Chapter 1480

"Since it was due to my suggestion, it should be so. When do we set off?" Liang Qu set down his wine cup.

"The sooner the better." Yun Bo surveyed the wharf sacrifices. "If preparations can be completed before the New Year, that would be best. That way there is time to arrange things carefully, and it won't delay the New Year family reunion. Right now it is just mid-December; there are still two and a half months. Of course, if King Huai wishes to spend the New Year in the Yun Tian Palace and tour the East Sea, His Majesty would welcome that as well."

"Two and a half months is enough time." Liang Qu exhaled, his face relaxing. "Brother Yun Bo also saw — it happens to coincide with a major event in my territory, so I must trouble Brother Yun Bo and the others to wait."

"No matter. King Huai's affairs are urgent." Yun Bo bowed.

The hedgehog looked left and right, flipped open the itinerary list. As the chief steward of King Huai's fief, he pondered and weighed whether the process could be shortened to facilitate Liang Qu's departure.

The Summer Festival was held once every three days, its purpose being to let visitors enjoy themselves fully, so naturally enough time had to be left for a complete experience at one site before moving to the next round, to avoid rushing about with insufficient rest, ruining the experience, and also for the sake of the festival's scale — to prevent people from feeling it was rushed and simply not attending the next session.

The Winter Festival was being held for the first time. With freezing cold weather, visitors preferred indoor spaces, and the pleasure of going out decreased considerably. The content was likewise reduced. If arranged for two days, it would not be ————

"Unnecessary." Hearing the analysis, Liang Qu rejected the proposal, casually plucking a winter jujube from the hedgehog's rump. "User habits cannot be changed; it remains three days. Moreover, unwillingness to go out does not mean willingness to accept rushed arrangements.

In weather like rain or snow, people staying indoors more easily feel leisure and relaxation. This is human instinct."

"Instinct." The hedgehog's eyes showed inquiry.

"Correct. On rainy days, furred and feathered animals, to keep warm and avoid illness, will not go out hunting in rain or snow. This is a tranquility and sense of safety engraved in instinct, especially when staying indoors.

Compressing the festival time would only ruin visitors' moods. With the New Year approaching, many people are busy with affairs. This unique impression of relaxation will leave a deep impression on them, which is why I have kept making it snow. The Winter Festival's liveliness certainly cannot compare to the Summer Festival; a distinctive feature must be found."

The hedgehog sighed in admiration: "Great King's wisdom is unfathomable!"

"Haha, but do prepare the publicity well. Once the news spreads, the next several River God Festivals may not necessarily have me personally attending, lest it spoil the anticipation.

Also, try to have the Ice Jade Toad clan lay ice corridors at the main scenic spots, creating a completely indoor environment.

Rainy days make people relaxed, but if one step lands in mud, and one returns to wash clothes, it's unpleasant. These details must all be attended to. If really impossible, remedial measures can also be arranged."

The hedgehog understood clearly, convinced in heart: "Little Ci understands. I will surely bring out the Winter Festival's distinctive character!"

Every time it interacted with King Huai, it could feel profound great wisdom!

The territory's development to this day had all been under King Huai's strategy. It itself was merely patching things up, making only minor tactical arrangements.

Liang Qu lowered his head: "You're about to advance in rank too, right?"

Whoosh.

Having collected the festival mist, the Third Prince, eating an ice pop, caught the keyword and suddenly flashed to Liang Qu's shoulder, dragon eyes wide.

The hedgehog shrank its neck, rubbing its little claws: "All thanks to the Great King!"

The wild boar and bat that came out together back then have already fallen far behind it!

Even the Little Great King is about to catch up!

This is the cultivation confidence brought by being King Huai's chief steward.

The Old Great King's wisdom is boundless!

"No matter. The capable bear more labor and gain more. After the New Year, I'll give you a long leave. You focus on secluded cultivation to break through. Whatever treasures you need, speak to Long Binglin."

"Many thanks, Great King!" The hedgehog prostrated fully under the Third Prince's gaze.

The Third Prince bit fiercely into the ice pop, chewing it down in two bites.

