Chapter 1012

Blue Lake is the only major lake in the upper reaches of the Huaijiang, which we call Blue Lake, while the people of the Snow Mountain Realm and Northern Court call it Qiongji Jiaocuo, meaning the Dharma Sound of the Ice Sea, capable of enlightening people amidst the tidal sounds.

Unlike the deep and vast Huaijiang Marsh, Blue Lake runs narrow and long; if one must compare, it resembles Weishanhu on the Grand Canal, with its north-south length being seven times or more its east-west width.

The southern shore is smooth, while the northern shore is broken and fragmented with hills, dotted with many islands and landmasses, a small portion of which lies within the Northern Court's territory.

I don't know if it's due to the cold weather, but I've observed that, for the same volume, the number of demonic beasts in Blue Lake is about thirty percent less than in the middle and lower reaches—well, thank you.

A gentle breeze came.

Three boats sailed side by side.

Silver-badge Red Cavalry Hu Lixin slid his oar, Ling Xuan stood on the bow chatting idly with Liang Qu, and casually took the dried fish from Mao Zhaozi's hand and ate it!

The boat sank slightly.

The otter otter held an oil-paper bag, continuing to leap back and forth between the boats, distributing them one by one.

This is a brand-new idea beyond grilled fish, stewed fish, sweet and sour fish, spicy fried fish chunks, and so on—the Otter Clan's specialty flavor dried fish!

The Han Tai is too dry, the wind splitting the otters' fur.

Otter Kai suddenly had a brainwave upon seeing herders slap cow dung on walls to dry naturally into fuel, realizing this place is ideal for making dried fish—no need for heavy salting, it won't spoil easily, and wind-drying is extremely fast, avoiding tough, chewy texture.

After her relentless efforts and secret research, she successfully developed this snack to bring people closer together; today marks its first use.

Crack-crack.

Liang Qu had half a small fish in his mouth.

Three boats, sixteen people plus one otter, minus the original four of Ling Xuan, Liang Qu, Long Eying, and Huai Kong.

Also present are Jian Zhongyi, Entering Zhen Xiang Liu Jingxuan, and Entering Zhen Xiang Chi Erlan—three masters.

The rest are mostly Langyan and individual Hunting Tiger Realm cultivators.

These people couldn't be dismissed—they joined the plan because they are highly loyal and each possesses a unique skill, such as disguise, beast taming, herbalism, local customs, or Buddhist studies, greatly enhancing the team's functionality.

They are not here to clash head-on.

Compared to many small states, the Great Snow Mountain is a colossus; a few Entering Zhen Xiang cultivators cannot sway the overall situation, as long as they have self-preservation ability under certain conditions, that is sufficient.

If it weren't for guarding Jian Zhongyi, the team's Entering Zhen Xiang experts could even be reduced further to avoid appearing too threatening and alerting the Great Snow Mountain.

First meeting.

Everyone had little to say, just exchanged pleasantries, blew rainbows at each other, a few words, then boarded the boat for the destination.

During which, Jian Zhongyi simply asked him about conditions in Pingyang Prefecture, nothing else.

Their surface-level interaction was not extensive, but Jian Zhongyi cutting his hair short came as a surprise.

Body, hair, and skin are received from parents; one dare not damage them—this is the beginning of filial piety.

This saying does not mean one cannot cut hair or nails; it merely says the body is precious and must be treated well, not recklessly. Otherwise, everyone on the street would be disheveled, and Eying often helps him shave his beard and trim his sideburns, but only to that extent.

For an ordinary person to cut their hair short, unless under special circumstances, it is nearly seen as aberrant, even going back further as a form of punishment.

"Not easy, huh."

Liang Qu's original plan was to figure out the form of the hidden markers, see if there was an alternative, then sneak quietly and eliminate Jian Zhongyi—though the first step remains unclear, I can dissolve the ritual, but for now I cannot "disguise"; the effort they've put in is immense, and forgery is no simple task.

