The darkness beneath the Lake of Life seemed endless.
Ye Zhiqiu couldn't help but curse under his breath, "What kind of soul beast would like to stay in this kind of environment? Could it really be Di Tian, that little black dragon?"
Perhaps only that pitch-black creature would enjoy such a desolate place, able to merge with the darkness? Grinning, revealing a mouthful of white teeth?
Ye Zhiqiu couldn't help but look at the Azure Ox Python beside him and asked, "Daming, you've always stayed in the Lake of Life. Have you noticed anything unusual inside?"
"Unusual?" Daming's azure eyes flickered. "No, there's nothing else in the lake besides the energy being more abundant than outside."
"Is that so?"
Ye Zhiqiu raised an eyebrow. This Azure Ox Python wasn't being honest.
As the saying goes, the eyes are the windows to the soul. If you had closed your lantern-sized eyes before lying, I might have actually believed you.
Ye Zhiqiu's relationship with Daming wasn't particularly close, as they had only met today. However, because of Xiaowu, they, one human and one beast, were destined not to become enemies.
There were some things Daming, for Xiaowu's sake, shouldn't hide from Ye Zhiqiu.
But this time, it concealed something beneath the lake. This indicated that what lay beneath the lake was very important to Daming.
At the very least, it didn't want an outsider like Ye Zhiqiu to know.
Since Daming didn't want to talk, Ye Zhiqiu didn't bother to press further. He had originally planned to stop for now and explore after reaching level 50, but Daming's actions had piqued his curiosity. "Damn it, you want to hide it? Then I'll definitely see what it is."
With that thought, Ye Zhiqiu's divine sense continued to probe deeper into the Lake of Life.
The further his divine sense probed downwards, the narrower the space became. The bottom of the Lake of Life was actually shaped like a funnel, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom?
Ye Zhiqiu even suspected that there might be some kind of rare treasure at the very bottom of the Lake of Life. Otherwise, why would the energy contained within the Lake of Life be more abundant than the outside world?
Even the escaping currents could form an energy mist near the surface of the lake.
Thinking of this, Ye Zhiqiu's eyes lit up, and his divine sense continued to spread downwards.
At this moment, his divine sense had already penetrated more than ten li into the Lake of Life. Spreading his divine sense through the lake encountered resistance more than a dozen times greater than in the outside air.
More than ten li was almost Ye Zhiqiu's limit; his mind was already showing a faint sense of fatigue.
Give up?
Impossible!
With his stubbornness kicking in, the Eternal Mangekyo in Ye Zhiqiu's pupils instantly appeared. His pupil power had recovered somewhat, so opening his eyes wasn't a problem.
At this moment, among the four soul rings—purple, black, red, and red—slowly rotating around Ye Zhiqiu, the outermost soul ring flashed with a dazzling red light.
His Fourth Soul Skill, Kagura's Mind Eye, was used by Ye Zhiqiu for the first time.
At the bottom of the Lake of Life, his divine sense, which had been unable to go further down, now seemed to be injected with an stimulant. It suddenly condensed into an arrow-like shape, breaking through the calm lake water and rushing downwards.
In the blink of an eye, it covered a distance of five or six li, its momentum still undiminished.
Ye Zhiqiu now had a slight grasp of his Fourth Soul Skill, Kagura's Mind Eye. This thing was similar to his divine sense.
After using it, it could instantly amplify the strength of his divine sense in a special way. Its only drawback was probably that the viewed image was black and white, but now, this sole drawback was compensated by the effect of his divine sense.
Divine sense, most of the time, sees more clearly than the eyes.
As his divine sense spread downwards, a fork appeared at the bottom of the Lake of Life.
Two dark, deep underwater caves, as if they could devour people, appeared before his eyes.
Ye Zhiqiu only sensed it briefly. On the other side, there seemed to be no aura fluctuations. Of course, it was also possible that it was too deep for him to perceive.
Without much thought, Ye Zhiqiu directly used his divine sense to quickly dive towards the direction he had sensed.
