Red Lotus Formed, Spirit Realm Tests the Divine! (2-in-1 Chapter)

"Hiss!!"

A phantom of the Twelfth-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus hovered in the air, rotating slowly.

Blood-colored radiance rippled across the lotus petals, and the supreme will to incinerate all things permeated the space like a rising tide.

It held the origin flames of the Wind Fury Dragon Flame and the Green Lotus Core Flame firmly suppressed within its heart, frantically refining and devouring them!

"Hum, hum, hum!!!"

The red lotus phantom emitted a joyful hum; the lotus body, previously somewhat illusory, became solid and distinct at a speed visible to the naked eye!

The petals grew thicker, their color deepening into a vivid, profound hue, as if carved from the finest blood-colored divine jade!

The Red Lotus Karma Fire burning upon it also flared with greater intensity; though its temperature was restrained, it appeared even more terrifying, as if it could easily incinerate space itself!

As for the two Heavenly Flames being devoured, they were currently experiencing unprecedented fear and despair!

The Wind Fury Dragon Flame possessed the highest intelligence, and its resistance was the most violent.

From within its origin, it transmitted intense unwillingness and madness!

It was a spirit born of heaven and earth, possessing boundless potential, its intelligence nearly demonic.

It had even orchestrated a shocking scheme to incite the Green Lotus Core Flame, creating chaos in hopes of escaping or launching a counter-attack!

How could it be willing to be devoured and refined just like this?

It struggled desperately, the bright yellow Wind Fury origin erupting with a violent power capable of tearing everything apart, attempting to break free from the lotus's shackles!

However, all its resistance appeared so laughable and powerless before that seemingly petite blood-colored lotus throne!

The Karmic Fire Red Lotus was a primordial innate spiritual treasure, representing one of the ultimate laws of the path of fire:

Incineration and Purification!

It was the king of all fires, the nemesis of all flames!

The struggle of the Wind Fury Dragon Flame was like a feeble firefly attempting to shake the sun of the nine heavens!

It was like a loach in a small stream attempting to resist the vast, profound ocean!

This was an absolute, essential suppression originating from the very level of life's origin!

The fear transmitted from its pitifully small intelligence was instantly submerged by boundless awe and despair!

It finally "understood" what kind of existence it was facing!

It was a supreme, majestic power it was not even worthy of looking up to!

As for the Green Lotus Core Flame, it was already weak, its intelligence having only recently been born.

At this moment, it did not even have the strength to struggle, and could only emit faint, mournful cries.

Its origin was rapidly extracted and fused.

Resistance? It was meaningless!

Before the Karmic Fire Red Lotus, all Heavenly Flames were but subjects, all were but food!

The process of devouring was far faster and more thorough than imagined!

In just over a dozen breaths, the core origins of these two peerless Heavenly Flames, both ranked within the top twenty of the Heavenly Flame Ranking, were completely devoured and digested by the Karmic Fire Red Lotus!

They were transformed into excellent nourishment to repair and strengthen itself!

When the final trace of the Heavenly Flame origin was absorbed, the phantom of the Karmic Fire Red Lotus jolted violently, erupting with an unprecedented, brilliant blood-colored light!

A flame power, more vast, more pure, and more terrifying than before, surged back.

It instantly poured into the body of Lin Chen!

However, this power was not used to enhance his Dou Qi cultivation; instead, as if it possessed a life of its own, it surged frantically toward the sea of consciousness between his brows!

"Hmm?"

Lin Chen raised his eyebrows slightly, his fingertips subconsciously twitching as he felt the warmth and restlessness of this power.

He did not resist, but instead completely opened his body and mind to accept it:

His trust in the Karmic Fire Red Lotus had long been carved into his marrow.

That extremely pure power of the Karmic Fire origin gathered, compressed, and condensed between his brows...

In the end, it actually transformed into an extremely minute, yet lifelike, Twelfth-Grade Red Lotus mark that emitted a faint red glow!

The edges of the mark were wreathed in a few wisps of ethereal blood-colored fire silk, trembling gently with his breath.

