"Teacher… are you truly giving this Seven-Colored Holy Lotus to me?"
Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Gu He.
Hearing her words, Gu He handed the radiant lotus to her with a faint smile. "As your teacher, I do not jest."
Nalan Yanran's delicate hands trembled slightly as she held the lotus. Its sculpted beauty felt surreal, almost dreamlike.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Taking a deep breath, she steadied her emotions, her voice brimming with sincerity.
Gu He nodded slightly.
In truth, he had his own reasons for gifting her the Seven-Colored Holy Lotus.
During their last encounter, Yun Yun's resentment over the incident in the Magic Beast Mountain Range's cave had been palpable.
Gu He could only sigh helplessly.
Since he had wronged her, he had to make amends.
This Seven-Colored Holy Lotus was his peace offering to Yun Yun.
The lotus could independently gather the energy of heaven and earth, effectively transforming the Misty Cloud Sect into a sacred cultivation ground.
Within its range, the disciples' cultivation speed would skyrocket.
Gu He knew how much the Misty Cloud Sect meant to Yun Yun. With such a monumental contribution, perhaps the rift between them could finally mend.
Thinking of this, he smiled and reminded Nalan Yanran, "Consult the sect leader before deciding where to plant this lotus."
Nalan Yanran nodded obediently. "Understood, Teacher."
[Ding! Host has gifted the fourth disciple, Nalan Yanran, a Seven-Colored Holy Lotus with damaged origin.]
[Congratulations! A 6969 fold refund has been triggered—host has obtained a Nine-Colored Holy Lotus (origin damaged)].
[The Nine-Colored Holy Lotus has been deposited into the system space. Host may retrieve it at any time.]
The system's voice echoed in Gu He's mind, sending a surge of exhilaration through him.
'The Nine-Colored Holy Lotus!'
Even his usual composure faltered at the thought of its legendary power.
But then, his brows furrowed slightly.
'Damaged origin?'
He glanced at the Seven-Colored Holy Lotus in Nalan Yanran's hands, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind.
'Was its origin already damaged?'
Even the 6969 fold refunded Nine-Colored Holy Lotus bore the same flaw.
For a moment, dissatisfaction gnawed at him.
Yet, considering the lotus's heaven-defying effects, he reluctantly accepted it.
Eager to inspect his new treasure, he dismissed Nalan Yanran. "Yanran, go and consolidate your cultivation first."
"If you encounter any obstacles in your training, seek me at any time."
"Do not slack in your practice. Once you break through to the Dou Master realm, I will reward you with three more gifts."
Nalan Yanran's eyes burned with determination as she nodded firmly. "I will strive with all my might!"
At the same time, she resolved to temper her physique.
The recent power infusion had exposed her weakness—only by strengthening her body could she endure longer empowerment sessions and absorb more refined dou qi.
After a few more instructions, Gu He let her depart.
As soon as she left, he willed himself into the system space.
The moment he entered, a dazzling nine-colored radiance seized his attention.
Suspended in the void was a colossal lotus, its petals shimmering in nine hues. Around it swirled an ethereal mist, cradling the divine flower like sacred waters.
Merely gazing at it sent tremors through Gu He's soul, as if his very spirit wavered in its presence.
Upon closer inspection, the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus resembled its seven-colored counterpart—save for two additional petals: one gold, one black.
[Ding! Does the host wish to form a master-servant contract with the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus?]
Gu He froze.
'This thing can form a contract?'
Typically, only intelligent beings like magical beasts could enter such pacts.
Yet this was a medicinal herb.
A startling realization struck him.
'Could it be… this lotus has developed sentience?'
Ancient legends surfaced in his mind.
In primordial times, the Dou Qi Continent birthed a supreme lotus that transcended heaven and earth—the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus.
A creation of boundless energy, its birth once ignited wars among the mightiest factions.
At the brink of annihilation, the lotus split into nine seeds and vanished into the void.
If it could flee of its own will…
'Then it must possess intelligence.'
With this in mind, Gu He commanded inwardly, "System, form the contract."
The moment he spoke, a drop of scarlet blood essence seeped from his body and drifted toward the lotus.
A wave of exhaustion washed over him—extracting essence blood was no trivial matter.
As the drop landed on the lotus—
Hum!
A resplendent nine-colored light erupted.
Faintly, Gu He heard a delicate, feminine "Hmph!"
The blood essence glowed crimson before solidifying into a sigil, which then melded into the lotus.
A moment later, Gu He's expression shifted.
An inexplicable bond now tied him to the lotus.
He could feel it—alive, aware.
Then, a sweet, girlish voice chimed in his mind: "Eek! Cai Lian greets her master!"
Gu He's eyes widened.
'This Nine-Colored Holy Lotus… is female?'
