"ROAR!!!"

Sensing the terrifying power of the attack, the giant ape-like Demon and Monster let out a roar as the lake water rapidly formed a Water Shield to block it.

"PSHH—!"

But it was useless. A single slash shattered the Demon and Monster’s Water Shield and pierced its skull. The beast, which had just burst from the lake’s surface, was killed instantly. Its body sank back into the water.

It all happened in the blink of an eye. The Demon and Monster had barely revealed itself before it was one-shotted.

All eyes turned to the figure in Profound Black Martial Attire standing on the wreckage.

"Nine hundred..."

"Not bad."

After the one-slash kill, Fang Xing checked his newly acquired Enhancement Points.

This particular Demon and Monster had given him nine hundred Enhancement Points.

"Let’s get ashore first."

Shen Ye spoke, then leaped into the air, his feet tapping the surface of the lake as he headed towards Lake Heart Island.

Fang Xing was even faster. He activated Wind God Step, moving like a gentle breeze skimming the waves, and quickly crossed the several-hundred-meter distance to the shore.

Baili Yanran followed close behind.

The five from the Supreme Profound Upper Sect also made it to Lake Heart Island, as did several other True Qi Realm Exorcists who were among the first to reach the shore.

At the same time, the rest of the group came to their senses and quickly headed for the shore.

A portion of them scrambled ashore in a sorry state, having fallen into the lake, their clothes soaked through.

They had been ambushed by a Demon and Monster before even reaching Lake Heart Island.

It wasn’t a major problem, however.

"Sir, your strength is impressive, and your reflexes are incredibly fast." Lin Ze walked up and looked at Fang Xing.

He hadn’t even had time to act, yet this person had been able to move first.

"It was nothing. I just happened to notice it," Fang Xing said nonchalantly.

Hearing this, a glint flashed in Lin Ze’s eyes, but he said nothing more and simply smiled.

"The Profound Flood Dragon’s lair is deep within the island. Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s go."

Baili Yanran spoke up.

Fang Xing and Shen Ye nodded and advanced quickly into the island’s interior.

Lin Ze’s group moved out at the same time.

Seeing this, the other Exorcists followed.

The Great Demon wasn’t the target for most of these Exorcists, but the Profound Flood Dragon’s lair was sure to have other Demons and Monsters.

They couldn’t miss out on that.

The hundred or so people vanished into the forests of Lake Heart Island, quickly swallowed by the trees.

Just after the group set foot on Lake Heart Island,

by a bottomless pool on Lake Heart Island, several figures in martial attire appeared.

"GLUG GLUG GLUG—!!"

Just as they reached the pool’s edge, bubbles rose from its bottomless depths, and a hideous monster’s head emerged from the water.

"Is everything ready?" the monster asked, speaking in a human tongue as it looked at the group.

The figures smiled faintly, and one of them nodded.

"Don’t worry, it’s all prepared."

"So much Martial Artist blood essence... that’ll be quite a boost," one of them said, licking his lips.

The monster glared at the speaker, its gaze sharp. "Don’t forget my half."

Another person spoke up with a smiling nod. "Of course, we won’t forget."

Hearing this, the monster sank back into the pool.

The figures exchanged a look, and with a flicker, they vanished.

「On Lake Heart Island, in the forest.」

Fang Xing’s group of three advanced rapidly.

The five from the Supreme Profound Upper Sect were heading in the same direction.

Also, three True Qi Realm Exorcists had joined the group from the Supreme Profound Upper Sect.

Sprinting through the forest, it wasn’t long before Fang Xing’s group reached the depths of Lake Heart Island and slowed their pace.

Using his powerful and Extraordinary Perception Power, Fang Xing scanned his surroundings.

His Perception into the Subtle ability had grown even stronger after he entered the True Qi Realm.

Within a fifty-zhang radius, he could perceive every blade of grass and every tree with perfect clarity.

It wasn’t a vague sense, but an image that appeared in his mind’s eye.

At the same time, his Perception could also distinguish the auras in the air.

He could easily detect the slightest fluctuation.

His Extraordinary Perception Ability allowed him to investigate unfamiliar environments in greater detail.

Fang Xing’s trio and the group from the Supreme Profound Upper Sect split up, each heading in a different direction.

Lake Heart Island was the Profound Flood Dragon Great Demon’s lair.

But its exact location had to be found through investigation.

Numerous deep pools were scattered across Lake Heart Island.

Some pools were a hundred zhang wide, like small lakes, while others were only a few zhang across.

And all these deep pools were connected to the waters of Dongting Lake.

There were many pools, but underneath, they were interconnected like a spider’s web.

"WHOOSH—!"

The trio had just arrived at the edge of a deep pool when an arrow of water suddenly shot out from it.

"VMMMM—!!!"

Shen Ye raised a hand, and his True Qi erupted, blocking the incoming water arrow and completely obliterating it.

"SWOOSH—!"

At that same moment, Fang Xing moved.

"BOOM!!!"

His Palm Force exploded. A single palm strike smashed into the deep pool, causing the ten-plus-zhang-wide pool to erupt as waves several zhang high shot into the air.

A creature resembling a small, skinny monkey was blasted out of the pool. It landed on the bank, its body twitching as it let out a shrill scream.

"SCHLICK—!"

A flash of saber light, and the Demon and Monster quickly fell still, its head severed.

Blood dripped from the edge of his blade.

Fang Xing wiped the blood from his Treasure Saber and sheathed it.

"Fang Xing, at least give me a chance. I haven’t even gotten to make a move yet," Baili Yanran said as she stepped forward.

"I can handle this kind of grunt work," Fang Xing said with a smile.

’If I let you... what about my Enhancement Points? There are quite a few of them to be had.’

Baili Yanran rolled her eyes. "I’m not that delicate."

"He’s letting you take it easy and you’re still not happy," Shen Ye muttered, pursing his lips.

"..."

"Alright, when we run into that Great Demon, you’ll have your chance to shine."

Shen Ye said, then continued to scout the other areas.