Within an exceedingly secret sub-branch of the Nine Lotus Sect.
This was a vast stone chamber. The occasional drip of water echoed through it, making the place seem especially tranquil.
Only a few beams of daylight spilled down, illuminating a pool within the chamber.
Upon the pool, a purple lotus throne bloomed quietly. At the center of its petals sat a pretty young woman in a gauzy purple dress, seated cross-legged atop the purple lotus.
"Lotus Token... and a Purple Lotus Token at that."
To be honest, Shen Lianyi could barely remember when she had ever handed out such a token. If not for the fleeting image of a little tiger flashing through her mind, she might truly have thought it was a debt left behind by the previous Purple Lotus Protector.
"Let her in. I'd like to see what the commander of the Maple Guard Department has come here for." Shen Lianyi reclined against the purple lotus petals and slightly lifted her chin. Her jade-white feet restlessly kicked the water, sending ripple after ripple across its surface.
Before long, a flash of red appeared at the front of the dim stone chamber.
"Hmph. What are the imperial court's lackeys doing in my Nine Lotus Sect?" Shen Lianyi gave a soft snort, turned her little face aside, and cast a sidelong glance at Qian Hong, who wore red.
The two had clearly crossed paths before. Today was absolutely not their first meeting.
"The Maple Guard Department has decided to act on the Sage Monarch's fiftieth birthday. We sincerely ask the Black Lotus Sect Master to come forth and lend us a hand in sweeping away the false dynasty!" Qian Hong declared, each word striking the ground like a nail.
Shen Lianyi, reclining upon the purple lotus throne, was plainly not