Qin Chuan withstood the terrifying pressure of the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and ultimately convinced the Sky Azure Bull Python, earning its trust.
After the Sky Azure Bull Python left, the group began cultivating where they stood. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth was so rich here that the place resembled a blessed paradise; naturally, none of them wanted to miss the opportunity.
Layer upon layer of dense, pure energy swirled around them like clouds, forming a powerful vortex that gathered above their heads—a truly wondrous sight.
Half an hour later,
Snake Lance Douluo fixed his gaze on Qin Chuan.
"It seems Little Brother Qin really isn't from this continent... Such an astonishing cultivation scene is truly breathtaking," he said enviously, using Sound Transmission to speak to Qian Renxue and Puffer Douluo.
A cloudlike vortex swirled above everyone, its momentum astounding, but most of it had been drawn in by Qin Chuan alone.
Puffer Douluo remained expressionless, but after a long while, he still said, "Miss, we've been out for three days."
Qian Renxue's expression shifted slightly. Looking at Qin Chuan, who was deep in cultivation, she clenched her teeth, reluctant to leave him.
She had fallen in love with these tranquil moments.
"Let's go!"
But in the end, those words still slipped from her red lips. She was Qian Renxue—the daughter of Spirit Hall's former Supreme Pontiff!
Puffer Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo quickly rose into the air, flanking Qian Renxue as they escorted her at full speed toward the forest's outskirts.
With no outside interference, a Titled Douluo could still move incredibly fast. They streaked across the sky and soon left the core region.
Qin Chuan, wait for me!
Beside Life Lake, Qin Chuan slowly opened his eyes, calmly watching the figures depart.
I hope we meet again someday!
A moment later, he immersed himself in cultivation once more.
The spirit herb he had taken earlier had been dug up from a famous mountain somewhere on Earth Star. Its medicinal effects were astonishing, but he felt that most of its power had settled inside him without being refined.
Though he had now endured several battles and his injuries had flared up again, leaving his body in terrible condition, this could also be an opportunity.
Rolling waves of spiritual energy flooded into his body, and the medicinal power that remained within him immediately burst into flames, as if ignited.
His meridians burned with unbearable pain, as though he were trapped in a furnace. Streaks of dark grime seeped from his skin—impurities from within his body.
Under the medicinal power's cleansing, the impurities were burned out through his skin, soon staining a large patch of his fair complexion black.
"Phew!"
After enduring it with difficulty, Qin Chuan couldn't help but breathe out a long, foul breath. The remaining medicinal power in his body had finally been fully refined, and the burning sensation at last faded.
The medicinal power left in his body had now been completely refined. He felt clear and light all over, wonderfully refreshed!
"It feels so good to be completely refreshed!" Qin Chuan stretched his back and was just about to breathe in some fresh air when he nearly choked to death.
"What is that smell? Why does it stink so much? It's enough to knock me out!" Pinching his nose, Qin Chuan looked down and realized that a layer of grime covered his body.
"Uh, I've turned into a coal-black man. I can't stand this. I did save its younger brother, after all. Surely taking a bath isn't too much to ask."
He smelled absolutely awful, like someone who had just been fished out of a stinking ditch.
Without hesitation, Qin Chuan flipped forward and plunged straight into Life Lake, hoping to wash away the layer of foul grime.
"Blub! Blub..."
The lake water was cool and pure, quickly rinsing the grime from his body.
After washing off the layer of filth, Qin Chuan couldn't resist swimming around and splashing about in the lake.
It had been a long time since he'd enjoyed himself so freely.
"The spiritual energy above the lake is already so astonishing, like a pure land. I wonder what the bottom of the lake looks like?" Qin Chuan wondered.
He decided to find out. Taking a huge gulp of air, he plunged headfirst into the lake, his body as nimble as a fish.
Perhaps it was because of the Sky Azure Bull Python, but there wasn't a single Soul Beast in this spirit lake, despite its dense life energy.
That suited Qin Chuan just fine. He had an unobstructed path, and in just a few minutes, he reached the depths of the lake.
Amid a faint blue glow, coral shimmered and green plants radiated a kaleidoscope of colors. But what drew Qin Chuan's attention most were clusters of strange silver metal fragments!
What were those?
Puzzled, Qin Chuan paddled over. The dim, blue surroundings had no effect on him whatsoever.
As he drew closer to the metal, dense spiritual energy surged toward him. It was so concentrated that it seemed almost ready to liquefy.
Could it be that these strange metals were what had created the so-called Life Lake?
In an instant, this guess surfaced in Qin Chuan's mind, and he was convinced it was the ultimate answer to the mystery of Life Lake.
Never mind that for now. He'd better get back up first!
A great opportunity lay within reach, but Qin Chuan remained levelheaded.
He was only at the Body Casting Realm, with little strength and no ability to stay underwater for long. He decided to head back up and return here another day, if he got the chance.
Besides, his relationship with the Sky Azure Bull Python was fairly good for now. He couldn't bring himself to destroy its home—that would be downright shameless.
Just as Qin Chuan was about to swim back, something suddenly changed in the depths of the lake. A massive crack appeared, pitch-black and impossible to see into.
Qin Chuan's heart sank. He swam back with all his might, but just then, a huge black claw suddenly reached out from the crack. In the blink of an eye, it seized him and dragged him inside.
What the hell was that thing?
Qin Chuan's scalp prickled. There was another world beneath the lake—and it held such a terrifying monster!
I can't keep taking these risks... I need to find another world! This sudden attack made up Qin Chuan's mind.
"Void System, use the random Transmigration Talisman!" he immediately ordered in his mind. His figure flashed and vanished from the black giant claw in an instant.
"Hm?"
"Again?! Damn it!!!"
The owner of the black giant claw let out an enraged yet helpless roar, and the entire lakebed boiled.
The black giant claw abruptly withdrew, and the terrifying force dragging Qin Chuan away vanished in an instant.
Qin Chuan landed firmly on both feet and gasped for breath, finally escaping the Ferocious Beast's grasp in the secret realm beneath the lake.
"There are Ferocious Beasts beneath the lake, too... And its presence is even more terrifying than that of the Forest Emperor."
He was shocked.
The icy, suffocating sensation and fear of imminent death vanished completely, replaced by a warm, gentle morning light.
A cool breeze softly brushed his cheeks, carrying the distinctive fresh scent of grass. It was remarkably soothing.
Qin Chuan quickly steadied himself and looked around. His face instantly filled with wonder.
"This world... is so warm!"
Beneath his feet stretched an endless expanse of lush green grass. It was soft and clean, continuing all the way to the horizon.
In the distance, trees grew in verdant profusion, and the mountains rolled gently. The blue sky and white clouds were so clear and bright, they looked painted.
This was an entirely unfamiliar, brand-new world!
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