Chapter 2360: Black Lotus

Xiaowu, after consuming the true demonic energy from the crest feathers, remained unsatisfied. Her demands were exceptionally high; the true demonic energy floating in the void did not meet her needs. The unique demonic energy found in demon cores and crest feathers, however, was finite. Qin Sang even suspected that acquiring a few more demon cores might still not be enough to meet her advancement requirements.

The Azure Luan avatar rested briefly before resuming its journey, wandering aimlessly through this space for several days without encountering a third fierce beast. This space was indeed vast; the area he had covered was likely only a small fraction of its total size. Ordinarily, such a large void wouldn't spontaneously form underground; it was probably a unique space created by some specific phenomenon. He remained patient, continuing his wandering and adjusting his direction according to the shifts in elemental energy within the space.

After failing to encounter a third fierce beast, the Azure Luan avatar ultimately decided to proceed toward the source of the 'allure.' The source of the allure lay even deeper. The Azure Luan avatar suppressed its aura, controlled its speed, and continued its descent. Here, the true demonic energy gradually predominated, overpowering both spiritual energy and the ancient Six Heavens energy, yet it was still not the specific type Xiaowu sought.

After an unknown depth of descent, the Azure Luan avatar finally detected an unusual fluctuation, possibly indicating another demon beast. However, this location was very close to the source of the allure, and with the path ahead uncertain, the Azure Luan avatar hesitated to charge directly. The Azure Luan avatar paused, focusing its senses. It found the fluctuation remained stationary, unmoving, which seemed somewhat eerie.

After a moment of contemplation, the Azure Luan avatar slowly approached that direction. As the distance narrowed, it became clear that a demon beast was indeed present, and it was no less formidable than the previous snake demon or bone bird. As it drew even closer, the Azure Luan avatar abruptly halted. The elemental energy ahead was violently disturbed, and a low growl echoed. The growl was laden with both killing intent and a clear warning.

The Azure Luan avatar realized it had been detected, but unlike the snake demon and bone bird, this demon beast did not immediately rush forward. "Does this demon beast possess superior intelligence?"

The Azure Luan avatar's eyes shimmered with lightning as its spiritual sight penetrated the darkness, pinpointing the demon beast's true form. It was a black leopard demon, its entire body pitch black, perfectly camouflaged within the darkness. It appeared to have been in a deep slumber, roused by the Azure Luan avatar. Now, it remained prone, its head lifted, staring intently and viciously.

"Grrr..."

Their gazes locked. The black leopard's dark pupils flared with chilling killing intent, its sharp fangs bared, and it emitted guttural snarls. Its body was coiled taut, ready to spring and attack at any moment. Yet, the black leopard's body remained motionless. Under the black leopard's intense gaze, the Azure Luan avatar slowly retreated. The low growls then lessened. It seemed the black leopard was merely warning the Azure Luan avatar to stay away from its territory, content with scaring it off rather than initiating an attack.

The Azure Luan avatar retreated for two reasons: first, to gauge the black leopard's disposition, and second, because it had sensed another presence. Not only was the black leopard present, but other demon beasts were here too! If this was a den of demon beasts, and each possessed a violent temperament, why were their lairs situated so close to each other? Unsure of the total number of demon beasts nearby, the Azure Luan avatar hesitated to act. The black leopard's behavior and the surrounding environment gave rise to several conjectures.

The Azure Luan avatar averted its gaze from the black leopard and widened the distance. As anticipated, the leopard's hostility significantly decreased; as long as its territory remained unviolated, it showed no further interest in the Azure Luan avatar. What, then, could possibly cause it to suppress its inherently violent nature?

The Azure Luan avatar tried to approach another demon beast. This one was noticeably more volatile, issuing a stern warning before the avatar could even draw near. Yet, like the black leopard, upon seeing the Azure Luan avatar's sensible retreat, it retracted its killing intent, showing no desire to attack. There must be something here that exerted an unparalleled attraction, powerful enough to subdue their innate natures. The Azure Luan avatar gazed towards the source of the allure, a place shrouded in profound darkness and dense with true demonic energy.

The black leopard and the other demons seemed to be guarding this area, as if waiting for something. The Azure Luan avatar did not act rashly. It kept its distance, flew a short distance away, and as expected, discovered yet another demon beast. After a moment of thought, the Azure Luan avatar returned to its initial position and settled in to wait.

Within the dark abyss, the passage of time seemed to slow. The Azure Luan avatar and the other demons, including the black leopard, maintained an unsettling calm. This wait extended for more than two months, though for their long lifespans, it was merely the blink of an eye.

