Chapter 225: Chapter 217: The Jiao Dragon Enters the Sea, Heaven Grants Its Blessing

At dusk, near the coast.

The splashing sunset painted the sky and earth as one.

The sea breeze was salty and humid, and hundreds of sect members along the shore stood up. Here, a banquet was set, with red carpets laid on the ground, wooden tables erected, and master fighters seated.

More than a dozen Black Iron Xuan Ships blocked the river path. However, two ships had already been overturned by the tail swing of a python, sinking into the river.

The Dragon Ship slowly sailed in, surrounded by formidable adversaries. Yet Wen Caishang remained calm, her demeanor tranquil, her elegance outstanding.

Wen Caishang, Li Xian, and the old dragon had traveled a long distance, uninvited guests, finally arriving at this place. Sect members on both shores immediately stood up, all looking towards Sheng Yunfei.

The Black Dragon Sect was extremely famous and powerful. The Sect Hierarch, Sheng Tianxiong, dominated one region, undoubtedly a formidable hero. His son, “Sheng Yunfei,” took after his father’s ambitions, also no ordinary man.

Sheng Yunfei’s expression was elusive, scrutinizing Wen Caishang. Surprisingly, he was slightly absent-minded. Just moments ago, he felt vexed by her strength, respected her power, and feared her tactics. He was intensely curious about her.

Meeting her now, her appearance, demeanor, voice, and stature far exceeded his expectations.

Sheng Yunfei muttered, “What a beauty, what a beauty, all here are my Black Dragon Sect members, she dares venture alone and remains so composed!” With graceful poise, he spoke aloud, “Greetings, young lady, Yunfei pays his respects.”

“You’ve traveled far without reluctance, overcoming obstacles along the way, your strength evident. In a one-on-one combat, Yunfei admits defeat. But concerning dragon matters, I have prepared for several days, and will not easily relent. Soon, there will be many against few, I hope you will not hold a grudge.”

He glanced at the sky, the setting sun will fade, but there was still lingering light, he thought, “Though not the perfect timing, it’s almost sufficient.” How could he retreat? With a wave of his hand, he immediately shouted, “Activate the array!”

The shock was transmitted for several miles, revealing the profound Inner Qi.

Hundreds of sect members dashed to both sides of the riverbank, holding black iron rods. These rods were of special design, with spherical ends perforated with numerous fine holes.

The iron rods were struck into the lake, the spherical ends heavy and sunken; with one strike, water splashed. Infused with Inner Qi, the sphere vibrated quickly, turning the splashing water into thick mist.

In just a moment, the mist spread, engulfing all around.

Hundreds of people simultaneously struck the river, their momentum already vast. Moreover, the sound of drums came from the distant mountains.

Wen Caishang said, “I’ve heard much about the young sect leader of the Black Dragon Sect, who delights in stargazing, arranging arrays according to celestial constellations that can kill any who block their path.”

Sheng Yunfei was delighted, “She knows my name, is aware of my hobby, could it be that she has studied me?”, with great appreciation, respectfully said, “I’ve known your name, Miss Cai Shang. May I know your surname?”

Wen Caishang said, “My full name is not worth mentioning.”

“Miss Cai Shang is too humble!” Sheng Yunfei said, “I set this array to trap you solely because of differing positions, this dragon is of great use to me. I have no intention to oppose Miss Cai Shang. If you do not mind, Yunfei will certainly apologize afterward.”

“Yunfei truly wishes to know your name, to make a friend. I am the young sect leader of the Black Dragon Sect, in the Jianghu, I suppose I do have some name…”

“No need.” Wen Caishang said.

“What a pity, truly a pity.” Sheng Yunfei was eager, his excitement hard to suppress, unwilling to give up. He further said, “This great array requires three hundred and sixty Jianghu masters to jointly operate to form. Let’s do this, if you can’t break the array, would you please share your name?”

Wen Caishang smiled and said, “Is this array hard to break?”

