Chapter 35 Seven Colored Soul Lotus

A/N: Hey Folks...

Belated Navratri and Ayudha Pooja wishes to everyone out there...

This week has been crazy so far and I have been unable to connect to the web until now. So, I apologize for the break in the updates. My other story had some stockpile so, it was being published automatically unlike this...

Anyway, thank you all for your love and support for this fic. Here is a chapter for today, enjoy.

*****

As much as Liu Kong didn't want to tell the other what the treasure was, he also realized that these people wouldn't agree to team up with him without him revealing what it was.

If that were to happen, he would be without any allies while confronting the Level 7 demonic beast. That was not something he wanted to do. If he had been confident enough to do that, he wouldn't waste time with them anyway.

No one present here was stupid.

Maybe Peng Xiaoli was stupid enough to fight with him against the Level 7 demonic beast, but the other two wouldn't let Peng Xiaoli make that decision. And of the people present here, Bai Qingling was the one who knew him best.

As for him, Liu Kong was worried that Peng Xiaoli would pick a fight with him, just on principle. There was no way he could predict the decision such an idiot would make.

Not to mention Xing Wuling's shadow looming behind.

This put Liu Kong in a difficult position. Once he revealed what the treasure was, there was no way he could talk the others into letting him take it. But, if he didn't reveal the window of opportunity might close too.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Kong spoke, "It's a Seven Colored Soul Lotus."

Silence engulfed the field following his statement. Bai Qingling, Yang Wangli, and even Peng Xiaoli looked shocked upon hearing it. Liu Kong didn't speak either. He knew the lure of such a treasure.

Seven Colored Soul Lotus is a peculiar treasure that was born amidst heaven and earth. No one really knew the exact conditions required for it to bloom. But, everyone knew that it was a heavenly treasure to anyone below the Nascent Soul realm.

One of the peculiarities of Seven Colored Soul Lotus is that it never bloomed in an area abundant with water energy. Unlike other lotuses, it bloomed over the land. Especially, in the wilderness and places where one would least expect it to be there.

The other peculiarity of Seven Colored Soul Lotus is that it would help anyone that consumes it to form a perfect Nascent Soul and ascend to that realm in a peaceful manner.

There were countless experts who have been struck in the Golden Core stage for life. Only a handful few could ascend to the next level by forming their Nascent Soul.

Being a Golden Core expert was enough to lord over an entire area. Many secular sects didn't even have Golden Core experts in their ranks. It was that rare to find Golden Core experts outside the top-tier powers in this continent.

And the Seven Colored Soul Lotus was a treasure that was on an even higher level.

One could easily imagine how difficult it was to come across this treasure. If this news had leaked out, the bloodbath that happened in the Grasslands would have been considered tame.

For a treasure of this level, top factions will go to war with each other. Because having one more Nascent Soul expert in their ranks meant they will have yet another trump card when facing difficulties.

"No wonder the Level 7 beast is this territorial," Yang Dangli mumbled dazedly.

"If this information is true, then we might be in big trouble," Bai Qingling had a different view compared to others. "There is no way that the Nascent Soul stage experts of Heavenly Demon Sect would allow this treasure to slip through their hands."

"You don't need to worry about them. I have arranged for them to be intercepted," Liu Kong spoke looking ahead. "Now, only the Level 7 beast stands in our way. I will not ask any of you to relinquish the treasure. That would be foolish."

"However, I ask you all to work together to finish off the Level 7 beast first. Then, it would be between us. The one with the best skills will obtain it," Liu Kong said looking around. "What do you say?"

"If any of the Nascent Soul experts appear, then I will withdraw from it," Bai Qingling was decisive.

"Hmmph, no wonder your progress has been so slow," Liu Kong Snorted.

"I'm in. I have confidence in my Wind Dao," Yang Dangli said fanning himself.

"If I get that treasure, I can finally challenge Senior Brother Xing. I am in," Peng Xiaoli said without any fear.

"What about you Bai Qingling? Are you in or out?" Liu Kong demanded.

