"My Buddha is merciful, yet as of now, this matter remains inconclusive."

Master Yanhui's response, following the solemn chant of a Buddhist incantation, caused the brows of the cultivators present to furrow as they exchanged puzzled looks.

"What does the master mean by this?" the burly man who had asked earlier inquired in a deep voice. "The Flood Dragon King has already broken the rules by stirring up the great tides of the Nu River, and by reason, you are entitled to intervene."

Currently, Dianchuan Province was embroiled in chaos. The Human Race's forces were locked in fierce combat with Demonic Evil Cultivators. But no matter how violent the battle became, there was still no sign of a Dao Expert entering the fray. After all, once a Dao Expert took part in the fight, the level of combat would instantly escalate to a terrifying degree beyond prediction. Whether it was the Human Race or the Demonic Evil Cultivators, the reason behind their desperate fighting was the land of Dianchuan Province. But if a Dao Expert were to join the battle and exert their full power, given the scale of the current war, Dianchuan Province might quite literally be sunk and fall into ruin. This outcome was something neither the Human Race nor the Demonic Evil Cultivators wished to see. Now that the Flood Dragon King was threatening to create great tides in the Nu River, he had already breached the unspoken rule of non-intervention by Dao Experts. In principle, Master Yanhui was justified to subdue him.

"Allow me to explain this matter to everyone."

The sudden voice that rang out attracted everyone's attention. A man in dark golden iron armor—towering and commanding, with a gaze so profound and resolute it seemed as if it could see into one's soul—stepped forward onto Lantern Rouge Mountain.

"General Song?" A light exclamation indicated someone had recognized the armored man. It was none other than the current Dianchuan Province Water Army Commander, Song Tingye.

He walked forward with a slight smile, neither boastful nor lacking in confidence, exuding the formidable presence of a high-ranking individual.

"I am Song Tingye, and I pay my respects to all here," he said, raising his hand in a traditional fist-and-palm salute, his armor clinking with a metallic sound.

"General Song, you just said you were going to explain this issue. How so?"

The man draped in beast skins slowly turned, his amber-colored eyes sizing up Song Tingye from head to toe.

Dianchuan Province Water Army Commander. Three months ago, this title would have been quite intimidating. After all, he was a bona fide imperial military general, one of the five main generals from the County Yamen, holding high authority and power! But now... Times have changed. The Dianchuan Festival Envoy, Gao Tianxiong, was no longer present. The County Yamen and the Gao Family's power had plummeted drastically.

The Gao Family had been rooted in Dianchuan Province for many years, with a complex network of support—much like a dilapidated ship still having three thousand nails. If not for this, some forces and individuals long dissatisfied with the Gao Family and the County Yamen might have already taken action to vent their brewing resentment.

"Simply put, please look at this."

Turning over his palm, Song Tingye miraculously produced an azure Ling Fu resembling translucent glaze, inscribed with six ancient divine runes: A personal decree from the Dianchuan Water Monarch!

"This is..."

As they gazed at the Ling Fu in Song Tingye's hand, resembling a piece of glazed jade, most of the people present showed hesitation, but several suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "The Water Monarch's Seal?"

"Exactly! This Water Monarch's Seal was retrieved from a Water Demon just a few days ago. From the results of my Soul Search and forced questioning, it seems we might be facing enormous trouble."

"What trouble?"

"That old jiao dragon might have already secured the position of the Dianchuan Water Monarch. This means that without personally intervening, he can simply entrust these Water Monarch's Seals to his Water Demon subordinates and, through their hands, incite the great tides of the Nu River! This is why Master Yanhui cannot act against that old jiao dragon—because, subjectively speaking, the old jiao dragon hasn't lifted a finger!"

Song Tingye's words sent shockwaves through the gathering. Especially the news about the Flood Dragon King's ascension to the position of the Dianchuan Water Monarch darkened the countenances of everyone present.

What did it mean to be the Dianchuan Water Monarch? It meant being a deity with dominion over all the waters of Dianchuan.

"Ever since ancient times, after the deities vanished, countless years have passed without any trace of a deity. How exactly did that old jiao dragon inherit the position of the Water Monarch?" The man in beast skins spoke in a muffled voice, his words filled with profound oppression and gloom.

Deities, who naturally preside over mountains, earth, sun, moon, and stars, are sacred. The weak among them are inconsequential, but the powerful are unshakeable. The Water Monarch, wielding the power of the entire Dianchuan water domain, certainly belongs to the latter category.

"No wonder the Yongling River suddenly changed its course to merge into the Nu River. It must be that the old jiao used the authority of the Water Monarch to alter the waterways."

The news of the Flood Dragon King inheriting the position of the Water Monarch caused quite a stir. After all, the old jiao was already a seasoned Dao Body Realm Leader and a Great Demon of the ancient Gu Clan. Having now gained the power of a deity, reinforced with divine support, he likely possessed the strength to challenge even Primordial Spirit Bosses.

"It seems impossible now to stop the great tide of the Nu River. All we can do is, in the aftermath of the surging tides, slay the Water Demons that come ashore and minimize the losses."

Upon hearing Song Tingye's suggestion, the cultivators from the major forces glanced at one another and slowly nodded in agreement.

The Nu River spanned more than thirty thousand li. Once a great tide was instigated, it could not be stopped by human power unless a Dao Expert intervened. After the tide passed, Water Demons would follow the flood onto the land. Their numbers were tremendous and difficult to estimate. They rarely came ashore because their strength diminished away from their water domain. But with the Nu River's tides churning, the surrounding lands would become a vast marshland, creating the perfect environment for them. Thus, the impact of the water itself would be secondary. If a large number of Water Demons were to come ashore, it would be a devastating blow to the ordinary human populace.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.