Chapter 1219: Three Position Fruits, Hope for Transformation

Thirteen fiefs: Yixing County in Southern Zhili serves as the dragon head of the rivers, commanding the whole of Huaijiang; Yunyang, Longtan, and Shishou counties in Xin'an Province come next, forming the backbone; Anlan, Pingjing, and Shuangqiao in Yunzhong Province follow, Qingjiangpu, Yuntiguan, Juhuyun...

June 18, arriving at the fifth county under his command.

Yunzhong Province, Anlan!

【River Rule Degree: 1.3 (River Favor Degree: 97.9414)】

【Possessing the spirit of all things between heaven and earth! Extremely favored by Jiang and Huai, roaming in water, physical exertion greatly reduced, divine ability consumption greatly reduced, water damage greatly reduced, water recovery greatly increased.】

"Huu."

Liang Qu exhaled a long breath, merging into the vast river wind.

Banners fluttered.

Scorching heat waves surged, squeezing into the ancient trees of ten million pores, the sound hollow and deep.

The Thousand-Aperture Profound Wood statue stood like a giant rooted in the earth, its whole body dark black; its chest rose and fall, emitting a muffled breath in the night, a low murmur blowing past everyone's ears, telling vague prophecies.

Looking back.

Heads crowded together, houses stood in orderly rows.

Roads paved with bluestone slabs wound on, with no end in sight, no people to the east or west, like a green snake, like a long dragon; torches blazed on both sides, clustered every three zhang, orderly and bright, illuminating faces.

The Anlan sacrifice takes place in the dead of night, not at the zi-wu hours.

Though not as lively as in Yixing County, it is more prosperous and popular than in Longtan and Shishou.

The reason is none other than greater investment.

Late October, late January, late April, and the overdrawn late July — four Longevity Seals in total, combined with the Marsh Country's use of water beast divine abilities for double efficiency, "Cannot Move" created four million taels of wealth, all invested and implemented into the ports of the Huai King's fiefs.

This matter was spearheaded by the Xu family, using a recommendation system for purchases.

To indirectly save transport costs, it was naturally centered on Huangzhou in Xin'an Province, selecting nearby familiar families, and prioritizing construction on the fifth central hub Anlan and the sixth Pingjing.

And starting from the dragon head Yixing County taking off, as expected, the gathering of crowds rapidly decreased afterward; despite the Dream Entry Competition and the Phoenix Immortal Fish acting as a diversion pipe guiding the trend, it still reached an almost one-place-one-halving degree.

Without Yixing villagers as ballast, and with many newcomers converging, unaffected by local customs, the solemn atmosphere of the River God Festival was likewise greatly weakened.

Now arriving at Anlan, the decline has finally been reversed.

Enough!

White mist wandered, the White Jade tower ship sailed on the rippling river surface, thin mist hazy, pavilions and towers floating.

The three sacrificial beasts loomed indistinctly in the mist, "struggling" and roaring, whales leaping up then plunging down submerged, illuminated by firelight, half orange half yellow; despite obstructed vision, the great yaos' momentum remained fully visible, no matter how many times the sacrifice was performed, it still gave people endless shock.

On the wharf, there was no high platform, no drumming to boost morale.

Only the myriad people folding paper boats, accompanying left and right, a stretch of orange color spreading toward the darkness, shining brilliantly as they followed the current.

Thirteen River God Festivals must never be monotonous, merely causing tourists aesthetic fatigue.

Fortunately, local sacrificial customs of each family differ greatly, providing enough stored "forms" to choose from; Liang Qu called on the Dragon People, Heposuo colleagues, relatives and friends to each vote, electing the thirteen most distinctive and attractive sacrificial forms from the various activities; the former Pingyang Huazhu County's "Sending the King Ship" was prominently among them.

This sacrificial plan fell precisely to the current Anlan.

Liang Qu did not obstruct the local villagers' original sacrifice; the two did not conflict, only needing to avoid taboos when sending the king ship, making it a grand parade activity, and the local commoners naturally had no objection.

The king ship procession started from the end of Bluestone Street, mostly able-bodied men from Yixing County, passing by every household, leading villagers out, along with tourists, converging toward the great ship ahead like trickling streams entering the sea, together forming a massive procession of hundreds of thousands.

The sense of participation and sacrificial atmosphere of sending the king ship were even more fervent than Yixing's pure shock.

The procession was chaotic yet orderly; drums and music sounded at the front, dragon and lion troupes followed; behind them the king ship and various small boats, carried forward by Fat Fish and several large frogs, majestic and imposing.

