Chapter 214 Li Xian Offers a Plan, Turning the Tide of Danger
Takio said.
The phrase "water cascades and misty sands, majestic mountains stretch endlessly" is taken from the description of the area within the jurisdiction of Takiyu Road, where numerous rivers flow through and countless majestic mountains are scattered.
It is a place where outstanding people and beautiful scenery converge. Throughout history, countless heroes and great figures have emerged from here.
We passed another checkpoint.
The river meanders and twists, with eighteen bends in a row. One bend after another, the speed of the python is reduced when swimming here, otherwise it will crash into the riverbank and inevitably run aground on the land.
"Shoot!"
Suddenly a shout was heard.
On both sides of the riverbank, countless archers lay in ambush. Upon seeing the dragon approaching, they all drew their bows and fired arrows, unleashing a rain of arrows that blanketed the sky.
The dragon plunged into the river, its tail slapping the surface, creating huge waves that swept away the rain of arrows, knocking them all back into the water.
It straightened its body and rode the river waves away.
Such robberies and murders have occurred countless times.
Those who attended the Dragon-Slaying Banquet used the terrain to their advantage, devising a plan for ambush and killing.
Even if we can't kill the dragon.
It can also disrupt their strength and demoralize them.
The real killing blow is yet to come. Once the python-dragon dies, they too can reap the benefits.
Some of the planned ambushes along the river were thwarted early on by the heroes of the Dragon Appreciation Banquet. Whenever the dragon swam through this area, the powerful figures from the Dragon Appreciation Banquet would bow and offer their congratulations, adding to the dragon's imposing aura.
The journey of twenty thousand miles was thrilling but without real danger.
On the evening of February 4th, the Benhua River flowed into a magnificent city.
Wen Caishang told Li Xian that this was "Fanjin City," and that it could be considered a second-rate city in the entire Longxiong Road.
Standing at the bow of the boat, Li Xian glanced at the magnificent palaces and towers, a dazzling and prosperous sight that defied description.
The riverbanks within the city were reinforced with special stones, making them resistant to the erosion of large floods.
Suddenly, in the very center of the river ahead, a bronze platform was cast, upon which stood a bronze cauldron, about seven zhang high and three zhang wide.
The furnace inside was burning brightly.
This is a family from a prominent family along the river in Fanjincheng, using the river water to cook fine food.
The bronze tripod stands in the middle of the river. Its casting material is special, possessing the ability to attract huge waves. The river flows ceaselessly, and waves occasionally crash in, drawing water into the tripod.
Saves manpower.
The python swam by this spot, lashed its tail, and with a deafening roar, overturned the bronze cauldron into the river, rendering all its efforts futile.
The precious cauldron was the work of the Wang family of Fanjin City, which greatly angered the Wang family, who immediately dispatched experts to investigate.
Zhu Butong laughed loudly and said to the riverbank, "Hahaha, friends of the Wang family, I'm truly sorry. The dragon has moved the water, clearing the roadblocks. I'll have to trouble you to raise another cauldron!"
The Wang family members exchanged bewildered glances. One of the most high-ranking members of the clan laughed and said, "Hahaha, it's alright, it's alright. The prosperous Wang family wishes our senior a successful ascension to the throne."
That matter is now considered closed.
The bustling city of Fanjin is full of vigor and vitality.
Along both banks of the river, there are many buildings such as the Dragon Appreciation Tower, the Dragon Viewing Tower, and the Dragon Watching Platform.
When the dragon reached this point, the people on both banks shouted loudly, and many martial arts practitioners were filled with amazement.
This magnificent scene is truly a rare sight.
Li Xian gazed at the scenery along the riverbank, though he had only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg. But… the poor capital city of Tianfu was far inferior. He couldn't help but think:
"Although I have memories of two lifetimes, both bizarre and fantastical, this world truly defies my imagination. In this realm, the sky is round and the earth is square. Nothing strange is surprising here."
People on both sides of the strait watched the dragon with gasps of amazement.
Li Xian, though on the ship, was the center of attention. To others, he was undoubtedly a young prodigy, riding the waves and enjoying great glory.
...
...
A dragon that travels thousands of miles must undergo a transformation.
After swimming twenty thousand miles in an instant, the python-dragon appeared as if dyed golden, its green whiskers turning golden. The foul odor diminished, replaced by a faint fragrance.
At this point, the journey is nearly halfway complete.
The python, full of vigor, churned the river and displayed its might. It even began to possess the power to ride the clouds and mist. It leaped in the river, its dragon claws and body gleaming brightly.
