Longxiong Dao.

Named after "misty water torrents, vast majestic mountains." Within the territory of Longxiong Dao, the river networks are numerous and complex, amidst a scattering of one hundred thousand majestic mountains.

It gathers the essence of illustrious people and places. Since ancient times, countless heroes and remarkable figures have heralded from here.

Passing through another strategic pass.

The river course winds and twists, with eighteen continuous bends. As one navigates through, the Python's speed diminishes, otherwise it might crash into the riverbank, risking getting stranded on land.

"Release the arrows!"

Suddenly, a shout is heard.

On both sides of the riverbank, numerous archers lie in ambush. Upon seeing the dragon surge forward, they simultaneously draw bows and release arrows, creating a rain of arrows covering the sky and ground.

The dragon submerges into the river, its tail striking the river's surface, causing waves that sweep the arrows away into the river.

Its body straightens, riding upon the river waves into the distance.

Such ambushes are countless beyond measure.

Attendees of the Dragon Slaying Banquet, relying on the terrain, arrange such ambush methods.

Even if they cannot kill the dragon.

They can still deplete its energy and diminish its spirit.

The real killing moves are yet to come. As long as the Python dies, they too can reap the benefits.

Some layouts of ambushes along the river have already been dismantled by heroes from the Dragon Appreciation Banquet. Every time the dragon swims past these areas, strong men from the Dragon Appreciation Banquet offer their congratulations, enhancing the momentum for the Python.

Two thousand miles with thrills but no danger.

On the evening of February 4th, Benhua River flows into a magnificent city.

Wen Caishang tells Li Xian, this is "Fanjin City," regarded as a second-tier city along Longxiong Dao.

Li Xian stands at the bow, glancing quickly, where jade towers and celestial palaces, innumerable splendid and luxurious buildings... defy description.

The riverbanks in the city are reinforced with special stone, immune to flooding erosion.

In the center of the river course ahead, there stands a copper platform, atop which is a bronze tripod about seven feet tall and three feet wide.

Inside, the furnace blaze burns fiercely.

This is where Fanjin City's riverine clans brew essence food using river water.

The bronze tripod stands in the heart of the river, made of unique materials that draw giant waves. The river flows endlessly, occasionally splashing waves, adding water to the tripod.

Saving human labor.

As the Python passes by, it strikes its tail with a rumble, overturning the bronze tripod into the river, wasting all accumulated effort.

The treasure tripod originally belonged to Fanjin City's Wang Family, who, in great anger, immediately dispatched experts to investigate.

Zhu Butong laughed aloud, saying to the riverbank: "Hahaha, friends from the Wang Family, truly sorry. The dragon clears its path, please set up another tripod!"

The Wang Family members look at each other helplessly. A high-ranking member of the family laughs, saying: "Hahaha, no big deal, no big deal. The Wang Family of Fanjin, we wish the predecessor success in ascending the dragon."

And this matter is thus settled.

The momentum of Fanjin City is surging.

Along both riverbanks, there are Dragon Appreciation Towers, Dragon Observation Towers, Dragon Observation Platforms, and many other structures.

As the dragon swims by, citizens on both banks shout aloud, with many Jianghu guests watching in amazement.

This spectacle is truly rare to see.

Li Xian looks at the riverside scene, seeing only the tip of the iceberg. Yet... Qiongtian Prefecture City couldn't compare. He continually thought:

"Though I have memories of two lifetimes, bizarre and dazzling. Yet... this world truly overturns my imagination. Here the sky is round, the earth square. No matter how strange things are, they are not surprising."

The people on both banks are awed by the dragon, exclaiming incessantly.

Within the ship, Li Xian stands under the gaze of thousands. To others' eyes, isn't he a youthful prodigy, chasing the dragon and riding waves, full of glory?

...

...

Where the dragon travels ten thousand miles, there must be a transformation.

The instant it passes two thousand miles, the Python appears tinged with gold, the green whiskers by its mouth turning golden. The foul odor diminishes, faintly replaced by a fragrance.

By now, it's nearly halfway through the water journey.

Full of vigor and high spirits, the Python unleashes might, showing an early form of cloud-riding and mist-soaring. It leaps in the river, its claws and body shining with brilliance.

The old woman wielding a sword nods in approval: "With this momentum, entering the sea through the waterway should not be difficult."