Elderly villagers held thin incense, devoutly following behind.

Every household placed offerings at their doorsteps.

"It's Benbo'erba!" A child pointed at the leading Fat Fish.

Fat Fish stood at the ship's bow, seriously and solemnly swaying its long whiskers, rocking left and right.

Benbo'erba has a white back and black belly; it has a black back and white belly, so it's Babo'erben!

"Babo'erben?" The kid scratched his head.

Tides struck the shore.

The little Shenlong (mirage dragon) puffed its cheeks, spat out a small White Jade boat; Liang Qu sat in the small boat, alone, rocking unsteadily, leaning toward the king ship; under the gaze of the myriad people, he raised his arm and threw in a torch.

Brief silence, as if brewing; gradually, thick smoke rose from the ship, a tongue of flame leaped up, accompanied by flying sparks.

"Boom!"

Flames licked, surging skyward!

The White Jade tower ship burst into a cluster of crystalline orange light, illuminating the river center, reflecting on both banks.

Layers of waves separated into layers of orange light, echoing with the starlight of the night sky.

"Fall! Fall! Fall!"

"Auspicious! Auspicious! Auspicious!"

The myriad people's cheers rang out as one sound, clearly audible.

Rong Hanwen, an elderly villager who had rushed from Huazhu County a thousand li away, stared fixedly.

The king ship's mast: falling into the water means an inauspicious year, falling toward the people means an auspicious year.

Auspicious or inauspicious.

Countless people craned their necks in anticipation, hearts tense.

Inside the king ship, the tall mast swayed, tugging heartstrings, ultimately not disappointing expectations.

"Crack!"

The mast snapped, smashed into the water surface, pointing straight at the land; high temperature contacted river water, sizzling and exploding.

"Roar!!!"

"Auspicious! It's auspicious! This year is auspicious, thanks to Heaven, thanks to the Huai King!"

"Huu——"

Rong Hanwen's hand gripping the cane loosened, the bulging blue veins slowly smoothing out.

Countless ashes carried sparks spiraling into the sky; the dim lights of the Thousand-Aperture Tongxuan Wood reignited, the thrill of a successful gamble surged in the visitors' hearts, and cheers on the shore rose like a tidal roar.

The instant the mast fell.

The Ze Ding trembled.

【Sacrificing to Huaijiang, River Favor +4.4412】

【River Dominance: 1.3 (River Favor: (100 (102.3826)))】

Liang Qu, who was constantly monitoring the Ze Ding's movements, froze for a moment.

Favor actually rose against the trend!

A bit higher than the previous Shishou.

The King Boat sending-off effect is this good?

"Could it be that the saying about good luck and bad luck, or the rituals accompanying the King Boat all the way, increased the immersion of outside visitors, thereby enhancing their piety?"

The increase in Favor was surprising; Liang Qu had no time to ponder the key mechanism before—

【Blessed by Heaven and Earth, Spirit of All Things! Receiving Extreme Huaijiang Favor! Heavenly Gods Protect, Earth Spirits Welcome, Wandering in Water, Gathering Spirit and Qi, Secretly Avoiding Calamity.

Physical Expenditure Massively Reduced, Divine Ability Expenditure Greatly Reduced, Waterborne Injury Massively Reduced, Waterborne Recovery Greatly Enhanced.】

Compared to ninety percent Favor, "Heavenly Gods Protect, Earth Spirits Welcome, Wandering in Water, Gathering Spirit and Qi, Secretly Avoiding Calamity" added two descriptions; an infinite sense of intimacy arose between Liang Qu's body and Huaijiang, like a mother's call — even without the Water Rhyme talent's blessing now, he suspected he could still breathe freely in water.

Water bubbles murmured.

【Water Marsh Essence +3】

"Freely absorbable Water Marsh Essence has increased; previously one point per time, should be three times or more; this way, in a month combined with Vast Sea Blue Gold and Old Bei, can naturally harvest tens of thousands of essence?"

Worried that perfect Favor might produce unexpected changes, causing too much commotion, Liang Qu did not return to shore, but instead, at the same time as throwing the torch, had already followed the sinking Bai Yu tower ship to the bottom, sitting cross-legged, perfectly suited for essence collection.

At this moment rapidly calculating, he couldn't help but feel happy.

Water Marsh Essence was tight; this way, it equaled his usual salary multiplied several times over.

This isn't over yet!

Favor reached one hundred for the first time; without a doubt, it triggered another Ze Ding change.

"Huala huala."

Inside the Ze Ding, Water Marsh Essence burst forth with endless tidal sounds, vigorous vitality steaming out.