After his divine sense had extended about 19 li downwards, a soft, small point of light suddenly appeared in the seemingly endless darkness.
Ye Zhiqiu's heart filled with joy; it seemed he was almost there.
Today, he wanted to see what Di Tian looked like. If it was cool, he would find an opportunity to capture it as a mount in the future. If it was ugly, he would return at level 50 and use Amaterasu a few times to burn it to death and get a million-year soul ring, which would also be quite nice.
His divine sense continued to dive for a while, and the soft white light grew brighter and brighter. He could already faintly make out the shape of the object, which seemed to be a rectangular crystal coffin? And inside, there appeared to be a... person?
Ye Zhiqiu's divine sense condensed into his own form, slowly drifting down to land on top of the crystal coffin. The Lake of Life... had reached its bottom.
The space here was roughly the size of a room, about ten meters long and wide. All around were dark, unknown material rock formations, which seemed to have some light-absorbing properties.
The soft light emanating from the crystal coffin dissipated after a few hundred meters; otherwise, in this complete darkness, it would certainly have spread much further.
When he fully saw the scene before him, Ye Zhiqiu, who was leisurely returning while sitting on Er Ming's head, was a bit stunned. At the same time, his divine sense, condensed into his form at the bottom of the lake, also looked bewildered.
His main body and divine sense were perfectly synchronized.
Di Tian was actually female...?
Ye Zhiqiu looked at the figure in the crystal coffin, somewhat astonished. Was this a soul beast? It was clearly a human, wasn't it? A soul beast transformed into a human, just like Xiaowu?
The woman in the crystal coffin appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. Her head of silver hair didn't seem out of place; instead, it added a touch of aloofness to her. Her eyes were slightly closed, as if she were in a state of slumber. Her delicate eyebrows seemed to have been meticulously groomed, curving into a beautiful arc. Her skin was fair and rosy, looking incredibly smooth and tender.
At this moment, her thin red lips were slightly pursed. Just by looking at her face, Ye Zhiqiu could feel a similar coldness radiating from her as from Zhu Zhuqing, but her features were even more refined. The person in the crystal coffin was like an immortal fairy who didn't partake in worldly affairs.
"If Di Tian looked like this, I wouldn't have the heart to take her as a soul ring, even if it killed me," Ye Zhiqiu mumbled unconsciously.
Ye Zhiqiu had only read the first part of Douluo Dalu in his previous life; he hadn't read the later parts at all. He didn't know much about Di Tian, only that it was said to be the head of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts; he knew nothing else.
As for the other Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, he didn't even know their names.
But this trip to the bottom of the Lake of Life had somewhat refreshed Ye Zhiqiu's understanding.
Di Tian, after transforming, was actually such a cool young woman? Shouldn't a soul beast like the Black Dragon, after transforming, be pitch black, with only its teeth being white?
Emmm...
If he said she wasn't Di Tian, Ye Zhiqiu himself would find it hard to believe. The aura emanating from this woman was terrifyingly strong. Ye Zhiqiu really couldn't think of any other soul beast on the Douluo Continent with such a powerful aura.
Perhaps the ninety-nine-thousand-year-old Deep Sea Demon Whale in the ocean could, but this woman was clearly not it.
What to do? He originally thought there was treasure at the bottom of the lake, but now there was only this sleeping beauty. Even if he came back after reaching level 50 and wanted to kill her for a soul ring, he might not be able to bring himself to do it.
As Ye Zhiqiu was contemplating, the silver-haired woman's aura fluctuated, startling Ye Zhiqiu. He thought she was about to awaken.
However, the terrifying aura on the woman instantly weakened, and her complexion even became somewhat pale.
But her originally cold demeanor actually became gentle and graceful, elegant and serene.
Two completely different temperaments were displayed on her.
"Is this mental illness? Pfft, multiple personality disorder?" Ye Zhiqiu frowned, pondering in secret.
