Chapter 1274: Lake Overlord

Xu Yang’s idea was clearly a success, evident from the White Tiger youth's delighted expression. Even the Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise avatars couldn't help but smack their lips in anticipation.

Perhaps the only one who remained composed was the masked female envoy in red. For some reason, Xu Yang always felt she possessed an otherworldly aura, as if untouched by the mundane world. Her innermost being seemed to hold intoxicating mysteries, inviting exploration yet offering no clear path to understanding.

However, an awkward situation soon unfolded. Before the White Tiger youth and the others could truly begin their feast, an incredibly cold and powerful aura suddenly entered their detection range. Everyone instinctively turned their gaze southwest, towards the source of the chilling aura, instantly abandoning their focus on the food. They immediately prepared for battle, observing their surroundings with extreme vigilance.

"Heh heh, you humans truly have a lot of nerve, daring to come here for food," a voice sneered. "Today, I will make you understand who truly rules this lake domain controlled by the Koi clan!"

The moment the words ended, a massive koi, glowing golden, slowly surfaced from the water. It was at this moment that Xu Yang's cold eyes narrowed slightly. He seemed to have discovered a secret about this creature that had been puzzling the entire team.

The reason Xu Yang and his team couldn't detect the auras of the fish deep beneath the water was due to a special substance emitted by this golden koi. This substance created an energy field that, to a certain extent, enveloped the entire lake surface, blocking all other auras. However, the moment this golden koi surfaced, the special energy field it emitted would be rapidly reabsorbed into its body. This process restored the normal flow of auras throughout the lake. Typically, this special energy field served as a protective barrier, shielding the fish deep beneath the lake from detection and preventing attacks by powerful external beast tribes.

However, Xu Yang believed that the golden koi's actions were not a form of protection for the fish in the lake, but rather a form of imprisonment. For the moment the surrounding energy field vanished, all the various fish in the vicinity became remarkably lively. They seemed desperate to escape the lake but were unable to do so.

Xu Yang's insight was astonishing; he could, to a certain extent, perceive the true psychological state of these fish. He could sense the profound sorrow deep within these schools of fish, a misery inflicted by the seemingly magnificent golden koi.

"I don't care who you are," Xu Yang declared. "The words you just used to describe us are a grave insult to our team. Unleash your most powerful strength! Because soon, you will find yourself in my pot, becoming our next meal! I've truly never eaten your kind of fish before. I wonder what you taste like? You must be even more delicious than ordinary fish!"

Hearing Xu Yang's statement, the White Tiger youth was the first to nod excitedly. "Haha, Boss, I'm sure that's exactly right!" the White Tiger youth chimed in. "Since he's disturbed our meal, why not just put him in the pot? I'm certain it'll be another delicious feast!"

Clearly, Xu Yang and his team's demeanor had, to some extent, enraged the koi. However, that no longer mattered; both sides had reached a critical point, and this battle was ultimately unavoidable. At that moment, Xu Yang stepped into the air, levitating above the white dragon's back. His eyes, chillingly cold, locked onto the golden koi.

"You just said this entire lake is controlled by your Koi clan?" Xu Yang challenged. "Then call out all your clan members. You alone simply aren't enough."

"Hahahaha," the golden koi scoffed. "Let me test your strength. In my opinion, you're only good for scaremongering. When it comes to a real fight, you might not be my match."

It was unclear where the golden koi derived such a bizarre theory that led it to make such a judgment about Xu Yang. When its voice echoed, everyone in Xu Yang's team burst into laughter. The White Tiger youth, in particular, lay on the white dragon's back, clutching his stomach and rolling with mirth.

"I've truly never seen anyone as arrogant as this koi," the White Tiger youth guffawed. "Where does he get the confidence to talk to our Boss like that? I bet he'll meet a miserable end!"

Seeing the White Tiger youth's antics, Xu Yang couldn't help but smile down at him. "Tell me, kid," Xu Yang called down. "Do you want braised koi, steamed, or some other preparation? I can make it happen for you."

The more Xu Yang spoke, the more he humiliated the golden koi before him. In a fit of rage, the koi let out a peculiar roar. It was difficult to judge the golden koi's true strength at that moment. The only thing everyone clearly understood was that, compared to Xu Yang, its power, though formidable, was entirely outmatched.

Xu Yang kept his left hand behind his back throughout, and with a gentle flick of his right index finger downwards, a golden beam of light sliced through the air. The light seemed to possess an innate ability to penetrate defenses, instantly piercing the special energy surrounding the golden koi's body. This golden light appeared unremarkable, yet the moment it struck the koi's body, it delivered an unimaginable shock to its very soul. The creature had truly not expected this handsome young man to possess such terrifying power.

"Damn it," the koi exclaimed, "it seems I've encountered a true powerhouse this time. I must retract my previous offensive words, for your strength is indeed sufficient to fight me."

The golden koi then suddenly began flapping its fins. Soon, from the depths of the previously calm lake, more and more diverse fish species began to surface. These fish species normally coexisted peacefully, but after being stimulated by the koi's special frequency call, it was as if a unique restriction within them had been lifted. All the fish, even those that had previously seemed harmless, became exceptionally violent at that moment.

At that very instant, Queen Talia seemed to discern something in the functional changes of these fish. As if realizing something crucial, she quickly spoke up, stopping Xu Yang from proceeding further.