102: Chapter 102 The Lotus Lord Descends, Thunder Talisman Purifies the World

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's escape light stopped ten miles outside the north gate of Luoxia City.

He did not attack the city directly but instead hovered in mid-air, looking down at this rising city.

His black robes rustled, and twelve black lotus phantoms slowly rotated around him, each emitting a heart-palpitating corrosive aura.

The pressure of the Late Golden Core Stage bore down like a physical weight; the guarding Cultivators on the city walls found it difficult to breathe, and those with weaker cultivation turned pale.

"Lin Yue, little brat, come out and meet your death."

The voice was not loud, yet it spread clearly to every corner of the city, carrying a coldness that pierced straight through the Divine Soul.

At the city wall, Lin Yue appeared.

Dressed in green robes with the dragon thunder sword hanging at his waist, he looked calmly at the dark figure in the distance.

"Black Fiend Lotus Venerable, you've come all this way just to say such nonsense?"

As he spoke, he stepped off the city wall and stood in the air.

He released his Middle Golden Core Stage aura without concealment, clashing with the Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's pressure in the Void Realm, unexpectedly forming a state of equal opposition!

"Oh?"

A flash of surprise crossed the Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's eyes. "The intelligence said you had only recently entered the Golden Core stage; it seems you've had a fortuitous encounter. Pity... you still must die today."

He raised a finger and pointed.

A black lotus phantom broke away from the rotation, turning into a black stream of light that shot toward Lin Yue.

Wherever the light passed, the air made a sizzling corrosive sound, leaving behind a black trail that did not dissipate for a long time.

Lin Yue did not dodge; the dragon thunder sword unsheathed.

The thunder patterns on the sword's body lit up, triggering a resonance with the thunder pattern crystal ore vein within the Grotto-Heaven.

With one sword strike, the thunder light was like a Dragon!

Thunder and black light collided, erupting in a piercing screech.

The black lotus phantom was torn apart by the thunder light, but the collapsing corrosive Qi turned into a fine black mist, quietly enveloping Lin Yue.

"A trivial trick."

Lin Yue waved his left hand, and three Heart-Clearing Thunder Talismans flew out.

The Talismans exploded in the air, and as the frigid thunder light swept through, the black mist was instantly frozen, shattered, and dissipated.

The entire process was smooth and natural, as if it had been practiced countless times.

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's eyes narrowed.

The first step of his Heart-Eroding Black Lotus secret technique was the "Spirit-Eroding Black Mist," which could quietly corrode an opponent's Qi and set the stage for subsequent heart-erosion.

An ordinary Golden Core Cultivator would fall for it if they weren't careful.

But this Lin Yue actually had Talismans specifically designed to counter it?

"It seems you were well-prepared."

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable sneered, "But do you think this Venerable's methods end here?"

He formed hand seals, and the remaining eleven black lotus phantoms around him bloomed simultaneously!

"Heart-Eroding Domain, open!"

With him as the center, the sky within a five-mile radius suddenly darkened.

Countless tiny black lotus phantoms drifted down from the sky, covering the entire northern district of Luoxia City like snowflakes!

These phantoms were all-pervasive, penetrating buildings and Formations, landing on Cultivators and Mortals alike.

"Ah—!"

On the city wall, a guard at the Late Stage Qi Refining suddenly clutched his head and screamed in agony.

His eyes quickly stained a blackish-red, and he actually turned around to slash at his comrade beside him!

"Li San, are you crazy?!"

"Kill... kill you all..."

Similar scenes were playing out all over the northern district.

After the black lotus phantoms landed, they turned into Heart-Eroding Seeds, invading the Divine Souls of living beings and triggering madness and slaughter.

In just three breaths, the northern district had fallen into chaos.

"Not good!"

Lin Hu roared from the city wall, "All Foundation Establishment Cultivators, take a heart-clearing soul-protecting pill immediately! Qi Refining Cultivators, form defensive arrays and do not move!"

He was the first to swallow a Medicinal Pill, clarity returning to his eyes, and he immediately led people to rush toward those controlled clansmen.

But the transmission speed of the Heart-Eroding Seeds was too fast.

At this rate, in less than fifteen minutes, the entire Luoxia City would fall into mutual slaughter!

"Do you see?"

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's smile was hideous. "This is the true power of the Heart-Eroding Black Lotus. This Venerable doesn't even need to lift a finger; your city will destroy itself."

Lin Yue's face was grim.

He had indeed underestimated the range and permeability of this secret technique.

The heart-clearing soul-protecting pills could protect Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but Qi Refining Cultivators and Mortals simply couldn't resist it.

"Hao Tian, deduce the optimal solution."

He called out urgently in his mind.

Inside the Grotto-Heaven, the face on the trunk of the World Tree opened its eyes.

"Option one: Master personally performs a large-scale purification technique, combined with Heart-Clearing Thunder Talismans, which can clear seventy percent of the Heart-Eroding Seeds. However, this will expose some of the Grotto-Heaven's abilities and consume a massive amount of energy, leaving you unable to confront the Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's true body afterward."

