"Three eyes?"

Long Ji's expression shifted slightly, instantly associating it with the three-eyed youth she had met a few days ago.

If he really was her Aunt Yun Hua's child, wouldn't that make him her cousin?

"No, I must go upstream to have a look... I will take my leave!"

With that said, she left the Treasure Hall, summoned her Green Bird mount, greeted Yu Yuan, and hurried off.

A truly impatient character.

Yu Yuan shook his head, dispelled his avatar, called over Wen Zhong who had rushed over upon hearing the news, whispered a few words of instruction to him, and then also summoned his Golden-eyed Five Clouds Camel, transforming into a streak of golden light and cloud, speeding towards the upper streams of Huai River.

In the Southern Continent, there are four independent water veins flowing into the sea, each known as Jiang, He, Huai, and Ji.

These four major water veins are also called the Four Pouring Streams.

East is Jiang, north is Ji, west is He, south is Huai.

Linhuan Pass is located in the southeast, only a thousand miles from the mouth of the Huai River.

And eight hundred miles upstream from Linhuan Pass once sat a large mountain—Gui Mountain.

The mountain's bulk is flat and smooth, resembling a divine turtle sitting amidst the Huai River.

The broad river is split in two by it, rushing past both sides of Gui Mountain, then rejoining behind it, making this mountain surrounded by water on all sides, like a solitary island in the water.

When there is no wind, the waters near Gui Mountain are calm and waveless, reflecting the blue mountains and white clouds on the water surface, harmoniously blending the mountain and water scenery in an almost immortal realm-like setting.

In fact, this place isn't much different from an immortal realm.

The water veins of the Four Pouring Streams are the spirit veins of the Southern Continent, abundant in spiritual energy; in ancient times, countless Demon Gods had established their cave mansions and Daoist domains here.

However, at this moment, Gui Mountain had been overturned, resembling a huge millstone askew in the Huai River.

Without its obstruction, the downstream flow of Huai River became increasingly rapid, with the water level rising at an alarming rate, soon spilling over the embankments and submerging into the farmlands on both banks.

This is bad!

Witnessing all of this, Yang Jian immediately cursed his bad luck.

Opposite him, a tall figure stood erect with his head held high, bursting into loud laughter:

"It's too late for regrets now! Since I have escaped the cage, naturally I will gather my brood of water demons and revive the glory of our old marsh kingdom!"

On hearing this, Yang Jian's heart sank.

Since learning from his master, Yu Ding, that his mother was suppressed under Peach Mountain, Yang Jian had been frantic and restless.

Especially when he thought of the times he was living comfortably in the fairyland of Yuquan Mountain, while his mother was enduring untold suffering in the dark depths beneath Peach Mountain, his heart ached as if being cut by knives.

He couldn't stay in Yuquan Mountain for a moment longer!

After bidding farewell to his gracious master, he headed straight to Qi Mountain, found its highest peak, and tried to split it open with his own strength. However, not only did he fail, but he also startled a Three-headed Divine Flood Dragon.

He fought the dragon with all the anger in his heart, subduing it so thoroughly that it voluntarily transformed into a weapon to save its own life.

From the Three-headed Divine Flood Dragon, Yang Jian also received confirmation.

Indeed, his mother, Fairy Yun Hua, was suppressed under Peach Mountain!

But he could not break open Peach Mountain, nor rescue his mother!

At that moment, he remembered what his master, Yu Ding, had said to him before his departure.

Mountain Opening Axe!

There is no mountain in this world that the Mountain Opening Axe cannot cleave!

But where was the Mountain Opening Axe?

Yang Jian was a smart man, and he quickly thought to find the Mountain Opening Axe one must start with Da Yu.

Legend has it that Da Yu had two treasures for his water management, one was the Ocean Stabilizing Divine Iron, which could increase or decrease in size, used to measure water depths; the other was that Mountain Opening Axe, for opening mountains and forging paths, successful in every endeavor.

Da Yu managed the floods, moving from north to south, west to east, turning blockages into thoroughfares and leading the floodwaters into the Four Seas to solve the flooding issues.

Therefore, after Da Yu's successful water management, it was very possible that he left the Mountain Opening Axe in the Huai River, the last he unblocked.

