181: Chapter 180 Revisiting Qingyun Lake

Outer Sect.

Small courtyard.

Qin Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance beyond the courtyard with a calm expression, his mind repeatedly calculating the possibility of seizing the Jade Box.

This spirit marrow jade was a top-tier auxiliary material for refining a Lifebound Treasure, something that could be sought but not easily found;

if he missed this opportunity, it would be difficult for him to obtain spirit marrow jade again.

However, to be safe, Qin Changsheng still summoned the Heavenly Dao Trait Intelligence.

[Treasure: spirit marrow jade]

[Effect: Enhances the spirituality of a Magic Treasure when refining a Lifebound Treasure]

[Holder: Elder Qingxuan]

[Location: Heavenly Sword Sect, Scripture Pavilion]

[Obtained: Elder Qingxuan obtained the spirit marrow jade within a ruin]

After checking, Qin Changsheng also looked toward the direction of Qingyun Lake.

He had once fought this Green-Striped Toad several years ago.

At that time, Qin Changsheng had entered Qingyun Lake to seize a heavenly dao fragment.

The result of that battle was Qin Changsheng using the spirit suppressing pearl to suppress the Green-Striped Toad and then taking away the heavenly dao fragment.

"With the assistance of Hu Nan and Wang Cheng, plus the spirit suppressing pearl, I should be able to seize the Jade Box!" Qin Changsheng had already made a decision in his heart.

As for how to seize the Jade Box, Qin Changsheng had already outlined a complete plan in his mind.

Qin Changsheng, Hu Nan, and Wang Cheng set off together for Qingyun Lake.

Wang Cheng would first dive into Qingyun Lake to draw the Green-Striped Toad's attention.

Qin Changsheng would use the spirit suppressing pearl to suppress the Green-Striped Toad.

Finally, Hu Nan would take the opportunity to seize the Jade Box.

After successfully seizing the Jade Box, the three of them would escape via three separate routes.

The entire plan was tightly interconnected with clear division of labor, and every step took potential accidents into account.

The Incarnation Wang Cheng would draw fire, the spirit suppressing pearl would suppress the Yao Beast, and Hu Nan would be responsible for seizing the treasure before they retreated via separate routes. This plan utilized the strengths of all three while avoiding the risks posed by the Green-Striped Toad's formidable combat strength.

When finally escaping, if the Green-Striped Toad chased him, he could still use Exchange to swap positions with his other Incarnations.

After finishing his deliberations, Qin Changsheng did not set out immediately. Instead, he returned to the stone table in the courtyard and sat down, closing his eyes to repeatedly calculate every detail of the entire plan in his mind.

He envisioned various possible emergencies: what if Wang Cheng failed to successfully lure the Green-Striped Toad away?

What if Hu Nan encountered obstacles while seizing the Jade Box?

What if they were pursued by the Green-Striped Toad during the retreat? For every kind of accident, he pondered countermeasures in his mind.

As time passed, Qin Changsheng repeatedly simulated the plan dozens of times in his mind—from infiltrating Qingyun Lake and the division of labor to seizing the Jade Box and retreating via separate routes. Every link was precise and accurate, without the slightest oversight.

He slowly opened his eyes, a flash of determination in them. He had already confirmed in his heart: this plan was feasible, and the success rate was extremely high.

With a wave of Qin Changsheng's hand, a Spirit Stone appeared in his palm.

As Qin Changsheng chanted an incantation, the figure of Wang Cheng appeared not far away.

...

By the shore of Qingyun Lake.

Qin Changsheng, Wang Cheng, and Hu Nan arrived quietly at the shore of Qingyun Lake, their figures hidden within the reed beds along the bank.

Qin Changsheng first used his Divine Sense to scan the area. After confirming there was no movement around them, he turned to Wang Cheng and said, "Wang Cheng, act according to the plan. Dive to the bottom of the lake first and scout the specific location of the Green-Striped Toad."

Wang Cheng nodded slightly, his expression respectful as he replied in a low voice, "As you command."

As his voice fell, his figure moved like a light shadow, quietly stepping out of the reed beds. He lightly tapped the surface of the lake and instantly merged into the water without stirring up the slightest splash, leaving only a faint ripple that vanished in an instant.

