The Big Eater

Seeing that the Symbiotic Blood Lotus had been successfully brainwashed, Meng Xuanji no longer had to worry about being backlashed by it for the time being.

"By the way, there is one more thing. After you take root in my sea of consciousness, what is your food? Is it my soul power? Spiritual power? Or... is it my life force?"

Seeing the look in Meng Xuanji's eyes grow increasingly dangerous, the Symbiotic Blood Lotus hurriedly explained.

"No, no, no, it's not that exaggerated. How could I possibly harm you, Master? I am a soul beast that keeps its word."

"My food is simply the nutrients you consume daily. I only occasionally absorb a bit of soul power and spiritual power to consolidate my own form. As for your life force, Master, I would never dare to touch that."

What a joke; the Symbiotic Blood Lotus wasn't stupid. It had finally managed to board the train to godhood, so how could it possibly block its own path forward?

Although it had indeed devoured the life essence of its contractors in the past, Meng Xuanji could be the exception. The price for this was that its intake in other areas would become massive—for instance, its appetite.

"That's good then."

Meng Xuanji glanced around at the surrounding collection of books. The aura beneath the seals had already become somewhat restless due to the sacrifice of the Symbiotic Blood Lotus.

It seemed they also hoped to gain their freedom.

"Enough, let's stop here for today. It won't be too late to come back next time."

The Symbiotic Blood Lotus had indeed left Meng Xuanji with a fair amount of psychological trauma. Before he became strong enough, Meng Xuanji had to explore this area with caution.

Soon, Meng Xuanji passed through the long tunnel and arrived at the library on the surface. When he breathed in the fresh air of the outside world again, he felt a wave of relief.

"Ha! Sunlight suits me better! This warmth is much more comfortable than the ice cave below."

"Is this what freedom feels like? Phew! It feels so good!"

Bathed in the free sunlight, the Symbiotic Blood Lotus couldn't help but exclaim.

If it had known that a sacrifice was all it took to leave that hellish Forbidden Book Area, it wouldn't have had to attack Meng Xuanji.

The Forbidden Book Area had been broken into by highly skilled evil soul masters more than once, but not a single one had left alive, as they all eventually turned into nourishment for the various forbidden items.

Even if they didn't die at the hands of the forbidden items, they would be tainted by the forbidden aura and forever unable to leave that tunnel, eventually being devoured bit by bit by the Forbidden Book Area, which was like a beast from the abyss.

It was precisely because of the Angel Gold Key in Meng Xuanji's hand that he had been able to bring the Symbiotic Blood Lotus out of that underground nightmare.

Gurgle~

So hungry.

The Symbiotic Blood Lotus had now taken root inside Meng Xuanji's sea of consciousness and begun to share the nutrients within his body.

For a glutton that hadn't had a full meal in nearly a hundred years, it was already showing restraint by not draining Meng Xuanji dry.

"Master, I'm hungry too. Hungry, hungry, want food."

"Alright, I know. I'll take you to the cafeteria right now."

Meng Xuanji couldn't help but quicken his pace. He didn't want to be tortured to death by this glutton; the feeling of an empty stomach was painful and exhausting—it was simply too much to bear.

After leaving the library, Meng Xuanji followed the direction of the cooking smoke and hurried to the cafeteria.

As soon as he stepped through the door, a rich aroma of food wafted over, nearly hooking the soul right out of the Symbiotic Blood Lotus.

"Food! It's food! Is it finally time to eat!"

The Symbiotic Blood Lotus was already starving to the point of desperation; it couldn't help but want to start eating with a fork in its hand.

The cafeteria was already full of people, and Xie Yue and Hu Liena were there as well.

Except for Hu Liena, everyone immediately buried their heads and shoveled food into their mouths the moment they saw Meng Xuanji, pretending they hadn't seen him.

The scene from yesterday, where Meng Xuanji had single-handedly overturned the Three Pure Ones Hall, was still fresh in everyone's minds. None of them had soul rings yet, and Meng Xuanji, possessing the Dark Blue Silver Emperor, was essentially a dimension-crushing force here.

Heh, just kidding—even with soul rings, they couldn't beat him.

"Meng Xuanji, you're here!"

"Wait, Hu Liena!"

Xie Yue whispered, trying to stop his sister, but Hu Liena moved too quickly. He couldn't make too much of a scene, so he could only watch as Hu Liena walked toward Meng Xuanji.

"Damn it."

Xie Yue thought to himself that things were going south.

Meng Xuanji had just said those disgraceful things about Hu Liena at the Three Pure Ones Hall last night; would he really do something to his sister?

Looking at the look of adoration on Hu Liena's face, Xie Yue had a vague premonition that his sister had already been won over.

"Thank you for saving me last night. This is a token of gratitude I prepared for you. I hope you're satisfied."

Hu Liena pulled a silver ring from her pocket.

"This is a storage soul tool with a hundred cubic meters of space. I hope you like it."

Hu Liena's warm, smiling face looked even more beautiful and charming in the sunlight, like a fairy descended from heaven—gentle and elegant.

"Thank you."

Meng Xuanji took the ring. He did indeed need a spare storage soul tool.

The ring Bibi Dong had given him could be used as his primary storage ring, and this one could be used to hold the small things he didn't want others to see.

Gurgle~

Meng Xuanji's stomach let out an ill-timed growl.

"Oh, you must be hungry now. Come with me, I'll get you something to eat."

Hu Liena led Meng Xuanji to their original seats. Seeing this, the others scattered as if avoiding a plague, and the previously crowded table suddenly became empty.

"Huh? It seems like everyone is afraid of you?"

"Perhaps it's because of my martial soul. You know, people often look at things through colored glasses."

"Oh, I suppose that's true. But don't worry, I think you're a good person. I believe you will definitely become a righteous soul master."

Hu Liena patted her chest, her innocent, youthful face full of confidence.

She believed in Meng Xuanji's potential for kindness more than anyone else, even more than Meng Xuanji himself.

"Thank you."

Meng Xuanji thanked her from the bottom of his heart.

"You sit here for a moment, I'll go get you some main courses. If you're really starving, just drink my porridge first. It's not hot anymore, and I haven't taken a single sip yet."

With that, Hu Liena left her seat to prepare food for Meng Xuanji.

Meng Xuanji didn't refuse; if he didn't eat soon, the Symbiotic Blood Lotus would get desperate enough to start eating people.

Gulp, gulp.

Meng Xuanji picked up the bowl and finished the porridge in one breath, not forgetting to lick the residue from the corners of his mouth.

"Still so hungry."

Meng Xuanji grabbed a steamed bun from the table, stuffed it into his mouth, took a few gulps of water, and swallowed it down in a few quick motions.

Xie Yue, standing to the side, watched the ravenous Meng Xuanji as if he had seen a ghost. The guy's appetite was like that of a young ferocious beast!

In just two minutes, he had already finished enough food for ten people!

"This guy, does he really have such a huge appetite?"

Xie Yue swore that this was the first time he had ever seen a peer who could eat as much as Meng Xuanji.

Without exception.