A Thousand Miles of Mighty Water Dragons, Ten Thousand Miles of Ocean Waves

Early the next morning, Shen Mu left the hotel and went to a women's clothing store to buy Tang Yongqing a new outfit.

As for the clothes Tang Yongqing had worn yesterday, they had shattered into pieces while she practiced her spear technique and could no longer be worn.

After Tang Yongqing had gotten herself sorted out, Shen Mu personally used his telekinesis to send the mobility-impaired Tang Yongqing back to her dormitory at the research institute.

As they parted, Shen Mu softly said, "Sister Yongqing, remember to take the Essence of Flora and Dragon Blood I gave you soon. Your physical condition is too weak. I'm afraid you'll get hurt."

"I-I know."

Tang Yongqing immediately turned around and walked into the dormitory without looking back, even quickening her pace as though some prehistoric beast were behind her.

After watching Tang Yongqing leave, Shen Mu, refreshed in body and spirit, turned and departed as well.

Over the next few months, Shen Mu planned to travel across the world's rivers and lakes, comprehending the essence of water as he prepared for his final leap.

When Shen Mu returned home again, Chen Wen looked at him with a gratified smile.

"What is it, Mom?"

"Nothing. Mom is going to start preparing a training plan for my genius little grandson."

Chen Wen knew Shen Mu had gone to see the little girl from the Tang family yesterday, only to stay out all night again. She could tell with her knees that her son had learned how to pluck cabbages.

The corner of Shen Mu's mouth twitched slightly, but he did not say much.

Honestly, Shen Mu had no intention of having a whole bunch of descendants like Luo Feng. What happened later could wait until later; in any case, it was impossible right now.

"Then just wait. But instead of expecting me to bring you a grandson, you and Dad might as well work harder and give me a little brother or sister."

"Get out of here! So you dare tease your mother now, huh?!"

Chen Wen immediately put her hands on her hips and huffed indignantly.

The day after that little episode, Shen Mu set out on his cultivation journey.

Over the course of a month, Shen Mu traveled across the Divine Land, passed along the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, and drifted by boat across Yunmeng Marsh.

After the Great Nirvana Era, the natural environment had recovered remarkably well. Many landscapes that had vanished in modern times had reappeared one by one, including Yunmeng Marsh.

The reappearance of Yunmeng Marsh was also due to a King-Level Monster.

During the Great Nirvana Era, a hairy crab in Dongting Lake had evolved into King-Level, with terrifyingly high defenses. Even nuclear bombs had failed to kill it.

Yunmeng Marsh had reappeared because that King-Level hairy crab had reshaped its territory, but it had later been killed by Hong and Thunder God.

Shen Mu was also somewhat curious what a King-Level hairy crab tasted like, but Hong and Thunder God were probably the only people in the world who had tried one.

At the beginning of March, Shen Mu ventured deep into the Amazon Forest, where the world's largest river flowed.

While there, Shen Mu also slew a King-Level giant crocodile. With the aid of Mu Ya Crystals, he advanced to Planet-Level Rank 2.

It could only be said that the efficiency was still a little slow. Even with Mu Ya Crystals supplying him, it had taken two months to break through a single rank.

Over those two months, his East Sea Azure Dragon Avatar had already absorbed more than ten Mu Ya Crystals, and its telekinetic power had risen from Planet-Level Rank 3 to Rank 5.

However, as its realm increased, every rank required more energy to absorb. Advancing from Planet-Level Rank 5 to Rank 6 required an accumulation of energy equivalent to advancing from Rank 3 to Rank 5.

At the East Sea Azure Dragon Avatar's absorption rate, it would take another two months to break through to Planet-Level Rank 6, then another four months to reach Planet-Level Rank 7.

Breaking through to Planet-Level Rank 8 within the year was impossible, so Shen Mu planned to lay everything on the table with the Golden Horned Beast after the Azure Dragon Avatar evolved to Planet-Level Rank 7.

In the blink of an eye, time reached late April. In the south, the flood season was approaching, and the rainfall was gradually increasing.

During this period, Shen Mu visited the world's most famous lakes and rivers before returning to China.

Jiangnan Base City, Yangtze War Base.

At the mouth of the Yangtze River, more than twenty Planet-Level experts from Limit Martial Hall, Thunder Martial Hall, and China's three major factions hovered above the sea.

"Hall Master, Lei, Jia Yi, everyone, I'll be relying on you this time."

Shen Mu looked toward the more than twenty Planet-Level experts hovering above the sea. Excluding Shen Mu himself, Limit Martial Hall had ten Planet-Level experts, including Hong.

Thunder Martial Hall had seven in total, including Thunder God. China had previously only possessed four, but because of the Mu Ya Crystals over the past few months, the number of Planet-Level martial artists had reached nine.

"Don't worry. We'll all be stationed at Jiangnan Base City then. Just focus on driving the tide. Nothing unexpected will happen."

Hong spoke in a deep voice, carrying a steady reliability that inspired trust.

