The Ethereal Lotus Realm floated through dimensional mists, its cultivation cities existing on massive lotus petals that drifted between layers of reality. Cultivators here specialized in spiritual purification techniques that operated through harmony rather than conflict, their methods focused on achieving transcendence through perfect balance rather than domination.
Wei Liang observed the realm's peaceful architecture with cosmic contempt, his Constellation Devourer perception analyzing their harmony-based cultivation for optimal disruption strategies. The realm's foundational energy carried purification principles that would provide interesting contrast additions to his increasingly diverse stellar collection.
Harmony cultivation specialized to spiritual purification, he noted as they approached the central lotus city of Eternal Serenity. Balance techniques that operate through peace rather than conquest. Perfect targets for demonstrating how cosmic predation transcends moral limitations.
Zhang Wuji consulted his research materials about Ethereal Lotus cultivation traditions while maintaining careful academic objectivity. "According to ancient records, this realm's masters achieve enlightenment through perfect spiritual balance, their techniques granting immunity to corrupting influences through pure harmony maintenance."
Purification immunity, Wei Liang thought with predatory amusement. They assume moral purity protects against conceptual consumption. The Constellation Devourer's gravitational absorption operates through cosmic principles that transcend spiritual morality entirely.
Three months had passed since the Thunder Valley harvest, time Wei Liang had spent in intensive cultivation to fully integrate his accumulated technique collections. The stolen Immortal Phoenix Scripture had provided systematic understanding of rebirth principles, while the absorbed thunder techniques had added dimensional lightning capabilities to his cosmic arsenal.
Perfect integration achieved, Wei Liang concluded as internal energies settled into stable constellation patterns. Fire-ice-lightning-void techniques now operating through unified cosmic principles rather than individual elemental categories. The Seventy-Fifth Demonic Body grows closer to breakthrough threshold.
Their entry into Eternal Serenity attracted curious attention from lotus cultivators whose purification senses detected unusual energy signatures that defied their harmony-based assessment methods. Wei Liang's Constellation Devourer aura created subtle spiritual discord that made the peaceful atmosphere feel unstable despite his controlled presence.
Concerned observers maintaining diplomatic courtesy, Wei Liang noted as their passage through the city's jade-lotus streets drew cautious attention. They recognize disruptive presence but attempt resolution through peaceful methods rather than confrontation. Admirable but ultimately futile.
The realm's most prestigious establishment was the Garden of Eternal Harmony, where lotus-blessed cuisine provided spiritual purification benefits through controlled harmony qi absorption. The restaurant catered to the realm's cultivation elite, their private meditation chambers offering discrete spaces for advanced spiritual practice.
Target-rich environment as always, Wei Liang concluded. Peaceful harmony cultivators gathering for spiritual nourishment. The Garden of Eternal Harmony will provide excellent demonstration of how cosmic predation operates regardless of moral protections.
However, their peaceful meal was interrupted when a commotion arose—not from arrogant young masters as Wei Liang had grown accustomed to, but from a different source entirely. A young woman in pristine white robes was calmly mediating a dispute between other diners, her presence creating harmony effects that automatically resolved conflicts through spiritual balance.
Interesting variation, Wei Liang observed with predatory curiosity. Rather than creating disturbance, this one prevents it through active harmony maintenance. Different approach but potentially more valuable as a consumption target.
The young woman was Lian Xueshu, the Ethereal Lotus Sect's chosen successor whose purification cultivation had achieved perfect integration with the realm's harmony principles. Her appearance embodied idealized lotus characteristics—skin with pearl-like translucence, hair that moved like silk in still water, eyes that reflected infinite serenity despite their awareness of surrounding suffering.
Lian Xueshu, Wei Liang identified from his dimensional knowledge network. The prophesied Lotus Saint whose bloodline carries direct inheritance from the original Harmony Buddha. Her cultivation represents the pinnacle of purification achievement.
"Honored guests," Lian Xueshu said softly as she approached their table, her voice carrying harmonics that created natural peace in the surrounding atmosphere. "The Garden of Eternal Harmony welcomes all seekers of spiritual understanding. Might I inquire about your cultivation path? Your energy signature suggests techniques that operate outside traditional frameworks."
Direct approach without hostility, Wei Liang recognized. She's probing for threat assessment while maintaining perfect diplomatic courtesy. More sophisticated than typical chosen one encounters.
"We practice research methods that don't fit normal classification systems," Wei Liang replied truthfully. "Scholar Zhang documents ancient techniques while I study practical applications of advanced cultivation principles."
Chapter 56: The Lotus Saint's Gambit
Lian Xueshu's spiritual perception detected the cosmic undertones in Wei Liang's cultivation with disturbing clarity, her purification techniques providing insight into the predatory nature that lurked beneath his scholarly facade. Unlike the impulsive young masters of other realms, she approached the existential threat with calculated wisdom that reflected millennia of accumulated enlightenment.
This one sees through surface deception, Wei Liang realized with growing predatory interest. Her harmony techniques provide spiritual sight that penetrates cosmic camouflage. More dangerous than anticipated, therefore more valuable for constellation integration.
"Your research methods carry fascinating complexity," Lian Xueshu continued diplomatically, settling gracefully at their table with movements that created natural peace patterns in the surrounding qi. "The Ethereal Lotus Sect maintains extensive archives about cultivation techniques that transcend normal categories. Perhaps knowledge exchange would benefit both our advancement purposes?"
She's attempting the same diplomatic approach that worked in the Scarlet Phoenix Realm, Wei Liang recognized. However, her spiritual sight suggests awareness of my true nature. This negotiation carries genuine danger rather than simple misdirection opportunity.
Zhang Wuji sensed the underlying tension despite the peaceful atmosphere, his scholarly instincts recognizing sophisticated spiritual conflict brewing beneath the courteous conversation. "Senior Wei, the Ethereal Lotus Sect's archives are renowned throughout multiple realms for their comprehensive documentation of harmony-based techniques."
Perfect research opportunity regardless of the ultimate outcome, Wei Liang concluded. Whether through negotiation or consumption, accessing their cultivation archives will provide valuable intelligence about purification methods that might counter cosmic absorption.
"The Ethereal Lotus Sect's reputation for wisdom exceeds even their legendary harmony mastery," Wei Liang replied with genuine academic interest. "What specific archives might prove most illuminating for research purposes?"
Lian Xueshu's expression remained serenely composed despite the spiritual pressure beginning to emanate from Wei Liang's barely contained cosmic nature. "Our most precious treasure is the Original Harmony Scripture, containing the foundational principles for achieving perfect spiritual balance. However, access requires demonstration of sincere commitment to peaceful cultivation advancement."
Another ancient scripture offering, Wei Liang thought with predatory satisfaction. The Original Harmony Scripture would provide systematic understanding of purification principles for constellation integration. Perfect addition to the stolen phoenix manual.
However, Lian Xueshu's next words revealed the sophisticated nature of her approach to the existential threat posed by the cosmic predator.
"Of course, such sacred knowledge requires appropriate protection," she continued with gentle firmness. "The Ethereal Lotus Sect has developed spiritual safeguards that ensure our harmony techniques serve only those whose intentions align with universal balance principles."
Spiritual safeguards designed to prevent technique theft, Wei Liang realized with growing interest. She's aware of my scripture acquisition methods and has prepared countermeasures. Intelligent approach that transforms simple negotiation into genuine strategic challenge.
"The sect's wisdom in protecting sacred knowledge reflects admirable foresight," Wei Liang acknowledged respectfully. "However, research purposes sometimes require examination of protective methods as well as the knowledge they guard. Academic understanding benefits from comprehensive analysis."
Lian Xueshu's serene smile carried undertones of steel despite her peaceful demeanor. "Indeed, the interaction between knowledge and protection creates fascinating study opportunities. Perhaps practical demonstration would provide more valuable insights than theoretical discussion?"
She's proposing direct confrontation disguised as academic exercise, Wei Liang understood with cosmic amusement. Brilliant strategy that transforms obvious predator-prey dynamics into scholarly competition. Much more sophisticated than typical chosen one approaches.
"Practical demonstration sounds mutually beneficial," Wei Liang agreed, his stellar constellation beginning to resonate with feeding anticipation. "What specific techniques would provide the most illuminating research results?"
