Chapter 679: Dragon Crossing the River
Chapter 679: Dragon Crossing the River
Another fisherman sighed helplessly, "Alright, it's the son's fault for being useless. He's destined for a life of poverty, there's nothing we can do."
He pinched the gills of a lively spirit fish and tossed it into the bamboo basket. "Dad, let's get back to work. The water sprites will be coming ashore soon."
The older fisherman finally bowed his head and resumed his labor.
A young boy, around ten years old and in the Refining Qi realm, was picking up small fish on the ground. Hearing this, he looked up and asked, "Grandpa, what's the use of a third-rate family? Even if they join a sect, they'll just be bullied."
The older fisherman was taken aback.
The young boy in the Refining Qi realm continued, "It's true. Zhu's third son, relying on his grandfather who's in the Golden Core realm, looks down on everyone. When he played with us, he was so arrogant..."
"But after he joined the sect, he could only follow the other clan's children, keeping a low profile and acting like a lackey. He's never been as proud as before..."
"Sometimes during the sect's break, when he comes back, he's like a dumb mute, not speaking for half a day. Even when we call him to play, he ignores us."
The older fisherman shook his head and said, "That's because he's learned knowledge and manners after joining the sect. You brats don't understand."
"The noble families have thrived for countless millennia, and their children are the cream of the crop. It's Zhu San'er's good fortune to be able to study alongside these proud sons of heaven."
"A person needs education to amount to anything. It's not a bad thing for him to learn from the children of noble families..."
The young fisherman pouted but dared not disobey his grandfather, so he didn't say more.
After lecturing them, the older fisherman glanced at Mo Hua and waved his hand, "Kid, you should leave now. With your small body, if a water sprite drags you into the water, I'm afraid you won't make it out alive."
But Mo Hua was curious about what had happened before, so he asked, "Grandpa, was one of the people killed by the water sprite a 'young master'?"
The older fisherman nodded.
"Which family's young master was it?" Mo Hua asked.
The older fisherman shook his head. "How would I know? He must be the young master of one of the nearby families, but whether it's a major or minor family, I'm not sure."
Mo Hua was puzzled. "Why would the young master of a family come to this Misty River?"
The other Foundation Establishment fisherman scoffed, "What else? To have fun, of course."
"Fun?" Mo Hua was taken aback.
"The Rouge Boat..." The Foundation Establishment fisherman started to explain but was interrupted by a slap on his shoulder from his father. "Don't go blabbering about everything and corrupting the children."
However, Mo Hua was sharp-eared and quick-eyed, and he remembered those three words.
"Rouge Boat?"
The older fisherman waved his hand. "It's nothing. Kids, just focus on your cultivation. Don't ask about such things."
The more he refused to explain, the more curious Mo Hua became.
But no matter how much Mo Hua asked, the fisherman didn't say another word.
The other fishermen also started to get busy, sorting the diverse spirit fish into categories and placing them into baskets, then sealing them with rudimentary array formations.
This was their livelihood, and the entire family depended on these spirit fish for their survival.
Mo Hua didn't want to disturb them further.
However, since they had already helped him, Mo Hua felt that he should reciprocate their kindness.
He scanned the fishing nets and baskets and noticed that most of them were old, and the array formations on them were worn out.
Mo Hua quickly assessed the situation and offered, "The array formations on these fishing nets will probably break after another five or six uses. Do you want me to help fix them?"
The fishermen were all taken aback for a moment.
The older fisherman asked, "Young brother, are you... an array master?"
"Mm-hmm!" Mo Hua nodded.
The older fisherman's gaze toward Mo Hua became even more astonished, and he said shyly, "We... we don't have any spirit stones."
"It's fine," Mo Hua smiled. "It's just a small effort."
Mo Hua extended his hand, intending to point at the nets, but then he remembered that he should maintain a low profile and act like an ordinary array master when drawing array formations.
"I'm just an ordinary array master, an ordinary array master..." Mo Hua silently reminded himself twice, and then he obediently took out a brush, dipped it in ink, and meticulously repaired the crude array formations on the fishing nets and baskets.
