Chapter 582: Fan Yao's Ruthlessness

A massive vortex formed in the center of the Six-Colored Lake. From within, an ancient tree, radiating dazzling light, slowly ascended. Its roots appeared to float in the lake water, absorbing Origin Qi to grow.

Faint dark Origin Qi could still be seen gradually receding from the ancient tree, likely remnants from the Spirit Ghost Python that had been there earlier.

The Spirit Ghost Python had dragged this ancient tree to the lakebed to hide it. However, after the python was slain, the Origin Qi binding the tree dispersed, causing it to resurface.

Of course, these were mere side details, not worth focusing on. Almost all eyes were fixed on the ancient tree itself, specifically on the branches and leaves, where fruits of various colors hung.

These fruits resembled brilliantly cut gems, crystal clear and translucent. Some glowed with three or four colors, appearing incredibly mystical.

All eyes across the land were fixated on those fruits. Countless individuals secretly swallowed, their covetous expressions almost impossible to hide. They had realized that these fruits were, astonishingly, naturally formed God-Building Treasures.

Zhou Yuan, Fan Yao, and Tang Xiaoyan were similarly astonished by the ancient tree. Its existence clearly exceeded their expectations, especially with the alluring God-Building Treasures hanging like ripe fruit upon it.

Indeed, some of the fruits radiated four colors, indicating they were four-colored God-Building Treasures.

What truly moved Zhou Yuan and the others was the sight of four fist-sized fruits at the very top of the ancient tree, their surfaces radiating five colors.

Five-colored God-Building Treasures! Faced with treasures of this caliber, even Zhou Yuan and his companions couldn't help but show fervent excitement in their eyes.

However, they felt a slight disappointment: there were no six-colored fruits on the ancient tree. This meant that the Six-Colored Lake did not possess six-colored God-Building Treasures.

Was it because the birth of numerous other God-Building Treasures dispersed the energy, preventing the creation of a six-colored one?

This fleeting regret in Zhou Yuan's group lasted only a few breaths before being suppressed. Being able to obtain these five-colored God-Building Treasures, combined with the Essence of Profound Genesis contained within the Six-Colored Lake, would surely allow them to elevate the five-colored treasures infinitely close to the six-colored level.

As Zhou Yuan and the others gazed fervently at the fruits on the ancient tree, sounds of rushing wind suddenly echoed from distant parts of the Six-Colored Lake. Numerous figures approached from all directions, alighting around the lake. Clearly, other forces had arrived in the area during this time.

The moment they arrived, they were captivated by the ancient tree in the center of the Six-Colored Lake. Their breathing immediately grew heavy, and their eyes gleamed with covetousness. Some even impulsively charged forward, but as they neared the Six-Colored Lake, they were directly repelled by the resisting force, sent flying back.

At this point, the disciples of the three major sects spread out, eyeing the newcomers menacingly. Their imposing formation effectively deterred these other factions from acting rashly. After all, a force daring to challenge the three colossal sects simultaneously had likely not yet appeared in Cangxuan Heaven.

Zhou Yuan and the others merely cast a dismissive glance at the newly arrived forces before disregarding them. Instead, their gazes at each other began to carry a new sense of caution. The brief alliance they had previously formed had, by now, tacitly dissolved.

Zhou Yuan was the first to break the silence. He slowly said, "According to our previous agreement, my Cangxuan Sect should take forty percent of what belongs to this place. Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace and Sacred Palace both agreed to this earlier, didn't they?"

Tang Xiaoyan hesitated, about to speak, when Fan Yao chuckled softly. "Chief Zhou Yuan, you might be misunderstanding. Let's not even discuss whether the previous agreement is valid. Even if it were, it certainly wouldn't include this treasure tree before us."

Anyone could see that the true treasure of the Six-Colored Lake was this ancient tree, while the Essence of Profound Genesis in the lake water was secondary. Therefore, there was no way Fan Yao would allow Zhou Yuan to claim forty percent of the treasure tree.

"You're going back on your word?!" Jin Zhang fumed. Although he had anticipated this, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger at Fan Yao's brazenness.

Fan Yao merely glanced at him, disdain clearly visible in his eyes.

Zhou Yuan stared at Fan Yao with an indifferent gaze, saying nothing. The atmosphere in the field immediately grew oppressive, with undercurrents of tension.

After a long moment, Zhou Yuan finally said, "Then, Chief Fan Yao, how do you propose we distribute it?"

