At the pitch-black bottom of the lake, undercurrents surged. A figure paddled with all four limbs, propelled through layer upon layer of currents as it closed in like an underwater missile.
The newcomer wore heavy armor and a black iron mask. Concealed beneath the armor, their gender was impossible to discern from their build.
If Zhang Yuanqing's swimming was like a speedboat, then this suit of armor moved like an underwater missile, churning the currents with a rumbling roar.
That fast—either a Plague God, or someone with a Saint-quality water-control item. Zhang Yuanqing remained in his Night Wanderer state, his brow tightly furrowed.
This uninvited guest had completely disrupted his plans.
He probably isn't here for me. Before entering the water, I checked the surroundings and wasn't being followed. And after traveling all this way, there was no way I could have been discovered while in Night Wanderer state. Anyone who could see me while invisible would have to be a Master, but Qin Feng Academy has no Masters.
Then, is he here for the stone gate on Beast Island?
Impossible, Zhang Yuanqing muttered inwardly.
The armored person soon reached Beast Island. Like Zhang Yuanqing, they swam halfway around the "lone cliff" before stopping before the stone gate.
At that moment, the two were about twenty meters apart. If it had been daytime, they would have spotted each other with a turn of the head.
But this was the pitch-black lakebed, and Zhang Yuanqing was in Night Wanderer state. As long as he did not attack first, he would not be discovered.
The armored person examined the stone gate, sometimes exerting force to push it, sometimes feeling around the surrounding cliff face for mechanisms. Finally, they hovered before the gate and stared at the round hole in its crack, seeming