Chapter 0634: Golden Nirvana Lotus

When Li Luo stepped through the door, his eyes were temporarily blinded by the influx of light on the other side. With practiced precision, he squinted till his vision was restored, and he realized that the scenery surrounding him had undergone an earthshaking change. What entered his field of view was a massive mountain peak shrouded in mist and clouds... and he was right on top of it.

"Come over here." Mentor Chi Chan's voice resounded in his ear as he was trying to make sense of his surroundings.

When he hurriedly turned, he saw Mentor Chi Chan gesturing with her fingers, causing all of the mist to dissipate and opening up another heart-stirring sight.

There was a pristine lake that emitted a delicate fragrance before him.

There was an eye-catching object right in the middle of it. It was a massive, golden lotus flower with three petals that sat squarely in the center. The petals were enigmatic to say the least. There were countless golden strands engraved onto each one, and faint smoke seemed to be emanating from them. Merely looking at the smoke caused a strange feeling to arise within Li Luo's heart.

"This is the Golden Nirvana Lotus, a cultivation comprehension oddity. A single petal takes ten years to mature, and it has been thirty years since it was last used. If you cultivate within it, your ability to comprehend and perceive things will be greatly enhanced. At the same time, it will guard your heart and ensure that you're protected in the midst of cultivating the Duke Art. On top of that, it will improve your concentration. This will also prevent the concept of the art from corroding your sense of self," Mentor Chi Chan explained.

"Wait... ten years for a petal to mature?" Li Luo mused to himself. This was clearly something good that had been secreted away! It was no wonder he had to pay such a massive price to enjoy this benefit.

In addition, it looked as though the Golden Nirvana Lotus' effects would persist for a significant period of time even after he left.

"Duke Arts are completely different from dragon-general resonance arts. The process of cultivating one requires one to comprehend the concept that underlies it. Only by understanding the true essence of the concept will one be able to indelibly brand the art onto their heart. Do you remember Lan Lan's Enlightened Sage Scripture from the Holy Grail Meet? That was an art created by the Enlightened Sage College's principal. Cultivating it requires one to endure the suppression of being in the presence of a mighty King Stage expert. Although the aura of the expert is greatly held back, it still strikes crippling fear into the heart of a mere Heavenly Pearl Stage cultivator. I've heard that the Enlightened Sage College has often selected students with extraordinary tenacity to cultivate this art each year, but in the last century, only Lan Lan has managed to succeed, testament to the sheer difficulty of this task."

Li Luo nodded. The King Stage, huh? To be fair, he had never experienced it personally. After all, whenever he met Principal Pang, it was never in the flesh. Even then, he felt fear akin to being stared at by a giant, prehistoric beast!

This was the natural suppression a being of a higher level would instill in others.

"You can attempt to start learning the Underworld River's Black Dragon Banner immediately. I have to remind you that Duke Arts are simply too advanced for students of your level. Thus, you must remember to not pursue it at all costs. You must always maintain clarity of thought and purity of heart whilst you cultivate it. Otherwise, if you're not careful, the concepts that underpin this Duke Art will leave a shadow upon your spirit and heart. This is an issue that cannot easily be fixed," she reminded him.

Li Luo attentively nodded in response. Understanding that cultivating it came with significant risk, it was clear that it was a league above dragon-general resonance arts.

However, with risk came rewards. One completely outclassed the other!

Li Luo was not too hung up over this. He quickly readjusted his mental state before vaulting right into the middle of the lake, making his way the Golden Nirvana Lotus, and taking a seat.

At the moment he landed, Li Luo could feel a gentle and warm energy flow into his body, and his state of mind inexplicably became more tranquil. It was like a still pool, serene and without ripples, his stray thoughts filtered away.

Li Luo took a deep breath, then he slowly closed his eyes whilst tightly grasping the dark-red banner.

Mentor Chi Chan continued to watch the meditating Li Luo from afar, making herself comfortable on a piece of flat land before taking out a small tea table along with some fragrant tea. Evidently, she planned to watch over Li Luo for a period of time.

Additionally, since the risk of cultivating a Duke Art was not minor, she would not be complacent even with the protection of the Golden Nirvana Lotus.

This was the first time she had accepted such an outstanding student, and she naturally wanted to nurture and protect him properly. If such a wonderful seedling was ruined by a rampant Duke Art, that would be a truly pitiful tragedy, and his potential would simply be squandered.

After Li Luo shut his eyes, he channeled his resonant power into the black dragon banner. He then heard a roar from an ancient time that had traveled through spacetime to reach him, resounding deafeningly within his heart.

It was as though he had been transported into a completely new space.

Gingerly he "inspected" his surroundings.

At this point, his heart trembled.

He felt as though he was being suffocated in the depths of a giant, blank sea, constantly being dragged deeper into the abyss. The water was black as ink and viscous like a swamp as it pressed down upon him, forcing Li Luo to feel an intense coldness and gloominess. It was terrifying.

He felt endless oppression in this darkness.

His mind lost itself in this depressing environment. He could only stare blankly at himself, sinking further and further as he drowned, oblivious to the hidden dangers within.

Although Li Luo had mentally prepared himself for this, an unavoidable sense of abject terror arose.

He did not know how long he had been submerged within as he lost all sense of time. All of a sudden, there was a change in his surroundings, and he could feel a sense of movement around him. His mind attempted to focus upon the distortion in the dark, but what he saw filled him with dread and terror. A pair of dark-red pupils gradually opened before him.

The dark-red eyes were massive, akin to gigantic, crystal-clear gems. Indifference and ruthlessness were the only things Li Luo could see within them.

He could see himself reflected in the titanic pupils, and an expression of panic was on his face.

The dark seawater churned and then a gargantuan body appeared, allowing him to perceive the monstrous, stygian dragon for the first time. It was as though it was one with the black water, quietly coiled up and observing him intently.

A wave of colossal pressure that covered the skies and the earth poured down upon him, directly smashing against Li Luo's inner self.

Crack!

At that very moment, Li Luo felt as though he had heard his mental state shatter into pieces, yet at the very same time, a warmth rushed into his mind, letting him feel an instance of complete clarity. He immediately cut off the connection between his mind and the banner.

Atop the Golden Nirvana Lotus.

Li Luo suddenly opened his eyes, and his face was pale. Lingering terror could be seen within his eyes, and he was covered in cold sweat, constantly huffing and puffing.

After which, he looked down at the black dragon banner within his palm, feeling heightened fright for the first time.

“This is a Duke Art?”

The concept contained within it was incomparably scary! If one's willpower were insufficient, they might drown in terror within their own mind, leaving an indelible mark upon one’s psyche.

It was no wonder none of the Seven Astral Pillars had managed to learn a Duke Art. The difficulty and risks involved were simple and mind-boggling.

"Have you finally understood the terror of a Duke Art? Do you still want to continue?" Mentor Chi Chan's indifferent voice drifted over as her gorgeous eyes focused upon her student.

Li Luo gave a bitter smile and did not reply, only quietly readjusting his state of mind. Only after he had composed himself did he once again tightly grasp the black dragon banner, grit and determination evident in his gaze.

He would use his actions to answer.

Mentor Chi Chan's lips twitched upwards slightly when she saw this, showing a hint of satisfaction.

His willpower was commendable. If he had given up upon the first taste of terror, there would be no need to continue cultivating a Duke Art.

"Show me. Show me if you can truly master this and make it your own," Mentor Chi Chan murmured to herself. At this point, she lifted her veil, once again revealing her fair face with the black fish tattoo marring half of it, adding a ghostly charm to her beauty. A tea cup in hand, she imbibed it with a single draught.