Chapter 942: Water Tribe Pioneering, Turbulent Waves

He didn't know why the four-eared dog said A-Ze's mind was in turmoil, but he felt perfectly clear-headed and had never felt better than he did at that moment.

After half a day of slight apprehension, the flying boat finally took off slowly. A-Ze, by listening to the casual conversations of passing cultivators, learned that this flying boat was Xuanxin Manor's precious domain-crossing vessel. It wouldn't go to Yunzhou itself, as it had already been there. Its next stop would be the Thousand Island Reef area, located at the intersection of the East Sea and the Northern Outer Sea, where it would pause. It would then return north to Xingluo Island, a large landmass where Xuanxin Manor was situated. Though called an island and far from being a true continent, it was actually quite vast, spanning thousands of square miles.

However, A-Ze hadn't originally expected to be so lucky, and he was already immensely grateful to be able to leave the Jiufeng Mountain territory. He only felt a little guilty towards Sister Jinxiu.

But A-Ze knew Jinxiu was different from him. She had grown up in Jiufeng Mountain, and her master and grandmaster of her lineage had been very kind to her. She held extremely deep affection for Jiufeng Mountain, and was equally concerned about him, A-Ze. If Jinxiu knew he intended to flee, firstly, it would be impossible for her to leave with him, as it would be tantamount to desertion. Secondly, she would very likely try to keep him, even going so far as to report him to their masters, because Jinxiu would undoubtedly believe it was for his own good.

Xuanxin Manor's flying boat was a treasure, naturally endowed with various magical formations. But even so, at the moment of takeoff, those on board could faintly feel a slight tremor.

At that moment, A-Ze ran to the edge of the main deck, looked down at Ruanshan Ferry, then, as the flying boat broke through the clouds, gazed at the distant Jiufeng Mountain. This immortal landscape receded further and further as the flying boat gained speed.

"Sister Jin, we'll meet again!"

With this thought in mind, A-Ze extended his right hand over the ship's rail. Then he loosened his clenched fist, and a black token slipped from his grasp with the movement, falling into the clouds below.

At this very moment in Jiufeng Mountain, Jinxiu was meditating and cultivating in her practice room. Though she found it difficult to calm her mind, she merely attributed it to A-Ze's stimulation, completely unaware that he had secretly departed.

And at the very moment the token fell, Zhao Yu, the Sect Master of Jiufeng Mountain, opened his eyes.

"Sigh..."

After a soft sigh, Zhao Yu slowly closed his eyes again. If he were to retrieve A-Ze at that moment, it would surely lead to a huge upheaval for him in Jiufeng Mountain. But if he didn't retrieve him, who knew what would happen in the future. Perhaps sometimes it was best to feign ignorance.

Over a month later, the Thousand Island Reef area had not yet been reached. However, A-Ze, who had been sitting cross-legged alone in a secluded corner of the ship's corridor, was awakened by the surrounding clamor.

"Quick, quick, let's go to the deck and see!"

"Come on, hurry and look! You might not get to see this again!"

"Wait for me!" "Oh, hurry up!"

Three people ran past A-Ze. They appeared to be mortals. A-Ze frowned slightly, looking curiously in the direction they had gone. While he was still hesitating, several more people quickly rushed past him. These were clearly immortal cultivators.

A-Ze also stood up, following their lead to the deck. He then found many people already gathered on the outer deck, all crowded on one side. Some individuals had even ascended directly into the air, standing suspended to gaze into the distance.

A-Ze quickly moved closer, found an empty spot by the ship's rail and claimed it. The moment he looked into the distance, he was stunned. The astonished murmurs of those around him mirrored his own thoughts.

"So many dragons!"

"Oh heavens, I've never seen so many dragons in my life!"

"In the sky, on the surface, and even underwater!" "It's not just dragons; there are other aquatic creatures too, and many large fish..."

"Those flying alongside them probably aren't human either, are they?" "They must be dragons!"

Discussions erupted all around, among both immortal cultivators and mortals. A-Ze stared blankly. His eyesight was far superior to that of many mortals, so he naturally saw everything with greater clarity.

In the distance, there were at least a thousand dragons, big and small, and that was just what A-Ze could see. The number of those unseen or deep underwater was unknown. Even with his eyes, which were by no means 'Dharma Eyes,' the demonic aura was truly overwhelming.

A-Ze had never seen a dragon in his life. There were no dragons in the Jiufeng Cave Heaven either. He had once fantasized that if he cultivated immortality, he might see such legendary divine creatures. But he never imagined that his first encounter would be such a magnificent spectacle.

'So there are so many dragons outside...'

Someone asked others in confusion.

"What are all these dragons doing?" "Indeed, with so many dragons, there must be True Dragons among them, right?"

An old man with a long, graying beard, standing not far away, clarified the situation for those around him.

