Plucking the Lotus and Continuing the Journey

Chen Chuan sensed the disturbance and glanced outside. After scanning his surroundings, he suddenly looked up and saw something enormous writhing high above him.

Perhaps it was too vast, or perhaps the darkness concealed it, but he could not make out what it was. He could only sense that it was trying to force its way in. The barrier holding it back seemed as thin as a membrane, one it might break through at any moment.

As he watched, the thing paused. What appeared to be its "eye" turned toward him, and his Second Self immediately began to fade.

Chen Chuan met its gaze without a trace of fear.

The ripening lotus seeds had likely triggered these strange phenomena. But with everything around him shaking like an earthquake, he could not help wondering whether the Esoteric Ritual could withstand the assault.

For now, he could only trust You Zhinan's preparations.

Still, he would deal with whatever came. If the Esoteric Ritual failed and the danger grew too great, he would rather abandon the lotus seeds. Staying alive mattered most. He might have another chance to obtain something similar in the future, but greed could cost him his life.

He understood that trade-off perfectly.

Whether the ritual could hold was beyond his control, so he stopped worrying about it. He withdrew his gaze, stepped aside, and began his usual nightly training.

Zhao Ming had been uneasy too, but Chen Chuan's composure helped it settle down. It did not go to sleep. Instead, it kept watch, circling the shaking stones and ready to cry out at the first sign of trouble.

Chen Chuan soon immersed himself in his training. He was practicing the Great Bright Light Style, a secret art suited to resisting attacks from the other side. If anything changed, he