The Wheel of Hell Ghost taking its anger out on others as a matter of course, the Mountain Spirit and Purple-striped Turtle’s indifference to whether Zhao Tiansheng lived or died—it all pointed to one thing.
In the Jiu Province World, even when non-humans and humans shared feasts as a form of fellowship, it didn’t guarantee any real camaraderie. Ultimately, one could only rely on their own strength.
Zhao Tiansheng had understood this point long ago; now, he was just experiencing it on a much more personal level.
However, he was confident that even if the Wheel of Hell Ghost’s last strike had landed, it wouldn’t have mattered much.
Instead, Zhao Tiansheng’s thoughts were completely consumed by what Elder Wei had said about the "Flood Dragon Walking the River," and the constant smile on his face faded.
"A Flood Dragon Walking the River?"
"A decree from the Yunmeng Dragon Monarch? And the Prefecture City has nothing to say about it?"
From what Zhao Tiansheng knew, both in his past life and this one, a Flood Dragon Walking the River was always accompanied by violent gales and torrential rains, floods and landslides. For the creatures living on the riverbanks, it was never a good thing.
For the Aquatic Race, however, it was an opportunity to cleanse and renew the Primordial Qi within the river and to widen its channel.
The benefits were seemingly endless. It was no wonder the non-humans from the Mount Heng area had suddenly fled to the outskirts of Jinning.
But since preparations for the event were already underway, there was no guarantee the Flood Dragon wouldn’t come to scout the Jinning section of the river ahead of time. And after that, he feared...
A solemn look filled his eyes. Even Chi Xuan, safe within the small eatery, revealed a trace of anxiety.
’Tiansheng, a Flood Dragon Walking the River and Transforming into a Dragon is its path to attaining the Dao. You’d best not get involved.’
Zhao Tiansheng was well aware of his Sister Chi’s concerns, but he had no intention of staying out of it. It would be best if things remained peaceful, but if Jinning Town were threatened, he couldn’t simply stand by and do nothing.
"There’s been no news from the Prefecture City."
"It seems they neither oppose it nor agree to it."
"It looks like they’re still hesitating!"
Elder Wei was also baffled by this. The Governor of Xiang Prefecture City was not known for his pleasant demeanor. For him to make no move at all in the face of such a brazen non-human disturbance... The whole situation was too quiet. It was completely out of character for him.
"I’ve already sent a message to my Dao Lineage to inquire."
"I believe there will be an answer soon."
"But, it’s always best to be prepared for the worst."
Elder Wei exhaled another puff of smoke, his face impassive.
"We still have to plan for the worst!"
...
"No wonder the Cyan-faced Ghost, the Spider Demon, and the others were acting so desperately."
The Mountain Spirit’s childlike voice piped up. As it stretched its arms, it was clear that one of them had been severely injured.
"But how can they be sure it’s safe here?"
"To Walk the River up to Dongting Yunmeng, the path goes straight through Jinning and the Prefecture City!"
"Along the way, it passes no fewer than twenty cities and towns of various sizes..."
The Purple-striped Turtle, a member of the Aquatic Race, spoke with a voice laced with terror.
"For its own safety, when a Flood Dragon Walks the River, it will either kill or drive away any powerful non-humans in the vicinity."
"Nearly every time a Flood Dragon has Walked the River, it has caused immense turmoil."
"In years past, Flood Dragons always Walked the River through sections of the Yangtze or Yellow Rivers before heading directly to the sea."
"Why this time..."
The Wheel of Hell Ghost, on the other hand, seemed indifferent. After being chastised by Elder Wei, it had remained silent.
"I can’t speak on the inner workings of this matter at the moment."
"I’ll inform you if I get any real news. In the meantime, don’t cause too much trouble."
"The mountains and wilds are vast. There’s more than enough room for creatures like you!"
