5: Chapter 5 Golden Lotus

"Hmm? You aren't joking, are you?" Qin Qiong frowned. "That piece of trash—if his fiancée weren't Xiahou Yun, he wouldn't even be worth a glance from me. And he managed to injure you?"

"I'm certain it was him!" Qin Yan clutched his cheek. "His strength rose suddenly. The force of that slap was stronger than a Cultivator at the fifth level of the Qi Condensation Realm!"

"Hmm? Such a strange thing?" Qin Qiong's brows furrowed even tighter. He stopped walking and bowed his head in thought. "If I remember correctly, when his cultivation was tested half a month ago, he was only at the first level of the Qi Condensation Realm. In this Secret Realm where Yao Beasts run rampant, he should have been eaten by a Spirit Beast long ago!"

Inside the cave, Xiang Tian gripped Xiahou Yu's hand tighter. The rage in his chest surged upward, and he wished he could rush out immediately to beat that arrogant guy to a pulp.

But catching a glimpse of Xiahou Yu's worried eyes, he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his impulse: going out now would be walking right into a trap. Once his strength grew stronger in the future, he would definitely get this payback back twofold.

"Are you really certain that it was Xiang Tian who injured you?" Qin Qiong still found it hard to believe and asked again.

"I'm certain!" Qin Yan stamped his foot in anxiety, pointing to the red mark on his cheek. "This slap print is the best evidence."

"That's strange. Why would he become so powerful?" Qin Qiong couldn't figure it out. He rested his chin in his hand and paced around the spot twice.

"Senior Brother Qin," a Disciple nearby stepped forward, "perhaps Xiang Tian got lucky and obtained some incredible Opportunity in the Secret Realm? After all, this Secret Realm hides many ancient treasures; perhaps there's something that can rapidly increase one's cultivation!"

"That is indeed possible." Qin Qiong's eyes lit up, and a sinister look appeared on his face.

A piece of trash at the first level of the Qi Condensation Realm—what right does he have to occupy the position of Xiahou Yun's fiancé?

Now that he has obtained an Opportunity, if left unchecked, he might become a future threat. "An Opportunity that can turn a piece of trash into an expert must not be anything ordinary. Since he dared to injure you, we will leak the news of this 'Opportunity' to others and make him the target of everyone!"

Qin Yan's eyes brightened instantly, and he nodded repeatedly. "Big Brother is still the most thoughtful! When the time comes, everyone will go to snatch his Opportunity; even if he has heaven-defying abilities, he won't be able to withstand the siege of a group of people!"

"You all, hurry and spread this news. Say that Xiang Tian obtained an ancient Opportunity in the Secret Realm, his cultivation has soared, and he is hiding treasures that can increase one's strength."

Qin Qiong waved his hand, his tone carrying an unquestionable command. "Remember, make a big commotion. Let all the Disciples in the Secret Realm know!"

"Yes, Senior Brother Qin!" Several Disciples immediately acknowledged, turned, and ran off in different directions, their hurried footsteps disappearing into the woods.

Qin Qiong, taking Qin Yan with him, walked toward the depths of the Secret Realm. He wanted to search for treasures elsewhere first, and once the news had fermented enough, he would return to reap the benefits as the fisherman.

Inside the cave, Xiang Tian slowly loosened his hand. He took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart.

The little fox was still asleep. Xiang Tian pondered inwardly: whether he could survive the siege of the crowd next would depend on whether this Supernatural Realm fox would be effective after waking up.

"Xiang Tian, what do you mean by staring at me like that?" Xiahou Yu suddenly raised her head. "What do you want to do to me?"

Xiang Tian was deep in thought and didn't notice at all that he was looking at Xiahou Yu with a burning gaze.

"Hmph! Once we leave the Secret Realm, I will definitely 'whip' you, this woman whose head is full of wild thoughts!" Xiang Tian snorted coldly and reached out to flick her forehead.

Xiahou Yu was not afraid; instead, she leaned closer to him. "Then I will wait for your 'whipping.' I hope you won't go easy on me then~"

"Stop messing around." Xiang Tian held her shoulders, his tone returning to seriousness. "Let's go to the valley and take a look now. Qin Qiong and the others just left; perhaps we can still find things they missed, or maybe there will be new discoveries."

"Where did you put the little fox? Give her to me quickly." Xiahou Yu stopped in place, not intending to leave.

"You've been petting her fur for two hours already." Xiang Tian was speechless. If she kept petting like that, she would go bald sooner or later.

"None of your business! I just want to hold her. If you don't give her to me, I won't leave." Xiahou Yu stood in place, motionless.

"I give up." Xiang Tian placed the fox back into Xiahou Yu's arms.

Subsequently, the two quietly walked out of the cave and returned to the valley along the original path.

When they entered the valley again, a faint smell of blood still lingered in the air, and there wasn't even a single living Spirit Beast.

"Let's go check the lake over there." Xiang Tian pointed in the direction of the depths of the valley. "I vaguely heard the sound of water over there earlier; perhaps there is something different."

