The waters of the Qiang River are treacherous, earning it the nickname Jiannan Circuit's Yellow Springs since ancient times.
The river originates from the Snow Ridge in the Extreme West Land, carrying silt and gravel along its path, forcefully carving out a chasm hundreds of miles wide between the Jiannan Circuit and the Region.
The people on both banks rely on the water for sustenance, yet they fear it immensely.
On the first and fifteenth of every lunar month, the ferry crossings along the river are shrouded in smoke, as countless commoners and fishermen burn toll money here.
Some even throw live pigs and sheep into the middle of the river.
They only pray that whatever lurks beneath the muddy waves is sated and won't covet the living people on the boats.
On the Qiang River, a single wave roll can swallow someone without a sound.
But at this moment.
Following a tremendous crash, a massive hole was smashed open on the river surface.
Icy, bone-chilling river water instantly surged in from all directions, pouring frantically into the mouth, nose, and eardrums.
The light was completely swallowed the moment they entered the water, leaving only murky gloom all around.
"Gurgle—"
Huge bubbles rose to the surface.
The White Flood Dragon's enormous body was incredibly agile in the water. Enduring the intense pain in its eye socket, an indescribable ecstasy surged in its heart.
They're underwater!
It belongs to the White Flood Dragon Clan, a natural overlord of the water! Within this Qiang River, it is a god!
A Human Race Martial Artist?
Even if they are in the Ink Dot Realm, once they enter this hundred-zhang deep water, 70 to 80 percent of their strength will be lost!
In fact, Jiang Yuechu did feel a slight discomfort upon entering the river.
A string of tiny bubbles escaped from the corner of Jiang Yuechu's lips, rising toward the gradually receding light above.
A slight feeling of suffocation came from her chest cavity.
But as she subconsciously used the Water Control Divine Ability, the river water that had been frantically squeezing her body suddenly became docile.
The suffocating pressure instantly vanished, replaced by an indescribable sense of intimacy.
It was like a wanderer returning home, or a fish entering the sea.
Jiang Yuechu tentatively took a breath.
The cold river water surged in through her nasal cavity, but instead of causing the pain of choking, it transformed into wisps of cool Qi.
It was even smoother than breathing air.
"So this is the Water Control Divine Ability..."
Jiang Yuechu mentally remarked on how strange it was.
She opened her eyes underwater.
The originally murky river water now appeared clear to her eyes.
The surging undercurrents, the churning silt, and even the schools of fish swimming in the distance were clearly visible.
She looked down at herself.
Her dark black robe drifted in the water, resembling aquatic plants.
She briefly estimated the consumption within her body.
Given her current Core Formation Realm Divine Soul strength, maintaining this level of Water Control Divine Ability could last for about one Shichen.
Killing a pig doesn't even take one Shichen... At this very moment.
The White Flood Dragon beneath her was thrashing wildly.
"Hmm?"
What's going on?
She hasn't let go?
Furthermore, it felt those hands stirring slightly in its eye socket, as if adjusting for a more comfortable position to exert force.
What the hell.
Astonishment and fury mingled in the White Flood Dragon's heart.
Could it be that this girl is extremely skilled in water?
That must be it. She must have practiced some technique for Breath-Holding and Hibernation.
"Hmph, something that doesn't know life from death."
Annoyance flashed in the White Flood Dragon's vertical pupils.
You can hold your breath, huh?
You're good in the water, huh?
This is the Qiang River!
The Qiang River is hundreds of Zhang deep; the further down you go, the more terrifying the water pressure and the more dangerous the undercurrents become.
Since you won't let go, I will take you on a trip down the true path to Yellow Springs!
"Roar—"
Thinking this, the White Flood Dragon stopped trying to shake off Jiang Yuechu. Instead, it stretched its body and plunged fiercely downward like an arrow released from a bow, heading toward the deeper abyss at the river bottom!
Sixty Zhang... eighty Zhang... one hundred Zhang!
This is the deepest part of the Qiang River, and the location of the White Flood Dragon's lair.
Upon reaching this depth, the White Flood Dragon's speed finally slowed.
