Chapter 274: The Allure of the Samsara Lotus
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[Name: [Samsara Lotus]
[Type: Herb]
[Grade: Mythic]
~ Believed to have originated in the heavenly realms, the Samsara Lotus is a mythical-level treasure that carries the power of resurrection and divine intervention. Its petals emit a soft, ethereal glow, reflecting the celestial energies within. This lotus can create a protective barrier around a deceased body and soul, safeguarding them from harm until they are revived, and holds the power of regeneration and rebirth.
The Samsara Lotus matures once every six months, and upon reaching maturity, it can be used by wandering spirits in the death realm. Once used, the lotus reverts to its bud form, awaiting its next cycle of growth. This majestic golden lotus, once grown, imbues the water surrounding it with a captivating rainbow-colored light. In its unopened state, the lotus emits a rejuvenating energy that effortlessly dissipates the fatigue and weariness of those who venture near it.
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Rio could hardly believe his luck at encountering such an exceptional treasure. Overwhelmed with excitement, he felt the urge to seize the Samsara Lotus immediately but was worried about causing any harm to the precious plant.
He decided to go to the elven girl, "Eve, can you take the lotus into the wondrous forest realm?" Rio asked for her assistance.
"We'll have to wait until it's fully matured. It hasn't reached maturity yet. If we move it before it's fully matured, it may get ruined." Eve explained patiently.
"Is there no way to speed up the maturing process?" Rio inquired, his impatience showing.
Eve hesitated for a moment before replying, "Well, feeding it mana and blood could potentially accelerate its growth, but..."
"But what?" Rio pressed.
"I am strongly against it, I don't want you to harm yourself, It would be wiser to wait for the lotus to mature naturally. I know you're eager to claim it, but we must be patient." " Eve cautioned.
The boy listened to her words, but deep down, Eve knew that he might not heed her warning.
Rio's impatience overtook him as he ignored Eve's warning and made his way toward the Samsara Lotus.
He knew he had to acquire the Samsara Lotus as soon as possible, and was willing to take any risk to speed up its growth. Time flowed differently in the death realm compared to the outside world, and Rio couldn't afford to waste any more time.
He enchanted his finger with mana then with a deep breath, he steadied his hand and aimed his enchanted finger towards the other, slicing it with a gentle tickle.
A small bead of blood formed at the tip of his index finger, dripping onto the lotus. He watched in amazement as the plant hungrily consumed the blood.
After a few hundred droplets had fallen onto the lotus, Rio was overwhelmed by the sensation. A wave of dizziness swept over him, causing his face to pale, but he refused to back down. The allure of the Samsara Lotus was too great to resist, and he was willing to pay any price to obtain it.
With unwavering resolve, Rio laid his hand on the Samsara Lotus and channeled his mana into it.
The mythical plant seemed to have an insatiable thirst for his mana, greedily consuming it with a voracious appetite. As he poured more and more of his mana into the lotus, Rio felt his energy draining rapidly, leaving him more exhausted and depleted.
Just as he turned around, he saw Eve emerging from the wondrous realm. Her expression was one of deep pain and disappointment, her eyes filled with her clear disapproval of his reckless actions.
Rio forced a smile, knowing he had ignored Eve's advice. Yet, he had no regrets. He couldn't afford to waste any more time in the death realm, and the Samsara Lotus was too valuable a treasure to let slip through his fingers.
Eve approached Rio, her cold gaze fixed on him as she stood beside him.
"I told you not to do it," she scolded, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"I can't spend that much time here," Rio defended himself.
"Why not?" Eve demanded, her gaze fierce.
"You, as an elf, may be blessed with youth even in old age, but my wives will grow old if I spend too much time waiting for this lotus to mature on its own... I can't afford to waste any more time here," Rio explained, his tone light.
"I'm not that old, and neither will your wives grow old this soon" she retorted, pouting slightly. Then, with a determined expression, she bit her thumb and allowed her blood to flow onto the lotus. As the plant absorbed her blood, Rio noticed it stirring with life.
He tried to stop her, saying, "Hey, don't do that!"
But Eve shot him a frosty look, "Shut up!!," she said coldly, continuing to nourish the lotus with her blood.
As Rio watched Eve pour her blood onto the lotus, he felt a deep sense of helplessness. He could not bring himself to stop her, but her selfless act stirred profound gratitude within him.
This wasn't like the many times she had helped him before - this time, she was sacrificing her own blood and essence for his sake, something few others would ever do.
His eyes softened, brimming with adoration and affection as they rested upon her curvaceous figure. The warmth that filled his heart intensified, reaffirming his mind to not hurt her feelings again. The thought of ever causing her pain was unbearable to him, especially knowing she was now willingly hurting herself for his sake.
Rio felt a deep sense of remorse for his previous actions when he had pushed her away and didn't accept her advances.
Unbeknownst to him, his [Heart Sutra] had ceased to suppress his emotions towards her, allowing their bond to flourish, thanks to the tattoo that had deepened when he gifted her the crown of the purple stage beast.
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Edited By: TheWhiteSnow