Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 963 Water Transport Welcomes Us
Today the sky is clear and the lake breeze is gentle; it's truly a rare and beautiful day.

The old monk in the Pure Land ancestral temple looked at the changes at the foot of the mountain without any ripples in his heart.

Fahai is the most reliable person. If he wants Poyang Lake, then give it to him.

It's time for the turmoil in Jiangnan to stabilize.

Old Shen from Bailu Academy was in a good mood.

The young man surnamed Xu really has a chivalrous heart; he actually managed to conquer three major water systems, showing a resemblance to the ancient human race.

Moreover, the idea of ​​using demons to subdue demons is something that ordinary people would never think of, nor would they have the means to implement.

From this day forward, the fishermen and shipping in Jiangnan will no longer face any obstacles.

Such a great contribution deserves to be recorded.

At this moment, the vast Poyang Lake was calm and smooth as a huge piece of blue glass. However, beneath this extreme tranquility, an invisible aura of killing intent permeated the air, making all living things around hold their breath.

Along the coast of Songmenshan Island, a road paved with huge bluestones winds its way up to the mountaintop.

Each stone slab was polished smooth as a mirror, clearly reflecting the large blue flags standing on both sides of the road.

On the flag, ferocious dragon patterns coiled and tumbled, roaring and swirling in the whistling lake wind, as if they were about to burst out of the flag and devour people at any moment.

From the lakeside dock to the mountaintop, every ten steps there stands a demon soldier in full armor, like a sculpture.

These monsters were all clad in heavy armor made of black iron, with water-repelling runes engraved on the heavy plates. The faces exposed beneath their helmets were either covered in scales or had gills and fins, and their eyes gleamed with a cold, inhuman light.

The twelve-foot-long halberd in his hand had a blade that gleamed with a chilling light in the sunlight.

These are all veterans of countless battles, fierce demons who have fought alongside King Xiaoqing in numerous fierce battles.

Occasionally, lake birds would fly by, but they would turn away in alarm when they were still a hundred feet away from the island, their menacing aura preventing any living creature from daring to cross the line.

At the top of the mountain, a wide plaza is paved with black and white stones in the shape of a giant Tai Chi symbol, with Yin and Yang flowing in harmony with the way of heaven.

Thirty-six rosewood armchairs are arranged on both sides of the Tai Chi diagram. The backs of the chairs are intricately carved with various aquatic totems such as dragons, alligators, turtles, turtles, and carp, symbolizing the various forces that have come to the meeting.

At the end of the square stands a nine-foot-tall stone statue of King Yu.

The statue is carved from a single piece of Xiuyan jade, with lifelike details: Yu the Great wears an ancient bamboo hat, holds a plow for controlling the flood, and stands on a stone carving of surging and roaring waves. His gaze is resolute as he looks down over the entire Poyang Lake.

On the altar were the most abundant sacrificial offerings of three kinds of animals, and in a huge bronze cauldron, three sticks of ambergris, each as thick as an adult's arm, were burning quietly.

The rising wisps of smoke were straight as pillars, reaching into the sky, like a bridge connecting heaven and earth.

The entire island fell into an extreme silence, with only the tireless lapping of the lake against the shore and the fluttering of countless blue flags in the wind, which only served to accentuate the solemnity and heavy atmosphere of the place.

The entire Songmenshan Island is no longer just a mountain in the middle of a lake.

Every stone, every piece of wood, every flag, and every soldier has been incorporated into a grand ritual, transforming into a living altar, awaiting the arrival of a significant moment.

Yu Bai stood with his hands behind his back on the welcoming platform carved from white jade at the foot of the mountain, taking in the solemn layout of the entire Songmenshan Island.

After the inspection, I was in high spirits, my heart brimming with pride.

It is said that "discussing the Dao will destroy the gods," but today, whoever dares to truly "discuss the Dao" will be truly "destroyed"!
The Poyang Lake region has enjoyed peace for a long time, and the so-called demon kings and water gods have long been worn down by the invisible suppression of Buddhism and Confucianism. They are nothing more than local tyrants guarding their own small plots of land.

