Chapter 1364

Tea mist swirled, the golden light of the relics drifting and scattering within the water vapor, ever-changing and unfathomable. Sunlight brushed the great door, slanting inside, warming Liang Qu's back.

The Buddhist treasures of the Xuankong Temple—eighty-one Dharma relics—had one taken in the past for the ritual, one given by the Xuankong Temple's sudden enlightenment, and today three more arrived—

Though the Dharma relics might yet be reborn, Liang Qu was no Buddhist, merely harboring some sentiment, and had actually used more than five of them. It is likely that from ancient times to the present, such a circumstance has never occurred.

An unnamed emotion rose like the tea mist on the table, steaming and elusive. Liang Qu had originally wished to share his cultivation joy with the old monk. If he accepted, he feared even sleeping with E Ying at night would bring shame, as if he had broken Buddhist precepts.

"Master—"

"Bang!"

"Ha!"

The otter and the scarred face grabbed each other's head fur, tangled into a ball, their hard skulls slamming into the high threshold, then scraping along it, tumbling bone-over-bone through the doorway, occasionally letting out hey-ya shouts.

The old monk smiled faintly, turning his prayer beads: "From ancient times to the present, opportunities to help others attain Entering Zhen Xiang are not few, and the successful are many;

Opportunities to help others attain Yao Long are few, and those who succeed are even rarer; I am fortunate to be listed among them;

As for helping others attain a Melting Furnace, I have perused all books, from ancient times to the present, never heard of it. I suppose if it truly exists, it can be counted on one's fingers."

Liang Qu lowered his head, gazing again at the three Buddhist relics, and indeed understood the old monk's meaning—the Dharma relics, combined with martial bones, were indeed pure yang and greatly beneficial. Having cultivated to this point, when had he ever been an affected person? He set aside his emotions and closed the wooden box.

"Master, this item is indeed useful to me. Please convey my thanks to Master Daxian and to the Patriarch Dharma. When I have leisure another day, I shall personally go to the Xuankong Temple to express my gratitude."

Having spoken, Liang Qu raised his knee, shifted backward, knelt upon the futon, straightened his upper body, and respectfully bowed his head.

"Thank you, Master!"

The old monk nodded: "Go, cultivate diligently, accumulate virtue and merit, be kind to all things. These past two or three years, I will often reside on Mount Pingyang, studying the *Weishi Lun*.

In strength, I am already no match for you, Prince of Huai; only in reading and studying things might I surpass you by a fraction. If you ever encounter any scriptures or techniques you do not understand, come as before to seek this old monk."

Liang Qu lifted his head, exchanging a smile with the old monk.

"Yes."

He lifted his tea cup, drained it in one gulp, refilled the old monk's cup, and Liang Qu stepped out through the great door.

"Wah yah yah!"

To the right of the great door, broken fur flew everywhere, squeaks and wails rang out in chaos.

Many small river otters came flying, swarming upon Otter Kai, then continually bursting forth, advancing in waves, fearless of death, sparing no effort, until they finally pressed Otter Kai beneath Otter Mountain, his speed drowned by the river otters, leaving only a claw stretched out, which was eventually covered by the river otters collapsing in a heap.

Scar Face firmly pressed down one foot, sighing that he had finally subdued the demon, not expecting a muffled groan from below—only hearing an angry roar, a powerful force surging upward.

"Hey ya!"

Otter Mountain bulged, and Scar Face hastily pressed down.

The small hill rose and fell, fell and rose, finally bursting open with a bang—otters overturned, horses thrown.

Otter Kai burst out, eyes blood-red, claws raised high, he panted roughly, gazing at the fallen Scar Face, bared his teeth in a feral grin, flexed his otter claws, and lunged fiercely.

Unexpectedly, as he lunged to the highest point, he was suddenly seized by the nape of the neck, suspended in midair. Otter Kai flung out his limbs, lunging in the void, discovering he could not grasp Scar Face no matter how he tried, enraged, he lifted his head—and saw it was Liang Qu, whereupon he instantly went limp.

Scar Face clutched his chest, rose, and bowed his hands toward Liang Qu.

