Mountains reflected the slanting sun, and the sky met the waters. Shuiyang Commandery lived up to its name, rich in moisture and crisscrossed by waterways.
Waves shimmered, mountains blurred in the mist, and hazy rain veiled the land. Lakes large and small dotted it like stars on a chessboard, while rivers long and broad intersected in every direction.
There were magnificent rivers with the grandeur of "thirty thousand miles of waters flowing east into the sea," and winding streams of limpid grace where "emerald light swayed upon the creek." There were raised rivers higher than the houses on their banks, and hidden underground rivers running beneath cities.
Before, Xuanming had only read descriptions like these in books. His understanding of this place had remained superficial rather than tangible. Only now, upon setting foot here, did he truly appreciate it. This land deserved to be called a water country, yet the deeper he ventured, the graver his expression became.
Once a dragon found water, its fine scales soared a thousand feet into the clouds. Its bristling mane breathed fiery heat, and its clanging scales flashed with lightning.
No wonder the True Dragon had chosen to attack this place. This loach enjoyed every natural advantage in Shuiyang Commandery, strengthening him by thirty percent. In a clash between experts, even a ten-percent advantage could sway the outcome, let alone thirty.
For that very reason, he could not afford further delay. Given enough time, the True Dragon would gain control of the waterways and grow even stronger, making matters more troublesome still. There was no time to lose. He had to find the True Dragon as soon as possible.
With that thought, Xuanming took out the reverse scale and cast the Bloodline Tracking Art. He spread his Divine sense over his surroundings, searching continually.