I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

The waterfall roared, and the mist filled the air.

Chen Bai and the others watched Lu Zhao standing by the pool with tension, not understanding why this senior was suddenly staring intently at the deep, unsettling water, remaining silent for a long time.

Lu Zhao's heart at this moment was like the surface of this pool of water, seemingly calm, but actually turbulent undercurrents.

That ripple, originating from the bottom of the pool and resonating with the "Pact of the Reverse Scale" and the extinguished dragon energy, spread like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples. Was it an opportunity or a trap? A glimmer of hope in a desperate situation, or a stepping stone to another dead end?

He was still recovering from serious injuries, with only 30-40% of his fighting strength remaining. Behind him were dozens of survivors who depended on him and had no ability to protect themselves. Although there was a passage beyond the waterfall, the path ahead was unknown. At this moment, the safest option seemed to be to immediately lead everyone away through that passage and return to the surface as soon as possible.

However… the ancient, boundless aura contained within that fluctuation, though originating from the same source as the aura behind the bronze gate, seemed even more refined. This made it impossible for him not to be tempted. Deep beneath the “Dragon Bone Wasteland,” even a mere wisp of aura leaking from the crack in the gate had rapidly healed his injuries and loosened his cultivation bottleneck. If what lay at the bottom of this pool was related to the ancient dragon race, it might even be more “primitive”… its value would be immeasurable.

The path of cultivation is defying the heavens, a struggle against heaven, earth, and man. Opportunities are often accompanied by risks, and even in dire straits, a chance for reversal may lie hidden. He is currently severely injured, his future uncertain. If he wishes to protect himself in this chaotic situation, or even to achieve his goals, recovering and improving his strength as quickly as possible is his top priority. Any opportunity that might bring a turning point is worth the risk.

"I must go down and take a look," Lu Zhao decided. But how to go down required careful consideration.

He turned to Chen Bai and the others, whose faces were filled with doubt and unease, and said in a deep voice, "I need to go into the water to investigate. You all stay here and keep watch. Chen Bai, you take some men to set up simple warning traps on the shore with stones and dry branches to guard against any monsters or other things coming out of the water or passage. If I do not return within half an hour, or if there is any violent movement in the water, you do not need to wait for me. Leave immediately through the passage behind the waterfall and find your own way out. Your safety is the top priority."

"Senior! Your injuries have not yet healed, and the underwater world is fraught with danger. That monster may still be there..." Chen Bai was shocked upon hearing this and quickly tried to dissuade him.

"My mind is made up." Lu Zhao waved his hand to interrupt him, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Do as I say. I know what I'm doing."

Seeing Lu Zhao's resolute expression, Chen Bai dared not say anything more and could only nod in agreement with worry. He then hurriedly called on those who were still able to move to begin setting up the area near the edge of the sand and the entrance to the waterfall passage.

Lu Zhao then walked to the side and took out several items from his storage bag.

A pale blue pill the size of a longan—a "Water-Repelling Pill"—was obtained from killing the demonic cultivator guarding the area. While not of high grade, it could form a water-repelling aura on the body for an hour after ingestion, allowing the user to move freely in water without needing to breathe. This was currently his only underwater aid.

In addition, he took out several low-level "protective talismans" and "exorcising talismans". Although they had limited effect on second-tier demonic beasts, they were better than nothing. He patted them on his body one by one, and they flashed with spiritual light and entered his body.

Once ready, Lu Zhao walked to the edge of the pool, taking one last look at the dark, seemingly all-consuming water, his eyes sharp as knives.

He didn't jump in immediately, but instead activated the "Turtle Breathing Technique" at full power. This was an auxiliary secret technique attached to the "Silent Annihilation Heavenly Art," which could conceal one's aura, reduce life fluctuations, and simulate the hibernation state of turtles, used for concealment, stealth, and even feigning death. At this moment, it was perfect for concealing his aura and reducing the chances of being discovered by any monsters that might be lurking underwater.

As the "Turtle Breathing Technique" was activated, Lu Zhao's breathing became as thin as a thread, his heartbeat almost stopped, and the spiritual energy fluctuations and life aura emanating from his body rapidly decreased. He seemed to merge with the surrounding rocks, and it was almost impossible to detect his existence unless one saw it with their own eyes.