The old woman holding the sword nodded in approval, saying, "At this rate, crossing the sea by water shouldn't be difficult."
Qi Kaiyan smiled and said, "Senior Long has already begun to resemble a dragon. Those petty villains who are blocking the way along the river, seeing your heroic figure, are probably trembling with fear. How could they dare to make things difficult for you?"
The crowd stood on the deck, watching the dragon's trail with pride.
Suddenly, the situation became apparent.
The continuous heavy rain and the accumulated thunderclaps erupted in an instant.
A bolt of lightning suddenly struck, hitting the python directly on its body. Its scales were charred black, its flesh cracked, and a burnt smell emanated from it.
The python roared, writhing in pain in the river. The thunderous sound still reverberated in everyone's hearts. Their eardrums throbbed faintly, and their bodies felt slightly numb.
When Li Xian practiced the "Gang Lei Finger," lightning suddenly appeared before his eyes, as if he sensed something. His chest throbbed with a slight thunderous sound, which seemed to resonate faintly with the heavenly thunder.
"No wonder the practice of the Thunder Finger requires mastering the 'listening to thunder' characteristic and seeking out and observing the extraordinary thunder in the world. When I listened to this thunder sound, I vaguely felt a resonance in my chest. Although the Thunder Finger has reached its peak, it has become a little stronger."
[You heard the thunder and lightning of heaven and earth, causing your chest drum to resound; proficiency +153]
Wen Caishang said solemnly, "The first 20,000 li of waterway is merely a matter of exhausting its strength and weakening its power. In the eyes of heaven and earth, it is just a minor skirmish. Only after 20,000 li will the python-dragon gradually show signs of transforming into a dragon."
"Along the way, not only will the powerful figures from the Dragon Slaying Banquet obstruct us, but heaven and earth will also unleash lightning punishments. The real test has only just begun."
Thousands of miles thereafter.
The python's body turned golden, gradually taking on the appearance of a dragon, but it was covered in wounds. It was frequently struck by lightning, which clearly reduced its speed considerably.
After traveling 27,000 li, the python was covered in blood, its momentum had diminished by more than half, and its ability to travel 10,000 li in a day had dissipated.
Wen Caishang frowned and said, "This old dragon is getting old and his strength is gradually failing. This water crossing is much more difficult than I imagined."
She was very knowledgeable and her family records were well-documented.
The python-dragon has a lifespan of a thousand years. Five hundred years ago, it was moving through water with unstoppable force, possessing a power that could be divided into four parts.
The watercourse that flows before the age of 600 is extremely powerful, possessing a force that can be considered 30% complete. The watercourse that flows before the age of 700, while still powerful, lacks the strength to sustain itself, and thus less than 30% complete.
A journey across water before the age of 800 is fraught with danger and requires the full assistance of a strong person to even find a sliver of opportunity.
As for the nine hundred-year-old python, it was already weakened and unable to move in water.
The old dragon was seven hundred and ninety-seven years old, just before reaching eight hundred. Its python-like body was weakening, its life force waning. The closer it got to the end, the more exhausted it became.
Wen Caishang thought to herself, "What a pity. If it were a hundred years younger, this journey by water would be much simpler."
Li Xian said, "The power of thunder is cruel, and the water transforms into a dragon; it's truly not easy!"
He personally followed and witnessed it firsthand. The python and the dragon entered the river, passing through the sluice gate, navigating the forks in the road, traversing the water's edge, avoiding ambushes and being struck by lightning... truly a series of dangers and obstacles.
They traveled another thousand miles.
The python showed signs of exhaustion. Although it was beginning to resemble a dragon, it was already a pitiful sight, with several bloody holes on its body, and lightning arcs crackling from its charred black body.
The young python, struck by lightning, became even more ferocious, its surging waves engulfing villages and its body crashing against mountains, attempting to wreak havoc on the world.
The old python, exhausted, could only dodge left and right, trying its best to protect its body. Another bolt of lightning struck, and the python, churning the river to avoid it, was struck squarely in the abdomen.
Although the previous lightning strike had severely injured it, it still had some strength left. The python's abdomen was its weak point; the moment it was struck, its vitality was immediately greatly diminished, leaving it listless and weak.
Wen Caishang said, "The Thirty Thousand Li Pass will surely be blocked by powerful experts from the Dragon Slaying Banquet. Judging from the current situation... Senior Dragon won't be able to get past the Thirty Thousand Li Pass on his own."
