White Snake Plays in the Water Under the Moon

The water was clear and transparent, allowing sight of the sandy bottom as if flying through the sky.

Ripples on the water's surface caused the light to dance. Amidst the brilliant glow, Bai Yujun, in her white dress and with her black hair, swam gracefully like a fairy ascending to heaven. Chu Zhe, who had just entered the water, was both amazed and embarrassed. He remembered that snakes were naturally adept in water, so drowning was impossible. However, if he hadn't entered the water, he wouldn't have witnessed such beauty and scenery.

Bai Yujun vaguely sensed architectural ruins deep beneath the water. It was strange, wasn't it? This lake wasn't a natural dammed lake or an artificial one. Judging by details like the pebbles, the lake had existed for at least thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of years. Therefore, the structures at the bottom were quite interesting.

She swam to Chu Zhe, pointed downwards, and smiled. Then, with a gentle sway of her waist and legs, she swam downwards.

Behind her, Chu Zhe was momentarily lost in thought after her smile. Once he came to his senses, he used the Water Control Art to follow Bai Yujun downwards. The Water Control Art wasn't as innate as natural abilities; it merely involved circulating spiritual energy through the skin to breathe underwater for longer periods. Bai Yujun, however, was completely immersed in the water, smiling and blinking without any hindrance.

At a depth of a hundred meters underwater, the light was bright, showing no signs of dimming. One could only marvel at the excellent water quality.

Bai Yujun and Chu Zhe landed on the sandy ground, curiously observing the exquisite courtyard overgrown with aquatic plants before them. The buildings were constructed with bluestone walls and glazed tiles, with incorruptible ancient wood used for beams and pillars. There were no doors or windows, only pavilions and long corridors. It was likely that the underwater world was not suitable for installing doors and windows.

After playing in the water for a long time, they returned to the surface, fearing that Xu Ling and Yang Mu might be worried.

"You two seemed to have a great time underwater, making us worry," Xu Ling said with a hint of sourness in her voice.

Bai Yujun paid no mind to Xu Ling's words, her interest piqued by the underwater courtyard.

"Hiss, could the underwater place be... a Dragon Palace?"

Her speech was becoming more fluent, no longer the hesitant two or three words she used to utter.

"Dragon Palace?"

Chu Zhe and the other two didn't know much about Dragon Palaces.

There were no Dragon Palaces in this world? Seeing the genuine expressions on their faces, Bai Yujun found it hard to believe. With demons and monsters existing, how could there be no mention of Dragon Palaces?

"It's... in great rivers and lakes, there must be divine dragons residing. Even in lakes."

Legends spoke of river gods and water gods in great rivers and lakes. Great river water gods were often dragons, in charge of the river's waters and responsible for favorable weather and irrigation for the surrounding farmlands. Although this Stone Lake was small, it wasn't impossible for a dragon to reside there; at the very least, there should be a water god managing it. Looking at the appearance of the underwater courtyard, it seemed abandoned for many years, or perhaps the water god had been removed.

Listening to Bai Yujun's words, Chu Zhe fell into thought, recalling the ancient texts he had read.

"There are legends of dragons in the world, but I've never seen one. The sect's library also has legends about divine dragons. Perhaps they have long since flown away. There should be many divine dragons in the immortal realms."

If even Chunyang Palace said they hadn't seen dragons, then there definitely weren't any. For some reason, Bai Yujun always felt a special sensitivity to the word "dragon." Unable to figure it out, she stopped thinking about it and focused on being a good snake spirit.

The lake and mountains were beautiful. Although spiritual energy wasn't concentrated here, it was still a good place to camp. The three of them and the snake decided to stay for a day before leaving. In reality, Bai Yujun and Xu Ling wanted to play here, Yang Mu was indifferent, and Chu Zhe also wanted a break from the continuous secluded cultivation and enjoy some leisure.

They casually found a dry, sunny spot and roasted some pheasants, enjoying a leisurely pastime.

Late at night.

The silver moon weaved through the clouds, appearing and disappearing. The night wind rustled the leaves, and the roar of a distant waterfall carried further in the silent night, sounding as if it were right beside their ears.

