With Cultivation Simulator in a Chaotic World-Chapter 294 - 252: Maiden of the Lake (Part 2)

Two giant wolves, each three zhang tall, escorted Xiang Wuji as they walked toward a cave.

Deep within the cave lay another world.

Here, the crystal stones on the rock walls emitted a magnificent blue light, and at the center of the cave was a vast lake, with flickering fluorescent lights dancing above it.

Moonlight streamed down from the opening above, casting reflections on the water’s surface.

"Ow—"

"Awoo—"

The two giant wolves seemed to be saying something. Xiang Wuji nodded, responding with unintelligible syllables.

This was Pan-Beast Language, and Xiang Wuji’s proficiency in it was comparable to that of an elder with decades of experience raising spirit beasts.

"This place is where the Yin Crane Dragon is most likely to appear..."

Even the demon group was unaware of the so-called Yin Crane Dragon.

Within the Jinghong Secret Realm, there were no demon cultivators who had reached Foundation Establishment Cultivation; the demon cultivators here at most had Enlightenment, equivalent to Qi Refining.

No Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators would enter the Jinghong Secret Realm.

"Awoo—"

The demon wolves continued talking.

While they possessed Enlightenment, they did not have the wisdom of ordinary humans. They could feel the strong energy fluctuations in this place.

Yin Crane Dragon...

Xiang Wuji had tried many methods.

Even the disciples of Jinghong Peak were unaware of the Yin Crane Dragon’s existence.

"You guys go first."

Xiang Wuji stroked the demon wolves’ fur. The two demon wolves nodded and left as blurred shadows.

Xiang Wuji relaxed his body.

There was a series of sharp cracking sounds from his bones.

Four sharp fangs retracted.

No trace of demon cultivator’s aura remained on Xiang Wuji.

"Demon race bloodline..." Xiang Wuji’s eyes narrowed slightly.

This was something he discovered after coming to the Secret Realm. If not for Zhu Ling, he wouldn’t have known he had demon cultivator bloodline.

"But how to deal with this demon race bloodline is a matter for the future, for now..."

"Yin Crane Dragon..."

Xiang Wuji looked around.

True Essence surged out, extending in all directions.

There was no other fluctuation apart from the disturbance caused by Xiang Wuji.

"How to lure it out?"

Xiang Wuji pondered for a moment, then began to operate the Eternal Bright Heaven Scripture, infusing the True Essence belonging to an Everlasting Sect disciple into the lake.

...

Xiang Wuji paused for a moment, then tried various other methods, yet still there was no response.

Xiang Wuji crouched by the lake, touching the water with his hand.

Cold, but nothing else unusual.

Without hesitating further, Xiang Wuji dove into the lake as if he were a swimming fish.

The lake water was clear and blue, the faint moonlight filtering through, dispelling the darkness.

With a Water Attribute Spiritual Root, Xiang Wuji did not feel discomfort in the water like ordinary people might; instead, he felt somewhat in his element.

"What is that..."

A gleam of light was reflected in Xiang Wuji’s eyes.

He quickly swam toward that spot.

"This is?!" Xiang Wuji’s pupils contracted.

I saw a graceful, snow-white figure floating in the water...

Unobstructed beauty, as if all good things were displayed within.

Xiang Wuji swallowed, taking another good look, then approached, grasping the other’s fair wrist.

Getting closer, Xiang Wuji could see more details.

For example, the slender golden bracelet on her wrist.

And her black hair, like clouds in the water, coupled with a face as delicate as a jewel, making her a perfect girl, seemingly capable of fulfilling everyone’s fantasies.

A faint allure emanated from her, as if Xiang Wuji’s heart and soul were being drawn to her.

"Who exactly is this person?!" Xiang Wuji’s blood boiled, though not from animalistic desire, but due to a struggle against this abnormal emotion.

A wisp of black air flashed through Xiang Wuji’s eyes.

At the same moment, the girl opened her eyes.

Eyes like ruby opened, clear and without a hint of impurity.

