader as the greatest threat.
Now that he had achieved core formation and refined his natal magic treasure, he felt utterly fearless.
Li Qing was eager to investigate the strange blood lotus he had spotted in the blood pool earlier. This was only the second peculiar plant he had encountered in the World of Eternal Night.
Previously, he had only seen the terrifying willow tree in the southern plains of the Black Wind Domain.
Seeing Li Qing's nonchalant demeanor, the Blood Lotus Sect Leader felt a sudden surge of absurdity. Since achieving core formation, he couldn't recall the last time he had been subjected to such a detached, scrutinizing gaze.
Even in the End of Dao Era, he would find another path to reclaim his dominion!
That indifferent gaze ignited an inexplicable rage within him, but the fury quickly subsided.
The newcomer was shrouded in mystery. Acting rashly would be unwise. First, he needed to ascertain the person's purpose and origins.
Just as the Blood Lotus Sect Leader prepared to descend and confront Li Qing directly, the sect's other members finally arrived, belatedly.
"What's happening? I heard the sect leader's voice just now!"
"Who are you? How dare you trespass on our sacred grounds?"
"Halt! State your origins immediately! This is not a place you can enter casually!"
One elder after another rushed forward, their eyes warily fixed on Li Qing as he strolled leisurely inward.
Faced with the assembled elders and the Blood Lotus Sect members, Li Qing merely swept them with a calm glance before continuing his advance.
He didn't even bother speaking. They were just a rabble, unworthy of his attention.
"Speak up! Are you mute or something?"
"Hmph, still daring to advance? You're courting death!"
"Such arrogance! Daring to disregard us completely!"
As the voices faded, the Blood Lotus Sect elders who had rushed forward were consumed by rage, nearly losing their composure at the sight of the Daoist-robed madman before them.
"Today, we'll teach you a lesson you won't soon forget! You'll learn that this place isn't for just anyone to barge into!"
An impetuous elder roared, charging forward with the intent to thoroughly discipline Li Qing. With a guttural growl, his body began to swell, wild tufts of hair erupting from his skin.
"Stop!"
Just as the fight was about to erupt, the Blood Lotus Sect Leader descended from the sky, immediately halting his followers.
"Sect Leader? When did you emerge from seclusion?"
"Greetings, Sect Leader! May your reign last a thousand generations, and your dao prosper eternally!"
Upon seeing their leader, draped in a crimson kasaya, the sect members knelt on one knee, their faces radiating reverence.
Hearing the phrases "thousand generations" and "eternal prosperity of the dao," Li Qing finally lost his composure, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"All of you, withdraw. I'll have a proper discussion with this fellow Daoist," Yue Qiusheng waved his hand, dismissing all the sect members and elders present.
The Blood Lotus Sect members exchanged glances before obeying their sect leader's command.
As for the elders who had been clamoring to attack Li Qing just moments ago, fear now flickered in their eyes.
Who is this man, that our sect leader treats him with such solemn respect?
Especially the elder who had already enlarged his body, preparing to strike Li Qing, now shrank back to his normal size, his gaze fixed on Li Qing's retreating figure with palpable terror.
But the sect leader had spoken, and they obediently withdrew, not daring to steal another glance.
With the onlookers dispersed, Li Qing continued walking into the Lotus Building, his hands clasped behind his back. Following the mental map transmitted by his divine sense power, he strode unhurriedly toward the blood pool.
Seeing this, the Blood Lotus Sect Leader finally lost his composure. His expression darkened, and his voice took on a threatening edge.
"Fellow Daoist, who exactly are you?"
Li Qing didn't even turn his head, but he finally spoke his first words since arriving at the Blood Lotus Sect's inner sanctum.
"No grand title, I am merely Limitless True Lord, a wandering crane drifting through the world. I happened to pass by this place and came to satisfy my curiosity."
Upon hearing these words, the Blood Lotus Sect Leader inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, though his expression remained grave.
Limitless True Lord!
He silently repeated this daoist name countless times in his mind, searching his memories. Only after confirming that he had never heard of a cultivator with this name before the End of Dao Era did he finally believe Li Qing was indeed a wandering hermit, a free spirit roaming the world.
However, even after clarifying Li Qing's identity and origins, the Blood Lotus Sect Leader dared not lower his guard. After all, the place Li Qing intended to visit was the forbidden land he had established for all Blood Lotus Sect members, and also his personal cultivation sanctuary.
"Limitless Daoist Friend," the Blood Lotus Sect Leader said in a deep voice, "this is my secluded cultivation grounds. Please halt here and allow me to find a more suitable place to host such a distinguished guest who has traveled so far."
But this time, Li Qing showed no inclination to humor him. His tone remained calm as he replied, "Don't worry. I merely wish to see that peculiar blood lotus blooming in the blood pool, to satisfy my curiosity."
The Blood Lotus Sect Leader sighed inwardly.
As expected, his divine sense power detected it.
"Very well, Daoist Friend. Since you're interested in my path-attainment treasure, I can hardly be so petty as to keep it hidden."
With that, the Blood Lotus Sect Leader took the initiative, leading Li Qing toward the base of the Lotus Building—the blood pool where he cultivated in seclusion.
This straightforward approach surprised Li Qing. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing, silently following the sect leader.
He wasn't worried about any tricks. Against absolute power, any scheme would seem laughable.
The pair ventured deeper into the Lotus Building, eventually reaching the sect leader's secluded cultivation chamber.
Even before approaching, Li Qing was assaulted by a pungent, overwhelming stench of blood.
Ahead lay a thick stone wall. Behind it was the blood pool that had particularly piqued Li Qing's interest.
Rumble!
With a silent groan, a hidden door materialized in the wall, the stone panel rotating slowly inward.
Soon, the Blood Lotus Sect Leader's secluded cultivation chamber was fully revealed to Li Qing.
A dark crimson blood pool lay perfectly still, a single, bewitching lotus flower floating serenely on its surface.
(End of the Chapter)
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