Half a month passed quickly.
The strange spirit plant had undergone another change.
Just as Chen Jinshu had predicted, with the help of moonlight and a growth-promoting elixir, the plant had begun to bud. Two lotus buds had formed, each a different color. One was blood red, the other pure white. The blood-colored bud was noticeably larger. Perhaps it had absorbed more nutrients. The white one seemed weaker, unable to compete with the crimson twin, and so it grew poorly.
"I'll check again tonight to see if there's any change."
After watering the spiritual fields in her plant space, she immediately headed toward the Frost Pool Herb Garden.
The herbs she had recently planted there had reached mid-stage growth.
Meanwhile, the ones in the Green Pine Garden were nearing their final phase and would likely mature in two or three months—just in time to be harvested after the outer sect competition.
That night.
The sound of a zither echoed through the Ink Plum Courtyard. As the moon emerged from the clouds, Chen Jinshu took the pot containing the spirit lotus out of her planting space.
"I've waited this long… I wonder if something will happen tonight."
She had a feeling the lotus buds would interact with the moonlight when they bloomed. As soon as she brought out the pot, the two buds immediately shrank back into the soil as if frightened. This was vastly different from ordinary spirit lotuses. Under the moonlight, the plant's stalk trembled. Then, with a sudden bounce, both buds emerged from the soil again.
"The stalks have gotten unnaturally thick."
They were visibly more robust than before. At that moment, the moonlight seemed to be drawn toward the plant, forming concentric white halos around the buds—an extraordinary sight.
But once blood-colored veins emerged at the base of the stalk, the mood shifted. It now looked eerie and enchanting, like a blood-drenched temptress dancing under moonlight.
As the halos grew stronger, the buds seemed unable to bear the force. They sagged and trembled.
"They're blooming!"
Under Chen Jinshu's watchful gaze, the two buds slowly began to open their petals.
The blood-colored bud was especially strange—half of it was crimson, and the other half, as radiant and white as moonlight. Each side emitted a different glow, evoking entirely separate feelings.
"A double lotus?"
Chen Jinshu murmured. The crimson bud indeed resembled the legendary twin-lotus flowers spoken of in stories. However, it was smaller and split between two colors—much more distinctive.
The blood-red part looked like a mutated version, forming a stark contrast with the other white lotus and the pure white bloom beside it.
"I don't recall seeing this type of lotus in the sect's spirit plant records. Could this be some rare variant?"
An hour later, the moon was once again obscured by clouds. The buds, seemingly drained of energy, closed up again. However, they were noticeably larger than before.
"I need to ask Master about this when I get the chance."
If this double lotus was some demonic spirit plant with harmful effects, she couldn't bear the consequences alone.
The next morning, during the hour of Chen (7–9 AM)
After confirming her master's location with Senior Sister Yuzhu, Chen Jinshu took the strange spirit plant and made her way to the Hall of the Alchemy King. Soon, she arrived at one of the side chambers used for elders to rest. She gently activated the array outside, and a voice sounded from within:
"Come in."
Chen Jinshu steadied herself, adjusted her robes, and pushed open the door.
"Disciple pays respects to Master!"
She bowed to her master, who sat cross-legged on a cushion, eyes closed in meditation. This was her fifth time meeting with Shui Huanmeng since becoming her disciple.
The previous visits were all to discuss problems encountered while cultivating the Ten Thousand Echoes Heart Manual or matters regarding musical cultivation.
This time, in addition to discussing cultivation, she wanted to show her master the strange double-bloom lotus.
"Did you encounter a problem?"
"Several months ago, I accepted a spirit plant cultivation task from the Hall of Affairs. However, the plant has shown multiple strange phenomena during its growth. I fear it may be dangerous, so I came to consult Master."
Hearing this, Shui Huanmeng's expression shifted slightly. What kind of spirit plant could prompt Chen Jinshu to seek her out like this?
"Let me take a look."
"Please, Master. This lotus came from a single seed and grew into two plants—one of which formed a double bloom with white and blood-red petals."
"It only emerges from the soil under moonlight. The rest of the time, it remains buried."
"So mysterious?"
Shui Huanmeng was momentarily surprised. Then she casually waved her hand, sealing off the room's windows and skylight, dimming the chamber.
She formed a hand seal, and a glowing moon appeared in her palm. The moonlight quickly emitted gentle white halos.
Bathed in this artificial moonlight, the two lotuses emerged from the soil and opened their buds. Three blooms now faced Shui Huanmeng.
The blood-colored double lotus still emitted a faint, ominous red aura.
The white lotus carried a pure, cleansing energy.
The two forces opposed and balanced each other.
This wasn't the blood energy of a cultivator or a beast, but an innate quality of the spirit lotus itself.
"This double lotus is truly extraordinary."
Shui Huanmeng's gaze flickered with interest. It was the first time she had seen such a bizarre plant—one that had entirely different forms between day and night. Twin lotuses weren't unheard of, but one with dual properties like this was rare.
"I've never seen a spirit plant like this before either. But there's a place where you might find the answer."
"There's a book in the Forbidden Section that documents many rare and unusual spirit plants. The records are so bizarre that the sect leader had it sealed behind the library in the Forbidden Book Area."
As she spoke, Shui Huanmeng handed Chen Jinshu a token.
"You'll need this Elder Token to access the Forbidden Book Section. Since you're so determined, go take a look. And if you find anything, feel free to share it with me."
"Thank you, Master!" Chen Jinshu accepted the token with a small bow of gratitude.
She had heard of the Forbidden Book Section before. It held many restricted texts—not necessarily because they were evil, but because their effects were powerful or strange. Some examples included dual cultivation techniques popular in the Hehuan Sect—dangerous distractions for the sect's disciples.
Other books had been sealed due to their eerie and mysterious nature. Some were said to contain terrifying methods or illusions that could drag cultivators into nightmarish realms simply by flipping the pages.
"But be warned," Shui Huanmeng added, "some areas of the Forbidden Section are best avoided. The mind is particularly susceptible there. Avoid Bookshelf Area 3 on the west side and Area 2 on the north side—they house especially malevolent texts."
"I'll keep that in mind!"