Chapter 78: Landing on the Island Method

Zhou Yuan’s expression remained neutral at Qi Hao’s words, but a potent killing intent flickered in his eyes. The Jade Infant Fruit was vital for his mother’s lifespan, and he would not allow anyone to take it from him today, no matter what methods he had to employ.

“Your Highness, there’s something peculiar about this lake,” Wei Canglan suddenly remarked.

Zhou Yuan withdrew his gaze, having noticed the same thing. So many people had arrived before them, yet they all remained on the shore, hesitant to venture into the lake’s center to claim the Jade Infant Fruit. Clearly, they were wary of something.

“The air above this lake is filled with shattered Origin Pattern barriers,” Yao Yao said, her bright eyes scanning the space.

Wei Canglan nodded in agreement. Those broken Origin Pattern barriers made him feel a slight threat; he wouldn’t dare rush in. Evidently, this spot, once part of the War Puppet Sect, must have been a heavily guarded area.

“We can’t just walk across the water?” Zhou Yuan asked.

Yao Yao shook her head slightly. “The water itself is peculiar,” she explained. “It seems the stronger one’s Origin Qi, the more easily they’ll sink when they step on it…”

Wei Canglan looked surprised. He gestured, sending a few individuals forward to test the water. As expected, those with stronger Origin Qi sank more readily, as if the lake water simply couldn’t support them.

“Even those in the Qi Nurturing stage struggle to walk on the water,” Wei Canglan frowned. If that were the case, he, being in the Alpha Origin stage, would surely sink immediately?

He could sense dangerous fluctuations emanating from the lakebed, suggesting it too was likely filled with shattered Origin Pattern barriers. Falling in would undoubtedly be extremely perilous.

“This place doesn’t seem to accommodate those who use Origin Qi…” Yao Yao’s red lips parted slightly. “It’s likely a deterrent mechanism. That way, only a few disciples from the island would be needed to protect the Jade Infant Tree.”

“If we can’t use Origin Qi, how are we supposed to cross the water?” Su Youwei asked, puzzled.

Zhou Yuan’s eyes flickered. His gaze met Yao Yao’s, and he slowly uttered, “Divine Soul.”

The power of the Divine Soul is fundamentally different from Origin Qi. Zhou Yuan also noticed that upon reaching the lake, his Divine Soul, which had been suppressed within the mist, began to stir and become more active.

“I’ll try.” Zhou Yuan stepped forward and placed a foot on the lake water. His Divine Soul flickered between his brows as Divine Soul power surged forth, enveloping his feet. Instantly, his body, which had begun to sink slightly, stabilized.

“Indeed, Divine Soul power works here,” a flicker of joy crossed Zhou Yuan’s eyes.

“So, we have to rely on Divine Soul…”

Not far away, Qi Hao noticed the commotion and raised an eyebrow. He then waved his hand, and a man immediately stepped forward from behind him.

This man had a slightly pale complexion and thin, sharp lips. The Origin Qi fluctuations around him were quite faint, but a light flickered erratically between his eyebrows.

He was clearly a powerful Divine Soul practitioner.

“Zhao Qingfeng, this brat was the one who harmed your master, Master Ying, leading to his capture by the Great General’s mansion. If you seek revenge, now is your chance,” Qi Hao said with a smile to the man.

Upon hearing this, a chill flashed in the pale-faced man’s eyes. He looked in Zhou Yuan’s direction and scoffed, “How could this brat possibly be a match for my master?”

“He is, after all, the Great Zhou’s Prince; he possesses numerous methods to deal with your master,” Qi Hao said with a faint smile. “If you can seize that Jade Infant Fruit, I will not only guarantee your master’s safety but also ensure you become an honored guest of my Qi King’s Residence, with all cultivation resources provided by us.”

A flicker of fervent ambition crossed the eyes of the man named Zhao Qingfeng. He nodded and sneered, “Little Prince, rest assured. If it’s merely a competition of Divine Soul, he’ll be no match.”

He spoke with clear arrogance. He had only trained under Master Ying for three years, yet his Divine Soul had already reached the mid-stage of the Void Realm. Even his master frequently lauded his astonishing talent, so he saw no way for Zhou Yuan, who was significantly younger, to contend with him in Divine Soul power.

