Intercalation and Surplus

"Young friend, please look, that is where the great river flows into the sea, where the strange phenomenon of [Kan Water combining] is located." At the foot of Little Dragon Mountain, on a ten-foot-high dam, Dong Linyuan looked ahead and spoke.

Liu Zhijian squinted as he faced the sea breeze, gazing into the distance.

To the due east, the mighty White Dragon River flows into the South Sea.

The White Dragon River carries a lot of silt, giving it a light bluish-brown color, which contrasts sharply with the deep blue waters of the South Sea, with a clear waterline at their confluence.

Many members of the Dong Household are Qi Gathering on both sides of the waterline.

That place is where the river and the sea meet, and where the water from the Kan Water merge, making it much easier to collect water from either the embankment or the combined water.

This is merely a shortcut, relying on Lesser Qi rather than Proper Qi.

"Since ancient times, there has been the saying that all rivers flow into the sea," Dong Linyuan said softly with a sigh, "Therefore, [Kan Water] and [Confluence Water] have a very deep connection."

"Especially in recent times, [the Present Kan Water] has become difficult to cultivate and prove, so many [Kan Water] cultivators have simply switched to [the Confluence Water]."

Liu Zhijian had also read Daoist scriptures and records of [Kan Water] cultivators migrating to other Daoist lineages, knowing it was no easy feat. He then smiled and said, "[Kan Water] represents the proper position of Water Virtue, not restricting lower-level cultivation for further advancement, but it dislikes [Kan Water] cultivators migrating to other Daoist lineages."

"[Confluence Water] signifies gathering and accommodating, with the core image of all waters flowing into the same place, welcoming all who come. In addition, the dragon is domineering, so it is exactly the opposite, disliking excess and liking the arrival of others."

"Therefore, if a cultivator from the [Kan Water] sect wishes to join the [Confluence Water] sect, they will not only be subject to the entanglements and constraints of the [Kan Water] sect, but will also need the [Confluence Water] sect's approval before they can have the opportunity to live under someone else's roof. It is probably not an easy task."

Upon hearing this, Dong Linyuan glanced at Liu Zhijian and said, "Young friend, you haven't been practicing for long, yet you have such a deep understanding of the [Fruition] and its variations. You truly deserve to be True Disciple."

"You flatter me, senior." Liu Zhijian shook his head and explained, "My master once taught that before cultivating, one should first examine the upper limit of one's own lineage and see if there are any taboos."

"If the upper limit is not high but there are many taboos, it's good to make plans early."

"I've only skimmed through a few Daoist scriptures and have a general understanding, but I wouldn't dare say I have a deep understanding."

Dong Linyuan nodded, saying nothing more, then pointed to the embankment beneath his feet and sighed, "The Old Method we practice, though incredibly powerful, are also fraught with many restrictions and taboos, far less convenient than the New Method."

"I had previously intended to find a path to enlightenment for the younger generation of my clan, so I specifically went to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain to obtain the [Wu Earth] Cultivation Method."

"I never imagined that even just entering the Qi Ingestion would be so difficult, causing the deaths of several juniors in succession."

"Later, I had to ask Fellow Daoist Xue Yang for guidance before I learned that [Wu Earth] is the lineage of the Human Emperor, and one cannot enter the Dao without merit."

"[Wu Earth] represents the central earth element, symbolizing celestial palaces, great cities, mausoleums, and dikes."

"The first three images involve the [Human Emperor's ] position, which is beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators."

"So I had several younger generations spend years carrying earth and stones to build dikes and dams, blocking the tides and protecting the common people. Only then did we finally Qi Ingestion."

Liu Zhijian nodded slightly after listening.

When we were on Supreme Mystery Mountain, my master mentioned that Xue Yang of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain had the intention to befriend the Azure Cloud Sect and integrate the New Method.

Judging from Little Dragon Mountain Dong Linyuan's words now, he is mostly a follower of Xue Yang.

"I saw you fishing earlier, but your line was too weak, causing you to fail." Dong Linyuan, seeing that the groundwork had been laid, took out a bundle of grayish-white dragon tendons and said, "These are the tendons of a gray dragon raised in my clan. They are extremely tough and adept at swimming. They're useless to the clan anyway, so you might as well take them."

Actually, this bundle of dragon tendons had been in Dong Linyuan's hands for a long time, and there was a reason why it was only sent out now.