"Option two: Activate the 'Rule Bestowal' authority to temporarily grant the northern district's Spiritual Veins the 'Heart-Purifying' attribute. Combined with the Heart-Cleansing Grand Formation bases pre-installed in the city, this can form a continuous purification field. It requires 3000 points of Origin Qi, and the Grotto-Heaven will enter a three-day weakened period."

"Option three..."

"Choose option two."

Lin Yue did not hesitate.

Exposing the Grotto-Heaven was too risky, while the weakened period could be compensated for afterward.

"As you wish."

Hao Tian's trunk vibrated slightly, and the Spiritual Vein network within the Grotto-Heaven deeply connected with the Spiritual Veins of Luoxia City.

【Rule Bestowal: Activated】

【Target: Luoxia City Northern District Spiritual Vein Network】

【Bestowed Attribute: Heart-Purifying (Grade 3) — Continuously purifies soul-type negative states and strengthens the mental defense of living beings】

【Consuming 3000 points of Origin Qi... Bestowal complete】

Invisible rule power spread along the Spiritual Veins.

On the ground of the northern district, those Heart-Cleansing Grand Formation bases that had long been buried all lit up with a soft blue-white light!

The light wove into a net, covering the entire northern district.

Every drifting black lotus phantom melted like ice in the sun the moment it touched the blue-white light.

The blackish-red in the eyes of those controlled clansmen quickly faded, and they stopped their attacks in a daze.

"I... what happened to me just now?"

"It's the Heart-Eroding secret technique! Quick, help the injured!"

The chaos in the northern district subsided at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's smile froze on his face.

"Spiritual Vein purification? You can actually temporarily bestow attributes to Spiritual Veins?!"

This was a method that touched upon the level of rules, something usually only a Nascent Soul Cultivator could master!

He stared fixedly at Lin Yue, wariness appearing in his eyes for the first time.

This boy must not be allowed to live!

"Very well... the more extraordinary you are, the greater the harvest will be after this Venerable kills you."

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable took a deep breath and slowly raised his hands.

The eleven black lotus phantoms flew back to his side and began to fuse.

One, two, three... when all eleven black lotuses had completely fused, a Black Lotus Dharma Image ten zhang tall and as black as ink appeared behind him!

The Dharma Image's eyes were crimson, and viscous corrosive liquid flowed from the edges of the lotus petals, emitting a terrifying pressure that far exceeded the Late Golden Core Stage!

"Natal Dharma Image..."

Lin Yue's pupils constricted slightly.

For a Golden Core Cultivator to condense a Natal Dharma Image was a key step in striking for the Nascent Soul stage.

Those who could condense a Dharma Image in advance were without exception geniuses among geniuses, with combat power far exceeding those of the same stage.

This Black Fiend Lotus Venerable indeed had the capital to be arrogant.

"To be able to force out this Venerable's Dharma Image, you have enough to be proud of."

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's voice was cold. "Now, die."

The Black Lotus Dharma Image raised a massive lotus petal and struck down toward Lin Yue with a palm!

Before the palm wind even arrived, the corrosive Qi had already surged like a tsunami, locking down all space for evasion.

This palm concentrated the full power of the Dharma Image.

Even a Cultivator at the Peak of the Golden Core might not dare to take it head-on!

On the city wall, Lin Hu and the others were filled with dread: "City Lord—!"

At the critical moment.

Lin Yue made a move that no one expected.

He put away the dragon thunder sword.

Then, he closed his eyes.

"Giving up resistance?"

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable scoffed.

But in the next moment, his smile solidified.

Because all around Lin Yue, brilliant starlight lit up.

It was not the light of Qi, but true starlight—as if countless stars were projecting onto him across the Void Realm.

【Grotto-Heaven Authority: Origin Resonance】

【Effect: Briefly borrow the Grotto-Heaven world's Origin to transform into the 'Star-Vein Dao Body'】

This was an ability Lin Yue had gained through his deep binding with the Grotto-Heaven after its advancement to the Advanced level.

Using the Grotto-Heaven's Origin as a foundation and drawing upon the Power of the Stars for support, he could obtain combat power that transcended his Realm for a short time.

The price was that the Grotto-Heaven would enter a seven-day period of silence afterward, with all functions temporarily shut down.

But at this moment, he couldn't worry about that.

Lin Yue opened his eyes.

Deep in his pupils, a galaxy was rotating.

He raised his hand and threw a punch toward the descending giant black lotus palm!

This punch had no magnificent spiritual light and no earth-shaking momentum.

There was only power refined to the extreme.

The Power of the Stars.

Punch and palm collided.

Time seemed to stand still for an instant.

And then—

Crack!

A crisp sound of shattering rang out from the palm of the Black Lotus Dharma Image.

Cracks spread rapidly from the point of impact to the entire arm, and then extended to half the body!

