Echoes Of Blood Lotus

The entire battlefield darkened. A sea of blood-red mist flooded the air, distorting reality.

Within this domain, the man's power would be absolute.

Li Wei barely had time to react before spears of crimson energy rained from all directions.

SLASH! A spear sliced through his side.

THUD! Another grazed his leg.

He gritted his teeth, suppressing the pain. He had to counter—fast.

Closing his eyes, he focused. His Celestial Energy pulsed, reacting instinctively.

Then, he saw it.

A faint golden glow, hidden beneath the blood mist.

"The weakness…" he muttered.

Without hesitation, he moved.

Li Wei's feet barely touched the ground as he vanished into the mist.

The masked man's eyes widened. "What?!"

Li Wei wasn't just dodging—he was weaving through the mist, following the golden trails that only he could see.

Jinhai smirked. "He's already adapting to spiritual domains? Monster."

The masked man growled. "Enough of this."

He raised his spear high, and the blood mist condensed into a single, devastating strike.

"Crimson Execution!"

A giant crimson blade descended from the heavens.

Li Wei closed his eyes.

Golden energy surged through his veins.

And then—he raised his palm.

"Celestial Break!"

BOOM!

Golden and crimson forces clashed in a blinding explosion.

The entire domain trembled.

And then—the blood mist shattered.

As the mist faded, the masked man staggered back. His domain—his ultimate technique—had been destroyed.

Li Wei stood firm, golden energy flickering around him. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes burned with determination.

Jinhai chuckled. "Looks like your fancy domain wasn't enough."

The masked man sighed. Then, to Li Wei's surprise, he laughed.

"You truly are something else." He lifted his mask slightly, revealing sharp, noble features and piercing red eyes. "Very well. You've earned my name."

He stepped forward.

"I am Xiao Ren, of the Blood Lotus Sect."

Li Wei's expression darkened. The Blood Lotus Sect… One of the most feared sects in the cultivation world.

Xiao Ren smirked. "We will meet again, Celestial One."

Before Li Wei could react, Xiao Ren's body dissolved into crimson light.

The last remnants of crimson light faded, leaving only silence in its wake.

Li Wei stood motionless, his body still humming with residual Celestial Energy. His heartbeat pounded like a war drum.

Xiao Ren… of the Blood Lotus Sect.

Jinhai let out a low whistle. "That guy was no joke. If he wanted to kill you, he could have."

Li Wei clenched his fists. Then why didn't he?

Xiao Ren had acknowledged him. That much was clear. But what did that mean? Was he being watched? Tested?

The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

Jinhai slapped him on the back. "Don't think too hard, kid. You survived a fight with a Nascent Soul cultivator. That's already crazy enough."

Li Wei exhaled, forcing himself to stay calm.

Survive, yes. But he hadn't won.

They left the ruined battlefield, heading deeper into the mountain roads. Jinhai kept glancing at Li Wei.

"You felt it too, didn't you?" Jinhai finally asked.

Li Wei nodded. "The Celestial Energy inside me… it's still growing."

Jinhai sighed. "I figured. Your level is rising way too fast. You should still be in Core Formation, but your body is already adapting to the next stage."

Li Wei frowned. "The next stage Nascent Soul right?"

Jinhai smirked. I'll explain this the last time if you like don't pay attention, They are Nine Great Stages of Cultivation."

He lifted a finger.

1. Qi Condensation – The foundation of all cultivation. Gathering spiritual energy into one's body.

2. Foundation Establishment – Strengthening the body and dantian, refining energy flow.

3. Core Formation – Creating a golden core, increasing lifespan and power.

4. Nascent Soul – The birth of a spiritual soul, allowing near-immortality.

5. Spirit King – Mastery over Qi, enabling flight and elemental control.

6. Saint Realm – Becoming a near-godly existence, laws of reality begin to bend.

7. Void Emperor – Transcending mortality, able to shatter mountains with a thought.

8. Divine Sovereign – Rulers of the heavens, their words shape fate itself.

9. Celestial Ascendant – The final stage, a being of pure cosmic power.

Jinhai grinned. "And guess what? The Celestial Seal is something beyond even that."

Li Wei's fingers trembled. Something beyond even the strongest cultivators?

Then what… was he becoming?

As they walked, Li Wei focused inward. His core was no longer just golden—it shimmered with an ethereal, celestial glow.

Jinhai eyed him warily. "Be careful with that power, kid. It's rare… too rare. People will kill for something like that."

Li Wei nodded. He knew that already.

He thought back to Xiao Ren's words.

"We will meet again, Celestial One."

Li Wei clenched his fists.

Next time, he wouldn't just survive.

Next time—he would win.

.....

The mountain path twisted endlessly before them, winding through dense forests and jagged cliffs.

Each step carried Li Wei closer to his next destination—Red Lotus City.

Jinhai stretched his arms behind his head. "So, what's the plan, kid? You gonna lay low, or are you planning to stir up some trouble?"

Li Wei glanced at him. "I need to grow stronger. Fast."

Jinhai chuckled. "That's what I like to hear."

The two walked in silence for a while until they reached a clearing. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the land.

As they set up camp, Jinhai tossed Li Wei a small pouch.

"Here. Take a look inside."

Li Wei opened it, finding several round jade pills inside. Each one pulsed with spiritual energy.

"Spirit Rejuvenation Pills," Jinhai explained. "They help replenish Qi and refine your body. Not as good as a real breakthrough, but they'll speed up your progress."

Li Wei nodded, swallowing one without hesitation. As the pill dissolved, a rush of pure energy flooded his meridians.

His body trembled. His Core Formation realm was solidifying… but something was still pushing him forward.

The Celestial Seal within him continued to expand, hungering for more power.

The fire crackled between them as they rested. Jinhai was snoring lightly, arms crossed behind his head.

Li Wei, however, remained awake. Something felt… wrong.

The air around him was too still. Too quiet.

He closed his eyes, extending his spiritual senses.

That's when he felt it—a presence. Watching. Waiting.

A cold breeze swept through the clearing. Then, without warning—

A dagger shot toward his throat.