The second step also presents difficulties.

According to Ling Xuan, they must at all times ensure two Entering Zhen Xiang cultivators are beside Jian Zhongyi; strictly speaking, Jian Zhongyi is currently under "suspended sentence," not truly free, and those around him have the duty to supervise, leaving no gap whatsoever.

Taking him out and killing him again would be too abstract.

Taking him out to kill would leave no room for explanation later; if others accuse him, they could ignore the truth and directly pin the blame.

Although the truth is correct.

"Ka ka ka ka."

Ling Xuan chewed the dried fish: "This hidden marker is for a living being, named 'Snow Mountain Lu King,' recorded in the Lotus Sect's 'Ten Thousand Dragon Scripture' as having a long lifespan, governing the Blue Lake's water circulation, with defense unmatched by anyone."

"Snow Mountain Lu King—what a grand name."

"The name is grand because it has lived long enough; folk tales passed down through generations have slowly fermented it. In reality, it is merely a second-realm Ice Crystal Law Snail, with astonishingly high defense, capable of sleeping for months or even half a year in one go, more active in summer, said to be several thousand years old, hence leaving behind many myths and legends, recorded in classics."

Liang Qu suddenly understood.

Old Disciple Relative.

Back then, Old Disciple's hardness left a deep impression, making people wonder whether the snail shell or the Fubo Spear was harder.

Ling Xuan glanced sideways at Long Eying: "Though not intentionally inquiring, but the matter has caused quite a stir, I heard the Bai family compensated your lady with a Pearl of Profound Ice?"

"Well, for now I don't know how to use it—whether to refine it directly or forge it into a weapon."

In the Moon Spring Water incident, Bai Mingzhe cooperated, and the Bai family used retreat as advance, deliberately doing propaganda.

The Pearl of Profound Ice sent over is extremely precious, equivalent to a Great Medicine, with many uses: it can be taken as a Great Medicine to enhance divine abilities, especially ice-affiliated ones, or used to forge spiritual weapons.

First-realm Entering Zhen Xiang Chi Erlan interjected: "If Lord Liang is hesitant, in my view, it's fine to directly refine it; if you wish to forge ice-affiliated spiritual weapons, this Snow Mountain Lu King is excellent material.

The Ice Crystal Law Snail itself is an ice-affiliated demon beast; its breath can freeze a radius of ten or more li, akin to a natural disaster; its shell and pearl, when removed, are superb materials for spiritual weapons, even as auxiliary components for profound weapons."

Liang Qu seemed lost in thought.

The Great Snow Mountain is bitterly cold, and various precious plants have adapted to the environment, growing together; indeed, the heavenly treasures and earthly riches suitable for Eying are more abundant here than in the Huaijiang region.

But he also didn't dwell on it, thinking he'd deal with things when they came to hand.

Not having accomplished the task, first researching how to use the gains is not a good habit.

"I still have one thing unclear."

"Please ask, Lord Liang."

"You've always said the Snow Mountain Lu King is a hidden marker—what exactly is its mechanism of action? How should it be handled after killing it? If the Lu King dies, can we still fake its continued existence?"

Ling Xuan and Liu Jingxuan exchanged a glance.

Then Ling Xuan explained.

"The Great Snow Mountain's hidden markers are currently divided into three types: natural disasters, human calamities, and uprisings."

"The Snow Mountain Lu King belongs to the first type; to a certain extent, it can alter the surrounding environment and trigger natural disasters, such as heavy rain or frost,

Bringing catastrophic disaster — the Wind Horse Banner Array we cracked last time was one of them, capable of summoning gales and drought; a flesh-and-blood body entering it would be licked to white bones by sand and gravel, and in the end even the white bones would turn to dust.

The Riot is similar to the Ice Tower Forest altar; once activated, anyone who comes within ten li whose cultivation is insufficient will turn into a blood fiend that recognizes no kin and attacks wildly, and once enough baleful qi accumulates, a blood pool will form, making its power even more terrifying.

