Chapter 33

Above the lake where ice blocks floated, the sound of breaking wind was constant, and many figures gathered towards the stone platform. From time to time, screams of agony echoed, followed by figures falling into the dark waters, losing their lives.

By now, a day had passed since the initial chaos, and the Purple Cold Mystic Lotus had been mostly harvested. However, due to its significant benefits for body tempering, there were still many figures darting around.

At the edge of the stone platform, nearly ten people stood with their hands behind their backs. The leader was none other than the old man who had presided over the auction in Green Mountain Town. However, the warm smile on his face had long disappeared, replaced by a cold and stern expression.

This person was an elder of the Mo family in Green Mountain Town. After Mo Fanlong left, he smoothly gathered with some of the elders who had entered this time. However, he was still not entirely at ease about Ye Zhong's matter. Therefore, despite having more important things to do, he still sent an elder and a group of powerful subordinates to guard this ice lake.

"If Ye Zhong is dead, it's fine. If he isn't, I believe this elder of our family has the means to finish him off. No matter what, Mo Fanlong is extremely cautious. It's better to eliminate potential threats like Ye Zhong as soon as possible," the Mo family elder said, shaking his head with a hint of amusement.

"Ha ha, Elder, you're right. The young master is indeed too cautious. Sometimes he does unnecessary things. I think we should leave now and seek some opportunities. Otherwise, we won't have a chance to enter the inheritance site. If we don't gain some advantages, this trip to the Innate Saint Hall would be a waste," a powerful figure standing behind the old man said with a light laugh, clearly not taking Ye Zhong seriously.

"You young ones, aren't you afraid the young master will blame you? But..." The elder smiled and shook his head, but he did not refuse. Clearly, he was also dissatisfied with Mo Fanlong's current orders. However, at that moment, he suddenly paused and shouted, "Not good, retreat!"

At the same time, many of the powerful figures on the stone platform immediately reacted, moving swiftly to leave the platform.

Not long after many had left, deep cracks appeared on the ancient stone platform. Soon, the platform, like a decaying giant tree, slowly sank into the lake, leaving only bubbling water, indicating that something below had been destroyed, causing the platform to sink.

"Could it be—"

The Mo family elder, who clearly had some knowledge of the Innate Saint Hall, stared at the lake for a moment, his face suddenly turning pale. Then, he suddenly sneered, "Men, it seems we don't need to go elsewhere to seek opportunities. It looks like someone has found the location of the Purple Wood Spirit Root and taken it! Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened!"

"Hehehe, when luck comes, it's unstoppable!" The nearly ten powerful figures behind him also sneered, their faces showing greed. They naturally knew what the Purple Wood Spirit Root was—a highly valuable medicinal herb for body tempering, even in the Innate Saint Hall. Since someone had obtained it, they, as the second birds, could naturally benefit.

The Mo family's powerful figures scattered, their eyes fixed on the lake. Many of the originally retreating powerful figures also noticed something and did not leave far. They all looked at the center of the lake with a hint of confusion.

"Boom—"

Almost instantly, a water column shot up into the sky, and a slender, handsome young figure emerged from the water, landing on the nearest ice block.

Seeing this figure, many people were slightly stunned, their eyes showing disbelief!

"It's that young man from the Star Constellation Sect whom Mo Fanlong pushed into the ice lake!"

"How is that possible!? So many people fell in and died, but he didn't!?"

"What's going on?"

Many people drew in cold breaths, their faces showing strange expressions. Ye Zhong's appearance indicated that he was not only unharmed but had also gained some benefits. Moreover, no one thought the collapse of the stone platform was unrelated to him!

Ye Zhong, however, did not notice the strange gazes around him. He just looked at his palm. On his right palm, there was a blood-red sword mark, which looked like a tattoo but, upon closer inspection, was layered, with at least four layers of sword marks. A faint, bloody and ruthless aura emanated from it.

Four Asura Sword Marks!

This was the level Ye Zhong had reached in the lake, using the energy of the Purple Wood Spirit Root left in his body after successfully tempering his body to the fourth level.

During the cultivation process, Ye Zhong discovered that the so-called Asura Sword Mark required the mobilization of energy within his body. Without reaching the Innate stage and cultivating his own spiritual energy, this energy came from his own blood and qi. Moreover, each Asura Sword Mark required twice the energy of the previous one to form.

Fortunately, Ye Zhong was cultivating the Six Paths Burial Sword Technique, and his body had already formed a spiritual energy cycle. Therefore, he could barely cultivate this technique and form four Asura Sword Marks. However, with his current strength, he could only form four Asura Sword Marks. Forming one more would likely damage his cultivation foundation, which Ye Zhong was unwilling to do.

However, even with just four Asura Sword Marks, the power of this attack technique was extremely terrifying. Ye Zhong had tested it in the lake, and with one move, he destroyed the root supporting the stone platform, leading to the current scene.

After testing, Ye Zhong realized that the Asura Sword Mark was probably not as simple as he had thought. Based on his experience, the Asura Sword Mark was likely part of a complete technique. If he could gather the other parts, even Ye Zhong could not predict the level of the complete technique.

However, even so, Ye Zhong smiled in satisfaction. With this Asura Sword Mark, his strength had been maximized. If he encountered Mo Fanlong again, he would definitely play with them. Unfortunately, Mo Fanlong had already left; otherwise, Ye Zhong would not mind testing his skills.

"It's time to find a map of the hall." A cold glint flashed in Ye Zhong's eyes as he prepared to leave. However, at that moment, his expression changed, and his gaze fell on the opposite side. He saw nearly ten people staring at him, their eyes filled with greed.

"Ha—"

Looking at the nearly ten people slowly approaching, Ye Zhong's face showed a smile. Heaven had a path, but you didn't take it; hell had no door, but you insisted on entering. He didn't expect Mo Fanlong to be so disappointing!

The Mo family elder's gaze was fixed on Ye Zhong. He naturally recognized Ye Zhong as the person Mo Fanlong had instructed him to watch. However, he never expected that Ye Zhong might be the one who obtained the Purple Wood Spirit Root in the lake.

With their experience, they quickly deduced that when Ye Zhong was hit into the lake, he likely discovered something and decided to search for treasure at the bottom. However, even the Mo family elder couldn't understand how a mere third-level body tempering practitioner could stay underwater for so long. Even if he wasn't eaten by the black-line pythons, wouldn't he need to breathe?

"But it doesn't matter—"

After a moment of thought, the Mo family elder sneered. These details were not important now. What mattered was that Ye Zhong was still alive and likely had the Purple Wood Spirit Root.

With that, the Mo family elder waved his hand, and nearly ten cold-faced subordinates instantly surrounded Ye Zhong. He then smiled sinisterly at Ye Zhong and slowly extended his hand: "Boy, I don't know how you managed to stay in the lake for so long without dying... But since you've obtained the Purple Wood Spirit Root, hand it over! Hand it over, and I'll give you a quick death!"

As he spoke, the Mo family elder stomped his foot, and his blood and qi surged, emitting a highly intimidating aura, as if a fierce beast was lurking within him!

Meanwhile, the nearly ten subordinates drew their long knives, their faces showing sinister smiles!

Ye Zhong looked at this scene and a faint smile appeared on his face. It seemed there were still people in this world who didn't know the meaning of death!