"No... impossible!"

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable was aghast.

His Natal Dharma Image was actually cracked by a single punch?!

However, something even more terrifying was yet to come.

After the first punch, Lin Yue's figure was like lightning, appearing instantly in front of the Dharma Image's chest.

The second punch struck the location of the Dharma Image's heart.

That was the core of the Dharma Image, formed from the Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's natal essence blood.

"Explode."

The punch force penetrated the body.

The Black Lotus Dharma Image vibrated violently, covered in dense cracks, and finally exploded with a bang!

"Puff—!"

The backlash from the shattered Dharma Image caused the Black Fiend Lotus Venerable to spray blood wildly, his aura plummeting.

The shock in his eyes had turned into terror.

Escape!

He had to escape!

This Lin Yue was simply a monster!

He did not hesitate to burn his essence blood, turning into a streak of bloody light to flee.

"It's too late to leave now."

Lin Yue's voice followed him like a shadow.

He extended his right hand and made a grasping motion toward the direction the bloody light was fleeing.

【Grotto-Heaven Authority: Space Stabilization · Extended Application】

【Effect: Briefly solidify the spatial structure within a hundred miles】

The bloody light slammed into an invisible spatial barrier and was forcefully bounced back.

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's figure reappeared, his face as pale as paper.

"Lin Yue... you can't kill me... my cult still has two other Lotus Venerables, they..."

Before he could finish his sentence.

The dragon thunder sword had already pierced through his Dantian, and thunder power swept through his body, destroying all life force.

The light in the Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's eyes quickly dimmed, and his corpse fell from the sky.

Lin Yue stood in the air, slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air.

The Power of the Stars began to recede, and a sense of weakness surged over him like a tide.

But he forced himself to stay upright.

Because everyone in the city was watching him.

"The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable has been executed."

His voice spread throughout the city. "Clean up the battlefield and treat the wounded. All those who participated in the defense will be credited with a major merit."

After speaking, he turned and flew back into the city.

His figure remained upright, but only he knew that the Qi in his body was currently nearly exhausted.

Returning to the quiet room in the City Lord's Manor and closing all Restrictions, Lin Yue finally stumbled and leaned against the wall.

"Hao Tian, what is the status of the Grotto-Heaven?"

He asked in his mind.

The voice of the World Tree carried exhaustion:

"Origin consumption is excessive... will enter a seven-day silence... all functions paused during this period... Master also needs to rest for three days... cannot engage in combat again..."

"I understand."

Lin Yue sat cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing.

This battle seemed to have been won beautifully, but it was actually fraught with danger.

If not for the new abilities gained after the Grotto-Heaven's advancement, Luoxia City might have truly suffered a catastrophe today.

However, the harvest was also significant.

The Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's corpse, as well as the fragments of the shattered Black Lotus Dharma Image... would all be excellent nourishment once the Grotto-Heaven recovered.

Especially the rule fragments contained within the Dharma Image wreckage; if they could be absorbed, the World Tree's intelligence might be able to take another step forward.

"City Lord."

Lin Yan's voice sounded outside the quiet room, filled with concern, "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

Lin Yue suppressed his churning blood. "Pass down the order to raise the city's alert level to the highest. The Black Lotus Cult has lost a Lotus Venerable; they will certainly not let this go."

"In addition, send someone to the Qinglan Sect to inform Sect Master Mo Chen of the result. Ask him... to watch for the Black Lotus Cult's movements."

"Yes."

The sound of footsteps faded away.

Lin Yue closed his eyes, focusing entirely on regulating his breathing.

He knew that this storm was far from over.

The Black Lotus Cult, the Spirit Devouring Clan, the various forces in the Central Region... Luoxia City's path to rise was destined to be filled with thorns.

But regardless, he had made it through this hurdle today.

And the Luoxia City that passed this hurdle would be even more resilient and powerful.

Three days later.

When Lin Yue walked out of the quiet room, there were still four days left in the Grotto-Heaven's silence period.

But Luoxia City had already restored order.

The city walls were repaired, the wounded were treated, and the Heart-Cleansing Grand Formation bases in the northern district were permanently solidified, becoming a standing defense for the city.

Lin Hu came to report:

"City Lord, in this defensive battle, seventeen Cultivators on our side were killed and eighty-three were injured. We killed one enemy at the Late Golden Core Stage and seized three storage rings and several cultivation Jade Slips."

"Additionally... news has come from the Qinglan Sect."

He paused, "Sect Master Mo Chen says that the other two Lotus Venerables of the Black Lotus Cult have left the Central Region, and their whereabouts are unknown. He speculates... they are likely coming toward the Southern Border."

Two Lotus Venerables.

And they were likely even stronger existences than the Black Fiend Lotus Venerable.

Lin Yue looked toward the north, his eyes deep.

"Let them come."

"Pass the order: the entire city enters a state of war readiness. This time... we will take the initiative to attack."