「Three days later, at high noon.」
The sun blazed like a furnace. Under its intense heat, massive amounts of vapor rose from the surface of Li Shui Lake, making the air shimmer and distort.
Vast shoals of dead fish floated to the surface, releasing waves of an unbearable, fishy stench.
BUZZZZ—
Green blowflies swarmed over the dead fish, forming a buzzing black cloud that was nauseating to behold.
"Team Three, deploy to the southeast! Team Four, cover the north corner!"
A steady voice rang out, giving orders.
The Commander stood on the shore, methodically issuing commands.
At his word, multiple squads of heavily armed guards moved out. They held rifles with fully loaded magazines, cordoning off every corner of Li Shui Lake as they stared nervously at the water's surface.
Dozens of Postnatal Realm Star Martial Artists hovered above the guards.
They radiated a formidable Power of Stars, creating an almost tangible pressure.
With this stellar pressure, they enveloped the entire Li Shui Lake shore, instantly forming a perceptive Domain unique to Star Martial Artists.
The slightest disturbance beneath the water would be detected immediately.
The situation was critical and had reached a boiling point.
"Elder Li, Hall Master."
On the shore, the Commander nodded in greeting to the two who had just arrived.
"Tsk, this stench is overwhelming…"
The library's Hall Master covered his nose and mouth, his brow furrowed. "Just how many fish has that Bloodthirsty Demon Insect at the bottom of the lake devoured?"
"I fear the entire ecosystem of Li Shui Lake has been destroyed."
The Commander shook his head with a bitter smile and gazed at the lake. "Based on the bloody water and the density of the floating fish carcasses, we've already identified a few potential areas."
"The problem is, the water isn't our home turf. Once submerged, even a Star Martial Artist at the Late Stage of the Postnatal Realm would be severely restricted."
"The Commander is absolutely right."
Hearing this, Elder Li nodded slightly, understanding the Commander's predicament.
Fighting underwater was by no means a wise move.
It would put them at a severe disadvantage.
For one, the underwater environment was treacherous and unpredictable.
Even Star Martial Artists who were strong swimmers wouldn't dare to venture deep recklessly.
For another, aquatic Star Beasts received a special boost underwater.
Home-field advantage and an affinity for water… these two factors alone could multiply the beasts' strength several times over, making them far more dangerous than on land!
Even with the advantages of being Innate Realm experts, Elder Li and the others didn't dare plunge directly into the depths.
One careless move, and they could very well end up in a watery grave!
"Elder Li, you are wise and experienced. Do you have a way to lure this beast out?" the Commander asked, his expression grave and worried.
"Rest assured, Commander. Since I am here, it is not simply to be a spectator."
Elder Li stroked his white beard, gazing at the bloodstained lake in the distance. "The method to lure it out is actually quite simple. The answer lies on the surface of the lake itself."
"The lake surface?"
The Commander and the Hall Master were both stunned, utterly baffled.
'What does he mean?'
'Is the solution really right under our noses?'
Following Elder Li's gesture, they looked out at the lake.
The surface of Li Shui Lake was covered in floating carcasses, the water stained so red it looked like a mirror of blood.
But…
'What does this have to do with luring it out?'
Seeing their confused expressions, Elder Li smiled faintly and continued his explanation.
"Have either of you considered this? This creature is inherently bloodthirsty, greedily devouring any and all blood… Yet now, it only slaughters the fish, without absorbing their blood?"
"Hm? Elder, you mean…"
At those words, realization dawned on the library's Hall Master. He slapped his forehead.
"The creature is no longer satisfied with ordinary blood?"
"Precisely. The Hall Master is as wise as his reputation for being well-read suggests."
Elder Li nodded in approval. "The fact that the creature is killing fish without draining their blood means it craves a more powerful source of nourishment."
"And what we must do is simple. We just need to bring a few Low-tier Star Beasts here, slit their throats on the shore, and let them bleed. That will be enough to lure the beast from its lair!"
"An excellent idea! Thank you for your guidance, Elder Li!"
The Commander standing beside them nodded and cupped his hands in thanks.
He then turned and immediately dispatched his guards to capture the necessary Star Beasts.
Elder Li and the Hall Master remained where they were, watching the bustling figures on the shore with grave expressions.
After all, using blood to lure the beast was only the beginning.
Figuring out how to deal with the Bloodthirsty Demon Insect once it appeared…
...that was the real main event.
.....
「Meanwhile.」
The Library.
"Old Qin, how come you haven't been going to Jianghai Martial Arts Academy lately?"
Xia He and Qin Yang were leaning against the first-floor railing, expertly slacking off together.
As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Li Zixuan, who had appeared nearby. Serene and composed, she was sitting at a round table, quietly engrossed in a book, her expression one of extreme focus.
But this time, Qin Yang had barely any reaction to her presence, not even sparing her a sideways glance.
This baffled Xia He.
Not long ago, Qin Yang had been following her around like a man possessed…
'How could he suddenly seem so completely uninterested today?'
"Why would I go to the Martial Arts Academy for no reason?"
Qin Yang rolled his eyes, casually deflecting Xia He's probing question.
"You were the one making a big deal out of it. When have you ever actually seen me at the academy?"
"You… Hiss… I…"
Xia He sucked in a sharp breath, rendered speechless by the comeback.
'Come to think of it, he's right!'
'I've never actually seen Qin Yang set foot in the academy.'
'That time he "intercepted" her was just on the road. There's no real proof.'
"I… Damn. You're ruthless, you know that?"
Xia He snorted and looked away.
Their constant bickering drew attention.
Li Zixuan, who was reading in the distance, looked up at the noise and glanced their way.
'Is that the administrator from last time?'
Li Zixuan frowned slightly. She still had some recollection of Qin Yang.
After all, the way he had so abruptly asked for her name had left an indelible impression.
'Whatever, it's none of my business.'
Li Zixuan shook her head and went back to her book.
The book in her hands was none other than the *True Understanding of the Qingfeng Sword Technique*.
In the past, Li Zixuan wouldn't have given such a simple, Entry Level book a second glance.
But now, she was reading it with great relish.
'It really does share many similarities with One Sword Opens the Celestial Gate!'
Li Zixuan's eyes swept over the book's annotations and explanations, her sense of shock growing.
'The swordsmanship Teacher passed down to me was actually derived from this basic Sword Dao!'
'Teacher is truly amazing, creating such an exquisite and unparalleled Sword Skill from something as common as basic Sword Dao!'
Li Zixuan's heart pounded in her chest, her admiration for her master's genius growing ever stronger.
'I wonder when I'll get to see Teacher again…'
Just then, across the room, Qin Yang finished his break and prepared to get back to work.
Suddenly, a terrifying, bloody aura washed over them from outside the library!
'Is that… coming from the direction of Li Shui Lake?'
Qin Yang's expression changed as he looked out the window.
Immediately, a system notification sounded in his mind:
"Ding! A Blood Demon has been detected. Extreme danger!"
"Host, please flee as quickly as possib—no, Host, please immediately dispatch the Empress's apprentice to slay the Blood Demon!"