The Azure Luan avatar's eyes glinted with anticipation. The change it had long awaited finally manifested: a faint fluctuation emanated from the source of the allure. This fluctuation was peculiar. Though the Azure Luan avatar couldn't discern the scene in the deep darkness, it inexplicably brought to mind a tranquil lake surface, where clear ripples suddenly appeared, as if the sound of water lapping could be heard... The surrounding true demonic energy appeared to be agitated by some force, vibrating with unprecedented intensity.

"Whoosh, whoosh..."

The sound of wind echoed in its ears, and the Azure Luan avatar suddenly perceived a familiar aura. The Five Elements Crown vibrated subtly, confirming the Azure Luan avatar's perception was accurate: it was precisely the unique demonic energy Xiaowu favored. The unique demonic energy closely resembled the true demonic energy floating in the void, but when compared side-by-side, a clear distinction emerged: the unique demonic energy contained a peculiar vitality absent from its common counterpart.

At this point, the Azure Luan avatar perceived a shift in the distant energy, realizing that the black leopard and the other demons were clearly awaiting this unique demonic energy. The Azure Luan avatar remained still, observing the movements of the black leopard and the other demons. The anticipated conflict did not materialize; instead, each demon beast stayed within its territory, tacitly beginning to absorb the unique demonic energy. The specific magical power of the unique demonic energy was unknown, but the black leopard and the other demons were all engrossed in its consumption, rendering the abyss even quieter.

After a short wait, the Azure Luan avatar cautiously attempted to draw a wisp of the unique demonic energy toward itself, remaining vigilant. However, the black leopard and the other demons were too absorbed to pay it any mind. He suspected that this location had originally belonged to either the bone bird or the snake demon. Given the absence of new competitors and the loss of one, the existing hierarchy remained undisturbed, explaining the current peace.

The unique demonic energy was now in its possession. The Five Elements Crown clutched in its embrace flickered irregularly. Since Xiaowu's descent for tempering, its temperament had grown increasingly stable, making such eagerness a rare sight. Compared to the unique demonic energy refined by other demon beasts, this was the purest form, and the most captivating to Xiaowu!

The Azure Luan avatar appeased Xiaowu, then gazed into the profound darkness, curious about the source of the unique demonic energy. However, even with its spiritual eye ability fully engaged, it proved futile; its vision revealed nothing but an impenetrable void. Observing the black leopard and the other demons, each was quietly and horrifyingly focused on refining the unique demonic energy. Did this unique demonic energy also possess a calming effect?

The Azure Luan avatar considered entering to investigate but ultimately abandoned the idea. Firstly, it was unclear what lay within, and secondly, revealing its presence would undoubtedly enrage the black leopard and the other demons, making it a universal target. These were not ordinary demon beasts; they all possessed at least late-stage Void Refinement power. No matter how formidable it was, the avatar dared not provoke so many potent adversaries. It might be necessary to summon the Heavenly Eye Butterfly down here.

The Azure Luan avatar's eyes slightly closed, and it concentrated on sensing its true form. Outside the abyss, Qin Sang's expression subtly shifted. After a brief hesitation, he summoned the Heavenly Eye Butterfly and allowed it to enter the abyss. In the darkness, a butterfly's silhouette flickered in and out of view, and soon, it successfully rendezvoused with the Azure Luan avatar.

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly quietly activated its Heavenly Eye divine ability, focusing its gaze ahead. Initially, its vision, too, was an endless expanse of darkness, but gradually, distinct outlines began to appear. Deep within the darkness, one area appeared exceptionally black, as if light itself was absorbed there. They vaguely discerned a black river, devoid of banks or land, flowing as if through the void. Its contours were distinct, and the river itself consisted of extremely dense true demonic energy, though this appeared to be ordinary black demonic energy.

Then, to their astonishment, they discovered a cluster of black lotuses in the heart of the river. Amidst the broad lotus leaves, three black lotuses were in various stages of bloom, their petals dyed an inky black. The uppermost one was fully unfurled, showcasing its full splendor. The second was still a bud, while the third was partially open, largely obscured by its leaves, like a pipa player half-hidden behind her instrument. Wisps of aura emanated from the lotus petals. The Azure Luan avatar's expression subtly shifted; this black lotus was indeed the source of the unique demonic energy! Surprisingly, the unique demonic energy Xiaowu desperately sought originated from these peculiar black lotuses.

"What kind of rare treasure is this black lotus?"

Numerous ancient texts flashed through its mind. While many spirit lotuses existed in the world—Qin Sang could easily list dozens, all of them exceedingly valuable treasures—this specific black lotus was not among them. Its ability to emit true demonic energy suggested it wasn't an item from the Spirit Realm. Could it be a seed left behind by ancient demons?

Just then, the Azure Luan avatar let out a soft exclamation as the second black lotus slowly unfurled. However, as soon as all three black lotuses reached full bloom, without any prior warning, they abruptly began to wither, their petals falling away. The black lotuses instantly transitioned from flourishing to decay. Their leaves and flowers rapidly withered and crumbled, and the decaying remnants sank to the riverbed within mere breaths.

