Even though these are ordinary species, after surviving for thousands of years, their medicinal efficacy and value have become incredibly precious.

Zhang Yiyi initially counted them and found that there were nearly fifty spirit herbs that were thousands of years old. Each person would get about eight or nine herbs.

Even if these eight or nine-thousand-year-old spirit herbs were of common species, selling them would still fetch a large sum of valuable spirit stones. Just from these herbs alone, this trip would have been worthwhile.

There was also a protective array outside the herb field, but it wasn't difficult. Zhou Yi easily broke it with just a few moves.

"There are six of us in total, and there are forty-nine spirit herbs here. The age and value of the herbs are roughly the same."

Zheng He glanced at the group and proposed a method of distribution: "Second has put in quite a bit of effort, so he should pick first and take nine herbs. The rest of us can take eight each. No objections, right?"

Even among close brothers, accounts must be kept clear. Zheng He believed this was a fair distribution. He hoped that if they encountered more treasures later, everyone would cooperate similarly without causing awkwardness or jeopardizing their lives over unequal distribution.

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly nodded in agreement.

Before coming here, they had naturally planned to split things evenly, and in situations where the division wasn't easy, it was only right for those who contributed more to receive a little extra.

As for Zhang Yiyi, who had joined them midway, since they had agreed to let her join, it was understood that she would also get an equal share. After all, no one knew how much effort would be needed later on.

It wouldn't be wise to damage the group's harmony over some items, which could result in a significant loss.

Seeing no one object, Zheng He waved his hand, and everyone quickly stored their portion of the herbs, each of them in high spirits.

These were spirit stones, after all. Who wouldn't love to exchange them for a large amount of spirit stones?

Moreover, thousand-year-old spirit herbs were rare in the outside world, but there were many uses for them. Keeping them for one's own use, especially for life-saving purposes, was a great option.

After collecting the spirit herbs, the group continued to move forward. But soon, they were stopped by a lotus pond.

On the other side of the pond, a beautifully crafted two-story bamboo house sat quietly, as if it had always been waiting for its owner to return home.

The problem, however, was that they quickly realized the lotus pond wasn't simple, as it completely separated them from the bamboo house.

Indeed, it separated them entirely, because no matter what they tried, they couldn't find a way to cross the pond and approach the house.

"What's going on? Is this another array?" Zhu Qing instinctively looked at Zhou Yi, with an expression that said, "If you can handle it, go ahead."

But Zhou Yi shook his head, indicating his powerlessness: "It's not an array, but rather the lotus pond itself is strange."

Though the pond didn't seem very large, no matter how they tried to circumvent it, they couldn't. Flying over it wasn't an option either, as their spiritual energy became uncontrollable the moment they approached the pond, making it impossible to fly.

"How about we just swim across?"

Zhu Qing, upon hearing it wasn't an array, felt inexplicably reassured. Since flying wasn't an option, he suggested this simple idea of just swimming across to check things out.

"..."

Hearing this suggestion, Zhang Yiyi couldn't help but think Zhu Qing's intelligence was somewhat questionable. If it were that simple, this lotus pond would merely be for decoration.

"Well, Third, why don't you give it a try?"

Zheng He didn't think Zhu Qing's idea was too foolish and figured it wouldn't hurt to try, so he let the proposer test it first.

"Alright, Big Brother!"

Zhu Qing was clearly pleased that his idea was quickly adopted. He immediately prepared to jump into the water to prove his worth.

However, after taking two steps forward, he suddenly stopped, as if remembering something. He turned back to Zheng He and said, "Big Brother, make sure to watch out for me. If there's any danger in the water, you have to save me!"

At least he hadn't completely lost his wits. Zhang Yiyi found this amusing but thought Zhu Qing was being somewhat endearing at the moment.

"Don't worry, we're not as unreliable as you."

Zheng He waved his hand, signaling Zhu Qing to go ahead without worry.

Feeling assured, Zhu Qing no longer hesitated and jumped into the lotus pond.

Upon entering the water, he didn't rush forward. He stayed in place for a moment, carefully observing his surroundings. Seeing nothing unusual, he started swimming.

At first, everything seemed normal, but just before reaching the middle of the pond, he suddenly let out a terrified scream, and his whole body sank swiftly.

The change happened too quickly. From the moment Zhu Qing screamed to the moment he sank, it all happened in a single breath, so fast that the people on the shore didn't have time to react.

"Third!"

Zheng He's face turned pale as he rushed forward, attempting to forcibly fly over and pull Zhu Qing out.

Unfortunately, just as Zhu Qing sank, a transparent ripple suddenly appeared around the lotus pond, completely surrounding it.

Zheng He was bounced back by the ripple, and if Uncle Guan hadn't quickly caught him, he might have taken quite a fall.

"Careful! Everyone retreat quickly!"

At that moment, Zhang Yiyi sensed an extremely dangerous aura surging toward where they were standing and immediately warned everyone to retreat loudly.

As she spoke, Zhang Yiyi had already moved back a hundred paces. Uncle Guan grabbed Zheng He and swiftly followed suit.

The Zhou brothers, though slower to react, instinctively trusted Zhang Yiyi and also quickly retreated.

Just as Zhou Ren, the last one to move, stepped back, a massive thunderbolt struck, hitting exactly where they had been standing.

"Boom!"

A loud explosion followed, leaving a charred ten-meter-wide crater in the ground.

Seeing this, the group realized they had just narrowly escaped death.

The thunderbolt was so powerful that it was far beyond what their current cultivation levels could withstand. Had Zhang Yiyi not warned them in time, even a slight delay would have meant a grim fate for them.

"Linlin..."

Zheng He wiped the nonexistent sweat from his forehead, instinctively trying to thank Zhang Yiyi.

"Don't speak yet. Be careful—whatever it is, it's still here!"

Zhang Yiyi paid no attention to Zheng He. She was focused on the sky, her expression growing increasingly grim.

Zheng He and the others immediately understood her meaning. They gripped their magical artifacts tightly and formed a defensive circle.

Whatever had just attacked them was still there, and it was clear that the earlier thunderbolt had not been a random occurrence. They were being targeted by something powerful, though its exact location remained a mystery.