"Are snakes really that powerful?" Sixth Senior Brother sidled over to He Dazhi, full of gossip, and whispered curiously.
The others nearby perked up their ears.
Meanwhile, the two children were huddled around a fire, intently watching the earthen pot balanced above it. They paid no attention to the conversation.
"That white one is a Chi, not a snake! You've heard of the dragon having nine sons, haven't you?" He Dazhi glanced around at his fellow disciples. When they all nodded, he continued, "The Chi is one of the nine sons—a true dragon without horns."
"Good heavens! That's a dragon!" Sixth Senior Brother's mouth fell open in astonishment.
The others weren't much better.
"You all thought it was a snake?" He Dazhi looked at his fellow disciples with some exasperation.
He'd clearly called the divine beast by its name earlier.
Wu Dayi shook his head. "I thought it was a flood dragon. I was wondering why it didn't have a single horn."
"I thought it was a giant gecko!" Third Senior Brother rubbed his chin.
Fifth Senior Brother nodded along. "I thought the same thing as Third Senior Brother. Didn't you see it had four legs? A giant gecko!"
He Dazhi sighed and shook his head.
It wasn't until dusk that the commotion on the lake began to die down, and the surface gradually grew calm.
Two incense sticks later, the Black Water Mystic Snake pressed against the barrier and called out to Luo Yunji on the shore. "Come help!"
Luo Yunji was curious. He had no idea what the Black Water Mystic Snake wanted his help with.
Even so, he took Zhang Xiaofan with him and went over.
The others followed into the barrier, too, unwilling to let them go alone.
"Xiaofan's Fire Poker is so powerful!" Sixth Senior