The seed that appeared in the Sky Gate was actually a lotus seed, very similar to the one in Long Chen's chaotic space.
However, Long Chen's lotus seed was golden, while this seed was pitch black, surrounded by black energy. Even across endless space, the black energy still exuded a vast, chaotic aura.
As the black seed appeared, Long Chen noticed that the beam of light shooting out from the gate of the Xuanling Realm behind him grew even brighter, and endless chaotic energy surged toward the Void Gate like a sea of rivers converging into a sea.
The seeds inside the gate were nourished by endless power, began to take root and sprout, and soon, their shape started to change, producing their first leaf.
"It really is a lotus flower."
Long Chen had witnessed the growth of the Demon-Eyed Water Lily firsthand, and upon seeing its first leaf, he recognized its true form.
It was somewhat similar to the Demon-Eyed Water Lily, but its aura was billions of times stronger than the Demon-Eyed Water Lily.
Although the distance was far and only a single leaf had grown, it still brought a terrifying sense of oppression to Long Chen.
When Long Chen looked at the black lotus taking root and sprouting it, countless eyes in the world were watching it.
Some were terrified, others excited; after its first leaf sprouted, it grew larger and larger, enough to cover an entire province.
When the first leaf reaches a certain point, it stops growing. The second leaf begins to sprout, and when the second leaf appears, the whole world starts to tremble. Endless chaotic energy is forcibly extracted.
At that moment, countless sects began to frantically shut down all the grand formations, especially the Chaos Spirit Gathering Array, because they discovered that the leaves would absorb all the energy from the Chaos spirit stones inside the formation.
Then came the third, fourth, and fifth films... Whenever a lotus leaf that covers the sky grows, the chaotic spiritual energy of this world is frantically absorbed.
When the ninth lotus leaf appeared, the entire world seemed to return to how the gates of the great worlds had not yet opened, with no more chaotic energy in the world.
Those nine lotus leaves managed to drain all the chaotic energy of the world within just a few breaths. At that moment, countless faces showed terror.
Now, looking at the core of the lotus leaf, a black bud appeared. When it appeared, the whole world changed no more, because the chaotic energy had already been drained.
At that moment, within the gates of the major worlds, divine light surged, and the gate of the Xuanling Realm behind Long Chen began to collapse, forming a massive passage.
Inside the passage, the extremely pure chaotic energy was visible to the naked eye, forming a surging torrent that surged toward the black lotus.
"No, we have to hurry back to the academy."
Seeing this, Long Chen was about to leave by teleportation array, but was shocked to find that the array had malfunctioned.
No doubt, this must be related to the appearance of the black lotus. Long Chen could only summon the wings of the Kunpeng, transforming into a streak of light and speeding toward Lingxiao Academy.
"The speed is a bit slower."
As Long Chen sped at full speed, his heart skipped a beat—a slight slowdown meant that the laws of this world were quietly changing.
That mysterious black lotus was quietly influencing this world. Its nine leaves covered the sky, and its buds began to bloom. This should be the process of opening the gates of the Nine Heavens, but this gate felt like the gateway to hell, evoking fear.
A single lotus had devoured the chaotic energy of the entire world. This was the first time in Long Chen's life he had encountered such a terrifying existence.
As the lotus slowly bloomed, the massive Void Gate began to twist and deform. Long Chen's heart grew tense—the opening of this Void Gate was rather strange.
As Long Chen sped through, passing through cities and sects, he saw countless powerful figures staring at the void in shock. In front of that terrifying black lotus, everyone felt so small, their eyes filled with fear and unease.
As Long Chen's figure sped through the sky, it drew many gasps. Some sharp-eyed people recognized Long Chen's identity as soon as they saw the golden wings.
Now, Long Chen is the most prominent figure in Ming Haotian, bar none.
The peerless Saint King, who defeated the number one Destiny Holder, although countless terrifying monsters have emerged in Ming Haotian and claim to easily kill Long Chen, there are too many people in this world who boast greatly, so their credibility is low.
After all, the Dark Dragon Tianzhao was once so formidable. Wasn't he still beaten into a dog by Long Chen? No matter how strong those monsters were, as long as they hadn't fought Long Chen, he was still an undefeated war god in their hearts.
Just as Long Chen sped forward, the black flower bud above the heavens began to slowly bloom, growing larger and larger. As it unleashed, black flames appeared.
"What?"
When Long Chen saw the black flame, his heart raced wildly and his face changed drastically.
"That flame ..."
What Long Chen couldn't believe was that the flame was actually the Flame of Flame of Void, reputed to be the strongest flame in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and one of his arch-enemies.
Long Chen had fought against the sons of Yanxu and even killed their ninth son, so he was extremely sensitive to the flames of Yanxu.
"Could this black lotus be related to Yan Xu?" A bad feeling arose in Long Chen's heart.
Long Chen watched as flames rose on the black lotus, a look of caution rising in his eyes. Yan Xu was said to be the strongest flame in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, capable of devouring all fires of heaven and earth. The backdrop was terrifyingly large, so he had to be careful.
"Brother Long Chen, I wish I could absorb its flames." At that moment, Huo Ling'er's voice rang out, filled with envy and excitement.
Long Chen was moved: Yan Xu is said to be the strongest flame in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, capable of devouring all flames. But Huo Ling'er can devour its own flames. Does that mean it is still the strongest?
Thinking of this, Long Chen suddenly smiled. Indeed, in this world, there is no such thing as the word "strongest." Everything generates and counters each other. Perhaps Huo Ling'er is specifically designed to counter Yan Xu.
With Huo Ling'er still around, what was there to fear? At this moment, Long Chen once again looked toward the terrifying flames above the nine heavens, and suddenly the fear in his eyes turned to greed.
If Huo Ling'er absorbed its power, then whether it was a Destiny Holder or a Saint, it would all be a little brother.
The fact that Huo Ling'er could say such things proved she was still strong enough. She had both the ability and the ambition—all that was missing was an opportunity.
Several hours later, when Long Chen returned to Lingxiao Academy, the black lotus above the Nine Heavens had already fully bloomed.
"Rumble rumble...
When the black lotus bloomed, the nine leaves trembled, chaotic energy burst forth, endless black flames rose, and the entire world began to twist on a large scale.
"Boom!"
With a deafening explosion, the massive portal was forcibly torn apart by the black lotus. At that moment, everyone was stunned. The Nine Heavens Gate had been burst, so how could they enter?
"Buzz!"
The moment the gate burst open, the black lotus vanished, leaving behind a huge black vortex.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh."..."
At that moment, Long Chen saw countless figures rushing toward the black vortex like lightning.
"Could it be ...?"
A look of shock appeared on Long Chen's face.
"That's right, that's the main gate."
At that moment, Bai Letian's figure silently appeared beside Long Chen, and at that moment, the Dragon Blood Legion, the academy disciples, and the War God Hall disciples emerged from the main gate.
"Let's go! Entering this gate, you can see the world's original form, and the key to changing it is inside this gate. Children, good luck to you! Bai Letian looked at Long Chen, Bai Shishi, Bai Xiaole, and the others, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
Long Chen knew that the reluctance in his eyes was because once these people went in, many might never come back.
But as a cultivator, once you step onto this path, there is no turning back. Even if you must die, you must see the true world at least once.
"Let's go!"
Long Chen cupped his fists to Bai Letian, waved his hand, and charged into the massive whirlpool with everyone.