Chapter 1437

The misty waves stretched vast and boundless, reeds sprouting anew.

In the great marsh of the Huai and Jiang rivers, the central courtyard was the Long Gong. The Tianren Sect master, leader of the dragonfolk, Elder Long Chen, fully armed, clad in radiant silver dragon-head armor, wielding a dragon-headed spear, stepped out of the Long Gong's main hall.

On the other side, the sturgeon dragon clan chief, the celestial demon Elder Ao Qing, transformed his limbs into a colossal figure of white jade.

Aquatic plants lay prostrate on the ground.

On the vast square, the north and south water channels' vortices expanded in succession, one after another, formidable masters fell prone, then swiftly rose, acting as if nothing had happened.

Three massive pigs, caught off guard, choked on several mouthfuls of water, flailed about, groping desperately, clutched the fallen pointed helmets, and kicked their trotters upstream.

In the vortex waterways, with nowhere to gain leverage, the world spun; the people of Dashun, practiced and adept, had long mastered the knack of riding the currents. Many from Nanjiang and Beiting, experiencing this for the first time, were caught unawares, spewed upward, and fell flat on their backs—quite normal.

He Ningyu and Xu Haitao, the two great generals stationed in the north and south, brought by Sugushan, saw the majestic Long Gong for the first time, their hearts shaken. After Sugushan's introduction, upon seeing Long Chen, they immediately came to their senses, clasped their hands in salute.

"I pay my respects, Elder Long Chen. This time, borrowing the Long Gong's sacred ground, gathering the armies of the three households to exterminate the Lotus Sect, I have caused much disturbance and hope the Water Sovereign will forgive me."

"General He, General Xu, your courtesy is noted." Long Chen returned the salute politely, "The Great Snow Mountain is the source of the Huai and Jiang rivers; one can sail upstream to cleanse corruption, which is also a blessing for our water clan. Since this has received the Water Sovereign's approval, providing some venue is only proper, and we shall naturally cooperate fully."

"Haha, many thanks, many thanks."

"Ribbit!"

Sugushan turned at the sound of the frog's croak: "Old Frog Sir!"

He Ningyu and Xu Haitao startled, hastily turned, and greeted a shadow beside Long Chen's side.

"Huh? What do you call me?" The old toad opened his eyes, holding a goose-feather fan, pointing at the vast square, "The three armies are not yet fully assembled; you may call me Frog Sir for now, I won't complain. Once the armies gather, what will you call me then?"

」

He Ningyu and Xu Haitao stared at each other, bewildered, clueless, and furtively glanced at Elder Long Chen.

Long Chen bowed: "National Preceptor!"

Sugushan clasped his hands: "National Preceptor!"

He Ningyu and Xu Haitao understood in unison: "National Preceptor!"

"Ribbit haha, not bad, not bad, not stupid at all!"

The old toad, feather fan and silk headscarf, draped in an elegant black-and-white robe, was indeed a refined frog scholar, adept at strategizing, he patted his belly and stepped forward.

Boom boom boom!

The vortices expanded to their limit, a colossal object pierced the waterways and shot forth with a roar.

Silver-white bubbles burst apart, revealing the true form: countless colossal treasure ships glided upstream.

The sun hung high, sunlight slanting down.

The ships' shadows drifted slowly, forming a willow-leaf-shaped gloom on the white jade square.

Six of the Eight Beasts of Beiting, all twelve wolves;

Three of the Five Poisons and Nine Toxins of Nanjiang, over half of the twenty-four slaughterers.

Renowned figures from north and south, gathered together!

Different accents, different languages pierced the water curtain and entered the ears, the din of voices rose.

This single scene alone could open up history!

"So these are the dragonfolk? So tall and sturdy, I wonder about their talent. This demonic sturgeon is also strange; if not for the tail and gills, transforming limbs, it's nearly human." A newly arrived eagle beast looked around, reached out to shoo away a small fish before him, tilted his head and narrowed his eyes.