"This is the Dragon Clan gathering to journey to the Desolate Sea. Under the leadership of a True Dragon, they are opening up the Desolate Sea. The leading True Dragon is likely Maiden Ying, the Flood Dragon who achieved dragon transformation through the waterways. It is said that she is determined to open up the Desolate Sea, and at her single command, countless aquatic beings from all corners of the world responded."

"Maiden Ying?"

A young cultivator standing beside the elder seemed very interested, and the elder smiled.

"Indeed, she's a Flood Dragon enveloped in a radiant glow, a top-tier beauty among the Dragon Clan!"

"Uncle-master, is it alright to speak about Maiden Ying like this?"

The elder chuckled.

"Maiden Ying is a river deity, and also a woman. As the saying goes, 'the love of beauty is common to all.' As long as one maintains reverence, how could Maiden Ying become angry merely because someone remarks on her beauty?"

"That makes sense..."

The dragons there seemed to have noticed Xuanxin Manor's flying boat. Many turned their heads to look in their direction. Some even swam a little closer.

"Roar—"

It was unclear which Flood Dragon let out the first roar. Immediately, dragon roars echoed one after another. Thunder boomed in the sky, which became covered in dark clouds. Rain began to fall, and the dragons' figures grew hazy in A-Ze's and the others' vision.

Ying Ruoli, clad in a red robe, stood barefoot atop a Flood Dragon's head, gazing at a speck of golden radiance in the hazy distance.

"Xuanxin Manor's flying boat?"

"Maiden, should we go take a closer look?"

Although the Flood Dragon beneath her was mighty, its voice was a rather neutral female one.

"That won't be necessary."

Ying Ruoli's voice at that moment seemed to carry a hint of reminiscence, as she looked up and out.

"Water creatures, the Desolate Sea lies in the distance. This is the direction we intend to push this year. Form your ranks and spread out. From this moment, begin to control the waters with me through our magic, and guide the purifying and restorative currents upwards."

Ying Ruoli's voice resonated as if with echoes, instantly spreading across the vast expanse of the sea, both above and below the surface.

"By your command, Maiden!"

Dragon roars grew increasingly frequent and louder. Whether above or below the surface, aquatic creatures from all directions began to consciously disperse to either side. These creatures, each possessing impressive cultivation, maintained distances ranging from one to over ten li between them. All those flying in the sky descended, often landing on the surface or submerging. The sounds of rushing and swirling water filled the air and sea.

The waves grew more violent, and the ocean currents became increasingly turbulent. The area affected by the currents continuously expanded. The continuous drizzle in the sky escalated into a fierce storm. The torrential rain further augmented the sea's water elemental energy; this was the vital essence of water brought by thousands of aquatic creatures from all corners of the world.

In the period that followed, a terrifying ocean current spanning over ten thousand li was not only forming but also rapidly accelerating. Even monstrous waves and terrifying billows couldn't begin to describe its power.

This spectacle naturally deeply shocked those on Xuanxin Manor's flying boat who were fortunate enough to witness it. They felt that the immense power contained within this current was so great that even a mountain would be pulverized before it.

Xuanxin Manor's flying boat did not change course, but deliberately followed. The Dragon Clan wasn't driving anyone away anyway, so they just kept their distance and observed. It had to be said that this kind of 'sightseeing' was a tradition for Xuanxin Manor's domain-crossing voyages.

A-Ze also stared blankly at the earth-shattering transformation of the sea, unable to put into words the feelings in his heart at that moment. For the first time, he felt that what Mister Ji had once said about him being insignificant might truly be accurate. In the truly vast world, there were simply too many powerful individuals.

Suddenly, a fleeting image of intertwined black and white colors seemed to flash within A-Ze's mind. He seemed to sense something, and quickly walked to the nearly deserted ship's rail on the other side. He looked towards the distant direction that had drawn his attention. Amidst the storm, the silhouette of a mountain peak in the sea was vaguely discernible. On that peak, several figures seemed to be standing, observing the terrifying ocean current forming in the distance.

"How impressive! Maiden Ying only transformed into a dragon a few years ago, yet she can lead thousands of aquatic creatures to wield such heaven-shaking power. One truly cannot underestimate her, can they?"

"Hahahaha, indeed! I truly wish I could lend a hand, but she's still a bit short. I hope she puts in more effort!"

"Stop your prattling. Be careful she hears you and rips your mouth off."

"Heh, no matter how high one's cultivation, in the future, they'll merely be an outcast of heaven and earth. Ignorant, pitiable, and also detestable."

A woman suddenly looked up at the distant sky. That golden speck was a domain-crossing flying boat. They had noticed Xuanxin Manor's flying boat long ago, but at that moment, the woman inexplicably had a strange feeling. Her eyes narrowed, and a purple light flashed within them. In the distance, she spotted a long-haired man standing alone at the ship's rail.