But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 20

“You!”

Huang Li had never seen such a reaction before. For a moment, she was at a loss for words and instinctively turned to Luo Qiushui in panic. “Shijie…”

Why wasn’t this person the least bit flustered? Could she be hiding her true strength?

Huang Li hesitated, but then a faint whisper reached her ears: “No wonder Senior Brother holds her in such high regard—she’s unshakable. If it were me, I’d…”

The suggestive tone of the unfinished sentence was unmistakable. Instantly, Huang Li’s hesitation twisted into fury. Her grip on her longsword tightened, her knuckles forming a sharp, elegant curve.

Every movement in the River God Temple was under Yuan Ji’s watchful gaze, and she had heard every word of that whisper. Her lips curled slightly as she glanced at Dongfang Hua, who had already shrunk back into the crowd after provoking the situation.

How amusing.

This man’s memory seemed remarkably short—had he forgotten their last encounter already?

Beside her, Luo Qiushui stiffened slightly, having also overheard the remark. Yet she said nothing, merely casting a disdainful glance at Dongfang Hua before turning her attention back to Yuan Ji. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her expression unreadable but undeniably hostile.

“Shimei, no more words. Just attack.”

Encouraged, Huang Li raised her blade and lunged at Yuan Ji, confidence blazing in her eyes.

This frail-looking woman is no match for me. Victory is certain!

“A-Tong,” Yuan Ji murmured, watching the eager spectators, “there’s quite a rift among them, isn’t there?”

The system sighed. “Yuan Ji, they’re practically itching to fight each other.”

Yuan Ji tilted her head, exhaling softly. Foolish beauties. Sharp blades, but so easily wielded by others.

Huang Li moved swiftly, her longsword—a superior spirit weapon forged by her master—gleamed ominously. One slash from it could split the heavens; anyone in its path would think twice before standing their ground.

“Die!”

Yet before the blade could touch Yuan Ji, a series of “shua!” sounds erupted. The talismans scattered across the floor, trampled and forgotten moments ago, suddenly rose and encircled the group.

Despite their tattered state, the talismans—crafted by the Tianji Sect—were still functional.

Panic flared among the arrogant cultivators. One of the junior disciples gulped and hid behind her senior sister. “Shijie, what do we do?”

“Be careful!” Luo Qiushui snapped, unsheathing her whip and shielding her sisters. “It’s a trap!”

Yuan Ji, satisfied, tossed a spirit stone in her palm. Last time, she had tested the Binding Curse. Which one should I try now?

Her gaze flickered to Dongfang Hua, cowering like a turtle at the back of the group.

“Fire.”

The floating Fire Cloud Talismans flared to life, unleashing dozens of fiery serpents thicker than bowls, all coiling toward the cultivators.

Screams erupted instantly.

Huang Li’s sword veered midair, slicing through the flames aimed at her. Her face darkened. “Coward!”

Yuan Ji rubbed her ear, watching the chaotic scene with mild exasperation.

“A-Tong,” she mused, “have they not realized the fire isn’t even targeting them?”

The system deadpanned. “Not a single flame touched them. How oblivious can they be?”

Meanwhile, Dongfang Hua—now covered in soot, his robes singed beyond recognition—glared venomously at the unscathed women.

“Lucky bastards,” he spat under his breath before raising his voice. “Shijie! Don’t let her humiliate us like this!”

Yuan Ji shifted her posture, resting her chin on her hand. Hmm.

“Thunder.”

The Lightning Talismans crackled to life.

Bolts of electricity zigzagged through the crowd, sparks flying amid shrieks of terror.

At the temple entrance, Ye Wenshu—still munching on a steamed bun—winced at the spectacle.

“Compared to this,” he muttered, “the River God was downright merciful to me.”

At least he had only been trapped in an illusion, unharmed. Unlike that guy over there, who looked thoroughly charred.

Dongfang Hua, now blackened head to toe, coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Why is it always me?!

His disbelieving eyes darted between his unharmed sect sisters and his own crumbling, ashen form.

Before he could recover, boulders and hailstones rained from above.

Dongfang Hua: “…”

Oh, I see. She’s toying with me.

He staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his lips, and met Yuan Ji’s amused gaze. A chill ran down his spine.

“Shijies,” he hissed, “she’s mocking us! Forget her—finding Senior Brother is our priority!”

The mention of Qi Yan snapped the women back to their senses.

“You’re right,” one growled. “She’s making fools of us, ensuring we meet Senior Brother in this disgraceful state. How vile!”

Then she turned—and nearly screamed at the sight of Dongfang Hua.

“Ah! Shidi, what happened to you?!”

Dongfang Hua: “…” Ha. Ha. Ha.

Yuan Ji, bored, yawned. “The Senior Brother you’re looking for isn’t here.”

Luo Qiushui and Huang Li exchanged glances. Realizing Yuan Ji’s strength far surpassed theirs, Luo Qiushui swallowed her pride.

She signaled Huang Li. “Since that’s the case, we won’t trouble you further, Senior.”

With a stiff bow, she led the group out—Dongfang Hua limping behind them.

Silence returned to the temple. Yuan Ji studied the spirit stone in her palm, lost in thought.

If talismans can amplify spiritual power, what would happen if I channeled energy directly into…?

“A-Tong,” the system interrupted, puzzled, “you just let them leave? No punishment?”

This wasn’t like Yuan Ji at all.

Yuan Ji blinked. “I did as you advised. ‘A god loves all beings.’”

She resumed fiddling with the stone. “Besides, it’s not time yet.”

The system frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing.”

Outside the River God Temple

The group halted by the Forgotten River’s edge.

“Shijie! Why did we retreat? What if she’s hiding Senior Brother? We should’ve beaten her until she—”

Huang Li smacked the speaker’s head. “Idiot! She was holding back. If she wanted us dead, we’d be like Shidi!”

The junior disciple stared at her intact robes, baffled. “But… we weren’t hurt?”

Luo Qiushui sighed. “Fool. Do you think she couldn’t hurt us? She chose not to.”

Dongfang Hua, leaning against a tree—charred, reeking of smoke, his hair fried to a crisp—glared daggers as the women shuddered in relief.

“Useless,” he muttered, eyeing the temple. “If you won’t act, I will. And when the time comes… she’ll take the blame.”

As Luo Qiushui approached to console him, she froze—meeting a pair of crimson eyes.

A bloodcurdling scream tore through the air.