The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 52: The Art of Escape And The Regeneration Ink Lotus

The Art of Escape And The Regeneration Ink Lotus . . .

As Cha-Eun Xiao felt the East-rising Purple Qi begin to circulate within him, a surge of anxiety gripped him. What if the astute Wen-Ren Chu-Chu discerned his intentions at this crucial moment? If she were to impose more restrictions on him, all his previous efforts would be in vain, and his escape might be indefinitely delayed.

From the moment he regained consciousness, Cha-Eun Xiao had been secretly devising his escape plan. However, so far, he hadn't been granted even the slightest opportunity to put it into action. While the East-rising Purple Qi possessed extraordinary and unpredictable abilities, it still circulated slowly due to his current limited cultivation level. Breaking free from the restrictions would require a significant amount of time.

Despite her gentle and fragile appearance, Wen-Ren Chu-Chu hadn't given Cha-Eun Xiao any openings during their entire interaction.

"Brother Feng, do you truly suffer from mysophobia?" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's tone retained its softness, yet an unmistakable undercurrent of authority could be heard.

Cha-Eun Xiao chuckled, "Does it truly matter right now whether I have mysophobia? The most critical issue at hand is that I am under your control, and it appears you have no intention of releasing me. In simpler terms, you decided my fate the moment you saved me."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu offered a sweet smile, "Brother Feng, you've proclaimed that the supreme dan beads you refine are unrivaled in the Land of Han-Yang. How could I miss the chance to learn more about someone as remarkable as you? Therefore, I thought it appropriate to invite you to the Kingdom of Lan-Feng. However, depending on whether you accompany me willingly or under duress, the journey may unfold quite differently."

Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "Lady Chu-Chu, are you issuing a threat? You are aware of how I endured the past day, correct?"

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu paused, realizing Cha-Eun Xiao's resilience.

"That's true. This man may appear unremarkable, but he possesses a resolute spirit. Even in excruciating pain, he didn't utter a word. Physical threats won't work on him."

"Indeed. Nevertheless, Brother Feng's journey to the Kingdom of Lan-Feng is inevitable," Wen-Ren Chu-Chu remarked with a smile. "His superior cultivation level makes it prudent to avoid any unpleasant incidents. How about I administer two more finger pokes to ensure your cooperation?"

Cha-Eun Xiao sighed, acknowledging that his attempt to stall for time had been exposed.

With a wry smile, he replied, "Can I refuse?"

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's laughter tinkled like a bell, and her fingers moved swiftly as the wind. She jabbed Cha-Eun Xiao's Jing and Mai three more times with her fingers—Pah Pah Pah! This disrupted the Qi he had begun gathering, heavily blocking his Jing and Mai and nullifying all his previous efforts.

Despite the setback, Cha-Eun Xiao remained undeterred. He smiled and said, "In your territory, my words seem powerless. Regarding the Regeneration Ink Lotus... Lady Wen-Ren, you expended a considerable sum to acquire it, but are you certain about its proper usage? Well, everyone has their own areas of expertise."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu replied nonchalantly, "Even if I were to misuse it and waste it, I would prefer to discard it than come begging for your assistance, Brother Feng. Rest assured, you needn't concern yourself."

Another potential avenue of escape was sealed off. However, Cha-Eun Xiao remained optimistic, wearing a gentle smile as he continued, "When you obtain an object without acquiring the knowledge of how to use it, you squander its potential. If you use this lotus incorrectly and discard it, it would be a tremendous loss. Lady Wen-Ren, you've sacrificed so much to obtain this lotus, intending to save a life. However, sometimes, improper use of medicine can lead to dire consequences..."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's dismissive humph suggested she wasn't swayed by his words.

Cha-Eun Xiao paid no heed to Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's skeptical attitude and pressed on, "But when it comes to the primary purpose of the Regeneration Ink Lotus, it's not just about healing wounds... it's about saving lives."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's smile remained polite, though tinged with a hint of mockery. "Indeed? Brother Feng, your knowledge of the efficacy of spiritual medicines is truly astounding. It seems you're well-versed in every detail."

Cha-Eun Xiao responded with a wry grin, "I am flattered, Lady Chu-Chu. I can't help but wonder, though, if this item you've invested so much in is truly meant to save your father's life."

"Of course. My father is gravely ill, and aside from the Regeneration Ink Lotus, there are no other materials that can cure him," she asserted solemnly.

Cha-Eun Xiao chuckled, "Heh heh. Lady Chu-Chu's devotion to her father is truly admirable. However, I must confess, I don't believe your words."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "You don't believe me? What, exactly, do you find unbelievable?"

"I find it hard to believe that you acquired the Regeneration Ink Lotus solely to save your father's life. You see, the primary purpose of the lotus is to return souls and revive lives, but it can only save women. It cannot save a man's life," Cha-Eun Xiao explained. "So when you claimed you wanted it to save your father at the auction, I couldn't help but doubt your intentions. But I wonder, Lady Chu-Chu, do you believe what I just said?"