The tendons still retained traces of Blood Qi, indicating they had been removed recently.

Dong Linyuan put a lot of effort into refining and aging the material.

Liu Zhijian had already received many benefits since arriving at Little Dragon Mountain, and he could not possibly accept such a generous gift. He shook his head and refused, saying, "Senior, please accept it. Otherwise, this junior will have to take his leave."

Dong Linyuan then advised again, "This thing is just gathering dust in the storeroom; it will be truly useful once it's in your hands."

Liu Zhijian knew that Dong Linyuan was shrewd and eloquent, having already witnessed his Cultivation Method when he sent the [Turbid Current Calamity] technique last time. He didn't waste any more words, simply taking out a bundle of tendons and saying with a smile, "To be honest, senior, I already have suitable fishing line, it just hasn't been thoroughly refined yet."

Upon hearing this, Dong Linyuan looked down and was taken aback.

The clump of tendons in Liu Zhijian's hand was much thinner and longer, and already had a jade-like color, clearly indicating that it had been there for some time.

At first glance, something inexplicably made Dong Linyuan's heart skip a beat. The ancestral chain Law Artifact he had refined throughout his life was trembling slightly, as if it were about to fly out at any moment.

Dong Linyuan gently pressed his hand against the Law Artifact, but his mouth was dry.

He cleansed and refined the dragon's tendons every day, but the Law Artifact showed no reaction.

But now there are strange phenomena.

Could it be that what Liu Zhijian holds isn't a dragon's tendon... but a dragon's tendon?!

"So you were prepared all along, young friend. I've gone to all this trouble." A thought flashed through Dong Linyuan's mind, and he quickly said, "These tendons look quite extraordinary. You should put them away quickly."

Seeing that Dong Linyuan had given up on forcibly giving him the item, Liu Zhijian breathed a sigh of relief and nodded as he carefully put away the bundle of tendons.

Just then, a long, drawn-out dragon roar echoed from the eastern horizon.

Dong Linyuan's expression immediately changed drastically.

That's not right!

According to the previous plan, the younger generation of the Dong Household should have accidentally killed a noble from the South Sea while Qi Gathering at the mouth of the White Dragon River, which would then attract the dragon prince to appear and question them.

Liu Zhijian was an innocent outsider who was dragged into this mess.

Only by arranging things in this way can we leave no trace and avoid arousing suspicion.

"Could it be that foolish blackfish, cheating and deviating from the plan?!" Dong Linyuan was caught in a dilemma, unsure where things had gone wrong, yet unable to retreat immediately lest he offend the dragon prince.

A faint white line appeared on the eastern horizon.

A high tide is approaching.

Liu Zhijian glanced at it and suggested, "Senior, why don't we recall the person who is Qi Gathering?"

Dong Linyuan nodded in agreement, and after issuing the order, said, "Judging from this strange phenomenon, it's most likely caused by the South Sea Dragon, but we don't know which one it is."

Liu Zhijian nodded in agreement.

Dong Linyuan didn't know, so of course I wouldn't recognize him either.

However, being able to see a dragon appear is still an eye-opening experience.

Even before the high tide arrived, a strong sea breeze was already blowing.

Dong Linyuan calmed down and, looking at Liu Zhijian who was full of anticipation, couldn't help but ask, "Young friend, aren't you afraid?!"

"Afraid?!" Liu Zhijian was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Afraid of what?"

Dong Linyuan was also stunned for a moment. "Of course, I'm afraid of... dragons!"

"Oh." Liu Zhijian suddenly realized, then asked, "Why be afraid?!"

Why be afraid?!

Dong Linyuan was momentarily dazed.

The Dong Household were Dragon-Rearing Clan, so they were naturally not afraid. Not only were they rewarded for their dragon taming, but they also killed a dragon and made soup to offer to the Human Emperor.

The Xue Household Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain belongs to the [Wu Earth] lineage and is also a descendant of immortals, so they should have nothing to fear.

As for Supreme Mystery Mountain, it's said to have a deep-seated grudge against dragons, so why isn't it afraid?!

"This is the dragon!" Liu Zhijian looked out into the raging wind and saw a lithe white dragon shadow that was getting closer and closer above the giant waves.

It's a pity that my cultivation level is too low, and I haven't been able to refine the Law Artifact.

Otherwise, wouldn't the wish to catch the dragon have a chance of being fulfilled?!