Chapter 0448 – A Lotus Flower

Enlightenment can only be triggered with the proper opportunity, one that leads the cultivator into a state of sudden realization. That is the importance of fateful encounters. Right now, clearly, this Divine Source Cavern was such an opportunity—a chance for Nannan to fall into sudden enlightenment. The benefits gained from such a moment wouldn't be limited to now; they would continue far into the future. As for what exactly she comprehended, probably only Nannan herself would know.

"A great opportunity indeed. She's truly someone blessed by fortune."

Yi Tianxing nodded inwardly. He had already noticed signs of Nannan's exceptional comprehension—her ability to grasp profound truths far exceeded the norm. For people like her, sensing the Dao and natural laws came with a kind of innate advantage. While others might only experience one true moment of enlightenment in their lifetimes, people like her could slip into that state as naturally as eating or drinking.

Sudden enlightenment was as easy as breathing.

Compared to that, others seemed dull as pigs. It was hard to stand before such a person without feeling awe—or envy.

He didn't disturb her. He knew that with Nannan's current cultivation, she wouldn't remain in that state of enlightenment for long. Still, whatever she gained from it would be extremely valuable.

Meanwhile, the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower was still frantically absorbing the vast source energy from within the Divine Source Cavern.

The internal space of the tower expanded madly.

1,800 li!1,900 li!2,000 li!

…

As the tower continued its ravenous devouring, suddenly, a brilliant immortal light erupted from within the cavern, so intense it suppressed the radiance of the source energy itself. Within that light, a pure white lotus slowly emerged. It seemed rooted directly into the Divine Source, its tendrils drawing nourishment from the energy like a living being.

The lotus was still in bud, its petals tightly closed, but it exuded an aura of holiness and purity. Anyone who laid eyes on it would feel their mind cleansed, their spirit purified. All distractions and worldly thoughts would melt away, leaving only a perfect state of serenity.

The white lotus swayed within the endless source light, emanating waves of snowy brilliance. Within that light flickered surreal, ever-shifting visions: celestial maidens dancing, gods and immortals chatting, stars and moons morphing in cycles. The aura was so sacred—utterly untainted, flawless, and perfect.

"A white lotus… Is this the immortal treasure born of the Divine Source Cavern? But why hasn't it bloomed yet?"

Yi Tianxing took a deep breath, his mind racing.

The white lotus—unstained by mud, unseduced by purity—was revered for good reason.

Swish!

At that moment, the light around the lotus began pulsing more intensely. Even from outside the cavern, Yi Tianxing could smell an exotic fragrance wafting toward him. The scent was unique, unlike anything he had known.

"What—?!"

The instant the lotus bloomed, Yi Tianxing's pupils shrank sharply.

Inside the flower lay a sleeping maiden, dressed in robes woven of lotus petals, revealing snow-white arms. She seemed to have made the lotus her bed. Her figure and face were beyond perfection, like the very work of the Creator. As she lay there, her expression was one of tranquil slumber—so serene, so mesmerizing.

What stunned Yi Tianxing the most was that this girl seemed incredibly tiny, nestled in the lotus like a divine doll—a sacred celestial maiden incarnate.

And then—

She awoke.

Her eyes opened. They were unfathomably deep, impossibly clear, impossible to describe with mere words.

"It's not time yet. Why have I awakened early?"

Her voice was crisp as bells. She scanned her surroundings, her gaze falling on Yi Tianxing, Nannan, and the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower. When she saw the tower greedily devouring the Divine Source, a flicker of understanding passed through her eyes.

"Ah, I see. I was startled awake by this kind of crude plundering method."

"Humans should learn contentment. Greed leads only to misfortune."

She gave Yi Tianxing a faint smile—and yawned.

That yawn alone released countless petals of white light, each one a lifelike lotus petal. These petals drifted casually through the cavern air, but in a blink, they appeared before the tower, colliding with a sound like clashing metal. A terrifying force surged from the petals, blasting the tower straight out of the cavern.

It was like an unwelcome guest being forcibly evicted.

One petal even drifted through the barrier outside the cavern as if it didn't exist, floating toward Yi Tianxing.

"What is that?!"

He instantly felt dread. A petal that could repel his treasured tower with such force—how could he dare let it touch him?

Clang!

He summoned a sword with a thought and slashed at the petal with his Heaven-Slaying Sword Intent, a sword light sharp as lightning.

Yet—his blade felt like it had struck nothing at all.

No resistance. No impact.

The white petal shimmered and responded by transforming into a beam of white light, streaking directly to Yi Tianxing and landing on his arm before he could stop it.

"Hot!"

A searing pain erupted from the spot, like being burned by divine fire. The agony reached to the bone, even the soul. But after just a few breaths, it vanished.

Looking at his arm, Yi Tianxing saw that a white lotus imprint had appeared on his wrist. The imprint looked alive, radiating a faint holy aura.

"What does this mean…? Why leave this mark on me?"

Yi Tianxing's expression turned grim. Clearly, the lotus maiden hadn't tried to kill him, only to brand him. The mark itself wasn't the issue—it was the mystery behind its purpose that gnawed at him.

He wanted to ask.

But the white lotus had already closed back into a bud, then disappeared entirely.

"Dammit… That's no rare treasure. That's a being of unimaginable terror."

Yi Tianxing couldn't help but smile bitterly. He hadn't expected to awaken such a terrifying entity.

"Big brother, was that… was that a person growing from a lotus?"

Nannan had awoken as well, just as Yi Tianxing had predicted. Her enlightenment had been short-lived but extremely fruitful. She had witnessed everything just now, and her eyes were filled with childlike curiosity.

"Let's go. Time to leave this place."

Yi Tianxing took a deep breath. Without hesitation, he waved his hand, conjuring a space gate, and took Nannan's hand. Together, they stepped through it, vanishing in an instant.

Once again, the Divine Source Cavern fell silent.

Far, far away—within the Xuanhuang City, in a quiet meditation chamber—the true body of Yi Tianxing sat in stillness. At that very moment, the same white lotus mark silently appeared on his wrist. It flickered a few times before vanishing beneath the skin, hidden within his flesh and blood.

Even Yi Tianxing himself remained completely unaware.

It was silent. Invisible.

Too subtle to detect.

Ten li away from the Divine Source Mine, in a wide clearing, a new space gate appeared. Yi Tianxing and Nannan emerged from it.

Yi Tianxing stood in place, gazing back toward the mine, his face somber. The experience hadn't lasted long, but the impact was immense.

Those Yin Bies, the red-furred zombies in the dark, the strange children, the headless general—every entity had immense power. Yet none of them had directly attacked. Most bizarre of all was the white lotus hidden in the Divine Source Cavern, and the girl sleeping inside.

So many unanswered questions piled up in his heart.

He didn't believe this was coincidence. There had to be reasons for all of it.

"This truly is a forbidden zone of life, shrouded in mysteries. What I've seen is likely just the tip of the iceberg. The truth behind all this… is beyond my reach for now."

He withdrew his gaze, deep in thought.