The cold wind blew bleakly. Ice Jade Toads built ice corridors between roads; monkeys waved ice shovels, clearing frost.

"Dog's motherfucker, this timing is really fucking not the time."

Leaving the wharf, Liang Qu spat in his heart, cursing inwardly without cease.

Only one year remained until the Great Hunt Conference convened, completely overlapping with the node of finishing the Blood River Realm. The Whale Emperor coming to seek him was reasonable; Liang Qu had anticipated it as well.

Just that the River God Festival had thirteen sessions, one every three days, thirty-nine days total. It just had to coincidentally fall on the rising dragon's head.

Eying, Hui Zhen, Qi Wuyan, including Fourth Senior Brother Xu Zishuai — several people were all at critical nodes of attempting breakthroughs.

Even waiting until after the New Year would be fine.

Toward the Whale Emperor, Liang Qu had always had an indescribable aversion. He could somewhat understand the Great Li Founding Emperor's matter, but the Whale Emperor's matters — many were unfathomable, with no way to begin.

The flood dragon — not anxious at all.

The Jade Qilin — steady as an old dog.

The Whale Emperor, a whale at root. Holding a Great Hunt Conference — just giving benefits to make him work.

The shadow of "erecting the pillar" hung over his head at all times. Liang Qu feared he would fall for the scheme in a muddled, clueless way.

"Enough————"

Sighing, feeling life's frustration, Liang Qu turned his steps and headed home to find the Great Mother Dragon.

"Eying, my life is bitter————"

News that King Huai had urgent business and needed to add bricks and tiles to the Great Hunt Conference, and could no longer preside over the sacrifices, spread without legs. For a time, visitors felt great disappointment.

The reason many came to attend the River God Festival, aside from it being fun, was not necessarily without the thought of catching a glimpse of Liang Qu.

Even some age-eligible martial examination candidates made a special trip.

Today's Liang Qu had virtually become the embodiment of the Martial Star descending to the mortal world.

【Sacrificing to Huaijiang, River Spring Favor +4.1257】

【Sacrificing to Huaijiang, River Favor +2.2214】

【Sacrificing to Huaijiang, River Favor +1.9741】

【River Dominance: 49.9 (River Favor: 72.7303)】

Heavy snow filled the sky, the world wrapped in white.

The great county bustled, inside and out snow-white, as if coated in a layer of honey frost. Despite the bitter cold, it could not stop the visiting tourists. Or rather, precisely because of the cold, and because this was the first Winter Festival held in the fief, that flavor of breathing hot mist from mouth and nose, of lively warmth-seeking, was all the more distinct.

December 18.

Shishou County, crowds surging. Liang Qu gazed at the favor gains, staring blankly in a daze.

"Halved each time?"

Whether in quantity or quality, compared to past sacrifices, both had dropped drastically.

One wondered if the summer festivals had been too greedy and excessive. Now the Huaijiang resembled a stallion that had bred for three days and three nights — only pure nervous excitement remained, the favor contributed pitifully little, a great disappointment.

The remaining ten fiefs, even if favored in turn without diminishing, the total is probably only around ten points — going through them all would take another month, would that be too ————

Yun Bo waited to the side.

Saying to handle his own matters first, he couldn't really make the Demon Emperor wait, could he?

But a one-time exception, next year's Summer Festival ————

Liang Qu tapped his knuckles on the tabletop, repeatedly weighing gains and losses, and sighed: "Little Ci."

Little Black Whirlwind leapt over the threshold, suddenly unfurling, tossed two fruits, the hedgehog knelt: "Subordinate is here."

"The twenty-first day, attend the last one, the remaining nine sacrifices, let Binglin preside as chief officiant, if Uncle and Xiang Fang Su want to play a bit, you can agree too, later you tell Yun Bo this news."

"Understood! Right, Great King, there's one matter."

"Speak."

"Yesterday there were thieves who attempted to abduct a little merperson, discovered in time by dispatched Xiao Xing, all have been detained, highest cultivation is Galloping Horse Upper Realm, it's said there's someone behind the scenes, the Martial Hall has already sent people to arrest."

"Understood, handle it the same as before, and also post the notice, to serve as a deterrent to imitators.

