"That's right, it's the Chaos Lotus. Although the Chaos Lotus is counted among the Ten Primordial Roots, its value far surpasses the other nine. I invited everyone here for the sake of this Chaos Lotus," Jason Silentwood affirmed.
Joe Di had already obtained the Ninth Prime Law and the Sacred Yin Pearl, so he wasn't particularly interested in the Chaos Lotus. Yet he noticed that everyone present, upon hearing 'Chaos Lotus,' had their eyes fixed in rapt attention. Even Tammy Tang, who had been about to leave, was breathing a bit faster.
Still, Joe Di understood their thoughts. If he hadn't obtained the Ninth Prime Law, could he have achieved all he had today? In the eyes of these people, the Chaos Lotus was just like the Ninth Prime Law was to him—a source of immeasurable help. Whoever obtained the Chaos Lotus, their future achievements would be beyond imagination.
Joe Di couldn't help but marvel at his own luck. If not for his good fortune in acquiring the Ninth Prime Law, how would he ever have had the chance to sit among these people? Now that the opportunity had come, he could not let the Chaos Lotus slip away.
Jason Silentwood deliberately paused, taking in everyone's expressions. A cold smile flickered in his heart.
Only after several breaths, once everyone had calmed down, did Jason Silentwood continue, "Fellow Daoists, the place where the Chaos Lotus grows is rather peculiar. No one can manage it alone. Only by joining forces can we hope to obtain the Chaos Lotus."
"Island Lord Jason, that's all well and good, but I have a few questions. First, where exactly does the Chaos Lotus grow? Second, there's only one Chaos Lotus. With so many of us, who will it belong to?" asked a man with a sallow face, clasping his hands in salute.
If the man hadn't spoken, Joe Di wouldn't have noticed who he was. But with those words, Joe Di immediately sensed the man's formidable cultivation—he was certainly late Genesis Realm.
Moreover, the rule fluctuations surrounding this man were strange, as if they carried a law that stripped away vitality. Anyone within his reach would have their life force swept away by this aura.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Wu, I will naturally explain. The place isn't in the void itself, but within a Void Fortress. The Chaos Lotus grows beneath that Void Fortress..."
Everyone looked at Jason Silentwood with skeptical eyes. If the Chaos Lotus really was beneath a Void Fortress, would Jason Silentwood invite them all to share in the fortune?
The Demon Clan's Saint Emperor, Gabriel Bowen, said calmly, "I know about the Chaos Lotus. Years ago, Cang Luo of the Wing Clan leaked word of the Chaos Lotus, and then our Demon Clan's Genesis Realm Saint Emperor Zachary Zhuge, along with several other clans' Genesis Realm Saint Emperors, went searching for it. But no news ever came of it. If the Chaos Lotus were real, it certainly wouldn't be beneath some Void Fortress."
Gabriel Bowen didn't need to spell it out—everyone understood. If the Chaos Lotus was under a Void Fortress, would Cang Luo of the Wing Clan have waited until now for everyone to discuss how to obtain it? He would have taken it long ago.
Jason Silentwood gave a wry smile. "The Chaos Lotus really is beneath a Void Fortress. As for what Gabriel said, I believe it too. You all have heard of innate treasures hiding themselves, haven't you? The Chaos Lotus, ranked first among the Ten Primordial Roots, will naturally conceal itself if disturbed.
I also heard a bit about those Genesis Realm experts from several clans searching for the Chaos Lotus years ago. I suspect they disturbed the Chaos Lotus but failed to obtain it, causing it to hide itself. However, those Daoist friends who experienced it have since vanished, so whether this is true or not, we can only guess. I learned of the Chaos Lotus by chance, and as for the details, they don't concern this operation, so I won't elaborate."
"Island Lord Jason, I believe you. So, tell us how we should proceed. We'll follow your lead," a mid-stage Genesis Realm Saint Emperor immediately flattered.