As Zhao Qingfeng finished speaking, he shot forward, landing on the water’s surface. With his Divine Soul vibrating, his feet remained firmly atop the water, refusing to sink.

He glanced in Zhou Yuan’s direction, a sneer curling his lips.

As the two stood on the water, the other factions took notice. After a brief commotion, more than a dozen figures appeared on the water’s surface, all clearly skilled in Divine Soul cultivation.

“That person’s Divine Soul doesn’t seem weak,” Wei Canglan observed, glancing toward Zhao Qingfeng.

“If only Divine Soul can be used here, I could assist you,” Yao Yao said, her bright eyes flickering. Given her Divine Soul cultivation, she believed no one present could contend with her if she were to act.

Zhou Yuan pondered her words, then finally shook his head. “The situation here is complex. We don’t know what other dangers might be hidden. It’s not suitable for you to act.”

While Yao Yao’s Divine Soul was undeniably powerful, her inability to utilize Origin Qi made her extremely vulnerable. Should any unforeseen incident occur, even a minor collision could potentially endanger her.

Thus, despite her strength, Yao Yao was also quite fragile.

His master, Cang Yuan, had also solemnly entrusted him with Yao Yao’s safety, so he was hesitant to let her take such a risk.

“You two watch for now,” Zhou Yuan said. “If I encounter any trouble, with you and the Great General present, you can still rescue me.”

Yao Yao, hearing this, no longer insisted, merely giving a slight nod with her delicate, fair chin.

Zhou Yuan, treading on the lake water, cast a calm glance at Zhao Qingfeng nearby. The hostility in Zhao Qingfeng’s eyes was unconcealed, but Zhou Yuan paid it no mind; today, no one would stop him from obtaining the Jade Infant Fruit.

The lake water rippled beneath Zhou Yuan’s feet. He took a deep breath, fixed his gaze on the small island in the center of the lake, then stepped out, moving forward, walking across the water step by step.

Those who had entered the lake from other directions also began to cautiously advance.

Around the lake, everyone watched the figures treading on the water without blinking, in complete silence.

Zhou Yuan and the others continued across the water. After several minutes, they gradually approached within a hundred *zhang* of the small island. At this point, the lake remained calm, offering no resistance whatsoever.

“This simple?” The onlookers by the lake couldn’t help but exclaim in surprised doubt.

Amidst those questioning gazes, Zhou Yuan and the others stepped into the hundred-*zhang* zone.

At that exact moment, the small island in the lake seemed to hum. Everyone saw the Jade Poppy Tree in the island’s center suddenly erupt with dazzling jade light.

The jade light pulsed, and countless indistinct specks of light shot out like a sudden downpour, engulfing everyone who had entered the hundred-*zhang* radius around the island.

“It’s a Divine Soul attack!”

Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed as he observed the indistinct specks of light. These points, astonishingly, contained Divine Soul power.

Zhou Yuan dared not delay. His Divine Soul flickered between his brows, revealing a faint, seated phantom figure that emitted invisible fluctuations. He immediately drew the Heavenly Yuan Brush from his waist.

The brush tip swept across the empty space before him with lightning speed, leaving faint, indistinct traces.

“First-Grade Origin Pattern, Soul Shield!”

The Origin Pattern formed, instantly transforming into a somewhat transparent light shield. The Origin Qi fluctuations within this shield were extremely weak, as most of its power was derived from Divine Soul energy.

Thud! Thud!

The overwhelming jade light rained down, striking the transparent shield and immediately creating rapid ripples across its surface.

From other directions, however, screams erupted. Some individuals, caught unprepared, were struck by the jade light; their eyes instantly became vacant, their bodies went limp, and they toppled into the lake.

As these individuals plunged into the lake, violent fluctuations erupted from the water. Soon, pools of blood rose to the surface, staining the surrounding area red.

Every single person who fell into the lake was instantly killed.

Witnessing this, Zhou Yuan, Zhao Qingfeng, and the other survivors felt a shiver. The lakebed was indeed riddled with deadly traps; a fall into it meant certain death.

It seemed reaching the island and acquiring the Jade Infant Fruit would not be as easy as they had thought.

This ruin was riddled with deadly traps.