The lake surface had completely turned into a chaotic mess. The Water Python churned the water like crazy, its thick tail lashing out like a whip, kicking up waves over a dozen zhang high. The three people from the Xuan Shui Pavilion, relying on the agility of their small boat, desperately threw Water Tornadoes and Ice Spear Techniques at the Water Python and the dark shadow beneath the water. The Black-Clothed Cultivator was even more of a ruthless character, with a strange movement technique and a pair of short spikes that appeared and disappeared unpredictably, specifically targeting the Water Python’s weak spots, while occasionally trying to snatch the Star Core caught in the net.

The rumbling sounds of explosions, the booms of colliding Spells, the roars of the Water Python, and the screams of the Female Disciple from the Xuan Shui Pavilion were all mixed together, as lively as setting off firecrackers for the New Year. The lake water was dyed in various colors, Spiritual Qi surged wildly, and no one had the time to notice an inconspicuous "stone" missing from the shore.

Fang Hao had no interest in watching the spectacle. He crouched low, pushing his Divine Spirit Steps and Shrinking the Ground to an Inch to their limits. He was like a wisp of green smoke, clinging to the shadows of the lakeshore, desperately circling toward the northeast of the lake. He had seen it clearly just now; after that old schemer underwater snatched the Star Core, he dove straight in that direction at an incredible speed! The water was deeper there, and there was a dense aquatic forest on the shore, making it an excellent hiding and escape route.

"Son of a bitch, he runs fast!" Fang Hao cursed in his heart, his feet moving even faster. He had to block that guy before he completely slipped away! This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; by the time those big idiots behind finished fighting and realized what happened, it would be too late!

As he sprinted, he pushed his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes to their limit, locking onto the blurry shadow fleeing rapidly underwater. That guy’s concealment skills were indeed impressive, moving through the water like a ghost. If the faint Power of the Stars emitted by the Star Core hadn’t been like a small light bulb, he would have almost lost him.

After circling for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Fang Hao finally got ahead and hid in a reed bed near the deep-water area. This place was already some distance from the main battlefield, and the sounds of fighting had diminished significantly. He held his breath, circulating his Ethereal Art to suppress his Aura until he was like a piece of rotten wood, his eyes fixed on the water’s surface ahead.

Here he comes!

An almost invisible waterline was seen rapidly approaching the reed bed! The speed was a bit slower than before, likely because carrying the Star Core was inconvenient, or perhaps he had sustained some injuries.

Fang Hao’s heart pounded "thump-thump," and his palms were slightly sweaty. One-on-one, a sneak attack! This was the best opportunity! He had to hit the mark in one strike! If he let this guy recover or cause a huge commotion that attracted the people behind, it would all be over!

He quietly summoned the yitian sword, its blade skimming the water’s surface without a single glint of light escaping. The opening stance of the Starfall Sword Art was ready, and his entire body’s spiritual power was secretly concentrated at the tip of the sword. At the same time, his left hand held a High Grade Tier 3 ’Immobilization Talisman,’ while his right hand formed the hand seal for the Star Shattering Finger. Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit! He didn’t dare to be the least bit careless!

Fifty zhang... thirty zhang... ten zhang...

Now!

At the very moment that waterline was about to pass through the edge of the reed bed, a cold light burst from Fang Hao’s eyes! Shrinking the Ground to an Inch was suddenly activated! His figure flashed out of the reeds like a ghost, instantly crossing the ten-zhang distance and appearing directly above the waterline!

"Freeze!"

He raised his left hand, and the Immobilization Talisman turned into a streak of golden light, shooting into the water! The Talisman dissolved upon entering the water, and a powerful binding force instantly enveloped that area of water!

The shadow underwater clearly hadn’t expected someone to be hiding here; his figure suddenly stalled, and his speed plummeted! Although he broke free from the Immobilization Talisman’s restraint in an instant with his powerful cultivation, that moment of stagnation was enough!

"Die!"

