But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 64
The faint glow on the Seeking Gu worm flickered intermittently, making anyone who saw it feel uneasy.
Ah Tong lay by the small pot, watching carefully, not even daring to breathe heavily for fear that the next moment might blow out this faint light. If that happened, wouldn’t its dear host be heartbroken?
Ah Tong whispered a suggestion, “Yuan Ji, let’s go find him now.”
But how would this gu worm indicate the direction?
Could it suddenly straighten up and spin wildly like a dragon-seeking compass? Or would it contort its body into various seductive shapes?
Ah Tong couldn’t help but imagine the plump little worm twitching and writhing spasmodically, and a shudder ran down its spine.
Ew.
Yuan Ji: ?
Unexpectedly, Yuan Ji covered the small pot and casually tossed it back into her storage ring. She brushed off nonexistent dust from her clothes and said calmly:
“We’re not looking.”
“What?!” Ah Tong exclaimed, turning to stare at Yuan Ji in disbelief. “Yuan Ji, you’re not going to look for him?!”
Yuan Ji had returned to her usual composed and detached demeanor, as if the person who had seemed somewhat angry earlier wasn’t her at all.
She slightly raised her chin, her gaze falling on the tributary of the River of Forgetfulness disappearing into the thick fog. Her tone was serious, “It’s troublesome. We’re not looking.”
Qi Yan had intentionally concealed his aura to prevent her from finding him, which was why the first two Seeking Gu worms had turned to ashes. Moreover, this third one wouldn’t last much longer either. Searching for him would only be a waste of time and effort.
Knowing he was alive was enough. They would meet again someday.
Thus, Yuan Ji refused succinctly and decisively, leaving Ah Tong momentarily stunned.
Ah Tong’s feelings were complicated.
Was it just its imagination? Why did it feel like its dear host had become a carefree wanderer with romantic encounters everywhere, never shedding a tear over any one relationship?
An illusion! It must be an illusion!
But didn’t this mean Yuan Ji hadn’t been bewitched by that Qi Yan!
Thinking of this, Ah Tong happily spun a circle in the air.
“Well said!” Ah Tong stopped in front of Yuan Ji, looking at her with certainty. “Yuan Ji, you’re right. The next one will be even better!”
Yuan Ji raised a puzzled eyebrow: ? Who’s better?
Ah Tong was spouting nonsense again. Yuan Ji didn’t pay it much mind, as it was normal for Ah Tong to occasionally lose its grip.
“Then, Yuan Ji, where are we going now? To find the next one?”
Ah Tong boldly voiced its suggestion, full of encouragement, showing none of the steadiness and solemnity a system should have.
Yuan Ji glanced out of the corner of her eye at Wu Du, who was trying to hide behind her. Now that the heart had been found, it was time to look for the next one.
However, Yuan Ji lowered her eyes and shook her head. “No rush. There’s still something to do.”
Just now, when Qi Yan’s body dissipated, a few wisps of demonic energy had leaked out and merged with the valley’s moisture. If left unchecked, it could cause trouble.
Ah Tong nodded, feeling quite pleased. As expected of the host it had chosen—always so well-organized.
“Pfft.” Yuan Ji released the fire seed, which rolled around on the ground. Its scorching heat dried up a small patch of the misty moisture.
“Huh?”
A very soft sound of surprise came from behind the thick fog. Noticing Yuan Ji’s icy gaze shooting over, the person inwardly clicked their tongue and quickly concealed their presence again.
“Such sharp perception. I wonder which sect’s disciple she is.”
At the same time, the fire seed “pfft-pffted” its way back to Yuan Ji’s palm, affectionately rubbing against her fingertips like a little dog seeking praise.
The firelight kissed Yuan Ji’s long eyelashes, casting swaying shadows on her fair face. Yuan Ji poked the fire seed with her delicate fingertips, feeling the warmth. Her mood instantly brightened.
“Go.”
The corners of her eyes slightly curved, and her thin lips parted. It should have been a captivating image of a smiling beauty, but the beauty was saying something shocking.
“Go dry up all the moisture here.”
