The morning light pierced the clouds, dyeing Green Stone Town with a golden edge, yet it couldn't dispel the solemnity on Ye Chen's brow. He and Wang Tiechui mingled with the earliest group leaving town, quickly departing this place of trouble.
The assassin was dealt with, but the "Shadow Pavilion's" bounty hung like a dark cloud. The Ye Family... they truly hadn't given up their pursuit, even resorting to external assassin organizations. This further solidified Ye Chen's conviction that he, or rather, that Ascension Token, must be tied to secrets he didn't understand.
"I must reach Flowing Cloud Immortal City as soon as possible! Only by entering the Azure Profound Dao Sect can I find a moment's respite and gain the ability to investigate the truth." Ye Chen made up his mind. Three thousand li was a journey of months for mortals, but for cultivators, especially those with certain means, it was not an insurmountable distance.
He did not choose the regular official roads or trade routes; those places were crowded and easily led to being tracked. Instead, he relied on the records in the Eastern Domain Gazetteer jade slip and chose a more remote path, closer to the continuous mountain range. Although this route was longer and frequented by Demonic Beasts, it was sparsely populated, making it more suitable for concealing his tracks.
The two traveled eastward, enduring wind and sleeping under the stars. Ye Chen dedicated most of his time to traveling and consolidating his cultivation, while continuously studying the Eastern Domain Gazetteer jade slip to broaden his knowledge. Wang Tiechui was responsible for vigilance and hunting. His brute strength was more than enough for ordinary wild beasts, and he could hold his own against the occasional low-level Demonic Beast with his tough hide, which served as good practice for the rudimentary Qi and Blood circulation method Ye Chen taught him.
Ten days later, a wide, vast, and rippling river lay before them. The river water was a verdant green, its current swift, and the river surface spanned several li. The opposite bank was hidden in water vapor, inspiring awe at the sight.
"Qinglan River." Ye Chen frowned as he looked at the jade slip's record. This river traversed the Eastern Region, its waters vast and powerful, with many powerful aquatic Demonic Beasts lurking within. Ordinary boats found it difficult to cross. To cross the river, one would either have to detour thousands of li to find a bridge or ferry crossing, or... force their way across using a cultivator's means.
Detouring would take too long, and too many unforeseen events could occur. Ye Chen chose the latter.
He searched by the river for half a day, finally finding a relatively calm river bend. He took out a piece of tough ironwood he had cut along the way and used Spiritual Power to carve it into the shape of a simple raft. This was no ordinary raft; as Ye Chen made it, he deliberately etched some rudimentary reinforcement and water-repelling runes inside the wood using the Spiritual Power from the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter. This was something he had learned from studying the jade slip of a cultivator who had sat in meditation. Although the effect was weak, it was better than nothing.
"Tiechui, get on the raft, we're crossing the river." Ye Chen pushed the raft into the water and leaped onto it first. Wang Tiechui followed closely behind. His heavy body caused the raft to sink sharply, but thanks to the effect of the Spiritual Power runes, it eventually stabilized.
Ye Chen stood at the front of the raft, circulating the Chaos Spiritual Energy within his body. He pressed his palms against the river's surface, and a gentle pushing force emerged from his palms, propelling the raft forward like an arrow from a bow, breaking through waves and heading towards the opposite bank. He didn't exert his full power, maintaining a steady speed while his Spiritual Sense scanned the surrounding waters like radar, alert for any potential dangers.
The river wind blew fiercely, rustling their clothes. Wang Tiechui gripped the edge of the raft tightly, looking down at the unfathomably deep, verdant river water and the magnificent vista where the water met the sky in the distance. A trace of awe appeared on his honest face.
The initial part of the journey was calm and peaceful. However, when the raft reached the center of the river, a sudden change occurred!
The river water beneath the raft suddenly churned as if boiling, and a massive shadow rapidly ascended from the depths!
"Splash—!"
