Chapter 222: Chapter 214: Passion or Desire? The Lady’s Questioning

Traveling with the water like a python, as if in a grand banquet.

At the Dragon Appreciation Banquet, there are numerous sub-seats: Wave Dispersal Seat, Hundred Mile Seat, Thousand Mile Seat, Wave Assistance Seat, Dragon Guard Seat, Ten Thousand Mile Seat…

The Wave Dispersal Seat first disperses the waves, driving away the surrounding commoners. The Hundred Mile Seat is set up along the river, every hundred miles or several hundred miles, a seat is arranged. Several Jianghu experts gather at the seats, waiting for the python dragon to travel with the water.

If there are difficulties, they lend a helping hand. If there are no difficulties, they loudly cheer.

This journey with the water is of utmost importance. The “Ten Thousand Mile Seat” and “Dragon Guard Seat” positions are crucial. The python dragon travels with the water, surpassing a ten-thousand-mile waterway at a time.

In the first ten thousand miles, it sheds its snake body. In the second ten thousand miles, it begins to take on the posture of a dragon. In the third ten thousand miles, it has a slight dragon essence.

Strong individuals at the ’Ten Thousand Mile Seat’ must exert the most effort, which concerns life and death, and success or failure. Wen Caishang was originally the head of the fourth ten-thousand-mile seat.

However, information was leaked.

Wen Caishang avoided trouble with enemies by exchanging seats with Zeng Taian. She switched to the “Dragon Guard Seat,” riding the Dragon Ship, accompanying the python dragon along the river.

The Dragon Guard Seat is indeed the most exhausting.

The river water is turbulent, the boat shakes, and they travel along the way.

There are seven people at the Dragon Guard Seat.

Golden Saber Earth Flood Dragon·Zhu Butong, the Old Woman with Sword·Su Yu, the Sighing Yang Scholar·Qi Kaiyan, the Sinking Stele Hand·Luo Sheng, and the Overlord Cross Fist·Chang Kun.

There is also an old man in a green robe, with a cold temperament, rarely speaking, and rarely appearing.

Li Xian was familiar with Zhu Butong, Su Yu, and Qi Kaiyan. But he had never met Luo Sheng, Chang Kun, and the old man in the green robe.

The three-thousand-mile milestone is near, and the situation is quite unfavorable. In the ship’s meeting hall, with simple decor, an oil lamp flickers, and the experts gather to discuss.

The seven people pound on the table and decide collectively to adopt Li Xian’s clever strategy to avoid the sharp edge. Overlord Cross Fist Chang Kun promptly informs the python.

The python considers the situation, deliberating once or twice. It chooses to follow the group’s decision, moves its dragon body, changes direction, and swims into the Qianhua River.

The river is narrow, the python dragon’s long body finds it hard to stretch, it stumbles and crashes, traveling over a hundred miles, arriving near the Benhua River. The python dragon leaps from the water with the Dragon Ship on its head.

Initially displaying the momentum of Cloud Riding.

Wherever it goes, the water surges skyward. Although the python can ride clouds, it is not a true dragon, and spanning a few miles is its limit.

It leaps over a village.

The commoners along the way gawk in astonishment at the dragon’s trace. As the python dragon leaps across, it brings a heavy rain along its path.

This was its first time riding clouds, and it was unadapted, its dragon body swaying left and right, quickly falling back into the river.

Avoiding the three-thousand-mile milestone. The python dragon pants heavily, traveling with the water to this point, reaching its limit. Crossing the three-thousand-mile milestone, its dragon beast characteristics become more pronounced.

Its physique grows in strength, and its dragon claws become sharp and acute.

A moment of respite.

Several hundred miles of the river remain, without any dangers. The python dragon recovers its Primordial Energy, and its state improves somewhat.

Aboard the Dragon Ship.

Qi Kaiyan said: “If not for Little Brother Li’s clever plan, at the three-thousand-mile mark there would’ve been a dangerous battle. Even if we could pass this milestone, the remaining nearly two-thousand-mile waterway would have been precarious!”

“I just made a casual remark, it was you seniors who had the foresight and took precautions, diffusing the situation, unrelated to me.” Li Xian modestly said.

“What grace, you have your lady’s elegance!” Overlord Cross Fist Chang Kun laughed.

Wen Caishang slightly furrowed her brows, thinking: “Though Li Xian’s experience is shallow, he is extraordinarily clever. Given time, his talent will shine. Then, there will be multiple invitations from various sides, I need to reduce his contact with outsiders.”

She motioned for Li Xian to come back and said: “Little Immortal, you do indeed deserve credit for this, wait until we return to the manor, and then you’ll be rewarded.”

Li Xian said: “Thank you, Madam!” Seeing the Jianghu heroes each displaying their prowess and talent, stirring the winds and waves. He too desired more opportunities to accumulate strength.