"Dragonfolk are merely a deficient branch of humanity, relying on essence and blood to become waterfolk, nothing more than a longer lifespan; a lifetime's strength amounts at most to the Entering Zhen Xiang realm. The Tianren Sect master, even failing to achieve Heaven-Man Unity or traverse Heaven and Earth, how could they compare? If one possesses heartfire, their strength at best ranks third or fourth among the Eight Beasts; first place is certainly out of reach." Said the former bear beast, now a tiger beast.

"Not necessarily." The wolf king shook his head, "Hearing the wolf lord say, the Huaiwang Lady is not merely a Tianren Sect master; she has taken the first step of Opening Heaven and Earth, achieved Heaven-Man Unity, and is likely the foremost in strength among the dragonfolk today. I once crossed blades with her on the Shuofang Terrace; with heartfire, her strength is not to be underestimated."

"It's merely riding on Liang Qu's coattails; her talent is just so-so."

"Hmph, others have peerless beauty—what can be done?"

"I've heard the Huaijiang dragonfolk are all handsome, the dragonesses all beautiful—why don't I see any dragonesses?"

"Don't cause trouble; for now, the three sides are united." The new tiger beast reminded.

"Just curious." The fox beast restrained his gaze, "I've long heard outsiders boast, and some say she rivals the current Dashun Empress and the Gan Queen of Beauty as one of the three great beauties. I wonder just how beautiful she is—could she surpass the Han King's Great Yan Shi?"

"This time the Huaiwang will appear; perhaps there will be a chance. Come, let's go up for fresh air."

"Yes."

The titles of the Eight Beasts of Beiting were successively supplemented; Su Hebru successfully challenged the gate, the sick tiger recovered, transformed into a fierce tiger, no longer counted among the Eight Beasts as the tiger, but advanced as the bear beast; the former "sick tiger," silent and few words, was originally the leader of the bear beasts; when he spoke, no one dared disobey.

The Eight Beasts burst from the water, facing the Five Poisons and Nine Toxins not far away who were treading water, experiencing for the first time the aura of a different kind of powerhouse.

The ships stretched endlessly, sect masters like Lin Li, tiger hunters boundless, converging into a human sea of waves.

Banners fluttered.

In past north-south confrontations, one needed unimaginable carnage, relentless support, relentless upgrades, relentless escalation merely to muster a spectacular sight of hundreds of Entering Zhen Xiang realms clashing.

Now, with the three sides united, they directly fielded a vast expeditionary force of five hundred Entering Zhen Xiang, nine thousand tiger hunters, and eighty thousand war wolves!

The Lotus Sect of the Great Snow Mountain, as leader, with its seven great temples and seventy-two middle temples, constituted all their strength; among the middle temples, barely half had even a single Entering Zhen Xiang.

Now we have five hundred Entering Zhen Xiang, nine thousand tiger hunters—multiples greater!

This time we must not only fight, but also completely cleanse.

The Great Snow Mountain is bitterly cold, close to Beiting geographically, so He Ningyu was appointed commander of this operation, Xu Haitao assisting from the side, to reorganize and re-form the three armies' units.

He Ningyu gazed down at the Eight Beasts, his feelings inexplicable.

Formerly, the Eight Beasts of Beiting were the most troublesome force at the He源府, the most formidable at the Shuofang Terrace, giving people headaches; now I can actually command them at will, becoming their superior who must be obeyed—the tides have turned, truly—

So exhilarating!

Only after opposing them do you know how strong your enemy is, and only when this strength belongs to you do you know how exhilarating the feeling in your heart is.

It's a pity Su Hebru isn't here; having ascended to kingship months ago, otherwise he'd be just a little Liang Qu, a great killer.

When Liang Qu reached the pinnacle of Entering Zhen Xiang, he only went to Nanjiang, never to Beiting. When he came to Beiting, he was merely a middle-stage Entering Zhen Xiang, far inferior to his later self.

