Shadow Beneath the Lake

On the shore of a vast blue lake within the Five Mountains Sect, a figure moved rapidly, accompanied by the sound of whistling wind. His body was held in a peculiar posture, like a swimming fish, exuding a sense of agile grace amidst the strangeness. This was Zeng Fan, diligently practicing his killing moves by the lake.

As time passed, the speed of his movements gradually slowed. Huff… huff… huff… Zeng Fan gasped for breath. Despite his body's exhaustion, his expression was exhilarated. After several days of practice, the Fish Dance had become proficient. When combined with his cultivation technique, he could feel a surge of power accumulating within him with each change in his movement. Once this power reached its peak, it would be earth-shattering.

What surprised Zeng Fan even more was that as he cultivated the Fish Dance, he could clearly feel his Spiritual Energy being compressed and his meridians absorbing Spiritual Energy at an accelerated rate. He was getting closer to mastering the Body Tempering Muscle.

Zeng Fan had a vague premonition that when he completely mastered the Fish Dance, it would be the moment he broke through to the mastery of the Body Tempering Muscle.

However, the Dragon Dance left him completely clueless. According to the cultivation technique, he needed to find a Dragon-type Demonic Beast, observe its movements, and learn its form. Dragons were revered among Demonic Beasts, and any pure-blooded dragon was an absolute overlord. Cultivators generally avoided provoking them. Even a descendant with a trace of dragon bloodline would not be weak. In the cultivation world, dragons were known for their absolute strength and defense.

Zeng Fan shook his head, deciding to stop thinking about it for now. He would focus on mastering the Fish Dance first. Later, he could inquire within the sect about where to find Dragon-type Demonic Beasts.

Zeng Fan stripped off his clothes and slowly submerged himself in the water. He discovered that the cultivator's Fish Dance was even more effective in water than on land. Holding his breath, Zeng Fan swam towards a school of fish. Unbeknownst to him, in the depths of the lake, a pair of eyes were intently watching him. Seeing Zeng Fan enter the water, the owner of the gaze shifted its attention and swam deeper into the lake. The figure was tens of meters long, resembling a winding snake, entirely snow-white. Sunlight penetrated the lakebed, making its scales shimmer with specks of light.

While Zeng Fan was cultivating underwater, a graceful figure slowly approached the lake. It was a young girl, muttering to herself as if complaining about something. Yet, her steps were unceasing, her target clearly the lake.

"Honestly, they always make me feed the big guy. These people just bully me because I'm new and lazy! Hmph! Once I'm stronger, I won't do this anymore." The girl spoke these words as she arrived at the lake's edge, about to call out.

Splash! A naked body leaped out of the water and onto the shore. It was Zeng Fan, who had finished his training. Zeng Fan froze upon seeing the girl on the shore. Before he could react, the girl let out a shriek, "Ahhhhhh, you pervert! Die for me!" The girl channeled her Spiritual Energy and fiercely struck Zeng Fan with a palm.

Zeng Fan had no time to speak and could only dodge. His body moved like a swimming fish, sliding past the girl's palm in a bizarre posture.

The girl let out a surprised gasp, then became even angrier. "Pervert! You dare to dodge!" She struck again, her palm strike carrying even more force.

However, the words spoken by the naked figure made the girl pause.

"Murong Xue? What are you doing here?"

This girl was none other than Murong Xue, whom he hadn't seen in nearly a month. Murong Xue was taken aback. She then looked at the owner of the body and stopped her attack. However, the girl immediately turned her back, her voice filled with shame and annoyance.

"Zeng Fan? What are you doing here? And why aren't you dressed? Isn't your living quarters far from here? I thought it was some pervert, no, you might actually be a pervert!" The girl fired off a rapid series of questions, a blush creeping up her elegant, slender neck like a swan's.

"I've broken through to Body Tempering Muscle. The disciple competition is coming up soon, so I came here to practice my killing moves. What are you doing here? I'm dressed now, you can turn around," Zeng Fan said after putting on his clothes and addressed Murong Xue.

Murong Xue turned around, her face still flushed. Seeing Zeng Fan's clear, handsome face, and recalling the sight of his naked body earlier, the blush on her face seemed to deepen. She quickly spoke to cover her embarrassment.

"I'm here to feed the sect's spirit beast. What kind of killing move do you need to practice by the lake?" As the girl spoke, she gradually forgot her earlier embarrassment. After all, they knew each other, and she couldn't help but be curious.

Zeng Fan slowly explained his cultivation of the Fish Dragon Dance. "I've already gotten started with the Fish Dance, but I'm completely lost with the Dragon Dance. Do you happen to have any Dragon-type Demonic Beasts in your Earth Vein area?" Zeng Fan knew that Murong Xue and the other Earth Vein disciples lived in areas adjacent to some elders. These sect elders were powerful, and some might even raise the demonic beasts he needed.

"Do you know what spirit beast I'm here to feed?" The girl's eyes curved into crescent moons, revealing a hint of slyness.

Zeng Fan was taken aback. Looking at Murong Xue's expression, a thought stirred within him. Could the spirit beast the girl was feeding be the Dragon-type Demonic Beast he needed? Some dragons favored water and might inhabit lakes. It was possible, but why hadn't he seen it during his practice these past few days?

Seeing Zeng Fan's expression, Murong Xue knew he had guessed something. She stopped playing coy and took out a small bell from her embrace, shaking it.