His brushstrokes were neat and skillful, making him look very "professional."
The young boy in the Refining Qi realm looked at him with admiration.
The two fishermen in the Foundation Establishment realm were also extremely grateful and repeatedly expressed their thanks to Mo Hua.
"Little brother, thank you so much. If you don't mind, come with us to our home, and I'll cook some fresh spirit fish for you to taste."
The older fisherman pointed to a nearby location, "It's not far, just in that small fishing village over there."
Fresh spirit fish! Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he really wanted to taste them, but he still had important matters to attend to, so he couldn't afford to slack off.
Just then, the Void Order vibrated.
Mo Hua took it out and saw that there was a message from Hao Xuan, which immediately energized him. He quickly bid farewell, "Grandpa, the fish I was fishing for has taken the bait. I'll take my leave now!"
After saying that, Mo Hua's body moved like water, enveloped in a faint blue light, and he swiftly walked away with light steps.
The fishermen were stunned, and their hearts were filled with admiration.
What exquisite movement skills! Indeed, he's a disciple of a major sect...
...
After a stick of incense, Mo Hua met up with Hao Xuan, and Cheng Mo was also present.
Hao Xuan said to Mo Hua, "There was some movement in the water just now."
He showed the array plate to Mo Hua, who glanced at it and understood the situation.
Indeed, a cultivator had swum past the water ripple array earlier, and the ripples of spiritual power had triggered the array, leaving traces on the array plate.
The river was dangerous, and there were aquatic demon beasts lurking within.
A cultivator who could swim freely in the water was definitely no ordinary person. They must cultivate water-type techniques and possess a profound understanding of water attributes, most likely the "Dragon Crossing the River."
However, at this moment, the traces on the array plate were gradually fading away.
Apparently, the Dragon Crossing the River was hiding at the bottom of the river, and it was unknown where it had swum to.
"What should we do now?"
Hao Xuan asked Mo Hua in a low voice.
He was very self-aware of his abilities. He knew that his cultivation and Taoist methods were ordinary compared to the other proud sons of heaven. He also lacked experience and wasn't very clever when it came to handling matters...
So, when doing things for the sect, he had to find a "strong backer"! Hao Xuan looked at Mo Hua with clear eyes.
Mo Hua raised his head and glanced at the water surface, drawing on his experience as a "demon hunter." After a moment of thought, he said, "In the dangerous mountains, demon hunters usually follow fixed mountain paths."
"Similarly, in the dangerous waters, the Dragon Crossing the River should also have fixed 'water paths' while swimming..."
"The fact that the Dragon Crossing the River swam through here indicates that this is one of his 'water paths.'"
"Since it's dangerous in the water, and we can't go down there, we can only 'wait for the rabbit' here..."
Cheng Mo frowned, "But even if we wait for him, then what?"
Mo Hua recalled Gu Changhuai's reminder, "We'll trap him with array formations, force him ashore, and capture him without getting wet.
Half a stick of incense later, Mo Hua returned with a storage bag in hand. Inside was a pair of fishing nets, damp with water, tangled with algae, and emitting a fishy odor.
These nets had been purchased by Mo Hua from the elderly fisherman they met earlier.
The old fisherman didn't know what Mo Hua intended to use them for, simply saying, "They're old nets, young man. You can take and use them as you please, just remember to return them when you're done."
But Mo Hua still offered spirit stones as payment.
He knew that once he was done tampering with the nets, they wouldn't be in a usable state, and he wouldn't feel right about returning them.
Besides, old nets were better for his purpose than new ones.
Old nets had been soaked in water for years, and the algae and fishy smell would make them less noticeable when submerged.
Fishing nets were also a type of spiritual tool.
Mo Hua asked Cheng Mo and the others to help him completely dismantle the nets, exposing the intricate array formations within.
Unlike the previous simple repairs, Mo Hua was now going to use these nets as array mediums, reconstructing the internal formations to serve his purpose.
First, Mo Hua drew a first-grade Concealment Array.
While the effects of a first-grade array weren't exceptionally strong, they would suffice under the murky waters, providing some level of stealth.
Additionally, Mo Hua inscribed a second-grade Water Net Array with fifteen runes.
This was followed by a second-grade Water Poison Array with thirteen runes, a second-grade Binding Wood Array with fourteen runes, and a Drowning Array, among others...
As a precautionary measure, Mo Hua also attached some barbed hooks coated with paralyzing poison to the nets.
The intricate array formations and the menacing green poison left Cheng Mo and the others' scalps tingling.
It was then that they truly understood the meaning behind Mo Hua's words, "Foresight in everything, failure in oversight."
Once the preparations were complete, Mo Hua instructed Cheng Mo and the others to join forces in casting the fishing nets into the water, blocking the "Dragon Crossing the River's" path.
Mo Hua further directed, "As soon as the Dragon Crossing the River is caught in the net, pull it ashore together with all your might..."
"Don't stop after pulling it ashore. Continue dragging it towards that small grove over there. Don't let it get close to the riverbank to avoid any attempts at escape by jumping back into the river..."
Mo Hua led them to find a suitable spot in the small grove, nodded in satisfaction, and then took out an array plate from his bosom, burying it underground.
Cheng Mo, intrigued, asked, "Are we setting up an array formation here as well?"
"Of course," Mo Hua replied, "The more array formations we have, the more options we have, increasing our chances of success and reducing the risks."
"The more meticulous the plan, the better. The more array formations, the merrier."
"Oh..." Cheng Mo, usually impulsive, nodded vaguely, only half understanding.
Si Tu Jian and Yang Qian Jun exchanged admiring glances.
Their little senior brother was indeed too cautious...
Although Yang Qian Jun didn't attend Mo Hua's array classes, having spent a lot of time with Cheng Mo and the others, he gradually began to acknowledge Mo Hua as their "little senior brother."
On the other hand, Hao Xuan, standing by, knitted his brows.
"Little senior brother, your method seems a bit off..."
Mo Hua was taken aback, "What do you mean by that?"
Hao Xuan thought for a moment, then slowly said, "I remember the last time I saw you setting up an array formation, it wasn't like this. I didn't see you use any array plates or flags either. In the blink of an eye, there was an array formation on the ground."
"That group of black-robed men, one explosion killed one, and one explosion killed a pair..."
"But now... why are you burying the array plate so slowly?"
Cheng Mo and the others turned to look at Mo Hua, awaiting an explanation.
With a serious expression, Mo Hua said to Hao Xuan, "You must have misremembered."
Hao Xuan was stunned.
Mo Hua, with a straight face, firmly stated, "I've always set up array formations like this!"
"That night, it was too dark, and you were losing blood from your injury, making you overly anxious and tense. That's why you didn't see clearly."
Mo Hua patted Hao Xuan's shoulder, "Think about it carefully. Isn't that what happened?"
Hao Xuan was left speechless by Mo Hua's words.
As he thought back, the night had indeed been dark, and with the blood flowing from his eye corner, it was difficult to see clearly...
If Mo Hua had been crouching to set up an array, given the darkness and his anxious state, it was understandable that he hadn't noticed from a distance.
Hao Xuan nodded, realizing, "Little senior brother, you're right. I must have misseen!"
Mo Hua nodded in relief.
Cheng Mo and the others had no reason to doubt him, as they couldn't possibly understand array formations better than Mo Hua...
After setting up the array, Mo Hua gave them some final instructions, and they hid by the riverbank, waiting.
Time passed, and as the sun set, painting the river red with its waning light, there was still no movement.
Cheng Mo and the others, despite their vigilance, began to feel drowsy, their spirits flagging.
Mo Hua, too, was feeling a bit bored, so he sat down and started drawing and studying array formations to pass the time.
As he was working, Mo Hua suddenly paused, his eyes widening as he looked towards the river. With his spiritual sense, he swept through the water, his eyes narrowing as he whispered, "It's here!"
