Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 574: The Third Battle Against a Water Construct

When Zhao Changhe reached the outskirts of Skyrim Island, he actually had a much better sense of orientation of everything compared to Xia Chichi.

Having studied the Water Mirror Technique along the way, a technique that involved the refraction of light, and with two years of experience using the Spring Water Sword Art, he was well-prepared.

Upon first sighting the island, Zhao Changhe’s gaze was already penetrating the shimmering mist and the distorted light, perceiving the true contours of the island. He could see that the island was nowhere near as large as it appeared from the outside.

One feature, however, was quite distinctive. Although the sun had already set, with the moon now risen, a rainbow-colored bridge still hung in the sky, almost as if it was painted across the heavens.

“That rainbow bridge seems... off.” Zhao Changhe looked toward it, then asked Lady Three, “Doesn’t it almost seem to say that stepping on the bridge would lead you to the heavens?”

Lady Three responded, “From the perspective of light refraction, if you step onto the island, it might indeed look like you’re stepping onto the bridge from the outside. It carries symbolic meaning—stepping onto it means reaching the edge of the sky.”

Is the edge of the sky far away? No. When you are at the edge of the world, how far could it be?

A faint poetic feeling welled up in Zhao Changhe’s heart, but Lady Three interrupted it. “This place is strange... The will of the Azure Dragon has never had much connection to water. Earlier, when we considered the concept of water nurturing wood and the position of Azure Dragon in the east, we let Xia Chichi venture to sea for some enlightenment. However, the will of Azure Dragon should not be something one searches for in the water. So how come that I feel such an intense connection to it?”

Zhao Changhe also found it odd. But for him, it was not about water or wood. Instead, he thought that anything related to the Azure Dragon had already been uncovered. The fake Azure Dragon’s tomb had been excavated under the guidance of Xia Chichi’s mother, and Zhao Changhe himself, along with Chichi, had found the Azure Dragon Seal behind the waterfall. They had solved the altar mechanism under that seal, obtaining the Rejuvenation Art from there and even taking the coffin away. According to Lady Three, that coffin had indeed held the remains of the ancient Azure Dragon.

They had scoured everything thoroughly, and yet there was still more about the Azure Dragon here.

Lady Three looked up at the sky, where the Azure Dragon constellation twinkled faintly in the east. “Perhaps it refers to the essence of the constellation, not the essence of the ancient Azure Dragon.”

Zhao Changhe nodded. The essence of the ancient Azure Dragon obviously came from its connection to the stars. It did not just appear out of nowhere. If what could be obtained here was the essence of the constellation, then it would mean gaining insight into the original source of that power.

No wonder Xia Longyuan wanted his daughter to seek a breakthrough here. This truly was an exceptional opportunity that could allow her to glimpse the third layer of the Profound Mysteries in a relatively short time.

The condition, however, was that she could comprehend it. Offering someone the opportunity to read an academic paper from the Chinese Academy of Sciences would not do them much good if they could not understand it.

While they discussed this, Tang En was steering the ship closer to the distorted light.

Zhao Changhe had initially intended to have Tang En pause briefly to observe and perhaps even question the nearby fishing boats. But as they neared, he noticed movement on the island.

A figure in white danced across the treetops under the moonlight, as graceful as a fairy.

Zhao Changhe was utterly entranced, unable to look away.

Chichi... Every reunion with her seems to bring a new, breathtaking feeling, and this time, she’s giving off a sense of loneliness and resolute determination.

When a person stands upon the horizon—how, then, could the horizon be far away?

Lady Three glanced at him, her chest filled with a sour feeling. She did not even know how to express her jealousy.

Of all things, Xia Chichi was certainly not lagging when it came to getting to know Zhao Changhe and falling in love. She was undoubtedly the first. For the longest time, Xia Chichi had been the only one he thought of as his girlfriend. Now, seeing the tenderness in his gaze, it was as if he was looking at his first love all over again. No wonder Vermillion Bird could not stand Xia Chichi. It was not a competition that she could win, so she could only bully her to soothe her own heart.

Lady Three sighed. “You...”