The bell emitted a clear, crisp jingle that echoed through the lake. The sound of water followed. Zeng Fan turned his head and saw a line of water rapidly approaching the shore from the depths of the lake. As the water line drew nearer, a massive figure loomed larger in Zeng Fan's vision.

Splash! A snow-white spirit beast appeared before Zeng Fan. Its body was long and powerful, its white scales shimmering with specks of light. Its head was long and majestic, its two large eyes filled with human-like intelligence. When it opened its mouth, sharp teeth were revealed, capable of tearing through anything with ease. At this moment, its long tail was continuously slapping the water's surface, as if expressing its displeasure.

Murong Xue seemed to understand its meaning, sticking out her tongue. "I know, I know. I'll come earlier next time. Don't be so stingy."

The Demonic Beast heard Murong Xue's words and glared at her. Then, it made a move that left Zeng Fan dumbfounded. It actually raised its claw and beckoned to Murong Xue. The girl understood, took out a few pills from her storage ring, and tossed them into the demonic beast's mouth with a flick of her wrist. The demonic beast swallowed them in one gulp, then shook its large head, appearing very pleased.

"Is this... a White Dragon?" Zeng Fan stared at the behemoth before him with wide eyes. No, although the creature before him resembled a dragon, its claws only had four digits, and it lacked dragon horns on its head.

"Is this... a Flood Dragon?" Zeng Fan asked Murong Xue. As if understanding Zeng Fan's words, the behemoth glared at him in displeasure. Then, it flicked its tail, and a wave of water drenched Zeng Fan. He couldn't dodge in time and was completely soaked, looking quite pathetic.

"This thing has quite a temper," Zeng Fan cursed inwardly but dared not say anything more, looking at Murong Xue.

Seeing Zeng Fan completely drenched, the girl burst into laughter, but then her gaze fell upon the wet clothes clinging to his body, outlining his muscular form. Her face flushed again, and she remembered the earlier scene. Hearing Zeng Fan's question, she replied with a blush.

"This is the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon belonging to an elder of the disciple hall. We new Earth Vein disciples take turns feeding it pills periodically. Don't let its size fool you; it's still a child. It's equivalent to our Foundation Establishment stage. When it matures, it'll probably be hundreds of meters long, capable of flying through the sky and diving through water! I've been the one feeding it lately, so we've become familiar."

The Jade Spirit Flood Dragon heard Murong Xue's praise, and its large eyes actually curved like a human's. Its tail also swayed incessantly, stirring up waves.

Zeng Fan was shocked. Even as a young beast, it was equivalent to a human's Foundation Establishment stage. Dragons were truly terrifying. However, looking at the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon's body, his heart began to burn with excitement. He had found a way to learn the Dragon Dance!

With this thought, Zeng Fan immediately shouted at Murong Xue, "Miss Murong, could you possibly help me speak to this senior Jade Spirit Flood Dragon? I have always admired the grandeur of dragons and wish to stay by Senior Jade Spirit Flood Dragon's side for a while to observe how the great dragons live." As he finished speaking, Zeng Fan winked frantically at Murong Xue.

Murong Xue immediately understood Zeng Fan's intention. "This request of yours is difficult for me to fulfill. After all, dragons are not someone you can just meet whenever you please, especially our Senior Jade Spirit Flood Dragon, and it's not just any dragon..." Murong Xue let her words trail off, her eyes glancing at the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon.

The Jade Spirit Flood Dragon's large eyes were almost narrowed into slits, and its tail was constantly swaying. It clearly enjoyed the conversation between Zeng Fan and Murong Xue. Upon hearing Murong Xue's words, it let out a low growl, as if agreeing to Zeng Fan's request.

Seeing this, the girl knew the matter was settled. She coughed a few times and smiled at Zeng Fan. "Lord Jade Spirit Flood Dragon has agreed to your request. You can accompany Lord for a while, and you can properly admire the grandeur of dragons!" As she finished speaking, Murong Xue glanced at Zeng Fan, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"You can start accompanying Lord now."

Zeng Fan was stunned. Before he could even react, he felt a tightening sensation as the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon's tail wrapped tightly around him.

"What's going on, Murong? What's happening?" Zeng Fan tried to struggle but found that the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon's tail was tightening its grip.

Murong Xue burst into laughter. "Now you know why the other disciples are unwilling to come. Because every disciple who brings pills to the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon has to play with it for a while."

"Play? How do you play?" Zeng Fan was dumbfounded. Then, an irresistible force came upon him. The Jade Spirit Flood Dragon's tail whipped, throwing Zeng Fan into the air. Before Zeng Fan could react, it was caught by the tail again and pulled into the water.

"This is how we play," Murong Xue said to the now empty lake with a giggle.

Zeng Fan felt like a toy, tossed around by the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon at its whim, suffering immensely. However, the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon knew its limits, controlling its strength so as not to injure him. Otherwise, if this Foundation Establishment stage spirit beast got serious, Zeng Fan would likely be crushed instantly.

Zeng Fan was dizzy and disoriented, but with each wrap of the Jade Spirit Flood Dragon's tail, Zeng Fan could feel how the muscles in the flood dragon's tail exerted force to unleash terrifying power. Suppressing his dizziness, Zeng Fan began to earnestly perceive the movements. The cultivation of the Dragon Dance was finally beginning to show promise