He circled the crystal coffin twice, Ye Zhiqiu tried touching it everywhere with his divine sense, and found that the crystal coffin was actually made of a special material that could isolate his divine sense.
To touch the person inside, he would have to come down in person and violently dismantle the coffin.
It seemed he was destined to return empty-handed today.
He could only wait until he reached level 50, then come back again to decide whether or not to take her as a soul ring.
With that thought, Ye Zhiqiu slowly retracted his divine sense.
When Ye Zhiqiu's divine sense left, the place once again became silent.
However, the figure in the crystal coffin's eyelashes trembled slightly at this moment, and she slowly opened her eyes, revealing deep purple pupils.
She looked somewhat bewildered in the direction Ye Zhiqiu's divine sense had departed. Not long after, she fell into slumber once more.
If Ye Zhiqiu had seen this scene, he would have been utterly astonished. This woman could actually detect his divine sense probing.
Returning to the Lake of Life, Ye Zhiqiu sat cross-legged by the lake, meditating to recover by utilizing the rich natural energy there.
His pupil power and soul power were greatly depleted from the battle with the Horned Evil Dragon, almost completely exhausted.
Soul power was fine; it could be directly replenished by drawing from the nine Tailed Beast origins. However, the recovery of pupil power was a bit troublesome; it could only happen slowly, waiting for it to recover on its own.
Meditating with his eyes closed could only slightly increase the recovery speed.
While Ye Zhiqiu was meditating, Xiaowu and Er Ming were having a great time playing. Daming, the Azure Ox Python, was hidden in the Lake of Life, only showing its large head, watching Ye Zhiqiu intently from a distance, as if guarding against a thief.
Although Ye Zhiqiu was meditating, he could still sense what was happening outside.
He just smiled helplessly in his heart at Daming's foolish behavior.
Even if I hadn't been to the bottom of the lake, your posture is like proclaiming "there is no silver here, but three hundred taels." Anyone who isn't an idiot could guess there's something at the bottom of this lake, right?
If I were you, I would pretend nothing was amiss.
Soul beasts without human forms lack common sense.
A night passed.
The next morning, Ye Zhiqiu stood up, refreshed and invigorated.
"Are you recovered?" Xiaowu bounced forward and asked.
"Yes." Ye Zhiqiu smiled and nodded, saying, "Have you had enough fun? It's almost time to go back."
"Alright," Xiao Wu said, looking at Er Ming beside her with a hint of reluctance, and then at Da Ming, who was nestled in the lake with only his head showing in the distance.
"Sister Xiao Wu, remember to come home and visit us often," Da Ming said, poking his head out, his large mouth opening and closing with a somewhat low tone.
"Awoo! Awoo!" Er Ming also let out several cries, bidding Xiao Wu farewell.
Ye Zhi Qiu reached out and gently placed his hand on Xiao Wu's shoulder, his four spirit rings already visible.
Xiao Wu's eyes dimmed, but she forced a smile at Da Ming and Er Ming, saying, "You two are really something. I told you not to call me Sister Xiao Wu anymore."
As soon as she finished speaking, a red light flashed, a breeze swept through, and the two figures instantly vanished.
In the middle of the forest, nearly 700 li away from the core of the Star Dou Great Forest, Ye Zhi Qiu and Xiao Wu suddenly appeared next to Ning Rong Rong.
As soon as Ye Zhi Qiu returned using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he retracted his martial spirit.
"Oh, everyone's here."
Ye Zhi Qiu surveyed the scene, chuckled softly, and then wrapped his arm around Ning Rong Rong's waist.
At this moment, Tang San was absorbing a spirit ring. Beside him lay a massive spider, as large as a knocked-over elephant, looking quite miserable. All eight of its spider legs were broken, and its body was caved in. Even though it was dead, a faint evil aura still emanated from it.
The others were protecting Tang San, dispersed in various spots, all facing away and cautiously observing their surroundings.
Ning Rong Rong and Oscar, being support spirit masters, were naturally within the group's protective circle.
