6: Chapter 6 The Golden Lotus's Test

"Xiahou Yu, aren't you with Xiang Tian?"

Qin Yan's voice rang out abruptly, instantly drawing the gaze of everyone present.

Previously, Qin Qiong had already deliberately spread the news that "Xiang Tian obtained an ancient Legacy," and almost every Cultivator within a hundred miles knew about it. At this moment, the informants he had sent out were likely still spreading rumors everywhere, just waiting to lure the snake out of its hole.

"Hmm? Xiang Tian?"

Chen Xian's expression changed abruptly, a flash of greed passing quickly through his eyes. Zhou Ling also put away his previous indifference, his brows furrowing slightly as he remained silent.

A boy who was once regarded by everyone as trash could actually soar to the skies relying on a Legacy.

The preciousness of this Legacy was self-evident; who among those present didn't harbor covetous thoughts, each calculating in their own way?

Xiahou Yu's heart tightened, and she forced herself to remain calm as she denied it: "I haven't seen Xiang Tian. We separated long ago; I was just about to ask if you had seen him."

She prayed silently that she could get away with it, but as soon as her voice fell, a spiteful voice exploded from behind the crowd: "She is lying! I was just beaten into this state by that trash Xiang Tian!"

Everyone turned their heads in unison to look, only to see Yan Lin looking disheveled, his clothes stained with blood, and wounds slashed by Sword Qi still remaining on his shoulder. Ling Jiao stood beside him, staring at Xiahou Yu with a cold expression.

The two had already left the valley, but were attracted by that golden light shooting up into the sky. They had circled back, coincidentally breaking up this standoff.

"In that case, Xiang Tian is still hiding in this valley?" Qin Yan's eyes lit up instantly, his face full of irrepressible excitement. He had been worried about not finding the main target, but he hadn't expected it to be so effortless.

"Junior Sister Xiahou, if you are sensible, hurry up and reveal Xiang Tian's whereabouts!" Qin Qiong's expression was terrifyingly calm. "Otherwise, I cannot guarantee that others won't do something out of line to you."

Xiahou Yu's face turned pale, then green, and cold sweat seeped from her palms. She knew the nature of this group too well; once they were convinced that Xiang Tian possessed a great treasure, they would inevitably stop at nothing.

Even though she herself was curious about what exactly had happened to Xiang Tian, she absolutely could not reveal a single bit right now.

Even if she were beaten to death, she would not betray Xiang Tian.

"Junior Sister Xiahou, it is better to cooperate honestly." Qin Qiong pressed step by step. "Your Xiahou Family only has one Xiahou Yun who has gained the favor of a few Elders in the Inner Sect, but if our families unite, do you think the Xiahou Family can still protect you?"

Xiahou Yu still shook her head, her eyes firm: "I have said it before, Xiang Tian is not here. This valley is bare; there is simply no place to hide. If you want to search, search for yourselves!"

After saying this, she simply found a rock and sat down.

Zhou Ling frowned and scanned his surroundings. The valley was indeed empty; apart from a giant rock by the lake and the lake water itself, there was nothing to provide cover. Xiahou Yu's appearance did not seem like she was lying.

The few exchanged glances, all feeling somewhat hesitant.

"Senior Brothers, I am certain! That trash Xiang Tian is definitely with Xiahou Yu!"

Yan Lin gritted his teeth; the humiliation of being severely injured by Xiang Tian had made his eyes red with hatred.

"Yan Lin, there is no rush for revenge." Zhou Ling pressed his shoulder and turned to Chen Xian, saying, "Why not let a few Junior Brothers check the lake?"

"I have the same intention." Chen Xian instructed the few people behind him, "Go down and search carefully!"

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

Several figures jumped into the lake in response, splashing water everywhere.

Xiahou Yu gazed at the lake surface, muttering in her heart: Where exactly did Xiang Tian go?

A moment later, they swam ashore one after another and shook their heads, saying: "Senior Brother, there is nothing unusual in the lake; not even a trace of aura was left behind."

Chen Xian pondered for a moment: "Since that is the case, we will wait here for a few hours. That golden light must have originated from this valley; perhaps it is related to Xiang Tian's Legacy."

"That is fine. Junior Brothers, rest where you are."

Everyone found a place to sit down, but their gazes would occasionally glance toward Xiahou Yu; clearly, they hadn't completely let go of their suspicions.

This wait lasted for three hours. Xiang Tian still had no news, and there was no clue about the source of the golden light.

Qin Qiong took a deep breath and broke the silence: "I think Xiahou Yu must have hidden the treasure."

"It is not impossible." Zhou Ling agreed, "She has been guarding this place; perhaps it is to cover for Xiang Tian to move the treasure."

