ISWI Chapter 962-963 (Patreon)

Chapter 962: Bullying the Weak!

The secret realm was not large. The moment the entrance opened, a lotus pond came into view.

At the center of the pond, a single azure lotus stood alone, surrounded by endless chaos. Its brilliance shone with dazzling splendor.

The lotus remained in the form of a flower bud. Inside it, a figure sat cross-legged, radiating natural Dao principles.

Upon seeing this scene, the three Quasi-Immortals from the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan gasped in shock.

"It's actually the Chaos Azure Lotus!"

"The Chaos Azure Lotus symbolizes rebirth. Its seeds are supreme resurrection divine medicine and unparalleled life-extending medicine. A single seed can grant ten thousand additional years of life—equivalent to living a second lifetime!"

"If the Chaos Azure Lotus is nurturing a holy spirit, swallowing it would surely push our physical bodies to the next level, right?"

"An immortal root nurturing a holy spirit—this is the first time we've seen such a thing. Its medicinal potency must be even greater."

Greed flashed in the three men's eyes. The Chaos Azure Lotus had not yet been born into the world and was currently at its weakest state. If they joined forces to interrupt the process, they could certainly sever the holy spirit's path.

Beside the lotus pond, two terrifying Quasi-Immortal auras suddenly erupted. In the next instant, two figures appeared and blocked their path.

One was entirely golden, humanoid in shape, like a god cast from molten gold. Unfortunately, it was missing one ear.

The other was blood-red all over, resembling a giant ape, yet equally incomplete. Its hands had no fingers—only solid fists.

"Imperfect Quasi-Immortal holy spirits!"

"Two of them, and both have reached the peak of the Quasi-Immortal realm!"

The appearance of the two holy spirits made the elders of the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan show wary expressions.

Holy spirits were difficult to nurture and envied by the heavens, but their combat strength was always exceptionally extraordinary. Even in their imperfect state, their physical bodies could withstand supreme Extreme Dao weapons. They were truly terrifying.

"It's you two!"

Holy spirits rarely appeared in the world, so their identities were easy to recognize.

One had been cut out from a gambling stone seventy thousand years ago. At the time, it had been at the Great Emperor realm and had nearly slaughtered an entire immortal city.

The other had been awakened when explorers caused a mountain range to collapse during a battle in some ruins. After emerging, it had massacred everyone inside the ruins before disappearing without a trace.

No one had expected both of them to appear here, having reached the Quasi-Immortal realm and now guarding the holy spirit within the Chaos Azure Lotus.

"Get lost. If you disturb the nurturing of Lotus Emperor, we will exterminate your clan!"

The two imperfect peak Quasi-Immortal holy spirits spoke coldly.

The elders of the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan narrowed their eyes.

Although imperfect holy spirits were terrifying, they were still flawed. The elders were fully confident they could fight them. Moreover, they had the Celestial Prince with them. Even if the Celestial Prince was not a match for the Heavenly Emperor's heir, suppressing a few imperfect holy spirits would pose no difficulty at all.

The atmosphere grew tense as swords were drawn and bows were nocked. At that moment, the Celestial Prince spoke with a light smile: "Lotus Emperor? 'One lotus emperor in the clear pond of ten thousand ages'—quite the imposing title. I did not come here today to disturb this fellow Daoist's nurturing within the Chaos Azure Lotus. On the contrary, I came to help it be born ahead of schedule!"

As soon as his words fell, the Celestial Prince opened his palm.

The Phoenix Fire Divine Seed began to burn, releasing an aura that allowed the holy spirits to clearly sense the power of new life within it. They immediately understood that this object would be useful to them.

The eyes of the two imperfect holy spirits brightened, yet they still did not step aside.

"In that case, leave the item behind and depart!"

The one-eared holy spirit spoke coldly, his tone distant and rejecting.

