From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 161 The allure of elixirs, a glimmer of hope amidst peril.

The golden light grew brighter and brighter, as if an invisible hand was drawing me closer. The fragrance emanating from the Nine-Turned Golden Lotus became increasingly rich and intoxicating, making me almost forget everything around me. My hand finally touched the cool, golden petals.

In that instant, I felt a powerful force surge into my body, and my meridians tingled. I was overjoyed; it really was a miraculous medicine! But this power came and went quickly. Immediately afterward, a wave of dizziness washed over me, my vision went black, and I almost collapsed.

"Sister Xiao Yao!" Ling'er exclaimed, quickly supporting me. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, trying to stay awake. "I...I'm fine, just a little dizzy." I forced myself to stand up straight, my gaze returning to the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus. What exactly was that power just now?

"Watch out!" A steady voice rang in my ear. I turned around abruptly and saw that the Pharmacist Mo had appeared behind me at some point. His expression was solemn, and his eyes were fixed on the light surrounding the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus.

"Pharmacist Mo, this light..." I was about to ask when he raised his hand to interrupt me.

"This light is strange; don't be fooled by it." The Pharmacist's voice was deep and serious. "It could very well be some kind of illusion, or a trap."

An illusion? A trap? I was startled and quickly took a few steps back, increasing the distance between myself and the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus. Upon closer inspection, the golden light was indeed somewhat eerie, flickering erratically, as if it possessed some kind of magic, luring people closer.

"It seems that this elixir is not so easy to obtain." I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself calm.

Just then, a powerful surge of spiritual energy attacked from the side. Alarm bells rang in my mind, and I instinctively dodged. A sharp sword aura grazed my cheek, leaving a shallow bloodstain.

"Elder Xuanfeng!" I gritted my teeth as I looked at the attacker, the very same greedy elder I had encountered at the valley entrance. He had been lurking nearby, waiting for his chance!

"Little girl, this elixir is not something a piece of trash like you can get your hands on!" Elder Xuanfeng sneered, brandishing his longsword once more, unleashing a series of sharp sword energies towards me.

I dared not be careless and quickly summoned my magical artifact to defend against his attack. Elder Xuanfeng's strength far surpassed mine; I could only barely parry and had no power to retaliate.

"Sister Xiao Yao, let me help you!" Seeing this, Ling'er also flew into the battle, but she was just an elf after all, and her strength was limited. She quickly fell into a disadvantage.

"Ling'er, be careful!" I shouted anxiously, but I was too busy to do anything about it.

Elder Xuanfeng's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and I gradually felt my strength waning. Was I about to die here? No, I couldn't give up! I still had things to accomplish; I couldn't fall!

I gritted my teeth, desperately trying to withstand Elder Xuanfeng's attacks. Just when I was about to give up, I caught a glimpse of a figure rushing towards the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus out of the corner of my eye... It was Lei Hu! He actually tried to seize the immortal medicine while I was fighting Elder Xuanfeng!

"Stop..." I shouted hoarsely, but Lei Hu ignored me completely. His eyes were only on the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus that was radiating golden light. He was extremely fast, and in a few flashes he arrived next to the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus and reached out to pluck it.

I was frantic with worry. Elder Xuanfeng's attacks came like a storm, giving me almost no chance to breathe. Damn it! I've been tricked! Elder Xuanfeng was clearly deliberately stalling me so that Lei Hu could seize the elixir!

"Little girl, just accept your death!" Elder Xuanfeng grinned maliciously, swinging his longsword even more fiercely. I gritted my teeth, barely managing to withstand his attacks, but my heart was filled with anxiety.

Just then, I smelled a strange fragrance, sweet and alluring, that made my head spin. I tried to stay awake, but found my consciousness growing increasingly blurred, and everything before my eyes becoming indistinct.

What's going on? This aroma...

In a daze, I saw a figure standing not far away. The figure was graceful and charming, and it was none other than Zi Ling, whom I had encountered before. A cold smile appeared on her lips, and she held a jade flute in her hand, playing it softly.

She's the one behind this! The fragrance is coming from her jade flute!

I was startled and tried to break free from the fragrance's control, but found my body growing heavier and heavier, as if filled with lead. My vision began to blur, and even Elder Xuanfeng's attacks slowed down.

"Sister Xiao Yao, be careful!" Ling'er's voice came from afar, but I felt as if there was a thick barrier between us, and I couldn't hear it clearly.

No, I can't fall! I must stop Lei Hu!

I tried hard to concentrate, but found my thoughts becoming increasingly chaotic, and my memories fragmented. I seemed to see Wen Chen's figure; he stood before me, smiling gently, reaching out to embrace me…

No! This isn't real! Wen Chen isn't here! I can't be fooled by him!

I shook my head desperately, trying to break free from the illusion's control. But the fragrance grew stronger, and my consciousness became increasingly blurred.

I saw Lei Hu's hand touch the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus, and golden light instantly enveloped him. I wanted to stop him, but I found that I didn't even have the strength to move a finger.

"Hahaha! This elixir is mine!" Lei Hu laughed wildly as he uprooted the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus.

No! ... "Wen Chen..." I murmured his name, a name like a beacon, flickering faintly in my hazy consciousness. No! I can't give up! Wen Chen is still waiting for me!

