The forbidden land of the Blood Race wasn't a fully sealed space. To be precise, it was a semi-complete dimensional realm.
Perhaps to fully unleash the power of the Myriad Dao Red Lotus, it was intentionally left unsealed during its construction.
Led by the Third Elder, the group marched grandly toward the forbidden land.
The gate to the forbidden area was massive, a jet-black door etched with countless skulls on either side. It had already been opened, and the scene within glowed a blood-red hue.
As the Third Elder led them through the gate, Xu Zimo's view gradually became clear.
Above this space was the Nether Blood Sea, a vast ocean of blood. The sky appeared like a crimson dome, separating the sea from the inner space.
Directly ahead stood a wide altar, large enough to accommodate over a hundred people with ease.
The altar resembled a towering structure, shrinking layer by layer until it reached the top.
The Nether Blood Sea cascaded down like a waterfall, pouring directly into the altar shaped like a tower.
Currently, the altar had six levels, and after being infused with the power of the Nether Blood Sea, its surroundings glowed an intense red.
Aside from the Third Elder, the other seven elders of the Blood Race were all seated cross-legged around the altar.
Spiritforce surged around them, and they seemed to be channeling immense power.
The young Blood Race disciples who had entered earlier were now seated in meditation around the altar, awaiting the baptismal energy.
"Step forward and find your positions around the altar," the Third Elder said solemnly.
As Xu Zimo moved up, he realized that those with a baptism slot were seated closest to the altar.
The ground was a deep crimson, etched with intricate patterns.
The moment he sat down, Xu Zimo felt his blood begin to boil and surge, as if being pulled by an unseen force.
A roaring sound echoed within his body. His spiritforce condensed into a flowing river, rushing between several meridian gates.
"Such powerful energy," Xu Zimo muttered to himself.
No wonder the Blood Race considered the Myriad Dao Red Lotus a sacred treasure. Paired with the Nether Blood Sea, it was an unstoppable force.
Once everyone was seated, the Third Elder stepped forward and addressed the gathered youths loudly:
"The baptism is a once-in-a-century event for the Blood Race. Though you weren't chosen, you may still benefit from its power. How much you gain depends on your own efforts and fate."
As he finished, the Third Elder swept his red sleeve, stirring the skies above.
"I declare the Blood Race's Baptism Ceremony officially begins!"
As his voice fell, all eight elders took their positions. A majestic aura erupted from their bodies and linked together, drawing endless spiritual energy toward the altar.
In an instant, a beam of red light shot up from the altar, piercing through the barrier and entering the blood sea above. The entire tower-shaped altar turned a deep crimson.
The calm waterfall of blood above began to churn violently. The blood sea surged into a massive blood dragon, accompanied by thunderous booms.
The dragon tore through the barrier and plunged into the altar below.
Roars erupted from the dragon as the altar began to tremble, struggling to contain the force.
"Summon the Red Lotus!" the Grand Elder roared.
The eight elders simultaneously formed hand seals, their fingers moving faster and faster. A profound and mysterious energy gathered in their palms.
Just as the altar was about to collapse, a loud shout rang out as the eight seals were completed.
They appeared in the air, magnified dozens of times, projecting onto the altar.
Then another thunderous boom shook the air.
A rift opened in the space ahead, and a blood-red lotus slowly floated out.
The lotus resembled others Xu Zimo had seen before, except for its distinct hue.
It had eight petals, eerie and crimson.
"Suppress it!" the Grand Elder bellowed.
The eight elders worked together to direct the lotus toward the blood dragon.
The Myriad Dao Red Lotus exuded supreme might. As soon as it touched the blood dragon, the beast howled in distress.
It tried to flee, to break through the seal and return to the Nether Blood Sea, but the lotus suppressed it steadily, channeling its energy through the altar.
As the dragon’s power was absorbed, countless miniature lotus flowers emerged from the altar.
These lotuses, like smaller versions of the Myriad Dao Red Lotus, flooded out as the dragon writhed and struggled.
The moment Xu Zimo came into contact with a lotus, he felt a surge of powerful energy coursing through his body.
This energy even seemed to attempt to alter his internal structure.
"So this is the so-called baptism," Xu Zimo muttered.
The more lotuses one absorbed, the greater the power received.
Because the lotuses emanated from the altar, those seated closest, like Xu Zimo, absorbed the most.
Everyone scrambled to absorb the lotuses. The first wave of candidates took in the majority, with only a few drifting outward to the rest.
Seeing this, Xu Zimo chuckled softly.
He gave a quick signal to the Divine Emperor and the others, then suddenly leapt into the air.
He soared straight toward the Myriad Dao Red Lotus above.
His sudden movement immediately caught the attention of the eight elders, who had already been monitoring the sacred lotus.
"Someone's trying to steal the Red Lotus!" the Second Elder shouted.
"Stop him!" the eight elders launched into the air simultaneously, charging at Xu Zimo.
The disciples below, who had been absorbing the lotus energy, stopped and looked up.
Among the eight elders, the Grand Elder and Second Elder had already reached the Immortal Path, so their speed was naturally far greater.
In the blink of an eye, they reached Xu Zimo and struck out with immense force.
"How did an outsider get into the forbidden area?" the Fifth Elder growled behind them.
"And he was one of the core disciples closest to the altar, what kind of selection process was this?"
"It was that boy recommended by the Divine Blood Lineage," the Third Elder said with an ugly expression.
"The Divine Blood Lineage? What are they trying to do?" the Fifth Elder exclaimed in alarm.
…
As the Grand and Second Elders attacked together, Xu Zimo snorted coldly.
Without slowing down, he took the blow head-on.
The combined strike of two Immortal-level elders was no small matter, but within Xu Zimo, the Tree of Life continued to operate steadily.