Qing Lian threw herself into Ji Mo's arms, clinging tightly to his neck, hanging onto him like an octopus.
Ji Mo clearly smelled the fresh, pleasant scent emanating from her body, as well as the incredibly pure aura of chaotic energy that was impossible to resist.
The Heavenly Demon mark on his body lit up involuntarily, its runes flashing.
With just a thought from Ji Mo, he could have absorbed this delicious Chaos Green Lotus until not even dregs remained.
Ji Mo's body trembled uncontrollably, his clear pupils streaked with blood, slowly turning red.
The evil thoughts within him erupted again, eroding his will and attempting to make him fall completely.
Yet, even in this state, Ji Mo still did not lay a hand on Qing Lian.
The system understood Ji Mo's nature and advised, "Sacrificing one to save all beings is nothing to agonize over. Besides, she is not human, merely a plant, a lotus flower."
Ji Mo remained silent, recalling every moment of his encounters with Qing Lian, his heart a battlefield.
If he devoured Qing Lian, the hidden danger in his body would be completely eliminated, and his evolution would be perfected.
From then on, he would soar like a dragon leaping through the gate, ascending to the heavens.
He might even gain the capital to contend with the source of darkness, becoming everyone's last hope.
But the person in his arms had affectionately called him Brother Ji Mo.
One person versus all beings, which held more weight?
Ji Mo's mind was in chaos, unable to decide.
His eyes grew redder, his state precarious, the light of humanity seemingly fading, replaced by cold-blooded ruthlessness.
"Eat her. Even if not for the sake of all beings, do it for yourself. Moreover, if you don't eat her, she will eventually be devoured by someone else. In this world, no one would let the Chaos Green Lotus go."
The system continued to persuade him. Only it knew how precious the Chaos Green Lotus was, peerless in the world, and how vital it was to Ji Mo at this moment.
If Ji Mo did not devour the Chaos Green Lotus and purify the source of all evil within him, and if he failed to uphold his original intention, the consequences would be unimaginable. He might fall completely into darkness.
Nie Qian clearly sensed something was wrong with Ji Mo's demeanor, but she didn't know the reason. She thought he seemed to be overcome by beastly desires and wondered if he had improper thoughts about Qing Lian.
She couldn't help but speak, "Ji Mo, you... what do you want to do?"
Ji Mo jolted abruptly. A trace of warmth returned to his cold gaze, and he made up his mind.
He roughly pulled Qing Lian off him and pushed her aside.
Then, he walked over to Nie Qian, tore off the Immortal Binding Rope from her, and said coldly, "Scram. Take her and get out of here, as far as possible. Never let me see you again."
Hearing these words, Qing Lian's small mouth pouted, her bright eyes instantly filling with mist, tears welling up. She was about to cry.
After all the hardships, she had finally found the Brother Ji Mo she longed for, only for him to reject her.
Nie Qian felt heartbroken, unable to bear seeing Qing Lian wronged. She yelled, "Ji, you heartless wretch! Qing Lian suffered so much to find you. How can you be so unfeeling and unjust?"
Ji Mo's face was like frozen water. He could still maintain a sliver of reason, but if Qing Lian stayed by his side, problems would arise sooner or later.
He explained in a low voice, "Qing Lian must leave. Otherwise, I fear I won't be able to control myself and will eat her."
"Are you even human?"
Nie Qian misunderstood the meaning of "eat." Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she instantly exploded, "You bastard! How old is she? She's just a child! How could you have such a filthy thought? If anything, you should wait another two or three years."
Ji Mo was stunned.
Wait two or three years? Grandma, you're acting strange, very strange indeed.
Nie Qian tugged at the corner of her clothes, her pretty face as vibrant as a ripe peach. She said coquettishly, "If you really can't control yourself and want someone, then come for me. You're young and don't know the appeal of mature women, mistaking lolis for treasures. Actually, I'm even better..."
As she spoke the last words, Nie Qian's voice became as faint as a mosquito's hum. She was so embarrassed she buried her head in her chest like an ostrich.
Ji Mo listened, dumbfounded, which also helped him sober up considerably.
Only then did he realize that Nie Qian had misunderstood his meaning.
He quickly said, "Grandma, what are you thinking? I said eat her, as in eat her bit by bit."
Nie Qian's face turned even redder. Her eyes blinked, and she responded, "Then eat me. I'm more delicious. And, I can do ice..."
"Hey, stop. Grandma, please have some self-respect."
Ji Mo, a hot-blooded young man, had never heard such brazen words before. His heart panicked.
Especially with Nie Qian's gentle, yielding demeanor, as if inviting him to pluck her, it ignited a fire within him.
He had to explain seriously that "eat" had no hidden meaning; it was literal. To eat her, to swallow her whole and refine her.
"Ah!"
Nie Qian shrieked, covering her face with her hands.
She instantly found herself in a mortifying situation, flustered and wishing she could dig a hole with her feet and hide in it.
Honestly, she was so ashamed.
However, Grandma was Grandma. She quickly recovered, her almond-shaped eyes widening in anger, and roared, "Bastard! You're not human either! How can you think of eating Qing Lian?"
"She is the Chaos Green Lotus, containing infinite creation. Who wouldn't want to eat her?"
Ji Mo sighed softly.
If he hadn't known Qing Lian, and if she hadn't called him Brother Ji Mo, he probably would have devoured her without hesitation.
He urged Nie Qian to take Qing Lian and leave immediately, find a hidden realm to hide in, and never show themselves again.
"You're really going to let her go? Do you know how important she is to you and to all beings? You're such an idiot."
The system spoke with a tone of disappointment, as if he were incorrigible.
If he didn't devour the Chaos Green Lotus, how would Ji Mo purify himself, how would he achieve perfect evolution, and how would he resist the impending dark harvest?
Ji Mo remained silent for a long time before replying to the system, "Sacrificing one to save all beings might be the wisest choice, but in my heart, it is not the right one. I believe that even without devouring the Chaos Green Lotus, I can maintain my original intention without being polluted and complete my physical evolution. Perhaps I won't walk the path of invincibility, but when darkness arrives, I will be at the forefront."
Ji Mo's words were plain but resonant.
And after saying them, his entire demeanor seemed to change.
The bloodshot veins in his eyes receded, his humanity returned, his heart became as clear as ice, and he was incredibly calm.
But the system did not agree, "The dark harvest could descend at any moment. Time is not on our side, and we don't have much time to develop. Without devouring the Chaos Green Lotus and rising quickly, we have no chance of winning."
But no matter how the system spoke, Ji Mo remained stubborn, unwavering.
The system, angered by his lack of ambition, fell silent, deciding not to bother with this stubborn idiot anymore.
Rumble...
Suddenly, the earth shook violently, and shouts of war filled the air.
A large number of experts from Longhu Mountain had gathered and were charging forward with battle cries.