She stood in midair, surrounded by countless blood lotuses.
It looked like a dream, surreal and hauntingly beautiful. If one ignored the terrifying power of the blood fiend energy, Patriarch Hua would've clapped for Song Wanníng's performance.
While cursing under their breath, Patriarch Hua darted about, doing everything possible to minimize their injuries.
Song Wanníng gazed at the countless blood lotuses, then slowly closed her eyes. Just as the Bodhi Tree Spirit had said, she needed to draw out the true source of the blood fiend. Perhaps the appearance of the blood fiend was nothing more than coincidence.
So she shut her eyes and released her divine sense, carefully searching for the source. Because of the Twin Blood Lotus, her Primordial Soul carried the same aura, so the blood fiend wouldn't harm her.
Her divine sense passed through the sea of blood energy, spreading little by little into the depths. It felt like she was flying through an invisible tunnel, the scenery shifting around her. All the crimson faded away, leaving only endless darkness. She couldn't see the path ahead, but she couldn't retreat either. She pressed on stubbornly.
Time slipped away. Song Wanníng moved through the void like a lost little beast, searching for an exit. Yet for some reason, a faint premonition stirred in her heart.
Almost there.
That feeling kept her going, pushing her forward through the endless dark. Finally, she saw it—a tiny blood-red lotus trembling on the edge of a small black hole.
The lotus's aura was connected to the Twin Blood Lotus she already possessed, yet subtly different. This one radiated a strong destructive power, sharp and violent like the blood fiend itself. Even from a distance, its presence felt suffocating.
Song Wanníng didn't rush in. Her divine sense approached slowly, gently. She tried to reach out with goodwill, hoping to communicate, maybe even understand its thoughts. But the closer she came, the more the red lotus trembled, clearly terrified. And from that fragile body, she sensed something strangely familiar.
Wasn't this feeling just like the Bodhi Tree Spirit?
Realization dawned in her heart. She softened her aura and summoned the Dharma Form of the Twin Blood Lotus. A brilliant lotus bloomed within her divine sense, dazzling and radiant.
The red lotus froze in surprise, then trembled with joy. But soon, as if remembering something, it curled up again, shivering pitifully. If she hadn't already known it was the source, Song Wanníng would never have linked this trembling little lotus to the terrifying blood fiend.
"Blood Lotus, I won't hurt you. In fact, I might even have your family with me," she coaxed softly, her tone gentle and inviting.
The aura of the Twin Blood Lotus grew stronger around her.
The red lotus hesitated, its trembling easing bit by bit. Sensing the familiar energy, it timidly stretched out a tiny tendril, testing the air as it crept closer to Song Wanníng.
She could even feel its aggrieved emotions. Smiling, she began to hum a lullaby.
The song was soft and warm, full of gentle affection.
Under the combined comfort of the melody and her aura, the red lotus inched closer and closer until it finally stopped before her, hesitant but yearning.
Song Wanníng spread her arms. "I'll protect you. Come here."
Just that simple promise made the little lotus burst into tears.
"Waaah—!"
The red lotus wailed like a child, flinging itself into Song Wanníng's arms, burrowing deep into her embrace for safety.
"I was so scared, waaah—
I'm so scared—"
It kept repeating the words, crying like its heart was breaking, and Song Wanníng's chest ached with sympathy.
Unable to resist, she held the little thing close and comforted it patiently.
"Don't cry. From now on, I'll protect you. There's nothing to be afraid of! You've got a bunch of brothers and sisters too. They're all amazing, and they'll love you so much!"
Sometimes, even Song Wanníng found it funny how many spiritual creatures she'd gathered around her. Most people would be lucky to encounter even one sentient treasure in their lifetime, yet she somehow kept collecting them. She smiled helplessly and kept soothing the red lotus.
It was truly terrified. From the moment it developed a trace of consciousness, it had been trapped here—no light, no company, nothing but endless loneliness.
So when someone finally entered this place, it lashed out with blood fiend energy purely out of self-defense. The blood fiend wasn't a curse at all, just a misunderstanding Patriarch Hua had tied to it.
Once the crying stopped, the red lotus peeked up at Song Wanníng, cautious and wary. It sensed its kind's aura inside her, but no trace of consciousness from another lotus.
"Don't worry. I won't lie to you," she said softly, stroking its petals before cupping it in her hands.
"Let me take you out of here, alright?"
It didn't belong in this lonely place.
"Mm."
The red lotus clung to her palm, obedient as could be.
The more she looked at it, the fonder she grew. Holding the tiny lotus close, she flew back toward the exit. The path was still dark, but the red lotus no longer trembled. Maybe it wasn't afraid anymore, now that it wasn't alone.
Song Wanníng's heart softened.
This little lotus had spent tens of thousands of years in the dark. It was truly pitiful. She decided she'd have the other little ones play with it often to help it heal.
The return journey felt much shorter. In half a moment, Song Wanníng's divine sense pulled free from the passage and returned to her body. Now a red lotus rested lightly on her shoulder.
She blinked and looked around. Patriarch Hua looked absolutely miserable, still swearing and stumbling about, completely disheveled.
Their robes were shredded, their body covered in gaping holes corroded by the blood fiend's energy. The surrounding trees were just as ruined, pockmarked and decayed.
When Patriarch Hua spotted the red lotus on her shoulder, their curses grew louder.
There was no mistaking it—that thing was the real culprit behind the blood fiend!
"Put it away already!" they shouted.
Song Wanníng's calm voice sounded like a melody in their ears. And the moment she spoke, the raging blood fiend energy receded like a retreating tide.
In seconds, the air was calm again, as if the nightmare had never happened.
"Cough, cough—"
Panting, Patriarch Hua staggered toward her.
"It was this thing that created the blood fiend?!" they demanded.
Their tone was urgent, full of disbelief.
Song Wanníng frowned and instinctively shielded the little lotus behind her.