Volume Two, Chapter Sixty: The Entrance to the Second Level

Yu Mu grabbed him and said, "Brother, don't be hasty. Let's try to find another way out first, and only seek out uncle if there's truly no other option. Didn't uncle warn us that below the first floor is not a place for us? Unless absolutely necessary, we shouldn't take such risks."

Meng Fang considered for a moment. "Alright, I'll follow your lead. If we really can't find a way out, then we'll go to uncle."

"Agreed."

After a brief rest, the two rose again. By now, the entrance had completely closed.

They retraced their steps back to the place of bones.

"Brother, which way should we go this time?"

Meng Fang thought for a moment and replied, "Let's take the left path again, which was the right side when we arrived. This way, we should be able to cover all the passageways."

"That makes sense. Let's go."

They hurried along, but unexpectedly, they found themselves once more at the ambushed corridor. It seemed this place was the center of the floor—no matter which path they took, they would pass through here.

Ye Yun and Gu Feng's groups were long gone, their fate unknown. Only the bodies of Fire Poison Sect disciples remained, giving the two some small comfort.

They pressed onward, and after some time, Yu Mu suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong? Brother, is it another evil spirit?"

Yu Mu shook his head. "Brother, listen! Isn't that the sound of water?"

Meng Fang listened intently, but after a moment, shook his head. "No, I don't hear anything."

Yu Mu didn't respond further, but grabbed Meng Fang and ran forward.

Soon enough, Meng Fang cried out, "There it is—I hear it! It's definitely water."

Turning a corner, their vision opened up. Before them lay a vast space, as large as a stadium. There was no visible light source, yet the area was bright as day. Above, an arched dome soared; beneath it, a tranquil lake.

The lake was as still as a mirror, not a ripple disturbing its surface—a silence so deep it inspired fear. Mist drifted over the water, enhancing the mysterious atmosphere.

At the lake's center, an island was encircled. Upon the island stood a passage resembling a well, sealed by crystal. Now, the crystals had been shattered, scattered to the side.

"That's the entrance to the second floor," Meng Fang's eyes gleamed.

No sooner had Meng Fang spoken than the calm surface rippled. An armored aquatic beast leaped out—a creature resembling a crocodile, four limbs and massive jaws lined with jagged, interlocking teeth.

Yet this ferocious beast appeared panic-stricken, desperate to flee.

The moment it emerged, another monster surged from the depths—a giant azure-scaled python, as thick as a barrel, triangular head, two curved saber-like fangs. It bit down savagely on the beast's hind leg; the armored creature, unwilling to submit, turned and sank its teeth into the python.

The python's body, its length unknown in the water, coiled tightly around its prey, dragging it beneath the surface with a splash. Waves crashed, water sprayed, and blood poured out, staining the lake red in an instant.

Soon, the surface calmed, the blood faded, as if nothing had happened.

A fierce and breathtaking struggle!

Meng Fang and Yu Mu's faces changed dramatically—if they had unwittingly entered, the consequences would be unimaginable. Even on land, neither could guarantee victory against these beasts, let alone in the water. Especially Yu Mu, who could barely swim, would be as helpless as a lamb led to slaughter.

Clearly, reaching the second floor was impossible.

"Let's go back and wait for rescue at the entrance," Meng Fang decided immediately.

This was their only option left.

Just then, a cold laugh echoed behind them. "Ha ha ha—go back? You'll never leave this place again. Prepare to die here! Let's see who can save you now."

Startled, the two spun around.

Ye Yun and his two followers, at some unknown moment, had cut off their retreat.

The adversaries met again, fate placing them all in this place. Ahead, the lake blocked their path; behind, mortal enemies pursued. Now, truly, they were cornered.

At that critical moment, a voice sounded from the water: "Brothers, quickly, come into the water!"

Looking towards the source, they saw a blue fish, seven or eight meters long, swimming near the shore.

Overjoyed, they recognized the fish spirit.

Ye Yun, seeing the situation turn, shouted, "Quick, stop them!"

His three men leaped forward, but it was too late—Meng Fang and Yu Mu had already plunged into the lake.

No sooner had they entered than the blue fish spat out two bubbles, enclosing them. With a flick of its tail, like playing with balls, it knocked the bubbles down to the lake's depths.

"Damn!" Ye Yun slashed at the air in fury. "Search along the surface! I don't believe they can hide down there forever!"

"Wow—amazing!" Yu Mu was utterly astonished.

The bubbles the blue fish created not only kept out the water, but also allowed them to breathe and see freely. Even more wondrous, within, they were unaffected by gravity—floating as if in space.

"It's beautiful!" Yu Mu exclaimed again.

Colorful coral, all kinds of fish swimming past. Through the bubble, everything on the lakebed was clear. This was no ordinary lake, but an underwater world.

How such an ecosystem was maintained here was beyond imagination. Could a saint really bring this about? Yu Mu was filled with deep doubt.

"Shh—keep quiet!"

Before they could process what was happening, the blue fish nudged them into a coral thicket. No sooner had they hidden than, with a flash above, a large fish darted past, followed immediately by an even larger fish in hot pursuit.

The hunter's head bore a razor-sharp sword, and its speed was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, it caught up to its prey. With a swing of its sword-like head, it sliced the big fish into countless pieces, then devoured the fragments in moments, vanishing with a flick of its tail.

So swift—less than a minute, and a life was gone. The underwater world proved far more brutal than the land.

Meng Fang and Yu Mu were deeply shaken. Without the blue fish's help, entering here would have been certain death.

"That was close!" The blue fish poked its head out, scanning the surroundings. "The creatures here are extremely fierce. Even I must be cautious. How are you? And your companions? Who was pursuing you?"

Amazing—they could even converse like this.

The three exchanged stories, and learned that since separating, the blue fish spirit had followed the trail of water elemental energy straight to this place.

The lake's waters were abundant in spiritual power, so it had remained here. It had not participated in the treasure hunt, nor encountered the other companions, only revealing itself upon meeting Meng Fang and Yu Mu. During this time, it had seen many experts pass through here to the second floor.

As the three spoke of their journeys, the search above the surface continued.