Of course, the above is only our speculation; currently all the dark stakes are in a dormant state, not yet activated.

"What about man-made calamities?"

"Man-made calamities — Lord Liang has actually encountered one before."

Encountered one?

Liang Qu frowned in thought.

After a long while.

"The Huazhu County dike breach in Pingyang Prefecture?"

"Exactly!"

Jian Zhongyi lowered his head in shame.

Ling Xuan had no extra expression: "The Huazhu County dike breach was essentially a small dark stake; the Shahe Gang's Third Chief lost his illegitimate son, even if he was an only son, things should not have developed like this — from start to finish, 'power' was influencing it, so it counts as a man-made calamity dark stake.

This 'power' is profoundly mysterious; reality leaves no trace or clue; the Embroidered Uniform Guards at the time had no ability to investigate any clues; I've read the case files — if one didn't know the characteristics of calamity qi, one probably wouldn't have any leads either.

It seems this matter was raised by Lord Liang's master? Requesting the imperial court to dispatch Gold-Medal Embroidered Uniform Guards to investigate?"

"Ah, haha." Liang Qu touched the back of his head, laughing it off.

At that time the old monk reminded him, and he immediately told his master Yang Dongxiong, letting Yang Dongxiong report it to the imperial court; alas, nothing was investigated afterward, and as time dragged on it was left unresolved.

Until Jian Zhongyi "self-detonated," this doubt was only then truly brought to light.

This Ling Xuan isn't a decent person either, pointing it out in front of Jian Zhongyi — how awkward.

"Turns out I had contact with it early on." Liang Qu thought to himself.

"As for the Lu King, it actually isn't the dark stake itself, but the object influenced by the dark stake." Ling Xuan looked at Jian Zhongyi.

Jian Zhongyi spoke: "The Great Snow Mountain arranged multiple similar methods inside Blue Lake, not deliberately targeting any particular great demon; the Lu King's nature is such that it is born disliking movement, so the influence ran deep — it can be regarded as 'beyond cure'; once the dark stake activates, it will surely go mad; whether the Great Snow Mountain knows the Lu King is like this is still unknown."

"I see."

This dark stake's own function is to influence; who it can influence, the Great Snow Mountain isn't certain either.

"Life and death are impermanent; the living stake belongs to the type with relatively larger variables; after deep consideration, and having consulted the imperial court beforehand,

comprehensive assessment concluded that we can act."

Blue Lake split in half.

The Snow Mountain Lu King happened to be on the Great Shun side.

Ling Xuan and the others openly provided much guidance, ensuring that even if the Great Snow Mountain knew the great demon was influenced, they would have enough clues to support the rationality of moving in to harvest materials.

No one does things with absolute certainty.

Great Snow Mountain, Great Shun — both sides are probing and suspecting each other within a certain range.

Three years' time; the dark stakes that were easy to pull out without arousing suspicion they pulled out early; the ones left are all this kind dancing in semi-sensitive zones.

Just right that Liang Qu came — professional match — hand this ever-lingering water-beast great demon over to him.

"We've arrived." Hu Lixin stowed the oars. "Another ten li ahead is the spot; easy to be discovered if we go further."

"Fine." Liang Qu drew Fubo, twirled a spear flower. "The merit for disposing of the dark stake you take; once it's done, the spiral shell and spiral pearl I take; if there's any problem, you bear the responsibility."

"Good." Liu Jingxuan nodded in agreement. "Lord Liang, please proceed as you see fit; do you need us to help?"

"Not needed for now."

Words barely fell.

Liang Qu leapt off the bow.

Ling Xuan asked curiously: "Lady not coming along?"

He originally thought Long Eying had come along to act together with Liang Qu.

"Not necessary."

Bubbles murmured softly.

Eighth month.

Warmth welled up from the shallow waters of Blue Lake; after descending a few meters it was freezing cold again.

"Another day of fishing."

Liang Qu scratched the spear shaft; white currents vast and boundless.