His mind sank down.

Still shadows sinking jade, floating light leaping gold; on the tripod walls, strands of flowing light flickered, converging with each other, finally encircling the center of the Ze Ding in a ring, turning into a long river of flowing light.

In the Sea of Consciousness, the Ze Ding flashed with brilliance in succession.

Information continuously poured into his mind, almost overwhelming his sight.

Liang Qu couldn't help but anticipate.

Perfect Favor — would there be an unexpected surprise?

【Water King Ape innate divine species, Heaven and Earth concentrate spirit, receiving Extreme Huaijiang Favor, nurturing life, hundred-number perfection is already the limit of Heaven and Earth Favor, cannot be increased.】

【Zen Heart Brightly Illuminates Thousand River Moons, True Nature Contains Ten Thousand Mile Sky. Water Ape Great Sage once more settles heart-nature, can temporarily break through perfection upper limit, yet does not change Heaven and Earth, beyond hundred-number, remainder may drift and wear away with time.】

【Water Ape Great Sage perfection, can consume one hundred Favor, promote to one point Dominance.】

"Because the Water King Ape transforms into Water Ape Great Sage, after Favor reaches perfection it can be temporarily stored, and even convert into Dominance?"

Liang Qu's pupils dilated.

Awesome!

Favor turns into Dominance!

The anticipated surprise perfectly satisfied!

He was just worrying that Dominance was too hard to obtain, and in the blink of an eye another one actually appeared!

Now thirteen ports are thriving, siphoning visitors from all under heaven, their distribution positions even and uniform, like long nails piercing through; every year holding a cultural sacrifice to attract visitors to spend — wouldn't that be...

【Swallowing Boat Surging Sea Bottom, High Waves Driving Penglai. Immortals Parting Clouds Emerge, Only See Gold and Silver Platforms.】

Free-roaming reverie forcibly interrupted.

A whole segment of brilliance filled Liang Qu's entire field of vision.

【Position Fruit triggered.】

【Things at extreme must reverse, matters at extreme must change, Calamity Monkey as guide, transform disaster into priority.】

【Strange Beast Travels Flood, Sound Like Chanting Sigh, Flood Disaster Rampant】

【Chang You Fruit】

【Authority: Flood Sha】

【Attribute: Calamity】

【Calamity becomes prolonged rain, rivers and streams overflow, Chang You moves Three Rivers boil and surge.】

【Obtain Ritual: Consume ten points Dominance, can hook Chang You Fruit.】

【Refine Ritual: Swallow River, Spit River】

【Advance Ritual: Lock Waves Pacify Cang Ming, Suppress Sea Calm Flood Waves, Subdue Water Calamity, Return Store Flood Sha, To Pacify Four Directions, can promote to Governance Attribute Position Fruit — Wu Fruit】

【Realm Ritual: Chang You Fruit, He Yu Fruit, Hua She Fruit, Luo Fruit, gather four calamities, Water Monarch as King, can summon the Bright Hong Realm.】

Light flickering non-stop, Liang Qu stared with straight eyebrows and stiff eyes.

He had not yet seen clearly, when the brilliance was pushed down by new light.

【Things at extreme must reverse, matters at extreme must change, Great Sage as guide, transform governance into priority.】

【Bo Yun, Spreading Rain Bestowing Grace, Seen Then All Under Heaven Water Peaceful】

【Wu Fruit】

【Authority: Water Governance】

【Category: Governance】

【Virtue is moistening grace; a hundred rivers return to the flow; the Water Earl emerges from the Four Seas in peace.】

【Acquisition Rite: Expend fifty points of Governance Degree, may connect to the Wu Fruit.】

【Refinement Rite: Patrol rivers and cross seas; calm waves and still billows.】

【Advancement Rite: Eight heads chant the Canghai Mantra, eight feet tread the Reverse Flow Pass, dredge water channels, harmonize yin and yang, to control flood and drought; may advance to the Imperial Category Position Fruit Yu Jun.】

【Realm Rite: Wu Fruit, Qingnu Fruit, Juling Fruit — the three Governances gather together, jointly pay homage to the Water Lord; may guide the manifestation of the Bright Cangming Realm.】

Old light is not old.

New light is not new.

One wave has not subsided, another rises again.

