CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 21: THE REWARD OF THE EPHEMERAL LOTUS (PART 2)

The soft yellow pistils had just protruded when several butterflies, attracted by the scent, flew out from the bushes, while the frogs continued to croak.

"So what, my Night Lotus hasn’t even shown itself yet," Monk Tianya didn’t let the shock he felt inside show on his face, deliberately being provocative.

"Not yet, let’s wait a bit longer," Xiao Xian walked over to the pond, looking into its depths. Silently, she gathered a stream of Spiritual Energy in her hand and released it into the pond.

"It’s opened," Zeng Xuerou couldn’t help but clap her hands and exclaim.

At the deep part of the pond, unbeknownst to them, a white Ghost Lotus bud had grown. When it blossomed, unlike other lotuses, the bud seemed to come alive, slightly lifting its head. First, the outermost petals, about six in number, bloomed. Then, the middle layer, with petals slightly smaller and more numerous, about eight, unfurled unyieldingly. Finally, the smallest inner layer, ten slender, chrysanthemum-like petals followed suit.

The Night Lotus was fully opened, roughly ten centimeters in size, as white as jade, and its fragrance spread far, carried by the morning breeze, detectable even a kilometer away.

"It’s opened, the Night Lotus has actually bloomed," Unlike Xuerou’s excitement, Monk Tianya was just dazed, staring at the gleaming Night Lotus under the morning sun, murmuring to himself.

Xiao Xian then revealed the reason behind her actions a few days ago. Lotuses thrive in sunlight, which can be inferred from their placement in the Summer Villa. The villa’s temperature is a few degrees cooler than outside, so the planting spot required shallow water with ample sunlight.

"The ’South Sea’ temple is located in a cooler area of the Chengde Summer Villa, and it’s hard to find spots where sunlight can enter due to the dense branches and leaves. Xiao Xian looked at the top of the locust tree, also to ensure that the pond could be better exposed to sunlight.

"Why plant just one Night Lotus when you can fill the pond with them, making it dizzying to see?" Monk Tianya, having seen the blooming lotus, felt like his complaints about Xiao Xian and the others had evaporated, and invited them into the temple for two cups of tea.

"People and plants are alike; they all enjoy liveliness. Moreover, the Night Lotus is a sentient plant. Imagine, seeing an entire pond of common lotuses blooming beautifully, you couldn’t resist flowering," Xiao Xian drank a sip of hot tea, truly feeling that her efforts over the past days were worthwhile, her mind already scheming on how to unearth Monk Tianya’s secrets.

"What about those pond frogs then? Could it be?" Monk Tianya continued inquiring.

"That, oh, it has nothing to do with anything, just said for the ambiance of a lotus pond," Xiao Xian responded in a bland tone, annoying Monk Tianya.

"Well, the Mei Family chose a good successor." With a sigh, Monk Tianya stood and entered a side room. Moments later, having groomed his beard and hair, he emerged tidy.

The neatly-trimmed Monk Tianya stood as a keen-eyed, spirited middle-aged man.

"Girl, you’ve successfully grown the Night Lotus for me, and I’ve fulfilled your wish as well, come out with me," Monk Tianya strode beside the temple.

Xiao Xian and Xuerou followed him outside.

"Don’t say I’m unobservant, but I saw you use Daoist Spiritual Energy when the lotus bloomed. Though you’re not skilled with Spiritual Energy, the scissors you used to trim the lotus leaves are not ordinary, bring them out," Monk Tianya’s face glowed red, completely different from the moody, unkempt monk from a few days ago. It was unclear what had suddenly broadened his mind.

If it were anyone else, Xiao Xian would never reveal the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors, for both Mei Xiang and Mei Nian had warned her against it.

Yet, in that moment, surrounded by a Buddha-like aura from Monk Tianya, she involuntarily did so, and brought out the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors.

"So it’s a Meteor Crystal," From Monk Tianya’s attitude towards the Meteor Crystal, he indeed stood above other Cultivators Xiao Xian had encountered. For most Natural Cultivators and Superpower Enhancers on Earth, Meteor Crystals are excellent materials for Spiritual Artifacts. However, for Cultivators above the Gold Grade, like the Mei sisters, possessing weapons like the Snow Blade means Meteor Crystals aren’t as rare.

"But, you haven’t fully harnessed this Meteor Crystal, let me help you out," Monk Tianya flipped his palm, revealing a blood-red lizard which he tossed onto Xiao Xian.

The lizard was peculiar, attaching to Xiao Xian’s chest, its tail continuously moving through the fabric. Xiao Xian felt as if the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors were piercing her chest again as the lizard emitted a faint red light.

After the lizard drew a drop of blood, Monk Tianya placed it on the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors.

As Monk Tianya held the scissors, Xiao Xian felt a sudden chill, as if a massive force enveloped her.

The lizard bit the scissors, and the second drop of Heart Blood gradually merged into the scissors. As the blood melded, the lizard’s body rapidly shrank and finally turned into a puff of dust.

"Alright, girl, try using the scissors again," Monk Tianya waved his hand, and the scissors were now in Xiao Xian’s hands. Looking down, she noticed the scissors had darkened, yet they appeared clearer. On the surface of the scissors, her face could be seen reflected brightly, as clear as a mirror.

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