After cracking a chestnut, leading Otter Kai away from Pingyang Temple, Liang Qu walked along the tree-shaded path, where visitors continually bowed in greeting, the midsummer sun blazing, heaven and earth letting it bleach slightly.

Wu Long early on hopped sideways at the mountain's base, shaking his ears as he followed beside.

"You're back."

"Mm."

Liang Qu set down Otter Kai, who drooped his head, listlessly heading for the pond.

"Having a meal?" Long Eying stroked Otter Kai's head.

"Eating." Liang Qu pondered, then added, "These few days I'm eating vegetarian, so you should also keep your distance—I fear the Xuankong Temple might misunderstand, and I intend to observe half-monastic practice for half a month."

Long Eying laughed: "What did the master seek you for? This already calls for half-monastic practice?"

"Ah—" Liang Qu sighed, drew out the treasure box, and laid them out in a row: "Dharma relics, three pieces."

Long Eying turned serious: "The master treats you thus—how could half a month suffice? Mourning requires three years, so three years it shall be. I will have Zhang Da Niang and Xiu Xiu prepare your vegetarian meals henceforth."

Liang Qu leaned back: "You really mean it?"

"You mean it falsely?" Long Eying smiled, took two light steps, adjusted Liang Qu's collar, "Under pressure? Pressure need not be so great—I'll go make you fried lotus root strips?"

"Not too bad." Liang Qu summoned the 【Vine Soldiers】, plopped down, gazing through the tree shade at the azure sky, "When the time comes, heaven and earth unite in strength; when fortune departs, heroes are not free—I feel I now cultivate by relying on credit, for my past credit was high, so Your Majesty, the master, the immortals—all are willing to aid me."

"That shows there are many good people."

"Indeed, there are still many good people." Liang Qu chuckled lightly, sat upright, "Do you know? I once heard a theory called the Hawk-Dove Game."

"Never heard of it—teach me." Long Eying pressed her legs together, sat upon the stone bench.

Liang Qu raised both hands, each lifted, representing one side: "Hawks refer to those who are comparatively selfish, strong-willed; Doves refer to those who are comparatively gentle, willing to accommodate.

Assuming Hawks and Doves cooperate, since Hawks are comparatively strong-willed, Hawks would gain one and a half tenths of the yield, while Doves would gain five tenths.

Hawks and Hawks cooperating, since both sides are strong-willed, would lead to failed cooperation, each side losing one tenth; Doves and Doves, then both sides would gain one.

Long Eying pondered: "Somewhat interesting."

"Even more interesting later." Liang Qu raised the hand representing the Dove, "In life, when the number of Doves exceeds two-thirds—that is, when everyone is comparatively easy to bully, not so calculating—then, the Hawks' gains will be even higher.

Conversely, when the number of Doves is less than two-thirds—that is, when everyone is selfish—then, being a Dove yields greater gains, because Hawks will clash with each other.

Thus, the ratio of Hawks to Doves is always one-third Hawks, two-thirds Doves. When Hawks are too many, some Hawks cannot bear it and become Doves; when Doves are too many, some Doves cannot help but become Hawks.

Long Eying blinked, thought: "Is this the yin-yang balance?"

"Exactly, only the yin-yang balance's ratio is not the imagined fifty-fifty." Liang Qu lay down again, "That kind of situation where people eat people has never been able to become mainstream.

Entering Zhen Xiang or Yao Long—so long as their numbers are not reduced to one or two, allowing proportions to be distinguished, it is always thus.

Now, Hawks are too many."

Long Eying appeared thoughtful.

"Husband, charge!"

"Charge! Charge it into utter ruin! Overturn heaven and earth! Turn rivers and seas!" Liang Qu leapt up, "Hawks are so numerous, lawless and heaven-defying—truly they should be given a taste of their own medicine! Meal first forgone, but I must have fried lotus root strips—lotus, go fry in the oil pot, certain to return soon."

"When my husband returns, the lotus will still be warm!"

Liang Qu clasped his hands in farewell: "My love, no need to see me off!"

Long Eying turned sideways: "Your Majesty, take your leave slowly."

"Looking ahead, pitch black—must be that—"

Liang Qu lifted his knee cover, humming a tune as he spun once in place, then strode into the rear garden with large steps.

