Chapter 173: Gold Pool

“My name is on the tablet too?” Zhou Yuan chuckled as he gazed at the glowing Sacred Tablet high above, clearly surprised by the outcome.

Previously, in his fight with Zhu Ying, he had gained the upper hand but hadn't completely defeated her before Wu Huang and Ye Ming arrived and interrupted them. However, it seemed the Sacred Tablet still acknowledged that battle.

“Was it because of the significant difference in their apparent strength?” Zhou Yuan's superficial strength was only at the initial Heavenly Pass stage, while Zhu Ying was a quasi-Origin Realm expert. The gap between them was too wide, so in a sense, this battle was considered a remarkable achievement.

Lu Luo, beside him, pouted and said, "So, does this mean I can't even compare to you, Zhou Yuan?" She had lost to Zhu Ying, and Zhu Ying had lost to Zhou Yuan. Didn't that mean she was two ranks below Zhou Yuan?

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, if you encounter Zhu Ying again, just be prepared for her trick, and you'll definitely get your revenge." He wasn't just comforting her. Once Lu Luo linked with Xiao Han and they merged, her strength would reach an astonishing level, enough to defeat ordinary Origin Realm experts.

Lu Luo bit her silver teeth lightly and said, "Next time we meet, I won't let that guy off the hook." As she finished speaking, her large eyes suddenly sparkled. She smiled at Tun Tun on Zhou Yuan's shoulder and asked, "Hehe, good Tun Tun, are you the boss around here now?"

Tun Tun nodded triumphantly. Lu Luo's beautiful eyes lit up. "So, that golden pond is also yours now, right?" Tun Tun sensed something and stared at Lu Luo warily.

Zhou Yuan's heart stirred slightly. He had also noticed that Tun Tun seemed stronger than before. Could it be because of that golden pond?

"Good Tun Tun, could you lend us that golden pond for a bit?" Lu Luo blinked her large eyes. Tun Tun shook its head. "Stingy!" Lu Luo glared at it.

Zhou Yuan, standing nearby, stroked his chin. He also wanted to check out the golden pond; after all, having managed to get in, he naturally wished to seize an opportunity. However, since Tun Tun was the boss now, he clearly needed to persuade it.

Zhou Yuan cleared his throat and said earnestly, "Tun Tun, weren't you really angry when those scoundrels ganged up on Yao Yao?" Tun Tun's fur bristled, and a fierce glint appeared in its beast-like eyes as it let out a low growl.

"We're angry too," Zhou Yuan nodded. "But as you can see, those guys have strength in numbers. To get revenge, we need to gather our forces and also improve our own strength. Look at that golden pond. If we can use it, it should benefit us. Once our strength improves, it will be easier to get back at those guys for Yao Yao, don't you think?"

Tun Tun hesitated upon hearing this, as it felt Zhou Yuan's words made some sense. Its previous encounter with Wu Huang had shown it that he was also a formidable opponent. After thinking for a moment, Tun Tun finally relented and nodded its head.

"Hehe, Zhou Yuan, you're amazing!" Lu Luo cheered immediately upon seeing this.

Zhen Xu, standing by, remained silent for a moment before saying, "Since Wu Huang and the others have retreated, I should leave as well." He had a solitary and aloof nature, and an inherent pride. Having been saved by Zhou Yuan this time, he already felt indebted. Therefore, to stay and enjoy opportunities gained through Zhou Yuan's help was something his pride simply wouldn't allow. He couldn't bring himself to be so shameless.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Since you already owe a favor, it won't matter if it's one or two more. Jiang Quan followed Wu Huang and Ye Ming; they will undoubtedly gain opportunities and improve their strength. If you don't want him to be stronger than you the next time you meet, I suggest you don't give up easily."

Zhou Yuan wasn't being overly kind; he simply wanted to win Zhen Xu over. After all, Wu Huang and the cultivators from the Eastern Xuan Continent had formed a formidable alliance. If he wanted to contend with them, he needed to gather some top talents to his side. These proud talents were difficult to sway, so Zhou Yuan chose to bestow favors upon them, which was a way to win them over.

Zhen Xu was no fool; he naturally understood Zhou Yuan's intentions. However, Jiang Quan had plotted against him, and even without this reason, Zhen Xu would have pursued him relentlessly. So, after a moment of silence, he finally said, "I will repay these favors to you in the future."

Zhou Yuan waved his hand and smiled at Tun Tun, "Then we'll have to trouble you to lead the way." Tun Tun seemed to sigh, endured the heartache of having to share its beloved possession, and floated weakly towards the summit of the great mountain.

Zhou Yuan and the other two quickly followed. From time to time, Origin Beasts lurked in the mountain, but none dared to appear due to Tun Tun's fierce aura. Thus, Zhou Yuan and the others successfully reached the mountain peak.

The summit of the great mountain was a volcanic crater, now filled with golden liquid, resembling a pool of gold. Golden light shimmered, and a faint, unusual fragrance wafted from it. Zhou Yuan, Lu Luo, and Zhen Xu gazed at the golden pool before them with fervent eyes. They could feel their vital energy within them becoming more active at that very moment.

"Is this the golden pond?" All three stared at it longingly, their hearts quickening.

*Plop.* Tun Tun was the first to jump in, floating on the surface with its beast eyes slightly closed, seemingly in great enjoyment. Zhou Yuan and the others could also see the golden pond water rippling, as if strands of golden light were continuously flowing into Tun Tun's body.

"The opportunity is right before us. How much we gain depends on each of us," Zhou Yuan said with a smile to Lu Luo and Zhen Xu before jumping in himself. Lu Luo, holding Xiao Han, her large eyes shining, leaped in without hesitation and then cheered with Xiao Han in the pond. Zhen Xu, his spirits surging, quickly followed.

As soon as Zhou Yuan entered the golden pond, he felt a continuous influx of peculiar golden light. As this golden light entered his body, his flesh and blood wriggled, greedily absorbing it. The golden light merged with his blood, making it flow more vigorously. It merged with his muscles, making them stronger and full of explosive power. It merged with his bones, making them more solid. The golden light permeated his entire body, with some finally flowing into his Qi Palace. The dark golden vital energy residing there greedily absorbed the golden light, and consequently, his vital energy seemed to expand rapidly.

Feeling the continuously increasing power within him, Zhou Yuan fell into deep rapture, his eyes tightly closed as if he never wanted to awaken. However, Zhou Yuan was eventually interrupted. He unhappily opened his eyes, only to see Tun Tun licking his face repeatedly.

"What is it?" Zhou Yuan glared at it. Tun Tun, in response, tugged at Zhou Yuan's clothes and then dived straight down into the golden pond.

Zhou Yuan was startled. Was Tun Tun telling him to follow it down? Was there something else beneath this golden pond? He hesitated, glanced at Lu Luo and Zhen Xu, who both seemed to be asleep in the golden pond, clearly absorbed in their physical transformations. "I'll go check it out..." After a moment's thought, Zhou Yuan decisively dived into the golden pond, his heart filled with curiosity about what could make Tun Tun so interested.