"How about this: let Xiahou Yu come with us." Chen Xian suggested, his eyes subconsciously glancing at Xiahou Yu.

As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Qiong teased him: "Chen Xian, I know you have a crush on Junior Sister Xiahou, but this idea is indeed not bad."

The group immediately walked up to Xiahou Yu. Qin Qiong remained expressionless: "Junior Sister Xiahou, we are going to hunt Spirit Beasts, so please accompany us."

"Why should I go with you?" Xiahou Yu immediately refused.

"Be sensible; don't force us to use force on you." Zhou Ling's tone was cold.

"Junior Sister Xiahou, rest assured, I will definitely protect your safety." Chen Xian patted his chest to guarantee, while calculating in his heart: As long as Xiahou Yu is by my side, sooner or later, Xiang Tian will come looking for her himself.

"If you don't agree, we will tie you up and take you away; don't bring trouble upon yourself." Zhou Ling pressured her again.

Xiahou Yu looked at the fox curled up in her arms, then looked at the calm, waveless lake water. A flash of determination crossed her eyes: "Fine, I'll go."

Surrounded by the crowd, she slowly left the valley. The lake behind her remained silent; no one knew what kind of secret was hidden beneath the lake bottom.

...

A few hours ago.

Xiang Tian climbed up from a soft piece of ground, rubbed his throbbing head, and scanned his surroundings blankly.

This was not the bottom of the lake, but a huge basement. The walls and floor were inlaid with unknown golden Ore, making the entire space golden and dazzling.

In the very center of the basement, a huge Lotus was quietly blooming. Its petals were layered, emitting a warm golden light. A rich medicinal fragrance rushed toward him, refreshing his spirit.

"Good stuff!" Xiang Tian was overjoyed and walked forward quickly to pick the Lotus.

[Warning! Warning! Danger ahead!] The System's alarm sounded abruptly, and Xiang Tian subconsciously dodged to the side.

"Swish, swish, swish—" Nine Lotus petals suddenly detached from the calyx, turning into sharp hidden weapons, piercing toward him with the sound of breaking through the air!

"It's actually a hidden weapon?" Xiang Tian broke out in a cold sweat. "System, isn't this a Lotus? How can it attack people?"

[This is indeed a Lotus, a supreme treasure of the ancient times for strengthening the body.] The System manifested as a delicate and pretty young girl, floating beside him with her arms crossed.

[However, treasures are obtained by those fated to have them; how could it let you take it easily? This is just a trial for you.]

"A trial? Isn't it just a flower?" Xiang Tian was speechless.

[Host, don't underestimate this trial. After passing it, there will definitely be surprises you won't expect~]

"Swish, swish, swish—" Another round of petal attacks arrived, faster than before and at even trickier angles.

Xiang Tian was so anxious he was spinning in circles, dodging repeatedly: "System, hurry and think of a way! If this continues, I'm going to be turned into a sieve by these petals!"

[Host, this is a tempering for you. Sweat more now, so you can bleed less in the future~]

"Damn it! I'm not trying to save the world!" Xiang Tian complained while narrowly avoiding a petal. The System's voice, sounding like it was disappointed in his lack of progress, came to his ears:

[You have a weapon and don't use it, are you an idiot?]

Xiang Tian froze, then reacted immediately, quickly taking out the qingling sword from his Storage Pouch.

"Clang—" The qingling sword was unsheathed, cold light flashing. It collided with the incoming petals, emitting a crisp sound of metal clashing.

"It's actually this hard?" Xiang Tian was incredibly surprised. He took the opportunity to flick the petal away with his sword and quickly picked it up to examine it.

The petal was soft to the touch and felt warm, but when they collided just now, it clearly had the texture of metal.

There was no time to think carefully; the remaining petals attacked again. Xiang Tian gripped the qingling sword tightly, concentrating on dealing with them. The crisp sounds of sword light colliding with petals echoed continuously in the basement.

Half an hour later, as the last petal was struck down, Xiang Tian slumped onto the ground, panting heavily, his whole body soaked in sweat.

He put away the qingling sword and picked up all nine petals. Looking at the petals emitting golden light in his hands, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.

"Finally done!" He picked up a petal and was about to stuff it into his mouth.

[Host, don't you have any idea what your cultivation level is? Eating so many at once, be careful of exploding and dying!]

Xiang Tian's hand shook in fright, and the petal almost fell to the ground.

He coughed dryly, embarrassed: "Of course I won't eat them all. Isn't this also to save some for Xiahou Yu?"

After saying this, he carefully took out one petal and swallowed it, carefully putting away the remaining eight, then closed his eyes to feel the warm current surging within his body.

The medicinal power of this Lotus was truly well-deserved.