At the start of the game, you have one equipment slot; the effects of unequipping the equipment rema

"So many skilled fighters have come! You really think highly of me!"

Cao Xiu's pupils contracted slightly as he looked at the three figures on the courtyard wall.

Shen Chongyuan needs no introduction; he is the chief constable of the police station, and Shen Chongyuan is very familiar to Shen Chongyuan.

He naturally knew about Yuan Yuan, the pride of Qinghe County.

The only person who was somewhat unfamiliar to him was Mu Yang.

However, judging from his attire and position, he is probably a first-class demon-hunting captain.

The fact that three martial artists at the Meridian Opening Realm were mobilized together is hard to say whether it's a sign of high regard or sheer bad luck.

"Cao Xiu, the evidence is irrefutable that your Canal Gang's third leader, Fan Lang, colluded with demons. Lay down your weapons and surrender now, and perhaps you will still have a chance to live!"

Yuan Yuan's voice was righteous and stern.

"A way out? Ha--!"

Cao Xiu chuckled.

If there weren't shouts of battle outside, he might have been able to believe it, but now...

Cao Xiu glanced subtly at Cao Ding, who was still somewhat dazed, then his true energy surged from his dantian. With a stomp of his foot, he unleashed the full power of the mid-stage of the Meridian Opening Realm and shot towards the lake in the courtyard.

"Spare my life? If you've got the guts, let's see how you intend to!"

Cao Xiu spoke arrogantly, drawing an arc in the air before suddenly diving into the lake.

His movements were quick and steady; when he entered the water, he barely splashed any water, blending into the surface like a droplet.

"Oh no!"

Watching Cao Xiu enter the water, Shen Chongyuan frowned: "This Cao Xiu is known as the 'Black Dragon in the Waves.' Although he's only at the mid-stage of the Meridian Opening Realm, once he enters the water, with his Overlapping Wave Palm technique, even two mid-stage Meridian Opening Realm cultivators might not be able to take him down!"

Shen Chongyuan didn't know how many meridians Mu Yang had opened, but judging from his age, he estimated that he was just like Yuan Yuan, a martial artist in the early stage of the Meridian Opening Realm.

Now that Cao Xiu has entered the water, it may be difficult to catch him!

"Feel sorry!"

Yuan Yuan was naturally aware of Cao Xiu's skills in the water.

The original plan was for the three of them to strike swiftly and surround Cao Xiu, preventing him from entering the water.

But when she arrived, she suddenly saw the Cao brothers, who were once inseparable, turn against each other. She thought she might hear some useful information, so she signaled Mu Yang and Shen Chongyuan to observe for a while.

Unexpectedly, this gave the other party an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

"It's also my fault; I didn't expect Cao Xiu to run away so decisively!"

Shen Chongyuan said, "At first I thought Cao Xiu was acting, but seeing how decisively he ran away, I guess he really broke with Cao Ding. Alas, demons are a menace!"

The two sighed and did not mention the pursuit of Cao Xiu again.

Just as Shen Chongyuan said, the underwater environment is Cao Xiu's home ground. Ordinary martial artists are not good at naval warfare. Not only would they fail to capture anyone, but they might even lose their lives in vain...

However, just as Yuan Yuan and Shen Chongyuan were losing hope and preparing to take Cao Ding back for interrogation, a figure suddenly rushed out from their side.

It left a short, fleeting shadow above the lake before disappearing into the water.

"Muyang?"

Yuan Yuan and Shen Chongyuan were both taken aback.

"What's going on?"

Qin Yuan's team, who arrived later, were also slightly taken aback when they saw Mu Yang's figure hidden in the lake.

Wasn't the plan to besiege the Cao brothers? Why did they jump into the lake?

"Chief Constable Shen, follow them!"

Yuan Yuan made a quick decision and rushed towards the lake.

Shen Chongyuan also realized what was happening and quickly followed. Before going into the water, he instructed Qin Yuan and the others, "Keep an eye on Cao Ding!"

