### Chapter 64: The Pond's Opportunity (Part 1)
The water roared around Lin Yi, a vortex of churning currents and spiritual energy. Behind him, the python's enraged roar shook the depths—closer, so close he could feel the vibration of its massive body slicing through the water.
It saw him, he thought, his vision blurring. The cold had seeped into his bones, his limbs stiff as iron, and his spiritual energy was depleted—barely enough to keep him sinking at a snail's pace.
The python sped up, its jaws gaping, poisonous fangs glinting in the faint light filtering from above. It didn't care about the cultivators anymore—this tiny human dared trespass into its sanctuary, and the python's fury erupted.
Lin Yi spun in desperation, drawing the *Kuang Wang* sword. The blade cut through the water, leaving a trail of cold light as he swept it sideways, aiming for the python's eye.
Squelch!
The sword pierced the python's eyelid, but barely scratched the skin. The python howled in pain, slamming its tail sideways.
Lin Yi was slammed hard, sent flying like a broken kite, crashing into the pond wall. His internal organs roiled, ready to burst, and a mouthful of blood bubbled up his throat, tinting the water red.
Finished, he thought, dizziness clouding his mind.
But as he fell, his hand brushed something solid—not rock, but cold metal, covered in runes that glowed faintly.
It was a stone platform, embedded in the pond wall, barely big enough for one person. On it sat a jade box, plain and unadorned, but pulsing with dense spiritual energy.
This is what the python's guarding?
The python roared, closing in, its one eye blazing with fury. Lin Yi summoned his last ounce of strength, snatching the jade box and tumbling under the platform, wedging himself into a crevice.
The python slammed into the platform, shaking the entire pond. Stones rained down, nearly sealing the crevice.
Lin Yi held his breath, heart pounding. The jade box was warm in his palm, spiritual energy flooding his body like a tide, easing the cold and pain.
What's in this box?
Above, the cultivators' battle cries grew louder. They'd caught up, their spiritual attacks slamming into the python, thudding loudly.
The python screamed in agony, writhing wildly, the platform teetering. Lin Yi felt the crevice shrinking, stones hitting his back.
Must get out of here.
He fumbled to open the jade box. Inside lay not pills or artifacts, but a lotus seed—black, plump, shimmering with dark light.
A Black Water Lotus seed?
Lin Yi's eyes widened. He recognized it—the same aura as the Black Water Lotus Old Ancestor Zhang had given him, but purer, more overwhelming.
This is what the python guarded for centuries?
The seed seemed alive, reaching for his spiritual energy. Lin Yi didn't hesitate, guiding the seed into his body.
Instantly, violent spiritual energy exploded in his meridians. It was ten times stronger than the previous seed, scouring his meridians, healing his wounded body while tempering wildly.
The *Five Spirits Body Tempering Technique* activated on its own, greedily absorbing the power. His Meridian Refinement bottleneck loosened, showing signs of breaking through to 90%.
The python let out a shrill wail above. Lin Yi's spiritual sense swept up—it was dying, its body pierced by the cultivators' spirit artifacts.
They're coming down.
Lin Yi felt the surging power in his body, a cold smile tugging at his lips. He pushed aside the stones, crawling out of the crevice, clutching the *Kuang Wang* sword.
The seed's power wasn't fully absorbed, but enough.
Want to profit? Not so easy.
He turned to the depths of the pond wall, where a more hidden crack lay—the python's real den entrance, he'd missed it in his hurry to hide.
Hide first, digest this seed, then we'll see.
With a final glance at the dying python and approaching cultivators, Lin Yi leapt into the crack, vanishing into darkness.
The empty jade box fell onto the platform, soon swallowed by the cultivators' figures.
But none noticed the teenager who'd slipped away silently, a new transformation brewing within him.