Fang Hao roared, and the yitian sword erupted with a brilliant starlight. Starfall Sword Art — Meteor Strike! Man and sword became one, like a falling star from beyond the heavens, carrying an indomitable Aura as it pierced fiercely toward the dark shadow that had just revealed itself underwater!

This strike was fast! Ruthless! Accurate! It concentrated all of Fang Hao’s Early Golden Core Stage cultivation and spirit! It was a long-premeditated killing blow!

The Cultivator underwater had just broken free from the Immobilization Talisman when he felt a lethal Sword Intent locking onto him, scaring him until his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering! In his haste, he only had time to summon a small blue shield to block in front of him while retreating violently!

Unfortunately, it was too late!

Puchi!

The yitian sword was like a hot knife through butter, instantly piercing the hastily condensed protective spiritual light and that decent-quality small blue shield! The tip of the sword sank into the Cultivator’s heart without any resistance!

"Ugh..." The Cultivator’s eyes widened, looking at the sword tip protruding from his chest in disbelief, then looked up at the cold-faced Fang Hao above the water. He opened his mouth to say something, but only blood foam surged out. His concealment Spell instantly dissipated, revealing a pale-faced, ordinary-looking middle-aged man, his eyes filled with resentment and despair.

Fang Hao flicked his wrist, and Sword Qi erupted!

Bang!

The Cultivator’s heart was instantly shredded, and he died on the spot! His corpse slowly sank underwater.

Fang Hao’s movements were as fast as lightning. He reached out and snatched the storage ring from the corpse’s finger and the net-like Magical Artifact holding the Star Core! Without even looking, he put them directly into his Storage Ring! Simultaneously, the empty clarity mirror flashed, its light shining on the corpse, turning it completely to ash and destroying all evidence!

The entire process was clean and efficient; from the sudden attack to killing and looting, it took only two or three breaths of time!

Only then did the even more furious roars of the Water Python and the exasperated curses of the Xuan Shui Pavilion Disciples drift over from the center of the lake. Clearly, they had discovered the Star Core had been intercepted and were searching for it frantically.

Fang Hao didn’t dare to stay for a moment. He exerted his Divine Spirit Steps to the fullest and sprinted desperately in the direction opposite the lake center without looking back! In a few leaps, he disappeared into the dense jungle, leaving behind a chaotic lake surface.

After running for over a hundred li in one breath and confirming it was completely safe, Fang Hao found a hidden mountain crevice to crawl into. He set up a concealment Formation, sat on the ground, and panted heavily, his heart still pounding wildly!

Thrilling! It was so damn thrilling!

He wiped the sweat and lake water from his face, calmed his excited emotions, and then carefully took out those two items from his robe. He first looked at the net-like Magical Artifact; it was cold to the touch and made of an unknown material that could block Divine Sense probes—it was a good item. He untied the net’s opening, and a fist-sized crystal, glowing silver throughout with what looked like a flowing galaxy inside, emitting pure Power of the Stars and a scorching Aura, rolled into his palm.

Star Core! Tier 4 Materials! Obtained!

Feeling the majestic energy contained within the Star Core, a look of wild joy finally appeared on Fang Hao’s face! It was worth it! The risk just now was completely worth it!

He Suppressing the urge to immediately study the star core, and checked the storage ring. He wiped away the original owner’s imprint and probed inside with his Divine Sense. Good heavens, there were quite a few Spirit Stones inside, and the various Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and Materials were also quite plentiful. It seemed he was a wealthy Loose Cultivator. Unfortunately, it all benefited Fang Hao now.

"Hehe, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind? I’m the one with the slingshot hitting the oriole!" Fang Hao happily put the things away, feeling incredibly satisfied. This instance of fishing in troubled waters was a textbook operation!

After resting for a while and recovering some spiritual power, Fang Hao didn’t dare to stay here long. The Xuan Shui Pavilion and the Water Python would surely search frantically once they found the Star Core gone; he couldn’t stay in this vicinity.

He stood up and looked deeper into the Secret Realm, his eyes burning with intensity. With this successful experience, he was full of confidence for the treasure-hunting journey ahead!

"Next target, Ten Thousand Swords Valley!"