A Private Deal

Shen Luo could not break free. He twisted sharply, spinning across the water like a top. Waves of magic power surged out with his movements, whipping the lake, which had only just begun to settle, back into a storm.

Drawing strength from his whole body, he clenched a fist and punched skyward. Magic power surged through him like a rising river, while the waves he had stirred spiraled upward in a rush.

The towering column of water spun violently like an azure dragon and slammed headfirst into the descending Golden Ingot. Its golden light shuddered, and it rocked from side to side.

But its descent slowed only briefly before it pressed down again.

"The boy truly is no weakling when it comes to water arts," Qian Tong said, surprised by the violent tremors running through his Magical Artifact.

With that, he formed another hand seal and pointed at the Golden Ingot from afar.

A wisp of black qi appeared on the gleaming Golden Ingot, then spread rapidly until the entire ingot had turned pitch-black.

"Drip."

Shen Luo suddenly felt a chill on his forehead. A drop of black liquid had fallen silently from above.

A wisp of Yin Baleful Qi seeped into the space between his brows.

Then came a rapid succession of drips. The blackened Golden Ingot melted swiftly, raining black liquid down until Shen Luo was completely submerged.

Before Shen Luo could cast the Water-Repelling Art, the viscous liquid enveloped him. Yin Baleful Qi pressed in from every side, burrowing through his skin toward the inside of his body.

Yet he felt no fear. If anything, a hint of delight appeared in his eyes.

His thoughts flashed. He channeled his magic power, and the Cosmic Bag at his waist opened at once, blazing with dark light.

The strands