Three quarters past the Hour of the Rat, the night had deepened. On the shore of the emerald-green lake from daytime, the riverbank's mud and sand suddenly began to loosen.
Yet after stirring for quite a while, no figure appeared. Only the wind rustled softly, and a streak through the water suddenly shot toward the heart of the lake.
One breath later, a figure suddenly appeared three zhang beneath the water's surface—it was Xu Yuan, dressed all in black.
"This water escape and earth escape are useful enough, but they burn through spiritual energy far too quickly."
Muttering to himself, Xu Yuan raised his head toward the lake surface. Snowflakes drifted down from the dim night sky. No matter how intently anyone on shore looked, there was no way they could spot him in the lake.
"It's time to search for the opportunity hidden here."
With a light movement through the water, Xu Yuan shifted a great distance without needing to use any spiritual energy at all, swimming toward where the piranhas had first appeared.
This lake was not small. The Qin Family only used a small stretch along the shore for cultivation; most of it was unclaimed land, where all manner of aquatic plants and creatures grew wild. No matter how sharp Xu Yuan's eyesight was, the sight made his eyes blur.
"Fishing for a needle in the sea."
Half an hour later, after surfacing once for air, Xu Yuan dove down again, thinking helplessly to himself.
It was said that the cultivation world had treasure-seeking insects, treasure-seeking rats, and the like, capable of leading their masters to where treasures were hidden. Unfortunately, he did not possess such spirit pets.
After another half hour of searching, Xu Yuan had thoroughly combed the entire northwest section of the lake. Never