The Celestial Prince smiled, but his eyes carried a chilling coldness. "What I said earlier was not a request—it was a notification! Who gave mere imperfect holy spirits the courage to act arrogantly before me? Kneel!"

The moment the Celestial Prince's final words rang out, his white hair danced wildly. An incomparably terrifying aura surged forth, causing ripples to spread across the surface of the pond.

The two imperfect holy spirits felt immense pressure.

Shock appeared in both their eyes. Although they were imperfect, they already possessed the strength to ignore most Quasi-Immortals. Yet this person's pressure alone nearly made them unable to withstand it.

"How dare you attack here? Get out!"

The two holy spirits roared in fury.

They had been born imperfect and had no hope of becoming immortals. Their only chance lay in following Lotus Emperor into the immortal realm. Only there could they hope to mend their flaws and rebuild their immortal path. Under such circumstances, they would never allow anyone to disturb Lotus Emperor's seclusion.

The humanoid one-eared holy spirit roared as endless golden light transformed into a massive net, attempting to block Celestial Prince and the others outside the secret realm.

Meanwhile, the giant-ape-like holy spirit charged forward like a real ferocious beast. With a single step, it swung both arms forward. Its terrifying power felt as if a supreme Extreme Dao Weapon had descended.

The elders of the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan narrowed their eyes. However, Celestial Prince merely sneered coldly.

"Fireflies daring to compete with the bright moon?"

One of the three divine lights rotating behind his head flew out instantly. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a heavenly curtain that slammed downward.

The expressions of the two terrifying imperfect holy spirits changed drastically.

The next moment, the heavenly curtain pressed them directly onto the ground, pinning them in place. Cracks appeared all over their bodies—bodies strong enough to rival supreme Extreme Dao Weapons—as if they would shatter at any second.

Their gazes toward the Celestial Prince were filled with disbelief.

Celestial Prince swept his cold eyes over them and let out a light snort. The heavenly curtain pressed down once more. The cracks on their bodies grew finer and denser, spreading like a spiderweb.

Despair filled the eyes of both holy spirits. They sensed the threat of death.

The elders of the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan were equally shocked. They gained a new understanding of their Celestial Prince's true strength.

Although Celestial Prince might not be a match for the Heavenly Emperor's heir, his power far exceeded what ordinary people could imagine. With a single divine light, he had suppressed two peak imperfect holy spirits. It was terrifying.

Just as Celestial Prince prepared to snort again and completely crush the two, the Chaos Azure Lotus that had remained silent in the lotus pond suddenly stirred. Its leaves swayed gently.

An invisible yet profound chaotic aura drifted out like a gentle breeze, scattering the heavenly curtain that continued to press downward.

The two holy spirits breathed a sigh of relief and instantly retreated, glaring furiously at the Celestial Prince.

Celestial Prince raised an eyebrow, his face showing surprise as he looked at the swaying azure lotus in the pond. "Fellow Daoist, have you already developed sentience?"

Holy spirits normally only develop intelligence after being born. Yet this Chaos Azure Lotus had taken the initiative to act. It was truly astonishing.

The Chaos Azure Lotus continued to sway gently. Amid the flowing endless chaotic qi, the figure inside the flower bud moved slightly.

The next moment, a voice filled with the weight of age and rich Dao charm rang out, sounding like that of a middle-aged man: "Why have you come, fellow Daoist? Do you intend to force me into the world?"

Celestial Prince grew even more surprised upon hearing this. To have developed consciousness while still in the nurturing stage was truly incredible. This holy spirit was undoubtedly extraordinary. It was indeed worthy of being nurtured by an immortal root.

However, the more extraordinary the other party was, the more satisfied the Celestial Prince felt. After all, both the Heavenly Emperor's heir and the eight-crowned king were too terrifying. The stronger his collaborator, the better. And this azure lotus pleased him greatly.

Chapter 963: The Proud Eight-Crowned King!

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to worry. I come with good intentions."

Sensing the extraordinary nature of the Chaos Azure Lotus, a faint smile appeared on the Celestial Prince's face.

