Purple Lotus

Over the past three years, Dai Yao had trained his Eight Extremes Collapse to an extraordinarily terrifying level. In Ye Nantian's assessment, this move of his was enough to give quite a few Soul Grandmasters a headache.

Before obtaining his Second Spirit Ring, Dai Yao still had something to do.

Because he had discovered an anomaly in his spiritual world.

Over the past three years, every time his Soul Power rose by one level, the Chaos Cyan Lotus in his spiritual world bloomed with another petal. Now that he had reached level twenty, he wondered what that Chaos Cyan Lotus had become.

His consciousness sank into his spiritual world and came before the Chaos Cyan Lotus.

The Green Lotus slowly unfurled its tenth petal. In an instant, the entire spiritual world seemed to be illuminated by azure light.

The Sacred White Tiger folded its wings, its entire body concealed beneath them as it trembled.

When the light faded, the flower's color gradually changed, shifting from green to purple. The Green Lotus had completely become a Purple Lotus.

The Purple Lotus broke away from its stem and drifted to the ground, while the stem of the Green Lotus gradually withered into ash.

Dai Yao picked up the Purple Lotus and examined it carefully.

The Purple Lotus gently spread its petals, radiating an astonishing allure.

"What is this Purple Lotus for?" Dai Yao stared at the scene before him in disbelief. Compared to this Purple Lotus of unknown use, he would rather have kept the Green Lotus.

After Dai Yao removed the Purple Lotus, a tiny green sprout emerged from the withered Green Lotus and grew at a rate visible to the naked eye.

In merely a few breaths, another Chaos Cyan Lotus appeared.

Twelve leaves, and a tightly layered flower bud wrapped within them, not yet in bloom.

Dai Yao gradually came to an understanding. Every time he advanced one level, the Green Lotus would bloom with one petal. Once the tenth petal bloomed, it would form a lotus flower.

This time, it was a Purple Lotus. What kind of lotus would the next one be? Dai Yao could not help wondering.

His consciousness returned to the real world. With a thought, a purple lotus appeared in his hand.

"Sure enough, this Purple Lotus is a priceless natural treasure."

"In the original novel, Tang San used the Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to raise the Seven Devils' Soul Power. He even enhanced Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul, raising the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

"What effect does this Purple Lotus have?" Dai Yao thought. Do I need to find Tang San and have him identify it?

He then smiled helplessly. "With Tang San's personality, he definitely won't tolerate me. A man who could pick Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well without leaving the roots behind—how could he not covet a natural treasure like this once he learned I had it?"

"Once he finds out I possess a treasure like the Purple Lotus, he will definitely come after me once he becomes a god in the future."

"Looks like I can only explore its properties myself, little by little." Dai Yao stroked his chin thoughtfully.

He passed through the waterfall and entered the cave.

Zhu Zhuqing was sitting cross-legged in cultivation. Sensing movement in the cave, she opened her eyes. When she saw that Dai Yao's aura was clearly different, she said in delight:

"You successfully broke through!"

She leaped into Dai Yao's arms without the slightest concern for his soaking-wet body. A rare smile hung on her cold face.

Over the past three years, Zhu Zhuqing had gradually grown into herself. The outline of her voluptuous figure had already become apparent, while her exquisite features were utterly captivating.

During their daily studies, she attracted the gazes of countless boys. But she had always been icy and aloof, earning herself the nickname Ice Beauty at the Academy.

Compared with Zhu Zhuqing, whose beauty was widely renowned, Dai Yao's reputation was far worse. The name of coward had followed him for three years and was deeply ingrained in everyone's mind.

Throughout those three years, he had not accepted a single challenge, drawing endless private criticism from the Academy's students.

Everyone knew that Zhu Zhuqing was the Fourth Prince Dai Yao's fiancée. They all believed it was a flower planted in cow dung and pitied Zhu Zhuqing for having such a cowardly fiancé.

If any of her admirers had seen the Academy's famous Ice Beauty blooming with such a beautiful smile in a man's embrace, their hearts would surely have shattered.

Dai Yao held Zhu Zhuqing tightly, breathing in the fragrance of her hair. "I'm sorry. You've suffered these past three years. Because of my reputation, you've faced a lot of unfair treatment at the Academy."

But Zhu Zhuqing gently shook her head. "You're the one who has truly suffered. You're the one who bore the insults and endured those strange looks."

Over the past three years, she had witnessed every change in Dai Yao.

Year after year of training, countless times exhausting his Soul Power and falling into the water, then rising again and again—once he gathered momentum, he was like a drawn sword, carrying an imposing, unstoppable force. It was a rare kind of confidence.

A confidence etched into his bones, forged through countless failures and countless times getting back up!

Looking at the spirited boy before her, Zhu Zhuqing felt a little proud.

To others, he was a coward. But to her, he was a hero who faced hardship without ever yielding.

After spending some time together, they came outside the cave.

Looking at the sky, Zhu Zhuqing said sadly, "We have to part again. I'm going home to obtain my Second Spirit Ring!"

Over the past three years, not only had Dai Yao reached level twenty, but Zhu Zhuqing had as well. With his assistance, she had even reached it some time before him.

Because her family lived far away and she needed to prepare a carriage and horses, she had waited for some time.

Zhu Zhuqing gave Dai Yao one final hug and said softly, "Let's meet again once we've both become Soul Grandmasters!"

Watching her departing figure, Dai Yao felt reluctant to part, but he was even more eager for their reunion after they became Soul Grandmasters.

Just then, a soft hand landed on Dai Yao's shoulder, startling him.

When he turned around, a bright and beautiful face appeared before him.

Dressed in fiery red, with fiery red hair to match, it was Feng Wutong.

Over the past three years, Feng Wutong had grown up as well. She had a lovely figure and plenty of admirers at the Academy.

But most of the nobles who pursued her merely wanted to take her as a concubine.

As a result, Feng Wutong never gave them a pleasant look.

She was already twelve this year, and her Soul Power had reached level nineteen.

With one hand resting on Dai Yao's shoulder, her eyes were full of amusement. "Still watching? She's almost out of sight."

Dai Yao could not be bothered to answer. After spending several years together, he and Feng Wutong had become more like brothers. Sometimes, Feng Wutong would even join him in discussing the pretty girls at the Academy.

Of course, they only did so behind Zhu Zhuqing's back.

He brushed her hand off his shoulder, his tone utterly roguish. "Heh, I'll look if I want to. Who told me to have a fiancée? Jealous, Single Dog?!"

At the words "Single Dog," Feng Wutong became somewhat annoyed. "Who told your noble clans to have such ridiculous rules? You get engaged at just six years old."

After bickering for a while, Dai Yao said, "I've reached level twenty now. After making preparations for a few days, I'll return to my clan to obtain my Second Spirit Ring."

Upon hearing that Dai Yao had broken through to level twenty, Feng Wutong looked surprised. Then she smiled helplessly. "You nobles really are gifted. Zhu Qing broke through to level twenty not long ago, and now you've done the same."

"It really is infuriating to compare people. I'm clearly three years older than both of you, yet my Soul Power Level is actually one level lower."

She said this indignantly.

Just then, a staggering figure rushed out from the woods, his expression anxious.

It was a Male Student. He glanced at Dai Yao, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt, before turning to Feng Wutong.

"This is bad! Zhu Zhuqing is about to be... at the Duel Arena..."