Yuantian Pidao

Chapter 237 Suffering within suffering

"It's truly fate that it matured at this time..."

On the Jade Lotus Platform, gazing at the dazzling and extraordinary Bitter Lotus, Jiang Chen's eyes flickered slightly.

During this period, he had been studying the art of weapon forging. Whether he succeeded or failed, it would generate a rich aura of weapon energy, which was absorbed by the Bitter Lotus. Not long ago, the Thousand Crane Feather Robe, a top-grade magic weapon, was created and absorbed that rich aura of weapon energy, which was enough for the Bitter Lotus to accumulate.

At that time, Jiang Chen knew that the lotus seeds nurtured by the Bitter Heart Lotus were about to mature, but he did not expect that the timing of the Bitter Heart Lotus's maturity would be so ingenious, just at the moment when he broke through to the Qi Refining Perfection stage.

As time passed and spiritual energy surged, the twelve lotus seeds nurtured by the Bitter Heart Lotus were completely perfected, and a faint fragrance spread throughout the air.

Seeing this, and confirming that the bitter lotus seeds were ripe, Jiang Chen reached out and plucked the twelve lotus seeds.

"It produced twelve lotus seeds at once. It seems that the Bitter Heart Lotus is indeed growing very well in this military pond. According to the records of the Qingfeng Crane Clan, the ancestor who discovered the Bitter Heart Lotus only obtained six mature lotus seeds."

"As for this Bitter Lotus, a cultivator can't use just one of them. It takes refining three to expand the acupoint by 10%, six to 30%, nine to 50%, and refining all twelve to double the size."

"This refining process cannot be interrupted. Once one lotus seed is refined, another must be refined immediately. With each additional lotus seed refined, the suffering endured by the cultivator will increase exponentially. Although this suffering initially only affects the taste buds, it will continue to spread and even seep into the soul as more lotus seeds are refined."

"If one disregards everything and forces it, the cultivator may truly suffer a mental breakdown and die from the torment."

As Jiang Chen bound the lotus seeds with his true energy, various thoughts flashed through his mind. The Qingfeng Crane clan had left behind many records about the Bitter Heart Lotus.

"Back then, the old ancestor Qingfenghe almost lost half his life in order to refine those six bitter lotus seeds, but he also gained a lot. It was because of the bitter lotus that he was able to enter the upper level of Qi Refining, which was not particularly outstanding, and he cultivated a strong body of true qi."

"In a way, this may be a reflection of the saying 'No pain, no gain.'"

With his senses focused, Jiang Chen carefully perceived the medicinal properties of the bitter lotus seeds.

"But little did they know just how bitter these lotus seeds were."

On a whim, Jiang Chen put a bitter lotus into his mouth.

At that moment, an extremely bitter taste spread in his mouth. Jiang Chen frowned slightly upon feeling this bitterness, but quickly calmed down.

"It's really tough."

After careful consideration, Jiang Chen gained a relatively clear understanding of the bitterness of the bitter lotus seed.

In the next instant, Jiang Chen activated his Formless True Qi and easily refined the medicinal power of the Bitter Heart Lotus, allowing his True Qi to carry the medicinal power of the Bitter Heart Lotus into his 108 orifices.

His Formless True Qi is of extremely high quality, ranking among the best of the superior True Qi. His efficiency in refining the Bitter Lotus Seed is much higher than that of the former Qingfeng Crane Ancestor.

"No pain, no gain"—while not entirely accurate, it's quite fitting for this kind of miraculous medicine.

With a blank expression, Jiang Chen swallowed the second lotus seed.

Repeating this process, Jiang Chen refined three Bitter Lotus seeds in no time.

At that moment, a wondrous change began to occur within his body. A clear, spiritual light washed over him, and his previously solidified acupoints seemed to come alive, slowly expanding with each breath.

Sensing this change, Jiang Chen felt a surge of joy, but no smile appeared on his face. Bitterness spread through him, as if he could no longer laugh.

"Compared to the beginning, my speed in refining the Bitter Lotus seeds has slowed down." With that thought, Jiang Chen swallowed the fourth Bitter Lotus seed.

While Jiang Chen was quietly refining the lotus seeds and strengthening his own foundation, in an unknown place, spiritual energy gathered and transformed into a nearly tangible wave.

"After preparing for so long, we've finally reached this point."

On the white jade bed, sensing the changes within herself, Lady Qinghua's expression turned solemn.

Having lain hidden here for so long, honing her skills, she has already successfully refined the Spirit Treasure Hundred Poison Wood Heart, fusing this spiritual treasure with herself. Now, she is only one step away from achieving true Dao Foundation.

"When I cultivate the Azure Fiend Mystic Scripture, I will forge my Dao foundation, the Hundred Poison Heart, with the heart of the Hundred Poison Wood. At that time, I will be immune to all poisons and possess the ability to erode the spirit and take lives."

With a single thought arising, without further hesitation, Lady Qinghua immediately began her attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

In an instant, spiritual energy surged forth, spontaneously converging upon her. At the same time, the mysteries of the Hundred Poison Wood Heart began to unfold, with strange patterns spreading across her skin and continuously penetrating, eventually settling into her heart.

In that instant, it felt as if a venomous snake was gnawing at her heart, and Lady Qinghua felt an extreme pain.

"So what if my heart is being torn apart by a hundred poisons? I have waited too long for this day, and I will never fall at this step."

With unwavering willpower, even as the poison gnawed at her heart, causing her unbearable suffering, Lady Qinghua's breakthrough was not affected in the slightest.

And so, time passed silently. After an unknown amount of time, a magnificent demonic aura surged into the sky from the underground demon cave. Its power was so great that even the magic array set up in advance could not restrain it.

Sensing this change, a giant crocodile, ten zhang long and covered in black armor, slowly opened its eyes on a distant island in a lake.

"It actually worked! It really didn't disappoint me."

With dark gold eyes, the black-armored crocodile looked in the direction of Lady Qinghua. A look of surprise flashed in its eyes. Its name was Crocodile Abyss, the master of Blackwater Dock, a genuine Dao Foundation Great Demon.

"In this way, I have hope of going further."

With a single thought, black water surged around him, and Crocodile Abyss immediately rushed towards the direction of Lady Qinghua. He had gone to great lengths to help Lady Qinghua break through, so naturally he had something to ask for.

When Crocodile Abyss arrived at the place where Lady Qinghua was in seclusion, Lady Qinghua had already emerged from the underground demon cave.

At this moment, she was draped in a layer of green gauze, her skin as white as jade, and she walked barefoot. Every move she made carried a strange rhythm, and her charm was even greater than before. Wherever she went, an invisible force spread out, and the flowers and plants withered and all life was extinguished.

"Such a domineering poison."

Seeing this scene, Crocodile Abyss's expression changed slightly. He had some understanding of the foundation that Lady Qinghua was going to cultivate, but this performance still surprised him.

"Qinghua thanks you for protecting me, elder brother."

With a charming smile, Lady Qinghua bowed gracefully to Crocodile Abyss.

Upon seeing this, Crocodile Abyss quickly smiled, and the atmosphere became very harmonious.

(End of this chapter)