55 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Chapter 55 Yun Mi Xue recalled the strange aura she sensed in that mountainous ravine and mentioned it to Yan Zhu Guang. "So, you're saying that if the aura Da Shi Jie sensed came from the former sect leader, it's likely he entered this secret realm." "And this marked silk can confirm it was left by the former sect leader?" Previously, although it was speculated that the hidden magic on the silk was placed by the former sect leader, it was just a guess. If they could find evidence that he entered the secret realm, it could confirm it was him. Yun Mi Xue said, "My spiritual sense is limited, so I can't be sure if the aura I felt was accurate." "I trust Da Shi Jie," Yan Zhu Guang's gaze was filled with absolute trust in Yun Mi Xue, "Let's go to the place you found, Da Shi Jie." Yun Mi Xue felt warmed by Yan Zhu Guang's trust and gently replied, "Okay." Even though Yun Mi Xue's cultivation was limited to the late Golden Core stage, using her cloud-riding technique to carry both of them was still easy. Yun Mi Xue and Yan Zhu Guang rode the same white cloud, flying towards that range of mountains. Traveling with Da Shi Jie, Yan Zhu Guang felt much more at ease. Even if Da Shi Jie's cultivation was restricted, her strength was at the peak within this secret realm. Any beasts trying to attack them were repelled by Yun Mi Xue before getting close. With a clear destination in mind this time, they reached the layered peaks quickly, and soon found the familiar aura's ravine that Yun Mi Xue had sensed before. Upon landing, they entered a shadowed area. The trees in this ravine grew vast, almost blocking out the sun, with only occasional bits of light filtering through. Looking up, the dappled light through the dense canopy resembled faint stars in the night sky. Yun Mi Xue took out a luminous pearl to illuminate the forest floor environment. "Once on solid ground, it's strange, but the aura seems undetectable." When they were in the sky, they vaguely sensed the peculiar aura, and since Yan Zhu Guang also felt it this time, it wasn't an illusion. They had roughly determined the direction from which the aura emanated, but upon descending from the cloud, it vanished. Yan Zhu Guang had the system investigate their surroundings and said to Yun Mi Xue, "It should be nearby. Let's have a look around." The system was efficient when tasked with a specific search. It informed Yan Zhu Guang, "Host, the aura is approximately thirty zhang southeast of you." Guiding their direction based on the system’s advice, they soon discovered a cracked crevice in the southeast. Strangely, while the forest floor was very dark, a faint light seeped out from within the crevice. It was weak, barely noticeable unless one got close, even in the dark. The crevice was just large enough for a person to fit through. Seeing no immediate danger around, Yun Mi Xue said to Yan Zhu Guang, "I'll go down first to check the way. Follow after me." The small map showed no red dots, indicating no evident threats in the area. There could still be hidden dangers, but with Da Shi Jie's capabilities, she should manage. Yan Zhu Guang had no objections. "Da Shi Jie, be cautious." Yun Mi Xue jumped down lightly, like a paper-thin leaf. After a moment, she called from below, "Zhu Guang, come down." Yan Zhu Guang then followed. The space beneath the crevice wasn't very high, certainly not as deep as some pits outside the secret realm. Yan Zhu Guang landed shortly after Yun Mi Xue, who helped her stabilize herself. In the silent crevice, aside from their breathing, they suddenly heard a drip of water, clear and crisp. Yan Zhu Guang examined the crevice's interior. It was indeed a stone cave. The cave was spacious, comparable to a palace adorned with needleleaf spiritual plants. The surroundings were filled with clusters of translucent crystals, like stumbling upon a crystal palace. The light illuminating the cave came from these multicolored, transparent crystals. Though faint, it was enough to reveal the cave's appearance. When Yun Mi Xue brought out the luminous pearl, the space brightened considerably. Reflected by the countless crystals, the stone cave became as bright as day. The cave floor was dotted with clusters of crystalline stalagmites, reaching upward at varying heights, mirrored by corresponding stalactites hanging from the ceiling. In the center, a massive stalactite held a drop of radiant, crystalline water, suspended yet not falling, casting an extraordinary glow. Below the stalactite, on top of a stalagmite, was a small pool of clear liquid, emitting a rainbow-like brilliance. The water sound Yan Zhu Guang heard originated from this. However, the most captivating sight wasn't the stalactites and stalagmites but the beautiful, radiant flower growing from the pool. The flower, about the size of an open palm, had translucent petals with visible veins, and a heart containing three plump seeds, lustrous as jade, seemingly crafted by divine hands, astonishingly beautiful. Yan Zhu Guang murmured, "Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus..." "You recognize this flower, Zhu Guang?" Yun Mi Xue gazed at the extraordinary flower with admiration, without any ulterior thoughts. She merely marveled that this legendary treasure was as exquisitely beautiful as the stories claimed. Yan Zhu Guang said, "It's one of the renowned top ten legendary treasures, I've heard about it." The Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus wasn't something that existed in Yan Zhu Guang's world. She learned about its existence from a book of extraordinary records in the Fenghua Immortal Sect's library, which listed the top ten legendary treasures. These treasures were presumably crafted by the original book's author. The Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus was one such mystical plant, as