Chapter 197: Chapter 161: A Lower Cultivator Who Knows Not His Place Dares to Raise His Head and Speak

Dark and murky, with a haze of water vapor.

This was the "River of Oblivion."

Back when the Ghost Dao flourished, this served as the "Boundary River" for the Yin Department.

Even a Foundation Establishment True Master who had passed away and was due for reincarnation would have to pass through here. However, with the protection of the "Grace of Five Generations," they were exempt from drinking the soup that washed away all past memories.

"Now it’s just like a little creek. You don’t see any venomous creatures or resentful souls anymore."

Jiang Yi didn’t get too close. He walked along the riverbank, casually picking the Spirit Plants and precious herbs that were still in bloom.

This nearly dried-up "River of Oblivion," which seemed to be in its low-water season, was still a convergence of the "Water Virtue" concept. Combined with the fertile Ji Earth of the fourth rampart’s moist lands, the water and soil mingled, brimming with life and nourishing countless exotic flowers and rare plants.

Rare items like "Yin Datura Grass" and "Migou Flowers," which would be hard to find even if one searched the entire Three Peaks and Four Waters, were now everywhere, blooming in profusion.

Jiang Yi didn’t take many. These Spiritual Materials and Resources would require effort to process later, which would delay his Cultivation.

Just enough for True Master Xuanmiao to have as Snacks was sufficient; there was no need to hoard a mountain of them.

Holding his Cat Master, he traced the river upstream, intending to see the source of the River of Oblivion.

Dark, murky water swirled and eddied, drifting lightly past.

The further he walked, the thicker the water vapor became, spreading into a thin mist that dampened his shoulders.

His Black Shadow Magical Robe shimmered faintly, driving away the waves of chill that enveloped him.

Suddenly, Jiang Yi stopped and listened intently.

A singing voice was coming from the opposite bank.

"Home is far, oh, the road is long, The farther west, the fewer geese in the throng. My brother holds my hand so tight, He says, ’Quickly, run with all your might!’

Spring is pretty, autumn’s gray, We run and run, day after day. My little paper kite... it’s flown away..."

He stood on the riverbank as the thin mist parted, and a young girl in green robes drifted into view.

It was none other than Xiaoqiao.

This time, she wore a conical bamboo hat, carrying a fish basket in her left hand and a fishing rod in her right.

Quite different from when they first met.

’So young and already a fishing fanatic.’

Jiang Yi complained inwardly, then took the initiative to greet her.

"I was wondering who it was. If it isn’t Lord Qiao, the Harmonizer. Long time no see."

The corners of Xiaoqiao’s eyes crinkled the moment she heard the title, but she forced herself to keep a straight face.

"Young Master Jiang, you said you’d come visit once you were familiar with the paths. I’ve been waiting and waiting, but there’s been no sign of you."

Jiang Yi chuckled.

"Well, I’ve been busy getting familiar with the paths. Is Lord Qiao heading out to fish?"

Xiaoqiao huffed. She was still a little annoyed, but when she saw Jiang Yi’s figure in his wide-sleeved robes enveloped by the mist and remembered he was all alone in the Palace of Emerging Elegance, her expression brightened.

"Yes. The River of Oblivion leads straight to Mount Shuo, where the ’Ghost Gate’ is. I occasionally go there to fish out a few lost souls with nowhere to go."

’So she’s fishing for ghosts?’

Jiang Yi nodded but didn’t offer to go with her.

Xiaoqiao felt a flicker of disappointment. It was so rare for her to share her hobby with someone, only to get no response. How infuriating.

She asked softly, "Don’t you enjoy boating, Young Master Jiang?"

"That’s not it."

Jiang Yi shook his head. He couldn’t very well say that he was the "fated one" chosen by the Lady and thus had to uphold "masculine virtue" by not getting too close to other female ghosts.

"My task of Gathering Herbs is complete, and by my calculations, it’s getting late. I should be heading back to the Palace of Emerging Elegance.

If Lord Harmonizer has such elegant interests in the future, you must be sure to bring me along."

’If you don’t go this time, I’m never asking you again!’

Xiaoqiao grumbled inwardly, but outwardly, she only gave a soft "Oh," released her small boat, and placed her fishing rod and basket inside.

Just as she was about to paddle away, a streak of black light suddenly shot over and fell into the River of Oblivion with a SPLASH.

When the thing hit the water, it was like a big, lively carp falling into a boiling cauldron—it leaped up with a WHOOSH and landed in her boat.