He didn't hold much hope, just thinking that since they were here, they might as well explore a bit more.

Xiahou Yu nodded in agreement, and the two walked side by side toward the lake. Just as they approached the giant rock by the lake, they heard movement from behind the stone.

"Who is it?" A male voice suddenly rang out.

Immediately after, a Disciple dressed in the attire of an Outer Sect Disciple walked out from behind the giant rock.

He saw Xiang Tian and Xiahou Yu and raised an eyebrow.

"Yan Lin, are Senior Brother Qin and the others back again?" A woman's voice came from behind the giant rock.

Yan Lin turned back to answer, then turned around again, looking Xiang Tian up and down, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "Ling Jiao, it's not Senior Brother Qin, it's that Outer Sect trash, Xiang Tian."

"Who are you calling trash?" Xiahou Yu instantly bristled, stepped forward to block in front of Xiang Tian, and glared furiously at Yan Lin. "You don't even look at your own character; how are you embarrassed to talk about others?"

"Heh! Isn't it true?" Yan Lin scoffed dismissively, crossing his arms over his chest. "A guy who could only enter the Outer Sect by relying on a woman—if that's not trash, what is?"

"Oh? You're very strong?" Xiang Tian's eyes turned cold. He didn't waste any more breath on him. He suddenly rushed forward one step, his right fist striking toward Yan Lin's chest.

"Bang!"

Yan Lin hadn't put Xiang Tian in his eyes at all. Before he could even unfold his defense, he was struck solidly in the chest by this punch.

He groaned, his entire body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Yan Lin!" Ling Jiao, behind the giant rock, exclaimed and ran out, her clothes in disarray.

She ran quickly to Yan Lin's side and reached out to support him. "Xiang Tian, how did you become so strong?"

"Me becoming strong has nothing to do with you. You just need to know that I can hold your lives in my hands." Xiang Tian's mouth curled up.

"Just because you've become stronger, does that mean you can hit people at will?" Ling Jiao's face was full of anger.

Xiang Tian raised an eyebrow. "You heard it too; he was the one who cursed me first."

"You... Pfft..." Yan Lin clutched his chest, struggling to stand up, but coughed up another mouthful of blood.

He was a Disciple at the eighth level of the Qi Condensation Realm, yet he was actually sent flying by a punch from a piece of trash. This was simply a great humiliation!

He was both angry and regretful in his heart. If he hadn't underestimated Xiang Tian earlier, he wouldn't have suffered such a big loss.

"Don't speak anymore, take a healing Medicinal Pill first." Ling Jiao quickly took a porcelain bottle out of her Storage Pouch, poured out a brown healing Medicinal Pill, stuffed it into Yan Lin's mouth, and gently patted his back to help him catch his breath.

"I can't bear to disturb your lovey-dovey moment." Xiang Tian watched this scene, his tone softening a bit. "Take him and leave quickly. I am unwilling to attack women, but that does not mean if you attack me, I will not resist. Do you understand?"

He was not a saint, but if the opponent was a woman, as long as they didn't provoke him, he didn't want to kill them all.

"Junior Sister Ling Jiao, take him and go quickly!" Xiahou Yu also spoke to persuade.

Although she was angry that Yan Lin cursed Xiang Tian, she didn't want to make things bigger. After all, this was the Secret Realm; it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Ling Jiao glanced at Xiahou Yu, glared fiercely at Xiang Tian again, supported Yan Lin, and walked away step by step.

While leaving, Yan Lin even turned his head to look at Xiang Tian.

"Provoked another enemy, how annoying." Xiang Tian watched their retreating figures, sighed helplessly, and after finishing, walked toward the lakeside.

The lake surface was calm and waveless.

"There shouldn't be any Spirit Beasts here. Let's take advantage of the fact that there's no one around and leave quickly!" Xiang Tian turned around, preparing to pull Xiahou Yu and walk back.

Yan Lin was just beaten; perhaps someone would come over soon. He didn't want to create any more complications.

But just at this moment, the lake surface suddenly rippled. Immediately after, a dazzling light shot up from the bottom of the lake, instantly illuminating the surrounding area.

In the light, emerald green Lotus leaves slowly rose from the water, layering and spreading over the lake surface. Finally, a Lotus with layers of petals and an exquisite appearance emerged from the center of the Lotus leaves.

The petals of that Lotus shimmered with a soft luster, looking exceptionally precious.

"What is this?" Xiang Tian's brows were locked tight, staring at that Lotus, his heart full of doubts.

This Lotus clearly was not an ordinary object. Appearing suddenly in the Secret Realm, he couldn't help but feel it seemed a bit eerie.

"This is a Golden Lotus!" Xiahou Yu's eyes brightened instantly, her tone excited, even subconsciously swallowing her saliva. "I have seen records in ancient books. This kind of Golden Lotus can strengthen the Physical Body. After consuming it, the strength of the Physical Body can increase several times over; it is much more powerful than ordinary Body Tempering Medicinal Pills!"

