Chapter 211 A dragon moves through the water, and the world changes color!
Nothing was said that night.
The next day, early morning.
Wen Caishang practiced martial arts internally to slow down the depletion of her energy. Li Xian, while practicing martial arts, still found time for leisure. He ran to the small river at the edge of town to watch the children play in the water.
Pick up a pebble from the riverbank and toss it forcefully. Dozens of stones skip across the water, a truly spectacular sight.
Suddenly, fish and shrimp in the river all rushed towards the river.
Li Xian picked up a large carp, its body golden yellow with two golden whiskers beside its mouth, and thought to himself in surprise, "This fish is quite extraordinary. I wonder if it is a swift swimmer or one that was startled and fled."
The momentum of the current was already building. The river water surged even faster.
Suddenly, a man in a blue robe appeared, leading a horse out of the town. He was followed by more than ten people.
"Senior Li." Upon seeing an acquaintance, Li Xian immediately rushed over.
Li Bohou was taken aback and said, "Young Brother Li, you've come too?"
"Where is Miss Haitang?" Li Xian asked.
Li Bohou said solemnly, "The dragon appreciation is a big deal, why would I bring her to join in the fun? I just didn't expect that Wen Caishang would bring you along for such a thing."
Li Xian pondered to himself, "Madam once said that if I, the Remnant Sun and Fading Blood Sword, had achieved a certain level of skill, she would bring me here to broaden my horizons. I'm afraid Madam might need my help in some way."
He asked, "Is Senior Li leaving?"
Li Bohou patted his horse's mane, his gear fully in place, and said, "Today is the 28th of January. As the Marquis of Qianlang, I should take the lead."
"Send Lang Xianhou?" Li Xianqi asked.
Li Bohou said, "The Dragon Appreciation Banquet has a table but no dishes. There are the Dragon Protection Table, the Wave-Assisting Table, the Wave-Dispelling Table, the Hundred-Mile Table, the Thousand-Mile Table... I am the first in the Wave-Dispelling Table. Before setting sail, I will go ahead along the river to drive away the people and reduce casualties."
"I see!" Li Xian said respectfully, "This is a very important matter. Please go quickly, Senior Li."
"Good!" Li Bohou said loudly, "Farewell." He mounted his horse, looked back, hesitated, sighed softly, and rode away.
Li Xian watched him go, thinking to himself that Senior Li Bohou was a man of profound learning, capable of catching thieves and criminals, and a true gentleman. He was not as despicable as Wen Caishang had described. However, in terms of knowledge, demeanor, strength, and background, Madam was indeed far superior.
Suddenly, a cry of surprise was heard.
A woman on the opposite bank cried out, her sobs piercing the air. Looking closer, one could see the river surging, fish and beasts leaping about. This strange change came suddenly, and the children playing in the river, who had been happily catching fish, found themselves increasingly uneasy.
By the time they came to their senses, it was too late. They were swept away by the river, battered by fish and beasts, the current raging like a tidal wave. No matter how skilled a swimmer, it was hopeless. The women on the bank, seeing their child's life hanging by a thread, were filled with anxious despair, but utterly helpless.
Li Xian chased after it along the river. He didn't know any light-footed skills, but there were many fish and beasts in the river that he could use as stepping stones. He immediately used the "Vast Breeze" property to head straight for the river.
The little boy splashed around in the water, waving his hands upwards.
Li Xian grabbed the child and flung him toward the grassy bank. The child flew towards him, landing hard. He had narrowly escaped death, looking dazed and confused. Li Xian's momentum had waned, and his body suddenly sank, about to fall into the water. The essence of lightness skill lies in the word "light." Using a momentum, one rises lightly and falls lightly.
Once the initial momentum is exhausted, a new momentum must be generated. If one is in the air, with nowhere to put leverage, how can one regain momentum? If one is in water, where the water is soft, how can one regain momentum?
Therefore, those with exceptional lightness skills can easily leap across buildings tens of meters high with a single bound, as light as a bird. However, leaping out of the water and then walking on it again is extremely difficult, requiring even greater skill. Just like birds and beasts that have fallen into the water, their feathers wet, how can they take off again?
Li Xian drew his sword, the River-Sinking Sword. With a flick of his wrist, the sharp blade sliced through four carp. He flicked it several more times, using the sword's properties to churn the water, blurring the fish flesh. Using the sword's power, he moved as if on solid ground, finding a foothold even in the middle of the river. With a light step, he landed on the opposite bank.
Sheath the sword.
The woman, holding a child, came to thank him. Li Xian smiled and comforted her before walking away. While his intention to save the woman was good, his motivation was also the results of his experiment.