He had already anticipated that even if a few fools tried to show off, they would at most stir up some evil winds and waves when they appeared, and then make a show of baring their teeth.

They appear fierce, but are actually all bark and no bite; they are not worth worrying about.

Moreover, even if unexpected accidents do occur, what is there to fear?

"When times come, heaven and earth all work together to transport heroes without freedom."

I felt the favor and closeness emanating from the vast waters beneath my feet.

It was a recognition and blessing from the very source of the lake that made him feel increasingly calm and composed.

I made the right choice in following you!
King Xiaoqing had just decided to take full control of Poyang Lake, and before even a formal ceremony had been held, this lake, which had been silent for countless years, had already given an eager and positive response, actively moving closer to its future ruler.

It's important to understand that the relationship between a Suicune and the waters it governs is, to some extent, mutually beneficial.

Why does the Huai River have such a great reputation that people turn pale at the mere mention of it?
The existence of Wuzhiqi, who is known as the "Lord of the Huai River," is itself an extremely important factor.

Why has the Yangtze River remained largely stable and free from natural disasters in recent years?
While its long history is certainly a factor, it is also inextricably linked to the "good" reputation of the Dragon King who reigns over it.

In contrast, Taihu Lake was once renowned, known in ancient times as "Zhenze," a large lake recorded in the "Tribute of Yu."

Why did he gradually become a relatively unknown figure among the "Five Lakes" (a group of celebrities)?
It was precisely because no truly powerful figure capable of ruling the four directions had taken over for a long time that the name of Taihu Lake resounded throughout Jiangnan once again, becoming an undisputed "top influencer" until the emergence of the Little Green King, who rose to prominence with Taihu Lake as his base.

And then there's Dongting Lake... Dongting Lake was originally excellent, with a rich cultural heritage.

However, the original ruler, Lord Yunzhong, was ambitious and wanted to achieve more.

A wrong step nearly led the entire lake to its doom.

Fortunately, King Xiaoqing intervened swiftly and decisively, turning the tide and averting disaster. Therefore, Dongting Lake is extremely loyal to its water lord.

Poyang Lake, in a sense, is in the same boat as Taihu Lake, where Xiao Qing Da Wang first appeared, both belonging to the "lying flat" camp.

It possesses vast waters, yet lacks the prestige and status to match its size. How could it not yearn for a true leader to guide it and help it regain its former glory?

If the three lakes system could be integrated, its network would stretch across the Jiangnan region, with dozens of major tributaries and thousands of streams intertwined to form a network that extends for thousands of miles, nourishing countless creatures on both banks.

Such authority and the weight of their position are enough to recreate the glory of the ancient water lords.

At that time, as long as the water cycle is maintained and the region enjoys favorable weather, Heaven will bestow more blessings, and the incense offerings and prayers of humanity will also flourish like a surging tide.

This is why, since the Baoantang team began to take over Poyang, everything has gone smoothly, as if they were being helped by some unseen force.

Immersed in this wondrous state of "when the time is right, heaven and earth lend their strength," even the usually composed Yu Bai couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit, which he found hard to suppress.

Just below, the vast expanse of Poyang Lake shimmered in the sunlight, its surface sparkling like shimmering gold, and a sense of immensity welled up within me.

I felt a surge of pent-up emotion welling up inside me, and I had to let it out!

At this moment, a sudden inspiration struck, and all my past experiences, knowledge, and feelings suddenly came together.

It knew that it had finally touched upon and comprehended the true meaning of the Great Dao that belonged exclusively to "Bao'an Hall"!

Unable to resist raising his head to the sky, he recited aloud:

"He once played in the waves of Taihu Lake and called himself a Doctor Demon."

My knowledge of human language is superficial, yet it possesses a certain charm and elegance.

For three years I followed the Demon King, my banners billowing on the waves, I was hailed as a hero across the four seas.

Arrows rain down from Dongting Lake, dragons soar over Poyang Lake.

Looking out over a vast expanse of water, I laugh at the old dynasty.

What were once shrimp and crabs have now submitted to the emperor.

Behold, the drums beat on the cloud platform, and the horns sound from the water palace, as a monstrous tide sweeps across ten thousand miles.