Thunder God draped an arm over Shen Mu's shoulder, grinning as he pretended to sound relaxed. "Shen Mu, you'd better give it your all. Try to comprehend a domain. When that happens, I'll step down and let you become the Second Speaker."

Luo Feng also nodded at Shen Mu. "Go for it, Brother Shen!"

As he spoke, Luo Feng was also communicating with Babata through telekinesis.

"Babata, if Brother Shen can comprehend a domain this time, he'll be able to join Yunmo Star, right?"

"Of course. That would make him a Planet-Level domain expert. But don't get your hopes up too high. Although Shen Mu has begun comprehending the mysteries of domains, it has been far too short a time. Haven't you seen Thunder God spend decades on it without comprehending a domain?"

Although Babata said that, she also hoped Shen Mu could truly comprehend a domain.

"Everyone, I'll go first."

As Shen Mu's voice fell, the calm sea suddenly heaved with endless waves. Then an Azure Dragon more than 160 meters long emerged from beneath the sea, openly releasing the aura fluctuations of Planet-Level Rank 6.

"Good grief. Shen Mu actually used all the Mu Ya Crystals he obtained to raise his tamed beast. Isn't he afraid of it turning on him? Your Earth doesn't have any means of forced control!"

Babata immediately sensed the changes in the East Sea Azure Dragon's aura and could not help clicking her tongue repeatedly.

Roar!

A clear dragon's roar echoed between heaven and earth. Then the Azure Dragon coiled through the air as endless water vapor naturally gathered around it.

That boundless water vapor formed clusters of misty clouds around the Azure Dragon. Against that cloudy backdrop, its ferocious appearance actually became sacred, as though it truly were a divine dragon from myth and legend.

Shen Mu transformed into a streak of light and appeared atop the Azure Dragon's head.

"Azure Dragon, we're setting out. Our destination is the source of the Yangtze River!"

Roar!

After answering with a dragon's roar, the East Sea Azure Dragon shot forward, transforming into an azure rainbow as it disappeared into the clouds.

Wherever it passed, genetic energy spread out and formed endless mist, changing the clouds and making them broader and denser. They even faintly darkened, as if rain could fall at any moment.

At that moment, Jia Yi picked up a satellite phone and said, "Meteorological Department, Meteorological Department, bring out that weather instrument excavated from the ancient civilization ruins. Don't worry about energy consumption—run it at full capacity."

"There must be no rain for the next few days. Once Councilor Shen Mu begins guiding the waters, use every means available to make rain fall. By then, I want torrential rain across the entire Yangtze River basin!"

Every available measure had been put to use. What came next depended on Shen Mu.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. It was May 12, 2059, the first day of the lunar month, six in the morning. The tide rose.

Rumble!

The sky was dark and gloomy. As a bolt of thunder burst forth, the water vapor and storm clouds accumulated over half a month suddenly converged into black clouds, within which countless lightning serpents danced wildly.

Crash!

In an instant, torrential rain poured down. The river churned violently, and the rain curtain was so intense that figures could not be seen even a few meters away.

Roar!

From the center of the river came a deep dragon's roar. Then the water began to ripple, and wave after wave surged toward the sea.

Beneath the river's surface, a dark shadow could vaguely be seen traveling with the current.

Vast telekinetic power and genetic energy erupted violently, raising even greater waves. Wherever it passed, the river became like a stirred vat of water, boiling beneath the torrential rain.

Crack... Rumble...

Dazzling lightning burst forth again, thoroughly illuminating the dark world. Beneath the river, the Azure Dragon swam into the distance, while Shen Mu rode the great tide across the surface.

Thunder stirred, and the great tide rose!

At that moment, Shen Mu's mind was incomparably clear. His two bodies used the energy absorbed from Mu Ya Crystals as fuel, releasing genetic energy and telekinetic power without restraint. At the same time, he entered a state of Harmony of Man and Nature, allowing himself to resonate with heaven and earth.

Rumble!

The surging tide shook both riverbanks violently. Some old levees were directly washed away, and the mighty river tide flooded into the uninhabited wilderness zones.

North of Jiangnan Base City, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River.

More than twenty figures walked through the air. Behind them, the three major factions had temporarily mobilized several hundred Mentalists.

If necessary, these Mentalists would jointly unleash their telekinetic power to stop the river from rushing toward Jiangnan Base City and prevent any accidents.

Crack!

Thunder boomed as dazzling lightning tore across the sky.

The vast rain curtain was too fierce. In everyone's vision, the distant mountains seemed hidden away, leaving the world shrouded in gray.

Rumble! Rumble rumble!

More deafening roars came from the distance, and the ground shook violently.

The river churned fiercely as though it were boiling. In the distance, a tide more than a hundred meters high could vaguely be seen rising from the river's surface.

"It's here. Everyone, follow the plan and protect Jiangnan Base City!" Hong's voice clearly rang in everyone's ears.

Immediately, every Planet-Level expert led a team of Mentalists to their pre-calculated positions.