Xiang Yizhi, hidden behind the thick fog, glanced back at the tiny fire seed and barely managed to swallow his laughter. He curled his lip, sneering inwardly.
“An ignorant junior, such boastful words. It’s just a little flame that could be put out with a single piss, yet it dares to think it can dry up the moisture accumulated in this valley over millennia.”
“Nothing but an ignorant child.”
Xiang Yizhi shook his head, clasped his hands behind his back, and prepared to leave.
Suddenly, a wave of scorching heat assaulted him from behind, burning from the back of his head down to his heels. The intense heat made Xiang Yizhi’s heart leap, and alarm bells rang in his mind.
In the next instant, the moisture in the strands of hair at his temples vanished without a trace. Then, he noticed the scenery before him had become exceptionally clear. He had spent years in this place but had never seen the blazing sun bestow its grace upon this forsaken valley.
But today, vast stretches of golden sunlight spilled from the clouds, as if a god had finally taken pity on his devout believer and granted them a fleeting glance.
Such terrifying power.
Xiang Yizhi swallowed hard. An even more uneasy feeling churned in his chest. He slowly turned around.
The girl before him was no longer obscured by the hazy mist. Her pitch-black eyes stared directly at him. With just one glance, he was so frightened by the coldness in her gaze that he stumbled back two steps.
Wh-what a fierce aura.
Recalling that he had come out to investigate upon sensing three auras entering the valley, he now saw that the man was gone, leaving only a seemingly ignorant young girl and…
a child!
Xiang Yizhi’s eyes widened suddenly.
In a flash, he seemed to see his cousin again—the one who had lost her lover and was raising a child alone.
He smacked his lips twice, recalling his cousin’s calm-yet-crazy demeanor, and immediately decided: This person was not to be provoked.
“Esteemed… Fellow Daoist, thank you for dispelling the thick fog of the Valley of Despair and giving the creatures of this valley a chance to live.”
“If you need any assistance, just say the word. I, Xiang, have lived here for decades and know this place well. Hehe.”
Xiang Yizhi smiled amiably, adhering to the survival principle of being flexible and enduring to achieve longevity.
Who was it that just said they looked down on this little flame? Xiang Yizhi had no idea.
Yuan Ji looked him up and down, understanding dawning on her.
No wonder Ah Tong said this place was deserted. So that’s how it was.
Yuan Ji looked at his somewhat ingratiating smile and frowned slightly. Then she glanced at Ah Tong, whose jaw seemed about to hit the ground, and raised an eyebrow.
A deserted valley?
Abundant spiritual energy?
Ah Tong: …
“This is strange, Yuan Ji. I really scanned again. It really showed no living creatures here.”
After saying this, it performed several more scans. But even after multiple attempts, with Xiang Yizhi standing right there, the system still showed no prompts at all.
A chill ran down Ah Tong’s spine. This was like seeing a ghost.
It felt too guilty to face Yuan Ji directly, even starting to suspect that its mistake was due to a virus it caught when it secretly went over the wall to play with the Harem System.
After teasing Ah Tong a bit, Yuan Ji tossed out a “Just passing through” and prepared to return to the River God Temple.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, a familiar electronic voice sounded in her ear.
[Daily Task: Clean trash from the river (0/3)]
[Reward: 10 Divine Power points]
[Detected host has encountered a hidden character. Unlocking hidden quest: Find the truth behind the Guan family’s massacre.]
The system automatically issued the quest, startling Ah Tong for a moment.
After hearing the content clearly, Ah Tong’s eyes lit up, and it exclaimed, “Yuan Ji, it’s a hidden quest!”
Yuan Ji tapped her fingertip on her chin. Her gaze fell on the slowly flowing river. After a moment’s thought, she recalled the fire seed.
Seeing her recall the fire seed and hearing “just passing through,” the smile on Xiang Yizhi’s face instantly became much more genuine. Good, she wasn’t here to cause trouble. Best to see her off quickly.
“Then, Fellow Daoist, travel safely. If you have any needs in the future, just come find me, Xiang Yizhi. I, Xiang, am known for my warmheartedness.”
Yuan Ji paused mid-step. Her gaze shifted from the river to Xiang Yizhi, a trace of strangeness appearing in her eyes.