1

"Yes!"

Liang Qu took it in stride.

Before, when hunting tigers and Entering Zhen Xiang, no one dared target merpeople, now that he has become a Yao Dragon, instead every few months he runs into some fools.

This is a counter-intuitive matter, essentially unrelated to Liang Qu's strength, but because merpeople have been increasing in number these years, especially newly born little merpeople.

Originally merpeople totaled several thousand, no one dared come. The plate got bigger, instead it easily gives rise to a mentality of stealing a bit here and there with a fluke mindset.

Once the fluke mindset rises, with so many merpeople, missing one won't be noticed, won't care too much, catch one and torture out merperson tears and they strike it rich, directly making people ruthless, desperate, reckless, heads crazy testing the guillotine blade one after another.

【Sacrifice Huaijiang, River Spring Favor +1】

【River Rule: 49.9 (River Favor: 73.7303)】

Twenty-first day, Liang Qu raised an eyebrow, pondering whether the sacrifice's floor is one.

"Huaiking." Yun Bo appeared.

"All arranged, let's go."

The further lowered favor made Liang Qu completely lose any reluctance to stay.

If it's fortune it's not calamity, if it's calamity it cannot be avoided.

Fortune and calamity depend on each other.

Going to the East Sea to meet the Whale Emperor again, maybe can scoop another wave of tens of millions of essence.

"Gualala."

The great anchor rose, bringing up water spray.

Shangrao Wharf, Pingjiang and Pinghe organized belongings, Martial Hall disciples boarded the ship in succession, Taotao turned the helm, sailed out of the harbor, arrived at open waters, immediately borne aloft by the Cloud Whale, long wind howled, brown hair on head fluttered.

Set off!

Mist hazy flowing, Cloud Whale roamed the vault of heaven, speed extremely fast, sea surface stretching.

Half a day flashed by, left Dashun, arrived at the "High Seas", Liang Qu had no leisure to watch the scenery along the way, expression quite tense, not worried about being brought to the "High Seas" to be done away with.

Quiet Room.

Old Toad mysterious and mumbling, inscribing array, chanting incantation.

Long Eying eyes tightly closed, whole body aura harmonious Size Ruyi, integrated as one, at a certain critical point, suddenly collapsed inward, astonishing heat boomed up!

That's right.

Back at Great Snow Mountain Lotus Sect it was just a step away, after cultivation in Yellow Spring Nation, Goumang's ascension assistance ————

Liang Qu rapidly adjusted the vortex water barrier, suppressing all movement soundlessly.

Yun Bo supporting the treasure ship noticed nothing, wandering and swimming, racing eastward.

Inside the Quiet Room, Liang Qu's nostrils twitched, took a deep breath, under the heat, Long Eying's body fragrance was steamed, increasingly rich.

He understood.

"Succeeded!"

Yao Dragon Three Steps second step, Penetrating Heaven Absolute Earth!

Thus, Six Heyi, Penetrating Heaven Coiling Earth, only the final step of Knocking Heaven Gate remains.

The Dragon Race's first Yao Dragon, can be expected any day!

Liang Qu's heart surged with a strong sense of accomplishment.

Who says a sister-type son can't be raised?

Half an hour flashed by, surging aura completely converged.

Candle flame stable, unmoving.

In the silence, Long Eying's eyelashes trembled, opened her eyes.

Four eyes met for a long time.

Liang Qu grinned, Long Eying smiled gently, reached out a hand, hugged Liang Qu's head in one go, pressed into her embrace, gently stroked.

"Hu!"

Shun lay down obediently.

Hot air sprayed unrestrainedly onto Long Eying's chest, carrying a bit of breath's dampness, touching the skin, itchy, then followed by fierce inhalation, one exhale one inhale, making the lapel slightly damp.

Liang Qu's whole person relaxed, half-lying half-reclining in the soft embrace, reached hand into clothes to grab a handful, squeeze a handful, unknowingly, hand lost strength, just resting on softness motionless, slowly emitting faint snores.

Actually fell asleep peacefully.

Long Eying's mouth corners curved up, motionless, quietly sitting cross-legged, only slightly leaning back, gently patted Liang Qu's back.

