Chapter 142: The Lake‑Bottom Python

By the lake, the silence was so complete that only the sound of a breeze skimming the water's surface remained, the sparkling ripples like a massive Jade embedded in the earth.

"There's something in this lake," Zhou Hexuan said suddenly, breaking the quiet, a hint of slyness flashing in his eyes.

Xia Yurou's heart tightened as an inexplicable chill surged forward; she instinctively tried to step back, but felt her foot slip.

"Careful!" Jiangnan shouted, reaching to pull, but it was already too late.

Xia Yurou let out a scream, her body losing balance, she tipped backward and fell straight into the lake, splashing a spray of water.

The icy lake water instantly enveloped her, a choking sensation rose in her chest; she struggled desperately, only sinking deeper.

Jiangnan's eyes widened to the brink of tearing, and without hesitation he plunged into the lake, swimming toward Xia Yurou.

Zhou Hexuan stood on the shore, a smug smile curling at the corner of his mouth, as if everything were under his control.

The Village Chief and Xiao Yu turned pale with fear, staring at the lake's surface in panic, at a loss.

Jiangnan swam swiftly to Xia Yurou's side, grabbed her into his arms, and powered upward.

The two finally broke the surface, gasping heavily, still shaken.

Jiangnan carried Xia Yurou to the shore, gently laying her on the ground.

Xia Yurou was drenched through, her complexion pale, lips bluish, trembling continuously.

"How are you?" Jiangnan asked concernedly, his eyes full of worry.

"I... I'm fine," Xia Yurou replied weakly, her voice tinged with sobs.

After the two reached the shore,

Suddenly, Jiangnan spun sharply, charging at Zhou Hexuan like a leopard, seized his throat, and slammed him against a tree.

"What on earth are you trying to do?" Jiangnan roared, his voice low and murderous, eyes bloodshot as if ready to spew fire.

Zhou Hexuan, choked to the point of gasping, his face flushed red, still wore a strange smile.

"I... I just wanted... to see what's really in this lake..."

"You'd better give me a reasonable explanation, or I'll make you regret ever coming into this world," Jiangnan said, veins bulging on his hand, knuckles whitening, his grip tightening.

"Cough... let... let go of me..." Zhou Hexuan gasped, struggling painfully as his breathing grew harder.

"Jiangnan, don't act rashly!" Xia Yurou shouted weakly, trying to rise, but a wave of dizziness nearly made her fall again.

Jiangnan glanced back at Xia Yurou, inhaled deeply, forced his anger down, and released his grip.

Zhou Hexuan collapsed onto the ground, coughing violently, gasping heavily, a flash of spiteful venom crossing his eyes.

"Zhou Hexuan, I warn you, stop playing tricks, or I won't show any mercy," Jiangnan said coldly, his voice full of threat.

Zhou Hexuan lowered his head, remained silent, his thoughts unknown.

"Let's go," Jiangnan lifted Xia Yurou, about to move forward, when Zhou Hexuan suddenly lunged at Jiangnan again.

A cold glint flashed in Jiangnan's eyes as he prepared to strike, but the previously calm lake surface suddenly roared with a surge of terrifying waves!

```markdown