The moment the mark took shape, Lin Chen's entire body stiffened, then he smoothed his brow, a trace of realization flashing in his eyes:

His soul felt as if it were intertwined with the Karmic Fire Red Lotus between his brows; every time his soul pulsed, the red lotus mark would flicker in synchronization.

That feeling of perfect fusion, of being inseparable, was more intense than ever before!

With a thought, the red lotus mark between his brows quietly faded, leaving behind only a faint, lingering warmth;

With another thought, the mark reappeared, the red glow staining even the depths of his eyes with a hint of blood-color.

At the same time, a wave of enlightenment surged into his heart.

This mark was a new ability derived from the Karma Fire Red Lotus after it had recovered a significant portion of its origin:

Red Lotus Possession!

Once the Battle Mark between his brows manifested, he could fuse more deeply with the power of the Karma Fire Red Lotus for a short period.

He would enter a powerful, advanced combat state!

In this state, his attack, defense, speed, recovery, and even his control over flames would receive a terrifying, all-encompassing boost!

In particular, the power of the Red Lotus Karma Fire would unleash an even more fearsome incinerating force!

It was as if a Flame War God had descended upon the world!

Although his cultivation level did not directly increase, with this trump card, his true combat strength had once again surged to an immeasurable level.

Moreover, after devouring the two flames and condensing the Battle Mark, he felt that the compatibility between his soul and the Karma Fire Red Lotus had reached a new peak.

His soul power, which was already growing rapidly due to the Blood Scripture constantly devouring souls, was now stirring like boiling water.

It felt as if it would break through the invisible barrier in the next second!

Peak of the Mortal Realm soul!

He was on the verge of breaking through to the Spirit Realm!

Reaching a Spirit Realm soul while still at the Dou King stage?

If this were to spread, it would be enough to make those powerhouses on the Dou Qi Continent who had spent decades immersed in the path of the soul faint on the spot!

This was entirely due to the incomparably domineering nature of the Blood Scripture:

It plundered the essence of all things and converted it with one hundred percent efficiency, which naturally included soul power!

Its efficiency far surpassed any known soul cultivation technique in the world!

He needed to find a place to go into seclusion immediately and break through to the Spirit Realm soul!

Lin Chen slowly descended from the air, and as he retracted his blood wings, he lightly shook off a few remaining sparks.

Landing on the devastated plaza of the Snake-People Holy City, the sparks burned several tiny black holes into the ground.

His gaze swept calmly over the surrounding Snake-People, who were cowering with eyes full of fear and awe.

Finally, his eyes landed on the four Snake-People Elders, who were struggling to stand up while still bearing the marks of the battle.

He also looked at Queen Medusa, who was pale and being supported by two handmaidens.

"I have no intention of being an enemy to the Snake-People."

Lin Chen spoke, his voice flat yet carrying an unquestionable power.

"As for today's events, had I not intervened, your Snake-People would likely have been wiped out by those human powerhouses by now."

"In a sense, I have indirectly saved your race."

Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the four Elders and Queen Medusa were as complex as an overturned palette:

There was unwillingness and wariness, but more than anything, there was relief.

They knew very well that what Lin Chen said was the truth.

Had this seemingly young but terrifyingly monstrous youth not appeared out of nowhere, slaughtering several human Dou Emperors with thunderous means, the Snake-People would surely have been doomed today.

Although the Heavenly Flame was gone, the entire race had survived...

This was the greatest fortune amidst misfortune.

"Thank you for your assistance, Excellency."

The lead Great Elder took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and fear in her heart, and bowed with difficulty.

The respect in her tone was no longer feigned:

In a world where strength is respected, the power Lin Chen had displayed was enough to earn the awe of her and the entire Snake-People race.

"I wonder if you have any instructions, Excellency? Our race will certainly do our best to fulfill them."

"I need to rest here for a period of time. I will borrow a quiet room for seclusion; that is not a problem, is it?"

Lin Chen said directly, without any unnecessary pleasantries.

"Naturally, that is no problem! You saved our race from danger; you are a benefactor to the Snake-People!"

