Chapter 76: This Young Master Fondly Disembarks

Chapter 76: This Young Master Fondly Disembarks

It was night time when the river brought Chen Haoran and Phelps back to the boat and gently placed them on its deck. A sharp look from Chen Haoran had the few sailors on night duty scatter away to hidden places, leaving them alone for the time being. A quick application of qi wicked away the water on him and Phelps, and he marveled at the new feeling of fullness throughout his meridians.

Each Layer of the Qi realm required qi to be accumulated to a certain extent before one could break through the ceiling to the next Layer. Each successive advancement made the one before it feel small and always provided a cultivator with the feeling that they could keep improving. This feeling was perhaps the foundational motivation behind this worlds obsession with advancement, next to the powers and authority a high cultivation provided.

When Chen Haoran broke through to the Ninth-Layer he felt for himself just how much more room he had within himself to fill with qi before he could challenge the Liquid Meridian Realm. Now he felt full to bursting. He had guessed cultivating in the Machu would provide him a benefit to his cultivation, just not so drastic. It was clear the river had deliberately assisted him. The yellow qi had just come on too suddenly for it to have been drawn by his efforts.

Thank you, he said, letting his gratefulness be carried to the tendril of water through a dragons roar. He had saved potentially months of time with its help.

Phelps squealed at the tendril and floated to tap it with his claws when it drew closer. The sloth had enjoyed every minute of their wild ride.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

He summoned a bushel of Pure Water Monk Flowers to his hand and after thinking about it reached into his storage bag for a vine of the plant hed taken from the Spa Cavern. Tying the flowers into an ugly bouquet he presented it to the river. The tendril swayed forward and tenderly wrapped around the delicate stalks of the luminescent flowers. It waved the bouquet around in the air as the flowers absorbed the yellow water and began to glow gold.

Chen Haoran smiled. For a destructive force of nature, it was surprisingly cute.

He spurred the yellow dragon to roar. Leaving.

The tendril froze. A visible shudder of water rose from its base all the way to the tip like the fur of a startled cat.

He tensed when it dropped the bouquet and wrapped itself around him. He tapped his sword even as he spurred the yellow dragon to roar again. Going away.

The tendril gently squeezed him and he could practically hear the rivers question through the water. Why?

It was a good question. Cultivating in the river was an incredible opportunity, not just for reaching Liquid Meridian but for Harmonizing with the Yellow River Dragon Refinement as well. There wasnt that much danger to fear from the river either, at the very least it could be reasoned with and even though it was infinitely stronger than him it didnt immediately try to force him to stay. The Machu river bringing him treasures, summoning its waters to wash away anyone who tried to hurt him. It was an intoxicating thought but was it enough?

Enemies, he said.

Shen Jianyu simply appearing in Clearsprings City frightened Song Yuelin enough to vacate the province entirely and he was only the Thirteenth Prince. That meant there were at least 12 others and the Emperor above them. What were they like? The masters of the Empire that Lan Fen and Song Yuelin feared. That even the mysterious Chen family had to be wary of. Here he was in the center of their power. Was it really wise to risk attracting their attention? Especially once word got around about his connection to the Machu. From what Old Jiang said the Empires entire department of people dedicated to communing with the Machu river didnt get as much positive communication as he did. If he stayed near here word would spread. Could the river protect him from the Imperial family? It wasnt like he could always live in the river without leaving.

The tendril shuddered was the river sighing? It unwound itself like some massive snake and swayed in the air.

Chen Haoran didnt make a fuss and accepted it. There was no need to be stubborn about certain things.

Old Jiang looked over at the passengers readying to disembark and leaned in to whisper. If youre trying to avoid attention I recommend leaving soon. This group will start running their mouths about this trip as soon as there are ears to listen.

We werent planning on staying here long anyway, Xie Jin cut in. He looked at Chen Haoran. If its alright with you I want to leave as soon as possible.

Let me just make sure Phelps drinks something and then well go. Chen Haoran left Xie Jin with Old Jiang and brought Phelps with him to the side of the ship where he grabbed a bucket and rope and lowered them into the river. Hed requisitioned them from the crew after his dip into the river and had been making sure to let Phelps have as much as he wanted. He wouldnt be returning to the Machu any time soon and wouldnt get another chance like this. He hoisted up the bucket of crystal yellow water and placed it in front of Phelps who greedily lapped it up.

Received Hundred-Fold: Pure Yellow Dragon Water

He had been a bit wary at first of letting Phelps drink sentient water but if it was apparently normal to do he wouldnt, and didnt, avoid taking advantage of it.

After Phelps had been suitably satiated he pulled the sloth up onto his back and bid Old Jiang farewell with an impatient Xie Jin.

Until we meet again young lord Chen, a friend of the river can always ride my boat for free, Old Jiang said, bowing to him.

Take care then, Chen Haoran said, before turning and taking his first step on dry land in over two weeks.

He cast one last look at the river and had his yellow dragon let out one final roar.

Goodbye.

The water did not move. Disappointed Chen Haoran turned to leave when he heard a splash. He whirled around to find a small tendril of water rising out of the river and wave at him.

Brother Chen, Xie Jin called. Are you coming?

I am, he replied.

When he turned around again the tendril disappeared. Shaking his head with a smile Chen Haoran followed Xie Jin into White Ridge City.