C23 Dragon Bathing Pool

The disciple from Lingloong Pavilion, who had remained quiet until now, suddenly paled and murmured something to Di Qiu and his companions.

The mid-Innate Stage disciple declared, "There's no time to dawdle. We need to finish this swiftly!"

Immediately, both parties launched their attacks.

Qin Feng, with his formidable strength, managed to hold off two opponents single-handedly.

Meanwhile, Di Qiu found himself besieged by several others.

At that moment, Jiang Fann approached the lakeside, fixating on the whirlpool. He attempted to connect with the fragment of the scroll to discern what lay within.

A look of elation crossed his face. "Spiritual Dragon Vein Grass! And several stalks of it! Jackpot!"

He clapped Shi Chengtian on the shoulder. "Your wounds can be healed."

Shi Chengtian, initially taken aback, quickly pressed for details.

Jiang Fann gestured toward the vortex in the water. "Down there, a few stalks of medicinal herbs await, which will greatly aid your recovery."

Shi Chengtian eyed the lake, his brow furrowed with concern. "But there's something off about this water. It could be dangerous to dive in."

Jiang Fann produced a rope, securing one end around his waist and offering the other to Shi Chengtian.

"Once I tug on the rope, you haul me back up. We can't pass up an opportunity like this; it might not come again."

Shi Chengtian hesitated, wanting to intervene, but Jiang Fann had already leapt into the lake. Sinking beneath the surface, he made his way toward the whirlpool.

This scene did not go unnoticed; others, seeing someone plunge into the pool, hastily followed.

Yet, upon entering the water, they floundered, desperate for help, much like Shi Chengtian had been before.

Thankfully, with plenty of people onshore, no one drowned.

It was then that the onlookers grasped why Jiang Fann had insisted on using a rope before diving.

Emulating his method, pairs formed—one person remained on land while the other dived in.

As more individuals ventured into the water, the trio from Lingloong Pavilion seethed with rage.

"Damn it! Qin Feng, you've interfered with our treasure hunt. This isn't over between us!"

Qin Feng remained unfazed. "You've hindered our treasure search as well. Since we can't settle who's the winner today, nobody leaves!"

...

Underwater, Jiang Fann edged closer to the whirlpool. The lake was crystal clear, and from a distance, he spotted a figure spinning beneath the vortex. The figure's long hair billowed beautifully, eyes shut tight, clearly unconscious.

"Han Qianxue?"

Jiang Fann hadn't expected to find Han Qianxue in the lake.

"Is she undergoing an inheritance? Or has she run into trouble?"

He hastened his pace. A few meters from the whirlpool's base, he noted the absence of any current; the vortex appeared to exist in a separate dimension from the surrounding waters.

Directly beneath Han Qianxue, several stalks of spirit medicine swayed, bathed in gold with just two leaves each, resembling dragon scales - the Dragon Vein Grass.

Jiang Fann was thrilled. He moved swiftly towards the plant, all the while using his Spiritual Sense to gauge Han Qianxue's condition.

She was clearly unconscious, yet a faint power seemed to be transferring to her. Having arrived two days early, she had indeed seized the advantage.

Without disturbing her, Jiang Fann crept closer and, with a pair of brass shears, snipped the plant cleanly at the base, quickly stowing it away.

The Dragon Vein Grass, sustained by Dragon Qi, was incredibly resilient. As long as the roots remained intact, it would regrow with the reopening of the secret realm.

With a few snips, Jiang Fann had harvested all the Dragon Vein Grass.

He could sense numerous presences drawing near. An interruption to Han Qianxue's inheritance could spell danger, something Jiang Fann would not let happen.

He concealed his presence and settled into a meditative pose at the lake's bottom, vigilantly safeguarding Han Qianxue.

At least for now, he was still in alliance with her. Jiang Fann was not one to break his promises.

Whenever someone drew near, Jiang Fann would transmit a warning, "Back off quickly!"