"The most secluded temple in the inner palace of the Holy City is open to you at any time!"

The Great Elder replied hurriedly, bowing even lower.

Facing this god of slaughter who killed Dou Emperors like dogs and swallowed Heavenly Flames like water, how could they dare to say a single word of refusal?

Queen Medusa also raised her pale face, her purple snake-like pupils taking a deep look at Lin Chen.

Her long eyelashes trembled, and she gave a slight nod, signifying her silent consent.

This human youth was powerful, mysterious, and decisive in his killing, yet he did not seem entirely unreasonable.

This realization allowed her to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Hai Bodong, who had been standing to the side, also flew down and landed beside Lin Chen.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at the youth was filled with shock and excitement; he had truly latched onto a powerful backer this time:

"Kid Lin Chen, do you never loot the bodies after you kill them?"

"I've already collected the spoils for you just now."

As he spoke, he opened his palm to reveal several brand-new Storage Rings.

Lin Chen glanced at him sideways, a faint smile curling the corners of his lips:

"Old Man Hai, you were slacking off during the fight."

"How is it that you're so proficient when it comes to this part?"

"Ahem, isn't this an essential skill?!"

Hai Bodong chuckled and cupped his hands toward the Snake-People Tribe elder, offering a polite greeting.

Having traveled with Lin Chen all this way, the initial restraint between them had long since vanished.

They could now be considered friends!

Consequently, Lin Chen and Hai Bodong were treated as honored guests by the Snake-People Tribe and invited to rest in the most tranquil and magnificent temple within the Holy City.

The pillars of the temple were carved with the ancient totems of the Snake-People Tribe, the floor was paved with smooth white jade, and the air was permeated with a faint scent of sandalwood.

Lin Chen chose the sturdiest and quietest secret chamber. Just as he pushed open the Gate of Opening, he heard Hai Bodong call out from behind:

"Kid, I'll be guarding outside. Just shout if you need anything!"

"Understood, Old Hai."

Lin Chen replied and closed the door to the secret chamber.

The process of breaking through to the Spirit Realm soul was more natural than he had imagined.

His soul power had already reached the peak of the Mortal Realm, and his accumulated foundation was enough to crush anyone of the same rank.

At this moment, as his consciousness sank into his sea of consciousness, the soul-tempering techniques within the Blood Scripture began to circulate automatically.

The tiny Blood Spring at the center of his sea of consciousness rotated slowly, releasing wisps of pure soul power that nourished the entire sea like a flowing stream.

"Hum!!"

A soft sound suddenly echoed within his sea of consciousness, as if a thin layer of window paper had been easily pierced!

His mental energy surged violently in an instant, growing more than tenfold in the blink of an eye;

The essence of his soul underwent a sublimation, shifting from its original pale white to a crystalline, pale gold!

His perception became unprecedentedly clear and sharp:

The minute cracks on the walls of the secret chamber, the footsteps of the snake-people patrolling outside the temple.

Even the rustling sound of sand dunes being shifted by the wind miles away was clearly reflected in his mind!

His speed of thought, deductive capabilities, and control over his own power had all been elevated to a massive new level, as if they had been honed like a blade!

Spirit Realm soul! Achieved!

After the breakthrough, Lin Chen did not immediately emerge from seclusion, but instead kept his eyes closed.

He carefully contemplated the various mysteries brought about by the Spirit Realm soul:

He could clearly "see" every circulation of Dou Qi within his body and could even perceive the free-roaming energy particles in the surrounding world.

More importantly, with the qualitative change in his soul power, his comprehension of the supreme divine ability, Boundless Blood Sea, had suddenly deepened by several times over!

Previously, he could only barely manifest a small patch of the blood sea, utilizing its domain suppression and slight devouring power, much like a child clumsily wielding a heavy broadsword;

But now, he felt he could finally grasp the hilt of this "blade."

He could truly, for the first time, draw upon a sliver of the true power of this divine ability!

A Spirit Realm soul was indeed the fundamental threshold required to drive this terrifying divine ability!

The core of Boundless Blood Sea went far beyond a simple energy domain.

