The Flower

Chapter 60

Emerging from the cave once more, only Li Changmeng and Heixing remained—a lone man and a monkey.

Through multiple applications of the Mysterious Change Spirit Technique of Incense, Li Changmeng had grasped some insights.

He was beginning to understand the connection between incense power, divine abilities, and mutations.

However, his experiments remained insufficient. More samples were needed to clarify their relationships fully.

At its current stage, the Mysterious Change Spirit Technique of Incense was still incomplete.

Its greatest flaw was its lack of control.

This unpredictability introduced a high degree of uncertainty.

For example, among the first group who entered the cave—three disciples from the Yin-Yang Formation Sect, Li Cheng, and others—all had perished in different ways.

Even as the spell's user, Li Changmeng couldn't discern the exact reasons behind their varying fates.

"It seems my other setups have been discovered as well."

Casting the Spirit Summoning Technique, he projected his consciousness into another cave.

There, he spotted He Zichan and Zhang Mao—the male cultivator who had interrupted him earlier.

At the moment, Zhang Mao was leading the way, protectively shielding He Zichan.

"Junior Sister, there's a spiritual fluctuation here. There's a high chance that an ancient treasure is inside."

Zhang Mao felt incredibly lucky. Not only had he teamed up with He Zichan, but they were alone together, and now, they had possibly discovered a hidden treasure.

He began to wonder—was he the so-called Child of Destiny?

"Oh? Senior Brother Zhang, if there truly is an ancient treasure, would you let me be the one to present it?"

He Zichan's voice was soft, as she leaned closer to Zhang Mao, brushing against him occasionally.

"Well… of course, no problem. You can take the credit when the time comes."

Zhang Mao hesitated briefly but quickly dismissed his doubts. A little recognition for discovering a treasure was a small price to pay.

If he played his cards right and won He Zichan's favor, everything would eventually be his. After all, she was the daughter of a Core Formation elder. Giving up a bit of merit was worth it.

"Senior Brother, you're so kind~"

Hearing this, Zhang Mao felt like he was melting.

Observing the scene through his summoned consciousness, Li Changmeng found it strange.

If he remembered correctly, when the team assignments were announced, He Zichan had clearly looked disappointed.

Had something happened between them that changed her mind?

Regardless, their discovery of this cave only meant one thing—they were unlucky.

The Lishan Mountain Range was vast, and the special caves Li Changmeng had prepared were well dispersed. Since they had stepped into one, he might as well give them a "surprise."

Just as the two reached the cave's deepest section, their eyes landed on a cluster of spirit stones emitting a faint spiritual glow.

Li Changmeng's mind trembled slightly.

"Damn it! Who the hell set up this trick with just a few spirit stones!?"

Zhang Mao cursed in frustration, feeling deceived by false hope.

At that moment, the Incense Statue, camouflaged as an ordinary stone in the shadows, silently activated the Mysterious Change Spirit Technique of Incense on them.

"Senior Brother Zhang, it's alright. Perhaps someone took the real treasure before us and left these here to mislead others. Don't be upset~"

He Zichan suddenly pressed against Zhang Mao, exhaling a soft, intoxicating fragrance, her fingers lightly tracing along his arm.

At the same time, a pink mist spread through the air.

Zhang Mao's breathing grew heavy.

"Junior Sister, you…"

"Shh, Senior Brother, don't speak."

As she whispered, the two began undressing—right there, in the dimly lit cave.

For a moment, Li Changmeng was so caught off guard that he forgot to activate the spell.

However, he soon noticed something strange.

During their union, Zhang Mao's expression gradually dulled, and his soul flickered like a candle in the wind.

It was clear—his essence and vitality were being drained.

He was burning himself as fuel, and he didn't even realize it.

"A dual cultivation energy absorption technique..."

Li Changmeng immediately recognized it as an evil technique, specifically from the Joyful Union Sect.

He Zichan—the daughter of a dignified Core Formation elder—was actually practicing such a sinister method.

No wonder she had wanted to be in a group with him before. He, as an outsider Foundation Establishment deacon, held little value. If he died, no one would have cared.

Zhang Mao, however, had walked right into this trap, clueless.

His body shriveled like a deflating balloon as his vitality drained away.

And yet, instead of stopping, his movements became even more frenzied, utterly unaware that he was moments away from death.

Meanwhile, He Zichan's cultivation level was visibly increasing.

"This technique isn't much different from mine," Li Changmeng mused. He had studied many evil arts, but this one made him reconsider his understanding of them.

At this point, he couldn't stand it any longer.

Li Changmeng activated the Mysterious Change Spirit Technique of Incense, pouring incense power into the scene.

Suddenly, Zhang Mao moved even faster—so fast that he nearly became a blur.

He Zichan's expression changed. She immediately tried to push him away.

But at this moment, the roles of predator and prey had reversed.

Due to the Secret Technique of the Falling Butterfly Sucking Honey, their cultivation levels had been temporarily synchronized, putting them into an integrated state. This was the only way she could extract his cultivation at minimal cost.

However, it also meant she had lost all ability to resist.

Fear overtook her expression, and she could only manage a feeble "no" before the ritual continued beyond her control.

Li Changmeng observed closely, increasing the infusion of incense power.

He was curious—unlike previous cases, neither of them showed grotesque mutations yet. Zhang Mao, however, had lost his mind entirely, driven solely by instinct.

An hour later, Zhang Mao let out a final, euphoric cry.

The light in He Zichan's eyes had long since faded.

With his last breath, Zhang Mao's body collapsed inward, his flesh and blood seemingly sucked into He Zichan.

All that remained of him was a thin, membranous husk, draped over her body like discarded skin.

Then—He Zichan began to change.

Her head slowly sank into her neck.

Then, it continued downward, until her entire body collapsed into a flat, plate-like shape.

From that plate, pink, fleshy petals began to sprout.

A grotesque, primal scent filled the cave—one that was intoxicating, revolting, and eerily carnal.

And in the center of this grotesque blossom, two entwined figures lay exposed—a man and a woman, their pale bodies interwoven like flower stamens.

Li Changmeng could no longer detect He Zichan or Zhang Mao's auras.

They had died under the Mysterious Change Spirit Technique of Incense.

Yet, the blooming monstrosity left behind intrigued him.

He had a feeling this flower had a special function.