“When I attended the banquet at the top of the tower before, I saw that many of the city’s elites could use their lightness skills to skim across the water and cross the river. I do not have this skill. I do not know lightness skills now, but by combining the ‘Gentle Breeze Leg’ and the ‘Vast Expanse Leg’, I can also skim across the turbulent river several meters away. I have made great progress.”
Li Xiansui broadened his horizons, visiting various powerful figures in the martial arts world. His extraordinary methods were endless. Yet, his resolve remained steadfast, unwavering, free from envy or confusion. He focused on what he had gained and what he had achieved, refining his skills step by step, accumulating progress.
“If I had wanted to save that child, I could have used the power of the Bi Luo Palm to slap the river surface and push him to the bank.”
Li Xian flicked his palm through the air. A vortex of energy lingered for a long time. "My lady once told me that the Azure Palm is extremely imperfect, containing many flaws. That day, during my battle with the strange man carrying the cauldron, I gained some inspiration. Perhaps... I can bring more surprises to the Azure Palm?"
The heroes were excited, and with the journey about to begin, they held a banquet, made friends from all over the country, and recounted their own exploits.
Li Xian remained calm, seeking his own path alone.
[Proficiency +1]
[Proficiency +1]
The palms moved slowly and gracefully, the Qi flowing naturally. One practice session lasted until evening, the sun setting, the air damp, as if brewing a heavy rain.
Back in the house.
The owner of Fulai Manor, Zeng Tai'an, arrived two days ago. He is quite powerful and could easily occupy the middle seat on the second floor if he wanted to, but due to his eccentric nature, he does not climb the Wangzhen Tower.
Even today, I entered through the side door to discuss the matter of changing seats with my wife.
Zeng Tai'an was originally assigned the "Dragon Guard Seat," meaning he rode a large ship and followed the dragon on the water. Wen Caishang, on the other hand, was assigned the "Ten Thousand Mile Seat," meaning she would sit by the river for thousands of miles, waiting for the dragon to pass by before offering her assistance.
The two could avoid a lot of trouble by secretly exchanging partners.
Zeng Tai'an said, "Madam, the seating has been changed, so I'll be leaving now."
"Please keep this a secret, Master Zeng," Wen Caishang said with a slight smile as she poured tea for me.
“Of course,” Zeng Tai’an said.
Wen Caishang said, "This tea was brought by Yihe Manor. I drank your tea when I visited your manor last time. This time it's Master Zeng's turn to taste my tea."
Zeng Tai'an held the bottom of the cup with his fingers and gently swirled it. Tea rippled and its fragrance filled the air. With a gentle breath, it even produced a five-colored halo.
He took a sip. The aroma of the tea lingered on his teeth and tongue, both mellow and refreshing. Zeng Tai'an laughed and said, "Madam's taste is far beyond my reach."
“Since Master Zeng has important business to attend to and has already had tea, please make yourselves at that,” Wen Caishang said softly.
Cao Tai'an said, "Very well." He bowed deeply, showing perfect courtesy. That very day, he prepared a boat and set off down the Benhua River.
The water is about to flow.
All the heroes and valiant figures took their seats and assumed their posts. Li Bohou sailed along the river, fulfilling his duties. Zeng Tai'an waited patiently for ten thousand miles, ready to intervene if necessary.
The python and dragon were moving through the water, their momentum already like a rainbow.
With most of the martial arts practitioners gone from the Dragon Claw Formation, Li Xian was happy to have some peace and quiet. In addition to practicing martial arts, he could also enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Another day has passed.
The heavens were gathering their strength, and rumbling thunder echoed.
[Upon hearing the thunderous roar of heaven and earth, the skill level of the Thunder Finger technique increased by 16.]
Li Xian's chest trembled, his body felt numb, as if electric arcs were coursing through his body. "Although the quality of my martial arts is poor, it is very practical. When the Thunder Finger technique is used in thunderstorms, the sound of thunder resonates in the chest, which is very beneficial to the body."
At midday, a torrential downpour began. It seemed like a deluge. The wind howled and the rain raged, and looking into the distance, the rain blanketed the vast expanse, as if the sky itself were about to collapse.
"The dragon is moving through the water; the omens are already present."
"This rain is not only heavy, but also carries an inexplicable force. I long to survey the vast land and rivers, and seeing this scene fills me with boundless ambition, as if I were a dragon myself, as if I were about to ride the water!" Li Xian clenched his fists, full of vigor and high spirits.
The rain was torrential. Longzhao Town is located in a remote area, and the houses of the people are simple and cannot withstand such devastation. In an instant, houses collapsed and mud walls were washed away, creating a truly tragic scene.
