199: Explore the Water Eye

The cold, violent water current instantly enveloped him.

Lin Yan circulated his formidable Purple Mansion true liquid, transforming it into a layer of pale golden light membrane to isolate the power of the Spiritual Vein.

Passing through the water curtain, the scene before his eyes suddenly opened up.

It was as if this were another world; the dome was hung with countless "stars" condensed from water light, the ground was made of stone as crystalline as jade, and waterways crisscrossed the area, emitting heart-palpitating fluctuations of Spiritual Qi.

"Be careful, the Water-attribute Spiritual Qi here is too violent." Stockade Master's voice rang out beside them.

Having traveled no more than a hundred zhang, a millstone-sized, jet-blue turtle broke through the waves. Runes flickered on its dorsal shell, and its Aura had clearly reached the Peak of Foundation Establishment.

It opened its gaping maw, and a jet of water shot straight at Lin Yan.

"Evil beast, retreat!"

Stockade Master let out a cold shout and flicked his sleeve, sending a cyan water pillar crashing out, knocking the turtle back.

However, the aftermath of the water pillar triggered a riot in the surrounding Water-attribute Spiritual Veins, and several tidal waves of spiritual power shot in from different directions, forcing everyone to join forces to defend themselves.

"Fellow Daoist, be careful. When the Water Eye opens, it attracts nearby aquatic Yao Beasts. These guys are cunning!" Stockade Master specially reminded Lin Yan.

Lin Yan nodded.

These aquatic Yao Beasts were not actually very strong, but the environment here was special, and the Water-attribute Spiritual Veins were violent.

When fighting, it was very easy to trigger a spiritual power storm.

And the aquatic Yao Beasts were very good at exploiting this.

"The Water Eye is only open for one hour, we must hurry," Elder Wei said with a solemn expression.

"If you encounter Yao Beasts, strike decisively; do not give them time to react!"

"Let's go, search for treasures first..."

The deeper they went, the greater the pressure, but the Spiritual Qi also became increasingly pure.

Soon, they discovered several "Spirit Caves" formed by years of erosion from the water currents.

In the first Spirit Cave, a three-foot-tall blue lotus was quietly blooming, water droplets rolling on its petals, emitting a dense, cold Aura.

"This is a Blue Water Lotus; it has miraculous effects on increasing the cultivation of Cultivators with Water Spiritual Roots," Stockade Master said with pleasant surprise.

Elder Wei and the others also looked on greedily, while simultaneously watching Lin Yan with vigilance.

Before entering the Water Eye, Stockade Master had spoken about Lin Yan's situation, but they still did not feel at ease.

Lin Yan, however, had a calm expression. It was just a Tier 3 Spiritual Plant...

Subsequently, they found treasures such as Water Origin Stones and Spirit Water Pearls in the depths of the waterways, making for a bountiful harvest.

Throughout the journey, Lin Yan yielded all the treasures to Stockade Master and the others, taking nothing for himself.

"Fellow Daoist, do you really want nothing?" Stockade Master couldn't help but ask.

Lin Yan's generosity made him feel somewhat uneasy instead.

These kinds of treasures were usually something people would fight tooth and nail for.

The people present had jointly controlled and developed this Water Eye for many years; it was only because of their stable alliance that they could be so harmonious.

Lin Yan smiled faintly: "I have already said, this trip is only to find one treasure; apart from that, I will not take a single cent."

Stockade Master nodded inwardly, his estimation of Lin Yan rising a few notches.

Elder Wei and the others also completely relaxed, and their attitude toward Lin Yan became a bit warmer.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye. Everyone stopped exploring and returned along the original path to the entrance of the Water Eye.

"After the Water Eye closes, the Water-attribute Qi Circulation within it will become extremely chaotic, making it almost impossible to break out," Stockade Master said.

Lin Yan felt a little disappointed in his heart.

Although they had discovered many rare Water-attribute treasures on this trip, there was still no source water.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, the Han River Basin is vast and rich in resources; I believe you will always be able to find the treasure you want," Stockade Master said, offering comfort.

"That's right. If Fellow Daoist Lin needs any kind of treasure, you can also tell us. This old man has been mingling in the Han River Basin for so many years and has some connections; I can help you ask around when the time comes," Elder Wei also added.

"Thank you all for your kindness," Lin Yan said, cupping his hands.