Several silhouettes stood at a distance, observing the scene.

One remarked, "Fortune favors the destined; hogging it all isn't right!"

"Enough talk, just scram. Cross within ten meters, and you're on your own."

Among them, one clearly recognized Jiang Fann, as well as the woman spiraling in the vortex behind him.

He whispered to his companion, "Isn't that Han Qianxue and the medicine vendor? They're not to be messed with!"

The pair promptly tugged on the rope, signaling for others to reel them in!

At that moment, a diminutive figure, barely taller than 1.4 meters, sidled up to Jiang Fann's rope. With a couple of stealthy tugs, he then sidestepped away.

Jiang Fann sensed trouble. Almost immediately, a formidable force transmitted from the rope's far end. Shi Chengtian had fallen for the ruse.

They were mere dozens of meters from the bank. Without hesitation, Jiang Fann sliced through the rope with his knife and fixed a furious stare on the short man.

Caught out, the short man yanked the rope and bolted, evidently very wary of Jiang Fann.

Jiang Fann was seething, yet he knew better than to give chase at that moment.

Onshore, Shi Chengtian collapsed onto the ground, toppling several people in the process. He looked around frantically, "Jiang Fann, what's happening down there?"

Acting on impulse, he approached a cultivator tending to another rope and seized it.

"What are you up to?"

Shi Chengtian floored him with a kick, "Enough with the nonsense!"

He yanked the rope back forcefully. The teen at its other end, confused, was about to lash out when he realized it wasn't an ally pulling him. Before he could utter a curse, Shi Chengtian hoisted him up.

The sheer strength of the grip forced the teen to choke back his words.

Shi Chengtian demanded, gripping him tightly, "What's going on below? How's my brother?"

The teen quickly explained, "He cut the rope himself. He's likely guarding a woman."

Shi Chengtian gave his head a quick pat before securing one end of the rope around himself. As he unleashed his formidable aura, the cultivators nearby stumbled backward in alarm.

"This... This is the Later Period of Innate Stage!"

"Good heavens, could someone finally be able to stand against Little Heavenly King, Chu Zhan?"

"The power of this demon race is overwhelming!"

His presence also caught the attention of Qin Feng and others from afar, who watched with a mix of awe and fear.

Chu Zhan was a barrier they couldn't breach, so who was this demon to challenge him?

Unconcerned with their reactions, Shi Chengtian bluntly addressed the youth, "I'm not here for chit-chat. Just hold the line. When I tug on this rope, you pull me back. And if any of you try to double-cross me, I'll have you for dinner!"

His threat was unabashed and tyrannical.

In a world where strength reigned supreme, Shi Chengtian had the clout to back up his words in this mystical realm.

Without further ado, he dove into the water and swiftly made his way toward the vortex below.

Relieved to see Jiang Fann unharmed, he nonetheless noticed several cultivators lurking nearby, clearly biding their time to snatch any advantage they could.

Suddenly, Han Qianxue shivered as the aura of her inheritance vanished, causing the whirlpool to grind to a halt. Her silhouette gracefully descended through the water, eventually coming to rest at the bottom of the pond. She exhaled a breath, her complexion visibly altered.

Jiang Fann knew all too well her struggles with swimming.

He quickly scooped her up and headed toward Shi Chengtian.

Regaining some awareness, Han Qianxue's eyes fluttered open, and upon seeing Jiang Fann, her face lit up with joy.

She clung to him just as she had before in Loongze Lake.

Jiang Fann, taken aback, thought, "Not this again?"

Her soft form pressed against him, echoing their previous encounter in the lake.

Shi Chengtian wore a bemused look, clearly not expecting such a turn of events.

Jiang Fann extended his hand, which Shi Chengtian grasped firmly. With a tug on the rope, the trio were swiftly pulled back, gliding toward the water's edge.

