NOVEL WEB Chapter 55: Radiant Lotus Heart
"Oh… a cultivation-assisting treasure?" Lang Tian murmured softly. Cultivation-assisting treasures, true to their name, were spiritual artifacts that could speed up a cultivator's advancement on their cultivation journey.
"But… wait a moment. The Lotus Path Sect?"
"Indeed, the Lotus Path Sect," Yue Ling nodded. "Not to be confused with the Crimson Lotus Sect. Their names may sound similar, but they are distinct."
"Oh, I remember now," Lang Tian nodded thoughtfully. "Wasn't that the sect Elder Guo joined during his wanderings in a foreign kingdom?"
"Exactly," Yue Ling replied.
The Lotus Path Sect was an ancient sect, founded by later generations who uncovered the remnants of the Lotus Heart Sutra of Tranquil Dao, a legacy passed down by Pure Lotus Zhenren. There, Elder Guo Lanfeng had studied for fifty years, immersing himself in the study of the Dao, attaining profound enlightenment and reaching lofty realms. Later, he departed the foreign land and returned to the Celestial Dragon Kingdom, where he founded the Crimson Lotus Sect, imparting a version of the sutra refined through his own insights.
It could be said that the Crimson Lotus Sect was a divergent branch of the Lotus Path Sect, steeped in the ways of the mortal world, forged through trials and tribulations, rather than mere secluded meditation in the void.
And the Radiant Lotus Heart—the treasure now resting in Lang Tian's hands—was an artifact Elder Guo had carried with him when he left his former sect.
"There's more," Yue Ling continued. "According to the records I've read, the Radiant Lotus Heart was a supreme treasure bestowed only upon inner sect elders of the Lotus Path Sect. Its grade reaches High-grade Earth Tier, an exceedingly rare marvel."
"What?" Lang Tian couldn't suppress his astonishment. "A supreme treasure of the elders, and High-grade Earth Tier at that?!"
As he listened, his expression grew increasingly shocked.
To think that such a priceless treasure now lay in his hands… it was almost beyond belief.
"No wonder," he muttered, "its effects are so formidable…"
"And that's not all," Yue Ling said with a faint smile. "It can also serves as a defensive treasure."
"What? A cultivation-assisting treasure… that can also defend?"
"Precisely."
"Heavens…" Lang Tian was frozen for a long moment, his heart surging like a stormy sea.
An artifact of such caliber was already worthy of being the sect-guarding treasure of any great sect.
After a long pause, he finally spoke:
"So… how do I use it?"
"Well, it's not overly complex," Yue Ling said with a gentle smile. "Listen closely."
She began to explain in detail how to wield the Radiant Lotus Heart.
"The High-grade Earth Tier treasure, the Radiant Lotus Heart, can be wielded in two ways:
First, it aids in cultivation.
When meditating with the Lotus Heart Sutra of Tranquil Dao, simply hold the Radiant Lotus Heart in your hand. Its radiant light will illuminate your inner heart, dispelling stray thoughts, amplifying your cultivation speed several-fold, and fortifying your will against demonic aura. It's an invaluable asset in a place steeped in malevolent energy, such as the Myriad Demons Shadow Valley.
Second, it can serve as a protective shield.
During cultivation, the Radiant Lotus Heart gradually accumulates Radiant Lotus Qi—a pure essence born from practicing the Lotus Heart Sutra of Tranquil Dao—condensing this energy within itself.
When danger arises, with a single thought, the jade pendant will activate a protective barrier, manifesting as a resplendent lotus of light that wards off attacks, ensuring the safety of its master.
The longer the qi is accumulated, the purer the Radiant Lotus Qi becomes, and the stronger the defensive power grows."
"At present," Yue Ling concluded, "it can withstand a full-force strike from a cultivator of the True Spirit Realm."
"What? True Spirit Realm…?" Lang Tian whispered, his eyes wide with awe. "It can block a full-force strike from a True Spirit Realm cultivator? Isn't that too ridiculous?!"
