The Journey of Immortal Cultivation

Chapter 1010 - 553: Such Beauty Should Not Exist in the Mortal World

No one remembers what these flowers look like, nor does anyone recall the color of their petals and stamens, because none of that matters anymore. When the Bliss Flower blooms, every other object in Yuhua Hall loses its original color in the eyes of the beholders.

Clearly, it was only planted in the size of a crystal basin, yet in everyone’s eyes, it’s merely an expanse so ethereal and boundless. It’s as if it is burning all its life force to bloom—a tapestry of the most magnificent and exquisite, the most passionate and distant, the most breathtakingly beautiful and tender, the most unrestrained and shy.

The colors perceived by everyone are so dazzling, so domineering, so captivating that viewers feel nothing but "beauty."

This is the first characteristic of the Bliss Flower: charm.

And when its petals lay open layer by layer, a peculiar fragrance wafts through the air.

The world has only a few who know that the fragrance of the Bliss Flower is not fixed. Some smell orchid, some smell wheat, some smell the scent of a lover, some smell the aroma of rice steamed by their mother during childhood... The fragrance of the Bliss Flower, in truth, has no scent; it merely evoked the deeply engraved impression within one’s heart.

Gradually, ethereal music begins to play in the air, with melodies that are gentle and soothing, like a mother’s lullabies beside the cradle in childhood, like the silent flow of the river tide under the bright moon, like the murmured whispers between lovers...

How many people are entranced, how many are intoxicated.

The hall is silent. Ning Xiaoxian opens her eyes amidst this silence, observing the expressions of everyone. She is Huangfuming’s guide, thoroughly familiar with each characteristic of the Bliss Flower, cultivating a Heart Technique like Seeing the micro and knowing the macro. As her understanding deepens, her resolve grows increasingly firm; no matter how beautiful the scene before her is, it cannot sway her heart.

The first thing she sees is a pair of black, lively eyes. These eyes belong to Huangfuming, who is first surprised by her clarity, then flashes her a smug smile. Ning Xiaoxian realizes, this young master had witnessed the blooming spectacle of the Bliss Flower beforehand. After all, seeing such a marvel once already instills awe in the heart, and the second viewing is far less shocking than the first. Given his young age and striving for perfection character, how could he not arrange a rehearsal beforehand?

But she also remembers, each time the Bliss Flower blooms, it requires the life force of a thousand people.

She sighs silently, and as she slightly turns her gaze, she catches Miluo’s eyes, giving her a fright. Those handsome Blood Jade Eyes seem to hold laughter and charm, with three parts allure and two parts affection, appearing to be wholly focused on her, yet also seeming to gaze far beyond her. For a moment, she’s uncertain whether the demon has fallen under the influence of the Bliss Flower.

But one person surely remains clear-headed, as she already feels a scorching gaze. Quan Shifang fixes his eyes on her, watching so closely that he doesn’t spare a glance for the Bliss Flower in full bloom. His bright eyes are like cold winter stars, sparkling yet piercing, filled with complex emotions.

She averts her gaze, then looks at the others. Both familiar and unfamiliar faces possess joy, appreciation, bewilderment, and even slight pain in their eyes. This is the enchantment that the Bliss Flower casts upon the world. Even cultivators seeing it for the first time find it difficult to awaken from its given beauty.

It’s not that the scenery is too beautiful, but people are too infatuated.

There are still quite a few who remain awakening. At this point, in cultivation, mental state, high and low are immediately discerned.

No one knows how much time has passed.

By the time everyone regains their senses, the fragrance fades, Immortal Music is unheard, and even the splendid scene of blooming flowers before them vanishes. In front of everyone remains the shallow basin of Stone Milk; the Bliss Flower has reverted to a small and ugly twin-stemmed plant, pitifully drifting with the flow. Everything just now seemed but a dream at South Branch.

Yet this time, who dares to underestimate this plant? Who dares to say that what Huangfuming presented is merely child’s play? Finally, someone among the guests murmurs, "The utmost beauty this is. Could this be the legendary Extreme Joy Flower, second only to Mangzhuhuasha’s Extreme Joy Flower?"

Huangfuming still carries a smile upon hearing the first half of the sentence, proud and pleased, but his face falls as he hears the last few words. He shoots Dian Qingyue a sharp glare. Watching the young master grow, the latter knows well he’s being blamed, which brings a wry smile.