"You are..."

The girl tilted her head, asking in bewilderment.

She was unaware of her situation, let alone her own lack of coverage.

The next second.

"Glug glug glug glug glug—"

"Help help help help—"

Bubbles streamed from her mouth and nose, distorting her perfect features.

Like an octopus, the girl clung to Xiang Wuji.

Seeing this, Xiang Wuji swiftly rushed to the surface...

On the shore.

The girl, now dressed in an oversized Everlasting Sect uniform, sneezed, a trickle of snot escaping.

Xiang Wuji’s expression twitched slightly as he used True Essence to dry her.

"You are quite extraordinary..."

Xiang Wuji suddenly spoke.

The girl, puzzled, wiped her nose with her sleeve, tilting her head questioningly at him.

Feeling her gaze, Xiang Wuji shifted his eyes, unable to withstand the direct eye contact for long.

"Who exactly are you?" Xiang Wuji changed the subject, looking elsewhere, finding it hard to forget the earlier scene whenever he glanced at her.

Ever since his wife Wen Xin’s death, Xiang Wuji’s heart had died.

His charm was not insignificant, whether in the Capital City or after joining the Everlasting Sect, many women sought his affection.

Xiang Wuji ignored them all, dedicated to his path.

But this girl...

Exuded an air of mystery, being in the Jinghong Secret Realm, and in a place no ordinary person could penetrate, waking as if she’d lost her memory.

"Me? I seem to have forgotten..."

"But you can call me Zhao’er... Where is this place exactly, and who are you?"

Zhao’er subconsciously combed her dried hair, her fair skin subtly revealed in the process, slightly stirring Xiang Wuji’s thoughts.

"Me?"

"Xiang Wuji of the Everlasting Sect..."

"Xiang Wuji of the Everlasting Sect... alright, Zhao’er will remember your name... Can Zhao’er call you Brother Wuji?" Zhao’er smiled, like the spring flowers of March, full of vitality and beauty, clean and pure.

Xiang Wuji exhaled deeply.

He was not new to relationships, yet now, like the night he and Wen Xin first shared a room, his heart beat fiercely.

Wen Xin’s image flashed in his mind, calming his stirred emotions.

Moreover, he was unwilling to get involved with such an enigmatic girl.

"Stay here, I’ll find some food for you. Once the Secret Realm event ends, I’ll hand you to my mentors..."

Xiang Wuji stood up, ready to leave.

"Brother Wuji, where are you going? Zhao’er hopes to help you..."

"Why help me?"

"Because you saved Zhao’er, and... there’s a scent Zhao’er likes about you..."

"Brother Wuji, are you looking for... the Yin Crane Dragon?"

Xiang Wuji’s skin prickled at her words.

How did she know his purpose?

Xiang Wuji turned, meeting her gaze.

Yet from those jewel-like pure eyes, he could only see purity and innocence.

"I... I don’t know why I know this..."

"But if it’s the Yin Crane Dragon, I can lead you there, Brother Wuji."

Xiang Wuji frowned, but ultimately nodded...

Three days later...

Xiang Wuji stood in a gorge, staring blankly at the lifeless Yin Crane Dragon before him.

The massive dragon body sprawled on the ground, largely merged with the earth.

The magnificent feathers still shimmered, seemingly narrating the owner’s greatness to future generations.

"Dead?!"

"Never mind, how does this concern me?"

Xiang Wuji crouched, discovering he could still extract some blood, so he stopped worrying.

Then he collected a jar of blood.

After a brief pause, Xiang Wuji checked his Storage Space and began gathering materials he could collect.

Including extra blood, the Yin Crane Dragon’s feathers, tusks on the ground...

These were all resources.

The burden on Xiang Wuji’s heart eased, with no immediate danger.

If the other party breaks their promise... Xiang Wuji prepared a backup plan...

Turning around, Zhao’er, self-taught, had tailored an ordinary Everlasting Sect uniform into something pleasing to the eye...