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He summoned the Blood Pool, then seated himself on the Lotus Platform.

Thirteen Yin Gods flew out, lifting this new Lotus Platform high into the air. As these Yin Gods vanished into ash and smoke, Tan Shuchang did not show the faintest trace of joy as he had in the past.

Because his comprehension of the "Crossing River Technique" had not changed in the slightest.

"Crossing River Technique? Crossing river?"

After muttering to himself several times, Tan Shuchang's heart stirred slightly. This plain white palm would not frivolously write four characters just to annoy him—after all, that would be beneath its dignity. Therefore, he decided to try the most ordinary method.

The river was easy to find.

And so, it was not long before Tan Shuchang stood within a body of water, trying.

The first attempt yielded no effects.

After all, the foundation of this secret technique was for sneaking across the Land of the Four Pillars.

But Tan Shuchang did not give up; he continued trying.

However, not until a Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao, sporting several large bumps, drilled out from the water bottom, did Tan Shuchang find success.

Originally, this Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao was somewhat angry because it had been happily bumping into a peculiar stone in the underground river, and suddenly the water churned violently, even giving it several bumps despite its toughness.

However, upon seeing the instigator, its mood brightened immediately.

Because it recognized Tan Shuchang.

Tan Shuchang also recognized this Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao; the horns on its head were quite conspicuous.

This was his "Iron Head" niece.

"Uncle! Uncle!" the Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao's voice was somewhat muffled. Although Mountain-Sea Beasts were known for their rapid growth, this one was still too young.

"Why is it you?" Tan Shuchang had already noticed the bumps on the Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao's head, but he carried himself as naturally as if the waves just earlier had nothing to do with him.

"I... down there... found a... peculiar... stone..." The Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao did not respond to Tan Shuchang's question, nor did it inquire why he, who had clearly ascended, still appeared in the Shenxu Heaven, but eagerly shared its discovery from the underground river with Tan Shuchang.

After listening, Tan Shuchang was somewhat surprised, because his "Iron Head" niece could directly shatter even upper realm Magic Artifacts with a collision, yet failed to smash a common large river stone.

Moreover, before his "Iron Head" niece had spoken, he not only had failed to sense that stone but also had not detected the presence of this Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao.

He had been certain there were no Mountain-Sea Beasts or large fish in the river before attempting the "Crossing River Technique" there.

Thus, Tan Shuchang accepted the Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao's invitation and descended with it to the water bottom.

Although Tan Shuchang was not skilled in swimming, underwater was naturally unobstructed for him, as smooth as if on solid ground. After all, this was merely a mundane river, not the special waters of the Land of the Four Pillars. However, Tan Shuchang did not discover that underground river at the riverbed.

At that moment, though, the Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao had already dug out a large pit and promptly burrowed in. And it was only as it entered this underground river that Tan Shuchang began to sense the scene below.

"Could there be a serendipity here?"

Taken aback, Tan Shuchang hurriedly followed, yet cautiously, he left an Incarnation of blood shadow outside. Should any mishap occur inside, he could instantaneously switch places with his Incarnation.

However, the situation that Tan Shuchang had worried about did not arise, and he smoothly found that large stone.

And the moment he laid eyes on that stone, he had a flash of realization—this was the place where he was meant to use the "Crossing River Technique."

So he did.

No extraordinary signs appeared, not even a ripple surfaced on the water this time, but he and the Water Ze Mountain Thunder Jiao found themselves instantly on the bank of an endlessly surging river.

The river was broad, yet fortunately, its end was in sight, although its length stretched beyond the horizon.

This was seen with the vision capable of uniting the second affirmation with the dao.

Tan Shuchang couldn't help but feel somewhat startled because he hadn't expected to find such a mysterious and peculiar place in Shenxu Heaven.

At that moment, an old turtle suddenly poked its head out of the water, "King of the Mountain and Sea, King Langshou, I wonder if the two of you wish to cross the river?"