Elder Wei tapped his long-stemmed pipe, exhaling the last wisp of smoke. Now, his words were not merely a warning from one cultivator to a group of non-humans, but a demand from the local Garrison to them!
A pressure that seemed to exceed the Five Micro Major Tier of the Star Realm emanated from him, compelling the three non-human leaders to lower their heads.
"We understand!"
...
Just then, the Wheel of Hell Ghost flicked the flames enveloping its body, scorching a group of nearby non-humans who were grunting contentedly as they ate. They leaped up, clutching their portions of delicious food, and scrambled to the side.
"Done with the pointless chatter?"
"I want to eat!"
In the eyes of this Wheel of Hell Ghost, the interaction between the surrounding non-humans and humans was a complete waste of time.
In fact, if Zhao Tiansheng couldn’t cook delicious food that helped its Cultivation advance faster, it wouldn’t have kept coming back to this place.
It disliked humans, and other non-humans were no exception.
Elder Wei showed no sign of being offended. Instead, he tucked his long-stemmed pipe back into his sash.
"Then I won’t disturb you all while you eat."
"I’d like to order something too!"
His expression changed in a flash, transforming from the formidable Garrison cultivator who could cow legions of non-humans into a beaming old peasant.
"Tiansheng, my boy, get an old man like me a few fresh dishes."
"The usual. I’ll eat anything. And two liang of hard liquor!"
Zhao Tiansheng nodded without another word and turned back into the eatery to begin his preparations.
’Silly boy. Did you really think you could hide that little bit of power from an old man like me?’
’Is this the kind of mess you should be getting involved in?’
’Another ten years from now, maybe... but not yet.’
As the local Garrison, Elder Wei was privy to matters in Jinning Town big and small. He naturally knew about the Protective Talisman Zhao Tiansheng carried. In fact, he had met the ’Jade Food Immortal’ once, back when she first came to Jinning to see Zhao Tiansheng.
Elder Wei wasn’t particularly surprised that a ’Jade Food Immortal’ had chosen Zhao Tiansheng. That it was *this one*, however, was indeed a bit of a shock.
After she chose Zhao Tiansheng, two years had passed with this new companion showing very little change. This fact had greatly surprised certain interested parties in a grand hall atop Mount Heng.
Only Elder Wei understood. With Zhao Tiansheng’s Talent for Sacrificial Cultivation, once he overcame the Primordial Qi threshold, his potential would be like a surging, endless river. Outsiders could never comprehend how much power he would have in reserve.
But by the same token, before he truly hit that fast track, Zhao Tiansheng needed to lay low for quite some time.
This was unlike the Ordinary Flavor Seeking Officers or Diansu Xiaoniangs who made pacts with a ’Jade Food Immortal’. They could advance with incredible speed, unstoppable even by the Celestial Gate at Tier Nine of the Star Realm.
One could say that as long as Zhao Tiansheng didn’t do anything foolish, becoming a Moon Realm Daoist—a supremely distinguished figure anywhere in Jiu Province—was practically a certainty.
Unfortunately, Elder Wei, who had watched Zhao Tiansheng grow up, knew full well that the boy was precisely the type to go looking for trouble.
He was here to curb Zhao Tiansheng’s impulsive thoughts and prevent him from exposing his identity as a Flavor Seeking Officer to a ’Jade Food Immortal’.
The pact, once made, could not be undone. Even so, there were far too many people in the world who, upon seeing someone else with a Phoenix that lays golden eggs, would try to destroy it simply so the other person couldn’t have it.
The terror of non-humans lies in their instincts, while the terror of humans lies in their hearts.
...
"This flavor?!"
Just as Elder Wei was narrowing his eyes, pondering if he needed to keep an even closer watch on Zhao Tiansheng...
...the Purple-striped Turtle swallowed a mouthful of the meat and broth congee. Its voice seemed to boom, and a shimmering, distorted light manifested faintly across its shell, causing everyone present, human and non-human alike, to turn and stare!