Chapter 458

"What's wrong? Are you leaving already?""Where would you like to go? I'll take you."A voice drifted over, carrying a hint of laziness and casualness.

Ye Chen looked over to see Ji Ninglin move, not to leave, but to pull up a chair and sit beside him.

"No, thank you. I have matters to attend to," Ye Chen said, standing up. "You should get some good rest."

"Hey, are you trying to shake me off? I just saved your life, you know," Ji Ninglin's voice came, tinged with a hint of playful resentment.

"Yes, I admit you saved my life," Ye Chen replied, turning around with a hint of helplessness. "But you can't use that as leverage against me, can you?"

"I'm not threatening you," Ji Ninglin said with an innocent expression. "I just want you to stay and talk for a bit."

Hearing this, Ye Chen's lips twitched slightly.

"Let me tell you, don't even think about getting rid of me," Ji Ninglin threatened. "If you dare to, I'll strip you naked and hang you from the city gate for everyone to see."

Ye Chen was left speechless.

"Alright, alright, fine, I promise," Ye Chen said helplessly. "You really do scare me."

A triumphant smile spread across Ji Ninglin's face when she heard him.

"Do you know, I came here this time to search for a treasure," Ji Ninglin told Ye Chen.

"A treasure?" Ye Chen asked, slightly taken aback.

"Yes, a treasure that can help me break through my cultivation," she replied. "I don't know what specific treasure it is. I only know that it seems to be closely related to this Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers."

Ye Chen's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this.

"If you don't know what the treasure is, how do you know it's here?" Ye Chen asked.

"Well..." Ji Ninglin hesitated for a moment, then said, "I have a method that allows me to sense its presence."

A look of surprise appeared in Ye Chen's eyes.

"What method?" Ye Chen asked curiously.

"I can't tell you yet," Ji Ninglin replied. "Once I sense the treasure, I'll naturally tell you."

Although Ye Chen felt a slight dissatisfaction upon hearing this, he didn't press the issue.

After all, everyone has their secrets, and he found it difficult to pry.

"In that case, let's rest here for the night and continue our search tomorrow," Ye Chen suggested.

"Okay," Ji Ninglin nodded in agreement.

The two then settled down to rest there.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning.

Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin left the area and continued deeper into the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers.

Deeper into the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers lay a dense jungle.

Within this jungle, various plants competed for beauty.

Moreover, the spiritual energy here was noticeably richer than outside.

As Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin walked through the jungle, they both felt surprised by the dense spiritual energy surrounding them.

"I didn't expect the depths of this Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers to have such dense spiritual energy," Ji Ninglin exclaimed in surprise.

Ye Chen nodded in agreement.

"Indeed," Ye Chen responded. "It seems this Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers is truly extraordinary."

The two continued deeper into the jungle.

Within this jungle, they encountered several spiritual beasts.

None of these spiritual beasts were particularly strong.

Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin dealt with them quite easily.

Soon, the two arrived in a valley.

This valley was home to many peculiar plants.

These plants were a riot of colors—red, purple, blue, green—creating a beautiful and enchanting scene.

Furthermore, all these plants emanated a dense spiritual energy.

"This is where I sensed the treasure," Ji Ninglin said to Ye Chen, pointing ahead.

Ye Chen followed her gaze.

Not far ahead, he saw a small pond.

The water in the pond was crystal clear, and a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted from it.

Moreover, a lotus flower grew in the center of the pond.

The lotus was entirely emerald green, radiating a vibrant life force.

"This lotus seems quite unusual," Ye Chen remarked.

"Of course it's unusual," Ji Ninglin confirmed. "This lotus is a Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus, a true spiritual treasure of heaven and earth. Consuming it can help a cultivator break through their current cultivation level."

Ye Chen's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this.

He hadn't realized that the lotus was such a precious treasure.

"However, this lotus isn't fully mature yet," Ji Ninglin explained. "To harvest it, we'll need to wait a while longer."

Ye Chen nodded in understanding.

"Then let's wait here," Ye Chen said.

The two then settled down to wait.

Time passed slowly.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three days, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin remained on guard.

"The lotus seems to be almost ready," Ji Ninglin said to Ye Chen, pointing at the flower in the pond.

Ye Chen looked towards the lotus in the pond.

He noticed that it had grown even more vibrant in its emerald hue.

A faint, pleasant fragrance also emanated from the lotus.

"It certainly looks like it's close to maturity," Ye Chen confirmed.

Just then, something unexpected happened.

The lotus in the pond suddenly burst open.

The moment it bloomed, a dense spiritual energy permeated the surroundings.

This spiritual energy was several times richer than before.

