An uneventful night passed.

The next day, at dawn.

Wen Caishang practiced inner martial arts to slow down any depletion. In between his training, Li Xian kept his mind at ease. He ran to the small river at the edge of town to watch the children playing in the water.

Picking up a stone from the riverbank, he gave it a strong toss. It skipped across the water dozens of times, a truly spectacular sight.

Suddenly, he saw the fish and shrimp in the river rushing toward the river's main course.

Li Xian grabbed a big carp, golden all over, with two strands of golden whiskers by its mouth. He mused, "This fish is quite extraordinary too. Is it an advanced water scout, or is it simply fleeing in panic?"

The surge of the current was already brewing. The river water surged a bit more fiercely.

Suddenly, he noticed a man in a green robe leading a horse out of the town, followed by over ten other people.

"Elder Li." As soon as Li Xian saw someone he knew, he ran over immediately.

Li Bo Hou was startled and said, "Brother Li, you came too?"

"Where is Miss Haitang?" Li Xian asked.

Li Bo Hou replied solemnly, "The Dragon Appreciation Banquet is a significant event, so I brought her here to join in the fun. I just didn't expect such matters... and that Wen Caishang would bring you along too."

Li Xian mused privately, "Madam once said that if I achieved a decent mastery of the Setting Sun Bloodsword, she would take me to see the world. I fear Madam might have a use for me."

He asked, "Is Elder Li leaving?"

Li Bo Hou patted his horse's mane, fully equipped, and said, "Today is January 28th. As the Wave Sending Marquis, I must go ahead."

"Wave Sending Marquis?" Li Xian said in wonder.

Li Bo Hou explained, "The Dragon Appreciation Banquet has seats without dishes, including Dragon Guard Seat, Assist Wave Seat, Wave Sending Seat, Hundred Mile Seat, and Thousand Mile Seat... I am the primary position of the Wave Sending Seat. Before the water surge, I advance along the river to drive away the common folk and reduce casualties."

"I understand now!" Li Xian said respectfully, "This is indeed a big event, please proceed quickly, Elder Li."

"Alright!" Li Bo Hou said loudly, "Farewell." He mounted his horse, glanced back with words unspoken, sighed lightly, and galloped away.

Li Xian watched him leave and thought, Elder Li Bo Hou is knowledgeable and noble, far from worthless as Wen Caishang described. But comparing knowledge, grace, and underlying strength, Madam does indeed surpass him by several measures.

Suddenly, cries of alarm were heard.

A woman was shouting across the river, her cries piercing and sad. Upon looking closely, the river currents were swiftly surging, and the fish and beasts were frantically fleeing. This sudden change caught the children playing in the river, as they were gleefully catching fish, unaware of the growing danger.

When they finally realized the peril, it was too late. They were carried away by the river, with the fish and beasts charging, like a furious tide. No matter how adept their swimming skills, it was hopeless. The woman onshore saw her child in mortal danger, helpless and anxious, yet unable to do anything.

Li Xian ran along the river. Though he couldn't perform Lightweight Skill, there were many fish and beasts in the river, which he could use as footholds. He immediately employed the "Vast Clear Wind" trait, rushing straight into the river.

The little boy was flailing in the water, waving his hands upwards.

Li Xian grabbed hold of him and tossed him onto the grassy bank. The little boy flew and landed solidly, having narrowly escaped death, dazed and bewildered. With his momentum spent, Li Xian's body began to sink, about to fall into the water. Lightweight Skill emphasizes the element of 'light'. Using a bit of momentum, he floated effortlessly and landed lightly.

Once the light momentum fades, another wave of energy is needed. Suspended in mid-air, with nowhere to land, how to gather more light momentum? In the water, where the texture is soft, how to gather more light momentum?

Thus, for a master of Lightweight Skill, they can easily leap over a dozen-zhang high building, light as a bird. But to leap from the water and walk on it is exceedingly hard, requiring even greater skill. Like a wet bird or beast, how can it take flight again?

Li Xian unsheathed his Sinking River Sword. He stirred the river with its sharp edge, cutting through four carp. He slashed several times, using the trait of Playing with Water, causing the surface to ripple and the fish flesh to blur. With the sword's trait, it was as if stepping on solid ground; even on the river, he found a place to stand. Gathering light momentum again, he landed on the opposite bank.

He sheathed his sword.

The woman, cradling her child, came to express her gratitude. Li Xian smiled and comforted her, and then walked away. Certainly, it was a good deed to save someone, but also a trial to test his gains.