The fields were flooded.
After several days of erosion, landslides occurred, and the river swelled as if the world were being destroyed. By this time, eighty percent of the heroes in Wangzhen Tower had fled. The common people took refuge in the tower, and an old man said, "Oh dear, this rain is very unusual. The old dragon in the mountains is about to unleash its power!"
He was right.
Wen Caishang closed her eyes to meditate, focusing her energy and concentration. She had no mind to think about anything else.
January 30th.
A strange sound, resembling a cow's moo, a snake's hiss, and a dragon's roar, rang out. The old dragon gathered its strength and roared angrily towards the sky. Wen Caishang opened her eyes, walked to the window, gazed at the dark pool, and said, "A dragon traversing water is indeed a rare sight."
I was also amazed by the scene today.
Seeing that the pool water was gradually becoming murky, and that all the fish, beasts, and snakes had fled, the old dragon turned over, muddying the pool water.
Li Xian asked, "Has it started?"
"Not yet," Wen Caishang said. "It's waiting, gathering momentum. As the saying goes, 'One effort is enough, but the second will be weaker, and the third will be exhausted.' The gathering momentum shouldn't be too long or too short; the first three days are just right."
For a dragon to move freely in water is to defy the will of Heaven.
The python must possess the power to overturn rivers and the will to defy the heavens. If it trembles even slightly in the face of thunder and lightning, it will surely fail. Therefore, it must mock the heavens, cut off its own escape route, burn its bridges, and muster its courage.
Heaven was naturally enraged.
January 31st.
Thunder roared without a moment's respite, and the rain intensified. As far as the eye could see, everything was a white expanse. The torrential downpour forced everything to bow its head.
As the rain poured down, a huge rock rolled down the mountain and crashed into the Old Dragon Pool with a loud bang.
Li Xian was awestruck by what he saw, and suddenly felt the immense, unseen power of heaven and earth, which filled him with fear. But in an instant, a surge of heroic spirit arose within him, and he thought, "If I were that python, I would rather die than not venture into the water. To fight against heaven is an endless source of joy. Is it only heaven that is allowed to suppress me, but not me that is allowed to defy heaven?"
The old dragon roared three times, mocking the sky for being too low, the thunder for being too weak, and the rain for being too light. After the three roars, lightning bolts and electric arcs swirled around it.
February 1st.
The old dragon gathered its strength and roared again. It sounded even more like a dragon's howl, carrying for miles.
Wild animals in the mountains—tigers, bears, deer, and wild boars—fled out of the mountains, creating a beast tide.
It was already the eve of the water crossing.
Cai Qiuzhou said, "Senior Wen, a boat has been prepared on the Benhua River. Please board the boat. Senior Long may be on the water at any time."
Wen Caishang nodded, and Li Xian, holding an umbrella, walked to the side of the Benhua River. They saw the river's rapids and turbidity, its surging force unlike anything they had ever witnessed. Li Xian pondered, "With waves crashing against the sky, even with my River-Sinking Sword, I fear I would be swallowed up in an instant."
This boat is not luxurious; it is entirely made of "river-turning wood." It was built by a famous boat company in southern Chongqing and is named the Dragon Boat.
Several heroes were already on board, all gazing at the river from the deck.
The scholars of Tanyang smiled broadly and said, "The great river has washed away all heroes; who knows who will laugh at the past and present?"
Li Xian folded the umbrella and escorted Wen Caishang back to her room. Wen Caishang sat with her legs apart, a long sword resting horizontally on her lap. Her long hair flowed freely, and her white clothes were as white as snow.
No matter how the waves surged and crashed outside, she remained unmoved. Li Xian sat opposite her; the cabin was cramped, making it impossible to practice martial arts. Though his knowledge was limited, his demeanor was in no way inferior to hers.
It has its own composure.
The second day of the second lunar month.
The helmsman of the dragon boat, "Li Qianfan," was a senior advisor to the shipowner. Seeing the river suddenly calm and sensing a faint scent, he shouted, "You fools, let's set sail!"
"Damn it, this is probably the only time in your life you'll experience a fire. All of you better tighten your belts and get ready!"
The boatmen cut the anchor cable and hoisted the sails.
At the same time, Wen Caishang closed her eyes to rest and said, "They're here."
Li Xian glanced into the distance.
In the waterway connecting Laolongtan and Benhuajiang, a green dragon's body thrashed and surged, its massive form rising and falling as it rushed from the river into the lake.
In that instant, the winds and clouds shifted, and the water slick began!
(P.S.: The water has started flowing! Fellow Daoists, please help me! Please subscribe and vote!)
(End of this chapter)
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