Both Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin felt this spiritual energy and showed expressions of pleasant surprise.

"The lotus is mature!" Ji Ninglin exclaimed excitedly.

Ye Chen nodded.

"Now we can harvest it," Ye Chen said.

The two then walked towards the lotus in the pond.

Just as they neared the pond, a massive figure suddenly burst out of the water.

It was a giant python.

The python emanated a powerful aura.

"It's the guardian beast of the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus!" Ji Ninglin exclaimed.

Ye Chen looked at the giant python.

He saw that the python's strength had reached the Immortal King realm.

"An Immortal King realm guardian beast!" Ye Chen's heart jolted with surprise.

He hadn't expected the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus's guardian beast to be so powerful.

After bursting from the pond, the giant python lunged at Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin.

Seeing this, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin immediately unleashed their divine abilities, attacking the giant python.

Although the python had reached the Immortal King realm in strength, it was still no match for Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin combined.

Soon, the giant python was slain by Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin.

After defeating the giant python, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin approached the pond.

"Now we can finally pick the lotus!" Ji Ninglin exclaimed happily.

Ye Chen nodded.

The two then reached out their hands towards the lotus in the pond.

Just then, another unexpected event occurred.

The lotus in the pond suddenly erupted with a blinding light.

The light was so intense that it forced Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin to close their eyes.

When the light finally dissipated and Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin reopened their eyes, they found that the lotus in the pond had vanished.

"What happened?" Ji Ninglin asked, astonished.

Ye Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

He hadn't expected the lotus to suddenly disappear.

*Could this lotus hold some hidden secret?* Ye Chen wondered to himself.

Just then, a translucent figure suddenly flew out from the pond.

It was the spectral image of an old man.

The old man, clad in a white robe, exuded an ethereal, almost immortal aura.

"Greetings, Senior!" Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin bowed respectfully.

The old man smiled faintly.

"There's no need for such formalities," the old man said. "I am the spirit of this Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus. Your presence here indicates that we were destined to meet."

Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin both looked surprised upon hearing this.

They hadn't realized that the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus possessed an artifact spirit.

"Senior, why are you here?" Ye Chen asked curiously.

The old man sighed.

"I have guarded this Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus here for tens of thousands of years," the old man explained. "Now that it has matured, my mission is complete."

Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin both looked enlightened.

"Senior, then what should be done with this Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus?" Ji Ninglin inquired.

The old man smiled faintly.

"The Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus is a spiritual treasure of heaven and earth," he said. "Consuming it can help cultivators break through their cultivation. However, this Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus is the culmination of my life's painstaking efforts. If directly consumed, its medicinal potency would be too fierce for you to bear."

Both Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin showed expressions of surprise.

They hadn't realized there were so many specifics regarding the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus.

"Then Senior, how can we consume this Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus?" Ye Chen asked.

The old man smiled faintly.

"I will separate the medicinal power of the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus," the old man explained. "Then, you will simply need to absorb its essence."

Both Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin showed expressions of pleasant surprise.

"Thank you, Senior!" Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin quickly bowed in gratitude.

The old man smiled faintly.

The old man then began to channel his divine ability, separating the medicinal power of the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus.

Soon, the medicinal power of the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus was divided into two portions by the old man.

One portion was given to Ye Chen, and the other to Ji Ninglin.

"You can now begin to absorb the medicinal power of the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus," the old man instructed.

Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin immediately sat cross-legged and began absorbing the medicinal power of the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus.

The medicinal power of the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus was indeed remarkably gentle.

As Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin absorbed it, they felt their entire bodies relax, and their cultivation levels steadily increased.

Time continued to pass slowly.

In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.

During these seven days, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin had been cultivating in this spot.

After seven days, both Ye Chen's and Ji Ninglin's cultivation levels had significantly improved.

Ye Chen's cultivation had reached the mid-stage Immortal King realm.

And Ji Ninglin's cultivation had reached the early-stage Immortal King realm.

Both had achieved significant improvements.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior!" Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin stood up and bowed respectfully to the old man again.

The old man smiled faintly.

"There's no need for such formalities," the old man said. "Your ability to acquire the medicinal power of the Ten Thousand-Year Jade Lotus is simply your good fortune."

With that, the old man transformed into a streak of light and vanished before Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin.

Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin both looked surprised at his disappearance.

They hadn't expected the old man to vanish so suddenly.

"It seems that old man was truly extraordinary," Ye Chen remarked.

Ji Ninglin nodded in agreement.

"Indeed," she said. "His strength must have reached the legendary Immortal Emperor realm."

Ye Chen's heart jolted.

The Immortal Emperor realm!

That was a legendary realm.

He hadn't expected to encounter an expert of the Immortal Emperor realm here.

