Contending for the Crossing

About thirty li from the Ox Ridge Settlement, a winding great river lay across the land.

This great river was named the White Wave River. As far as the eye could see, its width generally exceeded fifty meters. Its source was the Raging River, and it was also known as the River to the Heavens, connecting countless Blessed Lands, large and small.

Due to last night's storm, the White Wave River's water had become a bit turbid.

"Everyone, stay alert. Don't be careless, and especially don't go near the riverbank."

In the middle of the long procession, Zhao Kun quietly cautioned Yu Dashan and the others.

To reach the New Moon Blessed Land, they had to cross this great river.

Don't let the White Wave River's calm surface fool you; it actually held considerable danger.

Heaven and earth spirit roots weren't only found on land.

They also existed at the bottom of the Raging River, forming underwater Blessed Lands for those water Yao Beasts to inhabit.

Just as humans left Blessed Lands to establish Settlements around them and thrive, these water Yao Beasts did the same.

As a river connecting to the Raging River, the White Wave River had also become a choice for those water demons and monsters.

Normally, when the river water was clearer, it was fine; they could spot danger in time. But now, who knew what kind of water demons lurked in the murky depths?

If one rashly approached the great river and was dragged into the water by a water demon, it would be difficult to climb back out.

Did they expect the Qi Refining Realm cultivator in the group, who had no relation to them, to risk danger to save them?

They knew it was impossible just by thinking about it.

Therefore, it wasn't just Zhao Kun; any elder with some experience would remind the young people around them.

Even though they repeated these words twice every year.

Only by following the White Wave River upstream, about ten li from here, was the great river relatively narrow. That was the place to cross.

"Uncle Zhao, don't worry."

Yu Dashan tightened his grip on the axe.

The knife Tiezhu had given him earlier was now carried by Yu Ershan, while Yu Ershan's old short knife had been given to Yu Xiaoshan.

"Dashan, if we really run into anyone foolish on the road, don't you dare fight them before I do."

Behind Zhao Kun, a young man in his twenties, Zhao Kun's eldest son, Zhao Jiadong, who had achieved Fetal Movement Major Accomplishment, looked eager for a fight.

He was a year older than Yu Dashan but less skilled.

After all, Yu Dashan had already undergone one Blood Change.

Furthermore, his personality was more impulsive. He often got into fights at the Settlement, causing Zhao Kun a lot of worry.

When he chatted with Old Man Yu, he often sighed, wishing his own son could be as steady as Old Man Yu's eldest son and as smart as Yu's second son.

"Shut up. If you dare to act rashly without my orders, I'll break your legs when we get back."

Zhao Kun glared at his son irritably.

Looking again at Yu Dashan and Yu Ershan beside him, his sigh deepened.

Especially this year, even Yu Xiaoshan had gained a bit of steadiness.

Why was his own son so troublesome?

The only thing that comforted him, and made him feel superior to Old Man Yu, was that he had a sensible and obedient daughter.

He glanced again at his daughter, who was already sixteen, standing tall and graceful as she supported his wife. The anger that had risen because of his son dissipated considerably.

"Cuilian, give your things to your brother so he can carry them. You rest for a while."

"No need, Dad. I can still carry them."

Zhao Cuilian wiped the fine sweat from her forehead. Her gaze unconsciously flickered towards Yu Dashan. Seeing that he wasn't looking at her, a sense of disappointment spread through her heart.

"Alright, I'll carry them. You rest quickly. With your build, if you really get exhausted, Dad will skin me alive."

Zhao Jiadong grumbled as he walked over to his sister and took the luggage from her back without further ado.

Compared to him, who had achieved Fetal Movement Major Accomplishment, his sister hadn't even started Fetal Movement yet.

If she hadn't insisted on carrying it earlier, he would have taken it from her then.

Instead, he had to endure another scolding like this.

Hearing her brother's words, Zhao Cuilian's disappointment intensified.

That's right.

I'm already sixteen, and I haven't even begun Fetal Movement. How can I be worthy of Brother Dashan?

It's normal that he doesn't fancy me.

As they talked, the group continued to move forward. Neither Zhao Kun nor Zhao Jiadong noticed Zhao Cuilian's unusual behavior.

Only Yu Ershan glanced at her a couple more times, understanding dawning in his eyes.

They followed the White Wave River upstream for another ten li or so and finally arrived at the crossing point.

The terrain here was much higher than before, like a hill that had been split in the middle. Due to the terrain, the river water was significantly more turbulent.

The riverbanks were about thirty meters apart, and more than a dozen thick iron chains were laid out in a line, spanning north and south.

The chains were more than twenty meters above the river's surface, making it difficult even for the water Yao in the river to reach them.

This was precisely why the "bridge" was built here.

At this moment, the more than a dozen iron chains were covered with thick wooden planks. From the front of the procession, two tall figures suddenly darted out, crossed the bridge in a few steps, and sprinted towards the opposite bank.

These two were at least at the Fetal Movement Major Accomplishment stage, moving with incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, they had reached the other side.

After confirming that everything was normal and safe on the opposite bank, they signaled.

Then, an entourage arrived, escorting a large carriage, which was the first to drive onto the iron chain bridge.

In the long procession, upon seeing this carriage, many revealed expressions of awe and reverence.

This was because inside the carriage sat the cultivator from the New Moon Blessed Land who had been dispatched to the Ox Ridge Settlement to oversee things.

Among cultivators, the Qi Refining Realm was undoubtedly at the bottom rung, but it still carried the word "cultivator," and that word distinguished them from mortals.

The difference of a single word was like an insurmountable chasm.

In the eyes of cultivators, the lives of ordinary people were not much different from blades of grass.

This was partly due to the Black Annihilation Wind Disaster, which forced ordinary people to depend on Blessed Lands and cultivators.

Similarly, it was also related to the vast difference in strength.

Even with Fetal Movement Perfection, capable of exerting two thousand jin of force, able to shatter hard stones with a punch, and break trees as thick as a bowl with a kick, they still amounted to nothing in the eyes of true cultivators.

In normal combat, the feat of a Fetal Movement Perfection cultivator defeating a Qi Refining Realm cultivator had never occurred.

After the carriage crossed the iron chain bridge, it did not speed away but stopped on a platform on the opposite side. As the cultivator guarding the Ox Ridge Settlement, he had a responsibility to protect these ordinary people.

Because as long as these ordinary people were alive, they would continuously create wealth for the Blessed Land.

Even if, at times, some were deliberately sacrificed, it was for greater "benefits."

Only then did the rest of the procession begin to line up and step onto the iron chain bridge.

Although the dozen or so thick iron chains were incredibly sturdy, covered with thick wooden planks, and even had iron chain handrails on both sides, a glance to the side revealed the rushing river below.

For those who feared heights, it felt as if their feet were constantly shaking, making them dizzy.

In the past, people had fallen off, and without exception, they had all become food for the water Yao.

Fortunately, with the help of their loved ones, they all crossed nervously.

Soon, it was Yu Dashan's turn to step onto the iron chain bridge with his group.