【When things reach the extreme they must reverse; when matters reach the extreme they must change; Governance is the guide, changing to Imperial comes first.】

【The Huai waters surge vast; a god guards them; where banners point, ten thousand spirits follow in awe.】

【Huai Jun】

【Authority: Du Yu (Governance of Waters)】

【Category: Yu (Imperial/Govern)】

【Virtue lies in nurturing; all things flourish in peace; when Huai Jun arrives, tribute and taxes flow freely.】

【Refinement Rite: Suppress the Huai.】

His brain was stunned in this moment by the "carpet-bombing" influx of information; Liang Qu stood dazed, unable to figure out the situation for a long while.

He browsed through all the information completely once more.

A thought moved in his mind.

【River Governance Degree: 1.3 (River Favor Degree: (100 (102.3826))】

Governance Degree and Favor Degree did not budge an inch.

"Egg method splitting hairs?"

Liang Qu frowned.

Favor converts to Governance at only one hundred to one; the egg method converts fifty to 0.5, twenty-five to 0.25; the surplus "2.3826," if not wanting to waste it, can only be transferred to others, keeping one hundred Favor for himself.

He pondered briefly.

Behind him the Water Ape Buddha Saint Illusory Porcelain emerged, roaring at heaven and earth; between his brows appeared an added share of kingly composure.

【River Governance Degree: 2.3 (River Favor Degree: 2.3826)】

Favor Degree plummeted to an unprecedented level, harvesting a "Buddha thigh" Governance Degree that Liang Qu's year of turmoil and half month of tossing about in Huangzhou had failed to reach.

The previous "endowed by heaven and earth, gathering spirit and absorbing qi of all things" turned into egg-have.

Salary had just multiplied several times, yet returned to its original position once more, even worse than the original position.

"Favor Degree turning into Governance Degree, even the most basic effect is gone—."

"Governance is being the boss; Favor is drawing a salary. Now I've chosen to strike out on my own and start a business, didn't succeed in becoming the boss, didn't get to enjoy the boss's authority, and lost my original wage income—

The only benefit is the once-a-year sacrifice, gaining Favor Degree equivalent to sub-Governance Degree?"

Liang Qu had a headache.

The Favor buff is undoubtedly an extremely powerful effect, especially after reaching full seventy, damage taken drops dramatically.

The Flood Dragon of old was like this too; fought for half a day with almost no notable injuries.

The cost of striking out on one's own.

Liang Qu took a deep breath, self-soothed and accepted it.

Wait until Governance Degree reaches seven or eight points; each year's Favor Degree will likewise be quite considerable, combined with his thirteen port fiefs spread across the Huai River.

A thought reached here, and Liang Qu couldn't help but once more praise the Sage Emperor's brilliance!

Having sorted things out and dealt with the surplus Favor Degree, Liang Qu rallied his spirits and looked toward the remaining three equally important Position Fruit entries, scanning them all.

Combined with conjecture, one point is not hard to understand.

"Pure Favor Perfection draws out Huai Jun; Favor Perfection plus Water Wang Yuan draws out Chang You; Perfection plus Water Ape Buddha Saint draws out Wu Fruit.

2

Favor Degree Perfection, naturally the next step is to walk water into a Lord.

The Ze Ding releasing Huai Jun Position Fruit information is not hard to understand.

The puzzling part is that the Huai Jun Position Fruit lacks 'Acquisition Rite,' 'Advancement Rite,' and 'Realm Rite.'

No 'Advancement Rite' or 'Realm Rite' is not hard to understand; Huai Jun is already a Position Fruit, nowhere higher to advance; 'Realm Rite' perhaps has too many choices — Water Lord as king, must see what objects match.

However, the Drought Demon of old likewise lacked 'Acquisition Rite'; combined with prior intelligence, Liang Qu half-guessed half-gambled, arriving at a 'fact' not so favorable to himself.

"The Drought Demon is already in hand, so there isn't one. Blood River Heavenly Fire Sect's Fei Taiyu and Wu Lingxu said Huai River has no Position Fruit — Huai Jun Position Fruit — consistent with Old Dragon Lord's words, still existing in the world, locked in one place; in whose hands exactly — forget it, no need to think further."

Liang Qu pinched his brow.

The Whale Emperor and the Buddha-Li Taizu are the most likely holders; in those two fellows' hands, there's temporarily no need to seriously ponder.

Knowing he can't get it, and even if he got it he couldn't hold it, would only become the target of several crucibles; he cares most about the first Position Fruit.

Chang You!

【Chang You Fruit】

【Acquisition Rite: Expend ten points of Governance Degree, may connect to Chang You Fruit.】

【Refinement Rite: Swallow River, Spit River.】

Before the East Sea Grand Hunt, there seems to be a chance to refine this Position Fruit, complete a combat power metamorphosis?