Following this line of thought, Yang Jian started from the midstream of Huai River, diving underwater and following the water vein downstream, searching for possible traces of the Mountain Opening Axe.

At last, he came to Gui Mountain.

And learned of the legend of the Water Ape Great Saint, Wu Zhi Qi.

When he heard that Wu Zhi Qi was the last water demon suppressed by Da Yu, he felt an instinctual sense that he had come to the right place.

Driven by instinct, without much thought, he used his Heavenly Earth Transformation, forcibly flipping Gui Mountain to one side, then retrieved a stone axe from beneath it.

This stone axe was battered and covered in the mottled traces of years, a far cry from the glittering and golden Holy Artifact of the Human Dao's merit that he had imagined.

Yang Jian doubted at first whether he had guessed wrong, but the appearance of the Water Ape Great Saint Wu Zhi Qi indirectly proved that he was correct.

When he took out the stone axe, the skies above immediately darkened with rolling clouds, thunder, and lightning; a great vortex appeared above the Huai River, and then a huge figure slowly emerged.

Clothed in resplendent golden armor, crowned with a glittering golden diadem!

This Water Ape Great Saint was a hundred zhang tall, resembling an ape with a flat nose, protruding forehead, white-haired green body, golden eyes, snow-white teeth, and his body wrapped in bronze chains as thick as millstones.

By then, how could Yang Jian not realize that he had caused a great disaster? He rushed forward to grab the bronze chains, attempting to lock the Water Ape Great Saint back under the water again.

However, the Water Ape Great Saint was an ancient Great Demon, with vast supernatural powers and a Daoist realm far beyond Yang Jian.

In just a few moves, he had beaten Yang Jian to the point where his bones were broken, his tendons snapped, and he was on the verge of death.

Fortunately, at that moment, the stone axe he held underwent a transformation.

Under the morning light, its stone exterior slowly peeled away, and dazzling merit golden light radiated from the axe, with patterns of mountains and rivers flowing on its surface, like the words of the great Dao.

"The power of the Human Dao... Holy Artifact of merit!"

The Water Ape Great Saint stared at that golden axe, murmuring in a low voice.

Yang Jian was both startled and elated, gripping the Mountain Opening Axe, feeling a surge of strength throughout his body as if there was nothing in this world he could not cleave.

No matter whether it was the Wuzhiqi before him or the Peach Mountain transformed by the heavenly decree!

His right hand gripped the Mountain Opening Axe tightly, his gaze burning intensely.

...

"He succeeded."

On a green peak thousands of miles away from Gui Mountain, Yu Ding sat cross-legged under an ancient pine tree, unable to help but sigh softly, though no trace of joy could be seen on his face.

The Mountain Opening Axe is a Holy Artifact of Human Dao Merit, only usable by the Human Race!

During ancient times, when floods were rampant, Da Yu had received assistance from the Yellow Dragon Daoist to dredge waterways and slaughter water demons, fostering a profound bond of friendship.

Therefore, the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect had always known the whereabouts of the Mountain Opening Axe.

But none of the Twelve Golden Immortals were Human Race, hence none could wield the Divine Axe.

Until now, as the Sealing God Tribulation was about to commence, the Chan Sect urgently needed a candidate meant to confront the tribulation... Thus, he was ordered by his mentor to send Yang Jian down the mountain, following him secretly and guiding him to find the Mountain Opening Divine Axe.

"With the Mountain Opening Axe in hand, perhaps Yang Jian could match Yu Yuan in combat."

Yu Ding murmured to himself while feeling somewhat wistful.

This disciple was one he'd watched grow up since childhood—smart, clever, extraordinarily talented, and showing great respect for his mentor's teachings, with a commendable filial piety.

If it weren't for his master's orders, he wouldn't want to secretly manipulate all this.

But... some things had been decided long ago and could not be changed by him!

"Alas, your master has no choice... I only hope that when you learn the truth in the future, you can understand your master's dilemma."

Yu Ding sighed softly once more, no longer watching the battle at Huai River, and stood up, ready to leave on a trail of rosy clouds.

He knew Yang Jian very well; without watching, he knew that with the Mountain Opening Divine Axe in hand, Yang Jian would surely defeat Wuzhiqi.

After all, Wuzhiqi had been sealed since the last era of the Five Emperors and was now drained of Qi-Blood and Mana.

