Chapter Forty: Maturity

At that moment, a radiant light of seven colors illuminated the surroundings. Demon Night stopped in his tracks, fixing his gaze on the source of the brilliance. "Is this... Has the Heart Lotus of the Earth matured?"

Tang Ze, sensing the surge of energy, hurriedly rushed out of his tent. Staring at the multicolored light, he was equally astonished. He walked to Demon Night's side and said quietly, "Come! Let's go take a look. The Heart Lotus must be maturing." Demon Night quickly followed Tang Ze, running toward the place where the light emanated.

Just as Demon Night and Tang Ze halted, Peng Lei and members from the two academies also arrived. "What's happening? Has the Heart Lotus matured?" Xing Kai stepped forward to ask. Tang Ze turned and glanced at Xing Kai, "I can't say for sure. The Heart Lotus is the stuff of legend—no one has ever seen it in person, much less understands it."

On the slope to the side, a new group was gathering—the Xuan Tiangang faction. Xuan Tiangang looked toward the Cave of Ten Thousand Demons and called out to Tang Ze's group, "Those across the way, don't say I didn't warn you! The Heart Lotus is about to mature. It cannot be disturbed at this crucial moment—it needs immense energy. Only by absorbing enough energy will it bloom, and only a blooming Heart Lotus can be used! Please be patient during this time."

"Hmph! Are you planning to sneak in yourself?" Li Chun questioned Xuan Tiangang suspiciously. Xuan Tiangang stamped his foot in anger. "Do you think I need to trick you? If I weren't worried you'd rashly disrupt the Heart Lotus's advancement, I wouldn't bother talking to you at all!" He turned to his clan and said, "Hu Qingfeng, leave two to keep watch, the rest return to wait." With that, Xuan Tiangang led his people away without a backward glance.

Tang Ze watched the demon clan depart, then turned to Xing Kai. "Let's leave two of our own to keep guard, and let the rest go back to rest, what do you say?" Xing Kai glanced at the demon clan's slope. "Fine. Each of our academies will leave one to guard, the rest can rest."

Li Chun, realizing he was being left out, hurried forward. "No! We must leave someone as well. What if you all go in without calling us?" Xing Kai rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Fine, fine. Three groups, each leaves one to keep watch. Will that satisfy you?" With everything arranged, the gathering dispersed.

By dusk, the seven-colored light grew stronger, casting the area around the Cave of Ten Thousand Demons as bright as day. Everyone returned to the slope nearby. "Across the way, surely the Heart Lotus is matured now?" Li Chun called out impatiently. Xuan Tiangang glanced at him but said nothing, ignoring him entirely. Li Chun, left talking to himself, quietly instructed his subordinates, "Keep a close watch. If the demon clan stirs, go in immediately! We must seize the Heart Lotus!"

All around, silence gradually settled. Everyone waited patiently for the Heart Lotus to bloom.

After about half an hour, a fragrant aroma wafted through the air. Xuan Tiangang opened his closed eyes. "Now! Go quickly!" More than a dozen young demon clan members soared toward the Cave of Ten Thousand Demons. Seeing their movement, the three academies refused to be left behind, rushing toward the cave in a frenzy.

Watching the young generation disappear into the cave's entrance, Tang Ze and the others sat down where they were. Xuan Tiangang looked at Tang Ze's group, who had entered without preparation, and mocked, "Do you really think the Earth Heart Lotus is so easy to obtain? Not even a shred of preparation—haha, just wait for your failure!"

"You tricked us! You promised we'd acquire the Heart Lotus together, yet you withheld information," Li Chun demanded angrily. Xuan Tiangang, delighted by Li Chun's agitation, replied, "Say, for someone your age, you sure act like a dog! I only offered you the chance to acquire the Heart Lotus together, but I have no obligation to tell you how to get it! Besides, you're our enemy—why would I tell you anything?"

Li Chun glared at the smug Xuan Tiangang, so furious he wanted to strike, but Xing Kai grabbed his arm. "Enough! If there's blame, it's that we know too little about the Earth Heart Lotus. Losing your temper won't change anything now."

Tang Ze did not add fuel to the fire. He understood that if the demon clan failed to obtain the Heart Lotus, a fierce battle was inevitable. He couldn't help but advise Li Chun, "Even with their preparations, the demon clan won't easily get the Heart Lotus. Everyone, adjust yourselves and be ready. There may be a tough fight ahead."

Hearing Tang Ze's words, the group sat cross-legged, calming and preparing themselves, waiting for the young generation to emerge.