Sheng Yunfei laughed and said, “Miss is extremely formidable, I naturally know that. But my Three Hundred Sixty Circulation Star Drum Array, you are decidedly…”

Wen Caishang said, “This array is indeed formidable. Gathering enough masters, forming an array, requires considerable skill. Only someone like you, the young sect leader, could manage such a feat. However, all great arrays follow certain principles.”

“Once you understand the principles, it can be easily broken.”

“Your array was created through stargazing, it certainly follows the principles of the celestial arrangement. Once formed, it’s as if the enemy is trapped in endless high space, surrounded by darkness until exhaustion and defeat occurs, isn’t it?”

Sheng Yunfei’s expression changed; he had studied this array meticulously and rarely displayed it. The wondrous effects of the array had never been disclosed to outsiders.

This array is complex. It requires three hundred and sixty masters, distributed over three hundred and sixty positions. It secretly aligns with the positions of stars, then through drumming, chest pounding, practicing array martial arts… resonating with each other.

Layer upon layer of resonance, the array’s formation interconnected, its wondrous effects fully displayed. Suppressing Inner Qi, creating illusions… confounding people’s minds and directions.

But this formation has a significant flaw.

One must survey the terrain in advance. Each standing position is highly particular, needing alignment with the celestial principles. Yet the conditions of the heavens and earth change endlessly, so one must scout beforehand to deploy it.

“How do you know these…” Sheng Yunfei’s expression changed.

Wen Caishang smiled faintly, “Difficult? I know a thing or two about stargazing and fortune-telling.”

“Furthermore, I know your array becomes more formidable at night when the stars shine, reflecting off the starlight.”

“Good! Good!” Sheng Yunfei admired, “Miss Cai Shang, well-read and knowledgeable, Sheng is impressed. In all of my life, I have never conceded to anyone. Today, I am truly impressed!”

Li Xian thought, “Lady Zhe Jian… her prowess can overcome heroes, her beauty can overwhelm heroes, her knowledge too can subdue heroes. We martial artists should be as vast and profound in knowledge!” also feeling utmost admiration.

“You are already within the array, even knowing the principles, what can you do?” Sheng Yunfei asked.

Wen Caishang said, “Naturally, disrupt it.”

Sheng Yunfei confidently said, “Miss’s strength, I have already known. My many brothers, absolutely will not fight hard with you. If the girl is injured, my heart will be unwilling, if my brothers are harmed, I also do not wish for it. Although the girl’s swordsmanship is superb, wanting to break my array is greatly impossible.”

It turns out…

This Circulation Star Drum Array, the crucial point is the “drum sound.” And the drum is set on a distant high mountain; Wen Caishang’s swordsmanship is divine but cannot reach the drum.

Moreover, the water fog in the river spreads, disturbing people’s hearing and vision. Even if possessing throwing martial arts, there’s absolutely no possibility of touching the drum.

Sheng Yunfei said, “Since the girl knows the key of this array, there’s no harm in telling you directly. This Circulation Star Drum Array has seven places of drums, far on several miles of high mountains. Even if your archery is superb, it is extremely difficult to shoot the drum.”

Wen Caishang said, “Not necessarily, I know someone who, just with archery, can accomplish this task.”

Sheng Yunfei cautiously said, “Could Miss Caishang be referring to ’Ten Thousand Mile Divine Arrow’ Shangguan Xunya? Is he also on the ship?”

Wen Caishang said, “Not some Ten Thousand Mile Divine Arrow. Little Immortal, shoot the drum!”

Li Xian stepped forward, qi sank into the dantian, eyes shimmering with brilliance. Immediately pulling back the bowstring, listening to the drum to distinguish position, an arrow shot out. Yellow Jade trembled lightly in all directions, the arrow body attached to yellow glow, speeding faster.

With a whoosh, it was already close to a drum. The drummer’s strength was not weak, immediately raising hand to catch. Suddenly the arrow divided into three, dodging the grasp, and shot through the drum.

Sheng Yunfei’s face changed.

Wen Caishang smiled and said, “Shoot again.”

Li Xian heard the drum sound, his body suddenly twisted, shooting towards another side. He held the Yellow Dao Bow, using it increasingly smoothly.

