Eternal Life: Hundredfold Rewards-Chapter 260 - 161: Struggle! Surprise! (Part 2)

Under the operation of mana, the situation finally improved considerably, and the nine people of the Wind Moon Sect began to sink down toward the depths of the lake at a relatively fast speed.

Qi Chuan looked down at the lake below.

The water below, though also a deep blue, appeared black as they descended deeper. However, at the deepest point, what should have been dark blue water contained a distinctly visible pale blue color.

This was evidently abnormal, likely due to the presence of Celestial Spirit Gang Qi, which emitted a white mystical glow. The white light permeated into the depths of the dark blue lake, causing this change.

Because of this, everyone was able to identify the direction of the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi in situations where their Divine Sense couldn’t reach very far, preventing them from getting lost.

"The situation is similar for the other four sects..."

Qi Chuan raised his head and glanced around, then nodded slightly as he looked in other directions.

Since the teams of the five sects had entered the lake from almost the same point, they weren’t far from each other once inside, allowing them to vaguely see each other’s positions.

At that moment, including the North Magnetic Mountain, the other four sects, like the Wind Moon Sect, were trying their best to gather their entire sect team and head toward the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi below.

Firstly, for individual protection.

Secondly, because this lake also housed numerous demon beasts, some potentially Tier Two Top Grade Demon Beasts, comparable to human Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators, they couldn’t afford to be careless.

Seeing this situation, Qi Chuan felt more at ease, so he continued to channel his mana to move forward.

As the depth increased, the surrounding water gradually darkened.

At this time, Qi Chuan looked back and sighed.

"It seems unlikely we can keep the complete formation to compete for the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi."

Behind Qi Chuan, the three Wind Moon Sect Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Elders had fallen quite a distance behind.

Even the other four in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage showed signs of strain, clearly feeling some pressure.

"Ouyang Yu, you three Elders should stay here and wait for us to return."

Situ Jiang, at the forefront, glanced back at the situation and had no choice but to give the order.

He did want the Wind Moon Sect to compete for the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi with a full lineup, but it seemed impossible now. It wouldn’t be good if the other sects’ forces took advantage of the three Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Elders lagging behind.

"Yes, Sect Leader." Ouyang Yu and the two others could only nod helplessly upon hearing this, halting their movement while exchanging glances before ascending.

They weren’t leaving the lake directly; the pressure here was too great to endure for long. They might not last until Situ Jiang and the others returned, so they chose to ascend to a higher position to wait.

"The remaining five Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators, keep up!" Situ Jiang said gravely. Although they’d sacrificed three Foundation Establishment Middle Stage members, the five Wind Moon Sect Foundation Establishment Late Stage members still had an advantage. The real problem would be if they also needed to be abandoned next.

Qi Chuan and the other four answered in unison, following closely behind Situ Jiang, sinking further into the lake.

"This space is indeed much larger, either due to the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi or because it’s the birthplace of the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi, which isn’t normal," Qi Chuan thought to himself while observing the dark blue water around him.

From outside, the lake had seemed vast, but not to the scale it appeared now; they’d been traveling for a long time without reaching the bottom.

Another quarter-hour passed.

Even Qi Chuan seemed unable to keep up anymore.

Along with Qi Chuan, the five Wind Moon Sect Foundation Establishment Late Stage Elders had also fallen behind Situ Jiang’s pace.

"You all stay here; I’ll go ahead and compete with the other four! No matter the outcome, I will return safely." Situ Jiang turned back, glanced at the five’s condition with a sigh, but a gleam flashed in his eyes.

Despite the loss of Wind Moon Sect’s previous advantage and the theoretical one in five chance of acquiring the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi, for the sake of the Wind Moon Sect, he needed to compete.

As for safely returning, he couldn’t afford anything happening to him with Profound Sword True Master’s situation unresolved, being the only Foundation Establishment Perfection left at Wind Moon Sect.

Even if they failed in acquiring the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi, he had to return to Wind Moon Sect to take charge.

With that, Situ Jiang transformed into an Escape Light, continuing on his own downwards.

Simultaneously, Qi Chuan and the others saw in other directions four other Escape Lights moving downward as well.

Clearly, the other four Sect Leaders similarly abandoned their Foundation Establishment Late Stage and went alone to compete for the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi.

"Alas, I hadn’t expected the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi to be so close; I have no chance of competing, only watching powerlessly." Qi Chuan sighed.

Originally, he hadn’t planned for his master to compete alone for the Celestial Spirit Gang Qi. He’d thought his Foundation Establishment Late Stage strength would prove useful...

"Screech!"

As Qi Chuan sighed, suddenly a sharp cry came from the dark blue water on the lower left, followed by a six-zhang large blackish-blue shadow rapidly swimming towards them. Its long mouth gaped wide with sharp teeth, blood-red eyes conveying intense ferocity.

"Is it a Tier Two Upper Grade Demon Beast attacking? Fellow Daoist Chuan Qi, everyone, let’s join forces and deal with it!"

Behind Qi Chuan, the other four Wind Moon Sect Foundation Establishment Elders noticed the beast and called for assistance.

"Alright!" Upon hearing this, the other three also responded, readying to attack.

Previously, while traveling, they’d encountered such demon beasts in the water, mostly Tier Two Middle-Lower Grade, and seldom Tier Two Upper Grade, thus handled easily.

Now facing the first Tier Two Upper Grade beast of this kind, everyone took it seriously.

"Well, I’ll take out my frustration on you!"

Irritated, Qi Chuan looked at the crocodile-like demon beast speeding towards them as he sighed.

Suddenly, before the others could act, his eyes turned cold as he slightly opened his mouth. In the next moment, a pale golden light shot forth, flying rapidly toward the beast to kill it.

Swoosh!

With the sword launched, the head fell.

Before the other four from the Wind Moon Sect could react, they saw a flash of pale golden light, followed by the aggressive Tier Two Upper Grade Demon Beast becoming headless, large clouds of dark red blood spreading in the dark blue lake.

"Was it Fellow Daoist Chuan Qi’s doing?"

"It was a Tier Two Upper Grade Demon Beast, with strength on par with ours, yet Fellow Daoist Chuan Qi killed it in one move..."

"We’d only heard of Fellow Daoist Chuan Qi slaying a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Elder from the Celestial Soul Hall but never witnessed it—now it’s clear; his prowess is daunting..."

"That’s almost comparable to half a Foundation Establishment Perfection’s strength."

Gazing dumbfounded at the sudden decapitation of the Tier Two Upper Grade Demon Beast, it took a while for the Fourth Elder and others to snap back to reality, their eyes betraying admiration as they fixed on Qi Chuan.

"Hmm?"

However, Qi Chuan didn’t concern himself with their gazes, instead focusing on the rapidly returning Tier Two Top Grade Flying Sword Vibrating Annihilation Sword, surprise and delight filling his eyes.