Upper and Lower Void Rift

The two changed course for Divine Water Lake. After standing on the shore and observing it for a moment, they leaped into the water together and headed toward the center of the lake.

The underwater cliff, dozens of zhang deep, already looked terrifying from afar. Being above it in person was even more chilling, as though an endless maw lay below, waiting to fill its belly with them.

The two sank to the bottom and continued onward. Another cliff lay ahead. After pausing briefly, they sank deeper still and looked up; the water's surface had dwindled to a faint, blurry gleam.

Each released a Night Pearl for illumination. Liu Xiaolou studied the surrounding sand, stones, and aquatic grasses, searching for the Fissure Abyss. He had yet to find it when a black shadow suddenly swam before them. Revealing its true form in front of the two, it was a huge fish whose head took up more than half its body.

It was the Three-tailed Sea Bream.

This Strange Fish was one of Divine Water Lake's Eight Great Spirit Beasts. Drawn by the light, it had come looking for a full meal. Upon approaching, it came face-to-face with Liu Xiaolou. Its massive head tilted from side to side, its two eyes each sizing Liu Xiaolou up. Then it abruptly recalled an unpleasant memory. The twin fins by its gills flapped frantically, its tail thrashed for all it was worth, and it turned to flee—only for a hand to seize it by the gills and yank it back.

Liu Xiaolou took Master Zhu onto the fish's back. Seated firmly one before the other, they lightly clamped their legs around it. The Three-tailed Sea Bream could only resign itself to its fate and swim toward its lair. Before long, it found the fissure