He Ningyu and Xu Haitao chatted idly, hearing that Liang Qu once single-handedly suppressed three hundred Entering Zhen Xiang, provoking the Yinglong Duizi, who knows how much envy it caused. Though the sick tiger is inferior, having him in hand will make this battle much easier, like pouring hot urine on snow, a hot knife cutting through lard.

What a pity, what a pity.

Both of them, the best years of their lives, were not left for him.

The sick tiger not only didn't leave, but came to beat him.

"Whoosh!"

A breeze swept behind him, followed closely by continuous faint sounds of tearing air.

One after another, figures appeared out of thin air, treading the void, standing in high places, looking down upon the fleet.

Though they released no aura, their impressive bearing made everyone's hearts feel heavy.

The Eight Beasts of Bei Ting and the Five Poisons and Nine Toxins of Nan Jiang looked up, their expressions inexplicable.

In the past, they had competed on the same stage —

The many "River Stones" gathered once again, and heroes from all under heaven were shocked.

The Three Sea Water Beasts were even more anxious.

The Great Shun alliance of north and south—these days they have slept poorly and eaten without pleasure.

With these three alliances, who else in the world could they fight? Nothing left but the sea demon kings, right?

He Ningyuan turned back and immediately clasped his fists: "Greetings to the Dragon Elephant King, the Huaijiang Prince, the Chong Prince, the Su Prince, and I have seen the Wolf Lord — "

The four of Great Shun, the three of Bei Ting, the two of Nan Jiang.

Altogether nine flood dragons, standing in a line, towering above the heavens, looking down upon all heroes.

Endless admiration, boundless awe.

The nine nodded.

Liang Qu looked down, heart satisfied.

Familiar faces, so many familiar faces—not only the Eight Beasts and Five Poisons and Nine Toxins, but also Haru Khan and Li Xianghan and others who came to brush their battle records, the "second generation."

Enough!

"Are you all ready?"

"All preparations are complete!" He Ningyuan shouted.

"Good!"

Liang Qu extended his hand, palm upward, five fingers grasping the air.

The Eight Beasts of Bei Ting and the Nine Toxins of Nan Jiang felt the ground tremble violently beneath their feet, then the sky darkened, no light visible.

Three huge pigs panicked, buttocks pressed together, nervously looking around.

Soon, the three pigs raised their heads, waves covering the sky and blocking the sun—it was a finger, a blue finger formed from the gathered Huaijiang River, piercing heaven and earth!

Turning around, similar fingers appeared—five in total!

The big pig became a small pig, the small pig lifted its head.

At the fingertip, a surge of qi erupted, friction generated heat, boiling water rolled, white smoke rose, visible white shockwaves exploded one after another.

The Wolf Lord and Li Da Gai looked serious, those in the sky seeing the full picture clearly.

A vast blue hand rose from the center of the lake surface, five fingers upright, mirroring Liang Qu's movement exactly. Countless large ships and hundreds of thousands of troops gathered in the palm.

The marshland in the palm!

Liang Qu grasped the palm, turned his wrist, and tens of thousands only felt heaven and earth overturn, scattering in succession, they split into different sequences, all rushing into the vortex waterway.

What terrifying water control ability!

The Eight Beasts and Nine Toxins had their hairs stand on end.

If Liang Qu wanted, wouldn't this slap directly crush them to death?

Fortunately, now they are allies—the great hand merely wrapped the people, assisting in division.

After several breaths, tens of thousands vanished without trace, rushing straight to the Blue Lake!

"Let us go as well."

Liang Qu took a step forward, bringing along He Ningyuan on the left and Xu Hai Tao on the right, vanishing without trace. The Wolf Lord and Li Da Gai exchanged glances and stepped forward to follow.

Having known beforehand, today's purge requires submission of name tags. This confrontation's main force is precisely them—Nan Jiang and Bei Ting—Great Shun merely serves to press the formation.

Gazing at the "River Stone" all the way westward.

The Three Sea Demon Kings stared blankly for a moment, then simultaneously exhaled in relief.