I gritted my teeth and tried my best to recall the Heart-Cleansing Mantra taught by the Pharmacist Mo. Those obscure and difficult-to-understand incantations now flowed like a gentle stream in my mind, cleansing my confused mind. "Cleanse your mind like water, calm your breath and concentrate your spirit..." I recited it silently again and again, feeling the sweet fragrance gradually fade away, and the illusion before my eyes began to dissipate.

My vision cleared, and I saw Lei Hu staring greedily at the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus in his hand, his face full of smugness. A surge of anger welled up inside me, and I abruptly opened my eyes, shouting, "Lei Hu! Don't even think about it!"

I leaped into the air and charged towards Lei Hu. He was clearly taken aback by my sudden awakening; a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by greed. "You brat! You weren't bewitched?" he roared, swinging his giant axe at me.

I showed no fear, nimbly dodging his attacks while rapidly chanting incantations to activate the spiritual energy within my body. Although I lacked spiritual roots, through years of cultivation, my physical skills and mastery of spiritual energy had reached a level of consummate skill.

I moved with lightning speed, weaving freely through Lei Hu's attacks. Although he was powerful, his movements were clumsy, and he couldn't catch my footsteps at all. I seized the opportunity, lightly touched the ground with my toes, used the momentum to leap up, and then kicked him hard in the knee.

"Ah!" Lei Hu screamed in pain, losing his balance and falling heavily to the ground. The Nine-Turn Golden Lotus also slipped from his grasp and flew towards me.

I reached out and caught the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus. A powerful surge of spiritual energy instantly flowed into my body, making me feel full of strength. I was overjoyed and was about to put the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus into my possession when I suddenly felt a powerful pressure coming from behind me.

It's Elder Xuanfeng!

I quickly turned around and saw Elder Xuanfeng staring at me with a gloomy expression, his long sword gleaming with a chilling light. "Little girl, how dare you steal my things!" he roared, swinging his sword at me.

I quickly dodged, simultaneously shielding myself with the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus behind me. Elder Xuanfeng's attacks were incredibly fierce, and I couldn't defend against them at all. Just when I was about to give up, a clear voice suddenly rang out: "Sister Xiao Yao, don't be afraid! I'm here to help you!"

I turned my head and saw Ling'er standing not far away, holding a jade flute in her hand and gently playing it. A soft light emanated from the jade flute, separating me from Elder Xuanfeng.

“Ling’er…” My heart warmed, and I looked at her gratefully.

Ling'er smiled slightly at me and continued playing her jade flute. The light grew stronger and stronger, eventually forming a solid barrier that completely blocked Elder Xuanfeng's attack.

I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing I was safe for the time being. But I didn't let my guard down, because I knew this was only temporary. Elder Xuanfeng's strength far surpassed mine; he would find a way to break through the barrier sooner or later.

I gazed at the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus in my hand, my heart filled with longing. This celestial herb contained immense power; if I could refine it, my strength would be greatly enhanced.

But how can I break through the final defense and obtain this miraculous herb?

My gaze fell upon the depths of the Immortal Medicine Valley, where some secret seemed to be hidden… “There…” I murmured, and stepped into the depths of the Immortal Medicine Valley…

Ling'er's flute music flowed like a gentle stream through the valley, its soft light weaving an unbreakable barrier that completely blocked Elder Xuanfeng's sword energy. I looked at Ling'er with gratitude; this little sprite possessed such great power.

"Ling'er, thank you."

She winked playfully, her smile as warm as the spring sun: "Sister Xiao Yao, you go and get the elixir, I can hold on for a little while longer."

I nodded, not daring to delay, and my gaze fell once again on the nine-turn golden lotus that emitted an alluring golden light. It floated quietly in mid-air, surrounded by a thin mist, like a proud queen, waiting for her subjects to worship her.

Lei Hu was kicked to the ground, clutching his knee and groaning in pain, his eyes filled with resentment. I ignored him; I knew the greater threat came from Elder Xuanfeng. Although the barrier had temporarily blocked his attack, I could sense that he was gathering strength, preparing to launch a more ferocious assault. Time was of the essence; I had to obtain the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus as soon as possible.

I took a deep breath to calm my excited heart and cautiously walked towards the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus. Every step was taken with extreme care, for fear of triggering some trap or mechanism. The Valley of Immortal Medicine was fraught with danger; a slight misstep could lead to utter destruction.

The closer I got to the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus, the stronger the sweet fragrance became, making my mind flutter. I quickly recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra to keep my mind clear. This fragrance did not come from the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus itself, but was the bait of some kind of illusion array; if one was not careful, one would be lost in it.

I looked around, but apart from Lei Hu and Elder Xuanfeng, who was blocked by the barrier, I didn't see anyone else. Where did Zi Ling go? She also came for the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus; she wouldn't give up so easily. Could she have some other scheme in mind?

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but become more vigilant, secretly gathering spiritual energy in my hands, ready to deal with any unexpected situations.

Just as I was about to reach the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus, I suddenly felt a cold gaze fall upon me. I turned around abruptly, but saw nothing. Was it just my imagination?

Puzzled, I looked at the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus again, only to find that the thin mist around it began to churn, like boiling water. A powerful force emanated from the mist, pressing down on me so much that I could hardly breathe.

This power...

A chill ran through me; an ominous premonition washed over me. This wasn't the power of the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus itself, but some ancient, more powerful force. It seemed to be testing me, yet also trying to stop me…

I slowly reached out my hand, reaching towards the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus...