Chapter 29: The Crimson Lotus Ally
Back at the Azure Cloud Pavilion, the team reported their success to Elder Mei Ling. The sealed nexus calmed the beast tides, earning them spirit stones and access to the pavilion's Core Formation archives. Li Wei cultivated in the Spirit Spring, his mid-Foundation Establishment qi growing denser. The Nine Worlds Ascension Art revealed a new technique: Starborn Resonance, a strike that drew power from the Core Formation World's starry qi, amplifying its force.
Lin Xue, nearing Foundation Establishment, refined her Cloud Veil Formation into a Starveil Array, blending concealment with offensive qi spikes. Su Chen shared his Frost Phoenix Insight, enhancing her qi control. Mei Lan and Huo Shen trained with Li Wei, their teamwork solidifying. But rumors of the Crimson Lotus Sect, allies of the Shadow Abyss Clan, stirred unease. Xu Rong's Crimson Fang faction was linked to them, plotting against Li Wei.
Elder Mei assigned a new mission: infiltrate a Crimson Lotus outpost in the Core Formation World to uncover their plans. The team, joined by a new ally—Core Disciple Yun Fei, a serene woman with a Crimson Lotus Flame—set out. Yun Fei's early Core Formation aura was calming, her flame purifying rather than destructive. "The Crimson Lotus Sect wasn't always corrupt," she said. "I seek to redeem it."
The outpost was a fortress of red jade, guarded by shadow formations. Lin Xue's Starveil Array breached the outer defenses, while Li Wei's World Resonance Seal disabled traps. Inside, they found scrolls detailing a plan to destabilize the Core Formation World's qi, forcing a merge with lower realms. Xu Rong was there, her Crimson Flame Whip blazing. "You'll never stop us," she snarled, attacking.
Li Wei's Starborn Resonance clashed with her whip, its starry qi burning brighter. Su Chen's Frost Phoenix Claw froze her flames, while Yun Fei's Crimson Lotus Flame purified the shadow formations. Xu Rong fled, but not before triggering a trap—a Shadow Golem, its Core Formation qi overwhelming. Li Wei's Ninefold Pulse staggered it, and Yun Fei's flame incinerated its core.
The team secured the scrolls, but the scroll in Li Wei's sleeve burned, revealing a vision: the Shadow Abyss Clan's leader, a Devil Emperor, plotting in the Divine Immortal Apex. The Core Formation World was a stepping stone, and Li Wei's path was clear—ascend, or the Nine Worlds would fall.