Chapter 231

Chapter 231: The Bottom of the Sacred Pond

“Xiao Man!” You You gasped, reaching to steady her, but Ming Ye suddenly stretched his hand toward them, growling, “I’ll eliminate this traitor first!”

He clenched his fist, and a red light flashed, connecting to Xiao Man’s chest. She was yanked toward him.

Panicking, You You summoned her Spirit Sword. Ignoring proper techniques, she channeled her inner power and leaped up, slashing toward Ming Ye.

“Hmph!” Ming Ye sneered, unimpressed. He tugged Xiao Man closer with one hand while casually waving the other to summon a divine power barrier.

You You’s sword struck the barrier—

_Crash!_

It shattered like brittle glass. The sharp blade sliced toward Ming Ye’s right arm, nearly severing it.

“Impossible!” Ming Ye recoiled, abandoning Xiao Man. His body dissolved into mist, reappearing dozens of feet away. His right arm hung by a thread.

Xiao Man plummeted into the pool with a splash, sinking rapidly.

“Xiao Man!” You You dove after her, abandoning the fight.

Ming Ye stared at the rippling water, clutching his mangled arm. Shock twisted his face. How had a mere celestial maiden shattered his divine power? If he could seize that power…

His shock morphed into greed. Dark energy writhed beneath his wound. He hastily sealed it with spells.

The commotion drew celestial lords rushing to the scene.

“Divine Lord, your injury—what happened?” the leader asked.

Ming Ye glowered at the pond. “Intruders in the Sacred Pond. Seal it and activate the bottom formations. They won’t escape!”

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The pool’s depth stunned You You. In the murky darkness, she finally spotted Xiao Man sinking below.

She swam frantically, grabbing Xiao Man, who gasped for air without a water-repelling spell. Before You You could cast one, glowing formations lit up the water—countless deadly traps.

_So the defenses were underwater!_ She abandoned the spell and activated her Invincible Skill.

A colossal Kun materialized, shielding them and shoving the formations aside. Oddly, she could move freely now. Xiao Man remained unconscious, a red thread pulsing from her chest.

You You sliced the thread with her sword.

Xiao Man jolted awake, coughing violently. “Where… what _is_ this?” She paled, staring at the fish’s translucent walls.

“A defensive spell,” You You said. “We’re deep in the pool. More formations below, but the energy feels purer here—like the real Sacred Pond.”

“Should we surface? He’ll be waiting.”

“Let’s check below first.” The Kun flicked its tail, plunging deeper. Formations cracked against its scales.

A glow soon illuminated a cave. Inside, luminous pearls dotted a chamber sealed by non-lethal formations. The Invincible Skill bypassed them effortlessly.

The room held only a cluttered desk. You You flipped through the books—not celestial techniques, but ledgers filled with numbers.

_Account books?_ She groaned. These looked exactly like the paperwork she’d handled daily at Zhen Yan Sect.