Li Xian felt a chill on his back and looked at Wen Caishang.

Wen Caishang laughed and said, "Go ahead and speak boldly; I won't blame you." She was eager to listen, with anticipation in her eyes, thinking, "Let's see how this kid talks his way out of this."

Li Xian thought to himself, "The lady is quite astute, and our relationship is quite close. An intimate encounter is nothing unusual. However, when it comes to how close we are, I really can't be sure! Nevermind… it's better to overstate than understate this, so I'll make it a bit cheesy."

Li Xian carefully chose his words and said, "Since the senior dragon wants to hear it, and the lady has given her permission, then I will say it. The lady and I are actually…"

Suddenly, there was a shriek from a python, and the water surface seemed to boil as the boat shook violently.

The python rolled in the river, and in an instant, countless wounds appeared on its body, bleeding profusely. However, looking around, the wide river had no experts blocking the way.

For no reason, there were no experts around.

Wen Caishang's eyebrows knitted, perceiving something strange. She flicked her sleeve and drew her sword, stabbing into the river. Retrieving the sword, she held a red shrimp beast.

As big as a palm, its claws were like iron. It turned out that in this part of the river, someone had bred "red-claw shrimp," which are water pests and the great enemy of ships.

The iron claws are strong and can pierce the ship's bottom.

Wherever there is an overabundance of red-claw shrimp, there are bound to be river bandits.

Wen Caishang said calmly, "Little Immortal, fetch the jar of wine from my room."

Li Xian did as instructed, fetched the fine wine, and uncorked it, pouring it into the river. The red-claw shrimp all became intoxicated and passed out, a rather peculiar scene.

Before long, river creatures, attracted by the smell of alcohol, swam over to feast on the red-claw shrimp. A great crisis had been resolved with a light touch.

Li Xian sighed, "Madam's knowledge is profound, and her wisdom is deep. She truly had everything prepared. By staying by her side, I can indeed learn much about the ways of the Jianghu and the art of dealing with the world."

The dragon spat out a few bouts of heavy breath, cursing, "Damn it, a bunch of little shrimp actually wanted to eat me!"

Having been attacked by the swarm of shrimp, the scabs left by the lightning tribulation were torn, bleeding, adding new injuries to the old ones. Despite being golden and resembling a dragon, it was in a pitiful state, devoid of any dragon's dignity.

Wen Caishang sat to the side, her waistline curves on full display, and said, "Surprised? When a dragon traverses the river, the heavens and earth are its foes. Besides, aren't there plenty who wish to eat you?"

The python did not speak, feeling gloomy. Having reached this point, it was utterly exhausted, and whether it could enter the sea to transform into a dragon depended entirely on how Wen Caishang helped it.

The python praised, "Brother Li, your lady is truly extraordinary. If she can help me transform into a dragon today, perhaps one day, she could help you reach great heights."

Li Xian thought inwardly, "The old dragon's words, though unintentional, can still incite discord. Could it be trying to harm me? How could the lady want me to rise above her? She absolutely won't let me rise above her skirt's hem."

He calmly reminded himself of the real gratitude and the real shackles and said, "Senior Dragon, you're mistaken. Why would the lady need to assist me? The lady has the ability to ascend on her own..."

Wen Caishang interrupted him softly, "Are you complaining that I'm not helping you?"

Li Xian said, "Absolutely not. Li Xian has achieved his current cultivation entirely with the lady's assistance. My earlier words were meant to express that I have no intention of competing with the lady. It was just a moment of haste that made me…"

"Enough." Wen Caishang said, "You are someone I've nurtured, and I know your nature."

Wen Caishang slowly approached, saying, "You're young and should have the desire to strive upward. Why would I blame you? We've been sailing for days with many prying eyes between the boats. Now that it's peaceful and the water is calm, the rare river view is quite nice; you should come and massage my feet."

Li Xian skillfully removed her shoes, placing her fair feet on his knees. Wen Caishang said, "Lift my skirt a bit."

The implication was that you should have the ambition to rise higher. I need to see your spirit and demeanor; only then will I appreciate and favor you. But you must still remain under my skirt, lifting it, to be obedient and at ease.

