Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

Chen Ye didn’t believe a word of their empty promises. After all, you couldn’t expect any so-called morality from a Sect that would even drag away corpses to use as fertilizer for its flowers.

To him, it was just a carrot on a stick, the kind that would work you to death before you ever got a bite.

The other Pearl Collectors, however, weren’t as clear-headed as he was.

They were all ecstatic over the promise, itching to get into the water and start searching for clues right away.

Li Qingyan was very pleased with this. She then ordered her subordinates to distribute the upgraded Exorcism Talismans, after which the crowd dispersed.

On the way back to the small town, Chen Ye listened to the other Pearl Collectors talk excitedly, as if their crimes would be absolved and their freedom restored at any moment. He inwardly shook his head.

’So naive!’

But he had no intention of saying anything to warn them.

After all, people could be strange creatures sometimes. Especially in a desperate situation, they wouldn’t resent the ones who put them there, but would instead grow discontent with anyone who tried to warn them.

That was just human nature.

Chen Ye certainly wasn’t going to do something so thankless. He returned to his small cabin and secretly decided that, for the time being, he would only enter the water when he absolutely had to for his duties. Otherwise, he would stay out of it.

After all, no one knew what dangers would emerge when the Abnormal Clam truly appeared. Black Water Lake was already dangerous enough as it was. To risk his life for a vague, empty promise would be utterly foolish.

In the days that followed, the lake water grew colder and more sinister with each passing day. Eventually, a thin layer of frost even began to form on the surface in certain areas.

The dangers beneath the water also multiplied. From time to time, a Pearl Collector would go missing, their body never to be found.

But even this couldn’t dampen the Pearl Collectors’ enthusiasm. They continued to diligently enter the water to search every day.

Chen Ye simply watched on with a cold, detached gaze.

He still took his small boat out onto the water each day, but he only loitered among the reeds where no one would notice him.

Occasionally, to avoid arousing suspicion, he would get in the water, but he never went deep, returning to his boat after only a brief dip.

On this day, Chen Ye had moored his boat in a secluded patch of water as usual and was about to close his eyes to rest.

Suddenly, a few piercing screams tore through the tranquility of the lake from a distance.

Immediately after, several small boats began paddling frantically toward the docks, as if they had seen a ghost.

’Something’s happened.’

Chen Ye’s interest was piqued, but he didn’t rush forward. He simply watched from a distance.

Before long, a commotion arose from the direction of the docks.

The Inner Sect Disciple, Li Qingyan, and Zhao He were seen walking on air, speeding toward the distant waters.

Chen Ye narrowed his eyes, then unhurriedly steered his boat to follow from a safe distance.

On the lake’s surface, several gruesome ice sculptures floated silently.

It was clear they had been frozen in an instant. There were no signs of a struggle; even the looks of shock on their faces were frozen in place from the moment of their deaths.

Not only that, but a powerful, bone-chilling aura was surging up from the depths of the lake. Wherever it passed, the water froze solid at a visible rate.

In just a few moments, the lake’s surface for several miles around was covered by a thick layer of solid ice.

And in the Core Area of the ice, a faint but brilliant radiance shone through the thick layer, flickering and dancing like a Flame.

Seeing this, a look of delight appeared on Li Qingyan’s face as she hovered in mid-air.

Such a grand spectacle was proof that the soon-to-appear Abnormal Clam was absolutely extraordinary!

Although she was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Blood Lotus Sect, disciples like her, assigned to remote posts like Black Water Lake, had to acquire most of their own Cultivation Resources.

Therefore, if she could obtain this Exotic Spirit Pearl, her Cultivation would surely reach a whole new level!

At this thought, the greed in Li Qingyan’s eyes could no longer be concealed.

However, just as she prepared to break the ice and seize the Spirit Pearl...

BOOM!

The calm surface of the lake suddenly exploded as a colossal shadow shot out from beneath the water, unleashing a monstrous wave!

It was an enormous Water Python, its body as thick as a truck and covered in black, bowl-sized scales that glinted coldly in the sunlight.

Two small, fleshy horns had already sprouted from its head, and its huge, vertical pupils were filled with greed and savagery as it, too, stared at the radiance in the center of the ice.

"Dammit!"

Li Qingyan’s expression changed dramatically.

She had never imagined that the appearance of the Abnormal Clam would attract such a peerless, ferocious beast!

Judging by the Water Python’s size and condition, it was clearly a top-tier Great Demon on the verge of Transforming into a Flood Dragon. An existence like this was considered extremely powerful even in Black Water Lake.

It was obviously also here for the Spirit Pearl of the Abnormal Clam, which was about to emerge.

Sure enough, the Water Python opened its cavernous maw and lunged viciously toward the Core Area of the ice!

"Vile beast, how dare you!"

In her desperation, Li Qingyan could no longer hold back. With a flick of her fair hand, she summoned a blood-red Flying Sword. It transformed into a sharp streak of bloody light, slashing straight for the Water Python’s head in an attempt to stop it from swallowing the Spirit Pearl.

CLANG!

The Flying Sword struck the Water Python’s hard scales, but it only produced a shower of sparks and left a faint white mark. Other than that, the Water Python was completely unscathed.

’The difference in our strength is too great! I can’t even break its defense!’

On the contrary, the attack only served to enrage the Water Python.

The Water Python glanced back at Li Qingyan, then opened its mouth and let out a furious roar.

The terrifying sound wave was almost tangible as it slammed into Li Qingyan, sending her flying hundreds of yards away. By the time she managed to steady herself, her face was deathly pale.