Qi Kaiyan laughs: "The old dragon elder already starts to take on the dragon form. Those petty ambushes by the Dragon Slaying Banquet along the river, upon seeing the elder's majesty, are likely scared stiff, how dare they still pester?"

Everyone stands on the deck, admiring the traces of the dragon, feeling honored by association.

Suddenly at this moment, a situation arises.

The accumulated heavy rain and thunder power suddenly erupts.

A ferocious thunderbolt crashes down, striking directly onto the Python. Its scales and armor seared black, skin and flesh rupturing, emitting a scorched odor.

The python roared in pain, thrashing in the river. The thunderous sound still echoes in everyone's hearts, faintly pricking the eardrums, the body slightly numb.

Li Xian practices the "Thunderbolt Finger." Lightning manifests before his eyes, seemingly sensing something. The chest drum lightly resonates with the thunder, faintly syncing with the celestial thunder.

"No wonder the study of Thunderbolt Finger requires mastering the 'Thunder Listening' characteristic, seeking earthly wonder thunder for observation. When I hear this thunder sound, there is a vague resonance in my chest cavity. Even though my Thunderbolt Finger has reached its peak, it strengthens a bit more."

[You listened to the heavenly thunder, causing your chest drum to resonate, skill level +153]

Wen Caishang solemnly says: "The first two thousand miles of the waterway merely sap its strength, reducing its spirit. In the eyes of heaven and earth, it's just child's play. After two thousand miles, the python gradually has the momentum of transforming into a dragon."

"Along the way, not only will the strong from the Dragon Slaying Banquet hinder us, but heaven and earth will also unleash thunder punishment. The true test is just beginning."

For thousands of miles thereafter.

The python's body was dyed golden, gradually showing dragon-like stature and appearance, yet covered in scars. Occasionally struck by lightning, its speed obviously reduced greatly.

At twenty-seven thousand miles, the python was drenched in blood, its momentum mostly dissipated, the pace of ten thousand miles a day vanished.

Wen Caishang frowned and said, "This old dragon has aged, its physical strength gradually failing, this water trial... is much harder than I imagined."

She has vast knowledge, recorded in the clan's annals.

A python's lifespan is a millennium; before five hundred years, when traversing water, its momentum is unstoppable, achieving four parts in power.

Before six hundred years, traversing water, its power is exceedingly brave, possessing three parts in power. Before seven hundred years, although strong, it lacks follow-through. Not even three parts remain.

Before eight hundred years, many dangers lie ahead, requiring mighty assistance to seize even a hint of opportunity.

As for nine hundred years... a python weakens, powerless to traverse water.

The old dragon is seven hundred ninety-seven years old, just before eight hundred years. The python's body, its qi-blood has deteriorated. The further it goes, the more exhausted it becomes.

Wen Caishang thought, "Such a pity, such a pity. If it were a hundred years younger, this journey through water would be much simpler."

Li Xian said, "The thunder punishment is harsh, transforming into a dragon by traversing water is truly difficult!"

He followed personally, witnessing firsthand. The python entered the river, passed through gates, discerned forks, flipped water edges, avoided intercepts, obstructed lightning strikes... truly facing layer upon layer of danger and obstacles.

Another thousand miles of gallop.

The python showed exhaustion, though initially dragon-like, yet wretched beyond words, its body had multiple bloody holes, arc lightning crackled amidst scorched black.

The young python, upon suffering thunder strikes, instead heightened its ferocity, submerging villages with waves, crashing mountains, only to send the world into chaos.

The old python's qi power waning, only able to dodge to protect the dragon body. Another bolt of lightning struck, the python flipped to evade within the river, yet accidentally was struck in the abdomen.

Prior lightning strikes, despite heavy injuries, still had remaining strength. The python's abdomen was a weakness, struck in an instant, its primordial energy greatly suppressed, languished and weary.

Wen Caishang said, "At the thirty thousand miles mark, powerful experts from the Dragon Slaying Banquet certainly intercept. By this momentum... if relying solely on the old dragon senior, it's impossible to pass the thirty thousand miles mark."

The sword-holding elderly woman Su Yu said, "Hmph, I, a Dragon Appreciation Banquet guest, have arrangements at thirty thousand miles, why fear, let the old dragon senior roam forward, they have surely paved the way."