At the same time.

Hantai Prefecture.

A pure-white sea Hai Dong Qing with golden-red pupils circled the sky; wherever it passed, wild geese and sparrows fled in panic.

Above the Huaijiang.

An even greater commotion kept fermenting.

On the tower-ship deck, a fighting hand climbed the mast, took out a "Thousand-Mile Eye" and extended it.

"Whoa whoa whoa, what the hell is that?"

"An island?"

"Scram, I've sailed this route a hundred times, never seen an island! And the damn thing is still moving!"

"I know, it's the Whale Emperor!" someone shouted. "Didn't they say the East Sea Whale Emperor would go west? Something this big has to be the Whale Emperor! The imperial court issued a notice last month! Telling people along the way not to panic."

"You're well-informed, but that's supposed to be next year or the year after, and the Whale Emperor going west — this is clearly going east, it's an island!"

"How would an island float on the water surface?"

On the island.

A round-headed figure waved red and green signal flags, warning approaching ships to keep clear.

Considering its size, the signal flag is the same as the big one.

Long Binglin escorted the ice spring, just the moonstone mine alone was over a thousand meters long, and with the bumps along the way, the ordinary rock used for consumption and the ice blocks made by Long Eying providing buoyancy, the total length almost doubled, reaching a terrifying two thousand!

Two thousand!

An ordinary person standing at the "bow" position would hardly see the "stern".

Long Binglin was used to people's astonishment and merchant ships making way.

After leaving the Seven Guards of Guanzhong, the entire Huaijiang was smooth sailing, with no more gorges or waterfalls, a true golden waterway, and also the territory where Dashun had enough influence, merchant ships came and went, prosperous without end, livelier than on Blue Lake.

"So impressive!"

Bai Yu frog stood at the bow, ripples spreading across its belly.

Too bad.

The fat kid Heiwa wasn't there.

I heard he left the Seven Guards of Guanzhong and wasn't keen on showing his face.

"Big brother!" Long Yanrui turned back, "There's a boat approaching below, saying they're officials from the Prefect and Heposuo, coming to ask about our situation."

"Let them come up."

Long Binglin took out his waist tablet, the manuscript in his belly recited fluently.

Along the way, whenever arriving at a new place, it would surely alarm the local Prefect and Department Magistrate, who would come rushing in panic to inquire, fearing some accident might occur under their jurisdiction.

Moment.

"It's fine, it's fine!" the Heposuo officer jumped off the small boat, informing merchants from all directions, "These are the spoils of war brought back by Marquis Xingyi from the Daxibei! A mineral vein!"

Oh.

So it's the spoils of war brought back by Marquis Xingyi, a mineral vein.

Everyone suddenly understood.

Marquis Xingyi, who once dominated the world with his meat, merchants traveling south and north, more or less felt familiar with various heroes, not to the point of being an ignorant country bumpkin.

Shortly after.

"Huh?"

The island moved forward mightily, pressing down on the Huaijiang, wherever it passed, fish scattered in panic.

"Strange, add tan jie e!"

In the depths of Blue Lake, dark and sunless.

Mountain-like great snail lurking in the shadows, its shell covered in waterweed, fish swimming through it, surpassing even the former Elemental General's Longevity Mountain and algae forest.

Wearing the 【Vortex God Armor】, Lu Wang did not notice Liang Qu's trace.

Liang Qu didn't know how to respond for a moment.

This snail's divine ability, don't even think about it, surely has specialized defense,

After breaking through the second realm, his qi sea surged to two hundred times, and after continued cultivation, half a year later it increased to about two hundred twenty times.

If all poured into 【Slay Flood Dragon】, could it directly drown this great snail?

Divine abilities often have extraordinary aspects, must not be careless.

Hum.

The Ze Ding trembled.

【156】【Spanning the Great River, Shining Like the Sun】

【157】【River Control Degree: 0.2】

Spanning Liang Dajiang, shining bright as the sun

River Governance Degree: 0.2