[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-153":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Mountains and Rivers of the Imperial Granary",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2231569,4184,"Chapter 153","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-153",153,"\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou glared at A Nuo; this kid was truly dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter how this water came to be, it can't be corpse water; what kind of corpse water can be purified like this?\" Lu Xingzhou stepped forward and patted Sheng Yuanyao’s back: \"Don't listen to A Nuo’s nonsense; am I the master or is she the master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao almost lost her strength, fell back, and gritted her teeth: \"Lu A Nuo, you just wait!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Nuo turned her head to look at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't know if you should scold me or thank me; look at your current posture?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao didn't seem to notice that she was unconsciously leaning in Lu Xingzhou’s arms, still panting while covering her chest in a weak and delicate manner: \"Since there are skeletons underground, do you plan to dig?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou didn't seem to notice that he was holding the melon girl on his lap, still deep in thought: \"No need to dig. Since this water is related to the skeleton below, we can just follow the water down to reach it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Nuo’s eyes darted between the two faces; it was hard to say whether they really didn't notice or were pretending not to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Female brother, pfft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao said: \"Is it deep? My breath-holding ability isn't very long...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't enter the water. The situation below is unknown, and diving in rashly is very dangerous.\" Lu Xingzhou summoned his soul banner, and several ghosts slipped into the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the ghosts saw was what the master saw; Lu Xingzhou held Sheng Yuanyao, his mind already immersed in controlling the ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao secretly glanced at him, seeing his mind was distracted, and hesitated for a moment whether to stand up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at A Nuo’s disgusted expression, Sheng Yuanyao ground her teeth and beckoned to A Nuo: \"Come here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Nuo refused: \"You just want to pinch me. If you have the ability, come over and pinch me yourself; are you willing to stand up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao gritted her teeth: \"I'm just weak from vomiting!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she finished speaking, a scorpion jumped out of the sand nearby and pinched her ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao, who claimed to be weak, flew up and kicked the scorpion a hundred thousand miles away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Nuo: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao’s eyes drifted: \"I'm protecting your master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Nuo couldn't be bothered with her. When Master controlled the ghosts, it counted as multitasking, and protection was indeed needed, but not protection while sitting in his arms...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder what Master saw? Why does he look so serious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou’s ghosts followed the water down and soon entered the wet soil. The ghosts could travel through the soil, so he simply continued to explore downward and saw the shell bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should be the skeleton of a huge turtle-like creature; what he saw was only a small part. Lu Xingzhou simply released more ghosts to explore horizontally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he explored, the more shocked he became. Roughly estimated, this shell bone was nearly half a mile in radius, which could be said to be huge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What shocked Lu Xingzhou the most was not the size; it was not strange for a demon to be huge. The real trouble was that, with Lu Xingzhou’s sensitivity to the method of cultivating evil ghosts, he suspected that this turtle-creature wasn't completely dead...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This water felt like a water-type technique used by this turtle-creature, gathering all the water elements in the sand to provide the nutrients for its immortality. Including the plants in the oasis giving people a deathly feeling, it was also because the water was being absorbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be said that the formation of this desert was half due to another fire source and half due to this turtle-creature absorbing water elements. The two worked together to turn an entire region into a desert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Congratulations, the water Sheng Yuanyao drank was fine; it was condensed from pure water elements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, since this condensation was to maintain the survival of the underground skeleton, logically there shouldn't be such an oasis exposed... It was suspected to be a \"call for help,\" or it could be \"fishing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of a demon’s thinking, the possibility of fishing seemed higher; as long as any living creature came here to get water, it would try to devour it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was very likely that it was already too weak to move, and even though there were living people here, it couldn't move... It could also be that this kind of behemoth buried deep underground had a naturally slow reaction, and by the time it reacted, the people had already left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was the former, it meant there was a bargain to be picked up; if it was the latter, it meant there would be danger if they dragged it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should