As soon as he finished speaking, the True Phoenix Divine Fire flew out and floated before him.

"I am willing to help Fellow Daoist achieve a perfect birth ahead of schedule!"

Hearing this, the azure lotus showed no excitement. The voice within remained calm and indifferent. "Why?"

Celestial Prince smiled slightly. "I wish to join forces with Fellow Daoist. We will swear a Heavenly Dao oath to work together to eliminate the Heavenly Emperor's heir and the Eight-Crowned King. Once we have cleared away all obstacles and the immortal qi appears, we can compete fairly for the chance at immortality. No matter who wins or loses, the one who becomes an immortal must bring the other into the immortal realm as well.

"Existences like us are restricted only by the limitations of this world, not by our own aptitude. As long as we enter the immortal realm, immortal qi will flow endlessly, and achieving true immortality will be effortless."

The azure lotus swayed once more, as if pondering the proposal.

After a moment, the voice sounded again. "Why do you want to join forces with me?"

Celestial Prince's expression darkened. Could he admit that he lacked the confidence to defeat the Heavenly Emperor's heir, let alone the Eight-Crowned King? This holy spirit truly did not know what was good for him.

Cold light flashed in Celestial Prince's eyes. "In the competition for the immortal path, one naturally chooses the route with the highest chance of success. If Fellow Daoist is unwilling, you may refuse. I will simply turn and leave."

His tone was crisp and decisive.

Yet everyone present knew he was lying. If the holy spirit inside the Chaos Azure Lotus refused, the Celestial Prince would undoubtedly interrupt its nurturing and leave it imperfect.

After all, Celestial Prince already felt deep apprehension toward the Heavenly Emperor's heir and the Eight-Crowned King. How could he possibly allow another powerful rival to appear?

For a moment, the secret realm fell into complete silence.

The faces of the two imperfect holy spirits were filled with grief, anger, and humiliation. Before a holy spirit was born, it truly had no control over its fate.

The flower bud of the Chaos Azure Lotus trembled. An icy chill spread throughout the entire secret realm as chaotic qi boiled violently.

Clearly, the holy spirit within had grown furious.

Celestial Prince, however, remained calm and said nothing. He lightly tapped his fingers, as if counting the passing seconds.

After a long while, the holy spirit inside the Chaos Azure Lotus finally spoke:

"I, the Chaos Azure Lotus, swear a Heavenly Dao oath today. After I am born, I will join forces with you to eliminate the Heavenly Emperor's heir and the Eight-Crowned King. If I ultimately obtain the immortal qi and achieve true immortality, I will bring you into the immortal realm with me…"

As the Chaos Azure Lotus made its vow, invisible rules stirred within the secret realm. Anyone who broke the oath would pay a heavy price.

Celestial Prince smiled upon hearing this. He did not press too aggressively, since he had come seeking an ally. Raising his hand, he replied: "Before the Heavenly Emperor's heir and the Eight-Crowned King fall, I will never make a move against you. If I ultimately become an immortal, I will grant you a spot to enter the immortal realm and help you achieve true immortality."

Once both parties had sworn their Heavenly Dao oaths and confirmed their alliance, the tense atmosphere inside the secret realm finally eased.

Celestial Prince pointed a finger, and the Phoenix Fire Seed landed before the azure lotus.

Inside the flower bud, the figure's form shimmered with divine light as it formed hand seals. The Phoenix Fire Seed was gradually broken down into threads of flame that flew into the bud.

Moments later, one could faintly sense that the Chaos Azure Lotus had become noticeably more complete.

Celestial Prince watched quietly. Only after a long time did he speak again. "With this fire, when will Fellow Daoist be able to achieve a perfect birth?"

The flower bud swayed gently as the voice replied, "Ten days from now, once I have fully refined the origin within this fire, I will be born perfectly."

A smile spread across Celestial Prince's face. "In that case, I shall wait outside the secret realm for the good news."