Many onlookers at the water's edge witnessed the unfolding drama. Some were envious, others were taken aback, and a few reveled in the misfortune.

"This kid's got a death wish, huh? That move alone is enough to put him on her hit list," someone remarked.

As the trio emerged from the water, surprisingly, a group of five or six people onshore were pulling them in. Shi Chengtian demonstrated his formidable influence, clearly having won over many despite his notorious temper.

Once ashore, Han Qianxue was still clinging to Jiang Fann. The crowd was momentarily taken aback before Jiang Fann pushed her away.

Gasping for air, Han Qianxue's complexion began to improve as she inhaled greedily. Upon opening her eyes, she was met with the gaze of dozens of onlookers. A scream escaped her lips, an unexpected reaction.

Jiang Fann had swiftly draped his cloak over her, sparing her from further embarrassment.

Yet Han Qianxue's fame preceded her; there was hardly a soul who didn't recognize her.

The members of Lingloong Pavilion also registered shock upon seeing her. Di Qiu fixed a furious stare on Jiang Fann. "Scoundrel! How dare you take liberties with Han Qianxue? Are you courting death?"

Before Jiang Fann could respond, Shi Chengtian burst out in fury, "And who are you to rebuke my boss?"

The crowd was stunned anew. Shi Chengtian's strength was well-known, and yet here he was, acknowledging a human as his leader. The identity of this young man became an enigma.

Protected by the Chapter of Pill Dao, Jiang Fann's true level remained concealed, adding to his air of mystery.

Jiang Fann returned the glare with a frosty look. Shi Chengtian, silent, strode toward the fray, cracking his knuckles. "You were warned about running your mouth. Now watch as I tear it apart!"

Qin Feng's lips curled into a smirk while the faces of the Lingloong Pavilion members darkened.

Di Qiu bellowed, "Demon race, you dare meddle in Lingloong Pavilion's affairs?"

Shi Chengtian's sneer was cold. "Your pavilion means nothing to me. A sapling left unpruned will never grow straight."

Laughter erupted from the crowd.

The strongest youth of Lingloong Pavilion suddenly unleashed his power, pushing Qin Feng back and hissing, "Time to pull back!"

Despite his arrogance, Di Qiu was no fool. He knew that if the demon joined the fray, today's outcome would be disastrous.

Shi Chengtian was about to pursue when Jiang Fann halted him.

"Let him go. We've got months left in this secret realm. Plenty of chances will come our way."

Shi Chengtian returned and appraised Han Qianxue, then turned to Jiang Fann, "Is she your wife?"

Jiang Fann shook his head, "No, she manages the Myriad Treasures Tavern in Loongze County."

Han Qianxue, taken aback by Shi Chengtian's formidable presence, realized that he and Jiang Fann were acquainted.

Qin Feng approached, offering a respectful fist-and-palm salute, "Greetings, Elder Brother Jiang, Miss Qianxue!"

Shi Chengtian eyed Qin Feng warily and inquired of Jiang Fann, "You know this guy?"

"Allow me to introduce him. This is Qin Feng, from the Qin Family of the capital."

Jiang Fann then introduced Shi Chengtian to them.

Qin Feng remained unfazed, while Han Qianxue gave Shi Chengtian a curious glance, clearly noticing something. Yet, she kept her observations to herself, always cautious, especially since Shi Chengtian could be a valuable ally.

Noticing the attention they were attracting, Qin Feng asked Jiang Fann, "May we speak privately?"

Jiang Fann nodded, gesturing invitingly, and they stepped into the seclusion of the forest.

Once they were alone, Qin Feng spoke up, "The evil path has infiltrated this secret realm. The Myriad Poison Sect has sent numerous disciples here, and their intentions are unclear. Elder Brother Jiang, please be vigilant."

"Have you encountered them?"

Qin Feng shook his head, "Not yet, but there have been casualties. The methods used are unmistakably those of the Myriad Poison Sect."