Xu Ling slept soundly. Chu Zhe and Yang Mu were meditating and cultivating. Bai Yujun went to the lake and with a gentle leap, plunged into the moonlit water.

As her cultivation deepened, Bai Yujun found herself becoming increasingly peculiar. She enjoyed swallowing clouds and exhaling mist on mountaintops, and she especially loved playing in the water whenever she had free time. Pure lakes like this were particularly alluring.

After entering the water, Bai Yujun began to change her form...

From the chest down, her body transformed back into her true form, a white snake. Her serpentine body swam, becoming a white blur as she moved rapidly through the water.

Twisting her body, she dove into the deep water, then raised her head and forcefully surged towards the surface.

Boom~

Water splashed everywhere as a white figure leaped out of the water. Under the bright moonlight, Bai Yujun, with her long hair cascading down her shoulders, spread her arms to feel the cool lake water. Her slender, fair arms were delicate and thin. Half-human, half-snake, she possessed a unique charm.

She leaped high and then plunged back into the water with a splash. Rolling and swimming underwater, she churned the lake into a frenzy. The white snake frolicked in the moonlight.

It felt like returning to the secluded deep pool in the inconspicuous small valley of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, free and unrestrained. Birds and beasts yearned for freedom, willing to face death for it. Although Bai Yujun had human thoughts, she was also a snake. Her diligent cultivation was also for greater freedom.

On the shore, Chu Zhe smiled, but his smile was tinged with a hint of bitterness.

Continuing past Stone Lake Mountain, they proceeded to Du City.

Du City was built at the Tuo River ferry crossing. It originally started as a small fishing village, but as the official road passed through, it gradually expanded, becoming the renowned Du City. Houses and streets were built along the river. Every night, when the lights were lit, they would reflect in the water, creating a famous spectacle.

There was a Chunyang Palace outpost in Du City, with over twenty Chunyang disciples stationed there.

Chunyang Palace had elders and disciples stationed in major cities and key cities throughout the Tang Empire. The number varied depending on the city's size, from a single elder and ten senior disciples to several elders and numerous senior disciples. Each disciple, upon reaching a certain level of cultivation, would be assigned to experience the secular world for a few years before returning to the mountain. Chunyang cultivated the immortal path, requiring extremely high mental cultivation, unlike other sects that focused solely on cultivation without regard for mental state.

The disciples at the outposts were responsible for dealing with malevolent demonic cultivators, which was part of their duty as protectors of the nation.

The three of them and the snake headed straight for the Chunyang outpost.

Du City was not large. The outpost was built on a mountain outside the city by the river, consisting of over a dozen buildings resembling a Taoist temple. The front hall was often visited by commoners offering sacrifices and prayers, while the backyard served as the disciples' living quarters.

Coincidentally, the outpost was planning a demon subjugation operation, and Chu Zhe's arrival delighted the elder and the disciples. They immediately requested his assistance. As the eldest disciple of the Chunyang Sect leader, Chu Zhe naturally couldn't refuse and readily agreed.

In the backyard, Bai Yujun lay in a rocking chair, eating snacks and basking in the sun. Maintaining her body temperature appropriately allowed her body to be more flexible.

The disciples at the outpost were unaware that Bai Yujun was a demon. Wearing a white and blue-patterned Taoist robe, they mistook her for a relative of a powerful figure within the sect. Bai Yujun's cultivation method and the jade pendant given by Yu Rong completely concealed her aura, making her undetectable unless someone with a keen sense of smell could detect something unusual.

Chu Zhe made the schedule arrangements.

"Junior brothers and sisters, senior brother is going to assist the sect disciples in dealing with a malevolent great demon. Your cultivation is insufficient, so you will remain at the outpost. Remember not to wander off or cause trouble. Exercise caution in all matters."

Upon hearing that the senior brother was leaving, Xu Ling's eyes darted around, contemplating some mischievous idea.

Yang Mu maintained his usual icy expression and immediately involved Bai Yujun in his response.

"Senior brother, rest assured. No one is more cautious and vigilant than Yujun. You can go with peace of mind."

Chu Zhe smiled helplessly and flew away on his sword, disappearing into the sky like a streak of sword light