Underworld and Yang World both running non-stop, arranging people around him and his own cultivation, Hu King brand divine ability, Yukong also improving the species, rarely sleeps, clearly after a big battle, should rest properly.

"Croak!"

"Shh!" Long Eying raised her index finger, pleading softly, "Disorder Master————"

The old toad was displeased.

A mere woman, how dare she command it, the illustrious Disorder Master! The Calamity of Huaijiang!

The old toad swelled with rage, puffing up like a balloon, fuming by itself for a long while, then ran out of the quiet room, crouched in a corner, idle, reminiscing about the Holy Mother Toad.

The twenty-third day.

"Husband———— time to get up."

"Hm?"

A faint breeze brushed against his face, fragrant.

Liang Qu felt he had slept in a very comfortable position, so comfortable his whole being was dizzy, floating in the air; hearing the call, he stretched, blearily opened his eyes, subconsciously wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, then looked at the pillow————

Memories from before falling asleep surged forth all at once.

"Cough."

Liang Qu coughed once, casually dried the moisture, then wiped away the marks on his skin, and under Long Eying's smiling gaze, sat up from her embrace, gazing at the clouds outside the window that no longer flowed, a start in his heart.

"We've arrived?"

"Mm, just arrived, Yunbo came to ask just now.

"How long did I sleep?"

Liang Qu's memory stalled at the moment of departure, when Eying broke through; in the blink of an eye they had actually reached the place.

"Sixteen hours, not too long."

Long Eying undressed and changed clothes right in front of Liang Qu, putting on an outer robe.

"That's good, almost slept myself stupid."

Liang Qu rubbed his forehead, immediately tidied his clothes, and walked out the door refreshed and invigorated.

Leaving the warm embrace, the corridor air was slightly cold, rushing into his lungs, making his mind thoroughly calm and awake, as if charged with electricity; the slight unease he had vanished completely, even feeling a bit light.

Another day full of vitality.

Checked the jade slip, seeing if there were any messages stored.

"Hm?

"

【Sacrificed to Huaijiang, River Favor +0.5412】

【River Dominance: 49.9 (River Favor: 74.2715)】

What's going on? Where did the favor come from?

Liang Qu's heart shook, his mind racing, quickly scanning through several system notifications.

"Because the sacrifice was to Binglin, or because sacrificing to him has become habitual from long practice, or perhaps because it was on my territory?"

Clearly he wasn't the primary officiant, yet the favor still landed on Liang Qu's own tally.

"Whatever the case, it's still a good thing————"

Liang Qu's eyes flashed, his steps unceasing, he walked out of the corridor, arriving on the deck.

"Yunbo————"

The greeting died on his lips.

Liang Qu tilted his head back, gazing upward all the way, mouth agape.

White clouds flowed, not a single sky-piercing water column, not a massive rise of the sea surface.

High sky, pale clouds.

The Dragon Whale roamed the void, countless Jiao people with tear-born wings shuttling among them at inconceivable speed.

The vast, transparent, boundless ocean hung inverted in the sky, two seas pressing simultaneously, unable to distinguish heaven above from earth below, instinctively causing vertigo.

"The Huai King is awake?" Yunbo felt a surge of pride, pointing at the inverted ocean in the sky, "This is the Heavenly Water Realm opened by His Majesty, divided into three layers: water above, water below, air in the middle, used to hold the Great Hunt; we are on the boundary line in the middle, once past this line, no matter what thing, the direction of falling will completely reverse."

Liang Qu lifted his foot and stepped, his whole being seeming to penetrate an invisible barrier, heaven and earth's gravity abruptly changing, falling toward the water above.

"Plop."

Plunging into the ocean, all he saw were silvery-white bubbles.

Liang Qu swam out, looking up at the inverted Creation Treasure Ship overhead, on the deck Dragon People, Martial Hall disciples, and mushrooms alike stood inverted, indescribable.

"Huai King."

A familiar voice rang by his ear.

Liang Qu turned his head, exclaiming in surprise: "Linchuan Immortal!"

Linchuan nodded: "Been waiting for you.