Wen Caishang’s heart felt a ripple, recalling their recent days, hunting and secluding, practicing swords together, enjoying medicated baths… truly delightful. Should this journey succeed, they would need to hide for several years to dispel misfortune. With Li Xian as a companion, it will surely not be dull. Such joys are hard to articulate.

Her expression remained calm, whatever thoughts she had in mind were undetectable. She merely nodded slightly and turned to her room to focus on inner cultivation.

…

…

Though the python dragon had crossed the third milestone, it was covered with thunder injuries, the wounds still present, greatly reducing its speed.

On the fifth and sixth of February, only a few thousand miles were traveled.

Those aboard the Dragon Riding Boat furrowed their brows slightly, all feeling uneasy.

The python dragon’s Qi Power was exhausted, its vital energy dispersed, resisting the natural storm and rampant thunder and rain was already at its limit.

No longer able to battle powerful Martial Artists.

Old dragons, sick dragons, injured dragons… these are the delicacies at a Dragon Slaying Banquet. Everyone thought: “The situation has come to this, we have no choice but to give our all in support!”

The Dragon Riding Boat is stocked with wine, meat, and food. Each evening, when the pace of traveling with water slows down, the ship’s cook prepares meals, stews, and rice.

The cook hails from Longxiong Dao’s Sishui Prefecture. His culinary skills are not bad, but he likes to add chilies. The meat dishes are reddish, and they look extremely spicy.

In these few days.

Li Xian often interacts with the kitchen. He learned some culinary skills and inquired about the customs of Longxiong Dao and Sishui Prefecture.

What he saw on the river, what he heard on the boat, all gave him great insight: “Martial Arts is about understanding heaven and earth. I am full of curiosity about all things in the world. Only then am I filled with curiosity about Martial Arts!”

Thus, several more days passed.

Occasionally, there are those from the Dragon Appreciation Banquet who loudly toast.

Occasionally, there are those from the Dragon Slaying Banquet who shout loudly, calling for fighting and killing.

Each half mixes, but overall progress is gradually made, more than half of the water journey completed.

The overall situation, like the river’s current, rushes forward. There are insurmountable obstacles at every turn, dodge one, yet the next cannot be avoided.

Upon reaching 36,000 miles.

They encountered strong opponents, the “Spring and Winter Couple.” Their strength is immense, obstructing and slaying the python dragon. This situation cannot be avoided, there is no place to hide, they must contend.

Overlord Horizontal Fist Chang Kun punches the river waves, his anger echoes. The Old Woman with Sword Su Yu, arms around her longsword. The two jump into the river, fighting the Spring and Winter Couple.

Truly a perilous battle.

A punch is thrown, river waves surge wildly, fish and shrimp flee. The Old Woman with Sword’s movement is astonishingly fast, standing on water as if it were solid ground. Chang Kun’s boxing style is dominant, and his punches are unstoppable.

Yet the Spring and Winter Couple are no ordinary opponents. One wields the “Spring Drum,” the other the “Winter Whip.” Spring drum resonates, winter whip strikes, a chilling aura pervades.

The sides engage in an intense battle.

The farther the ship travels, the harder it is to see.

Two of the seven seats are already missing!

Traveling thirty-eight thousand miles.

The “Wave-breaking Blade King” along Longxiong Dao, his clothes fluttering, stood facing the river. His eyes cold, scanning the flood dragon.

The river flowed rapidly, yet he stood firm and composed.

Zhu Butong patted the Golden Saber, laughing: “Damn it, another good saber wielder. Let me meet him!”

He lunged forward, slashing with a saber. The Wave-breaking Blade King raised his blade to counter, your blade came, and my blade went, the Golden Saber clashing with the Silver Blade. One was like a golden dragon emerging, the saber’s edge unstoppable. The other stood like a silver tip, unperturbed.

A worthy opponent met at last.

Mist enveloped them, battling in exhilaration!

Startling the fish and shrimp to flee scattered.

The ship moved with the river, gradually distancing.

Only four of the seven seats remain!

At thirty-nine thousand miles, six days down the river. Benhua River exited Longxiong, returning to Yu Nan! Twisting and turning, its outcome unpredictable.

The forty-thousand-mile pass nears.

By evening, the river appeared straight, the setting sun hanging over the river. The river surface gleaming with golden light.

Upon reaching this point, the river’s rush subsided, leaving only the old dragon gritting its teeth to continue swimming with its life.

Wen Caishang said: “Elder Dragon, please do your utmost.”

The Python said: “As long as there’s life, we should return to the sea.”

The setting sun will fade.

Li Xian felt a sudden chill, enveloped by an immense ominous presence. He focused his gaze and found two groups confronting on either side of the river.