Cheng Mo and the others immediately sprang into action, gripping the fishing net's ropes tightly as instructed earlier.
However, they obeyed Mo Hua's orders and refrained from releasing their spiritual sense to inspect the water's surface.
Being only at the early Qi Refining stage, they were less skilled than the mid-stage "Dragon Crossing the River." Carelessly releasing their spiritual sense could alert their target.
So, they waited, prepared for battle.
Only Mo Hua, with his spiritual sense, observed the movements in the water.
In the hazy vision, the objects in the water lost their original colors and shapes, transforming into a jumble of spiritual power.
Among the swirling colors, a long human figure swam with the waves, resembling both a dragon and a large white fish.
When this "large white fish" casually swam into the fishing net, which had seamlessly blended with the muddy grass underwater, Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he quietly ordered, "Pull!"
Cheng Mo and the others, upon hearing this, exerted all their strength, abruptly pulling the fishing net towards them.
In the empty waters, a mesh of blue and green light suddenly appeared, revealing the hidden fishing net. Layer upon layer of array formations activated, rapidly contracting the net.
The once leisurely "large white fish" was startled and tried to struggle, but it was too late. It was ensnared by the net and dragged towards the shore.
The "large white fish" grew angry and thrashed about, but the net proved to be exceptionally durable. The array formations covering the net were intricate, and although they couldn't identify all of them, they could tell that they combined concealment, trapping, and binding effects, undoubtedly crafted by a masterful array master.
No matter how it struggled, it couldn't break free from the bindings.
The "large white fish" took out a claw-like spiritual tool and attempted to tear the net.
Mo Hua watched from the sidelines. With a flick of his fingers, he activated the formation, causing the net to tighten. In the dim glow of the sunset, a "large white fish" was hauled onto the shore.
This "fish" was a person, bare-chested, with pale skin, faint eyebrows, and a strange appearance resembling a water demon.
He was the infamous "Dragon Crossing the River."
As soon as he reached the shore, the "Dragon Crossing the River" cursed loudly, "Who dares to ambush me, you scoundrels!"
Mo Hua didn't bother to reply and simply waved his hand.
Understanding his signal, Cheng Mo and the others grabbed the ropes of the fishing net and continued dragging the "Dragon" towards the nearby grove, away from the riverbank.
Once away from the water, the "Dragon" lost its advantage, becoming a trapped "worm."
The "Dragon Crossing the River" was well aware of this fact.
Now that the poison's paralysis had worn off and he still had the river's water on his body, he could fully channel his cultivation technique.
The "Dragon" mustered his strength and slashed with his Three Shark Claws, but the net remained unmoved.
"What kind of net is this!" the "Dragon" cursed inwardly.
He then used his sharp claws to tear at the edges of the net, finally creating some tears in the formation's weak spots.
The "Dragon Crossing the River" merged his body with the water, transforming into a shark-dragon hybrid and attempting to squeeze through the gaps.
However, just as he was halfway through, Mo Hua discovered him.
Mo Hua pointed his finger, casting the Water Prison Technique to trap the "Dragon."
The "Dragon Crossing the River" let out a cold laugh and scoffed, "A water-type technique? You think you can hold me with that?"
His body shrank, and he slipped out of the water prison like flowing water.
But this brief delay gave Hao Xuan the opportunity he needed. Hao Xuan rushed forward and swung the Thousand Jun Club, which Mo Hua had given him, at the back of the "Dragon's" head.
The "Dragon Crossing the River" was stunned by the blow.
Taking advantage of this moment, Cheng Mo and the others pulled with all their might, using the net like a rope to tighten around the "Dragon's" neck and drag him deeper into the grove.
Mo Hua, hiding in the shadows, watched with a gleam in his eyes as he activated the formation with his spiritual sense.
The second-grade Earth Burial Formation was unleashed.
Gray light swirled on the ground, causing the earth to sink like a coffin, swallowing the "Dragon Crossing the River" into the soil.