As the black lotuses withered, the unique black demonic energy lost its source and was gradually consumed entirely by the black leopard and the other demons. Their focused and practiced refinement suggested this wasn't their first time, implying the black lotuses would continue to bloom and had likely undergone countless cycles of flourishing and decay. If they valued the unique black demonic energy so highly, why didn't they venture in to harvest the black lotuses? Was it because no single entity could claim them, necessitating compromise, or was there something else within that place they feared?

He doubted these demon beasts could genuinely control their inherent natures. He instructed the Heavenly Eye Butterfly to fully activate its divine ability and meticulously observe the black lotuses. Slowly, a hypothesis formed: the black lotuses themselves were controlling these demon beasts. In the world, many rare treasures are protected by spirit beasts. Some of these guardians seek to monopolize the treasure, while others are controlled by the treasure itself, becoming its thralls. The more precious a spiritual object, the more trials and tribulations it tends to face. The Heavenly Dao maintains its own balance; even insentient spiritual objects can manifest various innate divine abilities, and controlling spirit beasts is one such power.

The black lotus was likely such a spiritual object. For reasons unknown, true demonic energy had settled here, nurturing the lotuses and drawing in this group of demon beasts. The Azure Luan avatar observed the black lotuses while also monitoring the movements of the black leopard and the other demons. To its disappointment, these creatures showed no intention of leaving. Only a very few, like the snake demon and bone bird, were willing to patrol; most remained faithfully guarding the area, awaiting the next bloom of the black lotuses.

If he could pick off these isolated demon beasts one by one and eliminate them all, he might then devise a way to collect the black lotuses. However, that opportunity seemed slim. Furthermore, completely eradicating all the demon beasts would create a massive disturbance, potentially triggering other unforeseen variables. He was not yet entirely certain whether the black lotuses were truly ownerless. He decided to continue observing patiently for a while.

The wait wasn't long; a year later, another black lotus emerged from the black river. After producing three blooms, it withered just as before. This black lotus continuously underwent cycles of blooming and withering. Each bloom released a small amount of unique demonic energy, compelling the black leopard and other demons to linger. They benefited from refining this unique energy, but the Azure Luan avatar did not dare to follow suit.

Maintaining patience, he had the Azure Luan avatar stand guard there. After observing a full ten cycles of the black lotus, he finally confirmed several key points. The source of the allure was the black lotus itself. The lotus, along with the unique demonic energy it emitted, not only attracted the black leopard and other demons but also possessed a calming power that could, to some extent, manipulate their desires. This explained why the black leopard and the other demons remained here so calmly, aligning with his earlier suspicions.

This was an inherent power of the black lotus. Because it grew in a unique environment like the snowy plains, the demon beasts' minds were already influenced by the ancient Six Heavens energy, making them highly susceptible to manipulation. This explained why the black lotus could so terrifyingly control numerous powerful demons. Under normal circumstances, even a late-stage Void Refinement demon cultivator, without the protection of the Jade Buddha, would not be so easily controlled by the black lotus. Nevertheless, Qin Sang's goal of acquiring the black lotuses remained far from simple; he would undoubtedly face a siege from the entire group of demons. To fully ascertain the situation, Qin Sang patiently maintained his vigil for ten years. Unwilling to continue waiting, he had now formulated a definitive plan.

The eleventh year began. As expected, the black river rippled, and a tiny black lotus emerged, growing at a visibly rapid pace. Even as the small lotus barely broke the surface, the unique demonic energy began to emanate. The black leopard and the other demons immediately took deep breaths, focusing intently on refining it. The Azure Luan avatar, however, remained unaffected, focusing intently with the Heavenly Eye Butterfly on the first emerging stalk.

The lotus flower trembled slightly, and its outermost petals slowly unfurled. As this lotus was on the verge of full bloom, the Azure Luan avatar finally made its move. Blue lightning, more profound than its usual Azure Luan demonic lightning, flickered among its wing feathers—it was now summoning true Azure Luan lightning. The next moment, its form subtly vanished. By activating the Heavenly Sense Thunder Robe with true Azure Luan lightning, it could bypass the spiritual senses of the black leopard and the other demons. Once it secured the black lotuses, it could then use the true Azure Luan lightning to power its lightning escape technique and break through the encirclement, ensuring the demon beasts would have no chance of pursuit.

The Azure Luan avatar moved invisibly and silently, approaching the black lotuses without detection, successfully avoiding alarming the creatures. Simultaneously, outside the abyss, Qin Sang's true form had already prepared a large formation as a precautionary measure. At that moment, Qin Sang slowly rose and floated above the abyss, ready to rendezvous with the Azure Luan avatar.