The water from the lake naturally began pouring into the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower, its devouring speed so rapid that a visible vortex formed on the lake's surface. Each rotation of the vortex pulled in a vast quantity of water, which was immediately transported into the chaotic space within the tower and rapidly refined into Chaotic Qi.
"What a heavy aura of death and Profound Yin. The conversion rate to Chaotic Qi is so high. This is a true feast. This isn't ordinary lake water. Could it be the Yellow Springs Water from the Nine Netherworlds?"
Yi Tianxing could feel that the water being devoured by the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower was far from ordinary—it contained an astonishing amount of power and terrifying Yin and death energy, so deep it was frightening.
Living beings couldn't survive in such waters. Being dragged in was the least of one's concerns—even the soul could be buried forever. This was definitely not a lake from the human world.
Inside the tower, the internal space began expanding explosively.
The nineteen-layered treasure tower vibrated violently, runes flashing in every direction.
Originally, even after opening several internal tower realms, the tower's total spatial scope had remained around 3,000 li, maintaining the status of a minor world—neither collapsing nor undergoing a major transformation. The larger the world, the more astonishing the resources required for further evolution. That was the most "scammy" part of the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower—ascending was ridiculously difficult.
But now, with the lake water being refined at incredible speed, the chaotic space was growing rapidly—and not by fractions, but in jumps of ten li at a time.
This indicated just how terrifyingly potent the energy within the lake water was.
In no time, the chaotic space expanded to 3,600 li.
"Now this is a feast."
A flash of excitement appeared in Yi Tianxing's eyes.
Just as the saying goes—no horse fattens without night grass, and no man grows rich without unexpected fortune. This lake was a tremendous windfall.
And yet, something bizarre was happening.
Despite the tower devouring massive amounts of lake water, the lake's surface didn't recede at all. It was as if the lake was endless, constantly refilling itself.
3,700 li!!
3,750 li!!
3,830 li!!
…
As the tower realm expanded rapidly, it could be seen that hills became mountains, puddles became lakes, creeks became rivers. Pebbles turned into boulders. It was like a complete reshaping of the world—a spectacle so grand it stirred awe in all who saw it.
Every realm within the tower was growing stronger, with their world origin energy increasing visibly.
This scene also fell into the eyes of Jiang Ni and the others.
Though they couldn't sense the internal changes of the tower, they could see it wildly devouring lake water.
Each person's expression turned to shock.
"What a powerful treasure. This must be a supreme life-bound artifact, forged from some kind of world-shaking material. It can devour an entire lake! The speed is insane."
"I can feel an overwhelming power from this treasure. If unleashed, it could likely shatter worlds. Just one glance at it made me feel tiny—as though facing the heavens themselves."
"But look! Despite the chaos, the lake water isn't receding at all. How strange!"
Many cultivators looked upon the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower with a mix of awe, envy, and longing. But they also understood—life-bound treasures couldn't be taken by force. Even if stolen, they couldn't be used. These treasures were one with their owner's soul, marked indelibly.
Unless you had an extremely rare technique, there was no way to erase the life-bound imprint.
Their perception of Yi Tianxing grew deeper—awe mixed with respect.
Some of them had life-bound artifacts too, but compared to this tower, theirs were clearly inferior. Its aura alone was enough to intimidate any sensible person.
"He's no ordinary man. The fate energy on him is terrifyingly thick, and even I can't divine his destiny. All I see is the image of coiling dragons and serpents. His identity is definitely not simple."
Jiang Ni's gaze at Yi Tianxing was filled with serious intent and interest.
As time passed…
When the tower realm had expanded to over 4,100 li, suddenly—a paddle appeared out of nowhere and struck the tower, launching it straight out of the lake.
The force wasn't brute force—it was a gentle, soft strength.
Like four ounces moving a thousand pounds, the tower was thrown from the lake with grace and power.
Normally, though the tower contained countless worlds, its weight wasn't immense unless activated fully for crushing. Most of the time, it remained light.
"What was that?"
"Something's in the lake! It looked like a paddle—and it struck the tower out!"
"There's someone… something down there!"
This unprecedented development left everyone stunned. Could this be the real source of Devil oasis horror?
Swish!
Yi Tianxing immediately withdrew the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower into his divine sea.
He focused his gaze on the lake.
"Could this be a true demon, spirit, or something worse?" murmured Song Yuting.
"My lord—be careful."
Unparalleled Ghost stepped forward instinctively, shielding Yi Tianxing, ghost wheel in hand, ready to strike.
"This lake is no doubt the key. It might not be the flaw in the feng shui array, but perhaps it's a gateway to true danger."
Jiang Ni's eyes deepened, carrying a strange glint that made others instinctively uneasy.
Splash—
Suddenly, a vortex appeared in the lake.
"Look—what's that?" Qin Tian exclaimed.
"A boat! A boat's coming out of the vortex!" cried Zhou Qian.
"Bones—skulls! It's made of bones and skeletons. And there's someone on it!" said Ye Qing, face pale.
This boat wasn't sailing on the lake—it was emerging from beneath, rising from the lake bed, spiraling out of the vortex.
Rather than a ship, it was more accurate to call it a skiff—not large, made entirely of white bones, carrying a figure in a black robe and hat, holding a long push pole, with a paddle resting at his side.
He ascended slowly, following the spiral path toward the surface.
"So cold!!"
"This Yin energy is terrifying—not ordinary at all. It feels like life itself is freezing. Is this a ghost from hell?"
"It feels like Yama's domain. The chill is burrowing into my bones."
Everyone felt it. With the boat's appearance, the temperature plummeted, sharply and rapidly. It grew so cold that everyone was shivering uncontrollably.
"This Yin energy—it's just like what we felt during the great catastrophe, when the Ghost Soldiers marched."
Yi Tianxing felt the same, though it didn't affect him much. The moment it approached, his Innate Yin-Yang Eyes naturally devoured it, strengthening his Yin-Yang Dao foundation.
"That is no living man," said Jiang Ni decisively as he saw the boat and the figure upon it.
"Who dares stir the Yellow Springs and disturb the dead?" came a low, cold voice.
As the skeleton skiff surfaced, the vortex naturally dissipated. The figure atop it lifted his head. Under the brim of the black conical hat, a weathered, emotionless face could be seen—sharp and cold, etched with ageless sorrow.
"Who are you?" Yi Tianxing asked, frowning.
He could feel no life force from this figure. It was as though he were already dead. But deep down, Yi Tianxing also sensed that this being contained terrifying power, enough to kill him if unleashed.
"Soul Ferryman."
The figure lifted his eyes and gazed at Yi Tianxing. A strange light flickered in his eyes.
"You are one of the Heaven's Favored… Since that is so, I offer you a choice: Board the boat, or not."
There was no emotion in his voice.
Just a cold, flat ultimatum.
"What happens… if I board the boat? And what if I don't?"Yi Tianxing glanced at the bone boat and calmly asked.