After a period of profound stillness, the massive, ethereal blue-gray lotus petals, which had encapsulated their intimate union, began to subtly shrink and dissipate. They folded inward with an almost silent grace, like a fading memory, revealing the two figures within the now brightly lit, stone-domed hall.
Lin Yi was sitting cross-legged, his upper body bare, revealing a perfectly sculpted physique. A thin layer of steam rose from his skin, the residual heat from his intense, internal consolidation. His blazing red pupils were closed, his entire being immersed in the quiet processing of his recent, monumental breakthrough. The combined Yin-Yang energy, absorbed during the spontaneous act, had not only purified his Yuan Power but had forcefully pushed his entire cultivation base past its original apex.
Nirvana, Second Turn, Achieved.
His symbol master realm also complemented, reached a new threshold.
Heavenly Symbol Master Realm, Second Turn, Achieved.
The second Nirvana Turn was crossed effortlessly, his foundation rock-solid, a golden light pulsing deep within his dantian, confirming the massive refined Nirvana Qi was already stable.
A faint rustling sound reached his enhanced senses. He opened his eyes, the red intensity within them now perfectly controlled. Behind him, Ling Qingzhu was adjusting her glacial blue robes, her posture stiff and meticulously composed. She was fully dressed, the slight disarray in her long, dark blue hair being the only visible evidence of the turmoil she had just experienced.
Her hand, however, was tightly clenched around the hilt of the thin, azure sword she had retrieved from her spiritual space. She stood with her back partially turned to him, her shoulders tense, her body language radiating a cold, hesitant intent. She was staring directly at him.
Lin Yi slowly turned his body to face her, a cool, gentle smile touching his lips. He saw the fury, the humiliation, and the profound, absolute coldness warring behind her crystal eyes.
"Do you want to fight?" he asked, his voice calm, an undercurrent of genuine curiosity beneath the question. He raised his arms slightly, a gesture of absolute vulnerability. "I will give you a chance, Qingzhu. Attack me. I will not resist, and I will not defend. You can take your revenge, if you want."
Ling Qingzhu stared at him for a long, agonizing moment. Her crystal eyes narrowed, the edge of her lip trembling with suppressed violence. She knew that even if he offered no resistance, a person who had taken her body and soul was far beyond her ability to injure.
With a visible, deep tremor that shook her entire physique, she took a long, shuddering breath. The tension in her sword hand instantly dissolved. She slowly, deliberately sheathed the azure blade with a soft click, the sound resonating loudly in the quiet hall.
She kept her eyes closed for a moment, gathering her entire, shattered composure. "After today," she said, her voice restored to its melodic chime, but now laced with a profound, chilling finality. "We will forget this ever happened. We will not seek each other out. We will not cross paths."
She didn't wait for his answer. She turned and began to walk toward the exit of the hall, her movement a little awkward but decisive, her mission now is to clearly put as much distance between herself and the Lin Yi as possible.
Just as she reached the shimmering light barrier, the blue chaos spirit lotus that is floating suddenly move. The tiny lotus rapidly shrank, shooting forward from the empty space and disappearing directly into the center of Ling Qingzhu's brow.
She stopped dead, a flicker of genuine shock crossing her features, a deep daze in her crystal eyes. As inexplicable memory describing the treasure appeared in her mind.
"That is the Chaos Spirit Lotus Platform," Lin Yi's voice sounded from behind her, calm and faintly amused. "It is an ultimate soul treasure. It has just finished absorbing a drop of your essential blood and recognized you as its owner." He picked up his discarded shirt and robe. "It will guard your spiritual space and soul from any harm."
Ling Qingzhu instantly sensed the powerful, subtle presence of the lotus artifact deep within her sea of consciousness, already radiating a protective, serene energy that was far beyond any spiritual defense she had ever possessed. It was a terrifying, absolute soul treasure.
She instinctively knew which "essence blood" Lin Yi was referring to. Her face, usually pale and composed, flushed a deep, violent crimson, a clear mixture of outrage and profound embarrassment. She glared at Lin Yi angrily, seeing his red eyes fixed on her with a knowing, meaningful gaze.
She immediately turned away, her composure completely shattered, and walked through the light curtain with a speed bordering on flight, her shame overriding all other thoughts.
Lin Yi watched her receding back, the trace of a knowing smile softening his facial features. He casually wore the shirt and robe and then picked up the mask, slowly putting it on. The familial ease passed quickly, replaced by his usual focused intent. After adjusting the metallic mask, his blazing red pupils regain their cold, analytic intensity.
He walked toward the exit, following her. Just as he stepped through the shimmering light curtain and into the labyrinth of the inner tomb, his smile vanished, and a slight frown creased his brow.
The wide passage immediately outside the hall was thick with tension. A small, familiar figure was the center of an ominous circle of aggressive auras.
Lin Dong was standing defensively, his face grim, his back bristling with suppressed fury. He was encircled by three powerful young men from the Wang Clan, all radiating the formidable pressure of the Yuan Dan Realm.
Standing slightly apart, his arms crossed with an air of sublime, untouchable arrogance, was Lin Langtian. His blue robes were immaculate, and his gaze was fixed on Lin Dong with cold, absolute disdain. Beside him, Wang Yan, his hand resting on his golden spear, observed the scene with a smug, predatory smirk.
Ling Qingzhu stood to the side, already a few meters away from the confrontation. Her composure was restored, her eyes utterly devoid of emotion as she observed the tense standoff.
...