Controlling the Five Thunders and the Two Worlds

Chapter 428 Crossing the Wanling River to Bailing Mountain

Although it wasn't the first time I'd seen the Wanling River, this was the first time I'd crossed it.

Looking west, one cannot know where it came from; looking east, one cannot know where it is going. To the north, one cannot see the opposite bank, only the surging waves and the vast expanse of mist. The rolling river flows eastward, its waves churning, making it difficult for a light boat to cross.

"The Wanling River cut off five of the twenty-three prefectures in the Central Plains, dividing them into the south and north banks," Li Qingshuang explained.

Gu Zhao laughed and said, "Didn't the Cangjiang River in the north also cut off five prefectures, dividing them into Jiangnan and Jiangbei?"

Li Qingshuang nodded with a smile, "Exactly."

The three major rivers of the world today are the Yuanjiang River, the Cangjiang River, and the Wanlingjiang River.

Yuanjiang, as its name suggests, is the source of all living things. It flows through the Central Plains of this world, stretching for tens of thousands of miles and bringing forth countless fertile fields. It is the ancestral river of the Central Plains dynasty.

Between the north and south of the Yuanjiang River, there is the Cangjiang River in the north and the Wanlingjiang River in the south, each cutting off five prefectures. However, the Central Plains still has thirteen prefectures, which shows its prosperity.

“The Wanling River is over a hundred miles wide. Most of the river is turbulent and difficult for boats to cross. Only in a few places is the river calm with docks on both banks and boats available for crossing,” Li Qingshuang pointed into the distance.

Not far from them was the wharf on the north bank of Pingjiang Prefecture, stretching for several miles. Countless wharves extended into the river, gathering a large number of boats. The sails of the boats stood tall on the river, and they traveled back and forth between the two banks, exchanging goods and services.

Further out at the dock, a dark shadow flashed across the river before disappearing underwater and drifting away silently.

The embroiderer asked curiously, "Don't the river monsters ever touch these boats?"

Li Qingshuang explained, "The Xuanwei Divine Sect, the Lingfa Academy, and Bailing Mountain often have people sitting on the boats to oversee things. If someone tries to overturn the boat and eat people, they will become food for the boatmen."

There are also benevolent demons and ghosts in the river. Some need the incense offerings of the people, while others are willing to integrate into the mortal world. They will also spontaneously protect the boats and maintain basic order.

So, aside from the occasional newly formed demon who recklessly attacks boats, most demons and monsters, even if they wanted to eat people, would have no reason to bother with these boats when there are towns and villages along the coast for miles around.

In short, operating these boats is a low-return, high-risk endeavor with minimal potential gains; the cost-effectiveness is simply too low!
At first, the old Taoist priests of the Daluo Palace did not understand this principle. They discovered that there were many monsters along the Wanling River and that boats could travel on both sides of the river. So they eagerly waited for the monsters to come to them.

In the end, all my efforts were in vain!
Well, I killed a few reckless monsters, encountered a few spirits and gods, and made some friends. That's a gain.

Then they became more cunning. Instead of guarding the docks and boats, they dispersed along the riverbanks, whether along the Wanling River or along the banks of its various tributaries flowing upstream, where they gained even more malevolent energy.

After watching the cruise ships at the river dock, the group flew north and arrived at the Wanling River.

But as soon as they reached the river, Gu Zhao noticed something was wrong: "Water vapor and river breeze?"

Li Qingshuang nodded. "Whether it's the Wanling River, or the Yuanjiang and Cangjiang Rivers in the north, the surging rivers and rushing water vapor will create a water vapor and river wind. Once a cultivator enters, it will cause anomalies in the river wind and will also be blocked by the river wind."

Gu Zhao understood, "That's why it's inconvenient for experts from Jiangbei to come to Jiangnan, because such unusual activity is too obvious and easily detected."

“Yes,” Li Qingshuang said. “After the battle between the Dragon King of Ten Thousand Spirits and the Master of Tai Xuan, the water vapor and river winds were stirred up, making it more difficult for people to cross the river from the north to the south. Unless they transform into their original forms as fish or birds, it is extremely difficult to cross the river.”

