Chapter 304: Favors and Worldly Ways

Wang Fang took the lead, personally demonstrating how to cross.

The other members of the Blood Cloud Sect had clearly prepared in advance, tossing out all manner of floatable items they had readied.

Fortunately, floating objects weren’t hard to come by.

After a moment’s thought, everyone pulled something suitable from their storage rings.

One by one, they leapt onto the Sinking Water, each in their own way—

a scene not unlike the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their unique skills.

Chen Fei was no exception.

Crossing this deadly water wasn’t all that difficult, so it naturally didn’t trouble him.

Wang Fang was the first to reach the other side of the plaza.

His sharp gaze swept the area—yet, as more people crossed safely, his eyes flickered with disappointment.

He didn’t take the bait…

Wang Fang had deliberately exaggerated the danger of the Sinking Water, hoping to tempt Chen Fei into making a move.

Maybe a sneak attack, maybe a trap—

Anything that would reveal himself.

Yet Chen Fei didn’t even flinch.

So, was Chen Fei tempted?

Not at all.

No matter how much Wang Fang hyped it up, Chen Fei trusted the Void Heaven Cauldron far more.

If the Sinking Water really was that dangerous, the Cauldron would’ve been vibrating like crazy, not this eerily calm.

So Chen Fei merely watched Wang Fang’s performance silently, curious to see how far he’d go.

Meanwhile, Duhuo Demon Lord’s brows knitted together, a cold snort escaping his lips.

He had privately instructed Wang Fang to lure Chen Fei out, yet…

nothing.

Not even a ripple.

It stung his pride.

But at that moment, a sudden change occurred.

“Ahhh!”

A pained scream instantly drew everyone’s attention.

A Nascent Soul realm demonic cultivator, mid-crossing, flailed wildly, face full of terror.

“Fool! Shut up!”

Duhuo Demon Lord roared.

The idiot was about to awaken the floating corpses beneath the water!

“Help! Help me!”

The demonic cultivator screamed in vain, spiritual energy violently bursting from his body as he tried to break free of something unseen.

And then—

The once-still Sinking Water surged violently.

Dozens of tendrils suddenly rose from beneath the surface and entwined him.

Within a single breath’s time, the water returned to its former calm—

as if nothing had happened.

“What… was that?”

Duhuo Demon Lord’s expression darkened. He turned sharply toward Wang Fang.

Wang Fang gave a wry smile and shook his head.

“Senior Duhuo, I only know a little about this place. What lies beneath the Sinking Water… even I’m not sure.”

Duhuo gave the water one last deep look, then snorted coldly.

“Let’s move. This place reeks of danger—we’re better off leaving it behind quickly.”

Everyone, now visibly shaken, followed him forward into the core region.

Of course, that mishap wasn’t just bad luck.

Chen Fei had used a little trick while crossing.

That brief interference had allowed him to glimpse what monsters truly lurked beneath the surface.

With that revelation, everyone’s demeanor grew far more serious.

The Bloodflower Underground Palace was no joke.

A single misstep could result in unpredictable death.

No one could afford to let their guard down.

Even Wang Fang, while still following with the group, couldn’t help but suspect that the earlier incident wasn’t an accident—

but he had no proof.

As the group progressed deeper, they came upon a faintly glowing crimson light.

Peach Blossom Fairy’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Bixue Lotus! It’s really the Bixue Lotus!”

Without hesitation, she turned to Wang Fang.

“Young Sect Master, this lotus is of utmost importance to me. I’m willing to exchange something of equal value for it—please, grant me this favor!”

As she spoke, she produced a dark red token.

The moment it appeared, a wave of commotion rippled through the crowd.

“Ghost King Token? Peach Blossom Fairy, are you sure?”

Duhuo Demon Lord asked, stunned.

Peach Blossom Fairy’s eyes sparkled as she stared at Wang Fang.

“You know full well the value of this Ghost King Token. So—what’s your decision?”

Wang Fang stared deeply at the token.

This was no ordinary item.

It was a key to the ancient Ghost King Hall—a secret realm that only allowed ten entrants every hundred years.

For her to willingly give up such a treasure—

a token the Holy Sect probably only had three of in total—just for a flower…

She must truly desperately need it.

Yet Peach Blossom Fairy didn’t seem the least bit hesitant.

Sure, the Ghost King Hall offered a chance at obtaining the Ghost King’s inheritance, and the title “Ghost King” might sound eerie, but in ancient times, the Ghost King was ranked among the top ten powerhouses. His strength was fierce and unmatched, with an invincible physical body.

Still, for Peach Blossom Fairy, it wasn’t worth more than the lotus.

Her cultivation path focused on illusion and illusionary realms.

And now that her old rival Leng Yue had reached the Human Sovereign Realm, she couldn’t fall behind.

Duhuo Demon Lord watched as Wang Fang accepted the Ghost King Token, his expression unreadable.

They’d already stolen enough fortune from the Blood Cloud Sect just by entering this place.

If he demanded the token too, it would make him look greedy and ungracious in the eyes of others.

There would be other chances to obtain it later.

“Thank you, everyone,”

Peach Blossom Fairy bowed slightly.

“With this Bixue Lotus, I may break through to the Human Sovereign Realm. You all have my eternal gratitude.”

No one dared to argue.

Peach Blossom Fairy’s status was exceptional.

The Holy Sect’s high regard for her was reason enough.

And her promise of future favors was valuable in its own right.

After all—

the Holy Sect values both power and politics.

With eyes gleaming, Peach Blossom Fairy stepped forward toward the Bixue Lotus.

Chen Fei’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She was not someone easy to deal with.

If she were to break through, she’d become even more troublesome.

Yet striking her down now would blow his cover wide open.

So he held back.

At some point, Peach Blossom Fairy produced a withered tree branch, waving it lightly.

A swirl of peach blossoms danced around her, shielding her from harm.

But the Bixue Lotus reacted violently, spikes shooting up from the ground, savage and aggressive.

She, however, ignored them completely.

And then—the bizarre happened.

The spikes passed straight through her.

They didn’t injure her at all.

“No use struggling,”

she giggled sweetly.

With a gentle sweep of her hand, a green aura spread from her body, enveloping the Bixue Lotus.

The lotus tried instinctively to retreat, to escape the light—

but she didn’t give it the chance.

“Come now… Only I can bring out your true power.”

Her laughter rang through the Underground Palace—

pleasant and delicate like silver bells,

yet carrying a chilling eeriness that made one’s skin crawl.