An unnamed little lake.
After ending his exchange with Ruan Wu, Song Wen hurried there without a moment's delay.
He did not recklessly enter the lake's vicinity, instead stopping several thousand li away.
After repeatedly sweeping the sky above the lake and the earth beneath it with his spiritual sense, he found no ambush-not even a single living person. Song Wen then summoned the Void Dragon Vine.
The Void Dragon Vine could originally convert Origin Qi and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth on its own. After advancing to the immortal realm, the energy it converted had been elevated into Immortal Spiritual Qi.
As long as it did not actively reveal its Origin Qi, it was little different from an ordinary vine-type demonic beast, apart from the nine rather peculiar tentacles at its tip. There was little risk of it bringing trouble upon Song Wen.
The Void Dragon Vine shot forward and landed on the lake's surface.
Its roots plunged straight to the bottom, piercing through mud and rock to burrow deep underground.
Once the entire lake had been churned into a filthy, turbid mess, the Void Dragon Vine's clear voice rang out in Song Wen's mind.
"Master, this subordinate has investigated carefully. There are absolutely no formations or human cultivators hidden beneath this lake."
"Good. Submerge yourself for now."
With that, Song Wen flew toward the little island in the lake and landed on a slab of bluestone.
The Void Dragon Vine vanished beneath the murky surface.
About half an incense stick later, Ruan Wu arrived.
He glanced at the still-turbid water, somewhat bewildered and suspicious, but the undisguised panic on his face left him no room to concern himself with it.
The moment he landed on the island, Ruan Wu eagerly took out a storage pouch.
"Senior,