Fan Yao smiled slightly. "Chief Zhou Yuan, you've already gained an advantage from this Six-Colored Lake. For this treasure tree, I suggest you concede a bit. How about this... my Sacred Palace takes fifty percent. The remaining fifty percent can be negotiated and distributed between Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace and Cangxuan Sect." He paused, then chuckled again. "Of course, I'm more inclined to support Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace. After all, you should at least show some grace, right? So, I suggest they take thirty percent."

"Why don't you suggest giving up some of the Sacred Palace's fifty percent?" Jin Zhang retorted with a sneer.

Fan Yao calmly replied, "What you're saying is meaningless. My Sacred Palace has already made concessions regarding the Six-Colored Lake. We can't possibly concede on the treasure tree too, can we?" As he spoke, he bared his stark white teeth, smiling. "Or are you truly suggesting that my Sacred Palace is easy to bully?"

Zhou Yuan stopped the furious Jin Zhang and said with a faint smile, "So, it seems we can't reach an agreement?"

Hearing this, Fan Yao sighed and looked at Tang Xiaoyan. "Sister Xiaoyan, it seems Cangxuan Sect has quite the appetite."

Tang Xiaoyan offered a faint smile, not taking the bait, for she had already sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Beneath Fan Yao's words, he seemed to be planning to pull Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace into their camp. However, she did not respond directly, as she truly did not trust Fan Yao much.

Seeing her avoidance, Fan Yao's eyes flickered. His hands dropped to his sides, and his Origin Qi wrapped his voice as he quietly transmitted it to Tang Xiaoyan and Zhao Ru: "Sister Xiaoyan, if you are willing to cooperate with my Sacred Palace, we will split everything here, both the Six-Colored Lake and the treasure tree, fifty-fifty." He had spoken his intentions directly, no longer bothering to conceal them.

Tang Xiaoyan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, but her expression remained neutral as she glanced at Zhou Yuan and Jin Zhang. Zhao Ru, on the other hand, licked her red lips, somewhat tempted, and cast a meaningful look at Tang Xiaoyan.

But Tang Xiaoyan gently shook her head, transmitting back, "Chief Fan Yao, this place was secured by our three parties together. It's better if we discuss this properly..."

Hearing her, Fan Yao's eyes narrowed slightly, as if pondering. He then transmitted with a hint of regret, "Since Sister Xiaoyan values them so much, then I will discuss it with them again. But in that case, your share might have to be sacrificed a bit."

Tang Xiaoyan's expression remained unchanged, while Zhao Ru's eyes flashed with a hint of anxiety and unwillingness.

"What are you doing?!" Jin Zhang suddenly roared, his eyes guardedly fixed on Fan Yao, Tang Xiaoyan, and the others. He had clearly detected their private conversation.

Fan Yao smiled slightly, moving closer to Tang Xiaoyan and Zhao Ru. "What do you think?"

Jin Zhang's suspicious gaze swept over Tang Xiaoyan. He already suspected that these two parties had secretly agreed on something and intended to target the Cangxuan Sect. Tang Xiaoyan, sensing this, was about to open her mouth to explain.

However, at the very instant she was about to speak, an incredibly fierce burst of Origin Qi erupted from Fan Yao's body. A chilling glint flickered in his scarlet eyes. He clenched his five fingers and threw a punch, his Origin Qi surging forth without reservation, converging onto his fist. His punch was as swift as lightning. It went directly for Zhao Ru's back, which was closest to him.

Zhao Ru sensed the powerful gust of wind from behind and turned her head in horror, only to see Fan Yao's utterly sinister face. In that moment, disbelief and fright surged in her eyes. She never imagined that Fan Yao would attack her!

Fan Yao's sneak attack was too decisive. Zhao Ru had no time to react before that terrifying punch landed on her body, and a torrent of Origin Qi exploded on her back. *Pfft!* A mouthful of blood spewed directly from Zhao Ru's mouth. Half of her body seemed to twist in that instant, before she plummeted from the sky and crashed heavily into the Six-Colored Lake below.

The lake water splashed, sending up huge waves. The entire world seemed to freeze at that moment. Even Zhou Yuan's eyes showed a hint of shock. He, too, had not expected Fan Yao to suddenly attack someone from the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace... This man's ruthlessness and audacity were truly startling.

Tang Xiaoyan also snapped back to reality, her beautiful face turning ashen. Her gentle demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a glacial coldness as she stared intently at Fan Yao.

Fan Yao remained expressionless. He gently rubbed his fist, meeting Tang Xiaoyan's icy gaze with a faint smile. "Tang Xiaoyan, your Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace truly takes kindness for weakness... Since you don't want to cooperate with me..." His cold gaze shifted to Zhou Yuan. "Then go die with them."