Chapter 796: Time Flows On

Neither merges nor doesn't merge.

This is a problem.

The matter of the Sea Chief granted Liang Qu a Xuan Huang plaque; spending ten great merits can exchange it for a strand of Xuan Huang long qi.

Xuan Huang long qi.

Its very lack of any trait is its trait.

Balanced and harmonious, rare in heaven and earth, the only long qi currently known that can be consumed without a medium—its strands can even serve as the medium itself, possessing unique qualities.

The only obstacle.

The Creation long qi is nearing its limit.

The code compatibility issue that ordinary beings struggle with, Liang Qu found a "unorthodox" solution on the Time Worm—but the Time Worm isn't some all-powerful master engineer; it can't compile just anything indiscriminately.

Seasons, Sun, Size Ruyi, Withered Wood, Heavenly Water… stuffing a big dumpling with a medium dumpling inside, plus three small dumplings—this isn't just top-heavy, the head is now as big as the whole body!

Even without comparing consumption of water essence, purely by count, the head and body have reached a ludicrous one-to-one ratio!

Add more.

The entire weight proportion will be completely inverted.

Will the big dumpling burst?

Is Xuan Huang worth occupying one of these precious fusion slots?

If Xuan Huang is inserted, could it act as a lubricating oil, eliminating possible hidden "bugs"?

Snap!

Deep night.

Liang Qu unscrewed the lid; a faint warm vapor rose. He weighed the golden worms inside.

Winter wind slipped through the jar's mouth; the sudden temperature shift made the sleeping Time Worm shiver.

Weigh it again.

The stiff brain stirred. The curled golden worm suddenly opened its eyes.

Whizz!

Golden light shot up.

Before it could rush at his face, another strand of golden light shot from Liang Qu's wrist, intercepting the Time Worm midair!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew everywhere.

The dense metallic tremor made teeth ache; the sapphire centipede flapped its golden wings, matching the worm blow for blow!

The Time Worm was stunned.

In the space of a single awakening, how could this tiny worm have grown so much in size and power?

They fought for a moment.

Swish!

Bai Awei and the Time Worm landed on the table, facing each other, eyes locked in fierce rivalry.

As the two worms clashed, Liang Qu pulled out the Xuan Huang plaque, flipped it face-down on the table, then retrieved the Creation long qi.

Pfft!

The long qi appeared before it; the Time Worm's eyes turned blood-red as it charged forward. Bai Awei tried to block it, but Liang Qu stopped him, then pinched the Time Worm into his palm.

The Time Worm rejoiced, greedily pecking at his palm…

Bang!

Like two golden gongs colliding, the vibration shook it; the Time Worm's mind went blank, dizzy, as if it had pecked at steel and iron.

Liang Qu opened and closed his palm; inside glowed golden light—【Sun】 had fused into 【Shengsheng ZaoHua】, over a year ago. During that time, the Time Worm slept, unaware the world had quietly changed.

With the old monk's "self-nature," the Dragon-Tiger Golden Body is no longer what it was!

Wait until the Time Worm, eyes still spinning with golden stars, recovered.

Liang Qu tapped the Xuan Huang plaque; it rang with a crisp tone.

The Xuan Huang plaque carried the unique aura of Xuan Huang long qi—one of its custom anti-counterfeit features. With its wisdom doubled twice, the Time Worm wouldn't fail to understand.

The candle flame flickered dimly.

The Time Worm shrieked shrilly, rolling uncontrollably across the wooden table, spinning countless times, then collapsed completely.

Poke it with a finger.

Not a twitch.

So determined?

Has the one-to-one ratio reached the weaving limit?

Long pause.

Liang Qu raised one finger: "One last thing—I grant you freedom."

The Time Worm remained unmoved.

Hmm, maybe it didn't understand human speech.

Liang Qu opened the window, lifted the Time Worm's head, and made it watch Bai Awei fly freely in and out until it vanished into the night.

Repeated the performance, hoping it would grasp the meaning.

The Time Worm froze, then straightened up.

…

The next day.

Third floor of the River Office government building

"Exchange for Xuan Huang qi?" Xu Xu Xu Yuelong was startled, scanning him up and down. "You haven't even completed your Tiger Hunt yet—why exchange now? Long qi from heaven and earth are precious; many covet them but can't get them. The Xuan Huang plaque is just a precaution, to deter others from eyeing you."

"Just prepare it now. At least keeping it at home means no fear of theft."

Xu Xu Xu Yuelong fell silent.

The logic was sound.

"Fine. Leave the Xuan Huang plaque on the table. After the New Year, I'll report it to Southern Zhili."

"Thank you, Chief!" Liang Qu beamed.

Done!

After a night of friendly exchange, the Time Worm finally agreed.

Unlike Sun, Xuan Huang doesn't require Size Ruyi to cooperate.

But as previously predicted, adding one final fusion at a five-to-four ratio is indeed the absolute limit of Creation long qi's balance—or the upper bound of what the Time Worm can weave.

Keep fusing, and Seasons will vanish from the Creation entirely.