To the north of Jiangnan Base City, semi-circular dams had been hastily constructed, along with numerous drainage channels. In short, every possible measure had been used.

A moment later, everyone finally saw the mighty crest of the tide, accompanied by an incomparably violent roar, as though an enormous-yield bomb had detonated.

"Move!"

The instant Hong's words fell, a pitch-black, lightless domain spread outward, blocking the floodwaters spilling beyond the dam.

One Planet-Level expert after another unleashed genetic energy and telekinetic power without restraint. Together with over a thousand Mentalists, they formed layer after layer of tough barriers.

Rumble!

The moment they faced the mighty flood, some of the weaker Mentalists felt as though a heavy hammer had slammed directly into their souls. Their telekinetic power was draining at an absurd rate.

"Gather!"

From atop the tidal crest, Shen Mu shouted furiously. Vast telekinetic power swept out, forcibly controlling the hundred-meter tide and drawing it toward the center of the river.

Buzz!

Boundless telekinetic power and genetic energy, carrying the intent of the tides, fused into the hundred-meter tidal crest.

Shen Mu's goal now was to use telekinetic power and genetic energy to resonate with the river tide and guide it smoothly into the sea!

"Gather again!"

Shen Mu's voice was hoarse beyond compare. Threads of blood flowed from his eyes and ears.

Deep within Shen Mu's consciousness sea, two telekinetic planets trembled violently, crazily squeezing out vast telekinetic power.

The East Sea Azure Dragon Avatar was much the same. Its six telekinetic planets shone brilliantly, nearly seeming to burn as they desperately released telekinetic power to control the terrifying river tide.

Even with Mu Ya Crystals supplying energy, such violent absorption and refinement made Shen Mu's consciousness sea tremble intensely, while waves of incomparably sharp pain spread through it.

Rumble rumble rumble!

Amid roars that shook the entire land, the mighty tidal crest finally passed through the Jiangnan Base City river basin and entered the final stretch of its journey, several hundred kilometers long.

"It's finally over!"

A Planet-Level expert landed on the ground, panting heavily.

They were still relatively fine. Some weaker Mentalists had even fainted from exhausting their telekinetic power.

Within the dark, violent rain curtain, Luo Feng hovered in midair, gasping for breath.

"Babata, I think Brother Shen is about to succeed."

The instant the great tide passed through, Luo Feng vaguely sensed an indescribable pressure emanating from Shen Mu. It was the same pressure Hall Master Hong possessed even when he was not releasing his domain.

"It's simply unbelievable. He actually influenced the flow of more than a million tons of river water. This is absolutely not something a Planet-Level being could accomplish with their own power."

As an intelligent lifeform, Babata only needed a light scan to determine the tonnage of that mighty tide and the terrifying level of impact contained within it.

Though he had merely influenced and guided it rather than truly controlled it, this was already astonishing—a miracle that an ordinary Planet-Level being could never accomplish.

North of the East Sea, at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

Within the vast rain curtain, a mountain-like tide came roaring toward the boundless ocean, carrying terrifying force capable of toppling mountains and shaking peaks.

"Go..."

Shen Mu's final hoarse words sounded. His entire body had fallen into extreme exhaustion, yet a faint glimmer seemed to shine in his eyes.

Rumble!

In an instant, the tidal crest smashed into the vast East Sea first, like a mountain collapsing into the ocean. An incomparably violent roar followed immediately afterward.

Within a few dozen seconds, the enormous river flow poured entirely into the sea, instantly raising endless wind and waves.

A thousand miles of mighty water dragons, ten thousand miles of ocean waves.

Layer upon layer of enormous waves burst toward the distant ocean, forming a small tsunami.

"It's finally... over..." Shen Mu slowly closed his eyes as his figure, standing atop the tide, gradually floated upward.

As the endless river flow poured into the ocean, the infinite pressure weighing down on Shen Mu instantly vanished.

At that moment, Shen Mu's consciousness, energy, body, and soul all relaxed at once. Under extreme exhaustion, they followed the instincts of life and entered the most harmonious state, the state that allowed for the fastest recovery.

Buzz!

An invisible fluctuation spread from Shen Mu's body. At that moment, Shen Mu's soul, body, and energy fused perfectly, and a special force field was born.

Crash!

Faint sounds of river tides seemed to echo throughout heaven and earth, somehow drowning out even the violent roar of the tsunami.

Then, within the endless rain curtain, an illusory curtain of hazy water-blue light spread outward from Shen Mu in every direction.

Within that curtain of light, layer upon layer of mighty tides surged as though they would overturn heaven and earth.

Roar!

A dragon's roar sounded as the East Sea Azure Dragon, transformed into a translucent white liquid form, flew out from the sea and coiled around Shen Mu.

The tides surged, water dragons churned. At that moment, Shen Mu seemed to have transformed into a deity who ruled over endless waters, descending upon the human world amid the vast rain curtain.

A four-thousand-word chapter. I finished this part in one go, so let it count as an early New Year's greeting for everyone.