No—more accurately, a she.
And she even had a name.
"Extract the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus."
After sealing the master-servant contract, Gu He silently commanded the system in his heart.
As soon as his words fell, the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus suspended in the void shimmered with radiant, multicolored light.
In the next moment, the light transformed into a rainbow streak that shot toward Gu He before finally materializing before him—revealing the lotus in all its glory.
"Master…"
The moment the lotus settled beside Gu He, its nine-colored glow intensified, and a verdant light emerged from within, pulsing with a dense, life-giving aura.
A small orb of green light slowly descended from the lotus, drifting gently toward Gu He.
"This is…?"
Gu He's eyes burned with curiosity as he watched the floating emerald sphere. Gradually, the light dissipated, revealing a tiny figure no larger than the palm of his hand.
The figure was humanoid, but with delicate pointed ears adorned with two tiny, blooming flowers.
Her skin was as fair as jade, and her softly curled hair was a vibrant shade of green. Translucent, onion-thin wings fluttered behind her, shimmering with the same verdant hue.
"Is this… an elf?"
Gu He's eyes widened in astonishment. The creature before him reminded him of the fairies from legends in his past life.
And this little being… was the spirit of the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus?
"Yep!"
"Master, hug!"
The tiny figure blinked her emerald eyes and stretched out her delicate hands toward Gu He, her voice sweet and childlike.
"Hug?" Gu He was momentarily taken aback.
"Yep! Hug, hug!" She nodded eagerly, her voice dripping with innocent charm.
Gu He glanced at her palm-sized body, bemused. 'How am I supposed to hug someone so tiny?'
"Yep!"
Seeing his hesitation, the little spirit let out a soft cry. Her wings fluttered as she flew up and perched herself atop Gu He's head.
"You little rascal."
Gu He couldn't help but chuckle. Her intelligence seemed akin to that of a three or four-year-old child—adorably simple.
As she hovered closer, Gu He leaned in slightly.
"Yep!"
With a giggle, she reached out and patted his cheek, nuzzling her tiny face against his skin before breaking into a satisfied smile.
Watching her affectionate display, Gu He felt the corners of his lips curl upward. 'Why does it feel like I've suddenly gained a daughter?'
Not that he minded.
Remembering the name mentioned earlier, he smiled gently and asked, "Little Cai Lian, can you tell me what abilities you have?"
"Yep-yep!"
She paused for a moment before chirping a few times in response. Then, under Gu He's watchful gaze, she extended her small hand, and a sphere of green light began to condense above her palm.
The light solidified into a smooth, jade-like bead.
"Yep-yep! Master, eat!"
She held the bead in both hands and eagerly brought it to Gu He's lips.
"For me?" Gu He was surprised. His soul perception told him the bead radiated an immense life force.
"Yep-yep!" She nodded insistently.
Trusting his instincts, Gu He opened his mouth, allowing her to place the bead inside.
The moment it touched his tongue, the bead dissolved into a stream of energy, flowing down his throat and suffusing his body with warmth.
His muscles, bones, and meridians were instantly nourished, as if bathed in rejuvenating spring water.
A shiver ran through him. The sensation was indescribably pleasant—like his entire being had been purified.
Closing his eyes, he immersed himself in the transformation.
"Yep-yep!"
Delighted by his reaction, the little spirit fluttered around him excitedly.
When Gu He finally opened his eyes, they gleamed with astonishment.
'This bead contains an overwhelming life force—capable of enhancing physical constitution and even extending lifespan!'
As a Dou Ancestor powerhouse, Gu He already possessed an extensive lifespan. Ordinary treasures couldn't further prolong it. Yet, this single bead had granted him an additional hundred years!
'Such a priceless treasure…'
His excitement was palpable. Then, a thought struck him.
"Little one, how many of these beads can you make in a day?"
The spirit paused mid-flight, hovering before him. She held up a single tiny finger.
"One?" Gu He's joy surged. Even one per day was an incredible boon.
But then, concern flickered in his heart.
"Does creating these beads harm you in any way?"
If it drained her vitality, he would never allow it—no matter how precious the beads were.
"Yep-yep! No!" She shook her head firmly, her childish voice reassuring.
"Good." Relieved, Gu He reached out and playfully poked her soft cheek.
"Yep!" She puffed up in mock indignation, hands on hips, before darting to his hair and swinging from a strand like a tiny trapeze artist.
Gu He laughed. 'What a mischievous little thing.'
Gently scooping her into his palm, he smiled. "From now on, I'll call you Cai'er."
"Yep-yep! Cai'er! Cai'er!"
She rolled happily in his hand before zooming around his head, repeating her new name with glee.
Curious, Gu He asked, "Cai'er, do you have any other abilities?"
...
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