Liang Qu didn't expect to find any other special long qi to fill this lone "gap." If no surprise arose from the Sea Chief, Xuan Huang was already the best choice!

…

Purl-purl-purl.

Light snow drifted from the sky; branches frosted with ice. The blue-backed killifish surfaced to breathe, bubbles forming a string.

Wen Wen Chengyun leaned against the railing, brushed off accumulated snow, and watched the otters and beavers scurrying about in the courtyard, chickens flying, dogs barking.

After staying a few days, he faintly understood why such a small courtyard held such appeal for Wen Wen Shi Yun.

Across the world, even the Ten Thousand Beasts Garden offered only novelty, lacking this quiet charm.

"Wake up, wake up!"

"Little Stone, don't sleep!"

Cold wind mixed with scattered snowflakes rushed in as Liang Qu flung open the door and yanked Wen Wen Shi Yun out of bed.

Wen Wen Shi Yun shivered.

The Prince's maids entered to dress him; the Black Dragon whipped its tail, and a chunk of fur pressed forward.

"Can you dress yourself?"

"Huh?"

Wen Wen Shi Yun's half-asleep eyes were glazed and dazed.

"Then you can." Liang Qu turned away. "Fold the clothes, let him dress himself. Later, just tie his topknot."

The maids dared not speak.

Though they were servants of the Prince's mansion, they couldn't afford to offend the World Heir's Master.

No one helped.

Wen Wen Shi Yun grimaced, fumbling for pants—one pair inside, one pair outside…

Freezing cold.

The clothing of nobles is truly not easy to wear, especially without buttons or zippers—everything tied with cloth strips, layer upon layer wrapped around oneself; without help, it's genuinely inconvenient.

After a full quarter-hour, Wen Wen Shi Yun was fully dressed, slipped on his small fur boots, had his topknot tied by the maids, then took his tiger-head cap from Liang Qu's hand—the two little tassels jingled as he moved.

All done!

A busy morning had fully roused Wen Wen Shi Yun from his half-sleep; joyfully, he rode the Black Dragon out to hunt otters, eagerly anticipating today's itinerary.

Time does not linger; seasons flow on.

Another New Year's festival.

Two days have passed since Zhang Zhang Wenbao came; today is the day to journey to Jiangchuan County. The mysterious underwater ice crystal palace had whetted Wen Wen Shi Yun's appetite.

A tall one and a small one stepped over the threshold.

"Master?"

The old monk stood at the door chatting with the Prince of Xu Yue; compared to his former emaciated state, he now looked noticeably ruddy.

Liang Qu was delighted.

"Master, have you emerged from seclusion today to join us on our journey to Jiangchuan?"

The old monk clasped his hands together.

"Precisely my intention."

Perfect!

All set!

Zhang Xu oversaw the packing and dispatched servants to load belongings onto the ship.

Little River Otter carried small boxes one by one, placing them mysteriously in his own cabin. Wen Shi Yun tried to follow inside, but Little River Otter gave her no chance—he shoved her out the door and locked it.

Click!

"Master! Mistress!"

Liang Qu waved his hand. As they passed the mouth of the Long River, the imperial treasure ship drew the gazes of many villagers. Yang Yang Dongxiong, Xu Xu Shila, Xu Xu Yue, and others, hired as guards, waited early at the dock and boarded one after another.

"Younger brother!"

"Older brother!"

"It's the New Year, and you're still running around causing trouble—bring your own bedding, but I'm warning you, if it's no fun, I'm going home."

"We'll pick you up and drop you off, okay?"

"With your big show, even if it's no fun, you've got to stick it out. Xu Shixiong can't sit still—let him swim back himself!"

"Hahaha, yes, swim back!"

"Fine, a bunch of ungrateful wolves!"

Bustling, joyful, never-ending.

Festivals are all about having many people and lively noise!

Both groups converged fully. Otter leapt, hugged the mast, slid down, and hoisted the sails.

Lu Gang skipped breakfast, boarded the ship, and immediately sought out Dragon Fubo, studying it intently.

A tiny magical weapon.

A rare item.

The river wind blew vast and strong.

Xu Xu Yue set down his luggage and sat on a crate: "Younger brother, how far is this Ice Crystal Palace you mentioned?"

"Jiangchuan County? It's right next door—just over a hundred li by water, less than the time to eat breakfast." Liang Qu unwrapped the oiled paper, revealing steaming heat. "Have you eaten yet? There's plenty in the galley."

Xu Xu Yue didn't refuse—he grabbed a meat bun and asked vaguely, "You said it's an ice house. Novel, sure, but won't it be too cold? Too damp? Then I'd rather stay home."

"Nah, not at all." Liang Qu swore confidently. "Rest easy—I've got it all set. Volcanic algae buried beneath the ground. Just don't complain about the heat when you go in."

"Heat? Won't it melt?"

"Sorcery has its mysteries."

A simple breakfast.

Ice coated the river, drawing attention.

"What an ice island!"

(End of Chapter)