Pond, old toad lying on the new round stone, using a spoon to eat ice cream, old turtle unseen for two years, don't know what it's up to, only it daily coils, otter otter kai sitting on the pond stone propping its chin, big river otter patting shoulders in comfort.

The old toad saw Liang Qu, turned and shielded its large porcelain bowl.

Plop! Splash!

Big river otter and otter otter kai drenched like soaked chickens, water dripping from their fur, the old toad turned back, took out its porcelain bowl, and continued scooping with relish.

Pond bottom, three-foot-long fat fish, immobile, round-headed, fists gripping weapons, swinging tails, guarding left and right. Several strands of white silk-like water currents wrapped Liang Qu, winding into a huge sphere, constantly expanding.

Cloth tore, white ball exploded.

White vapor surged, golden light pierced through!

"Hoo."

Canine teeth protruded, nostrils exhaling air currents.

Liang Qu lowered his head, both hands turning inside and out, examining palms and backs, this time bathing in Huaijiang, in a daze he felt he was Huaijiang, and Huaijiang was him!

He exhaled, Huaijiang rose; he inhaled, Huaijiang submitted: his breath gave Huaijiang its rise and fall.

Unparalleled power bolstered his frame; Liang Qu could affirm that even if Elder Brother Whale King came to Huaijiang, even without Hai Fangzhu this time, he could still fight to a draw!

A thought stirred.

Countless water currents lifted Bai Yuan's back, propelling it forward at breakneck speed toward the Long Gong.

Fat fish grabbed coral hammers, hastily darting into waterways, myriad aquatic beasts following ahead.

Dragon people, dragon sturgeons encircled midair, shark people weaving through, upon seeing Bai Yuan, all bowed in reverence.

Fat fish tumbled out of the waterway, pointing and gesturing, dragon people immediately scattered, forming a defensive perimeter, fat fish patted its belly, nodded satisfied, then gestured "cannot move".

You, go patrol the toilets!

"Cannot move" tapped its nostrils, heading toward the fire tree silver flowers.

Fat fish flew into a rage, pulled out a little notebook, long whiskers rolled up a charcoal pencil to record: certain year, certain month, certain day, the treacherous "cannot move" dared to treat the coral treasure tree as a toilet, shall be executed!

Long Gong Main Hall.

Liang Qu opened the treasure box. Three Dharma relics hovered out, breath connecting, the relics vanished instantly, sinking into his body.

Inner vision of self.

Earth cracked, heavens and earth turned desolate yellow.

A small sun hung high in the sky; compared to June first's appearance, unsure if illusion or truly as Su Wang said, supply insufficient, the small sun seemed slightly dimmed, and beneath the withered fallen peach tree, Liang Qu found that relic wrapped by peach tree roots, dim and lightless, covered in cracks.

He opened his hand, and lo, three radiant golden Dharma relics appeared in his palm.

The dead peach tree roots spontaneously coiled around the three Dharma relics, absorbing nutrients.

In an instant, faint golden patterns sprouted, climbing along the roots upward, on the bald treetop, miraculously green shoots burst forth!

The Huaijiang Canon automatically operated the grand circulation, Jianghe phantom shimmered around his body. A surge of pure yang qi seeped out thread by thread from Liang Qu's Lower Dantian, his whole body steeped as if in hot springs, as if unsealing a buried fervor, hall water temperature soared rapidly.

"What's going on?" Long Zong Yin Na muttered.

"Hoo."

Liang Qu sat cross-legged, exhaling and inhaling, focused on refining, only feeling an inner furnace refining all things, he gazed straight at the small sun above.

Previously uncertain whether dim or not, now, with three relics supporting, the small sun visibly brightened by a notch! Brighter than when it first appeared.

Effective!

Liang Qu rejoiced greatly.

If truly destined to dissipate, dissipation must be a matter of degree along a baseline; now it has been significantly raised toward the risk-of-dissipation baseline, from June to mid-August, after one and a half months, now at least able to endure another one and a half, awaiting the arrival of immortal pills or elixir hall treasures.

Mind at ease, spirit and vigor rose another level.