Qin Changsheng kept his eyes fixed on the direction where Wang Cheng had dived. He waited patiently for a moment, and after confirming that Wang Cheng had gone deep into the lake bottom without alarming the Green-Striped Toad, he turned to signal Hu Nan beside him.

"Go!" Qin Changsheng's figure moved as he also dived into Qingyun Lake.

Hu Nan hurriedly followed behind Qin Changsheng.

Qin Changsheng circulated his spiritual power, forming a thin Spiritual Qi Barrier around his body to block out the lake water. He led Hu Nan along the trail Wang Cheng had taken, slowly diving toward the depths of the lake bottom.

The two of them moved steadily, their Speed not fast, always maintaining a certain distance from Wang Cheng.

A quarter of an hour later, Qin Changsheng, Wang Cheng, and Hu Nan arrived at the bottom of Qingyun Lake.

In the center of the lake bottom was a massive green stone. Atop that green stone, the Green-Striped Toad was lying down.

Beside the Green-Striped Toad's front claw sat a simple and ancient Jade Box. The Jade Box was pitch-black throughout, its surface carved with obscure and difficult-to-understand patterns.

Most striking was that a faint Evil Qi was emanating from within the Jade Box. That Evil Qi was bone-chillingly cold and completely out of place with the surrounding Water Spiritual Qi; even through the Jade Box, it could be clearly felt.

Clearly, the treasure contained within the Jade Box was no ordinary item.

Qin Changsheng glanced at the Jade Box, then waved his hand toward Wang Cheng and Hu Nan.

Hu Nan's figure moved as he quietly crept toward the rear of the Green-Striped Toad.

Wang Cheng, hiding behind another patch of water grass, immediately understood. He moved like an arrow released from a bowstring, charging toward the green stone in the center of the lake bottom.

"Gua—!" The Green-Striped Toad, which had been resting with its eyes closed, instantly snapped them open. Its two eyeballs, like black glass beads, locked onto the charging Wang Cheng. Its eyes surged with monstrous rage, and its Golden Core Stage Pressure exploded without reservation.

It was clearly enraged by this sudden disturbance. Its massive body shook violently as it leapt from the green stone, its limbs kicking against the lake water. With boundless power, it charged madly toward Wang Cheng.

The Green-Striped Toad was massive, yet its movements were exceptionally swift. Wherever it passed, the currents surged and the water grass snapped. A fierce and malevolent aura rushed forward as if it intended to swallow Wang Cheng alive.

The moment the Green-Striped Toad rose and charged, Qin Changsheng no longer hesitated. He threw his right hand up and gave a low shout: "Suppress!"

A warm white light suddenly burst from his palm. The spirit suppressing pearl flew into the air, hovering in the middle of the lake bottom. Enveloped in a boundless Soul-Suppressing Power, the white light grew increasingly brilliant like a small blazing sun, instantly covering the entire central area of the lake bottom.

That white light carried an extremely strong suppressive force, landing precisely on the charging Green-Striped Toad like an invisible shackle, binding it tightly.

"Gua—!" The Green-Striped Toad let out a shrill roar, its figure halting abruptly as its previously violent movements instantly slowed down. It did its utmost to circulate the Golden Core spiritual power within its body, trying to break free from this suppression.

However, the power of the spirit suppressing pearl was too formidable, specifically designed to restrain a Yao Beast's consciousness and cultivation. The Golden Core Pressure around it weakened at a visible rate, its internal spiritual power became chaotic, and its aura rapidly plummeted.

In an instant, the Golden Core Stage aura on the Green-Striped Toad completely dissipated, and its cultivation dropped directly to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. Its massive body also slightly shrank. The ferocity in its eyes was replaced by deep pain and resentment, yet it remained unable to break free from the suppression of the spirit suppressing pearl, only able to struggle in vain within the white light while letting out bursts of unwilling roars.

The moment the Green-Striped Toad was suppressed, Hu Nan, who was already prepared, moved like a fading shadow. He rushed out from behind the water grass, taking advantage of the opening created by the spirit suppressing pearl's suppression. Not daring to linger for a second, he charged straight for the green stone.

