Today's Tribulation

Steamed wild rice stems with cured chicken legs, sprinkled with a few green peas, all glistening in a pool of golden rapeseed oil.

Oolong planted one paw on Foolish Chicken, squatted on the ground, stuck out his tongue, and wagged his tail, stirring up little gusts of wind.

Everyone feasted heartily.

Liang Qu picked up a piece of wild rice stem with his chopsticks. His eyes flickered as he unconsciously looked outside. Amid the dense shade, crimson jujubes hung heavy from every branch.

Once one had a goal worth climbing toward and buried oneself in hard work, the passing of time naturally went unnoticed. Only during leisurely meals, upon catching sight of seasonal vegetables, could one recall it a little.

It was September.

Jian Zhongyi's matter had temporarily come to an end. Compared to the journeying between Pingyang and the Imperial Capital, the matter involving Great Snow Mountain and repaying death with death, the Qingzhou Jian Family's frantic arrangements, the newly appointed Pingyang prefect, and the entanglements of every faction were what truly consumed time. It was hardly something that could be settled within a few days after arriving in the Imperial Capital.

At the same time, according to Sea Market Master's estimate, the day of Octopus King's rebirth was drawing ever closer.

"Let's make one final push!"

Liang Qu swallowed the wild rice stem, gathered his thoughts, and quickly finished the white rice in his bowl.

Quiet Room.

Two indigo prayer mats lay side by side.

Long E Ying sat cross-legged on guard while Liang Qu closed his eyes and connected with the Ze Cauldron.

Water tides slapped against the cauldron, Creation Long Qi swayed, and a streak of emerald spiritual light appeared upon the "branch."

After the passing of days and the turning of seasons, three thousand Marsh