"I've got it!" An idea flashed through Xiao Yan's mind, and he swiftly devised a plan. His figure darted forward, appearing above the Life Lotus in an instant. Yet just as he was about to pluck it, enormous ripples suddenly spread across the pool below. Tentacles shot out of the water, coiled around his body, and dragged him straight into the pool.
"Those are Abyssal Demon Octopuses! What are they doing here?" Someone recognized the tentacles and exclaimed in astonishment.
"What's so strange about that? Heavenly treasures are bound to have exotic beasts guarding them. These Abyssal Demon Octopuses must be the guardians of the Life Lotuses. That brat was reckless, too, making a move before he even checked the situation. Now that they've dragged him down, I'm afraid the odds are stacked against him," someone said, gloating over his misfortune.
"Forget that brat. Our priority is figuring out how to get our hands on these Life Lotuses."
"Hmph, these Abyssal Demon Octopuses are only Seventh-Rank Supremes at best. Let's attack together. Once we finish them all off, plucking the Life Lotuses will be as easy as turning over a hand!"
As that low shout rang out, everyone present sprang into action. Waves of spiritual power raged outward, churning the entire pool into wildly surging waves.
While the people around the pool fought fiercely with the Abyssal Demon Octopuses, Xiao Yan quietly slipped deeper into the water, searching for the Nine Revolutions Green Lotus. With his strength, he would never have been dragged away so easily by an Abyssal Demon Octopus. He had merely used the opportunity to escape everyone's sight. The one that had pulled him underwater had been killed instantly in their very first exchange.
Scanning with his soul force, Xiao Yan soon sensed the direction of the