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's smile remained, but it had grown somewhat rigid. She responded in a cool tone, "Throughout history, the Regeneration Ink Lotus has been hailed as a mystical medicine from the heavens with miraculous effects. So why do I hear doubts from Master Feng's lips?"

Cha-Eun Xiao took a sip of tea before continuing, "While it is an ancient saying, I believe no one in the Land of Han-Yang has ever used it to save lives. As far as I know, despite initially curing diseases, those who consumed it eventually met an inexplicable demise. There have been no exceptions."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's face stiffened as she listened intently.

"The reason is simple," Cha-Eun Xiao elaborated. "The Regeneration Ink Lotus possesses an extremely cold attribute. Although it can cure various ailments miraculously, the frigid energy remains within the patient's body, invisible but relentless. Over time, it claims the patient's life. There is no one in the Land of Han-Yang who could withstand such extreme effects. Thus, all those who consumed the Regeneration Ink Lotus died with their veins frozen."

He gazed into Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's eyes and spoke deliberately, "A splendid speech, wouldn't you agree? Yet, Lady Wen-Ren seems remarkably composed after hearing my eloquence. It seems you have absolute confidence in your ability to neutralize this cold power. But there is simply no one in the Land of Han-Yang with that capability. So, the person you wish to save... could it be someone from... above the sky?"

His words struck her like lightning. Her body tensed, and she turned to him with a dark expression. Then, a sinister smile crept across her face, and a hint of murderous intent flickered in her eyes.

"If that person is from above the sky, then my deduction seems quite reasonable," Cha-Eun Xiao continued unabated. "However, if my deduction holds true, Lady Chu-Chu, you indeed aim to save a life, but it's definitely not your father or mother. It must be another woman."

"Why do you say that?" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's fingers were growing paler by the moment.

Cha-Eun Xiao continued his deduction with a knowing smile, "Because even if the person hails from above the sky, those who can harness the full potential of this lotus share a common trait—they are women." He paused, savoring the moment, before adding, "Furthermore, to harness the Regeneration Ink Lotus's healing power fully, there's another crucial condition."

He emphasized his words, "That woman must be a virgin. Women possess a natural Yin attribute, enabling them to partially dispel the cold energy. Yet, even with this attribute, the risk remains. When the frigid energy eventually erupts, the consequences could be fatal. Only virgins with Yuan Yin bodies can disperse the cold energy to the maximum extent."

He watched Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's reactions closely. "But then, how can a virgin bear children? They can't. So it's clear it's neither your father nor your mother. Then, who else could be worth such an arduous effort to heal? The identity of this person is becoming increasingly evident."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu clenched and unclenched her fists, her composure wavering. She responded coolly, "Go on."

Cha-Eun Xiao had unwavering confidence in his conclusion. "This woman must be, at the very least, an expert cultivator."

He continued, "If she weren't, she couldn't possess such profound knowledge, let alone nurture an exceptional heir like you." Cha-Eun Xiao narrowed his eyes, focusing on the woman before him. With no escape possible under her watchful gaze, he relied on his astute insight to draw a conclusion that was both shocking and closest to the truth.

The Xiao Monarch had never anticipated falling under a girl's control in either of his lives, let alone being held captive without any means of escape.

When the word 'heir' escaped his lips, Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's body tensed once more. She bit her rosy lips, and her eyes grew colder.

"I also know that even if you administer the lotus to her and temporarily alleviate her condition, the woman you're trying to save can, at best, live for another ten years before succumbing," Cha-Eun Xiao explained. "After those ten years, she's destined to meet her end, unless you find a Regeneration Jade Lotus, a medicinal treasure even more potent than the Regeneration Ink Lotus. Only with the Regeneration Jade Lotus can you extend her lifespan by five hundred years. Then, after those five hundred years, you'll need an even rarer Renascence Jade Lotus to heal her again, truly resolving her life-and-death crisis."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle in. "Otherwise, no matter how high her cultivation level may reach, as long as she doesn't consume that Renascence Jade Lotus, she'll eventually face her fate—death when her veins freeze completely. As far as I'm concerned, every person, man or woman, master or not, who takes the Regeneration Ink Lotus will meet the same fate if they don't complete the final step. There are no exceptions. The only salvation lies in the Renascence Jade Lotus."

He continued casually, "Frankly, while the Regeneration Ink Lotus is rare, it can still be found with some effort. At least, you already possess one. However, the Regeneration Jade Lotus... I'm afraid there are only a handful in the entire mortal realm."

With a nonchalant tone, he added, "And even if you were lucky enough to locate the Regeneration Jade Lotus, where would you find the Renascence Jade Lotus? As far as my knowledge goes, from ancient times to the present, there has been... only one."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's expression shifted dramatically at this revelation.

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