The white mist stretched vast and dense.
At the same time, a refreshing, subtle fragrance, like orchids, wafted from within.
Ye Qiu realised this mist was what had blocked his vision from outside the cave.
He activated his Heavenly Eye again.
His gaze pierced the mist instantly.
Beneath it lay a massive natural pool, its inky waters unfathomably deep.
At the pool’s centre grew a peculiar lotus.
It was unusual, with nine leaves, each over a metre long, crystal-like, transparent, veins clearly visible.
At the heart of the nine leaves was a palm-sized bud—not white or pink, but golden, radiating a shimmering glow.
“This lotus must be something extraordinary,” Ye Qiu thought, excitement stirring.
“Little brat, what are you staring at?” Master Longbrow asked, noticing Ye Qiu’s fixed gaze on the mist.
“Nothing, just looking around,” Ye Qiu said casually.
“Hmph, who’re you fooling? There’s got to be treasure in that mist,” Master Longbrow said, pulling a talisman from his robe sleeve and tossing it out.
“What are you doing?” Ye Qiu, worried the talisman might harm the lotus, shot a sword qi from his fingertip.
But he was a fraction too late.
The sword qi hit the talisman, but it ignited.
Boom!
The talisman blazed like a fireball, dispersing the mist.
In the darkness, the golden bud glowed like a divine object, its nine leaves sparkling like top-grade diamonds.
“This… Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus!” Master Longbrow’s eyes locked on it, his voice trembling with excitement.
Xiao Zhan, sensing its value, asked, “Senior, is this lotus precious?”
“Precious? It’s a once-in-a-millennium treasure,” Master Longbrow said. “Dragon Tiger Mountain’s records say a Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus grows one leaf per century.”
“After nine leaves, it takes another century to bloom.”
“That means it takes a full thousand years to mature.”
As he spoke, the subtle fragrance grew richer, invigorating their spirits.
“It looks like this lotus is about to mature,” Master Longbrow said. “Little brat, we came at the perfect time.”
“I’m warning you—don’t fight me for this Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus.”
He rubbed his hands eagerly, itching to pluck it.
“Senior, what’s so special about it?” Xiao Zhan asked.
Master Longbrow grinned, “If I eat it, I’ll become an immortal cultivator, peaking at the Foundation Establishment stage.”
Ye Qiu’s heart stirred. Such power in this lotus?
“If I ate it, could I become an immortal cultivator too?” Ye Qiu thought, his gaze on the lotus growing fervent.
Xiao Zhan said, “So, those dead Kanto soldiers probably came for this lotus.”
“But how did they know it was here?”
“Who cares,” Master Longbrow snorted. “China’s treasures aren’t for those puny islanders to covet. They got what they deserved.”
Then, to Ye Qiu, “Little brat, if you’ve got other business, go handle it. I’ll guard the lotus till it matures.”
He sat cross-legged by the pool.
Ye Qiu sat too.
“What are you doing?” Master Longbrow eyed him nervously. “Trying to steal my lotus?”
Ye Qiu laughed, “You’re overthinking. I’m just worried you’ll run into danger.”
“Joke’s on you—what danger could I face?”
“Old man, don’t forget, treasures like this are often guarded by fierce beasts.”
“You mean that monster?” Master Longbrow scoffed. “If it shows up, I’ll destroy it.”
“Beast or innate qi master, anyone who tries to take my lotus, I’ll fight to the death.”
His words were a clear warning to Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu smiled, staying put.
“Little brat, your Dragon Gate’s sunken ship is still in the river. You okay with leaving those disciples’ bodies soaking?”
“You and Xiao Zhan go retrieve them.”
“I’ll guard here alone.”
Ye Qiu said, “I’ll keep you company so you’re not lonely.”
Master Longbrow glared. “Be honest—are you after my lotus?”
Ye Qiu grinned, “Old man, you’re really overthinking. I just want to hang out.”
I believe you, my foot.
“Little brat, we’re friends, but let’s be clear: if you try to take my lotus, we’re done.”
“Old man, relax. The lotus isn’t mature yet.”
To Xiao Zhan, Ye Qiu said, “Sit and rest.”
The three sat by the pool.
Master Longbrow watched the lotus, occasionally scanning around, hyper-vigilant.
He feared the monster’s sudden appearance.
More so, he feared Ye Qiu stealing the lotus, planning to grab it the moment it matured.
Time ticked by.
One day, two, three…
Four days.
Five.
Six.
On the seventh day, the lotus’s fragrance surged tenfold, filling the cave with an intoxicating scent, making them feel euphoric.
The bud’s golden glow grew dazzling.
“The Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus is maturing,” Master Longbrow said, clenching his fists in excitement.
Ye Qiu’s voice cut in, “Old man, getting this lotus won’t be easy.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Master Longbrow, thinking Ye Qiu was vying for it, said, “Little brat, I’m warning you again—don’t touch my lotus, or else…”
Before he finished, a powerful aura surged from outside the cave.
Master Longbrow spun around, his gaze sharp as a blade, fixed on the entrance.
