Zi Linling was overjoyed to have obtained the Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus.
The Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus was a treasure trove, especially its seeds, known as nascent Bodhi seeds. They could be added to various elixirs to increase the efficiency of pill refinement, or consumed directly to temper soul force.
Its petals and leaves also possessed soul-forging properties, allowing one to achieve mental clarity simply by cultivating upon them.
However, unripe demonic lotus seeds were deadly poisons, capable of eroding the consciousness and ultimately causing the soul to dissipate.
Therefore, unripe demonic lotus seeds, along with the Ghost Flower poison that Zi Linling had once suffered, ranked among the top ten most potent poisons.
This was why Zi Linling wouldn't foolishly court death.
"No rush, this can wait!"
"Thank you, Master!"
The Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus happily replied to Zi Linling before calmly absorbing the life force within the nascent world.
Zi Linling's consciousness retreated from the nascent world, only to find a soundproof barrier had appeared around her.
Beyond the barrier, Ye Lingyuan was engaged in combat with a peculiar creature.
The creature was peculiar because it was a full three meters long and as thick as a barrel.
Yet, it was entirely black and supple, as if it lacked bones.
At its head and tail, it possessed enormous suction cups, each containing three rows of sharp teeth, making it a truly terrifying sight.
Zi Linling felt an odd sense of familiarity with the creature but couldn't recall its name for a moment.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed in shock, "Blood Sucking Demonic Leech?!"
The Blood Sucking Demonic Leech was a water-elemental demonic beast, known for its insidious nature.
It typically lurked in water, attaching itself to unsuspecting beasts and draining their blood.
Moreover, it was exceedingly cunning, often hiding near aquatic plants, concealing its aura, and waiting for prey.
Zi Linling, engrossed in collecting the Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus, had overlooked the concealed Blood Sucking Demonic Leech.
The cunning leech had launched its attack while Zi Linling's attention was focused on the nascent world.
To prevent the commotion of battle from disturbing Zi Linling, Ye Lingyuan had casually erected a soundproof barrier before engaging the leech.
In his hand, he held the Heaven Shattering Sword, his attacks—slashes, chops, parries, and thrusts—constantly shifting.
However, the Blood Sucking Demonic Leech's body was incredibly agile, effortlessly evading Ye Lingyuan's assaults.
Of course, this was also because Ye Lingyuan feared disturbing Zi Linling and dared not create too much of a disturbance; otherwise, he would have dealt with the leech long ago.
"Ye Lingyuan, sever its two suction cups! I have a use for them!" Zi Linling emerged from the soundproof barrier, shouting.
While the Blood Sucking Demonic Leech was cunning, its two suction cups were excellent materials for alchemy.
"Understood!"
Upon seeing Zi Linling emerge, Ye Lingyuan's swordsmanship became even more ferocious.
He seized an opening in the leech's defense and kicked towards the area between the two suction cups.
This kick sent the Blood Sucking Demonic Leech tumbling to the ground.
With a flash of his sword, the leech's two suction cups were severed.
"Screech!!!!"
The Blood Sucking Demonic Leech let out a pained cry as a torrent of blood gushed from where its suction cups had been removed.
The barrel-thick leech rapidly shriveled, leaving only a black husk on the ground.
It turned out that the suction cups were the vital point of the Blood Sucking Demonic Leech; with its life gate breached, it naturally met its demise.
Ye Lingyuan cast a disgusted glance at the pool of blood on the ground, then sheathed the Heaven Shattering Sword back into his Nine Dragon Ring.
With a light leap, he caught the two suction cups that had flown into the air.
His timing was perfect, not a second too early or too late.
He handed the suction cups to Zi Linling and smiled, "Shall we go?"
Zi Linling tossed the suction cups into her Nine Spirit Ring, then leaped across the pool and proceeded deeper.
"Demonic Lotus, what exactly is this place?"
As they walked forward, Zi Linling communicated with the Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus.
The Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus replied, "This was once a training ground for the Lingxiao Sect, but it has now been abandoned."
"Lingxiao Sect?"
Zi Linling was greatly surprised. She searched her mind but found no information about the Lingxiao Sect.
"Yes, Master!" the Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus swayed its form.
Zi Linling frowned and asked, "Where is the Lingxiao Sect located? How have I never heard of a place called Lingxiao Sect on the Tianyuan Continent?"
"Master, beyond the Boundless Sea lies a continent called the Blessed Continent. There are many ancient sects there, and the Lingxiao Sect is one of them."
The Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus's voice carried a hint of pride, tinged with sadness.
"There is another continent in this world?" Zi Linling asked in astonishment.
This was not entirely her fault for being ignorant.
The Tianyuan Continent was too isolated, and a significant portion of its historical records had been damaged.
What Zi Linling had read was only a small fraction of what had been preserved.
The Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus explained, "Yes, Master! The Lingxiao Sect established its trial grounds on the Tianyuan Continent because its laws are incomplete, which allows for the tempering of cultivators' physical bodies."
"Incomplete laws? What does that mean?"
A tempest of shock churned within Zi Linling.
After all, such a secret was utterly undocumented on the Tianyuan Continent.
"It means..."
"Rumble!"
Just as the Demonic Lotus was about to explain, a muffled thunderclap echoed from the sky.
It immediately closed its mouth, daring not to speak another word.
For that thunderous sound was the warning of the Tianyuan Continent's Heavenly Dao.
Some matters were taboo, forbidden to be uttered.
Seeing the Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus fall silent, Zi Linling was about to ask again when she heard it tremble, "Master, some things cannot be said. If you speak of them, those above will be angered!"
"Above? What above?" Zi Linling was even more bewildered.
The Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus spoke with a hint of tears, "Master, please don't ask anymore!"
Zi Linling found it inexplicable, but she stopped asking.
She knew that further inquiry would be futile, as the Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus would surely refuse to speak.
Thus, she sighed and asked, "Demonic Lotus, about six months ago, did anyone come here?"
"Let me think..."
The Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus was silent for a moment before replying, "Yes, someone did. That person was severely injured and fell into Sister Snow Fox's territory, where she was rescued by Sister Snow Fox!"
Zi Linling's heart leaped with joy. If her guess was correct, the person the Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus was referring to must be Mu Qingyan.
However, she quickly became confused and asked, "Who is Sister Snow Fox?"
"The Crimson Flame Snow Fox! Sister Snow Fox is a sacred beast, capable of transforming into human form."
The Illusory Eye Demonic Lotus replied excitedly.
"Crimson Flame Snow Fox? Where is she?"
Zi Linling was astonished once again.
The Crimson Flame Snow Fox was an anomaly among foxes, innately attuned to both fire and ice elements.