As they spoke, the group arrived at the entrance of the Water Eye.

However, just as they were about to exit, a sudden change occurred.

A corner of the originally calm dome of the Water Eye suddenly collapsed, and dozens of pitch-black chains burst out of the water like venomous snakes, instantly entangling Elder Wei and Lu Qing, who were walking at the rear.

"What is that?!"

Elder Wei was both shocked and angry. He slashed frantically with the long sword in his hand, but only left a white mark on the black chains.

Lu Qing was even worse off; his neck was directly strangled by the chains, and he was dragged toward the depths of the darkness.

Fortunately, Stockade Master, who was nearby, acted in time and barely managed to save him.

"Finally came out, heh heh..."

A series of creepy, strange laughs echoed in the Water Eye.

In the darkness, a black bone boat slowly emerged. Standing on the boat were a dozen or so black-robed demonic Cultivators. The leader had a withered face, blood-red eyes, and his entire body radiated a nauseating stench of blood.

"Demonic Cultivators! Late Stage Purple Mansion!" Stockade Master's face changed drastically, and he shouted sternly, "How dare you act so wantonly here!"

That withered demonic Cultivator sneered: "You must be Stockade Master, the leader of Water Dragon Stockade, right? Hand over the treasures you have obtained, and this seat might still leave your corpses intact!"

While speaking, he suddenly waved his hand, and several Formation Plates flew out from the bone boat, hovering at the four corners of the Water Eye.

On the Formation Plates, blood-colored runes flickered wildly, and a destructive Aura began to condense within the Water Eye.

Several demonic Cultivators scattered, fixing these Formation Plates in various corners of the Water Eye.

"They want to destroy the Water Eye!" Elder Wei said, his expression changing in alarm.

"Once the Water Eye collapses, the Spiritual Veins beneath this Dragon Severing Cliff will go completely out of control, and we will all die!"

"That's not right. If they destroy the Water Eye now, they won't be able to escape either!" Stockade Master said.

"What the hell are these damned demonic Cultivators trying to do?!" Lu Qing said with an angry expression.

The demonic Cultivator's sneak attack just now made him feel a lingering fear.

He had almost fallen here.

While they were talking, the leading demonic Cultivator signaled the remaining demonic Cultivators to quickly surround them.

"Do it!" the leading demonic Cultivator ordered.

Several chains suddenly shot toward Lin Yan and the others.

Stockade Master roared and sacrificed a water shield, blocking it in front of the group, attempting to resist the demonic Cultivators' attack.

However, the demonic Cultivators' offensive was too formidable. The water shield shattered instantly, and Stockade Master was also shaken until he vomited blood and was sent flying backward.

"Stockade Master!" Elder Wei and the others hurriedly caught him, just as they were about to be entangled by the black chains.

The highest cultivation among them was Middle Stage Purple Mansion, while the leading demonic Cultivator was at Late Stage Purple Mansion.

Plus, with the demonic Cultivators having the advantage in numbers, the situation on Stockade Master's side suddenly became critical.

Just at this critical moment, a cyan light tore through the darkness like a sharp sword.

"Clang!"

A clear, resonant sword hum rang through the Water Eye, and wherever the cyan light passed, the pitch-black chains shattered inch by inch.

Lin Yan held a long sword, his figure turning into a stream of light as he instantly charged into the fray.

"Break!"

On Lin Yan's right fist, Dragon scales faintly appeared, wreathed in golden light. He punched out, directly blasting away a demonic Cultivator who was attempting to sneak-attack Elder Wei.

Immediately after, he backhanded his sword, the sword light like a rainbow, forcing back several demonic Cultivators who were besieging Stockade Master.

"What strong combat power!" A trace of wariness flashed in the withered demonic Cultivator's eyes, which immediately turned into ruthlessness:

"Everyone, attack together! Kill this brat first!"

The demonic Cultivators swarmed forward, various insidious Spells and weapons raining down on Lin Yan like an overwhelming tide.

Lin Yan's expression was solemn, his internal Dragon Blood Battle Body operating at full power, his sword moves becoming increasingly sharp.

He no longer held back; every sword strike carried a killing Aura, and every punch contained Dragon might.

For a time, cyan light and black Qi intertwined in the Water Eye, and the sounds of explosions rose and fell one after another.