Ning Rong Rong was startled by Ye Zhi Qiu's sudden appearance. After recognizing him, she couldn't help but roll her eyes, then gently pulled away from his embrace to link her arm with his, her expression serene and natural, a faint smile gracing her brows and eyes.
At this moment, the others also noticed the returning pair and gathered around, full of gossip. After all, the scene of Ye Zhi Qiu and Er Ming riding the Horned Evil Dragon last night was simply too eye-catching. According to Dragon Duke Meng Shu, that was a 100,000-year spirit beast.
Ye Zhi Qiu had actually teamed up with the Titan Giant Ape to hunt another 100,000-year spirit beast. Everyone who heard it exclaimed "Holy crap!" and were lucky their jaws didn't drop.
Isn't it a common understanding that spirit beasts are hostile to humans? Why did it change for you? You can even team up with spirit beasts to hunt other spirit beasts?
Aside from the older generation who managed to keep their composure, the other Shrek Academy students all gathered around, asking questions excitedly.
"Holy crap, Boss Qiu, Dai Er said you were a spirit beast in human form. I didn't believe it at first, but now I do. Can you tell us what kind of spirit beast you transformed from?" Ma Hong Jun exclaimed dramatically, gesturing wildly. Among the Seven Devils, he was the most unreliable.
Oscar, next to him, wiggled his butt, pushed Ma Hong Jun aside, and leaned in, smiling ingratiatingly, "Boss Qiu, why don't you show us your true form? Don't worry, we'll just take a peek, and we definitely won't tell anyone that you're a transformed spirit beast."
Dai Mu Bai's face was dark. He had been walking closer but stealthily retreated. What was wrong with these two idiots?
Are they just going to sell me out like that? What a bunch of pig teammates. Selling me out is bad enough, but you're also egging them on. Are you sick? If you keep this up, will our lives be any easier in the future?
Ye Zhi Qiu looked at the two with amusement, then subtly glanced at Dai Mu Bai, who was furtively retreating.
"Oh? Dai Er said I was a spirit beast in human form? You want to see my true form? Hmm, I think I used my true form when I fought with Teacher Zhao that day, didn't I? What, do you want to see it?" Ye Zhi Qiu looked at them, a faint smile on his lips, but Oscar and Ma Hong Jun heard the chilling intent in his voice and their bodies stiffened.
The two of them, mimicking Dai Mu Bai, retreated while waving their hands and chuckling dryly, "No, no need."
Xiao Wu, standing behind Ye Zhi Qiu, playfully stuck out her tongue. She had initially thought her identity couldn't be hidden, but she didn't expect everyone to suspect Brother Qiu. She herself had become invisible, which was also good.
At this moment, Flender walked over and said with a smile, "Vice Dean Qiu, you returned unexpectedly quickly. Looking at you, was the 100,000-year spirit ring hunt successful?"
As Flender asked, everyone present looked at Ye Zhi Qiu, their ears perked up.
"That spirit beast wasn't very useful. I rode it for half a day, got bored, and then killed it," Ye Zhi Qiu nodded, speaking indifferently.
Everyone: …
So you're not even pretending to be human, huh?
A 100,000-year spirit beast is "not very useful" in your mouth?
"Got bored and then killed it."
Are you even speaking human language?
I really want one of those "not very useful" spirit rings too. Please give me a chance!
As everyone was silently speechless, Tang San, who was meditating and absorbing the spirit ring, let out a muffled groan. His face showed some pain, and his forehead was instantly covered in tiny beads of sweat.
"Little San!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, about to rush forward, but Ye Zhi Qiu pulled her back.
"Don't go, there's a problem," Ye Zhi Qiu said, frowning slightly. He felt an evil aura on Tang San, similar to that of the large spider.
If he remembered correctly, this was likely the aura of the external spirit bone, the Eight Spider Lances.
Although the world had undergone some changes due to his butterfly effect, the wheels of history rolled forward, and the imprints left along the way rarely changed.
