Chapter 391: The

"Dragon Palace Water Mansion?"

After hearing this, Li Yan felt a headache coming on and directly handed over the Dragon Jade Tablet, "Perfect—since your Daoist Qingyang Palace is overseeing this here, I won't interfere further. I leave it to you."

This matter sounded like a major trouble.

Ancient dragon gods, suppression by Li Erlang Shen, treasures of the Dragon Palace Water Mansion… just hearing these terms made Li Yan's head spin.

He knew well how brutal the fighting had been in Shu.

Near Guanjiangkou, the orthodox and demonic sects were clashing in magical combat.

Many Divine Ascendants had already appeared; even Master Yulongzi, Mount Wudang's strongest beast-hunter, had to offer a national treasure as leverage to invite experts for aid.

It was said that even those with cultivation at the fourth or fifth story had perished, their Dao extinguished.

His small frame was best kept far away.

"Friend, you jest..."

Yunlingzi hastily waved his hand, refusing outright to take the dragon-shaped jade tablet, as if it were a burning coal.

He spoke seriously: "Friend, you don't understand—divine pacts cannot be trifled with. The Dragon Maiden sought you out for a reason."

"I've guarded Longtan Lake for years, yet she never appears—clearly she holds resentment toward Daoist Qingyang Palace. If I take this matter, it will become an irreparable knot."

"Dragons are the essence of heaven and earth; they can only be suppressed. If their grievance erupts, disaster will inevitably follow..."

The Daoist spoke with righteous indignation, making Li Yan even more certain this was a massive trouble.

But since he refused, Li Yan couldn't force it upon him; he retracted the dragon-shaped jade tablet and frowned, "Then how should this matter be handled?"

"Simple."

Yunlingzi said, "Since the Dragon Maiden appeared in a dream, there is still room for resolution. After I return, I'll perform a ritual to pacify her—Longtan Village's problem will be solved."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Li and the hunters sighed in relief, "Good, good..."

Li Yan's conversation—dragon gods, Li Erlang Shen—sounded like myth to them, filling them with dread.

But as long as the problem could be resolved, everything was fine.

Yet beside them, Sha Sha Li Fei sensed something amiss, his face filled with suspicion: "If Longtan Village's problem is solved, doesn't that just shift the trouble onto our heads?"

Yunlingzi didn't hide it: "Friend, you're correct."

"But I'm not refusing out of avoidance—it's because there's deeper mystery. Since ancient times, those chosen by earth spirits always have their own destiny. I dare not accept it; even if I did, I couldn't bear it."

"Take Liu Yi of Dongting Lake—anyone else would have perished, their Dao extinguished. You've received this destiny—don't mishandle it..."

"Liu Yi?"

Li Yan was surprised: "Isn't that just a legend?"

Yunlingzi shook his head: "Though Liu Yi's tale was fabricated by later generations, it has a prototype—a Tang Dynasty scholar who, in a short time, rose from mortal to great cultivator, gaining great fortune from Dongting, tied to the Dragon Maiden."

"But he was extremely mysterious. After gaining fame, he retreated into seclusion. Some say he ascended to immortality, but there's never been confirmed news..."

Li Yan said gravely: "The Dragon Maiden merely gave me this object—I have no idea what she wants. What use is it?"

"Friend, rest assured."

After explaining at length, Yunlingzi was exhausted, his face pale: "When I return, I'll perform the ritual, remove the Dragon-Staking Pillar—then you'll know."

"Enough."

Seeing he wouldn't reveal more, Li Yan changed the subject: "To be honest, our mission into Inside Shennongjia is to find a trapped dragon..."

He recounted the matter and asked: "Master, you've been here many years—do you know where near Baokang County there are traces of a jiao dragon?"

Yunlingzi thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly: "Inside Shennongjia holds many secrets and dangerous zones. Though I've been here long, I've only ventured slightly farther than the village hunters."

"Still, this isn't without a solution."

"Oh, Master, please speak plainly," Li Yan urged.

Their mission wasn't to kill the jiao dragon, but to locate its precise position—then Zhenwu Palace would send experts to perform a ritual to suppress it.

The Daoist sects had secret methods specifically for dealing with jiao dragons.

He didn't want to linger too long in Inside Shennongjia.

Yunlingzi said gravely: "In Jing, Xiang, Ba, and Shu, mountains, rivers, and lakes abound. Since ancient times, jiao dragons have caused havoc—so Daoist Qingyang Palace has studied them."

"As the saying goes: when earth accumulates in deep pools, jiao dragons arise. Wherever deep ponds or pools have flowing earth veins and abundant fish and shrimp, they can be born."

