Karma opened his eyes, feeling the vibrant, refined power humming in his core. He called for his status window, curious to quantify the immense transformation he'd just undergone.
The glowing screen materialized before him, confirming his suspicions—and exceeding his hopes.
System Status
Name Karma Hi
Realm Foundation Establishment – Middle Stage
Physique Reforged Mortal Body (Astral Compatibility – Grade III)
Talent Above Average (Upgradeable)
Comprehension Profound Insight ++ (Peak Enlightened Level),
Devour – Major Attainment
Formations — Adept Peak
Battle Sense Natural (Refined)
Techniques Silent Flowing Steps — Advanced
Iron Serpent Fists — Advanced
Azure Moon Cleave — Advanced
Cultivation Mantra Unknown Scripture
He studied the glowing screen, awe flickering across his face. The breakthrough to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment and the terrifying improvement to his physique meant he was no longer just competitive; he was a monster among his peers. The Astral Compatibility Grade III was a title he didn't fully understand, but the sheer increase in his body's attributes spoke volumes—his physical limits had been pushed far beyond that of any ordinary cultivator.
"So this is what a month of hell buys," he murmured, flexing his hand. The motion was silent, effortless, and carried the density of fine steel.
Correction—you also gained permanent immunity to normal poisons, low-level physical attacks, and about half your old sense of self-preservation. Mira's voice was dry, though tinged with pride.
Karma smirked. "I'll take that trade."
He turned toward the pool again. What had once blazed with celestial brilliance was now still and empty. The azure water was completely gone, leaving the white stone basin dry.
Only the lotus remained.
The Lotus Awakens
It floated above the dry basin, crystalline petals gleaming faintly in the dim light. Without the water, it seemed smaller—yet somehow denser, heavier with condensed spiritual essence. Faint lines of pure, powerful energy pulsed through its core, and the same rhythmic throb that had once filled the pool now vibrated softly within it.
Karma approached cautiously, his newly radiant eyes narrowing. The flower had gifted him strength, but it felt less like an herb and more like a sleeping entity. "You gave me strength… so what are you now?"
Energy signature unstable. Suggestion—store it, don't touch. Its density is immense; attempting to pluck it may provoke an unpredictable reaction.
He crouched, examining the flower closely. The petals shimmered faintly, emitting a sound like distant bells whenever his breath brushed them. Up close, it was mesmerizing—beautiful, alien, and intensely powerful.
It's fading. That essence is too valuable to leave behind, the familiar voice of pure, pragmatic survival whispered. He knew he couldn't leave this source of immense power to wither in the ruins.
He reached out, his mind set on carefully collecting the artifact.
The moment his fingers brushed the resilient stem, the lotus reacted violently.
The petals flared open like predatory wings, revealing a core of brilliant, blinding white light. Luminous tendrils of crystalline energy lashed out, wrapping instantly around his wrist, then his arm, his torso, and finally clamping down on his neck.
"Mira!" he shouted, the spiritual bonds constricting his qi flow. The more he struggled, the tighter the lotus bound him. The tendrils pulsed with an aggressive energy—not overtly hostile, but determined, attempting to consume or assimilate him.
Host under attack! Unknown spiritual binding! Warning—energy assimilation detected! You must break free!
Karma's qi surged instinctively, his control snapping under the pressure. Devour roared to life—not by conscious command, but triggered by the foreign power attempting to invade and consume him. It was a reflex born from the inherent nature of his technique.
A faint green light—the residual color from the absorbed lotus liquid—burst from beneath his skin, spreading in veins of radiance across his body, meeting the lotus's grip.
The flower shuddered. Its crystal flesh cracked under the dual pressure of its own consuming nature and the unstoppable vortex of Devour. Light spilled out in torrents. The essence that had formed its shape began to collapse inward, sucked into the very core of his dantian.
It resisted for a painful, drawn-out heartbeat—then surrendered entirely to the greater, older hunger.
With a final, sharp chime, the lotus dissolved into pure essence and sank into his chest, where it merged with his life core.
Karma gasped, dropping heavily to one knee. The light dimmed, the energy completely absorbed. His breathing stabilized slowly, the green glow fading back beneath his skin, leaving a feeling of immense, deep power.
Absorption complete. Mira sounded utterly stunned, her analytical voice betraying confusion. Unclassified artifact merged with Host's life core. No rejection detected. Temporary qi surge—stable.
"What… what was that?" he panted, rubbing his throat where the crystalline bonds had clamped down.
Unclassified artifact. Based on energy readings, partial sentience possible. It was attempting assimilation. I'd call it suicidal to devour it—if you hadn't succeeded by accident.
He winced. "Noted. Anything change, besides me glowing?"
Your life force density increased by approximately 14%. Core stability improved further. The residual green qi radiation is permanent, but controllable. Aesthetic rating—upgraded.
"Great. I swallowed a glowing flower. I'm going to stand out even more."
Affirmative.
Escape from the Tomb
Before he could process the massive influx of energy, a low rumble shook the pagoda. At first it was distant—like a deep, rumbling sigh. Then the entire structure groaned, dust raining from the ceiling.
Uh-oh. Energy field collapse detected. The pagoda's core was linked to that lotus. Now that the artifact is gone, the main preservation formation is destabilizing.
Karma's head snapped up. The walls began to crack audibly, runes flaring in chaotic, dying patterns. Pieces of stone rained down, shattering the polished floor.
"Time to go!"
He shot to his feet, sprinting toward the entrance. He didn't even use Silent Flowing Steps; he simply ran, weaving around massive stone pillars as the floor split apart behind him. The once-silent, silver puppets lining the gate flickered briefly to life—eyes glowing faintly blue—but their cores sputtered and died before they could lift a single spear.
The great doors of the pagoda tore free from their hinges as an explosion of spirit light erupted from the tower's center.
Karma dove forward, rolling across the outer stone path as the entire seven-story structure imploded, collapsing inward like a sandcastle hit by a wave. The shockwave sent a violent gust of dust and chaotic qi outward, tearing through the air and scorching the earth.
When the tremors finally ceased, he coughed, sitting up amidst the smoke.
The pagoda was gone. In its place stood only a crater, shimmering faintly with leftover energy and debris.
Destruction complete. No trace of active formations detected. Mira confirmed, her voice returning to her typical calm assessment.
Karma exhaled, leaning back on a fragment of the pagoda's stone. His chest rose and fell slowly, exhaustion catching up at last.
"That… escalated fast."
Understatement detected. It was a fitting, if explosive, conclusion to your retreat.
He rubbed his forehead, feeling the faint, controlled pulse of green light now deep within his chest. The lotus had not died—it had become a permanent, powerful part of him.
He stood, dusting himself off. "Let's go, Mira. I've rested long enough."
Path forward—unmapped. But you seem to enjoy that.
"Guess I do."
He took one last glance at the crater—the grave of an ancient sect, now nothing but dust and memory—then turned away and headed into the uncharted wilds of the Astral Vein. Each step felt lighter. Each breath, steadier. The power within him no longer burned wildly; it flowed, calm and certain, strengthened by the essence of the devoured lotus.