Chapter 463: Chapter 303: Daoist Robed Beauty, Old Acquaintance Reencountered, Ruthless Flower Thief—None Spared

In the Western Regions, Buddhist temples are countless, believing in the cycle of reincarnation. In the Northern Heavenly Region, there is a secret sect searching for the Netherworld... The tales of the Netherworld are endless, but it’s difficult to reach a conclusion.

Zhang Zhisu wrote his book when he was barely over thirty years old. He firmly believed in the existence of the Netherworld, a matter worthy of deep exploration. Li Xian enjoyed reading it immensely, and after leaving Huai’an County, he sought out a river vein to gaze upon.

He wanted to use the experiences written in the book to read the river, understand the river, and grasp the river... to observe the river’s course and various situations within the river. Li Xian’s comprehension was naturally high, and with the Kan Nie Mai teachings, he progressed from shallow to deep understanding, quickly mastering the principles in the first half of the book.

This river was called "Wanhou River." It surged in July and August, while it dried up in March and April. The river vein first headed south, going seven to eight hundred miles before suddenly turning, directing eastwards. Along the way, there were three branches, with some entering inland and stopping entirely.

Others gushed into dark rivers, merging into other river regions.

Li Xian, based on reading the river and understanding the river, roughly discerned the situation. He found it still early, so he walked along the riverbank, verifying his guesses one by one. The information he gathered, though not entirely accurate, proved quite useful.

[Skill: Reading Rivers]

[Skill Level: 1/100]

[Description: Read all the rivers, achieve all goals.]

Li Xian felt joyful. He gained more knowledge, enriching his foundation. Although Zhang Zhisu set a grand ambition in the Kan Nie Mai Book to read all the world’s river veins, compiling them into the River Book, looking through history... he was not alone, nor the first to undertake such an endeavor.

From ancient times, scholars have sought to compile river books. Moreover, the act of compiling the River Book requires the fortune-blessed person to achieve success. This is because most river veins are controlled by powerful families. The process of compiling the River Book requires dealing with these families. Fortune-blessed scholars, without practicing Martial Arts, find dealing with families safer. Their eloquence in persuasion and communication prevents large-scale conflicts.

And since this matter pertains to fortune... Although Li Xian admired Zhang Zhisu as a person, he felt the deep regret, lament, and self-pity from Zhang Zhisu’s writings due to short life span and limited years, preventing a complete compilation of the River Book. Li Xian thought to himself that although he was already a Second Realm Martial Artist with a lifespan far surpassing ordinary people, it was difficult to fulfill Zhang Zhisu’s wish.

Li Xian immersed himself in this path. He explored two river courses, observing and reading river patterns. As his knowledge grew, he felt a peculiar sense of seeing mountains not as mountains, seeing water not as water, feeling something but not quite right. [Reading Rivers] skill level increased to [2].

The night grew dark.

Occasionally gaining new skills, although joyful, Li Xian knew not to neglect important matters. He hid the Kan Nie Mai teachings under his clothes and returned to the Flower Ship.

The next day, they would set sail along the river towards Flying Dragon City. Many workers gathered around the Flower Ship, coming and going, unloading heavy boxes. Li Xian inquired and learned that Tang Feng sold all the "Heart Chilling Strange Fish" to the Zhong Family in Huai’an County.

Zhong Family, a local powerful family, wealthy, spent more than 400 taels to purchase all the fish. Though this wealth seemed small, accumulating bit by bit makes a difference. Tang Feng then purchased porcelain, bowls, and other items from Huai’an County to sell them far away.

Thus gaining multiple layers of profit.

Tang Feng worked through the night arranging the goods. Li Xian learned from the sidelines, absorbing experience. The next day came quickly, and the dispersed Flower Cage Sect disciples gathered again. Their numbers not only increased but attracted more wandering disciples.

Tang Feng shouted, "Set sail!" The sails fluttered in the wind, billowing like a balloon. The Flower Ship sailed southwest along the river, disguised as a merchant ship, indeed conducting trade.

The journey was smooth and uneventful.

After approximately two days.

The Flower Ship turned into another river course.

This river was named "Juan Sha River." Li Xian observed its muddy, yellow sand-filled waters, knowing from Kan Nie Mai knowledge that it harbored dangerous, hidden currents and pathways. Such rivers were bound to have numerous river pirates.

Li Xian gazed at the river scenery, contemplating, "Three hundred miles before, there was a branch river. If the Flower Ship turned into that branch river, it could head southwest and approach Flying Dragon City faster. Moreover, that river’s flow was fast but gentle, much more stable, sparing us this turmoil."

While he made silent judgments, he didn’t voice his thoughts. The beauty of Kan Nie Mai teachings was precisely here. Tang Feng, having navigated this waterway for decades, knew the river conditions well. The chosen route was naturally correct. Yet, the river’s complex interwoven veins always held unexpected paths; mastering the "Reading Rivers" skill made it easier to find unexplored shortcuts based on the river’s conditions and vein routes.

Amidst the flowing Yellow Sands, some black spots appeared in the river. Several small boats sailed toward them, accompanied by laughter, curses, shouts, and the "drum drum" sound of drumming. They were river pirates, spotting the merchant ship, approaching menacingly to intercept it. Tang Feng cursed, "Damn it, shoot them!"

With an order, Flower Cage Sect disciples wielded bows and arrows, shooting towards the river pirates. Knowing this ship wasn’t easy to deal with, the pirates scattered and fled.

[Skill Level +1]

...

[Skill: Reading Rivers]

[Skill Level: 3/100]

After another day, the Flower Ship docked at a city port. This city was "Fufeng City," where Tang Feng met with a porcelain industry person, intending to sell the porcelain he had.

This time, things didn’t go smoothly. That porcelain industry person was particularly difficult, pressing for low-priced acquisition. Although Tang Feng earned a small profit, the effort seemed more than the reward. Frustrated by the situation, he resolved not to conduct transport business, opting to increase the ship speed and accelerate towards Flying Dragon City.

Quickly traveling through the waterways, they arrived at a place called "Wu Jia Mountain." Tang Feng anchored the Flower Ship, dispatching two people to watch the ship. The remaining ones changed their clothes.