Earth overcomes water.
The water energy on the "Dragon's" body gradually dissipated due to the earth burial formation, and his internal water-attributed spiritual power was rapidly depleting...
Trapped and outmaneuvered at every turn, a sense of helpless desperation filled him.
The "Dragon Crossing the River" turned pale and shouted angrily, "Who the hell are you people?!
"Are you lackeys of the Daotingsi?
"Or are you cultivators from some sect?
"Who set up these damn formations to ambush me?!"
As he cursed and struggled, the "Dragon Crossing the River" eventually broke free from the formation, relying on his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Without a word, Mo Hua waved his hand again.
Cheng Mo raised his twin axes, Si Tu Jian unsheathed his Li Huo Sword, and Yang Qian Jun gripped his long spear.
Hao Xuan brandished the club he had been given. Unlike the others from aristocratic families, who typically used swords, he had found that his mediocre sword skills were of little use, and the club was far more effective.
The four of them surrounded the "Dragon Crossing the River" and launched their attack.
Filled with rage, the "Dragon" fought back, but after a short while, he was astonished.
These people were... a group of young cultivators? They looked like they had just joined a sect and only had early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation?
Impossible! The "Dragon Crossing the River" trembled with shock.
How could a group of inexperienced young cultivators set up such a meticulously planned killing formation?
Moreover, those intricate formations...
There must be a cunning and skilled formation master pulling the strings behind the scenes!
Who was this person?
Was he after the bounty offered by the Daotingsi or seeking glory for his sect? Was it personal vengeance or...
Did he discover my secret? The "Dragon Crossing the River" felt a chill in his heart.
He wanted to escape, but it was too late.
Cheng Mo and the others were not to be underestimated.
If they had faced the "Dragon Crossing the River" in his prime, when he was submerged in the water and causing chaos, they would have stood no chance.
But now, the "Dragon" had been dragged out of the water and weakened by Mo Hua's formations. His abilities had been halved, and he was no match for Cheng Mo's group.
Mo Hua remained hidden, observing the "Dragon's" movements from atop a tree and ready to prevent any escape attempts.
The others could handle the rest.
Indeed, less than half an hour later, Hao Xuan appeared behind the "Dragon Crossing the River" and smashed his right hand with his club.
The "Dragon" cried out in pain as his Three Shark Claws fell to the ground.
Yang Qian Jun seized the opportunity, stabbing his long spear into the "Dragon's" left leg, while Si Tu Jian pierced his right leg with his Li Huo Sword.
The "Dragon Crossing the River" grunted and broke into a cold sweat.
Cheng Mo kicked him from behind, forcing him to his knees, and then pressed the twin axes against the "Dragon's" neck.
Thus, the notorious "Dragon Crossing the River," who had been diving underwater to kill people near the Yanshui River, was subdued.
The group of young cultivators breathed a sigh of relief.
Mo Hua nodded in satisfaction and was about to reveal himself, intending to let the "Dragon" experience his improved "Ironclad Formation" and hopefully extract some secrets from him.
However, before he could jump down from the tree, Mo Hua's eyes narrowed, and he quickly warned, "Cheng Mo, beware!"
Cheng Mo was taken aback but immediately sensed the danger. He quickly sidestepped and raised his axes to block in front of him.
A sharp golden sword qi sliced through the air from a distance, crashing into Cheng Mo's axes.
The golden light was dazzling, and the sword qi was profound.
Although Cheng Mo managed to block the attack, the remaining spiritual power numbed his palms, forcing him to stumble back three steps.
Cheng Mo steadied himself, anger and surprise flashing across his face as he shouted, "Who dares to ambush us? Show yourself, coward!"
"Watch your mouth, brat!" came a young but gloomy voice from afar.
Soon, a group of cultivators approached. The leader was a handsome young man in golden-threaded brocade, his pale face bearing an arrogant gaze.
"You bunch of young punks dare to steal my 'prey'?" he sneered.
(End of Chapter)
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