Accompanied by a huge splash of water, a ferocious, massive head covered in dark green scales broke through the surface. Its gaping maw revealed rows of sharp, white teeth. Carrying a foul-smelling wind, it lunged directly at the raft! It was a Green Scaled Water Python, over five zhang long! Judging by its aura, it had already reached the mid-stage of the first tier, equivalent to a cultivator in the Qi Refining mid-stage!
"Careful!" Ye Chen had already anticipated this. The moment the giant python broke the surface, he stomped hard on the raft!
"Crack!" Spiritual Power erupted, and the front of the raft suddenly tilted up, narrowly avoiding the giant python's bite. At the same time, he used the force to retreat, rapidly condensing Chaos Spiritual Energy at his fingertips. It transformed into three inch-long, pale gray energy arrows that shot towards the python's most vulnerable eyes and throat with a sharp whistling sound!
This was the low-level spell "Arrow Technique," but empowered by the Spiritual Power of the "Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter," its might was not to be underestimated!
The Green Scaled Water Python clearly hadn't expected its prey to react so swiftly. Although it dodged two of the three energy arrows by twisting its head, the last one accurately struck its left eye!
"Hiss—!" The giant python let out a painful, angry hiss. Blood poured from its left eye, and its massive body thrashed wildly, stirring up monstrous waves that violently rocked the raft.
"Tiechui, steady the raft!" Ye Chen whispered, leaping up like a hawk to avoid the iron tail the giant python swept towards him. He knew that fighting such a Demonic Beast in the water was extremely disadvantageous; he had to end it quickly!
He stepped on the crest of the waves, circulating the Spiritual Power within his body at an unprecedented speed. The Qi Circulation Route of the "Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter" was pushed to its limit. He formed seals with his hands in front of his chest, and the surrounding water vapor seemed to be drawn towards his palms, merging with the Chaos Spiritual Energy to form a large, swirling water ball with gray lightning flashing within—this was a semi-original move he had devised by combining the "Water Condensation Art" with his own Spiritual Energy characteristics!
"Go!"
Ye Chen thrust his arms forward fiercely, and the gray water ball, containing most of his Spiritual Power, smashed towards the giant python's injured head like a meteor!
The giant python sensed the threat, a flicker of fear in its single eye. It opened its mouth and spat out a condensed water column to try and block it.
"Boom!!!"
The water ball and the water column collided head-on in mid-air, emitting a deafening roar! A violent energy shockwave spread outwards, creating a massive depression in the river's surface!
The gray water ball ultimately proved superior. After shattering the water column, the remaining energy fiercely struck the giant python's head!
"Bang!"
Scales shattered, flesh and blood flew! The Green Scaled Water Python let out a shrill cry. Its massive body convulsed a few times before finally sinking powerlessly into the river, dyeing a large area of the water red.
Killed a first-tier mid-stage Demonic Beast, the 'Green Scaled Water Python,' by fighting above one's level. Combat experience greatly increased, understanding of Spiritual Power application deepened.
Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter proficiency +30!
Cultivation: Fourth Layer of Qi Refining 15/100
Ye Chen landed back on the violently shaking raft, his face slightly pale and his breathing somewhat disordered. That last strike had consumed a great deal of energy. He immediately took out a Low-grade Spirit Stone and held it in his hand, quickly recovering his Spiritual Power.
Wang Tiechui struggled to steady the nearly falling-apart raft. He looked at the giant python sinking into the river, then at Ye Chen, his eyes filled with shock and admiration.
"Go!" Ye Chen dared not linger. Who knew if other Demonic Beasts in the river would be attracted by the smell of blood. He urged the raft forward again, heading towards the opposite bank at an even faster speed.
Half an hour later, the raft finally reached the opposite bank. Both men stepped onto solid ground, feeling a sense of having survived a great ordeal.
Looking back, the Qinglan River was vast and misty, with hidden dangers. Ahead lay an even broader, unknown world.
Ye Chen adjusted his breathing for a moment, his gaze fixed resolutely eastward.
"Flowing Cloud Immortal City, not far now."
A thousand li of mist and waves, crossed by a single raft. The road ahead is perilous, only by moving forward.