C561 Teach You the Rules!

Lu Qingyu gave a flick of her sleeve, and a large dark green fish tank emerged, floating in front of the onlookers above the lake. An odd sensation washed over everyone as the lake appeared to rise slightly, its waters seemingly drawn towards the fish tank.

Yu Yuan's expression cooled, yet he refrained from immediate comment, curious to witness what the archdemon of Dedsend Lake intended to do. Abruptly, the mouth of the fish tank tilted downwards, unleashing streams that cascaded into the lake like shimmering waterfalls.

Within these waterfalls, lively fish with gleaming scales transformed mid-descent into armored warriors. But as they touched the lake's surface, the warriors reverted to their original piscine forms with a splash.

Suddenly, the once fishless, crystal-clear lake teemed with hundreds of swimming fish, bursting with new life. Lu Qingyu's earlier remark about bringing her family was no jest; she had indeed brought with her fish demons endowed with spiritual wisdom, ranging from the third to the fifth level, all the way from the depths of Dedsend Lake.

She had introduced them into the lake without seeking permission from its master. The island-dotted lake was part of Yu Zhu's private domain within the Lost Lands, its waters rich in spiritual energy, an ideal environment for the fish demons' growth and evolution.

The fish demons frolicked in the water, blowing bubbles and eagerly absorbing the lake's spiritual energy. Dedsend Lake, by comparison, was vastly larger and deeper, yet its spiritual energy paled in comparison to this unnamed lake.

This lake, revitalized by the spiritual energy of the Lost Lands and the presence of Yu Zhu, had become a precious haven for water demons on the Aetherius Continent. Lu Qingyu was well aware that to ascend from the seventh to the eighth level, she would need to seek a new sanctuary for her cultivation. And she had chosen this very place as her new home.

Standing by the lakeside, she felt a deep connection to the water, as if the Way of Heaven itself flowed through her. Overwhelmed by the majestic spiritual energy within Dedsend Lake, she couldn't restrain herself any longer. After setting free the fish demons that clung to her, she approached the mid-lake island shrouded in the seven-colored cloud with a hint of caution in her voice, "Please forgive me!"

Deep down, Lu Qingyu was convinced that she had found the place of her dreams. She also had faith that Yu Zhu would surely welcome her.

Who could turn away a seventh-level water demon offering loyalty and seeking to cultivate in these waters?

Moreover, her presence promised to bring benefits to the Lost Lands, to the lake before her, and to Yu Zhu herself.

"Isn't it a bit improper to introduce fish into the lake without the Master's consent?" Tong Laoqian remarked with a grave tone.

He noticed Yu Yuan, emerging from the Crucible of Evil, his expression turning frosty.

Having known Yu Yuan for quite some time, Tong Laoqian was well aware that despite his modest level of cultivation, the Yu family's young master had a formidable temper and was known for his ruthless tactics.

Gao Qin, equally taken aback, added, "That seems to breach protocol!"

"I'm aware," Lu Qingyu acknowledged softly, her gaze fixed on the mist-enshrouded mid-lake island. "I apologize for seeking an audience with the owner of the Lost Lands in such a manner. But it is my hope that the Master will emerge from the fog to meet and recognize my arrival."

Her approach was an unconventional plea for acceptance and recognition from Yu Zhu.

Huoluo and the imposing figure known as Lei Jiao also watched the mid-lake island with eager anticipation.

Yu Yuan, however, did not consider them a concern.

They were convinced that even if Yu Zhu had been summoned back to the Land of Quiescence by the Shadow's Keep, some demon souls likely remained to guard the island; otherwise, Weixian's escape remained inexplicable.

They were of the belief that it was Yu Zhu herself, wielding the ice power of the Lost Lands and the vast might of heaven, who kept Weixian's people at bay.

"Outsiders really don't understand our ways," Yu Yuan scoffed. Piloting the Crucible of Evil towards the seven-colored cloud, he addressed Lu Qingyu from above the billowing mists, "Having assumed human form, you should abide by human customs. Since you seem unfamiliar with our rules, allow me to enlighten you."

Lu Qingyu didn't even give him a second look.

No matter how good your relationship is with the owner of the Lost Lands, you're not the owner yourself. Without being anointed by Shadow's Keep, what authority do you have to instruct me?

With that thought, the archdemon from Dedsend Lake gracefully waved her sleeve, causing ripples to suddenly dance across the lake's surface.