Jason Silentwood waved his hand. "Of course, I'm not asking everyone to follow me. Since this is a collaboration, we all contribute. As for dividing the Chaos Lotus, my idea is that everyone acts, and the distribution will be based on contribution. If anyone disagrees, feel free to speak up."
No one disagreed with Jason Silentwood's suggestion, and he nodded with satisfaction. "Since that's settled, let's set out now."
Joe Di noticed that Tammy Tang's face had turned pale, and the rule fluctuations around her were becoming chaotic.
After finishing, Jason Silentwood stood up and led the way out of the grand hall, with everyone following behind.
No one shrank back in the face of the Chaos Lotus. Besides, everyone knew that retreating now meant certain death.
Joe Di and Tammy Tang walked near the rear. Joe Di discreetly set up a protective array with law banners around them and sent a voice transmission to Tammy Tang, "Sister Tang, you seem troubled?"
Tammy Tang didn't dare reply by voice transmission. No one would notice if Joe Di sent her a message, but if she responded, she would surely be discovered.
But soon she heard Joe Di's voice transmission again, "Sister Tang, feel free to speak. I've already set up a mobile isolation array; no one should be able to detect us here."
Tammy Tang stared at Joe Di in astonishment. He hadn't used any banners, yet he casually set up a mobile isolation array. Just how powerful was he?
She quickly realized now wasn't the time to dwell on it, and hurriedly sent a voice transmission to Joe Di, "Brother Di, the Chaos Lotus may be wonderful, but I don't want to go."
Joe Di understood Tammy Tang's concerns. Her cultivation wasn't noteworthy among those present. Going would likely mean death, and even if she survived, the Chaos Lotus wouldn't be hers. Jason Silentwood's words sounded fair, but if the Chaos Lotus really appeared, things wouldn't be so cordial.
In fact, Joe Di had no intention of letting Tammy Tang go either—it would be suicide. And she wasn't the only cultivator with such thoughts. Unfortunately, Jason Silentwood controlled the situation; once here, there was no leaving.
"There's another reason I don't want to go. Do you know that sallow-faced man? His name is Warren Wraith, and his origins are shrouded in mystery. He cultivates the Withering Dao and is nicknamed 'The Exterminator.' Ruthless doesn't begin to describe him—his brutality defies description. From what I know, anyone who offends him, their entire clan is wiped out.
If I die, so be it. But if I take part, even if Warren Wraith obtains the Chaos Lotus, he will surely kill me first, then annihilate my Phoenix Clan." Tammy Tang's voice trembled with fear.
Joe Di drew a sharp breath. He'd met many vengeful types before, but someone like Warren Wraith—this was his first time hearing of such a person.
Still, Joe Di quickly guessed that Warren's ruthlessness likely stemmed from his cultivation technique.
By now, Jason Silentwood had led the group to a vast plaza, where a skyship was parked. He boarded first, then turned and said, "We move forward together. This skyship will get us there in the shortest possible time."
Joe Di slowed his steps again and sent a voice transmission to Tammy Tang, "Sister Tang, do you have a top-grade escape talisman?"
"I have one, but I'm certain that if I activate it, unless I get out of range, Warren Wraith or Jason Silentwood will catch me before I escape," Tammy Tang replied firmly.
Joe Di chuckled, "Don't worry, Sister Tang. When I say you can leave, activate your talisman and escape immediately. Trust me, I guarantee no one will be able to catch you."
"Ah..." Tammy Tang gasped inwardly, looking at Joe Di in confusion. "What about you?"
Joe Di glanced at Jason Silentwood and Warren Wraith up ahead. "The Chaos Lotus is such a treasure—since I've come across it, how could I let it slip by? And don't worry about Warren Wraith or Jason Silentwood coming after your Phoenix Clan. I guarantee they won't be able to."
Joe Di wasn't just boasting—he was certain there would be a final showdown.
"As long as I get away, I won't fear them." What worried Tammy Tang was that the Phoenix Clan didn't know about this matter. If she managed to escape back to her clan, Warren Wraith wouldn't be able to harm them.
"Then it's settled," Joe Di said without hesitation.