Chapter 593: Dark Return

The clamor at the Six-Colored Lake continued for six full days.

During these six days, disciples from both the Cangxuan Sect and the Hundred Flowers Palace ceaselessly collected the Profound Source Essence contained within the Six-Colored Lake, as if tirelessly. Under this continuous, intensive collection, by the sixth day, the Six-Colored Lake's colors gradually faded, eventually transforming into clear water, indistinguishable from an ordinary lake.

Beside the Six-Colored Lake.

Disciples from both sects stood by the lake, their faces filled with regret as they gazed at the now clear water. They clearly wished for more, even desiring to stay there indefinitely if possible. But alas, that was merely wishful thinking...

“Chief Disciple Zhou Yuan.”

Tang Xiaoyan led a group of female disciples over, her beautiful eyes turning to Zhou Yuan as she smiled faintly: “Now that the collection at Six-Colored Lake is complete, we must depart for the depths of the Profound Source Heavenly Cave to rendezvous with our sect’s Saint Sons.”

“This time, thank you, Chief Disciple Zhou Yuan. The Hundred Flowers Palace will remember this favor.” She bowed to Zhou Yuan, acknowledging that without him, the Hundred Flowers Palace would have suffered considerable casualties in the battle for the Six-Colored Lake.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, “Since we chose to cooperate, I naturally gave my utmost.”

Tang Xiaoyan pressed her red lips into a slight smile and said, “Chief Disciple Zhou Yuan, although you are currently only a chief disciple, I have a premonition, for some reason, that you might not be suppressed by the other Saint Sons in the depths of the Profound Source Heavenly Cave.”

While many might not take her words seriously, Tang Xiaoyan had an indistinct intuition that the young man before her was not as simple as he appeared.

“You flatter me,” Zhou Yuan said, scratching his head and returning a warm smile.

After a few more polite exchanges, Zhou Yuan's gaze shifted to Lü Luo behind her. The young girl grinned at him, waved her small hand, and said, “See you again in the depths of the Profound Source Heavenly Cave, Zhou Yuan!” However, from her bright, spirited eyes, Zhou Yuan seemed to glimpse a hint of mischief.

He didn't dwell on it, simply nodding with a smile.

“Then let us part ways here.”

Tang Xiaoyan gave a slight nod, said no more, and with a soft cry, her jade-like feet propelled her upwards on a surge of Genesis Qi. Behind her, the many graceful female disciples of the Hundred Flowers Palace followed, their laughter like chirping birds. As they departed, some of the female disciples cast reproachful glances at Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan paid no mind to these glances. He watched the Hundred Flowers Palace disciples depart, then stretched with a sigh of relief, smiling at Jin Zhang and Gu Hongyi: “Let’s get ready to move too.”

Their next step was also to head for the depths of the Profound Source Heavenly Cave to converge with their sect’s Saint Sons.

Jin Zhang nodded, then went to instruct the other disciples to prepare for departure.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuan stood on a hill, extending his palm. Instantly, colorful light gathered in his palm, forming a smooth, gem-like bead. Around the bead, a rich five-colored halo slowly swirled. Mysterious fluctuations emanated from it.

“I didn’t expect that even after refining and absorbing those two five-colored Soul-Nourishing Spirit Treasures, it still wouldn’t evolve to the six-colored level.” Zhou Yuan's eyes showed a hint of regret. Over the past six days, he had not only absorbed the two five-colored Soul-Nourishing Spirit Treasures obtained from the treasure tree but also collected a significant amount of Profound Source Essence from the Six-Colored Lake. Yet, he ultimately failed to evolve this Soul-Nourishing Spirit Treasure to the six-colored grade. Clearly, the amount of Profound Source Essence required for a six-colored Soul-Nourishing Spirit Treasure was substantial.

Zhou Yuan flipped his hand, storing the five-colored luminous bead into his Qi Dwelling. His slightly flickering gaze turned to the Six-Colored Lake, now clear. He distinctly remembered that something seemed to be hidden beneath the lake.

“I’ll wait for the other disciples to leave first, then secretly sneak back to thoroughly explore the lakebed,” Zhou Yuan murmured to himself. He had no intention of revealing this secret, as he had his own selfish motives. After all, in his view, he had already perfectly fulfilled his role as leader this time; those who followed him were now reaping bountiful rewards. Of course, there were also many uncertain factors within that lakebed space, so there was no need for him to make a big fuss about it.

As Zhou Yuan’s thoughts revolved, Gu Hongyi reported that preparations were complete. He cast one last deep look at the clear lake before him, then turned and departed. Soon, the Cangxuan Sect disciples also soared into the sky on streams of Genesis Qi, leaving the area behind.

With the departure of the Cangxuan Sect and the Hundred Flowers Palace, other lingering forces immediately swarmed towards the Six-Colored Lake, hoping to find any leftover scraps. However, after turning the Six-Colored Lake upside down, they could only shake their heads in disappointment. They no longer lingered and gradually withdrew from the area. Thus, within a mere day, this location, once the most prominent focal point in the region, became desolate once more.

Two days later, night shrouded the land.

Zhou Yuan's figure reappeared in the still-strewn mountain forest. His form blurred, his Genesis Qi fluctuations concealed, as he glided through the woods like a shadow. Soon, he arrived at the Six-Colored Lake once more. He stood at a high vantage point, looking down.

The Six-Colored Lake was now visibly damaged, likely due to other forces attempting to scavenge for remnants after their departure. However, Zhou Yuan was not alarmed. The small space beneath the lake was too well-hidden; even he had difficulty detecting it, let alone others. The day before, he had settled Jin Zhang and the others, then found an excuse to temporarily leave and rushed back to the Six-Colored Lake at full speed.

“Time to make my move,” he murmured to himself, preparing to descend.

However, just as his figure stirred, his pupils suddenly contracted. His gaze sharply darted towards the dense forest in the distance, where a dark figure silently glided forth, finally landing by the Six-Colored Lake.

“Someone else, at this late hour?” Zhou Yuan frowned.

Just as Zhou Yuan prepared to incapacitate the dark figure, he saw it squat by the lake. A faint Genesis Qi glow emanated from its hand, and as the Genesis Qi entered the water, it created faint ripples.

“What is he doing?” Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed, observing the figure’s peculiar actions. Could this person also know the secret of the lakebed?

Zhou Yuan did not act rashly, choosing instead to observe. Under his watchful gaze, the dark figure stood up. At that moment, Zhou Yuan suddenly noticed the lake water surging. A dark shadow, roughly dozens of feet long, glided through the water and then burst forth.

Aided by the faint moonlight, Zhou Yuan clearly saw the dark shadow. At that instant, even with his composure, a flicker of shock crossed his eyes. Because he realized that the dark shadow was none other than the three-headed Spirit Ghost Python they had jointly slain earlier, he, Fan Yao, Tang Xiaoyan, and others! The python had clearly been killed by him at the time, its flesh rapidly decomposing after falling into the lake, its life force completely dissipated. How could it now reappear here?! Furthermore, why was that dark figure able to control it?!

Zhou Yuan’s expression turned grim, and a hint of apprehension rose in his gaze as he looked at the dark figure.

Hiss! Hiss!

Just as Zhou Yuan was staring at the dark figure, the three-headed Spirit Ghost Python suddenly raised its heads, its vertical pupils locking onto his direction, and a sharp hiss reverberated from its mouths. Clearly, the Spirit Ghost Python had detected Zhou Yuan!

“Who’s there?!”

The dark figure also noticed someone else was present. Immediately, a distorted, suppressed voice emerged from beneath its black robe.

“Xiao Ling, kill him!”