“However, things have improved a lot in recent years.” Li Qingshuang looked at Gu Zhao with a gleam in her eyes. “The Dragon King of Ten Thousand Spirits was rescued, the Ink Dragon of Ink Lake was killed, the leader of the Netherfire Sect was killed for cultivating demonic arts, and Chaoyang Island and Jishen Mountain are not considered radical.”

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow, "Are the Xuanwei Divine Cult and the Spirit Court preparing to return?"

“I haven’t heard of that.” Li Qingshuang shook her head. “Actually, it’s fine as it is now. I think the Daluo Palace is doing a better job than the Lingfa Court.”

Everyone laughed when they heard this.

The misty river breeze was a rare sight for ordinary cultivators, who feared that making too much noise would attract unwanted attention. However, it was no match for Gu Zhao and his group. The group, in a grand and imposing manner, rode the wind and clouds, swaggering across the Wanling River, passing through the layers of misty clouds that shrouded the river, and appearing on the north bank of the Wanling River.

Then they spotted Jiangzhou Jiangyang Prefecture, located on Bailing Mountain on the north bank of the Wanling River.

Even though Gu Zhao had never been to Bailing Mountain, he recognized it at a glance, because Bailing Mountain is not only evergreen all year round, but also has flowers blooming all year round, making it a riot of color.

From a distance, the entire mountain is bathed in sunlight, shimmering with iridescent colors.

"Wow! So beautiful!"

Zhuo Qingyan, Xiu Niang, and Bai Ke, who came with Gu Zhao, exclaimed softly in unison.

"A paradise on earth!"

"Nothing could be better!"

Behind Gu Zhao, Daoist Yansong and Daoist Mingyu also came over to set up the scene and make preparations. When they saw the magnificent scenery of Bailing Mountain, they were also full of admiration.

As the group approached Bailing Mountain, the colorful mist gradually dissipated, but the scenery before them was not rough at all; on the contrary, it became even more exquisite.

A brocade curtain of rosy clouds, with red tassels.

Butterflies and birds fly like rainbows, and the valley is shrouded in illusion.

There are tiny flowers, as small as soybeans, growing densely together, forming a golden sea of ​​flowers.

There are flowers as big as millstones, growing on cliffs, transforming into a crimson sun.

Some are taller than two people, some are shaped like sieves, and all kinds of different styles and colors of flowers are arranged in a well-organized manner, making Bailing Mountain a mountain of a hundred flowers.

As the group approached, not only did the flowers become more dazzling, but the chirping of insects and birds in the mountains also became more vibrant.

The next moment, countless colorful petals suddenly surged out of the mountain, transforming into a river of petals that flowed towards the group, forming a carpet of flowers that reached their feet.

At the end of the carpet stood an elegant palace. Bai Fei was standing at the palace entrance, surrounded by a dozen women of different appearances, all of whom were charming and beautiful.

"Sister Fei, you're so kind!" Gu Zhao said with a cupped hand and a smile.

Bai Fei smiled back, appearing like a celestial being descended to earth, beautiful and charming, against the backdrop of mountains and flowers.

"Come in and talk." Bai Fei turned around and smiled. "Although Bai Ling Mountain doesn't have as many fresh foods as the Daluo Palace, its specialties, Hundred Flower Wine and Hundred Flower Honey, are rare in the world and can certainly be used to entertain guests."

Bai Ke asked curiously, "Hundred Flower Brew is one thing, but Hundred Flower Honey requires bees. Bai Ling Mountain is full of birds, do you have any bee-made honey?"

A girl with a snake-shaped bun next to Bai Fei laughed and answered, "There are spirit bees specially raised in the back mountain to make honey. If you want to see them, I can take you on a tour."

Bai Ke nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay!"

Gu Zhao patted Bai Ke's head, and Bai Fei patted the girl's shoulder as well. "We have plenty of time, let's eat first."

Bai Ke rubbed her hands together, full of anticipation, already looking forward to what delicious food Bai Ling Mountain would have.

(End of this chapter)