The left side held the strong of the Dragon Appreciation Banquet, including acquaintances like Zeng Taian. The right was occupied by the strong of the Dragon Slaying Banquet, numerous and brimming with vitality.

The two sides stood off, with the Dragon Slaying Banquet having the upper hand. Inside the Dragon Ship, Qi Kaiyan, the elder in the green robe, the Sinking Stele Hand Luo Sheng, and Wen Caishang conferred.

Qi Kaiyan said: “The situation here seems likely to claim a few more. Let’s decide the order of action now.”

Everyone understood. The stronger the individual, the more stable the dragon’s protection. At this point, the Sighing Yang Scholar Qi Kaiyan and the Sinking Stele Hand Luo Sheng admitted they couldn’t match Wen Caishang.

The elder in the green robe, with a detached expression, rarely spoke. Yet he was a respected guest dwelling in Wangzhen Building. It was unclear who was stronger between him and another.

The elder in the green robe said calmly: “Wen Caishang, I’ll face you with one palm, and let’s see who strikes last.”

With that, without waiting for Wen Caishang’s response, he suddenly struck with a palm. Wen Caishang received it lightly, causing the elder to retreat several steps, saying: “Impressive, you should go inside and rest!”

“We’ll handle this pass!”

The victory was decided.

Wen Caishang nodded, saying: “Little Immortal, nothing concerns you or me here, come with me to the room.”

Li Xian said: “Alright.”

And they returned inside. Suddenly, they heard commotion outside, the sound of water splashing, fighting, weapons clashing, and exchanging of names…

The forty-thousand-mile pass, thrilling within danger, was narrowly passed.

Of the seven Dragon Guard Seat members, only one remains.

The Python traversed the pass, losing all green, turning entirely golden. Only nine thousand miles of river remain before the sea.

After the battle, tranquility reigned through the night.

The river flowed gently.

Li Xian and Wen Caishang sat at the bow. The Python, half-transformed into a dragon, swam slowly.

Li Xian cracked a melon seed, laughing: “Elder Dragon, now there are only the three of us left.”

“Indeed.” The Python said: “How bustling Dragon Claw Town was, and now only the three of us are left.”

Li Xian grabbed a handful of seeds, placed them in his palm, and shook them with a gentle blow. The seed shells scattered, leaving only the kernels.

Li Xian said: “Elder Dragon, catch!” Throwing the kernels into the air.

The Python raised its head and gobbled them up. Yet it tasted nothing. Wen Caishang scolded with a smile: “You rascal, so frivolous. Elder Dragon, forgive him.”

“How dare I.” The Python said: “We’ll still need your assistance, madam, for these last nine thousand miles.”

“I will do my best, no need to worry.” Wen Caishang said.

Li Xian leaned against the ship’s rail, saying: “Elder Dragon, after you transform into a dragon, if there’s a chance in the future, could I take a ride?”

“Hahaha, no worries, no worries.” The Python rolled in the water.

Li Xian thought: “I’ve never ridden a dragon!” In the rare peace, with much curiosity, he asked again: “Elder Dragon, did you cultivate from a beastly serpent?”

The Python said: “Yes and no.”

“Elder Dragon, it’s an Ink Snake.” Wen Caishang said: “The Ink Snake is a kind of serpent that has the opportunity to cultivate into a dragon. Among the Ink Snakes, there was once a rare beastly serpent.”

“At four hundred years of age, it crossed the waters. It became a dragon on its own, swallowing any who obstructed the river, incredibly formidable.”

The Python asked: “Does such a formidable Python really exist? How do you know, Wen Caishang?”

Wen Caishang said: “It’s true, but how I know doesn’t matter. Elder Dragon, no need to ask further.”

“Very well.” The Python said: “Madam Wen’s knowledge is vast; this old dragon doesn’t compare.”

The Python swam along the river.

Initially, with overwhelming force, it traveled ten thousand miles a day, undeterred by storms and thunder. Finally, it was serene, yet hidden perils lay in wait.

This nine-thousand-mile journey… It’s the place most fraught with danger.

The Python asked: “By the way, what exactly is your relationship?”

Wen Caishang said flatly: “Why, you old dragon, interested in such mundane matters?”

“Naturally, the dragon nature is lustful.” The Python said: “I feel a certain affinity with Brother Li, perhaps he shares this lustful nature.”

Wen Caishang immediately glanced over, eyes playful, scanning around, thinking: “If this kid has a lustful nature, it’s hard to say no. In the past, when I secluded myself, he then…”

Li Xian wiped some cold sweat: “Elder Dragon, don’t speak nonsense. I’m honest and upright, and lust has no part with me.”

“Li Xian.” Wen Caishang’s beautiful eyes gazed, her lips curving slightly, filled with interest as she said: “Since Elder Dragon is curious about our relationship. You tell him.”

“Tell it about our relationship.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep