Chapter 298: Storming the Blood Lake
Chapter 298: Storming the Blood Lake
Six drops of spiritual dew resolved Cheng Lingyu’s crisis, triggering earth-shaking transformations in his body that cleansed his tendons and purified his marrow.
The eight-layer gathering formation blazed intensely as essences from the blood lake converged upon Cheng Lingyu. It resembled weapon forging—using heaven and earth as the furnace, blood energy as flames—to temper his Physical Body and soul.
Both alchemy and weapon refining required precise fire control. A single misstep could lead to demonic possession.
Cheng Lingyu’s unique Constitution had absorbed too many conflicting energies. Once activated, these forces triggered chain reactions, drastically increasing his risk of possession.
Fortunately, his prior consumption of six spiritual dew drops proved prescient, neutralizing this peril completely.
On the island, Hu Yuer first noticed the blood lake’s turmoil. A massive vortex swirled across its surface—an unprecedented phenomenon.
The vortex’s emergence weakened the deadly formation guarding the cave entrance, immediately drawing the attention of Daoist of the Three Suns and Cold Xiu Spirit Master.
Shui Yingyue, Ye Anlan, Yunxiu, and Hua Yuehong launched their assault. The four Holy Artifacts unleashed horrifying disturbances, forcing the deadly formation’s brilliance to dim and retreat incrementally.
Other experts edged closer to the cave mouth, poised to charge through the moment access opened.
The formation’s retreat remained sluggish even under the Holy Artifacts’ assault.
Within the blood lake, the vortex expanded until it engulfed the entire lake.
“Was this his doing?” Hu Yuer wondered silently, convinced Cheng Lingyu orchestrated these events.
Bai Ruomei’s brow emitted golden light as she peered into the vortex. “There’s someone in the lake!”
Her declaration caused uproar. How could anything survive the lake’s flesh-corrosive blood water?
Azure Sky Dragon challenged, “Ruomei, could you be mistaken?”
“I see a glowing figure at the lakebed,” Bai Ruomei insisted. “Details remain unclear.”
Xiang San Shao proposed, “Perhaps it’s a beast. The blood river contains creatures—why not the lake?”
Li Moru nodded. “This ancient, eerie lake likely harbors such mysteries.”
Yang Zhenghong countered, “Why would it stir now after centuries of stillness?”
Bloodwing King speculated, “The beast might sense the island’s secrets nearing revelation.”
Yu Feilong observed, “Its movement coincides with the formation’s weakening. They must be connected.”
Dongfang Hong eyed the Flame Blood Lion. “If a beast exists, shouldn’t the spirit beast list’s thirteenth-ranked creature detect it?”
The Flame Blood Lion alternated between shaking and nodding its head, baffling onlookers.
Ning Zhengyang demanded, “What does its gesture mean?”
After silent communication, Azure Sky Dragon translated: “It confirms a beast’s presence, but claims no relation to the vortex.”
Li Moru frowned. “How’s that possible?”
Bai Ruomei said, “I told you, there might be someone beneath causing this vortex.”
Hu Yuer wondered silently—could there be beasts in the blood lake?
She and Cheng Lingyu had explored it earlier without finding any creatures. Could the beast aura detected by the Flame Blood Lion actually originate from the Blood Moon?
That explanation would make sense, but if not, it raised doubts. Were there truly other beasts lurking in the lake?
As Hu Yuer pondered, new developments emerged from the blood lake. Ethereal figures of saints flew from the vortex alongside countless fleeting images, like echoes of a glorious past resurfacing.
Amidst the overlapping visions, glimpses of divine weapons and mythical beasts flashed between scenes of chaotic battles—spirit artifacts shattering and masters perishing.
This spectacle drew attention from experts across the island and beyond the blood lake, though none could comprehend its meaning.
Han Zhen observed solemnly, “Back in Lou Ri City, I thought myself noteworthy. Here, I see even kings and Spirit Masters are insignificant.”
Chen Song added bitterly, “Who wouldn’t agree? We dismissed the legends of the Blood Moon Wasteland as exaggerations, yet now witness saints’ burial grounds with our own eyes.”