The hem of the skirt was lifted, revealing her fair ankles. A red string was tied to her left ankle, adding a touch of brilliance. After days of arduous travel along the river, the lady had also built up a light sweat, a faint scent could be detected.

Wen Caishang felt greatly comforted, sensing the touch on her feet, an immediate calmness enveloped her heart. Her fingers lightly pressed the red mole on Li Xian's brow, thinking, "What belongs to me in my hand, there's no reason for it to be lost."

"No matter how gifted you are, what difference does it make?"

She slightly raised her foot, her toes nudging against Li Xian's throat, gently turning and prodding.

The python submerged into the river. Knowing its words had been a misstep, its original intent was to praise Wen Caishang's exceptional prowess. Reflecting now, Wen Caishang prized benefits above all, so why would she help others ascend without reason? With that energy, wouldn't it be better for her to climb even higher?

...

...

The nine-thousand-mile river gradually widened.

Along the way, several dangers and obstacles were encountered, but all were resolved through Wen Caishang's wisdom.

The river journey was nearing its end.

At the forty-three-thousand-mile mark.

Suddenly, a strange sound was heard, and on both banks of the river, someone laughed loudly: "Distant friends, if you can break my tune, then this wide river is free for you to traverse."

After speaking, an ethereal jade flute began to play.

The flute music was gentle and soothing, mesmerizing the mind. Upon the third note, the eyelids grew heavy, and a strong drowsiness overtook. After the next three notes, the breathing lightened, as if already asleep.

After a few more notes, the heartbeat gradually stopped, and blood ceased flowing. At this point, the flute music suddenly became piercing, jolting the listener into alertness, filling them with rage.

But by then, it was too late; the body was no longer under one's control. Blood ceased to flow, and the heart failed to beat. Only a lingering mind remained to be tormented by the demonic sound.

In immense terror, one suffocates to death in despair. Such a cruel way to die, not a drop of blood is seen, yet one would prefer to have their head severed.

Wen Caishang said, "So, it's an expert from Niaoyue Mountain, hiding without daring to show themselves, trying to kill me with sound. Very well… to not return the courtesy would be impolite. Everyone, listen."

She pinched her fingers into peculiar shapes, blowing a whistle through her mouth. As the whistle sounded, the flute music immediately stopped. Wen Caishang snorted coldly, and her hand gestures changed, blowing the whistle again.

The whistle was sharp, resounding again. Water splashed densely on the river's surface, and the mountains and stones on the riverbanks trembled violently.

"Stop! Stop… We admit defeat, spare us, spare us!" came the cries from both banks.

Wen Caishang said, "Since Cai Shang has already played, why not indulge fully? Just listen." Her hand gestures changed rapidly, intricately forming complex patterns. Her red lips blew again.

This time, the whistle was incredibly dull, causing the mountains to tremble slightly. In the far distance, a giant boulder was dislodged from a high mountain. Rolling down, it crashed into the river.

"Scoundrels." Wen Caishang said indifferently.

No more sound, the riverboat sailed past.

The ones who had been hiding in the dark, playing the flute, were bleeding from all five orifices, their eye sockets shattered, dying horribly on the spot. Their bodies lay sprawled along the riverbank.

Li Xian marveled, "Such formidable martial arts! Such terrifying methods… I have yet to understand the lady's depths. Though I rely on Heaven rewarding diligence, without extraordinary encounters, surpassing the lady might take a very long time."

"But there's no rush, as long as the steps are steady. Progress little by little will do; surpassing the lady... that is my first goal!"

Li Xian's cultivation was still shallow, unaware of the subtleties. Otherwise, he would be even more astonished. Wen Caishang's mastery of music was good, yet the three whistle sounds just now were not musical martial arts but fist techniques!

She had delved into many formidable martial arts, integrating them seamlessly, her martial philosophy was extraordinarily brilliant. What she just executed was the "Five Elements Long Fist." Yet, it was performed with whistle sounds, releasing powerful inner qi.

These flute-playing assassins all died with their internal organs destroyed. They died from fist techniques, but bore no fist injuries.

The python was old in age, but did not know.

Continuing forward.

At forty-five thousand miles.

The Benhua River flowed into Yu Nan Dao, Qiongshan Prefecture, passing through a rarely traveled forest.