..................

The headquarters of the Grand Canal Gang was located outside the city and occupied a large area.

As the leader of the Grand Canal Gang, Cao Xiu naturally lived in a very large courtyard.

It is said that it took a full six months just to build the artificial lake in the courtyard.

If it were just an ordinary artificial lake, it wouldn't have taken this long. But this lake in the courtyard was specially excavated by him so that it could be connected to the underground river and lead directly to the Qingshui River.

In addition, to prevent himself from being surrounded in his courtyard one day, Cao Xiu also dug several deceptive waterways under the lake.

Without a map, it's easy to get lost.

Of course, this certainly doesn't include Cao Xiu himself.

His figure swam quickly in the water, his movements as fluid as a fish swimming among the seaweed. His limbs moved almost without making any extra sound, leaving only a faint trail underwater.

Soon, a hole about half a person's height appeared in front of him.

This is the entrance to the underground river.

"Ah Ding, wait for your brother, I'll definitely find a way to save you!"

Cao Xiu took out a fluorite from his sleeve and made a silent vow.

Cao Ding's cultivation level was insufficient, his breath-holding ability was also poor, and he was not good at swimming or naval warfare.

All he could do was feign a falling out and quickly cut ties.

Regardless of whether the Demon Slayers believe him or not, as long as he is alive, they will spare Cao Ding's life in order to obtain information.

This creates an opportunity to operate.

As for whether it will work out, he doesn't know.

But as long as you're alive, there's always hope!

This principle has been etched in his mind since he was a child, when he fought with stray dogs for food.

"Um?"

Just as Cao Xiu was about to enter the cave, he suddenly noticed unusual movement in the water behind him.

He turned to look and saw a dark figure shooting towards him at an even faster speed than he was.

That's right, it's shooting!

The man's body did not move at all; it was as if an invisible force was propelling him from beneath his feet.

The visitor was none other than Mu Yang!

After entering the water, Mu Yang used his Black Water True Qi to activate the Water Control skill.

Driven by the water flow, he moved at an extremely high speed, almost matching the speed at which he moved underwater using the wind.

Moreover, it consumes only one-third of the true energy of the Wind Force Body.

"You've got guts, kid!"

Seeing Mu Yang chasing after him alone, Cao Xiu threw the fluorite in his hand, and then his true energy surged violently.

Meridian Opening Martial Arts: Overlapping Wave Palm!

The water gathered in Cao Xiu's palm and burst open with a roar as he pushed his arm forward, turning into surging waves.

If this move is used on land, its power is only so-so, but if it is used in water, its unique wave-like force will create waves.

Each strike increases the power several times over.

If multiple powerful waves are combined, their power can be two to three times that of the first strike.

This is why Shen Chongyuan was wary of Cao Xiu entering the water.

However, just as Cao Xiu unleashed his palm strike, before the water had even left his body by a foot, a sudden dragon's roar erupted.

The dark lake water seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, and began to churn wildly.

The water flowed and coalesced, forming a colossal dragon silhouette.

Its scales are distinct, and it has a complete whiskers and tail, gleaming with a deep, dark blue luster in the dark water.

Superior Black Water True Qi - Water Control - Dragon's Roar!

"roar!!"

A terrifying water dragon slashed through the water.

The powerful cascading wave palm strike was like paper before the terrifying water dragon, instantly disintegrating and dissipating.

To Cao Xiu's astonishment, the water dragon suddenly enlarged and crashed heavily into him.

With a bang, it embedded itself in the stone wall.

With just one blow, Cao Xiu was completely disoriented.

The crimson mist of blood spread through the water, blurring Cao Xiu's vision.

The oxygen that had been steadily stored in his lungs was suddenly disrupted, and he started spitting out bubbles and choking on water repeatedly.

Before he could catch his breath, a dark figure suddenly appeared before him.

The fist, the size of a sandbag, suddenly magnified in his blurry vision.

"Bang!!!"