As it turns out...

At the thirty thousand miles of the Benhua River, it is an important contest location. The Dragon Slaying Banquet will display its first sharp killing intent here. There are four formidable individuals stationed at this segment, guarding the river slaying dragons.

They are: "Blood Pool and Flesh Forest · Blood Venerable", "Zongheng Divine Sword · Feng Tianhou", "Chasing Wind Palm · Wang Heng", "Jade City Left Guard · Zhou Sheng".

Their names are famous, renowned throughout Yu Nan Dao and Longxiong Dao rankings in the Heroes List.

Merely hearing their names, one knows they are extraordinary.

In the Dragon Appreciation Banquet, there are experts to assist at thirty thousand miles: "Unrestrained Old Man · Zhang Jiu", "Arm Dragon · He Tiexin", "Wind Flower Sword · Zhang Xianhua"...

They respectively confront Blood Venerable, Feng Tianhou, Wang Heng.

While Jade City Left Guard Zhou Sheng, no corresponding person from the Dragon Appreciation guests, but Manor Master Bi Chunfu, backed by oddball carriers, Hong Muya... several joined forces, martial arts covertly counteracting, entangled with him.

The power of both sides is not disparate.

When traversing the path at twenty-nine thousand nine hundred miles.

Suddenly smoke rose ahead. Wen Caishang frowned: "Not good."

Su Yu, Zhu Butong, and Qi Kaiyan viewed the signal, all looking solemn, they spoke in unison: "The smoke signals an emergency, our powerful Dragon Appreciation Banquet fighters have been repelled!"

Smoke signals defeat!

The thirty thousand miles mark has been lost!

Su Yu, Zhu Butong, Qi Kaiyan all stood up, with seriousness said: "Looks like we must make a move."

Following the dragon ship all along, was to prevent unexpected events. In a critical moment, lend a helping hand. This counts as one of the cards for traversing water.

However... this segment has indeed lost!

The ship contains experts. Yet, the river is rapid, rushing forward. Making a move at thirty thousand miles, the adversary will inevitably entangle, meanwhile the ship travels relentlessly, advancing downstream.

Certain to break off.

It means the ship's experts have only one chance to strike! Though Zhu Butong had acted against Shan Qingdao. But the two did not entangle, thus not counted.

After thirty thousand miles, there are still nineteen thousand miles. These four experts consumed here, making the remaining journey perilous to the extreme!

Wen Caishang furrowed her brow, unexpected indeed many on this journey. Such circumstances, truly ominous.

Li Xian suddenly said: "Perhaps not necessarily?"

Everyone looked towards him. Wen Caishang knew well of Li Xian's cleverness, traversing Jianghu, martial strength is not absolute, intelligence also commendable, thus asked: "Little Immortal, what plan do you have?"

Li Xian took out a map, slowly spreading it open, said: "Thirty thousand miles there, there's a tributary known as Qianhua River."

"We can enter Qianhua River."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Butong sneered: "Nonsense, we are traveling the river to transform into a dragon, not the river to transform into a serpent! Such is akin to self-destruction, better fight to the death with them!"

Li Xian did not become angry. With nothing to do along the way, he studied the map. Though not been here, he understood the terrain along the river well, then said: "Enter Qianhua River, then another hundred miles or so. The river winds, at one place near the river course."

"If Python Senior possesses competence, initially having the power of cloud riding, from here fly back to the river course, can avoid the slaughter, silently."

"Lady, respected seniors, this is just a junior's humble opinion, a wild idea. Specifically how, still up to decision by seniors."

Everyone showed contemplation. Qi Kaiyan secretly reasoned, then said: "No... this plan... is actually feasible."

Wen Caishang nodded, very pleased, lightly patting Li Xian's hand, said: "Good, very good, you are very smart. Also very bold."

The martial artists present are indeed not foolish. But the Dragon Appreciation Banquet's arrangements long made, their attention fully on the river course. Always pondering how to combat the Dragon Slaying Banquet's formidable ones.

Li Xian's strength is quite weak, knowing brute force is not his forte, every time seeing the mountains and river terrain, thoughts frequently arise, thus constantly pondering how to leverage the environment to evade calamity.

Naturally able to discover this blind spot.

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.