Caught!

On the Blue Lake above Han Tai Prefecture, troops stretched endlessly, banners blocking the sun.

Bai Mingzhe led several elders, growing ever more respectful.

The Eight Beasts and Nine Toxins, all feeling somewhat dizzy and lightheaded, after recovering, immediately arranged, reformed ranks—this time already numbered, so speed was very fast.

Wait a moment.

"Whoosh!"

The sound of tearing air.

【Drowning Industry Triggered】

—

【Drowning Industry Dissipated】

"White Clan Chief, long time no see."

After several years, Bai Mingzhe still knows this voice all too well—alas, though they once could speak as equals, now even without lowering his head, it is sheer disrespect.

"Greetings to Your Highness the Huaijiang Prince, Your Highness the Dragon Elephant King — " Bai Mingzhe glanced at the few beside him, none of whom he recognized.

Liang Qu gave a simple introduction, Bai Mingzhe hurriedly bowed in greeting.

【Drowning Industry Triggered】

【Drowning Industry Dissipated】

Liang Qu's eyes flashed with golden light: "How's the situation? Is there any movement inside the Great Snow Mountain?"

"Your Majesty Huai, according to our scouting, the Great Snow Mountain seems to be holding its position. Those medium-sized temples don't even know about our alliance with Nanjiang and Beiting—everything remains as usual." Bai Mingzhe paused, then glanced unintentionally at the Wolf Lord and others, "Though it's hard to say it's truly normal. Earlier, many monks from the Lotus Sect were slaughtered in Beiting, leaving them somewhat flustered, but all the actions were directed at Beiting. A few temples even wanted to come as usual to Hantai Prefecture to preach and perform rituals for the major clans."

"No reaction?"

Liang Qu frowned.

The Great Snow Mountain has six Venerables in total, four of whom have gathered at the Lotus Sect. They are nine in number, and clearly the advantage lies with them——

Liang Qu turned to the Wolf Lord, immediately throwing both decision-making authority and responsibility onto him.

"Wolf Lord, you and the Great Snow Mountain have always been on intimate terms—what's your take?"

"What intimate terms? That's just private contact by others. I believe in the Eternal Heaven. As for the Lotus Sect? I'm not familiar with it."

The Wolf Lord denied.

Liang Qu nodded: "Hmm, and then?"

The Wolf Lord paused, then shifted tone: "The Great Snow Mountain is a nominally dependent territory of the Great Shun Dynasty. I truly don't know much about it, and I'm even less informed about the situation between the Lotus Sect and the Heaven Fire Sect. I suppose Your Majesty Huai would understand this better."

Old thing.

Liang Qu spat inwardly, then turned to Zhang Longxiang: "I'm young and inexperienced in human treachery—I only know how to fight and kill. I'm truly inept at strategy and coordination. What do you think, Dragon Elephant King?"

Zhang Longxiang looked at Liang Qu, then at the Wolf Lord, and finally settled his gaze on Li Daxian's appearance.

Li Daxian waved his hands repeatedly, retreating behind the crowd.

Zhang Longxiang took a deep breath: "As for any hidden secrets between the Lotus Sect and the Heaven Fire Sect, our Great Shun Dynasty doesn't know—but the stone markings in the river don't lie. When the north and south gathered at the imperial capital, the Lotus Sect should have been alert. There's no need to gamble. Since the enemy is holding position, they must have some reliance. There are two possibilities."

Either they don't fear our strength, believe they can defeat us in battle, and after victory, withstand a fiercer counterattack from the combined forces of Great Shun, Nanjiang, and Beiting.

Victory in battle——

The Wolf Lord glanced subtly at Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang, muttering inwardly.

"I think it's unlikely," Li Daxian said. "The enemy doesn't have numerical or qualitative superiority. Unless there's an immortal, even immortal techniques wouldn't be very effective."

"Having an immortal isn't something to fear—so it's more likely the second possibility: they're not afraid of death." Zhang Longxiang said seriously.

