99: Moonlit infiltration

Half a month passed quietly amidst intense preparation and cultivation.

Under the Hundred Flowers Tower's lavish supply of Medicinal Pills and the meticulous care of Qin Feng and Xiao Chun, Ji Ruxue's injuries had completely healed. Not only had she restored her cultivation to the Peak Grand Martial Master level, but her state was even better than before her injury, with her aura becoming increasingly condensed.

During this half-month, Qin Feng used several green-tier pieces of intelligence refreshed by the System to successfully find a hidden Profound Rank Intermediate soft armor, the 'Golden Silk Armor,' in the cellar of an abandoned residence. This armor was light, thin, and tough, with impressive defensive capabilities, making it perfect for protecting Ji Ruxue's life.

The night of the full moon arrived as scheduled.

As night fell, the bright full moon hung high in the sky like a silver plate, casting its clear radiance over the West Lake. The shimmering waves were breathtakingly beautiful.

In the Green Bamboo Courtyard, Qin Feng gave the newly acquired Golden Silk Armor to Ji Ruxue. He asked her to wear it close to her skin and checked their supply of Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and that crucial water repelling pearl once more.

He handed several bottles of commonly used healing and Qi-recovery pills to Xiao Chun.

“Xiao Chun, Lord Su, Sister Xue, and I are going out to handle some business. We’ll be back soon. Stay in the courtyard and take good care of yourself,” Qin Feng said warmly, ruffling Xiao Chun's hair.

Xiao Chun took the pills, clutching them tightly in her hands. Her large eyes were filled with worry and reluctance, but she nodded obediently. “Mm! Big Brother Qin, Lord Su, Sister Xue, you must all be careful!”

Su Yuetang had also changed into a black martial outfit suitable for action, which outlined her mature and graceful curves. She appeared less seductive than usual, replaced by a sense of efficiency and lethal intent. She summoned Elder Zhao Mang, who was stationed at the Thousand Gold Workshop.

“Elder Zhao, I’m leaving the branch in your hands tonight. Keep the doors tightly shut and increase patrols. No matter what happens outside, do not act without my command,” Su Yuetang ordered in an unquestionable tone.

“Yes! Rest assured, Lord Su! Your subordinate will defend the branch to the death!” Zhao Mang accepted the order with a solemn expression. Although he didn't know the specifics, anything that required such gravity from both the Lord and Deacon Qin was bound to be extraordinary... The shores of West Lake were exceptionally lively tonight.

The Hundred Flowers Tower had spent a fortune to host a grand fireworks display in an open area by the lake to celebrate their recent doubling in performance. Brilliant fireworks exploded one after another in the night sky, turning into thousands of flowing fires that illuminated West Lake like daylight. This drew countless citizens and tourists to stop and watch, with cheers and gasps of admiration rising and falling.

Even the hidden sentries who lurked by the lake year-round to monitor specific waters were drawn by this rare, lively scene. Years of tedious surveillance had long since exhausted them; being able to enjoy a free fireworks show while on duty was a welcome distraction. Most of their attention was captured by the brilliance in the sky.

Under the cover of this noise and light, three ghost-like figures quietly slipped into the icy lake water at a secluded spot far from the fireworks display area.

They were Qin Feng, Su Yuetang, and Ji Ruxue.

The water repelling pearl emitted a faint blue glow, forming an elliptical air bubble that enveloped the three of them, sealing out the lake water and providing ample air. Simultaneously, all three circulated the Ghost Breath Art to suppress their auras to the limit, making them seem like three silent stones underwater, difficult to perceive.

Like three fish, they followed the underwater currents, diving rapidly toward the coordinates provided by the System's intelligence. Moonlight filtered through the clear lake water, casting distorted pillars of light that illuminated the underwater sand, stones, and weeds, reflecting the solemn and vigilant faces of the three.

As they drew closer to the target coordinates, the water became deeper and colder, and the surrounding light gradually dimmed. An inexplicable sense of oppression weighed on their hearts.

Suddenly, several distorted, pale shadows—looking as if they had been soaked in water for countless years—emerged silently from the dark weeds and lunged at the three with bared claws! They had no physical forms but emitted a chilling, bone-piercing resentment; they were Yin-aligned entities like Water Ghosts!

“Hmph!” Qin Feng’s eyes turned cold; he was well-prepared. He quickly pulled an inconspicuous, ancient copper coin covered in green patina from his robes—this was the “Exorcism Ancient Coin” he had dug up from beneath the ruins of a City God Temple based on a piece of green intelligence.

Under the stimulation of his Internal Energy, the ancient coin suddenly emitted a soft green light. That light seemed to carry a purifying power; as it shone upon the Water Ghosts, they were like snow melting under the sun. The Water Ghosts let out silent, shrill screams as their forms rapidly distorted and faded, finally dissipating completely into the lake water.

“You brat, you really have quite a few tricks up your sleeve,” Su Yuetang glanced at Qin Feng, her tone carrying a hint of amazement. Ji Ruxue also gave Qin Feng a deep look, clearly not expecting him to have prepared such an item to counter evil spirits.

Having cleared the obstructing Water Ghosts, the three continued to descend. Finally, at the precise location indicated by the coordinates, they saw a shocking sight—

A small underwater tornado about three zhang in diameter was slowly rotating on the lake floor! It wasn't made of water, but rather a convergence of countless fine, silver spatial ripples. At its center was a bottomless, dark vortex emitting powerful suction and spatial fluctuations! Moonlight shone through the water onto the edge of the vortex, refracting into a blurry, dreamlike radiance.

“This is it! Enter the vortex! Everyone be careful, hold onto each other!” Qin Feng barked in a low voice, one hand gripping the water repelling pearl while his other hands grabbed Su Yuetang and Ji Ruxue's wrists respectively.

Su Yuetang and Ji Ruxue did not hesitate, firmly gripping his arms in return.

The three exchanged glances, all seeing determination in each other's eyes. In the next moment, they exerted force simultaneously, shooting like three sharp arrows toward the center of that dark, rotating vortex!

“Swish—!”

The moment they touched the vortex, an irresistible and massive tearing force struck. The air bubble formed by the water repelling pearl fluctuated violently, as if it might shatter at any moment. Then, the world began to spin; an intense sensation of spatial distortion enveloped them. Their consciousness felt as though it had been tossed into a violent washing machine, instantly becoming a blur as all their senses failed them in that moment... Only their tightly interlocked hands served as the sole anchor in this chaotic torrent of time and space.