Sat for an hour, gathered the relics' residual aura without leakage.

Communicated with Ze Ding.

【Obtained Ritual: Consume ten points of dominion to link with Chang You Guo.】

【River Dominion: 21.4 (River Favor: 92.0499)】

"Hoo."

Intent set, forward without hesitation.

Link!

Ze Ding trembled.

【River Dominion: 11.4 (River Favor: 92.0499)】

【112】 【Calamity as endless rain, rivers and lakes flooding, Chang You moving triggers the Three Rivers to boil over.】

【Calamity becomes torrential rain; rivers and streams overflow, the Yangtze stirs and the Three Rivers boil and surge.】

The world around him slowly faded, canvas-like shattering and dissolving, boundless into a snowy white plain, Liang Qu heard something, yet not clearly, he tilted his head and pricked up his ears.

Hum~hum~hum~

Sound came from afar, growing nearer, growing nearer————

Boom~boom~boom~

Now he heard clearly: it was the tide, it was rage, it was a roar.

A vast white line rolled out from the horizon's end, unfurling, undulating, clearly just seen, yet in the next second it loomed at his face.

Boom—!

Wave crest clanged down, entangling his body, heaven spinning, earth turning, Liang Qu's whole person seemed tossed into a dice cup, become a die, outside gamblers with red eyes shook desperately, wishing to shatter the die, to roll over eighteen, to get nineteen.

Liang Qu closed his eyes, yet could still see brilliant light shooting straight into the sky; weightlessness descended, and he tried to stand on nothingness, but it had not the slightest effect.

*Splash. *

Silver bubbles filled his vision, their flickering glimmers rising and falling.

Water flooded his lungs, suffocation descending.

Liang Qu swam with all his might; he swung his great arms, water currents flowing past his muscles, knife-hand cleaving waves, body undulating, leaping from the surface like a great fish, briefly stealing a glance at this world.

Blue-green walls joined heaven and earth; coiled, ferocious apes and monkeys, spear-wielding divine generals, winged long dragons, wide-robed great emperors——

The Ze Ding.

This is the Ze Ding!

Countless water vapors steamed into midair, manifesting upon meeting cold, coiling as they rotated, wrapping around the top of Liang Qu's head and the center of the Ze Ding like a typhoon.

These water vapors knew not from where they came hard; they seemed like the hard essence of the Ze Ding's water marshes, yet also like the outside of the Ze Ding.

Gray, hazy water mists entangled and coiled with each other, hard mist turning into threads, hard threads turning into strips, tightly coiling, growing, as if they had become a piece of unadorned stone.

Precisely at this moment.

Upon the ding walls, the giant ape burst forth with brilliant radiance, just as when the Chuan Lord ascended; the spear-wielding divine general manifested.

Azure flowing light detached from the giant ape, converging into a meteor that smashed into the stone.

*Boom! *

Turbulent currents surged violently, the blue tide's water level doubling.

Strip after strip of white currents cut like water knives; Liang Qu felt as if he had entered the eye of a hurricane, the wind wrapped with myriad iron shards; he was driven straight to the bottom, his body shattered to pieces under the violently intense slicing, his vision filled with blood red!

At the center of the stone, a face of a closed-eyed ape slowly protruded from the rock face——

The great river surged, wind calm and waves still.

The scorching weather made even the fish in the Huaijiang unwilling to move much; the Frog King slept soundly; the Turtle King researched treasure medicine combinations himself, wanting to find time to have Su Guishan refine pills; Hai Fangzhu took inventory of the Bing Fire stores; General Yuan leaned his head gazing at the bathing women, rubbed his turtle shell, and plucked a Shou Bao Lingzhi from Shou Mountain.

Suddenly.

A thread of palpitations struck from the heart.

*Crack! *

Ear bubbles burst, treasure medicine piles scattered, goods tumbled down.

General Yuan dropped the lingzhi, slid his four limbs, and rushed in panic to the center of Peng Ze.

"What's going on? What situation? What big commotion?"

In the Long Gong main hall, Bai Yuan sat cross-legged.

The Ze Ding trembled, radiance slowly floating.

【Chang You Guo Manifested】

>