The True Spirit Realm was one of the three minor realms within the True Being Triad Realms, alongside the True Embryo Realm and True Body Realm.
That vile master of his, Yan Haoyang, was merely at the True Embryo Realm.
Yet the Radiant Lotus Heart… could withstand a palm strike from such a figure?
Lang Tian was still reeling in silent astonishment when Yue Ling shook her head, her voice soft as a passing breeze:
"Actually , it could have withstood a strike from a Saintly Embryo Realm cultivator. Alas… I've already used it once."
"What? Used it?" Lang Tian froze. "Senior Sister, you had to block a strike from a Saintly Embryo Realm cultivator? Did you face a demonic beast of that caliber?"
Yue Ling gave a faint smile and shook her head. "No, I merely used it to block a single strike."
"A single strike… what?!"
"Haha, have you forgotten?" Yue Ling raised an eyebrow, her hand pointing toward the heavens.
Lang Tian's eyes widened in sudden realization:
"Oh right!" he gasped. "You mean… the Heavenly Thunder from that tribulation?"
"Exactly," she nodded.
Lang Tian was stunned for a moment before letting out a soft exclamation: "Unbelievable…"
So that was what really happened.
When he first heard his Senior Sister recount how she had faced five bolts of heavenly thunder alone, he had been half-skeptical. After all, even for a peerless genius, how could someone yet to form their Golden Core withstand not just one, but five rounds of heavenly tribulation?
Now he understood… it was all thanks to the Radiant Lotus Heart.
This treasure, left by Elder Guo, had saved her life from the grasp of heaven's will.
"Without the Radiant Lotus Heart, I would have long turned to ash, my soul scattered to the winds," Yue Ling said softly, a trace of wistfulness in her eyes.
Lang Tian shivered, goosebumps rising across his skin. There's no more mistake about it. The fifth bolt of thunder, imbued with the killing intent of a Saintly Being Realm equivalent, was truly heaven's attempt to obliterate his Senior Sister…
Yue Ling gently patted his shoulder, her smile warm and reassuring:
"It's alright. I was able to do it, and so will you. When the time comes for your tribulation, we'll prepare thoroughly. Charge the Radiant Lotus Heart with its Radiant Lotus Qi, and let its light shield you."
"Yes!" Lang Tian nodded, his eyes gleaming with resolve, though a trace of trepidation lingered in his heart.
But with this sect-guarding treasure to protect him, he felt a measure of reassurance.
"Therefore," Yue Ling continued, "I entrust the Radiant Lotus Heart to you. Use it for your cultivation and to protect yourself in times of peril."
"Wait… what about you, Senior Sister?" Lang Tian asked.
"Me?" She chuckled softly. "Actually, I no longer need it."
"What? What do you mean?"
"You see, I've cultivated the Lotus Heart Sutra of Tranquil Dao to the third stage," she explained. "I no longer require its radiant light to aid my progress. Moreover, the pure essence of the Radiant Lotus Heart has begun to conflict with the demonic path I now tread. Keeping it would no longer suit me."
"I see…" Lang Tian nodded slowly.
"Besides, you're much weaker than I am right now," she added, a playful smirk on her lips, her eyes glinting with a cold light. "Who knows, you might need this treasure to save your life one day. As for me… fourth or fifth-rank demonic beasts are no longer a threat."
"I see... Then I gratefully accept," Lang Tian said, bowing deeply with clasped fists. "Thank you, Senior Sister!"
"Very good," Yue Ling said with a gentle smile, ruffling his hair as she had in days past. "Now that you have all these resources and this treasure, concentrate on improving your cultivation. If anything confuses you, you can come ask me at anytime."
"Yes! I'll do my utmost!"
Lang Tian raised his head, gazing once more at the Radiant Lotus Heart in his hand.
The jade pendant, carved in the shape of a lotus, emitted a gentle white glow, its spiritual light like mist, imbued with a serene and profound charm of the Tranquil Dao.