incredible as the Frost Ice Flying Snow. To Yan Zhu Guang, they were extraordinarily unbelievable. The lotus's effects were so defiance of nature that it seemed impossible for something like it to exist in the cultivation world. If categorized, in Yan Zhu Guang's world, such a treasure would be considered at least of celestial-grade, meant to reside in the celestial realm. The "Five-Petal" refers to the five petals of crystalline essence, while "Heavenly Heart" is the true name of this flower. The Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus absorbs the essence of the five-petal crystals, requiring at least ten thousand years to bloom. It produces three seeds, which contain the flower's essence. These glowing spiritual stones in the cave are the remains of the five-petal crystals after their essence was absorbed. "Heavenly Heart" refers to the three seeds, indicating their unique ability—the Heavenly Heart Lotus seeds can mend any innate flaw of a cultivator. Three seeds mean three opportunities. Its defiance of nature lies in its ability to mend a flaw based on the desires of the one who consumes the seed. For example, if someone wishes to mend their inherent weakness in strength, the Heavenly Heart Lotus seed could instantly raise their power to the pinnacle of the human realm, the Grandmaster Stage. Isn't that defying the natural order? If Yan Zhu Guang were to consume a seed, she could even transform her latent wood spiritual root into a true poison spiritual root, as if she had been born with it, without any side effects. And ordinary people without spiritual roots could, with the Heavenly Heart Lotus seed, become highly potential cultivators with superior spiritual roots. Speaking of this, one can't help but mention the book's protagonist, Shen Wan Qing. She transformed from an ordinary person with no spiritual roots into an exceptionally gifted cultivator by consuming a Heavenly Heart Lotus seed given to her by Gu Chen, staging a remarkable comeback, trampling those who once bullied her. Clearly, the author's intention in creating such a remarkable, world-defying plant was obvious. The only curious thing is, why three seeds when one should suffice for a golden opportunity for the protagonist? Perhaps three just look better? Of course, in a book created entirely by the author, the possibilities are boundless. What's unbelievable remains unbelievable. Yan Zhu Guang gazed at the Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus with a calm heart and unperturbed eyes, without any excitement or joy at finding such a world-defying treasure. She knew well that a real world isn't as simple as waving a pen. The Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus's effects are so contrary to the natural order, and while it might indeed provide substantial benefits upon consumption, the potential side effects are uncertain. To gain something, an equal price must be paid. Perhaps the more one gains from the Heavenly Heart Lotus seeds, the higher the cost. The book doesn't mention the cost, which doesn't mean the real world that emerged from the book would still be that unreliable. Yan Zhu Guang was rational and mature enough not to be driven mad by the Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus. Yun Mi Xue noted her composure throughout and admired her for it. Even she couldn't help but be entranced by the lotus's allure, yet Yan Zhu Guang remained as if looking at an ordinary stone. To exhibit such calmness at her age, Zhu Guang's disposition truly surpassed others, which also explained why her cultivation progressed so swiftly. In truth, while considering the pros and cons of using or not using such a treasure, Yan Zhu Guang had barely noticed its appearance. "Could one of these three Heavenly Heart Lotus seeds be the one the protagonist consumed?" The system replied, "The Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus isn't as common as roadside cabbage. Having even one is already extraordinary, and the preservation time for the Heavenly Heart Lotus seeds is limited. There likely aren't others existing. Considering the timeline, it seems quite possible." In the book, the male protagonist acquired the Heavenly Heart Lotus seed without much difficulty because it was already in his possession. Or rather, it was stored in the secret vault controlled by the sect leader. However, how the seed ended up with the protagonist wasn't known. Yan Zhu Guang pondered this. The death of the former sect leader, mentioned in the book, is a fact. Da Shi Jie came to investigate the sect leader's cause of death, which likely truly occurred. So, perhaps in a world without her presence, Da Shi Jie discovered this secret realm and found this crevice, taking the Heavenly Heart Lotus seed back to the Fenghua Immortal Sect and handing it over to the sect leader, Gu Chen? If that's the case, it would make sense. Given Da Shi Jie's character, turning over such a treasure to the sect is entirely plausible for her. Nevertheless, it's unclear whether this journey to the secret realm was a predetermined event in the book or something the world itself filled in. "Da Shi Jie, this place doesn't seem to show signs of human alteration. Can you sense that familiar aura?" Yan Zhu Guang suppressed the swirling hypotheses in her mind. Yun Mi Xue responded, "It's here." She lightly tossed the luminous pearl towards the Heavenly Heart Five-Petal Lotus. Before it got close, a dazzling arcane light burst forth, forcefully bouncing the pearl away. Before it hit the ground, Yun Mi Xue gently beckoned, and the pearl returned to her hand. However, the once-clear pearl was now covered with numerous fine cracks. If she let go, it would likely crumble into pieces. "This is the Fenghua Immortal Sect's secret Yuan Feng Array." "Host, host, it's the Yuan Feng Array!" Yun Mi Xue and the system spoke simultaneously.