they take a gamble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou considered for a few seconds and concluded: \"Let's go, leave here immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Nuo had been cooperating with Master for so many years; as soon as she heard Master’s words, she didn't even need to think and immediately shot away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao hadn't reacted yet, but Lu Xingzhou had already driven the wheelchair away while holding her, and Sheng Yuanyao subconsciously hugged his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until they were far away, there was still no movement there, and Sheng Yuanyao asked strangely: \"What's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The demon below isn't completely dead. If it were normal times, I might gamble to see if I could pick up a bargain, but now the environment is dangerous and someone is watching us, so it's not appropriate to do such a thing of trapping ourselves in danger.\" Lu Xingzhou hid behind a bulging sand dune and whispered: \"Don't make a sound; now we are the hunters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao’s heart moved, and she understood Lu Xingzhou’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone was secretly following them to cause trouble, seeing them survey and stay at that oasis for so long, they would definitely follow to survey it as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they would turn from hunters into their prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing A Nuo already lying on the sand dune with her eyes peeking out to watch the show, Sheng Yuanyao couldn't help it either, finally left the warm human sofa, and crawled to A Nuo’s side to watch together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Nuo gave her a disdainful glance, and Sheng Yuanyao pressed A Nuo’s head down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their silent drama, after a while, two figures appeared at the oasis in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was Daoist Xuan Qing, and the other was Chen Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There really is something.\" Sheng Yuanyao’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot: \"I must report this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou said leisurely: \"Report what? They haven't done anything yet; is it a crime to follow us and pick up scraps?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao said: \"Then what do you plan to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu Mou comes from the demonic path, and I have never been a good person... They are afraid that because I am low-key and honest at school in the capital, they really think I'm honest.\" Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: \"If I could choose, I would only want to be the defendant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over there, Xuan Qing was saying: \"Lu Xingzhou and the others observed here for half an incense stick of time... but the plants here have no medicinal properties, and even have a bit of deathly aura.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yu said: \"So he left without taking anything, and we don't need to investigate either; let's go directly, I'm afraid of losing them if we're late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Qing hesitated: \"Just because Lu Xingzhou couldn't find anything doesn't mean we can't. Are you really willing to let Lu Xingzhou suppress you in everything, without even trying to prove that you have a better eye for detail than him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yu shook his head silently: \"Know what is the root and what is the branch; don't lose the big for the small. Let's go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was also jealous of Lu Xingzhou, jealous to death. But he was much more stable than Xuan Qing, and his personality was clearly reflected in the entrance examination; he only refined three pills to ensure they were of excellent quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His choice was undoubtedly correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unfortunately, he met Lu Xingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the word \"go\" left his mouth, the ghosts Lu Xingzhou hid underground viciously slapped the turtle-creature’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Roar!\" An angry roar finally came from deep underground. The next moment, a sandstorm raged, the earth shook, the entire oasis collapsed and disappeared in an instant, and the overwhelming sand submerged the original place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daoist Xuan Qing and Chen Yu rose into the air in horror. Below, the sandstorm rolled, and a huge turtle shell half a mile in radius was lifted up, slamming directly toward the two in mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\" Xuan Qing wanted to leave in horror, but his body suddenly stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, Sheng Yuanyao watched as the talisman in Lu Xingzhou’s hand burned out; it was a Slowing Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\" Xuan Qing didn't even have time to react before the turtle shell slammed into him firmly, and he was smashed into a pile of mud, falling into the sand and dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died without even knowing why he died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, without doing anything, that Daoist Xuan Qing, who had been highly regarded, died here. The Demon-Suppressing Division personnel who were secretly following to protect Xuan Qing were also unable to rescue him in time. The cause of Xuan Qing’s death they could report was that he died at the hands of the desert turtle-creature...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yu’s strength far exceeded Xuan Qing’s, but he struggled to break free from the Slowing Technique, flashed away from the range of the turtle shell’s slam, and ran for his life like a madman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was also very decisive, knowing that he absolutely could not fight here, otherwise, if Lu Xingzhou and Lu Nuonuo ambushed him from behind, he would surely die!