And Yang Jian's Eight-Nine Profound Skill was the number one Fighting Saint Skill of the Chan Sect. Paired with the unbeatable Mountain Opening Divine Axe for slaying demons and splitting mountains, unless he didn't want to win, he couldn't lose!

However, what Yu Ding did not know was that just as he had left, a wisp of cloud drifted down onto that green peak, forming the tall and upright figure of Yu Yuan.

He glanced at Yu Ding disappearing into the horizon, then turned his head to ponder the sight of Yang Jian fiercely battling Wuzhiqi.

But he didn't dwell on it for long, as the Huai River's waters rose higher and higher due to the fight, breaching embankments and flooding the fields, even spreading towards villages.

Unlike Yu Ding, Yu Yuan didn't stand by idly but rather raised the Glazed Bottle in the air, with its bottom up and mouth down, immediately drawing in the raging torrents.

The Glazed Bottle could contain the waters of the Four Seas, and managing a breach in the Huai River was easily within its capabilities.

Witnessing the flood water being gathered up in an instant, the people along the banks knelt down and bowed deeply, grateful for his great kindness and virtue.

Yu Yuan frowned slightly, immediately feeling a pure Power of Faith coalescing in front of him, tinged with the thick scent of incense.

"Snap!"

With a casual slap, he dispersed that power of faith.

Both Yang Jian and Wuzhiqi, engaged in their life-and-death struggle, also saw the flood being resolved and noticed Yu Yuan's arrival.

Yang Jian, originally pleasantly surprised to see the Glazed Bottle, thought to himself that Master Ci Hang had come just in time, and his timely action prevented a great disaster for the villagers along the river.

But when he managed to glance over in the brief lull, he saw no trace of Daoist Ci Hang. Instead, he saw Yu Yuan walking leisurely on air.

Why was it him?

Wasn't the Glazed Bottle Master Ci Hang's? How did it end up in his hands?

While Yang Jian was struck with surprise, Wuzhiqi was raging with fury.

"A mere Profound Immortal daring to foil my plans!"

As he spoke, he swung his Giant Spirit God Palm, shadowing the skies as he struck down toward Yu Yuan.

Seeing this, Yang Jian hesitated for a moment but still moved to shield Yu Yuan, the Mountain Opening Divine Axe chopping down with all his might.

Wuzhiqi, unable to withstand the edge of the Mountain Opening Axe, could only defend with the bronze chain wrapped around him.

With a "clang," Wuzhiqi was sent flying backward, just as Yang Jian was also repelled hundreds of yards.

Yu Yuan raised an eyebrow, noting that after a strike from the Mountain Opening Axe, only a white mark appeared on the bronze chains.

Clearly, those chains were also an Exotic Treasure.

At least they were sturdy enough!

At this moment, Yang Jian steadied himself and said to Yu Yuan, "You don't have to thank me. This monster is Wuzhiqi, the ancient Huai River God, who I accidentally released. Defeating him is my responsibility... What do you intend to do, fellow Daoist?"

As he spoke, Yu Yuan continued to approach Wuzhiqi.

Yang Jian hastily said, "Fellow Daoist, do not take this lightly. He's the ancient Huai River God, with Dao Xing not inferior to a Daluo Golden Immortal. I can barely oppose him with the Mountain Opening Divine Axe. Though your Divine Skills are vast, you are not..."

Before he could finish, he saw Yu Yuan casually summon a Spiritual Treasure.

In an instant, wild winds arose.

Clouds and mist obscured the view, whipping up soil and dust.

A yellowish wooden pillar plummeted towards Wuzhiqi.

The pillar swelled with the wind, quickly growing a hundred yards tall. Three golden rings appeared on the column, emitting rays of golden light, appearing out of nowhere around Wuzhiqi's neck, feet, and waist, swiftly tightening.

"You bastard!"

Wuzhiqi, both shocked and angry, struggled to free himself.

But already bound by the bronze chains, and with the golden rings tightening upon movement, he was firmly tethered to the wooden pillar, unable to budge at all!

"What is this..."

Yang Jian's eyes widened with disbelief as he looked towards Yu Yuan.

Yu Yuan glanced at him, "What did you just say? I didn't catch it. Can you repeat that?"

Yang Jian: "..."

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