Everyone understood implicitly.

"Can it really come to this?" Li Daxian exclaimed, shocked.

Nanjiang is the only major power that has had no dealings with the Great Li Dynasty.

Zhang Longxiang said: "So, since they're not afraid of death and have a fallback, we should just go straight in—meet their moves with countermoves."

Everyone agreed.

Liang Qu turned: "General He."

"Understood."

He Ningyuan stepped forward, deployed troops and commanders, divided the army into eight routes, and surrounded the Lotus Sect and the seven major temples.

Capture the major, release the minor—first take the most important targets at minimal cost.

The ground forces moved separately; the Eight Beasts and Nine Poisons split in half, with the remaining half forming the main force, marching straight for the Lotus Sect.

Upon reaching Blue Lake, then proceeding to the Great Snow Mountain, there was no longer enough river to support waterborne transport.

Liang Qu waved his hand—the Azure Water Guards reappeared.

This time, they didn't envelop the troops but lifted the fleet, continuously rising to form a vast platform, palms gripping the army as it sped westward!

Splash splash.

The howling wind made the three big-pig-faced ones shake with waves of flesh, feeling as if slapped by their own flapping ears.

"Thud thud thud!"

The next day.

The Lotus Sect lies nestled among mountains, surrounded on three sides. The entire temple complex covers three hundred li of land, resembling a blooming lotus. Year-round snow cover turns it into a pure white snow lotus. The gate is extraordinarily vivid—blue and red, striking to the eye.

Monks walk the narrow paths, rising early to chip ice for water, wiping sweat from their temples.

Recently, for unknown reasons, the Venerables have unanimously chosen to enter seclusion—no one can see them. The entire sect's atmosphere feels strange, somewhat oppressive.

One bucket of water drawn up, then another sunk down.

Suddenly.

A monk caught something in his peripheral vision, stared at the cold water in the bucket, where fine ripples repeatedly collided. He was puzzled, looked around, saw the tiny stones trembling and shifting, his gaze gradually pulling back—finally he looked up, squinting.

In the distance, it looked like an avalanche—vast white mist leaping and rolling continuously. But that couldn't be an avalanche, since behind the Lotus Mountain lies a vast plain ahead—could there be an avalanche on a plain?

Finally, he saw clearly.

It wasn't an avalanche—the jumping white was waves, spray from colliding water currents.

Waves?

The monk's pupils dilated.

This is high mountain, snow plain—how could there be a flood!?

A flash of light on the horizon—nine meteors streaked backward, in the clear, just-dawning sky, both white and revealing a faint purple Milky Way galaxy, dragging out colored threads.

Beneath the nine meteors, a continuous white water line stretched—floodwaters covering sky and earth. A colossal azure hand burst through the ground, broke the skyline, stood alone, flowing with rippling light, lifting the army—numbering tens of thousands, no, hundreds of thousands!

Five fingers turned into rolling water, steaming with intense mist, like a blazing bear torch.

"Enemy attack, enemy attack!"

The water bucket tipped over, ice cubes slid out, the monk screamed.

The meteors fell—from the celestial dome they fell.

The nine meteors struck one after another, like divine punishment—three ten-thousand-zhang-high mountains shattered in midair.

The snow trembled, split apart, and poured down.

Rolling snow avalanches collided with the floodwaters surging from the ground.

Between the two white lines, ice and water surged skyward—transparent air waves swept over the monk.

The monk stumbled and fell, bleeding from the seven orifices, collapsing here.

The azure palm suddenly shattered, surging in all directions, water mist rising into clouds, obscuring the starry river, as torrential rain poured down.

Lightning serpents roamed the heavens, cleaving the murky sky and earth.

Vision plunged into darkness, the clamor of noise surged skyward, nothing could be heard clearly, the monk caught only a single phrase near his ear.

"Kill!"

A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the darkness, a human silhouette hung suspended in the sky.

【Drowning Karma Triggered】

【Drowning Karma Dissipated】!

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