Demon Lake Island was a small, obscure island located near the edge of the Inner Star Sea. Only a few scattered cultivators living on nearby islands knew of its existence.
The reason this island remained in the memories of these cultivators—and earned such an unusual name—was due to the presence of a material called Verdant Copper in several of its lakes. While not particularly rare, this material was essential for refining a few unique magical artifacts, which occasionally drew low-level cultivators to the island to gather it.
Perhaps because of the abundance of Verdant Copper, the lakes on the island were an unusually deep emerald green, far more vivid than ordinary lakes. Moreover, if a mortal fell into the water, they would float effortlessly without ever sinking.
Thus, the name “Demon Lake” gradually spread among the nearby islands.
However, the island had few trees and no spiritual veins, so it was rarely visited.
Yet on this day, fifty or sixty low-level cultivators had gathered by one of the lakes, hastily setting up several intricate temporary spell formations. Most were at the Qi Refining stage, with only six or seven at the Foundation Establishment level.
Meanwhile, hovering above the center of the lake were three Core Formation cultivators, whispering among themselves.
“Junior Brother Lei, this time we can’t fail again. To break the restrictions, I’ve poured nearly all my savings into this—over two hundred thousand spirit stones. If we fail once more, I won’t have any left to contribute,” said a gray-robed elder with a deeply wrinkled face, his expression troubled.
“Hmph, Senior Brother Wu exaggerates. Among the three of us, you’re likely the wealthiest. Your Golden Inscription Pavilion is renowned throughout these waters—how could you lack spirit stones?” retorted a handsome blue-robed man with a cold snort.
“Junior Brother Lei doesn’t understand. Though my Golden Inscription Pavilion may seem prosperous, it’s been squeezed nearly to collapse by competitors like the Fire Cloud Pavilion. I’m barely keeping it afloat,” the elder sighed, his face full of resignation.
“Senior Brother Wu, why complain? Your pavilion has been around for years—if it weren’t profitable, you wouldn’t have kept it running,” interjected the third figure, a voluptuous woman in red robes with captivating peach-blossom eyes that shimmered with allure.
“The pavilion did earn some spirit stones in the past, but that was when our master was still alive. After Venerable Man vanished over a century ago, without the backing of a Nascent Soul cultivator, my business was immediately pressured by larger competitors. At first, the master’s lingering influence kept them at bay, but twenty years ago, when news spread that he had been mortally wounded by the Six Paths Demon Saint, things became unbearable. If I weren’t a late-stage Core Formation cultivator myself, my assets would’ve been swallowed whole long ago. Unlike you two, who’ve lived freely,” the elder said bitterly.
“Senior Brother Wu, I have no interest in your grievances. All I know is that I’ve contributed just as many spirit stones as you. And don’t forget—after the master disappeared, I was hunted for decades by those he’d angered. Only recently did I finally shake them off. Meanwhile, you’ve built your own faction and even have ties to the Blood Light Sect. You’re the one truly at ease,” the blue-robed man retorted, a flash of bloodlust emanating from him.
“Nonsense! If I didn’t have so many disciples to support, I’d have gone into hiding like you two. Maintaining my position is costly, and the Blood Light Sect demands heavy tributes. My life is far from easy. Meanwhile, I’ve heard of your exploits, Junior Brother Lei—the ‘Bloodhand Demon’ is quite infamous among Core Formation cultivators. Your cultivation thrives on slaughter, hasn’t it? You’ve already advanced from early to mid-stage,” the elder countered, still sighing.
The blue-robed youth’s brows twitched, his face darkening, but before he could retort, the red-robed woman laughed lightly, cutting them off.
“Senior Brother Wu, Junior Brother Lei, why argue? Since the master’s disappearance, none of us have had it easy. But once we retrieve the treasures from his hidden vault—given his status as a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—there’ll be more than enough for all of us. Then, whether we go into seclusion or seek new alliances, we’ll be secure.”
At her words, the elder and the blue-robed youth exchanged glances and fell silent, as if wary of her.
After watching the low-level cultivators work for a while, the blue-robed youth turned to the woman.
“Senior Sister Cai, are you certain the treasure vault is beneath the lake? The restrictions do bear the master’s signature, but he often built temporary caves on small islands. What if this is just one of them? All our efforts would be wasted.”
“Oh? Junior Brother Lei doubts me?” The woman’s expression darkened.
The youth licked his lips and replied coldly, “You brought us here months ago, claiming to know the location of the master’s treasures, yet you’ve never explained how you found out. Though he favored you, given his temperament, he’d never have revealed such a thing. Now that we’re about to break the restrictions, shouldn’t you clarify?”
“Indeed, Junior Brother makes a fair point. And after years of silence, your sudden reappearance with this lead is… suspicious,” the elder added neutrally.
“What, if I don’t explain, will you two attack me? Bully a mere early-stage Core Formation woman?” The woman’s face turned icy as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. On her wrist gleamed a violet bracelet etched with mysterious runes.
The elder and the youth paled at the sight.
“So the master gave you his Violet Ice Bracelet! With that ancient treasure, even the two of us together wouldn’t stand a chance,” the blue-robed youth muttered, his eyes flashing with envy and anger—though whether at the woman or their late master was unclear.
The elder forced a laugh. “Junior Sister jokes. We’d never dare. But we’ve exhausted our resources to break these restrictions—can you blame us for being cautious? You haven’t contributed a single spirit stone.”
“I led you here and only demand a third of the treasure. Why should I pay? But fine, since you insist, I’ll explain.” She hesitated, then relented.
“We’re listening,” the elder said eagerly, while the youth remained silent.
“Officially, I was the master’s disciple, but you both know I was really his concubine. Once, while attending him, I overheard the vault’s location in his sleep. He knew his lifespan was ending and planned to enter seclusion there with his treasures.”
“That’s it?” The two men exchanged baffled glances.
“What did you expect? Believe it or not, it’s the truth. Besides, why else would he place such complex restrictions here? After months, we’ve barely made progress. What else could it be but his treasure vault?” she sneered.
“Junior Sister makes a fair point. It seems we were overly suspicious. The final layer of restrictions remains—once broken, our efforts won’t be in vain. I’ll check on the formation’s progress.” The elder clasped his hands and flew toward the shore.
“I’ll inspect the underwater restrictions,” the blue-robed youth said flatly, eyeing the woman before diving into the lake in a flash of bloody light.
Left alone, the woman’s lips curled slightly, her eyes glinting with a cold, hidden light.
After the time it took to finish a meal, the elder returned from the shore, while the lake churned as the youth resurfaced. The trio reconvened.
“Junior Brother Lei, Junior Sister Cai, the formation is ready— Wait, what’s that?” The elder’s expression shifted as he turned abruptly toward the horizon.
The others followed his gaze.
In the distance, a dazzling azure streak shot toward them—heading straight for the lake.
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