Seeing Hu Nan rush out, the Green-Striped Toad struggled desperately, but it was held fast by the power of the spirit suppressing pearl and could not break free at all.

Hu Nan's Speed was incredibly fast; in just an instant, he had the Jade Box in his hand.

The moment he had it, Hu Nan put the Jade Box into his Storage Space.

Simultaneously, he dashed toward the western side of Qingyun Lake.

"Go!" Seeing this, Qin Changsheng knew the time had come. He no longer lingered and gave a light shout, withdrawing part of the spirit suppressing pearl's power. His figure moved, and with the enhancement of the Golden Trait "Speed," he dashed toward the northern side of the lake bottom like a gust of wind.

Wang Cheng also understood immediately. He no longer entangled himself with the suppressed Green-Striped Toad and turned to dash toward the shallow shoals on the eastern side of the lake bottom.

The three of them instantly split into three routes, speeding away in different directions. Their figures quickly drew apart in the dim light of the lake bottom.

However, the moment Qin Changsheng and the others retreated, the suppressive power of the spirit suppressing pearl loosened slightly.

Relying on its formidable foundation as a Golden Core Yao Beast, the Green-Striped Toad exerted all its strength to erupt the remaining spiritual power in its body, forcibly breaking free from the shackles of the spirit suppressing pearl.

Its aura instantly returned to the Golden Core Stage, and the rage in its eyes almost seemed capable of burning the lake water to nothingness.

The Green-Striped Toad snapped its head around, its gaze sweeping over the figures fleeing in three directions. Its eyes darted rapidly, seemingly trying to judge which one was the true mastermind.

It stared at Wang Cheng's back for a moment, then scanned Hu Nan's direction, before finally locking its gaze firmly on Qin Changsheng's fleeing figure.

It still remembered that several years ago, it had seemingly also been suppressed by that person.

"Gua—!" With another roar of explosive rage, the Green-Striped Toad no longer hesitated. Its limbs kicked against the lake water as it pursued Qin Changsheng's fleeing direction like an arrow. It was extremely fast; wherever it passed, the water surged and shattered stones flew. It clearly intended to kill Qin Changsheng first.

Qin Changsheng felt the violent aura approaching from behind and frowned slightly. He clearly hadn't expected the Green-Striped Toad to pursue him instead of chasing Hu Nan, who had stolen the treasure, or Wang Cheng, who had provoked it.

However, Qin Changsheng did not panic at all.

He already had a countermeasure in mind for the Green-Striped Toad's pursuit.

He did not look back. While fully activating the Golden Trait "Speed" to accelerate his flight, he once again sacrificed the spirit suppressing pearl.

A brilliant white light burst from the spirit suppressing pearl once more, even more piercing than the last time. Carrying a boundless Soul-Suppressing Power, it precisely enveloped the pursuing Green-Striped Toad again.

Caught off guard while in full pursuit, the Green-Striped Toad was once again bound by the white light.

Its figure froze abruptly, the spiritual power it had just recovered became chaotic again, and its aura plummeted once more.

It also wanted to break through the shackles of the spirit suppressing pearl, but the pearl's power was exceptionally strong.

The Green-Striped Toad could only struggle in vain within the white light, watching as Qin Changsheng fled.

At the same time, Qin Changsheng's gaze also turned toward the Golden Trait Exchange.

In the next second, his figure suddenly blurred, and he instantly exchanged positions with Wang Cheng.

Qin Changsheng appeared at Wang Cheng's original position and continued dashing toward the eastern shallow shoals, while Wang Cheng instantly appeared on Qin Changsheng's original escape trajectory.

Having done all this, Qin Changsheng no longer hesitated and fully activated his Speed. His figure was like a stream of light as he fled into the distance, quickly vanishing into the dim shadows of the lake bottom.

As for the Green-Striped Toad suppressed by the spirit suppressing pearl, it relied on its formidable foundation as a Golden Core Yao Beast to erupt its internal spiritual power with all its might. In just a short moment, it once again broke through the shackles of the spirit suppressing pearl.