His patience was already running thin. He didn't want to waste time anymore. He didn't want someone else to appear and steal the treasure away. He had planned this for months and yet things have derailed from his original intentions. He didn't want to take risks anymore.

"Hmmph, I will join you guys in confronting the Level 7 beast. But, I will say the ugly words first. If the Nascent Soul experts appear, do not expect me to lend you any hand against them. I am confident of ascending to the next stage myself. I will not lose my life pitting it against someone I am clearly no match to," Bai Qingling said without looking at any of them.

"Then, let's not waste any more time. According to the divination I performed, it will bloom in a few hours. I want us to deal with the Level 7 beast before that," Liu Kong grunted.

"Let's move," Yang Dangli agreed and took off in the direction of the treasure.

"Hah, I am going to fight to my heart's content today," Peng Xiaoli shouted taking off after Yang Dangli.

Liu Kong didn't speak, he followed the duo soon after.

Only Bai Qingling was left alone in the place. She waited till others left her sight and turned around to look at the tree in the distance. She waited for a bit, but no one came out of it.

Bai Qingling's face distorted as she sent a venomous look at the tree. She snorted and turned around to catch up with the others.

A minute after Bai Qingling left, a shadow emerged from the tree.

"Ke ke ke, you guys don't respect my Heavenly Demon Sect enough. How is it possible for such a treasure like Seven Colored Soul Lotus to slip through our hands? Ke ke ke…"

*****

Duncan was now close to reaching the place where he had split off from the road toward Starsinger Town. He had run into two more groups of bandits heading in his direction.

Every time, Duncan had hidden amidst the grasses and waited for them to pass.

He didn't fight with them even though he could take them all out. His main priority was now to return to the road. He didn't want to confront the bandit group like some stupid hero.

As time passed, it became clear to Duncan that the bandits were now truly on his trail. He estimated that the other two horses have been found and the bandits had determined his direction.

Luckily he had done a detour and returned the way he came. So, now the bandits were behind him, trying to find him amidst the huge sprawling Grasslands.

From what little experience he had with tracking prey in the wild, Duncan knew that this was a hard task to accomplish. Not to mention that the prey has now doubled back and was heading the other way.

Just as he was beginning to feel safe, Duncan felt a strange thrum rush out from the interior of the Grasslands. It was kind of a weird feeling, to be honest. His mind cleared up a little and his thinking began to be uncluttered.

The phenomenon lasted for just a few seconds before it faded away. Leaving Duncan confused as to what it was.

*****

Meanwhile, the leader of the Reavers was angrily searching for Duncan's trail in the Grasslands. His group had caught up with all three of the horses, only to find no one atop it.

It made him feel stupid as he realized that the prey had slipped through his fingers. With the time spent chasing after the horses, the prey now had more than an hour of lead, meaning that he could be anywhere now.

And he didn't like feeling stupid one bit. In fact, he hated others treating him like he was just some dumb brute.

He aimlessly kicked a lump of grass in frustration.

He vowed that if he caught up to this prey, he would torture it to alleviate his anger and frustration. No one treated him like he was stupid and got away with it.

Just as he was working himself into a frenzy, a strange thrum went through the entire Grasslands. For a few moments, the anger and frustration he was feeling were cleared away and his mind became clear.

That feeling didn't last long. But, it was enough for the bandit leader to grasp an important point.

"You," the bandit leader pointed at one of the bandits causing the bandit to pale. "Where did they say that the prey was bound towards?" the bandit leader snarled.

"St…Starsinger Town boss," the bandit stammered in reply.

"Then, there is no use searching for him here. Move out, we will head back and scour the road between Starsinger Town to here. I am sure he is headed there. And when we find him, I want to pluck out both his eyeballs and feed it to him," the leader growled leaping up on his horse.

*****

A/N: Hey folks!

Make sure to add this book to your collection and vote with your power stones to show your appreciation for this work.

You can also check out my other book [Booking Glory] and see if it is to your liking.

Reviews and comments are truly appreciated.