With those words, Celestial Prince led the three elders and gracefully exited the secret realm, showing ample respect. It was clear that Celestial Prince truly desired immortality.

Ten days later, waves of lotus fragrance drifted out from the secret realm. The power of its rules surged like a tide, producing the sound of crashing waves.

The three Quasi-Immortals waiting outside merely caught a whiff of the scent and immediately felt refreshed, as if their lifespans had lengthened slightly. The rich power of new life moved everyone present.

A murderous intent flickered in Celestial Prince's heart.

Over the years, although he had relied on the methods left behind by his father and the deep slumber provided by the Immortal King Scripture to slow the loss of his lifespan, he had still aged somewhat. If he could refine this holy spirit known as Lotus Emperor in the future, he would become even more complete.

After all, an immortal root that had transformed into a holy spirit would surely produce even better effects.

At that moment, the gates of the secret realm swung open wide, and the lotus pond reappeared.

A tall, heroic middle-aged man with flowing black hair and eyes as sharp as lightning walked out slowly. His bearing was peerless.

Infinite chaotic qi flowed across his body, yet he did not look like a chaotic body. Instead, he carried a vibrant azure power of new life. He appeared completely like a being of flesh and blood.

Celestial Prince could not help but frown.

Holy spirits had no flesh and blood, yet this man looked exactly like a real human.

This reminded him of a certain rumor. It was said that immortal roots were born from the spiritual roots of top experts who had fallen, undergoing mysterious transformations after their deaths.

Could the holy spirit within the Chaos Azure Lotus possess a physical body because of this? If this person became an immortal in the future, would he awaken memories from his previous life?

Any spiritual root capable of evolving into an immortal root could never belong to an ordinary true immortal. It must have come from an even higher existence.

Thinking of this, Celestial Prince's eyes darkened deeply. For some reason, he had the uncomfortable feeling that he was the weakest one here.

"Thank you, Celestial Prince. My name is Lotus Emperor!"

Lotus Emperor thanked him lightly. As he gazed at the Ninth Realm, a trace of emotion appeared in his eyes.

"When I first developed sentience, the Heavenly Emperor was still present in this world. Even the battle in which Fellow Daoist Celestial Prince was defeated by the Heavenly Emperor took place not far from where I had taken root in the void, so I witnessed the entire process clearly.

"I never imagined it would take a full million years before I could finally be born. The holy spirit race possesses unparalleled talent, yet our actual growth speed is far too slow. By now, I fear the Heavenly Emperor has already become an Immortal King, hasn't he?"

Lotus Emperor's words made the Celestial Prince's already poor mood turn even darker.

You're the only one who has lived that long. I'll refine you the moment I get the chance.

Celestial Prince lost all desire to make small talk. He rose gracefully and spoke coldly, "Since Fellow Daoist has already been born, let us take action."

Lotus Emperor nodded and looked toward the depths of the Ninth Realm. "Shall we go find the Eight-Crowned King first? In the previous few eras' paths to immortality, the Eight-Crowned King once discovered me. He said he looked forward to my perfect birth. After taking one of my lotus leaves, he left. The Eight-Crowned King is shielded by the World Tree. I cannot see anything about him, nor can I even sense his aura."

The Eight-Crowned King had actually encountered the still-nurturing Lotus Emperor?

This piece of news made Celestial Prince's expression grow even more gloomy. He felt the gap between them clearly.

The Eight-Crowned King was truly too proud. It seemed as if staying in the lower realm bored him, and he was simply waiting for worthy opponents. Therefore, whenever he met any enemy, he never chose to eliminate them in advance.

Yet here he was—the proud son of a true immortal, a being who carried immortal blood—forced to seek allies just to secure his own Immortal Path, constantly plotting how to kill the Heavenly Emperor's heir.

Celestial Prince clenched his fists tightly. His white hair danced wildly as killing intent surged around him.