During the three days of seclusion, Tang Xiaoqi was not merely sitting still. His primordial spirit sank deep into his sea of consciousness, where the Azure Lotus shadow connected to his own dao path slowly swayed, emitting a warm, pure light. He poured all details of demonic spot cases he had observed into the Lotus light, attempting through the Lotus's characteristic of deducing all things' essence to find the thread of hope.
The deduction process consumed enormous spiritual and mental energy. The demonic spot's composition exceeded imagination. It was not single-attribute energy pollution but more like a compound curse fusing dark demonic energy, negative emotion laws, and some unknown "vitality."
Under the Lotus light's illumination, Xiaoqi "saw" that demonic spots resembled countless tiny, continuously dividing and proliferating dark runes. They not only invaded flesh but wrapped around the host's soul light like parasites, absorbing nutrients and amplifying darkness.
He tried countless approaches—purer Lotus essence (would burn the host's soul), chaotic power assimilation (too risky), Buddhist soul barriers (only treating symptoms). Time flew in deduction. Although only three days externally, Xiaoqi's consciousness spent what seemed like thousands of years in the deduction world.
Just as the seclusion deadline approached and his mind was exhausted, a spark of insight finally flashed. He noticed that among all demonic spot cases, there were very few patients whose disposition deterioration degree was much lower than others, even though their demonic spots remained. These patients either had extremely resilient willpower, or after symptoms appeared, received continuous care and support from those around them, always maintaining warmth and hope in their hearts.
"Negative emotions... amplification..." Xiaoqi murmured to himself. "I was always thinking about how to 'eliminate' it, but forgot the soil it depends on for survival—the host's inner darkness. If the 'poison seed' cannot be immediately eradicated, can we first improve the 'soil,' making the 'poison seed' unable to run rampant?"
He recalled that Buddhist soothing could suppress demonic spot activity, and his own Lotus power containing protective intent had similar effects.
"Purification is not only one path of destruction. Protection, hope, compassion—these positive forces can also achieve 'purification' effects. They can neutralize negative emotions, weaken demonic spot influence! If positive force is strong enough, can it dissolve the demonic spot's 'toxicity,' or 'peel' it from the host?"
A completely new approach clarified in his mind. The true cure lay in combining internal and external approaches: using gentle, sustained force to suppress and weaken demonic spots, while stabilizing or enhancing the host's own positive thoughts, attacking from both inside and outside.
After exiting seclusion, Xiaoqi convened Alliance core members to announce his decision. He proposed establishing under the Alliance a specialized institution called the "Purification Institute," to comprehensively research, treat, and settle all those troubled by demonic energy pollution aftermath.
This proposal immediately triggered debate. An elder tactfully suggested the institute required enormous resources and carried considerable risk. Someone else suggested patients could be handled by their respective sects.
"Self-handling?" Xiaoqi's gaze swept across those speakers, his tone peaceful yet carrying coldness. "Let them fend for themselves? Or cause internal conflict like Cold Ice Fortress? The demonic spot affliction was not their wish—they were wounded defending this world! If the Alliance cannot protect warriors bleeding for it, what 'overall situation' and what 'future' are we talking about?"
He paused, voice rising: "My decision is firm! The Purification Institute must be established, and moreover, I will personally serve as the first Institute Master!"
The hall instantly quieted. The Alliance Master personally serving as Institute Master—this demonstrated extreme attention to the matter.
Xiaoqi continued: Alliance treasury would allocate resources, Qingxu Temple would bear thirty percent, missions would gather relevant talents and materials, and various sects must dispatch personnel to assist. The Institute would be located at Hundred Herbs Peak where he would personally arrange protection formations.
Over the following days, Hundred Herbs Peak became exceptionally busy. Halls were transformed, inscribed with purification runes. A large calming formation fusing Lotus dao resonance with Buddhist chants was arranged. Pharmacists, formation masters, and soul healers were mobilized.
Xiaoqi led by example, personally participating in treatments. He developed an "internal-external combination" approach—using Lotus essence mixed with gentle Buddhist power injected into patients, carefully wrapping and penetrating demonic spots. Although the process was slow and arduous, results were significant. The most severely ill patients fell into peaceful sleep after treatment, demonic spots not shrinking but their writhing slowing and color fading slightly.
This news spread like a seed of hope through the Purification Institute and entire Alliance. The Purification Institute, born in crisis, under Xiaoqi's forceful promotion and personal stationing, finally gained initial footing. It was not only a treatment institution but a symbol of the Alliance's bottom line and responsibility when facing unknown difficulties. However, Xiaoqi deeply knew this was merely the beginning.