"Let's go," Ye Chen said. "We should continue searching for other treasures."

Ji Ninglin nodded.

The two then left the area and continued deeper into the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers.

The deeper parts of the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers were an even vaster area.

Here, they encountered more spiritual beasts and some powerful demonic beasts.

The demonic beasts were significantly stronger than the creatures they had encountered before.

Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin fought and advanced, clearing their path.

Soon, the two arrived at a colossal mountain range.

This mountain range soared into the clouds, majestic and awe-inspiring.

Furthermore, powerful auras emanated from within the mountains.

"This must be the deepest part of the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers," Ji Ninglin remarked.

Ye Chen nodded.

"Let's go inside and take a look," Ye Chen suggested.

The two then proceeded deeper into the mountain range.

Within this mountain range, they encountered even more formidable demonic beasts.

The strength of these demonic beasts had reached the late-stage Immortal King realm. Yet, even these powerful creatures were no match for Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin's combined efforts.

"It seems we're in trouble," Ji Ninglin said.

Ye Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

He hadn't expected the demonic beasts here to be so incredibly powerful.

"However, the stronger the demonic beasts, the more likely it is that there are treasures here," Ye Chen reasoned.

Ji Ninglin's eyes sparkled at his words.

"You're right," Ji Ninglin agreed.

The two then charged towards the demonic beasts, engaging them in a fierce battle.

Although the demonic beasts were powerful, they were still no match for Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin's combined efforts.

Soon, these demonic beasts were slain by Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin.

After slaying these demonic beasts, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin continued deeper into the mountain range.

Soon, the two arrived at a massive palace.

This palace was resplendent and majestic.

Furthermore, powerful auras emanated from within the palace.

"This must be the final destination within the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers," Ji Ninglin stated.

Ye Chen nodded.

"Let's go inside and take a look," Ye Chen suggested.

The two then proceeded deeper into the palace.

Inside the palace, they encountered several powerful formations.

These formations were incredibly profound and potent.

Even with their combined efforts, these formations proved to be formidable adversaries.

"It seems the formations here were set up by Immortal Emperor realm experts," Ji Ninglin remarked.

Ye Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

He hadn't expected the formations here to be so incredibly powerful.

"However, the more powerful the formations, the more likely it is that treasures are hidden here," Ye Chen reasoned.

Ji Ninglin's eyes gleamed at his words.

"You're right," Ji Ninglin agreed.

The two then charged towards the formations, beginning to break them.

Although these formations were powerful, they were still no match for Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin's combined efforts.

Soon, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin managed to dismantle these formations.

After breaking through these formations, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin continued deeper into the palace.

Soon, the two arrived before a massive stone gate.

The stone gate was ancient and weighty, radiating powerful auras.

Furthermore, many profound runes were carved upon its surface.

"This must be the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers' treasure vault," Ji Ninglin speculated.

Ye Chen nodded.

"Let's go inside and take a look," Ye Chen suggested.

The two then pushed against the stone gate.

Although the stone gate was ancient and weighty, it was still no match for Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin's combined efforts.

Soon, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin managed to push the stone gate open.

After opening the stone gate, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin entered the treasure vault.

The treasure vault was filled with all sorts of treasures.

There were elixirs, magical artifacts, cultivation manuals—an abundance of everything imaginable.

Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin both showed expressions of pleasant surprise at the sight.

"I can't believe there are so many treasures here!" Ji Ninglin exclaimed excitedly.

Ye Chen nodded.

"Indeed," Ye Chen agreed. "It seems this Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers is truly extraordinary."

The two then began to select the treasures they needed from the vault.

Ye Chen chose some elixirs and a few cultivation manuals.

Ji Ninglin, on the other hand, selected several magical artifacts.

After choosing their treasures, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin left the vault.

Having left the treasure vault, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin then departed from the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers.

Upon leaving the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin returned to the Immortal Realm.

Once back in the Immortal Realm, Ye Chen and Ji Ninglin parted ways.

Ye Chen returned to his own cave mansion and began cultivating.

Ji Ninglin, meanwhile, returned to her family's domain.

After cultivating for some time, Ye Chen's cultivation level advanced once more.

He had now reached the late-stage Immortal King realm.

And Ji Ninglin had also reached the mid-stage Immortal King realm.

Both had achieved significant improvements.

*It seems this trip to the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers yielded quite a harvest,* Ye Chen thought to himself.

After cultivating for some time, Ye Chen left his cave mansion.

He intended to seek out powerful demonic beasts to hone his strength.

Ye Chen arrived in a dense forest within the Immortal Realm.

This dense forest was home to many powerful demonic beasts.

Ye Chen began to hone his strength here.