Or rather, as the Son of Destiny of this world, Tang San's path had already been laid out for him. He was born according to the world's destiny, but there had been a small interlude.
At this moment, Tang San still killed the Man-Faced Demon Spider and still obtained that external spirit bone.
With Ye Zhi Qiu's reminder, the few others who wanted to go forward and check also retreated a few steps.
Just then, a blue-purple bone substance suddenly condensed from the spine area on Tang San's back as he sat on the ground.
With a painful roar from Tang San, eight spider-leg-like objects extended from the bone, six long and two short, protecting Tang San's body within them.
These spider legs were purplish-blue, like they were cast from alloy. Their tips looked incredibly sharp, and there were also some green patterns on them. Needless to say, this thing was poisonous.
Dai Mu Bai, Ma Hong Jun, and the others who had initially wanted to go closer wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads. Good thing they didn't go. If they were pricked by this thing, it probably wouldn't feel good.
At this moment, Tang San had already awakened. He was kneeling on one knee, leaning forward, breathing heavily.
Three spirit rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—circled at his feet. From the spirit rings, it seemed he had successfully absorbed his third spirit ring.
Everyone who should have congratulated him now found themselves speechless. All because of the eight spider legs, six long and two short, extending from Tang San's back, which were truly terrifying.
Everyone was a little stunned, and even Tang San himself was in a state of confusion.
"I originally thought Boss Qiu was a transformed spirit beast, but I didn't expect it to be you, Little San," Ma Hong Jun said blankly.
Tang San gave him an exasperated look. This fat guy was never serious.
At this moment, Ye Zhi Qiu took a few steps forward, knelt beside Tang San, and pondered, "Little San, this thing on your back should be an external spirit bone, even more precious than a regular spirit bone. Don't reject it. Try to sense its existence and then control it."
"External spirit bone?" Tang San was startled. He had heard of spirit bones, but he had never heard of external spirit bones.
But this was not the time to think about such things. After hearing Ye Zhi Qiu's words, Tang San sat down again and tried to establish a mental link with the Eight Spider Lances on his back.
Flender, Meng Shu, and Chao Tian Xiang, however, were internally in turmoil. They hadn't recognized what it was at first, but after hearing Ye Zhi Qiu's words, they finally understood.
While shocked by Ye Zhi Qiu's knowledge, they also secretly envied Tang San for having such good luck.
As for Dai Mu Bai and the other Shrek Academy students, they didn't quite understand the meaning of an external spirit bone, only knowing that it might be a type of spirit bone.
Ye Zhi Qiu wasn't particularly envious of Tang San. To be honest, he was a bit repulsed by spirit bones.
To let a spirit beast's bone enter his body and merge with him? Would his bloodline still be pure? Ye Zhi Qiu didn't know, and he didn't want to try such a thing.
If the 100,000-year spirit bone from the Horned Evil Dragon also needed to be integrated into his body to be used, Ye Zhi Qiu would likely just give it away.
Even without a single spirit bone, he could still roam this world freely. The system was his greatest confidence.
Time passed by, minute by minute. At a certain moment, the Eight Spider Lances spirit bone on Tang San's back slowly began to retract. Only after it completely disappeared did Tang San let out a long breath and slowly stand up.
"Little San!" Xiao Wu quickly ran over.
Tang San smiled gently at Xiao Wu, "I'm fine."
"Ahem." Flender cleared his throat a few times, attracting everyone's attention, then smiled with relief, "Now, no one else has broken through to level 30, right? If not, adjust formation, and let's return to the academy."
"Uh, Dean, I'm also level 30," Xiao Wu said with an embarrassed smile.
Everyone: …
"But my spirit ring was already hunted by Brother Qiu last night, just as a favor!" Xiao Wu said, seeing everyone's speechless expressions. She playfully stuck out her tongue and winked at Ye Zhi Qiu.
Everyone immediately looked at Ye Zhi Qiu.
"…" Ye Zhi Qiu was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Yes, that's right, that's how it is."