"Hmm?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at Ning Rongrong with some surprise.
He hadn't expected that this seemingly willful and spoiled little girl could be so considerate and perceptive.
Perhaps, only those she held dear could experience her thoughtful side?
Dai Chengfeng thought to himself, though it was also quite normal.
After all, Ning Rongrong was the little princess of the prestigious Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, holding a position of great respect. Her not arbitrarily harming commoners already counted as having a kind heart.
Could one really expect a native of a world where the strong were revered to advocate for equality for all?
Unrealistic.
Dai Chengfeng stopped dwelling on it. "Then, Rongrong, thank you."
"This item is indeed crucial for my current cultivation, and I need to quickly enter seclusion to absorb it."
"Rest assured, I promised to take you around, and I won't break my word."
"When I come out of seclusion, I will definitely make it up to you."
"I know, I know!" Ning Rongrong felt a bit embarrassed by Dai Chengfeng's earnest thanks, pushing him towards the door. "You go ahead!"
"I can take care of myself! And there's Sister Zhu Zhuqing here, right?"
As she spoke, she winked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was quietly waiting not far from the door.
Zhu Zhuqing slightly nodded in response.
Seeing how sensible Ning Rongrong was, Dai Chengfeng felt reassured.
He nodded again at Zhu Zhuqing, giving her a look of "thank you for your trouble," and Zhu Zhuqing lightly nodded back, indicating understanding.
"Then I'll go into seclusion first..."
"If you need anything, just instruct the maids or find Zhu Zhuqing."
Dai Chengfeng gave Ning Rongrong one last warning before turning and quickly walking towards his cultivation chamber.
His steps were clearly more hurried than usual, revealing his inner urgency and anticipation.
Watching Dai Chengfeng's figure disappear at the end of the corridor, Ning Rongrong's smile slightly faded, and she sighed softly but soon cheered up again, enthusiastically directing the maids to arrange her luggage.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing stood there watching the direction Dai Chengfeng had left, her clear eyes deep in thought.
She could feel the suppressed excitement emanating from Dai Chengfeng.
"The Heart of the Earth... it seems to be an extraordinary treasure."
She glanced again at Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, who seemed to have a rather special relationship with Dai Chengfeng.
But soon, Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, dismissing these distracting thoughts, and turned back to her room.
Becoming stronger through cultivation was her most important task, not engaging in jealousy.
...
The Spirit Hall.
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng had returned from Ning Rongrong to his own room. As soon as he entered, he immediately locked the door behind him, his calm demeanor replaced by excitement.
"Phew!"
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, sitting cross-legged on the meditation cushion in the center of the quiet room.
First, he focused his mind, circulating his soul power to adjust his breathing for a moment, bringing his state to its peak.
Then, he carefully took out the rosewood brocade box and another even more exquisite jade box.
Opening the jade box, an extraordinary plant appeared before him.
It flowed with golden, red, blue, and green light, resembling a lotus bud about to bloom, yet it bore five differently colored leaves.
Among the five leaves, four were fully matured, respectively displaying pure gold, lush green, deep blue, and fiery red...
The leaves were naturally inscribed with arcane runes, emitting strong elemental energy fluctuations.
Only the fifth leaf representing the "earth" attribute was in an unhealthy, half-withered state, with only the part near the petiole showing a rich, warm yellow, while the other half appeared dull and lifeless.
This was precisely the immortal herb—Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus—that Dai Chengfeng had obtained from the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well but hadn't consumed yet!
Previously, Dai Chengfeng had labored arduously to barely gather the metal and wood attributes, allowing the corresponding four leaves to mature. Now, only this final earth attribute essence remained to complete the process.
"Finally..."
Dai Chengfeng gazed fervently at the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus and cautiously took out the fragment of the "Heart of the Earth" from the brocade box.
"Here goes!"
Dai Chengfeng no longer hesitated, placing the "Heart of the Earth" directly beneath the half-yellow, half-green earth attribute leaf.
Instantly, the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus seemed to sense the call of its origin...
The "Heart of the Earth" fragment began to tremble slightly, and the flowing shadow of mountains and earth within it accelerated.
The earth attribute leaf stirred without wind, the dim runes on the leaf beginning to emit a faint yellow glow.
Dai Chengfeng held his breath, exerting all his strength to channel his soul power, guiding the pure earth attribute energy from the "Heart of the Earth" fragment to slowly infuse into the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus.
Buzz——!
A deep hum resonated in the quiet room.
Rich yellow light erupted from the "Heart of the Earth" fragment, like a substantial stream of earthy yellow airflow, continuously pouring into the roots of the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus and then being transmitted to the long-thirsting earth attribute leaf.
Like parched land meeting rain, the half-withered leaf visibly became full and lustrous at a rapid pace.
The dull parts were quickly infused with rich yellow color, the arcane runes on the leaf lighting up one by one, emitting an ancient, heavy, all-encompassing aura.
The entire process lasted about an hour.
The "Heart of the Earth" fragment shrank slightly in size, its luster somewhat dimmed, while the earth attribute leaf of the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus finally became as complete and full as the other four leaves, radiating a strong earth attribute essence fluctuation!
The five leaves—gold, green, blue, red, and yellow—shone brilliantly, forming a perfect cycle.
The entire Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus seemed to come alive, gently swaying, exuding astonishing vitality and energy fluctuations.
Subsequently, the four white flower buds that had always been tightly closed at the center of the lotus began to tremble slightly.
They were about to bloom!
Pop... pop... pop... pop...
Four extremely faint sounds, akin to ancient morning bells and evening drums, rang out in succession.
The four flower buds bloomed one after another!
From the front-left flower bud, a vague yet majestic and solemn azure dragon shadow rose, accompanied by faint dragon roars.
From the front-right flower bud, a formidable white tiger shadow leapt out, roaring fiercely.
From the rear-left flower bud, an elegant and fiery red phoenix shadow flew out, singing melodiously.
From the rear-right flower bud, a steady and weighty black tortoise-snake combined shadow floated out, exuding a mountain-like presence.
The four shadows hovered above the lotus for a moment before transforming into four streams of light, each merging into the corresponding leaves, making the glow of the four leaves more subdued and the runes more profound and mysterious.
And at the center of the lotus, where the flower buds had originally been, a small cluster of lotus seeds appeared, emanating a five-colored mist and containing an indescribably pure energy!
The Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus had finally reached full maturity!
Dai Chengfeng restrained the urge to let out a triumphant cry, his eyes filled with boundless joy and anticipation.
"White Tiger martial soul, evolve..."
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