Warmhearted?
Xiang Yizhi saw her stop, and the corner of his eye twitched. He wished he could slap himself for running his mouth.
Yet, the smile on his face didn’t fade. “This is a branch of the River of Forgetfulness. It flows through the entire valley. If you wish to leave the valley, just follow this river.”
Xiang Yizhi’s smile was so fixed his face was about to stiffen, but Yuan Ji still showed no sign of leaving. He had no choice but to brace himself and ask, “Is there something you need my help with?”
“Mm.” Yuan Ji shot him an appreciative glance. This person was indeed smarter than Ah Tong. “Come with me.”
Upon hearing this, Xiang Yizhi’s expression changed slightly. He lowered his eyes, a flash of killing intent passing through them, then smiled again. “Fellow Daoist, you jest. I, Xiang, am accustomed to life here in the Valley of Despair and have no wish to leave.”
“Still, I thank you for your kind intention.”
Yuan Ji looked at him steadily, her tone certain. “If you want to know the truth behind the Guan family massacre, come with me.”
Xiang Yizhi’s expression changed instantly. The smile vanished from his face, and countless hateful visages flashed rapidly before his eyes. When he looked back at Yuan Ji, his eyes were full of killing intent.
“Are you sent by them too? Since you don’t want to leave, then stay here forever!”
Xiang Yizhi erupted violently. With a sweep of his sleeve, several water snakes as thick as buckets surged out from the River of Forgetfulness, entwining as they charged toward Yuan Ji.
The snakes’ sharp fangs glinted in the sunlight, which actually made Yuan Ji feel a bit reflective.
I wonder if these water snakes’ teeth are sharper than Xiao Lei’s. Should have brought Xiao Lei along.
“Pfft.”
Just as the water snakes attacked, a giant palm formed of flames grabbed them, shook them up and down, and sizzling steam erupted.
The menacing water snakes instantly turned into a puddle of dead water on the ground.
“Tch.” Yuan Ji took half a step back to avoid the splashing water droplets. She now had some doubts about Xiang Yizhi’s claim of being “warmhearted.”
Seeing his water snakes neutralized by the fire seed, Xiang Yizhi instantly became wary. “That fire is quite powerful.”
Hah, where there’s life, there’s hope.
After a moment’s thought, Xiang Yizhi turned and jumped into the river. The turbid river water didn’t swallow him but instead gathered around him like stars embracing the moon, protecting and supporting him.
“Huh?” Yuan Ji had been waiting indifferently, but upon seeing Xiang Yizhi actually floating on the River of Forgetfulness without sinking, her eyes suddenly lit up.
“Hahaha, I, Xiang, have survived in this Valley of Despair naturally because I have some skills.” Xiang Yizhi looked quite pleased with himself. “That fire seed of yours is powerful, but I, Xiang Yizhi, am no pushover either.”
He raised a hand, and the water of the River of Forgetfulness instantly soared hundreds of feet into the air.
“Might as well tell you, I, Xiang, am the River God of the River of Forgetfulness.”
Ah Tong: ??!!
Ah Tong was furious. Yuan Ji! Someone’s impersonating you!!
Yuan Ji let out a light laugh. “You are truly the River God?”
Xiang Yizhi curled his lip, looking utterly self-possessed. “Naturally!”
“If you leave quickly, this River God might spare you once.”
“You are the River God,” Yuan Ji tilted her head, her tone gentle, “then, who am I?”
“Who cares…” who you are.
Before Xiang Yizhi could finish his sentence, a sudden chill ran through his body, and a sense of foreboding assaulted him.
Trembling, he looked behind him. The water of the River of Forgetfulness that had been gathered around him had actually transformed into a gigantic hand, blotting out the sky and shielding the sun. The surrounding air seemed oppressed, making it hard to breathe.
“Heh… heh…”
Xiang Yizhi breathed rapidly, wanting to say something, but his throat tightened, only allowing frightened moans to escape.
The next instant, the giant palm descended.
Yuan Ji calmly flicked her fingertips, blowing away the moisture on them.
“Now you tell me,”
“Who is the River God?”