Seeing the Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus land in front of him, Ye Qiu didn’t hesitate and grabbed it.
“Brat, keep the lotus safe for me!”
“Once I deal with this monster, I’ll eat it…”
“What the hell, brat, what are you doing?”
Master Longbrow roared, watching Ye Qiu devour the lotus ravenously.
In a blink, Ye Qiu had eaten it.
“Brat, how could you!”
“Give me back my lotus!”
“Argh!”
Master Longbrow’s eyes turned red with rage.
He’d worked so hard to get the lotus, even taking a hit from the monster, only for Ye Qiu to steal it.
“Spit it out, or we’re done!” he bellowed.
Ye Qiu said, “The lotus came to me. I didn’t steal it. Why blame me?”
“Don’t worry, old man, I won’t shortchange you.”
“When I become an immortal cultivator, I’ll have your back, haha!”
Master Longbrow was fuming, but helpless, still entangled by the monster. He redirected his anger at it.
“It’s all your fault! Without you, I’d be an immortal cultivator by now. I’ll tear you to pieces!”
Boom!
In his fury, Master Longbrow unleashed nine streams of true qi, attacking the monster wildly.
The monster’s tough body withstood the blows, and they clashed fiercely.
Taking advantage, Ye Qiu sat cross-legged.
He’d eaten so fast he hadn’t savored the lotus. Now, a lingering fragrance filled his mouth.
It felt like kissing a maiden—indescribably wonderful.
“Xiao Zhan, keep watch. Don’t let anything disturb me,” Ye Qiu instructed.
“Got it!” Xiao Zhan nodded, gripping his gun, scanning sharply.
Ye Qiu began channeling his true qi.
Soon, a vast life force spread from his dantian, nourishing his meridians.
Even his skin glowed faintly.
“Worthy of a millennium-rare treasure!”
Ye Qiu focused, running the Nine-Turn Dragon Art to refine the lotus’s potency.
Soon, radiant golden light enveloped him, making him look like a sun.
The cave lit up.
Master Longbrow, fighting the monster, saw this and twisted with envy.
If not for the monster, he’d be the one transforming.
Becoming an immortal cultivator meant a massive power boost.
It also extended lifespan, a big draw for an aging man like him.
And most importantly, he could beat Ye Qiu.
Now, he just hoped Ye Qiu wouldn’t beat him later.
Accepting reality, Master Longbrow said, “Brat, I’m not petty.”
“Since you got this chance, refine the lotus in peace.”
“I won’t let anything disturb you.”
“But next time we find treasure, it’s mine, or I’ll chop your little XX while you sleep.”
He charged the monster, venting his fury with terrifying moves, making it wail.
Ye Qiu, hearing this, relaxed, relieved Master Longbrow wouldn’t hold a grudge.
He pushed the Nine-Turn Dragon Art to its limit, his meridians absorbing the lotus’s potency.
Soon, warmth enveloped him, like soaking in a hot spring.
His meridians, flesh, and bones transformed and ascended.
The lotus’s effect was immense.
After an hour, Ye Qiu hadn’t fully absorbed it.
Meanwhile, the monster, battered by Master Longbrow, fled into a pool and vanished.
Master Longbrow didn’t pursue, sitting nearby to guard Ye Qiu.
Three hours passed, and Ye Qiu’s golden light grew brighter.
Two more hours later, he’d fully absorbed the lotus.
A piercing pain hit, like hammers smashing his bones or needles stabbing his heart and skin.
It was worse than breaking through the Bone-Tempering Stage of the Nine-Turn Dragon Art.
Sweat beaded on Ye Qiu’s forehead, his body trembling.
But he didn’t stop.
This was the critical moment. Enduring meant a qualitative leap in strength.
Time flew.
Another hour passed.
“Buzz!”
Suddenly, Ye Qiu’s golden light flared.
Every pore radiated gold, even his hair gleamed, making him look like an enlightened Buddha.
He slowly opened his eyes.
He felt stronger, every cell brimming with power, like boiling water ready to erupt.
His aura had changed too. His youthful face, still fair, now carried an air of majesty.
“Huh?”
Ye Qiu gasped, activating his Heavenly Eye to peer through his skin.
He was shocked.
His blood had turned a deep, molten gold.
Before, it was faintly golden, but now every drop was vivid, like liquid metal.
His bones, too, were pale gold, ten times stronger than before.
“One lotus caused such a transformation. What a surprise.”
Eagerly, Ye Qiu looked to his dantian.
How much had his innate true qi grown?