Upon hearing this, Tan Shuchang didn't respond but instead looked towards his "Iron Head" niece.

At this time, what was originally a cyan-colored fortune had, unbeknownst to him, turned purple. And the trace amounts of fortune had become a pillar of fortune.

So his "Iron Head" niece was the King of the Mountain and Sea?

And in this place, her status was even higher than his?

A person's address towards others often involuntarily reflects the closeness of their relationships and the strength of the others' power. It couldn't possibly be the former, so it must be the latter.

But this Mountain Sea Jiao obviously had far less strength than him...

This made Tan Shuchang think incredulously—in a flash of thought—that his "Iron Head" niece couldn't possibly be the famous Mountain-Sea Beast of the past in Shenxu Heaven, the Mountain Sea Jiao that had contended with the Ancestor of the Dao, could she?

As for the other party recognizing him by the title "King Langshou," Tan Shuchang wasn't particularly concerned since he had long confirmed that the strange game world was connected with some place.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to the trouble of cultivating a group to be sent over in the "Way of War Immortals."

"Cross the river? I can manage on my own, there's no need to trouble fellow Daoist," Tan Shuchang said with a fist and palm salute. The old turtle's cultivation wasn't strong, just having attained eternal life.

Perhaps it was innately special, hence it could come and go freely in this evidently peculiar river.

"Oh? King Langshou can cross the river? Since King Langshou says so, then it must certainly be true. Please follow me, King of the Mountain and Sea! The master has already been waiting here for some time," the old turtle said with a laugh, then beckoned the Mountain Sea Jiao onto its back.

However, the Mountain Sea Jiao glanced at Tan Shuchang and didn't make any move.

After all, in terms of closeness, Tan Shuchang was evidently the closer relative.

"Please lead the way, fellow Daoist. I'll bring this niece of mine along," Tan Shuchang offered proactively. Although this Mountain Sea Jiao should be the one that had competed with the Ancestor of the Dao, at this moment, it was simply his niece.

"Very well!"

The old turtle did not insist and turned to enter the river.

Seeing this, Tan Shuchang used the "Crossing River Technique." Sure enough, this technique not only allowed Tan Shuchang to walk as if on flat ground but also enabled him to easily bring the Mountain Sea Jiao along.

Over the river, the flowing water seemed to solidify, transforming into a pathway that Tan Shuchang stepped upon, advancing steadily.

About an incense stick's time later, the old turtle came to a halt.

Because they had reached the shore, but as they approached the bank, the place transformed into a mountain peak, and the old turtle turned into a black dragon.
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"King of the Mountain and Sea, King Langshou, would you like me to carry you both up? This mountain is no ordinary one."

"May I know what fellow Daoist requests?" Tan Shuchang inquired, knowing that no one would offer favors for no reason; there had to be some benefit sought.

"The request is not difficult, only that I hope fellow Daoist, after ascending, could inquire for me when I, this dragon with a turtle's body, can ascend from trapped dragon to heaven," the black dragon said immediately.

Tan Shuchang heard this and pondered for a while before nodding his head.

Right away, the black dragon let out a long roar and swept Tan Shuchang and the Mountain Sea Jiao up with the wind, flying towards the peak of the mountain. The mountain's summit didn't appear far, but as they flew up, various heavenly tribulations followed one after another—thunder, flames, frost... until they passed through a layer of five-colored clouds and then everything calmed down.

However, the black dragon vanished as well.

Tan Shuchang and the Mountain Sea Jiao had landed atop the mountain peak.

There was nothing particularly special about the summit, which was quite similar to typical mountain scenery. The only difference was the presence of a white-robed old man sitting there.

Upon seeing the newcomers, the white-robed old man remained seated and motionless, but raised his hand and casually pointed at several stones on the ground, then said, "Since you have arrived, then both of you should take a seat! However, the Sword Dao that I'll be discussing... should be completely useless to you."

The latter part of the sentence was aimed at Tan Shuchang while he looked at him.