Yan Rong and the others rode along the Dejiang River, urging their horses downstream.
This river-crossing by the dragon was a crucial moment for the transformation of the Flood Dragon Shangshan, a beast raised by their granduncle Yan Jingsi. It had escaped from the Dragon Rearing Pool of Xuanwu Pavilion, heading down the river and causing floods that drowned some residents living along the banks to harvest their souls for cultivation.
Granduncle Yan Jingsi had moved to Lei County ten years ago and was very fond of this Flood Dragon, giving it the name Shangshan—meaning the highest good is like water—in the hope that the dragon would come to understand his own heart of supreme goodness and loving the people like his own children.
Yet, despite the fine name, Flood Dragon Shangshan was mischievous and unruly. Such river-crossings had happened in previous years as well, and the granduncle had been quite furious then, scolding Shangshan for a long time. It was only after Yan Rong and the others pleaded a thousand ways, making silly faces and cracking jokes to amuse him, that the granduncle's anger finally turned to joy and he spared Shangshan any further punishment.
Because of this, the Flood Dragon Shangshan shared a very good relationship with Yan Rong and the others, often using its refined dragon core to help them temper their physical bodies and spirits, forge their physiques, polish their true qi, and impart Daoist arts to them.
They had benefited immensely from this, and their bond with the Flood Dragon Shangshan grew ever stronger.
The Flood Dragon Shangshan underwent transformation once a year, which was actually the cultivation of the Golden Core Nine Revolutions—once a year, and this year was the ninth. Once these nine revolutions were complete, the golden core would mature, allowing it