Chapter 36: Leaving the Otherworldly Secret Realm

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Leaving the Otherworldly Secret Realm

"Let’s get out of here first!"

Underwater, Ji Zhixing stroked the Frog Pendant on his chest. This pendant was the Genetic Equipment he had obtained by refining the Giant Footed Frog. Unlike the Breaking Army Rod and the Yellow Stone Rod, this kind of self-refined equipment did not require further refinement; it could be used directly upon being worn.

"This feeling..." Ji Zhixing swam through the water, the movements of his limbs coordinated and smooth, as if he were a creature born to the water. Every kick and stroke propelled his body forward perfectly, without wasting a single ounce of energy.

"If someone were to look down into the water from the shore, they’d probably think I was a Giant Footed Frog," he thought to himself. "Although the breaststroke ability is only one-star, it’s more effective in the water than any speed-type ability."

He moved quickly through the lake, the jade-green currents gliding past him. Occasionally, a few unknown small fishes were startled and scattered in all directions. Looking into the distance, he could vaguely see Gu Zheng’s boat. After a moment of thought, he ultimately decided against approaching them. Gu Zheng and his group might not know how to dive, but their abilities were unknown. If he got too close and was trapped by whatever methods they had, it would end badly. Given his massive haul this time, the most sensible course of action was to figure out a way back and focus on improving his strength.

After swimming for a few minutes, Ji Zhixing suddenly felt the water temperature plummet. The chill came without warning, seemingly welling up from the depths of the lake bottom. He shivered, slowed his pace, and looked ahead warily. The water ahead had become unusually clear, offering high visibility. Through the jade-green lake water, he could faintly make out a massive shadow coiled at the bottom. The shadow lay completely still, yet it exuded a terrifying aura. At the same time, that area was eerily silent, devoid of any other life.

"What is that..." Ji Zhixing’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated. He hadn’t gotten a clear look at what it was, nor did he want to. That aura felt even more terrifying than the one the Two-Winged Thousand Steel Python had given him. He immediately changed direction, swimming frantically to the side to bypass the area. As the freezing water gradually receded and the temperature returned to normal, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"There’s something in this lake too," he thought. "Good thing I didn’t disturb it."

Time ticked by, and his twenty-minute diving limit was almost up. Ji Zhixing began to feel a tightness in his chest, the urge to breathe growing increasingly urgent. He sped up, swimming in another direction. Finally, a shoal appeared ahead; the lake water became clear and shallow, revealing the sand and gravel at the bottom. He carefully poked his head out and looked around.

The surface of the lake was empty; the wooden boat carrying Gu Zheng and the others was nowhere to be seen. In the distance, the battle between the Two-Winged Thousand Steel Python and the black eagle seemed to have subsided as well. Only the occasional roar of a beast proved that other dangers still lurked within this Otherworldly Secret Realm.

"Gu Zheng and the others are gone," Ji Zhixing deduced. He quickly swam ashore and lay on the bank, panting for a few breaths. Standing up, he shook the water off his body and began searching for the exit passage.

The forest was quiet, but Ji Zhixing didn’t dare lower his guard, taking every step with utmost caution. He avoided places that made noise, steered clear of areas with strong odors, and specifically chose hidden routes. After walking for about half an hour, a blurred space suddenly appeared ahead. The air in that space was slightly distorted like steam, and through that warped area, the outside scenery could faintly be seen—a calm lake surface, shimmering with ripples.

"Shi Lake!" Ji Zhixing’s eyes lit up, and he immediately quickened his pace, running toward it. The Spatial Passage was just a few dozen meters ahead; as long as he made a dash for it, he could leave this dangerous place.

"Ji Zhixing!" a harsh shout rang out from behind him. Ji Zhixing’s heart skipped a beat, and he whipped his head around.

At the edge of the woods, four figures rushed out. It was Gu Zheng and his three companions. Goodness knows where they had circled back from, but they ended up running right into him. Upon seeing him, their faces instantly darkened, and they immediately sped up, charging toward him. The young man wielding the Elf Bow even drew his weapon straight away, aiming the arrowhead directly at him.

"Damn it!" Ji Zhixing’s expression changed drastically. Without hesitation, he accelerated and dashed straight for the Spatial Passage. After a few sprinting strides, he leaped, plunging entirely into the blurred space. His vision blurred as the world spun around him. The next moment, his feet found solid ground—he was already standing on the shore of Shi Lake.

Behind him, the Spatial Passage was still slightly distorted. Like an unstable mirror, the shadow of the forest on the other side could still be seen. The passage remained, but its edges had begun to blur, as if it might dissipate at any moment.

"It’ll probably take a while longer!" Ji Zhixing glanced back and gritted his teeth. Instead of leaving, he quickly ran over to the adjacent edge of Shi Lake.

"Ji Zhixing?"

Just then, a figure stepped out from behind a large tree not far away. The person had long hair draping over her shoulders and wore a form-fitting cyan outfit—it was Yu Zhirou. Seeing Ji Zhixing step out of the Spatial Passage completely soaked and looking thoroughly disheveled, Yu Zhirou’s eyes filled with astonishment.

"Yu Zhirou?" Hearing the noise, Ji Zhixing looked back and realized who it was. However, he had already leaped into the air, leaving no time to say anything.

SPLASH!

Water sprayed into the air as his figure plunged directly into the depths.

The very moment he dove into the water, the Spatial Passage flashed violently, and four figures rushed out one after another. Gu Zheng, Liu Qing, the young man wielding the Elf Bow, and another person—all four landed steadily on the shore of Shi Lake.

"Where is he?" The young man with the Elf Bow looked around, his gaze fierce. But they couldn’t even find a trace of Ji Zhixing. As their eyes swept the area, they only spotted Yu Zhirou.

"Yu Zhirou?" Seeing her, Gu Zheng furrowed his brows slightly. He glanced around and asked in a deep voice, "Did you see someone come out of here just now?"

Yu Zhirou looked at the murderous demeanor of Gu Zheng and his group, her face turning somewhat pale. She hesitated for a moment before pointing at Shi Lake ahead. "I was just standing here when I saw someone come out and jump into the lake. But I didn’t get a clear look at exactly who it was."

As she said this, her heartbeat quickened. After all, Ji Zhixing had been her classmate for three years, and they used to have a fairly good relationship. But... Gu Zheng was a favored child of heaven who had fused with the Tier Four Sword Feather Peacock gene. Soon enough, she would be entering Yu City University alongside him. As for Ji Zhixing, after choosing the Three-inch Stone Monkey gene, he was completely ruined. Even if he had mastered the First Rank Two-Star Breaking Army Stick Technique, it wouldn’t change a thing.

"Just as I thought," Gu Zheng frowned upon hearing this. When he came out of the Spatial Passage and saw no one around, he guessed that Ji Zhixing might have dived back into the lake. But there was nothing he could do. Ji Zhixing had diving equipment, and he did not.

"Yu Zhirou..." Submerged in the lake water, Ji Zhixing heard the conversation on the shore. He looked back at Yu Zhirou, his heart turning icy cold. He used to have a pretty good relationship with her, having been classmates for three years. He never expected that, just to curry favor with Gu Zheng, she would show him absolutely no mercy—even pretending not to recognize him. He retracted his gaze, kicked off with his legs, and shot forward like a frog, quickly diving off into the distance.