With a raised hand, giant waves are stirred up; with a breath, raging torrents are created!

The words were powerful and spirited, and they even stirred the surrounding water vapor to resonate with them, causing it to glow faintly.

The Mud Dragon General beside him was dumbfounded, his jaw nearly dropping to the ground. After a long while, he suddenly came to his senses and exclaimed in shock, "You...you've also figured it out!!!"

His face was filled with disbelief, shock, and envy: "I've long heard that Grand Steward Turtle had already achieved enlightenment back in Qiantang and obtained his own poetic title. I never imagined that you... no, Mr. Yu, you had also completed this crucial step! From now on, the path to the Great Dao is within reach!"

After the initial shock, General Mud Dragon's mind raced, and he couldn't help but feel a mix of anxiety and dejection.

I consider myself a veteran who has been fighting alongside the King since the Taihu period, and I believe I have made many contributions and endured much hardship along the way.

However, it feels like we are still a long way from the mysterious realm of "poetic titles," and we haven't even touched the threshold.

Seeing the lingering Daoist aura around Yu Bai, he became even more dejected and muttered something unsatisfactorily:
"Indeed... knowledge is power. Reading books is really useful..."

The thoughts and feelings of the two pillars of Baoan Hall were naturally unknown to outsiders.

The appointed time was approaching, and the world seemed to sense it.

Suddenly, the sky changed dramatically, and a series of howling sounds came from the depths of the once clear sky.

Immediately, six powerful demonic energies merged into one, forcefully breaking through the layers of clouds and rapidly pressing towards the welcoming platform of Songmen Mountain!
The demonic clouds churned, their power terrifying.

"General Baiyan arrived first?" Yu Bai's gaze sharpened, quite surprised. "When the token was delivered last time, this fellow was the most arrogant, speaking disrespectfully. I didn't expect him to be the first to arrive on time today... and he even brought five other demon kings with him?"

He recognized the demonic aura at the head of the group as the leader of the White-fronted Goose clan.

In the Poyang Lake region, due to its proximity to the Pure Land Buddhist Temple and Bailu Academy, the interplay of Buddhist and cultural influences creates a powerful atmosphere, making it extremely rare for monsters to openly claim the title of "King."

There were only three or five of them at most. The rest mostly called themselves "General So-and-so" to show "respect" for and avoid the names of those two giants. General Baiyan was one of them.

His arrogance is not without reason.

The white-fronted goose is not an aquatic species, but a real bird that has become a monster. It is a migratory bird in winter and is free by nature. If it really feels that it can't stay in this place, it will spread its wings and fly away. Where in the world can't it go?
It's not necessary to cling to this body of water for a living.

Of course, if one can live a stable life, who would want to travel around?

If they could obtain a stable territory, it would be a great blessing for their ordinary people who have not yet developed intelligence and still need to follow their nature to travel north and south.

Even if a transformed demon has managed to somewhat shed its racial habits, a fixed territory rich in spiritual energy remains a crucial foundation.

Yu Bai's mind raced, but his feet didn't slow down. He quickly composed himself and stepped forward to meet them.

The demonic aura dissipated, revealing the figures of six demon kings, led by General Baiyan.

However, after three days apart, Yu Bai keenly sensed that General Bai Yan's attitude had undergone a dramatic change.

The aloofness and subtle arrogance that I felt when we last met, stemming from the avian demon race, had vanished completely, replaced by something akin to... the smoothness and enthusiasm of Chief Steward Turtle!
General Bai Yan landed first, and before Yu Bai could speak, he was already all smiles, cupping his hands and saying, "Mr. Yu! It's been three days since we last met, and you look even more radiant than before! We received the decree from the Green King, so how could we dare to be negligent? We made an appointment to come together early, just in case we missed the appointed time!"

His warm attitude and friendly tone made him almost consider himself a "colleague" of the Baoan Hall, which contrasted sharply with the other five demon kings who were clearly still somewhat reserved and hesitant.

This unusual enthusiasm made Yu Bai's heart skip a beat. Instead of relaxing, he instantly became vigilant.

(End of this chapter)