Wan Fang and Feixue exchanged weighted glances, their understanding surpassing even Han Zhen and Chen Song’s disillusionment.
The blood lake’s visions persisted until afternoon, vanishing alongside the crimson mist that once shrouded its surface.
A Spirit Martial expert tested the waters, finding the lake’s protective barrier gone. When a Blood Martial Realm cultivator was thrown in by a Spirit Master, his initial panic gave way to confusion—no harm befell him.
Experts flooded the air above the blood lake, confirming the vanished defenses.
“Stay here,” Wan Fang ordered Xiao Lingfeng, Han Zhen, and Chen Song before ascending with Feixue.
From above, the lake’s depths lay clear—and Cheng Lingyu’s absence struck Wan Fang like an ill omen.
Nineteen Spirit Martial experts now hovered above the blood lake—nine from Jiu Yang Sacred Palace, Heavenly Fire Sect, and Shanhua Alliance; eight from Heavenly Palace and Tianlei Sacred Church; plus Wan Fang and Feixue from Lou Ri City.
On the central island, the Daoist of the Three Suns and Cold Xiu Spirit Master frowned. Their advantage dissolved with this influx of Spirit Masters.
A crisp crack echoed as four Holy Artifacts shattered the cave entrance’s deadly formation. The blood lake’s surface twisted, ghostly visages emerging amidst the spatial distortions.
Three beasts surged from the crimson waters, each bearing a Blood River True Monarch. Their joint assault tore through reality itself, forcing retreating Spirit Masters to spit blood in defeat.
“Charge through!”
All eyes turned to the central island. Nineteen Spirit Masters broke past their monstrous opponents despite the void-rending attacks.
Shui Yingyue, Ye Anlan, and Yunxiu spearheaded the cave entry, followed by Hua Yuehong, then the Daoist of Three Suns, Cold Xiu Spirit Master, and Bai Ruomei.
Within the narrow entrance unfolded a blood-colored realm. Two luminous orbs—crimson and ivory—twisted together beneath ordered divine chains, bound by profound seals.
The three women targeted the white orb, their Holy Artifacts blazing as they channeled energy into it. Hua Yuehong hung back, observing cautiously while others took positions:
Bai Ruomei with Azure Sky Dragon and Flame Blood Lion; Yang Zhenghong and Chen Chaodong flanking the Daoist; Yu Feilong and Li Moru near Cold Xiu Spirit Master; Bloodwing King and Xiang San Shao apart from Ning Zhengyang and Dongfang Hong.
Hu Yuer arrived last to find Wan Fang and Feixue beside her, Cheng Lingyu conspicuously absent.
Alliances formed rapidly—Charming Pen Spirit Master and Carefree Fairy joining Bloodwing King’s group; Silver Feather Spirit Master allying with Bai Ruomei; Divine Xiu Spirit Master approaching Cold Xiu Spirit Master; Thunder Rider Spirit Master convening with Ning Zhengyang.
Twelve Spirit Masters now occupied the cavern—two from each major faction. Above the lake, nine comrades battled the Blood River True Monarchs to maintain their foothold.
“Where’s Cheng Lingyu?” Wan Fang demanded.
Hu Yuer’s eyes narrowed. “Who asks?”
“Wan Fang of Fallen God Ridge. He’s my junior apprentice.”
After scrutinizing them, Hu Yuer transmitted mentally, “Safe. Inside the blood lake.”
“How?”
“A submerged passage beneath this island. He seeks a Fortuitous Encounter.” Relieved, Wan Fang turned to the dual orbs radiating rune-veiled divinity.
Jiu Yang Sacred Palace watched keenly—Ye Anlan being their disciple—while Shui Yingyue and Yunxiu’s neutral factions focused on the white orb. The three Holy Artifacts pulsed stronger, pouring energy into the luminous sphere until—
The white orb crystallized into transparency, revealing its captive—a handsome youth in brocade robes, spiritual patterns shimmering across his sealed form.