novelraw Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Azure Lotus Sword
Approaching the lotus pool, the clear spiritual liquid reflected the hazy sky. The green lotus floating within shimmered with a gentle radiance, appearing even more extraordinary.
Zhang Fan crouched by the edge of the pool, carefully examining where the lotus had taken root.
There was no actual soil—only pure spiritual liquid. The lotus roots extended into it, faintly connected to the entire lotus platform and even the jade ground formation.
“This is…”
Lin Xiaowan’s gaze, however, was drawn to a line of small engraved characters at the edge of the platform.
The handwriting was elegant and flowing, imbued with Dao resonance, clearly imprinted into the jade by a special method:
Non-killers, those of pure and kind heart, may take it.
Seeing this line, the corner of Lin Xiaowan’s lips beneath her veil twitched imperceptibly, and she felt speechless.
Non-killers?
Along her journey—Dual Cultivation, sneak attacks, killing enemies, severing tendons… none of it had anything to do with “non-killing.”
Pure and kind heart?
Even less so. Her mind was filled with schemes, calculations, strength, and deception—completely opposite to “pure kindness.”
“Miss Xu, what are you looking at?”
Zhang Fan also noticed the inscription, leaned over to read it, and fell into brief thought. The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a trace of awkward understanding in each other’s eyes.
By this standard, neither of them qualified.
“Should we try?” Zhang Fan scratched his head, unwilling to give up.
The treasure was right before them—they couldn’t just walk away because of a single line.
Lin Xiaowan nodded. “You go first.”
Zhang Fan took a deep breath, calming his turbulent energy, trying to make his state appear peaceful.
He slowly extended his hand toward the lotus, infusing a trace of gentle spiritual power, attempting to approach it as softly as possible.
But just as his fingertips were about an inch away—
The lotus suddenly shrank inward!
The half-open bud instantly closed.
“…Was I too abrupt?”
Zhang Fan paused, then steadied himself and tried again more slowly.
This time, the reaction was even stronger.
The lotus dimmed, and a nearby leaf began to yellow visibly.
Zhang Fan’s face changed. He quickly withdrew his hand. “Looks like… I don’t meet the conditions.”
Lin Xiaowan’s last bit of hope faded.
Still, she decided to try.
She approached from the other side, extending her slender fingers gently.
But before she even touched it—
The lotus trembled violently!
Its radiance vanished, leaves drooped, and it showed signs of withering.
Lin Xiaowan: “…”
Zhang Fan: “…”
Even Yun Yazi seemed to fall silent.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
Lin Xiaowan’s eyes turned cold.
“Rigid rules…”
She subtly began circulating the Formless Hand, preparing to steal it.
At the same time, Zhang Fan asked Yun Yazi, “Master… should we just destroy the platform and take it by force?”
But Yun Yazi shook his head.
“This is likely a legacy left by a powerful cultivator… we should respect it.”
Zhang Fan nodded, calming down.
Lin Xiaowan inwardly gritted her teeth.
“Can you not be so morally upright…”
Still, she began analyzing.
Non-killer… pure…
Then—
A strange idea emerged.
The infant-like arms from her sneak attack—
Were they “killers”?
Did they even have a “heart”?
Perhaps… they qualified.
“Let me try again.”
She stepped back, activating the 《Path of Theft》.
Her shadow twisted—
A faint blue child-like spirit emerged.
It had no clear features, just a vague humanoid shape.
Zhang Fan and Yun Yazi watched in surprise.
Lin Xiaowan directed it toward the lotus.
The spirit floated forward and grasped the lotus stem.
No rejection.
No withering.
It pulled—
“Pop~”
The lotus was uprooted effortlessly.
It shrank to palm size, its glow becoming more condensed.
Zhang Fan was stunned.
It worked.
Lin Xiaowan exhaled in relief.
The restriction had been bypassed.
She dismissed the spirit.
Stepping forward, she carefully reached out—
This time, no reaction.
She grasped the lotus.
At that moment—
The lotus transformed!
The stem became a hilt, leaves a guard, petals a blade—
A jade-like sword formed in her hand.
“This lotus… is a sword!”
Lin Xiaowan examined it.
Light as nothing, yet incredibly sharp.
She swung it—
“Shh—”
The air was silently cut.
Her eyes lit up.
Perfect.
This sword suited her completely.
She lacked strength—heavy weapons burdened her.
But this sword was light, sharp, and precise.
She smiled faintly. “I’ll take it.”
Zhang Fan nodded sincerely. “It suits you.”
Lin Xiaowan then relaxed her grip.
The sword reverted to a lotus.
Instead of storing it, she placed it in her hair.
“Does it look good?”
Zhang Fan stared, slightly dazed.
“…Y-Yes. Very beautiful.”