This arrow shot out. Yellow Jade pendant shook five times, where the arrow passed, a remnant yellow rainbow, unstoppable force. When shooting, Li Xian applied the essence of “Clear Wind Leg,” the arrow went like a clear wind, ethereal and ungraspable.

The drummer was already alert, holding a drumstick, hitting towards the arrow. He smashed the arrow with one blow, but the second arrow followed closely. He swung the drumstick, guarding the drum, his strength very strong.

But this concentrated effort to deal with the flying arrow weakened the drum sound. Resonance and harmony were not in place, the Circulation Star Drum Array naturally weakened.

Li Xian’s archery was natural; after his “Four Directions Fist” reached the peak, twisting the force line, changing posture, twisting direction was very natural.

At one moment shooting left, the next moment shooting right, precise and unparalleled, forceful power. With his own power, he could rival multiple archers.

Each arrow shot out with impressive momentum and meaning. The drummer’s strength was strong, but did not dare to be careless, needed intense concentration to respond, the drumming rhythm already chaotic.

Seven locations’ drummers were all disturbed by flying arrows. Constantly like thorns on the back, incessantly like a fishbone in the throat. Extremely frustrated, though in the open, defenseless against hidden arrows.

No, they are actually in the dark, yet defenseless against clear arrows. Wen Caishang thought, “I underestimated Li Xian’s archery. Did not expect he could break this great array just relying on the Yellow Dao Bow.”

The drum rhythm disrupted, the array naturally broken. The python poked its head out of the river, suddenly inhaling. It drew the mist into its body, raising tides, sweeping strong hands on both banks.

Sheng Yunfei originally thought there were seven or eight divine archers on the ship, marveling at where Wen Caishang found so many good hands. When the clouds and mist dispersed, seeing only one youth holding a bow, couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.

The python seized the opportunity, swung its dragon tail, speeding towards the sea mouth.

Sheng Yunfei was greatly unexpected, shouted, “Deploy the net, deploy the net!”

Two guards at the river mouth, tall as giants, holding a mysterious net, fiercely threw it towards the giant dragon.

This net material is tenacious, soaked in eighteen kinds of exotic beast urine. Stained with filthy qi, most lethal to a semi-dragon entering the sea. Once covered, immediately limp and powerless.

Wen Caishang lightly tapped her toes, gracefully leapt up, standing on the dragon’s head, said, “Old Dragon elder, just rush forward.”

The python nodded, charged toward the sea. Wen Caishang flicked out three swords in succession, dismembering the iron net completely. The python’s momentum was unstoppable, leaping out of the river, flying towards the sea.

Sheng Yunfei gently sighed, realizing he missed the opportunity. His gaze fixed on the sea surface. The python completed its final transformation, dragon scales gleaming like gold, dragon horns prominent and majestic.

The python washed away its degraded state. Clouds and winds gathered, thunder and rain mixed. The dragon proudly roamed the sky, traveled forty-nine thousand miles along the river, finally fulfilling its rightful destiny.

Sheng Yunfei was at a loss, but what he saw was not the cruising dragon, but Wen Caishang on the dragon’s end.

The dragon entered the sea. After a moment of swimming, it returned to the coast. Sheng Yunfei said, “Old Dragon elder transformed into a dragon, congratulations, congratulations.”

The dragon snorted coldly, but did not respond. Lowered its head, Wen Caishang descended from the dragon body. The dragon roared at Sheng Yunfei, baring its sharp teeth, displaying fierce might.

Sheng Yunfei wished to speak with Wen Caishang, inquire her name, become friends. Heard she also knew star studies and wanted to discuss mysteries with her. But seeing the situation was not right, fearing it would be hard to sit quietly together, and thinking this kind of woman was certainly not unknown. Since knowing her name is “Caishang,” simply find people to investigate, there will always be an opportunity to meet in the future.

So he said, “Elder dragon, since not welcoming us, we shall now leave.”

“Get out!” The dragon’s voice like muffled thunder.

The water crossing ended.

Suddenly seeing the sky condense, heaven-sent arrive!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep