Under the moonlight, the ashes floated to the front of the Shimmering Star Water Monarch.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch didn't quite understand how a handful of ashes could have healing effects.

But since Chen Xu said so, out of trust in Chen Xu, and also a certain eagerness to "demonstrate his trust," the Shimmering Star Water Monarch opened his snake mouth at this moment.

Enduring the various pains in his snake mouth, he swallowed the handful of white ashes in one gulp.

The moment the ashes entered, they carried a slight sweetness.

This sweetness was rather unusual, a pure sweetness, as if it had removed all the turbidity and clutter of the world, pain and delusion, leaving only this initial touch of sweetness.

Not strong, yet inexplicably striking the hearts of living beings.

What life, when first arriving in the world, does not yearn for that touch of sweetness?

It may not even have to be sweetness on the tip of the tongue, it could also be like when a little snake hatches from its shell, having a nest to rely on, food to consume, and a wondrous world unfolding before it... that kind of sweetness.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch was astonished, for that touch of sweetness made him momentarily forget his whole body's injuries.

He blurted out, "So sweet!"

Having said that, his serpentine body coiled, dazed in place.

Indeed, it was really sweet...

[Likes +650]

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch's remark of sweetness immediately added 650 likes for Chen Xu.

And this was despite the Shimmering Star Water Monarch being severely injured.

It showed how strong this Great Demon's cultivation truly was, yet tonight was attacked by Chi Jie—truly the greatest setback in his demonic life.

The giant snake coiled, its enormous body looking a bit stunned, yet its snakehead remained lowered, now opening its mouth again, "How can there be such sweetness in the world?

I, I... having tasted such sweetness today, what else could ever enter my mouth in the future?"

[Likes +500+450+300...]

He praised repeatedly, then, changing the subject, said:

"No, having tasted such sweetness, even if I taste bitterness later, just thinking of today's sweetness, I suppose that bitterness won't matter anymore."

Having said that, a soft sigh escaped.

Years of bitter cultivation always held obsessions, yet tasting this sweetness now seemed to vaguely open those obsessions.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch lowered his snakehead again, and continued, "Mr. Chen, I held you back for a reason, I originally had something to tell you.

Your good gift of a healing item, I forget what I wanted to say initially.

It's my fault, this matter involves the powerful clans of the Celestial South Dao."

He paused for a moment, seeing the Daoist Soldier silent, then continued:

"With the provincial examinations approaching, like the Mo Family, that Mo Huaizhang is to take part in this year's autumn exam, needing no more mention.

Besides, several families are urging tenant farmers in the Shimmering Star Lake to plant new Spirit Rice varieties faster, while some... are harvesting lands, fishing in drained marshes.

Speaking of which, these Spirit Fields in the Shimmering Star Lake are considered mid-to-high-grade fields within the Seven Prefectures of the South.

Although that's the case, the fertility of the fields has limits too.

For sustainable output, naturally, rotation planting is necessary, and one cannot simply deplete the land's strength.

Harvesting lands means massively accelerating the field's output, causing it to surge in the short term.

The downside is, such harvested fields will be hard to recover within over ten years.

Such actions, calling them reckless would not be an exaggeration.

If this was only practiced by one or two families, maybe it's due to some internal family reason, but now numerous powerful houses are doing so, Mr. Chen, in my humble opinion, there must be something fishy about it."

These were the words the Shimmering Star Water Monarch wanted to leave as final advice to Chen Xu.

Hearing all this, Chen Xu naturally pondered.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch's words were quite clear, simply put—

Do not be deceived by how this autumn examination seems to proceed with fervor and zeal; even though the exams haven't started, each family is employing all their tactics behind the scenes.

Yet actually, in the Pingyang Prefecture area, perhaps more turmoil is about to break out instead.

Chen Xu thought of a previous conversation with Feng Yuanbai.

Feng Yuanbai mentioned the great drought in the Northern Border, saying it might affect the South.

Could it be that the actions of the powerful families in Pingyang Prefecture are preparations for the great drought in the Northern Border?

This indeed sounds a bit absurd.

With the Nine Hundred Miles of Shimmering Star Lake, and the vast waters of the Yuan Cang River, how could the Northern Border's great drought be so severe to evaporate all water from the Seven Prefectures of the South?

Even if there were Drought Demons in the Northern Border, wouldn't their cultivation be greatly reduced upon reaching the South?

Yet if not for the Northern Border's drought, why would the powerful families of Pingyang Prefecture act as they do?

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch did not have an answer to this question either.

He explicitly told Chen Xu, "To be honest, Mr. Chen, as a Water Demon under cultivation, I naturally have an exceptionally acute sense of changes to water areas.

Based on my foresight, there's no way Shimmering Star Lake could dry up in the short term.

On the contrary, the Yuan Cang River has a danger of great floods.

But after the reinforcement with multiple formations on the dam ten years ago, it's now as stable as a fortress.

Even if there's a flood, the probability of the Yuan Cang River breaching again is very slim."

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch spoke bluntly.

His words made sense, Chen Xu listened and nodded quietly.

In summary, the known information is still too scarce, and many issues can't be effectively judged.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch added, "However, Mr. Chen, regardless of anything, you should make several preparations apart from exams. Mr. Chen, the day you become Top Scholar, this Little Demon shall go ashore to congratulate you..."

Before the words fell, the Shimmering Star Water Monarch suddenly exclaimed, "Huh?"

In the short time of this conversation, the pain from the Shimmering Star Water Monarch's wounds suddenly vanished.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch hadn't even noticed any drastic changes in his body, it was just that unknowingly—

Or perhaps amidst the lingering sweetness in his mouth, his injuries silently, automatically healed.

That handful of ashes, its sweetness reached such an extent!

The effect was astonishing, rarely seen in the world.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch was stunned again, he wanted to say more but saw the Daoist Soldier with a spear in his right hand and a bright pearl in his left.

The Water Soul Pearl was held gently by the Daoist Soldier, resembling a bright moon.

The Daoist Soldier smiled slightly and said, "Water Monarch, your kindness is known. Parting here, we shall meet again."

This was the second time the Daoist Soldier said they would meet again.

After speaking, the Daoist Soldier took a step into the void.

A gentle breeze embraced the small figure, swiftly receding dozens of feet away.

The speed was truly like a shooting star.

In just a moment, the figure holding the Water Soul Pearl like a bright moon was already going far on the vast water surface.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch had an exceptionally strong sense for the entire waters of the Shimmering Star Lake.

The speed was truly like a shooting star.

In just a moment, the figure holding the Water Soul Pearl like a bright moon was already going far on the vast water surface.

The Shimmering Star Water Monarch had an exceptionally strong sense for the entire waters of the Shimmering Star Lake.

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