Red Boy tried to ingratiate himself with Ao Tu and learn more about his Third-Grade Black Lotus.
Ao Tu smiled. "How did a little fellow like you know about it? My black lotus is a spiritual root of heaven and earth, combining offense and defense. Placed beneath me, it can nullify all arts; placed upon an enemy, it can seal their Primordial Spirit and flesh in an instant."
Hearing this, Red Boy felt both wary and envious. "Great King, where did you obtain this black lotus?"
Ao Tu smiled. "Do you really want to know?"
Red Boy hurriedly nodded. "Yes! Yes!"
Ao Tu said, "But I can't tell you so lightly."
Red Boy quickly bent down and began pounding Ao Tu's legs. He said:
"Great King, I've already entered your service, and I'm utterly loyal to you. Please tell me! I promise I won't tell anyone else."
Ao Tu said, "Then you mustn't tell anyone. If word gets out, it will bring disaster down upon me."
Red Boy hastily said, "I promise I won't tell a soul!"
Ao Tu said, "Very well. Since you're so loyal, I'll tell you. Bring your ear closer. No outsiders must hear this."
Red Boy quickly leaned his ear closer.
Ao Tu said, "In the deepest reaches of the Four Great Continents lies the Netherworld Blood Sea, a place of utmost yin and darkness between heaven and earth. At the bottom of that blood sea grows a Twelfth-Grade Black Lotus. When its seeds fall, they grow into Seventh-Grade Black Lotuses; when their seeds fall, they grow into Fifth-Grade Black Lotuses; when those seeds fall, they grow into Third-Grade Black Lotuses. That is where I picked mine."
Red Boy said joyfully, "In that case, Great King, why didn't you simply pick the Twelfth-Grade Black Lotus?"
Ao