Rather than answering directly, Lian Xueshu rose with fluid grace and gestured toward the Garden's private meditation chambers. "The sect's advanced harmony techniques require appropriate spiritual environment for proper examination. Our sacred lotus chamber provides ideal conditions for demonstrating how purification principles interact with external cultivation methods."
Perfect isolated environment for consumption, Wei Liang concluded as they followed her deeper into the establishment. She's either remarkably naive about the danger she faces or supremely confident in her protective capabilities.
The sacred lotus chamber existed within a massive crystallized lotus blossom, its translucent walls inscribed with harmony formations that had accumulated spiritual power across countless centuries. At the room's center, a pool of liquid starlight reflected cosmic patterns that seemed to extend infinitely beyond physical dimensions.
Impressive spiritual architecture, Wei Liang observed with professional appreciation. Harmony formations that operate through dimensional stability rather than simple protective barriers. These countermeasures might actually pose interesting challenges for cosmic absorption.
"The sacred lotus chamber channels pure harmony qi from the realm's foundational principles," Lian Xueshu explained as spiritual power began gathering around her with visible luminescence. "Our most advanced techniques require perfect balance between opposing forces for optimal manifestation."
She's preparing for serious confrontation while maintaining educational pretense, Wei Liang realized. Excellent approach that provides tactical advantage through misdirection about her true capabilities.
However, as Lian Xueshu's cultivation began revealing its full scope, Wei Liang discovered she possessed power that genuinely exceeded his initial assessment. Her harmony techniques were creating spiritual effects that operated through cosmic principles rather than simple elemental manipulation.
Lotus Saint Manifestation - Eternal Harmony Integration!
Lian Xueshu's human appearance transformed as perfect spiritual balance activated, her form becoming something that embodied archetypal purification. Wings of crystallized harmony qi emerged from her back while her presence created stability fields that automatically countered disruptive influences regardless of their source or magnitude.
Fascinating development, Wei Liang thought with growing predatory excitement. Harmony techniques that achieve cosmic-scale purification rather than simple spiritual cleansing. Her cultivation has transcended mortal limitations into universal principle territory.
"The Lotus Saint manifestation represents our sect's highest achievement," Lian Xueshu announced, her voice now carrying harmonics that created reality-stabilizing effects throughout the chamber. "Perfect spiritual balance that maintains universal harmony regardless of external corruption attempts."
Perfect spiritual balance, Wei Liang mused as his Constellation Devourer perception analyzed her transformed state. Purification techniques that claim immunity to corrupting influences through harmony maintenance. Time to test whether cosmic predation transcends moral protections.
Constellation Devourer Technique - Stellar Absorption: Harmony Consumption!
Wei Liang's feeding field activated with specific modifications for purification harvesting, attempting to draw Lian Xueshu's harmony heritage directly into his internal constellation. However, her Lotus Saint manifestation proved remarkably resistant to conceptual consumption, her perfect balance creating stability fields that deflected gravitational absorption attempts.
Interesting resistance phenomenon, Wei Liang observed with genuine surprise. Her harmony techniques operate through universal principle integration that provides actual protection against cosmic predation. First encounter with cultivation that genuinely counters my absorption capabilities.
"The Constellation Devourer's reputation precedes you, Senior Death," Lian Xueshu said calmly, her spiritual sight revealing his true identity despite his human disguise. "However, perfect harmony cannot be consumed because it exists in balance with universal principles rather than opposition to them."
She knows exactly who I am and has prepared specific countermeasures, Wei Liang realized with dawning respect for his opponent's strategic intelligence. This encounter represents genuine tactical challenge rather than simple predator-prey dynamics.
"The Lotus Saint's harmony mastery exceeds expectations," Wei Liang acknowledged with professional appreciation. "However, cosmic predation operates through principles that transcend traditional cultivation categories. Perfect balance becomes just another form of order waiting for entropy consumption."
As their confrontation intensified, both combatants began revealing capabilities that operated beyond normal cultivation frameworks, transforming the sacred lotus chamber into a battleground where cosmic principles themselves were being tested through direct spiritual conflict.