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh... unexpectedly, the quiet Chen Yu is the little boss, much more powerful than Xuan Qing.\" Lu Xingzhou patted the wheelchair: \"Let's go too. This turtle-creature has devoured Xuan Qing’s flesh and blood and has become stronger; this size alone is not something we can deal with. Let's leave and continue to observe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Observe... observe what else?\" Sheng Yuanyao was dazed, her waist tightened, and she was already being carried away by Lu Xingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Observe where the fire that the turtle-creature is fighting is; that is the root cause of the desert death zone. Now that the turtle-creature’s vitality has recovered briefly, it will definitely try to destroy this source...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, the turtle-creature swallowed Xuan Qing’s corpse in one bite, then roared to the sky, its huge body swept into the air, and it flew rapidly toward a seemingly unremarkable location in the desert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\" The huge turtle shell, half a mile in radius, cut obliquely into the desert, sand swept, and dust storms filled the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou held Sheng Yuanyao and A Nuo in his arms, opening the wheelchair shield tightly to resist. The pitch-black vision couldn't block the ghosts Lu Xingzhou ambushed beside the turtle-creature. The information transmitted by the ghosts clearly indicated that there was a cluster of cyan-blue flames under the desert that the turtle-creature had rushed through, swaying in the sand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There really was a fire seed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that a Flame Demon-like creature had also died here, leaving behind its essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The turtle-creature’s bones condensed terrifying water elemental power, directly impacting the fire seed, trying to destroy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thing restrained it too much; as long as the fire seed remained, it would never be able to survive in this first level of the Demon-Suppressing Domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\" Water and fire clashed, energy erupted, and the sand and dust became thicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou’s soul banner rolled, and the Flame Demon roared out, heading straight for the fire seed’s location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of whether the turtle-creature had the strength to destroy this demon fire seed, it was never wrong to collect it first. This kind of fire seed was not suitable for alchemy, but it was often very suitable for combat, especially for the Flame Demon of the soul banner, which was a great supplement, so it was worth collecting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as Lu Xingzhou’s energy was focused on controlling the Flame Demon to seize the fire, the wheelchair shield was suddenly hit by energy from behind, and the shield collapsed. The sandstorm instantly rolled into the three of them, and Lu Xingzhou could no longer sit in the wheelchair; the three were caught off guard and directly scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was completely an accidental change, belonging to the \"omnipresent special attacks\" in the Demon-Suppressing Domain, the root cause of which was the chaotic energy of dead demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn't experienced it before, but unexpectedly, it suddenly happened at this most tense moment, and it happened to hit their position, which was completely bad luck. Sheng Yuanyao ate a mouthful of sand, looking puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone said Lu Xingzhou was a person of great luck; looking at it this way, how was he like those unlucky demon cultivators who were struck by heaven? Where was the luck?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, none of the three were ordinary people; this kind of sandstorm couldn't cause any damage to anyone, it was just that their vision was gone, and they couldn't see anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao condensed her qi to protect her body and rushed toward Lu Xingzhou’s direction quickly. She couldn't let Lu Xingzhou leave her sight! As long as she confirmed that she couldn't see and couldn't report him, the hidden malice of the enemy would flood toward Lu Xingzhou!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the ridge where they came, Wang Yueshen revealed a smile; he had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wisp of sword qi rose silently, heading straight for Lu Xingzhou in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Clang!\" The sword qi was suddenly intercepted. Dugu Qingli stood with her sword in front of her, coldly saying: \"A teacher of the Alchemy Academy actually has such character, secretly ambushing his own students... I've learned something new.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yueshen’s expression changed slightly, then he looked around, and there was no one there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also sneered: \"Sheng Yuanyao left you here just to guard against me? A little girl, she has quite a few ideas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dugu Qingli said coldly: \"She guessed right, didn't she?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But don't you know, no matter how strong you are, you are only fourth-grade, and I am third-grade... The gap of the upper three grades is not something that can be easily crossed like the gap between ordinary levels,\" Wang Yueshen held his sword in his hand and said coldly: \"Tianyao descendant... I absolutely cannot let you go out to report this. Offended.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2474,"2026-06-18T01:46:09.112Z","2026-06-18T03:18:02.290Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","7f0849f77be48f89a5cbeeda494e05358e8fd6fbb8412bc56b41ccee4a3b5f86","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-154","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-152",325,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmountains-and-rivers-of-the-imperial-granary-cover.jpg"]