"Similarly, jiao dragons have many origins."

"Some transform from turtles, crocodiles, fish, or snakes; others are naturally rare breeds that absorbed a trace of earth dragon qi—their cultivation is harder, their power greater."

"Take the River God Great Lord—he took five hundred years to transform from a hui into a jiao, a thousand years to become a dragon, enduring countless trials before dominating his region."

"Some spawn can transform into jiao on their own, but they're weak—often preyed upon by beasts, their fortune stolen."

"These jiao dragons, when encountering livestock or humans near rivers, coil their foul saliva around them, dragging them into the water, then suck blood from their armpits until the blood is drained..."

Yunlingzi described some jiao traits, then added: "The Lord Tian Sheng Sect's demons want to use a fleeing jiao to channel the Ju River—ordinary trapped jiao won't do. It must be one of deep cultivation, dominating a region within Inside Shennongjia."

"The longer a jiao is trapped, the more grievance grows—it can even alter earth veins, changing surrounding flora and fauna. And to flee, they must dig irrigation canals—there'll be no hiding the disturbance."

"Use this to search."

"Thank you, Master."

Li Yan bowed slightly in gratitude.

Knowing these traits made finding it far easier—after all, with Lu San and Wu Ba, crossing Inside Shennongjia wasn't a problem...

…………

The next morning, the group climbed a cliff and parted ways.

Zhou Li and the hunters carried Yunlingzi back to Longtan Village.

It wasn't far from their hunting trail; the donkey-headed wolf had been slain by Li Yan—they could return before nightfall.

As for Li Yan and his group, they pressed deeper.

After seeing Zhou Li and the others vanish into the thick mist, Sha Sha Li Fei finally spoke: "Young Master Li, in this wild wilderness, which way do we go?"

Li Yan looked southward, thoughtful: "Commander Gong, do you know where the Ju River's source lies?"

Gong Qun immediately pulled out a map, pointing to a spot: "The Ju River's source is right here—elevated terrain, dense forest, constant wind rustling the trees, loud noise—hence the name Xianglin Gou."

"I originally planned to lead you there, but that area's been seized by Lord Tian Sheng Sect rebels—we had to detour."

"Also, we're currently here."

Seeing the map, Li Yan nodded: "As I suspected—the donkey-headed wolves migrated from this direction toward us. They must have fled the trapped jiao."

"Then we go this way!"

With a target, the group set off immediately.

But after walking only a short distance, problems arose again.

Dense forest surrounded them—tall leaves, thick vegetation, swirling clouds—even the path back was hard to find.

Pulling out the Luo Pan, it was chaotic—spinning, then still, useless for direction.

"Lu San, release the hawk!"

Li Yan gave the order without hesitation.

Lu San raised his hand—the hawk perched on Wu Ba's shoulder took flight, vanishing into the mist.

His hawk, Lidong, squawked loudly; the little fox, Chuqi, chirped anxiously, darting around.

Lu San quickly calmed them, making Li Yan and the others chuckle. These little creatures always competed for attention—but when outsiders appeared, they united instantly. Even the temporary Usher's hawk had been forced to follow Wu Ba.

Now they could read animal emotions.

Hawk Lidong clearly resented having his task stolen—he was still injured and couldn't fly.

The little fox Chuqi was mocking him.

Animal emotions were simple and direct.

Soon, the hawk descended from the sky. Gong Qun unfolded the map; Lu San pointed, and when the hawk cried out, they confirmed the direction.

This method of determining direction by terrain was cumbersome, but at least kept them from getting lost.

Thus, the group advanced along Inside Shennongjia's outer edge.

Not long after, they found animal carcasses—ripped apart, crawling with maggots.

Lu San examined the bite marks and nodded: "Donkey-headed wolves—our direction's right!"

With the right path, their pace quickened.

!.

This was still Inside Shennongjia's outer edge—relatively safer. Even bears, boars, or wild boars that sensed their threat quickly fled.

Unconsciously, several more hours passed.

The scenery inside Inside Shennongjia was magnificent and serene—endless flora stretched before them, the air so fresh it made their backs sweat.

But after a while, it grew monotonous.

Sha Sha Li Fei couldn't help pulling out his pocket watch: "It's past noon—let's rest somewhere."

"Agreed."

Li Yan nodded.

Inside Shennongjia was dangerous enough, with demons lurking—they had to stay alert, not overexerted.

But then Wu Ba looked around and suddenly grew agitated, pointing westward and shouting: "Home! Home!"

"Calm down, speak slowly."

