The two of them zipped back and forth through the lotus pond, seemingly trying to uncover its full potential. These fire-colored lotuses were impressive enough, but what astonished them even more was the staggering density of Primordial Yang fire spiritual energy permeating the entire pond.
It was as if some extraordinary treasure lay buried beneath the pond, and these lotuses were merely accompanying spiritual plants growing alongside it.
Just as the two were surveying their surroundings, a rustling sound suddenly emanated from within the lotus thicket. In the next instant, a creature burst forth from the cluster and rocketed straight toward the two ancestors.
The creature was none other than the transformed Vermilion Bird divine beast. However, the Vermilion Bird had clearly altered its dharma form — it now appeared as a diminutive spirit bird, continuously spitting tongues of flame at the two ancestors as it flew.
The offensive power it displayed was roughly on par with a half-step god-level cultivator.
That level of strength was just enough to tantalize and mislead their opponents.
"Heh heh, brother, this true spirit is mine — don't even think about fighting me for it. I won't compete with you over these lotuses," Scorching Sun Ancestor chuckled with a grin.
Bright Flame Ancestor's mouth twitched, clearly less than thrilled. But after weighing the matter of how to divide the spoils, hereluctantly nodded. "Fine. But if there are other treasures buried beneath this pond, they must be split equally."
"Naturally," Scorching Sun Ancestor said with a hearty laugh, and began activating his Divine Ability, preparing to subdue this fire-attribute creature.
For the Fire Demon lineage, any fire-attribute creature was worth possessing. A true spirit at the half-step god level, once subdued and properly trained, could become a tremendous asset. Who knew — it might even grow into a right-hand man someday.
Scorching Sun Ancestor's eyes gleamed as he fixed his gaze on the true spirit, accelerating continuously. In a region where fire elemental energy was so active, Scorching Sun Ancestor was naturally in his element, moving with effortless ease.
His speed increased exactly as he willed it.
The true spirit seemed to sense the threat as well, darting and weaving frantically among the lotus clusters.
Scorching Sun Ancestor, meanwhile, barreled straight through with reckless abandon, not caring in the slightest whether the lotuses were destroyed in the process. The sight made Bright Flame Ancestor's heart bleed.
"Brother, take it easy! We agreed the lotuses go to me — you're treating them like they're worthless, aren't you?" Bright Flame Ancestor protested.
"Heh heh, brother, if you can't stand watching, then help me block off its escape routes. This true spirit is awfully slippery," Scorching Sun Ancestor cackled.
It was plain to see that his mind was entirely focused on the true spirit. He genuinely didn't care about the lotuses at all — after all, they'd already been allocated to Bright Flame Ancestor.
Bright Flame Ancestor seethed with frustration but could do nothing about it. He stamped his foot. "Fine, I'll help you cut off one of its escape routes. Just rein it in and stop destroying everything so carelessly."
Judging by Scorching Sun Ancestor's approach, he was plowing through like an ox tilling a field, utterly indifferent to whether the lotuses were damaged. Bright Flame Ancestor could tell these lotuses were extraordinary spiritual objects. Their fire-attribute purity alone was remarkable, and the lotuses possessed a variety of offensive capabilities that could only be described as heaven-defying. The flexibility and resilience of their vines was particularly astonishing.
What startled him even more was that these lotus vines possessed the ability to regenerate. Naturally, this revelation set Bright Flame Ancestor's heart racing with desire.
And so, the two ancestors chased and pursued, ultimately teaming up to deal with the true spirit.
As this chase reached its peak, neither of them noticed that the surrounding fire-attribute spiritual energy was gradually dwindling. The sea of fire within the pond was slowly drying up, like water evaporating from a basin.
Then, without warning, something bizarre occurred.
Every single fire-red lotus vanished, as though they had simply ceased to exist. The entire thicket of lotuses disappeared in the span of a single breath.
While the two ancestors stood there stunned, countless vines began shooting up from the ground with sharp, swift motions. But this time, the vines were a completely different color.