Thousands of strands of water vapor, each infused with pure spiritual energy, gently rose from the lake.

With a wave of her hand, she drew strands of this spiritual energy, directing them into the dark green fish tank.

"Gathering the lake's pure spiritual energy right in front of the Master is a bit excessive," Huoluo commented, shaking his head in disapproval. "Even if you're trying to force the Master to reveal himself, surely there's a more appropriate way?"

Huoluo was careful with his words, not wanting to provoke Yu Zhu or create tension.

"I've repeatedly sought an audience with the Master with utmost sincerity, only to be ignored. I'm left with no choice but to resort to more drastic measures," Lu Qingyu maintained her gaze on the mid-lake island, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of anger, as if she felt slighted and insulted. "I ask the Master to forgive my boldness!"

"Huff! Huff! Huff!"

The thick, seven-colored cloud enveloping the mid-lake island suddenly surged toward the lake.

Bursts of colorful flames, carrying the stench of acidic, corrosive liquid, shot out from the miasma cloud's barrier, pelting the lake like a torrential downpour.

Gao Qin's face turned ashen as he yelled, "Shadowflame Blight Array!"

At last, he understood what lurked within the seven-colored cloud, why the mid-lake island was deemed a forbidden area, and why none dared to venture deep within.

"Shadowflame Blight Array!" Huoluo's face contorted as he swiftly retreated a hundred meters.

Crackle!

Lei Jiao, the thundersnake on his arm, panicked and transformed into a bolt of lightning, instantly distancing himself from the eerie lake.

Gao Qin and Tong Laoqian also hastily moved out of the way.

A bright red flame was the first to touch down in the lake, burning within the water and instinctively seeking out a fish demon.

The fish demon only survived a few seconds before dissolving into a pool of blood in the lake.

Flames of various colors burst forth from the seven-colored cloud, raining down upon the waters.

The fish demons, released by Lu Qingyu and once joyfully swimming at the lake's bottom, were suddenly struck by disaster, falling prey to the acidic poison with its corrosive power.

In a flash, over a dozen fish demons perished.

As the first fish demon disintegrated into blood, Lu Qingyu was petrified with fear.

"Shadowflame Blight Array!" She had never heard of it, but the way Huoluo and Lei Jiao hastily retreated told her all she needed to know about its dreadfulness.

Flickers of flame splattered against the large greenish-black fish tank.

The Infernal Traps etched within began to dissolve under the onslaught.

Realizing the gravity of her situation, Lu Qingyu raced towards the mid-lake island, pleading desperately, "I was wrong, little demon Qingyu admits her mistake! I beg the master of the Lost Lands for mercy, please cease this at once!"

She dropped to her knees by the lake, her forehead touching the ground repeatedly in supplication.

While kowtowing, she implored, "Qingyu came to you with a sincere heart, seeking your acceptance. From this moment forward, I pledge my loyalty to you, obeying only your commands, never again to waver in my devotion!"

Above the seven-colored cloud, Yu Yuan stood within the cauldron, his lips curled in a sardonic smile.

He watched the relentless fire toxin flames continue their assault on the lake's fish demons, and despite Lu Qingyu's entreaties, he was unmoved. "I warned you, ignorance of the rules will be met with instruction. Taking what isn't yours without the owner's consent invites severe retribution."

Lu Qingyu looked up, her gaze locking with Yu Yuan's.

Off in the distance, Huoluo and Lei Jiao's faces flickered with indecision, as they seemed to grasp an astonishing truth.

The one wielding the "Shadowflame Blight Array" was not the fabled owner of the Lost Lands, but rather the Yu family's young master!

"Weixian previously lurked in the shadows, too cautious to even approach the lake," Yu Yuan said, his grin chilling. "Even with his advanced Spirit Walk abilities, he dared not touch the water. Yet you, with your mastery of Water Magic, recklessly plunged in to meet your end."

If Weixian dared to intrude upon the island, the Shadowflame Blight Array's deployment would ensure that the elder from Winter's Bite would suffer more than just minor injuries.

"I was wrong, truly wrong," Lu Qingyu admitted in a panic, no longer daring to meet Yu Yuan's gaze. She bowed deeply, pleading, "Please, forgive me. I sincerely wish to seek refuge with the master of the Lost Lands!"

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