Lu San soothed him; Wu Ba steadied himself, then pointed north: "Home, there. Here... hunt!"

Though halting, everyone understood.

Li Yan looked thoughtfully westward and said gravely: "Wu Ba's tribe was destroyed by the Lord Tian Sheng Sect. Stay alert—demons may be hiding in that area."

"Lu San, send the hawk to scout."

At a command, the falcon spread its wings and soared into the sky again.

Within the Inside Shennongjia, clouds veiled the mist; though the sun had passed noon, the dense forest where they stood only brightened slightly, offering no glimpse of the sky.

Chir—!

Suddenly, a piercing cry of a falcon echoed from afar.

It cried once, then fell utterly silent.

Lu San's face darkened instantly. "Trouble! Something in the air attacked the falcon."

"Quick! Take cover!"

Li Yan frowned and swiftly gave the order.

Undoubtedly, the enemy also had aerial predators.

There was no time for grief now—they might already be within the Tian Sheng Sect's territory, and if discovered, they'd be surrounded.

The group moved swiftly, vanishing into the underbrush.

Whoosh!

Not long after, the sound of flapping wings came from above the thick mist—loud and violent, even stirring the leaves into rustling motion.

"What the hell is that?"

Sha Li Fei stared upward, uneasy.

"Don't know, but it's huge!"

Li Yan hid among the grass, watching intently, his right hand slowly drawing out a flintlock pistol.

For long-range attacks, this was still the better tool.

The enemy made considerable noise, but flew too high—far beyond the reach of his spiritual senses—so he couldn't identify what it was.

Wang Wang Daoxuan and Lu San both chanted incantations: one gazed upward, the other listened closely.

Unfortunately, after the flapping wind faded, nothing more appeared.

Li Yan frowned, about to rise—but Wu Ba seized his arm, staring skyward with wary eyes: "Man, bird, return, three times…"

This time, his words were unclear.

Lu San quickly asked in the mountain tongue, then said gravely: "Wu Ba says this is a demon bird of Inside Shennongjia—human face, owl body—extremely cunning. Each time it appears, it patrols three times back and forth."

"That thing is a savage's scout!"

"Savage?"

Li Yan was about to ask, but his heart tightened—he signaled everyone to hide.

Sure enough, the flapping sound returned again, coming three times in succession before vanishing entirely, nowhere to be seen.

Li Yan looked up and asked gravely: "What's going on? Isn't Wu Ba a savage?"

Lu San was also puzzled and quickly questioned Wu Ba.

Wu Ba gritted his teeth, muttering a string of words.

Lu San suddenly understood and explained: "In Inside Shennongjia, savages are not rare—and they come in different kinds, with different tribes."

"Wu Ba's people are Renxiao, descendants of those victimized by the ancient Shanxiao who once roamed the mountains. But the savages who control Renxiao are another tribe—larger in size, with one arm and one leg, often harassing them…"

"One arm and one leg?"

Li Yan pondered, then turned to Wang Wang Daoxuan: "Master, do you still have the book 'Da Xuan Guai Lu' that Chan Master Master Chengjue gave us?"

"I do."

Wang Wang Daoxuan walked to Wu Ba, took an ancient text from his backpack, and handed it to Li Yan.

This 'Da Xuan Guai Lu' was a secret manual of demon hunters; when they interrogated Wu Ba, Baotong Chan Temple had given them this book.

Li Yan flipped to a page and pointed to the illustration: "Wu Ba, look—is this it?"

Wu Ba looked and nodded quickly.

Li Yan said gravely: "This is 'Shen Kui'—it roams the mountains near the Wei River. Human face, beast body, one arm, one leg—not a savage, but a mountain spirit, skilled at controlling ghostly demons…"

Sha Li Fei frowned: "How could a spirit from the Wei River region end up here in Inside Shennongjia?"

Li Yan mused: "Perhaps, like Wu Ba's people, it was deliberately placed in the mountains…"

"You all wait here—I'll scout ahead!"

Saying this, he chanted an incantation, his body enveloped in mist.

Though dangerous, Inside Shennongjia had its advantages: the power of the Northern Emperor's Water Concealment Technique was amplified here.

Moving through the thick fog, Li Yan became nearly invisible, swift and silent, heading westward.

Soon, he reached seven or eight li away, crouching atop a massive tree trunk, gazing into the distance.

Ahead lay a cliff, its face riddled with countless ancient caves of early humans, even remnants of underground fortresses.

Below, on the open ground, animal bones were piled into mountains, among them human skulls, deliberately arranged into a jingguan…

(End of Chapter)