It stopped moving, its massive head swaying slightly, its heart filled with smugness.
At this depth, anyone who comes must kneel.
This girl must be regretting it now, right?
It had even planned to chew this girl into tiny pieces later to vent its hatred!
"Why aren't you swimming anymore?"
Just then.
A cold, clear voice came from beside its ear.
"???"
The White Flood Dragon's massive body suddenly stiffened.
Wait... how can you talk underwater?!
It subconsciously glanced sideways, desperately trying to see what was happening with the other party.
Immediately after.
It felt the hand gripping its eye socket suddenly become searing hot.
The originally slender fingers underwent a strange transformation in an instant.
Flesh wriggled, fingernails rapidly extended, turning into sharp claws that plunged deep into its flesh!
Puchi—!
"Awooo—!!!"
An extremely muffled shriek exploded at the river bottom, stirring up countless bubbles.
Pain!
Too painful!
"Since we're underwater, don't be in a hurry to go back up."
Jiang Yuechu clamped her legs tightly, locking onto the White Flood Dragon's neck.
Her left hand gripped the eye socket for leverage, and her right hand clenched into a fist, erupting with force!
This punch, carrying boiling Qi and Blood, tore a vacuum-like white streak through the water and heavily smashed onto the White Flood Dragon's Heavenly Spirit Cover!
Bang—!!!
The muffled colossal sound was like a depth charge exploding.
The White Flood Dragon felt its head buzz, saw stars, and nearly suffered a concussion on the spot.
"Roar!!"
The White Flood Dragon went mad.
It frantically thrashed its head, its body rolling violently in the water.
Rumble—
Silt rained down from the riverbed, and massive rocks shattered.
But Jiang Yuechu was like a piece of Dog-skin Plaster; no matter how much it struggled, she remained completely still.
Not only did she not move.
She even took the time to give it two more punches.
Bang! Bang!
Every punch was powerful and heavy, causing the White Flood Dragon's scales to fly off and its flesh to become mangled.
"Are you human or demon?! Are you human or demon!!!"
It had lived for several thousand years, yet it had never seen such an outrageous member of the Human Race!
Her Physical Body was powerful, her strength terrifying, and she wasn't affected at all, even at the bottom of the river!
Who the hell is the Great Water Demon here?!
It wanted to escape.
It regretted it.
Why did it go looking for that fellow Guan Youlong today?
Why did it bring this girl underwater?
It had to shake her off!
Otherwise, it would truly be beaten to death right here on its own doorstep today!
At this critical moment of life and death, a fierce glint flashed in the White Flood Dragon's eyes.
It suddenly opened its massive, blood-red mouth, and a fist-sized pearl slowly emerged from its throat.
The Dragon Pearl!
This was the foundation of its thousands of years of cultivation, and the essence of its entire being.
It would never dare to easily summon it unless absolutely necessary.
But this Madwoman was simply bullying the Dragon too much!
"Get... away from me!!!"
The moment the Dragon Pearl appeared, the originally dark and murky river bottom was instantly illuminated.
A vast, mighty force, centered on the pearl, violently swept out in all directions!
It was as if the water within this hundred-Zhang radius suddenly gained its own will, hating all living things except for the White Flood Dragon.
Even though Jiang Yuechu's legs were clamped tightly and her fingers dug deep, she had no choice but to let go in the face of this repulsive force, which felt as if the entire great river was targeting her.
"Splash—"
She was sent flying backward through the water, her figure cutting through the current and leaving a long trail of bubbles. She retreated dozens of Zhang before she finally managed to stop herself.
"Hiss—"
Jiang Yuechu shook her slightly numb arm and looked at the White Flood Dragon thrashing wildly in the distance.
This thing has quite a bit of strength.
At this very moment.
The White Flood Dragon had finally shaken off Jiang Yuechu, its massive body trembling slightly from intense pain and fury.
The flesh around its left eye socket was mangled and bloody. Its originally majestic Dragon head now looked utterly miserable and even more ferocious.
It stared at the tiny human figure in the distance, its remaining single eye filled with hatred.
"Damn you... you... damn you!!!"