"During the Layered Building Feast, I saw the prodigies of the Prefecture City lightly tiptoeing across water. Many could cross rivers with ease. I do not possess this skill. Although I still lack Lightweight Skill now, with the combination of 'Clear Wind Leg' and 'Vast Leg', I too can lightly tiptoe on water, rushing across the turbulent river for several zhang. The progress is significant."

With broadened horizons, Li Xian met various formidable figures of the Jianghu. Strange techniques emerged endlessly. However, his heart remained steadfast, not swaying, neither envious nor confused. He focused on his own gains, step by step perfecting them, accumulating progress.

"If I wanted to save that child earlier, I could have used Jade Palm's Palm Force to strike the river surface and push him ashore."

Li Xian waved his palm through the air. A spiral of qi lingered for a long time. "Madam told me that the Jade Palm is far from perfect, concealing many flaws. That day, from a contest with a hunchbacked eccentric, I found inspiration, perhaps enough to bring some surprises to Jade Palm?"

Amidst the excitement of the heroes, as the surge approached, a banquet ensued, where friendships across the waters were forged, and personal tales narrated.

Li Xian remained calm, seeking out knowledge on his own.

[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +1]

The palm moved slowly, qi flowed naturally. With practice alone till dusk, the sun had set, dampness filled the air, like a brewing storm.

He returned to his lodging.

Zeng Taian, the Manor Master of Fulai Manor, had arrived two days prior. His strength wasn't lacking; if he wished, he could secure a middle seat on the second floor, yet his eccentric nature kept him from visiting the Wangzhen Building.

It wasn't until today that he entered through the side door to negotiate an exchange of seats with Madam.

Zeng Taian was originally in the "Dragon Guard Seat", appointed to ride the large ship alongside pythons during the water surge. Wen Caishang, however, was in the "Thousand Mile Seat", meant to wait along the river banks and assist when the wild python passed through.

The two exchanged seats secretly, each avoiding several bothers.

Zeng Taian said, "Madam, since the seats are exchanged, I shall take my leave."

"I also ask Manor Master Zeng to keep this confidential," Wen Caishang said, pouring tea with a gentle smile.

"Naturally," Zeng Taian replied.

Wen Caishang said, "This tea is brought by Yihetang Manor. The last time I visited your esteemed manor, I drank your tea. Now it's your turn, Manor Master Zeng, to taste the tea from my home."

Zeng Taian lightly rotated the bottom of the cup with his finger. The tea rippled, exuding a fragrant aroma. A gentle blow stirred a colorful halo.

Tasting it, the fragrance lingered around the teeth and tongue, both rich and refreshing. Zeng Taian laughed, "Madam's taste far surpasses mine."

"Since Manor Master Zeng has important matters to attend to, and has now tasted the tea, please feel free," Wen Caishang said softly.

Cao Taian replied, "Alright." He bowed respectfully, the formalities complete. That day, he prepared the boats and headed down the Benhua River.

The water approach is imminent.

The heroes and gallants took their seats one after another. Li Bo Hou followed the river, sending waves, fulfilling his duty. Zeng Taian awaited quietly, ready to act when necessary.

The python-dragon moved through the water, its momentum like a rainbow.

Most Jianghu guests of the Dragon Claw Array had left, and Li Xian enjoyed the tranquility, practicing martial arts while also admiring the surrounding scenery.

Another day passed.

The heavens gathered force, and the rumbling thunder rolled.

[Hearing the thunder of the heavens and earth, Thunderbolt Finger skill level +16]

...

Li Xian's chest vibrated, his body felt numb, as if arcs of electricity ran through him. "Although my martial arts quality is poor, they are quite practical. The Thunderbolt Finger resonates with thunder in rainy weather, benefiting the physique greatly."

That noon, a torrential rain began to fall, as if the skies were pouring down. The wind moaned and the rain howled, looking far into the distance... the rain covered everything far away, as if the sky was pressing down.

"The python-dragon's water movement is imminent."

"The rain is not only heavy but carries some indescribable momentum. I wish to see thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, seeing this scene, I am filled with ambition, as if I am also a flood dragon, ready to move through the water!" Li Xian clenched his fist, full of spirit.

The rain was tremendous, Dragon Claw Town isolated, with simple roofs, unable to withstand such ravages. In no time, houses collapsed, mud walls washed away, it was extremely bleak.