The old woman holding the sword, Su Yu, said, "Hmph, I have a plan for the Dragon Banquet. There is no need to be afraid. Just let the old dragon senior swim there. They must have already cleared the way."
turn out to be…
Thirty thousand miles along the Benhua River lies a crucial battleground. The Dragon-Slaying Feast will unfold here, revealing its first sharp and deadly intent. Four formidable warriors guard this spot, ready to slay the dragon.
They are: "Blood Pool and Flesh Forest - Blood Lord", "Divine Sword of the Vertical and Horizontal - Wind Lord", "Wind Chasing Palm - Wang Heng", and "Jade City Left Guard - Zhou Sheng".
The four men were renowned and widely known, and all were listed on the local rankings of the Yunan Road and Longxiong Road.
Just by hearing its name, one can tell that it is extraordinary.
The dragon-themed banquet was attended by guests, and even from afar, skilled individuals provided assistance: "The Carefree Old Man Zhang Jiu," "The Arm-Dragon He Tiexin," and "The Wind-Flower Sword Zhang Xianhua"...
They were to deal with Xue Zun, Feng Tianhou, and Wang Heng respectively.
Zhou Sheng, the Left Guard of Jade City, had no one to rival him at the Dragon Appreciation Banquet. However, he dispatched Bi Chunfu, the Master of Lanyue Manor, the Strange Man with the Back Cauldron, Hong Muya, and several others to join forces. Their martial arts subtly countered each other, and they became entangled with him.
The two sides are evenly matched in strength.
When the journey took more than 29,900 li.
Suddenly, a long plume of smoke rose ahead. Wen Caishang frowned: "This is bad."
Upon seeing the signal, Su Yu, Zhu Butong, Qi Kaiyan, and the others all became extremely solemn and exclaimed in unison, "Burning Smoke is in dire need of help! Our elite members from the Dragon Banquet have been driven back!"
Burning smoke as a signal signifies a crushing defeat!
The Great Pass of Sanwanli has fallen!
Su Yu, Zhu Butong, and Qi Kaiyan all stood up and said solemnly, "It seems we need to take action."
Traveling by dragon boat is a precaution against accidents. In times of crisis, they can lend a helping hand. It can be considered one of the trump cards for navigating waterways.
However... this section has already been a failure!
The crew on board were all highly skilled fighters. However, the river was swift and the current was relentless. If they made their move from 30,000 li away, their opponents would inevitably become entangled. At the same time, the boat could not wait for anyone and was swept away by the current into the distance.
They are bound to become disconnected.
This means that the experts on the ship only have one chance to fight! Although Zhu Butong made a move to deal with Shan Qingdao, the two did not engage in combat, so it doesn't count.
Thirty thousand li later, there are still nineteen thousand li to go. Four of our strongest warriors have already been used here; the remaining journey will be extremely dangerous!
Wen Caishang frowned; this trip had been full of unexpected events. The situation was truly dire.
Li Xian suddenly said, "Perhaps not?"
Everyone looked over. Wen Caishang knew that Li Xian was intelligent and, while martial arts might not be absolute in the martial world, his wisdom was also commendable, so she asked, "Little Xian, what's your plan?"
Li Xian took out a map, slowly unfolded it, and said, "Thirty thousand miles away, there is a tributary called the Qianhua River."
"We can then enter the Qianhua River."
At this point, Zhu Butong sneered, "Nonsense! We are destined to become dragons by walking on rivers, not snakes by walking on streams! What difference is there between this and suicide? We might as well fight them to the death!"
Li Xian was not angry. With nothing to do along the way, he studied the map. Although he had never been here before, he already knew the terrain along the river by heart. He continued, "After swimming into the Qianhua River, travel another hundred li or so. The river is winding, and there is a place very close to the river channel."
"If Senior Python Dragon has the ability to fly through the clouds and mist, he can fly back to the river channel from here and avoid being killed without making a sound."
"Madam, esteemed seniors, this is merely my humble opinion, a mere wild idea. The final decision rests with you, esteemed seniors."
Everyone fell into deep thought. Qi Kaiyan secretly considered the possibilities and said, "No... this plan... is indeed feasible."
Wen Caishang nodded, delighted. She patted Li Xian's hand lightly and said, "Good, very good. You are very clever and bold."
The martial artists present were not fools. They had been observing the Dragon Banquet's preparations for a long time, their eyes fixed on the river. They were solely focused on how to counter the powerful figures at the Dragon Banquet.
Li Xian was weak and knew that fighting head-on was not his forte. Whenever he saw the mountains and rivers, his thoughts would often wander, and he would always think about how to use the environment to avoid disaster.
Naturally, this blind spot can be discovered.
(End of this chapter)
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