CHAPTER 470: CHAPTER 22: THE SECOND DROP OF HEART BLOOD

On the tree-lined path, a group of tourists were being led upwards by a guide, step by step.

The woods trembled, and flocks of birds fluttered up into the air.

"Guide, what’s happening? What is that place? Why is there such a commotion?" the tourists asked in pursuit.

"I don’t know either. That area has always been strictly off-limits. It’s said that since the Kang and Qian years, it has been a forbidden place. It’s rumored that those who inadvertently enter will get lost, including us guides, so we dare not venture in. Let’s just follow the tour route," the guide said, waving the flag for the visitors to follow.

After the tremor, a whirl of grass and leaves flew up. Xuerou couldn’t help coughing several times from the stirred-up wood chips and fallen leaves.

Xiao Xian retracted the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors, her expression troubled.

"What’s wrong, not very useful?" Monk Tianya deduced from the way Xiao Xian had been using the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors and the status of her Spiritual Energy usage that she was at the Silver Rank Early Stage.

"It doesn’t seem much improved. Before, it could cut through metal and artificial rockery, so it’s within reason that it can chop down an old tree," said Xiao Xian, squatting next to the fallen old locust tree to examine the cut surface.

"Are you a disciple of Senior Mei Xiang or Senior Mei Nian?" Not many in China know of the place where Monk Tianya resides. Both Mei Xiang and Mei Nian just happened to know.

"I can’t really be considered anyone’s disciple; I just happened to inherit these Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors from Senior Mei Xiang, and was guided here by Senior Mei Nian. However, before coming, neither of them told me specifically why I was to find you." Looking at the situation at hand, she was probably seeking Monk Tianya’s help to integrate the second drop of Heart Blood. Otherwise, with Xiao Xian’s current situation, who knows how many years it would take for her to integrate the second drop of blood on her own.

Nevertheless, this drop of Heart Blood seemed not as useful as the first.

"Young and lacking in cultivation, yet ambitious. Good, I like that," Monk Tianya said, habitually reaching for his chin only to stroke emptiness and burst into laughter, his voice resonant as a bell.

Hearing this, Xuerou felt a piercing pain in her eardrums.

"Use those scissors to cut off the Night Lotus."

Hearing that Monk Tianya wanted to cut off the Night Lotus that had been so hard to grow, Xuerou was the first to disagree.

"The Night Lotus, also known as the ephemeral lotus of the lotus family, blooms for only one day. Cutting it won’t be a problem; it’s not the lotus flower itself that this old monk wants."

Hearing this from Monk Tianya, Xiao Xian didn’t hesitate; this time, she didn’t even change into rain boots or a raincoat but directly waded into the deeper parts of the pond.

A few frightened frogs sprang up, bringing down a shower of dew.

When the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors neared the Night Lotus, the flower trembled. As the blade snipped through the Night Lotus, no milky juice flowed out of the stem, but instead, a rich surge of Spiritual Energy gushed forth.

That Spiritual Energy first lingered by the stem, reluctant to disperse, until finally, it merged into the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors.

At that moment, although Xiao Xian was barefoot in the water, she felt warm, as if standing in the sunshine during winter, her body incredibly comfortable.

The continuous exertion and using Spiritual Energy to encourage the pond lotuses to bloom sooner all refilled in an instant.

Even more astonishing, the Spiritual Energy not only nourished Xiao Xian, but in the space inside her mind, the buds on the sugarcane seedling seemed to have grown slightly. The feather-like fronds of the Vincetoxicum fern she carried also increased in size.

Xuerou watched Xiao Xian stand idle in the water, not walking back, the freshly cut Night Lotus still in her hand.

"Xiao Xian, are you okay?" Zeng Xuerou was nervous, as the last few days had already brought enough surprises.

"Do not disturb her just yet; she needs time to experience the benefits brought by the integration of the second drop of blood into the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors. I am somewhat envious of the Mei Family twins for having found such a good successor. To think she could absorb seventy percent of the surrounding Spiritual Energy - indeed a promising member of the Miao people," Xuerou didn’t understand, but Monk Tianya saw it all clearly.

After a time equivalent to one cup of tea, Xiao Xian finally walked back from the pond and handed the Night Lotus over to Monk Tianya.

"By now, you should understand the function of the second drop of blood. Night has fallen; I’ll keep you for dinner. Tomorrow morning, you all may descend the mountain," Monk Tianya said.

Monk Tianya entered the kitchen, chopped the petals of the Night Lotus into fine pieces, cleaned and prepared the right amounts of japonica and glutinous rice, and cooked a pot of lotus porridge that was first-rate in both color and taste.

"Here are some remaining lotus petal powders. After you descend the mountain tomorrow, remember to use my method to cook another pot of porridge for the little girl who accidentally consumed the colorful gecko. The yang nature of the colorful gecko isn’t good for a woman’s yin constitution. The Night Lotus is also an extremely yin substance and can help her harmonize." Seeing Xiao Xian and her companions consume the pot of porridge cleanly, Monk Tianya’s face was filled with a kind smile.