Xiang Tian's eyes lit up. It could actually increase physical strength!

"Hurry up and pick it!" Xiahou Yu was even more eager than Xiang Tian, pulling his arm and urging him.

She wanted Xiang Tian to become stronger too much; this way, their chances of surviving in the Secret Realm would be greater.

Xiang Tian still had some doubts in his heart; this Golden Lotus had appeared too suddenly.

But looking at Xiahou Yu's expectant eyes, he nodded again: "Alright, I'll go pick it."

After saying this, he leaped, jumped into the lake with a "splash," and swam toward the Golden Lotus.

Xiang Tian swam to the side of the Golden Lotus and reached out to pick it.

Suddenly, he felt as if his feet had touched something.

He looked down and was surprised to discover that there was actually a platform underneath.

It was a platform built from grayish-blue stone, hidden under the water surface; one couldn't discover it at all without looking carefully.

Xiang Tian swam onto the platform, reached out, and picked it gently, and he plucked the Golden Lotus down. The process was smoother than he imagined; he didn't even encounter any obstacles.

"This was obtained too easily!" Xiang Tian held the Golden Lotus, his doubts growing heavier in his heart. He always felt something was wrong somewhere.

But before he could think it through, the platform beneath his feet suddenly emitted a "rumbling" sound. Immediately after, the platform began to shake violently.

Xiang Tian's expression changed. He wanted to jump back to the shore, but it was already too late.

The platform collapsed instantly. His feet went empty, and his whole body plummeted toward the bottom of the lake. Immediately after, the Lotus leaves on the lake surface and the light of the Golden Lotus vanished rapidly. The lake surface returned to its previous calmness, as if everything just now was only an illusion.

"Xiang Tian!" Xiahou Yu saw it clearly from the shore. She exclaimed, rushed to the lakeside, but only saw the calm lake surface; there wasn't even a shadow of Xiang Tian.

Her eyes instantly turned red, and she self-reproachfully patted her own legs: "It's all my fault; I shouldn't have let you go pick that Golden Lotus!"

She was anxious and spinning in circles, tears falling continuously. Suddenly, she saw the Bai Yu curled up in her arms.

Xiahou Yu's heart tightened, but she immediately let out a sigh of relief: "Isn't this Xiang Tian's pet? Since you are still alive, then he must also still be alive!"

She could only comfort herself like this, reached out to hold Bai Yu in her arms, and gently stroked its fur.

After thinking about it, Xiahou Yu gritted her teeth, placed the fox on the shore, and also leaped into the lake: "Xiang Tian, I'm coming to find you!"

She swam circle after circle in the lake, her hands continuously parting the water surface, but she never found any trace of Xiang Tian, and she didn't even detect a trace of spiritual power fluctuation.

"Xiang Tian, where are you?" Xiahou Yu cried out loudly in the lake, but only heard her own echo.

Just at this moment, a burst of chaotic footsteps came, and a group of Outer Sect Disciples ran toward the lakeside.

"Hmm? The golden light from just now should have come from here!" A Disciple pointed at the lake surface, his tone excited.

"That is..." Another Disciple saw Xiahou Yu in the lake and was stunned for a moment. "Isn't that Xiahou Yun's younger sister, Xiahou Yu?"

"Junior Sister, what happened here? What was that golden light about just now?" A Disciple who looked like the leader shouted toward Xiahou Yu.

Xiahou Yu didn't pay any attention to them at all, just continuously searching for Xiang Tian's whereabouts in the lake, tears mixing with the lake water and flowing down her cheeks.

"Why is there a fox here?" One of the men suddenly discovered the Bai Yu lying on the shore and reached out to touch it.

"Chen Xian, you are not allowed to touch her!" Xiahou Yu reacted immediately and hurriedly swam toward the shore.

After going ashore, she instantly evaporated the water stains on her body, walked quickly over, and held Bai Yu tightly in her arms. "This is my pet; none of you are allowed to touch her!"

"So it's Junior Sister Xiahou's fox!" Chen Xian sheepishly withdrew his hand. "No wonder this fox is so beautiful; it turns out it takes after its owner."

He actually had ideas about Xiahou Yu in his heart for a long time, but once he thought of the temper of her elder sister, Xiahou Yun, he didn't dare to be too presumptuous.

"Let's not talk about this for now." Another Disciple stood out, his tone serious. "Junior Sister Xiahou, have you seen a golden light shooting into the sky here just now? We all saw it from afar; it must be that a treasure has appeared."

"There was no movement here at all." Xiahou Yu shook her head.

"Zhou Ling, if you ask her like this, what kind of answer can you get?" A familiar voice sounded, and Qin Qiong walked out from behind the crowd.

He had only left a short while ago, and when he heard someone say there was golden light over here, he couldn't express how much he regretted it.

If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have left; perhaps he could have snatched the treasure.

Following behind him, naturally, was also Qin Yan.