Fields were submerged...

Days of erosion led to landslides, river water surged... as if the world was ending. By this time, eighty percent of the heroes in Wangzhen Building had left. The commoners took refuge in the building, an old man said, "Oh dear, this rain is unusual, the old dragon in the mountains is about to move through the water!"

He was actually right.

Wen Caishang closed her eyes to rest, gathering qi and focusing her mind. She no longer had the heart to pay attention to other matters.

January 30th.

A strange sound, like a bull's moo, a snake's hiss, a dragon's roar, echoed. The old dragon gathered force, roaring furiously at the sky. Wen Caishang opened her eyes, walked to the window, and gazed at the dark water pool, saying, "The flood dragon's water movement is indeed rare."

She was amazed by today's scene.

Seeing the pool water gradually become muddy, with fish beasts and snake beasts inside all fleeing, the old dragon turned over, muddling the pool water.

Li Xian asked, "Is it starting?"

"Not yet," Wen Caishang replied, "it's still waiting, gathering momentum. As the saying goes, 'Strike at the first blow, decline at the second, exhaust at the third.' The gathering shouldn't be too long or too short, three days is just right."

The flood dragon's water movement defies the heavens.

The python-dragon needs the force to turn the rivers and an aspiration to defy the heavens. In the face of thunderous calls, if there is any trembling courage, it will be hard to succeed. Therefore, it must mock the heavens, cutting off its retreat, burning bridges and ships, and building courage and boldness.

The heavens naturally were angered.

January 31st.

Thunder roared, never pausing for a moment, and the rain intensified further. As far as the eye could see, it was a vast whiteness. The torrential rain made everything bow down.

The rain scoured, and a huge boulder tumbled down from the mountain, striking the old dragon pool with a rumbling sound.

Li Xian was shocked, feeling the mysterious might of the heavens and earth, instilling fear in people. But in an instant, his boldness was stirred, thinking, "If I were that python-dragon, I'd move through the water even at the cost of my life. Fighting against the heavens is endless joy. Is the sky allowed to press me, but not me to defy the sky?"

The old dragon roared thrice, mocking the heavens too low, the thunder too small, the rain too light. After three roars, thunder-snakes and electric arcs tangled around.

February 1st.

The old dragon gathered force to roar again. It became more like a dragon's roar, spreading for several miles.

The beasts in the mountains, tigers, bears, deer, and wild boars fled from the mountains, forming a beast tide.

It was the eve of the water movement.

Cai Qiuzhou said, "Elder Wen, the Benhua River is ready with a boat, please board the boat, the old dragon may move through the water at any time."

Wen Caishang nodded, and Li Xian held an umbrella, walking to the side of Benhua River. Seeing the river's turbulent muddy currents, rolling with unprecedented momentum, Li Xian pondered, "Waves crashing into the sky, with such a river force, even with my Sinking River Sword, it would be instantly swallowed."

This boat was not luxurious, made entirely of 'Flipping River Wood'. It was a famous ship crafted by the Yu Nan Dao ship industry, called the Dragon Ship.

Several heroes were already on board, all watching the river from the deck.

Qi Kaiyan, the Yang shusheng, said, "The great river washes away all heroes, who knows who will laugh at ancient times."

Li Xian put away the umbrella, escorting Wen Caishang back to the room to rest. Wen Caishang sat beside her legs, placing a longsword across her knees. Her long hair flowed, her white clothes outshining snow.

No matter the waves crashing outside, she remained calmly still. Li Xian sat opposite her, the cabin cramped, leaving no room for practicing martial arts. Though his knowledge was limited, his bearing was no less dignified than a lady's.

He naturally exuded serenity.

February 2nd.

The Dragon Ship's helmsman, Li Qianfan, was the major honored guest of the ship industry. He saw the river suddenly calm, sensing a shift, shouted, "You half-witted kids, it's time to set sail!"

"By my grandmother, this might be the only time in my life we experience water movement. Tighten your butts for me. Stay alert!"

The crew broke the anchor ropes, hoisting the sails.

At the same time, Wen Caishang closed her eyes to rest, saying, "It's coming."

Li Xian glanced into the distance.

In the river channel connecting the old dragon pool and Benhua River, a huge green flood dragon body churned, its massive form rising and falling, rushing from the river into the river.

At that moment, the weather changed, the water movement began!

(PS: The water movement has started, fellow Taoists assist me, seeking subscriptions~ seeking monthly votes~)

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