Tall trees lined both banks, venomous snakes lay coiled on the branches. Wen Caishang requested meat from the kitchen and tossed it into the river. Numerous piranhas swarmed to feed.

During a moment of leisure.

Suddenly they saw ahead…

An old man with one arm sat cross-legged on bamboo, bending it over, right in the center of the riverway.

This person had a protruding mouth with no cheeks, a hairy face, resembling a monkey or ape.

"I am an ascetic monk practicing in seclusion in Yu Nan Dao, with the Dharma name Ape Monk. As the dragon enters the sea, the wind stirs waves, bringing floods and misery to the people's livelihoods. Therefore, I am here to stop you, my benefactor, and ask you to return."

The Ape Monk spoke calmly, with a deep sense of Zen in his aura.

Li Xian thought, "He says it nicely, but it's all for his own benefit." Knowing he was a foe, not a friend, there was no need for courtesy, he deliberately mocked, curiously asking, "Old senior, are you a real monkey or a fake monkey?"

The Ape Monk responded calmly, "All beings stand equals, whether one is human, monkey, or ape, what does it matter? Whether I am human or monkey, it is up to you to say."

Li Xian said, "Senior is frank, I admire it. But I have one request, I hope you will agree."

"If it is for me to give way, there's no need for further words," said the Ape Monk.

Li Xian replied, "How could I speak of such mundane matters."

"Oh?" said the Ape Monk, "Then let me hear it."

Li Xian said, "I would like to request the senior to turn around and take off your pants. I want to see if your backside is red."

Wen Caishang chuckled, the python laughed and rolled, saying, "This kid is truly funny."

"Old monkey, didn't you hear? Let us have a look at your backside."

The Ape Monk stood up angrily, cursing, "Young brat, how dare you insult me!" Li Xian replied, "It seems senior is a monkey, not a human, your backside must be red. I know now, no need to take off your pants."

The Ape Monk, enraged, shouted, "You whelp, prepare to die!"

Leaped from the bamboo, attacking actively.

Li Xian took half a step back, standing behind the lady. Wen Caishang waved her palm to strike, the wave of energy pushed the Ape Monk back dozens of yards.

Li Xian said, "It seems senior couldn't see through appearances, such a pity, such a pity. For all the lives in the world, it's not the turn for a monkey to worry."

The Ape Monk was filled with unspeakable rage. His form being the Rebirth Appearance [Zen Monkey Appearance], a rare auspicious appearance in the Buddhist family, greatly benefiting his meditation. After years of chanting, he believed he had transcended all forms, his Buddhist heart was clear.

Yet deep in his heart, he truly loathed this appearance. Usually, with mighty strength and high virtuous position, he was revered and did not notice.

Today, subjected to such an insult, he wanted to refute but was at a loss for words. Moreover, though Li Xian's words were harsh, they held some sincerity.

"Hmm?"

The Ape Monk was stunned, suddenly felt his inner qi chaotic.

Li Xian laughed, "Old ape senior, you have cultivated Buddhism for decades, yet can't even discern if you're human or monkey. Truly pitiable, truly pitiable."

"The phrase 'dressing a monkey in noble attire' is truly tailored for you, senior."

The Ape Monk was extremely furious, feeling his inner qi chaotic, his mind wavered, already having no time to consider dragon-slaying.

Suddenly, with a long howl, he flew away and departed.

Wen Caishang covered her mouth with laughter, finding Li Xian increasingly interesting. This Ape Monk was an extremely formidable martial artist within Yu Nan Dao.

Yet was dispelled with just a few words.

The python swam silently beneath the river, thinking, "These two are quite a match. Wen Caishang is knowledgeable and formidable in martial arts. This kid is sharp-tongued and wise. Without him on this journey, it would have been really troublesome."

Forty-eight thousand miles.

Ninety-nine percent of the journey was covered.

Today, the river path was without wind or waves.

An iron ship stood across, its hull pitch black, with a black flag erect. The flagpole was golden, intricately carved, with the flag bearing dragon patterns.

Wen Caishang frowned, said in a low voice, "Black Dragon Sect?"

At the ship's bow, a middle-aged man stood proudly, his robes flowing, said blandly, "Never thought the dragon would travel the waters, yet still ended up here."

At the bow of the ship stood a middle-aged man.

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