It involved supreme mysteries such as the laws of slaughter, soul erosion, and the ability to manifest billions of incarnations!

Two days later, Lin Chen pushed open the door of the secret chamber.

He was dressed in simple black robes, his aura completely restrained, making him look no different from an ordinary youth.

But his eyes were deeper than before, as if they contained an endless starry sky.

Hai Bodong, who had been keeping watch nearby, felt an inexplicable chill the moment he saw him.

He felt as though a bottomless, terrifying sea of blood was hidden within the youth before him.

"Old Hai, accompany me on a trip."

Lin Chen said.

Hai Bodong froze, setting down his teacup.

"Where to? You just came out of seclusion; shouldn't you stabilize your realm a bit more?"

He had assumed Lin Chen was going to hunt down the escaped Gu He or finalize follow-up matters with the Snake-People Tribe.

"To the depths of the desert, to test my new technique."

Lin Chen's tone was casual, as if he were merely saying he was going out for a stroll.

Hai Bodong: "???"

Test a new technique?

In the depths of the desert?

And he wants me to accompany him?!!

The expression on Hai Bodong's face froze instantly, and he nearly dropped the teacup in his hand.

His complexion turned stiff and deathly pale at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Finally, he was completely dumbfounded, his eyes wide as copper bells!

He pointed at his own nose, his voice tinged with a whimper:

"Lin... Lin Chen, kid! You... you aren't joking, are you?"

"You want to test a technique? And you want me to spar with you?!!"

What kind of joke is this!

What kind of existence is the person before him?

He killed a Dou Emperor in a single strike and swallows Heavenly Flames like he's drinking water.

He's a ruthless character who even Queen Medusa has to give three points of respect!

Spar with him?

Can that even be called sparring?

That's called getting beaten one-sidedly! That's called having a death wish!

Hai Bodong felt his calves trembling; he nearly bowed to Lin Chen on the spot:

"I can't do it! These old bones of mine can't withstand your tossing!"

"If your hands are itching, there's still half a mountain over there... why don't you go blast that instead?"

Watching him look so terrified that his hair seemed to be standing on end, Lin Chen couldn't help but curl his lips, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

But his tone remained firm:

"Rest assured, I will control my strength, use only the new technique, and I won't go for the kill."

"All you need to do is defend and attack with all your might so I can see the limits of this move."

Looking into Lin Chen's calm yet unrefusable gaze, Hai Bodong sighed inwardly:

He had come to understand this kid a little; once he decided on something, there was no escaping it.

Suddenly, he wore a look of utter despair, like a prisoner being marched to the execution ground, and said with a mournful, listless face:

"...Fine, fine... This old man... this old man will do his best..."

And so, under the puzzled gazes of the Snake-People Tribe's high-ranking officials.

Lin Chen led Hai Bodong, who wore an expression of "heroically going to his death," as they rushed out of the Holy City once more.

They sped toward the most desolate and remote depths of the Tagor Great Desert.

Leaving behind a group of bewildered Snake-People who hadn't the slightest clue what was going on.

Flying to an absolute no-man's-land, below them lay rolling, massive sand dunes, with sand filling the sky and a desolation so profound not even a sand scorpion could be seen.

Lin Chen stopped, turned, and looked at Hai Bodong, who was following behind him with a face even uglier than if he had just eaten bitter herbs.

"Are you ready?"

Lin Chen flexed his wrists, his knuckles popping softly, a flicker of eager blood-red light flashing in his eyes.

Hai Bodong jolted violently, instantly pushing his Dou Qi to the limit:

"Boom! Hiss!"

Ice-blue Dou Emperor Dou Qi erupted wildly!

It transformed into armor that covered his entire body in an instant, even his helmet fastened tight.

In his hand, he condensed a massive ice spear taller than a man, the tip shimmering with bone-chilling cold.

His voice trembled:

"K-kid! Y-you... you must go easy on me!!"

A curve formed on the corner of Lin Chen's mouth as he slowly raised his hand:

"Boundless Blood Sea..."

"Open!"