Then, he tilted his head back and swallowed the "water-repelling pill".

The pill dissolved instantly upon entering his stomach, and a cool sensation quickly flowed throughout his body, eventually forming a thin, almost imperceptible film of light blue light on his skin.

"Now!"

A glint flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes. Without further hesitation, he leaped into the icy pool like a nimble fish, disappearing silently without even making a splash.

"Thump."

The slight sound of the water hitting the surface was quickly drowned out by the roar of the waterfall. Those on the shore could only see a ripple spread out before Lu Zhao's figure disappeared into the dark depths of the pool, leaving no trace.

……

As soon as he entered the water, a bone-chilling cold surged from all directions. The coldness of this pool far exceeded Lu Zhao's expectations, as if it contained some kind of icy power. Even with the water-repelling spiritual light protecting him, he could still feel the penetrating chill constantly eroding his body.

The light dimmed rapidly. After descending only a few meters, the surroundings were already shrouded in darkness, with only a faint ray of sunlight filtering down from the direction of the waterfall overhead, but that too quickly disappeared. All around was pure darkness, seemingly capable of swallowing everything.

Lu Zhao held his breath (the Water-Avoiding Pill was effective, so there was no need to breathe), and used both hands and feet to dive downwards like a fish. He didn't make much noise, but his divine sense spread outwards from himself like invisible ripples, vigilantly probing everything around him.

The aquatic plants swayed gently in the dark water like ghostly hands. Some strangely shaped fish and insects, emitting a faint fluorescent glow, were startled by these unexpected intruders and quickly swam away. Deeper still, a faint undercurrent stirred, its direction unclear.

Lu Zhao carefully avoided the dense aquatic plants and obvious undercurrents, controlling his descent speed to a level that allowed him to react to any unexpected situations. He remained constantly on guard against a sudden attack from the Azure-eyed Water Lizard. Although it had fled injured, there was no guarantee that it wouldn't be lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to exact revenge.

Dive... twenty zhang... thirty zhang... fifty zhang...

The surroundings were utterly dark and silent, with only the faint sensation of water flowing over his body and the ever-increasing water pressure. The cold was bone-chilling, the pressure immense. If it weren't for Lu Zhao's exceptionally strong physique, far surpassing his peers, and the slight adaptability to the aquatic environment granted by the "Reverse Scale Pact" (true dragons are born with water control), he would likely have already succumbed to the pressure, his meridians and bones likely damaged. Even so, he felt difficulty breathing (albeit through internal inhalation), his limbs and bones bearing immense pressure.

Where exactly is the nest of that Azure-eyed Mystic Water Lizard? And where does that strange fluctuation come from? Should he continue diving? A hint of hesitation rose in Lu Zhao's heart. The depth of this icy pool was beyond imagination; the pressure was increasing, the cold was biting, and even the range of his divine sense was compressed to within a few feet. Going any deeper would greatly increase the risks.

Just as he hesitated—

hum!

Within his arms, the "Pact of Reverse Scales" trembled once more! At the same time, the newly formed annihilation dragon energy within his body seemed to be strongly attracted, accelerating its own circulation and conveying a sense of longing and closeness.

And that strange, ancient, and desolate wave came once again from the deeper below! This time, it was much clearer and stronger than what was sensed on the surface of the water! It was as if something not far below was calling to him, or rather, calling to the annihilating dragon energy and the "Reverse Scale Pact" within him!

This fluctuation no longer contained the violent resentment sensed behind the bronze gate; instead, it was filled with a deep, ancient, and earth-like call.

Lu Zhao's spirits lifted suddenly, and a resolute look flashed in his eyes.

Without further hesitation, he adjusted his posture, circulated the Annihilation Dragon Qi to the surface of his body to resist the biting cold and enormous water pressure, and continued to dive in the direction from which the fluctuations came.

Ten zhang... fifteen zhang...

The surrounding water seemed to thicken, and the pressure was so great that his bones groaned slightly. The spiritual light of the Water-Repelling Pill flickered under such deep water pressure.

However, just as Lu Zhao felt he was about to reach his limit, a faint, dark golden light suddenly appeared in the endless darkness ahead.

The light was extremely dim, like a candle flickering in the wind, yet it stood out so conspicuously in absolute darkness.

The source of the strange fluctuations seemed to be the place where the light was shining!