Jiang Yi focused his gaze and saw that it was a palm-sized little doll wearing a red belly-band.

Its face was pale and bluish, its mouth and nose were distinct, and it was so lifelike it resembled a swaddled infant.

Before he could get a closer look, a torrent of water suddenly surged forth. It hung in the air like a crashing wave before instantly coalescing into the figure of a young man.

"I am Kang Lanyun of the Zhao You Sect, here in pursuit of the Grand Sui of Blight."

The man stood upon a surging river, commanding his Kui Water True Qi, and spoke from on high:

"If I have disturbed you two, I ask for your understanding."

’Zhao You Sect?’

’Kang Clan?’

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. This must be the first Direct Lineage member of a Dao Race he had encountered.

It seemed that the appearance of Fengdu, besides the shocking spectacle of the Lady choosing a husband that drew Cultivators from north and south, also held Opportunities that attracted many people.

’But what the heck is a Grand Sui of the Bud?’

Jiang Yi couldn’t help but expose the shallow knowledge typical of an Inner Sect Dharma Lineage.

True Master Xuanmiao, curled up in his arms, communicated quietly:

"A First Grade Treasure Medicine of the Qi Cultivation Level, also called ’Blood Grand Sui.’ In places where yin qi gathers, if a sturdy tree grows, a wisp of ’seedling qi’ will be hidden three inches beneath it. Over many years, it transforms into a Grand Sui. This thing is like Ganoderma flesh; it can extend one’s lifespan, bolster virility, and invigorate life force."

Jiang Yi was slightly surprised. Life-extending medicines had always been rare. If this were to appear in a major Marketplace outside, it would likely cause a huge uproar.

Xiaoqiao gave the bluish-green little doll a cool glance. Before she could speak, the Grand Sui let out a wail as if terrified, transformed into a streak of black light, and lunged toward Jiang Yi.

"Where do you think you’re going!"

Kang Lanyun stared intently at the Grand Sui of the Bud, afraid of letting his prize slip through his fingers. With a thought, the surging river beneath his feet transformed into Kui Water True Qi and washed down, blanketing the sky.

The immense torrent of water, carrying the force of ten thousand catties, rushed straight for Jiang Yi. This made him frown slightly, but not wanting to engage directly, he immediately summoned his Bright Flame Mirror.

This item, obtained from Sui Liushu, was a protective Magical Artifact. A fierce, fiery light suddenly unfurled, blocking the Kui Water True Qi.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Kang Lanyun’s expression immediately darkened. Judging others by his own standards, he simply assumed Jiang Yi had seen the treasure and wanted a piece of the action.

He sensed the other’s Qi Mechanism—barely Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. How dare someone of such a meager Cultivation level be disrespectful to him?

’These Lower Cultivators nowadays truly don’t know their place!’

Hearing this, Jiang Yi’s brow furrowed even deeper, but his tone was calm, betraying no anger.

"What are you talking about? This thing lunged at me suddenly; it’s not as if I actively tried to snatch it. Besides, you indiscriminately unleashed your True Qi. What if you had injured me?"

If this were Beimang Ridge and Kang Lanyun encountered a Lower Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, he wouldn’t have wasted a single word. He would have unleashed his Kui Water True Qi directly, grinding the person’s bones to pulp and melting their flesh and blood.

But right now, anyone who could break the restrictions and enter the Land of Nine Ramparts likely had some sort of background.

Thinking of this, he forcibly suppressed his killing intent and spoke in a more amicable tone.

"I was indeed hasty just now. May I ask which Dharma Lineage you belong to?"

Jiang Yi glanced at the Grand Sui of the Bud, which had pounced at his feet and was now huddled into a fleshy ball. He then looked up at the high and mighty Kang Lanyun, a friendly smile playing on his lips.

"Qianji Sect, Guanlan Peak."

’You should have said so earlier! So you’re just some third-rate nobody from an Inner Sect!’

Kang Lanyun was momentarily stunned, then his expression changed completely. He said coldly,

"Seeing as we are both of the Demon Dao, I will spare your life. Kneel and present that Grand Sui of the Bud to me."

He then added, his tone dripping with arrogance,

"And remember this well. In the future, when speaking to a High Cultivator from a Branch Sect, you should bow your head and avert your gaze. You are not permitted to look directly at them.

Not knowing your place and committing the taboo of overstepping your station is enough to get you killed a hundred times over!"