Before she could say anything further, Zhao Changhe suddenly erupted in anger, “Damn it! Chichi isn’t exploring! She’s being hunted! Who the hell dares to attack my Chichi?!”

Lady Three: “...”

“Tang En! Ballista!”

“Uh... Your Highness, we can’t see anything from here.”

“You don’t need to see anything. Just shoot in that direction!”

Lady Three frowned slightly. Her cultivation was much more advanced than Zhao Changhe’s, and she could sense malicious presences all around them, but nothing detailed enough to identify. Charging in recklessly did not seem like the best option. Strange... Xia Chichi is usually very cautious. How did she end up in such a dangerous and isolated battle?

Still, there was no way she could or would stop Zhao Changhe from rushing to Xia Chichi’s aid. The very purpose of her journey was to protect Xia Chichi, after all. If it came to it, she would even give her life to ensure Xia Chichi’s safety.

Tang En and the crew adjusted one of the ballistae, but they had no means to aim precisely. They just followed Zhao Changhe’s directive, firing blindly in the direction he told them to. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

With a heavy twang, the ballista bolt was released, and Zhao Changhe vanished.

Tang En blinked, bewildered. “?”

Lady Three shook her head. “He rode the ballista bolt. You should all find a safe place to hide. This battle is going to be dangerous.”

Before her words had fully settled, she disappeared as well.

Tang En: “...”

What in the world?! Most of the time, she seems as lazy as a tortoise, but now that she’s gotten serious, she’s running like a rabbit! I couldn’t even see her movements! Is she even stronger than the young lady?

* * *

Zhao Changhe adjusted the trajectory of the ballista bolt slightly as he rode it, making sure it perfectly skewered the fishman leader’s head when it entered the battle. Then, without stopping for even a moment, he leaped off the bolt and flew towards the water figure at the heart of the lake.

After battling at sea so many times, he was acutely aware that wherever sea creatures gathered, a water construct was always the core. While it could move on its own, the Sea Emperor used it as his eyes and ears, and could even act through it. Going straight for this thing was always the best choice.

A water construct had power that rivaled those at the third layer of the Profound Mysteries, but after these recent battles, Zhao Changhe understood that it was not as formidable as a human expert that was genuinely at the third layer of the Profound Mysteries. Constructs, after all, were constructs. They lacked the awareness and adaptability of a living being.

Recently, Zhao Changhe had made significant progress in his mastery of water.

In his first encounter with a water construct on Taiping Island, his saber had produced no noticeable impact when it slashed at the water figure. He failed to do any damage, his effort futile.

In his second encounter with a water construct on Dongan Island, his saber had found purchase, though the backlash was still overwhelming, and he had left the real fighting to Lady Three, focusing instead on facing Hai Changkong.

And now, this was his third encounter.

“Zhao Changhe... Why do you have to show up every time?” The newly-formed water construct actually recognized who he was and, without underestimating him, swiftly moved to deflect his saber.

Ripples spread out from the impact. Although Zhao Changhe’s saber did not quite manage to cut through, he was not pushed back either.

His left hand, wielding Dragon Emperor, formed a subtle circle to block the water construct’s scattered water droplets, leaving no gaps that the other party could use to give him any trouble.

Simultaneously, the same invasive whispers that Xia Chichi had experienced earlier echoed within Zhao Changhe’s soul sea, trying to unsettle him, wrapping around his thoughts like a tightening curse.

But within his soul sea, a small figure sitting cross-legged—one that Lady Three often held and played with, but had grown significantly stronger—opened its eyes.

An invisible ripple spread throughout Zhao Changhe’s soul sea, dispelling the strange symbols that had surrounded him and erasing their effects.

Faced with the Sea Emperor’s most troublesome mental attack, Zhao Changhe resisted!

Both offensively and defensively, they were evenly matched!

Xia Chichi, still standing on the branches of a tree, watched in stunned silence. Since when did Changhe get so powerful? Not only could he easily see through the distorted light, he’s even holding his own against this water thing!

The water construct had displayed pure, overwhelming power, yet Zhao Changhe seemed to be able to fight toe to toe with it.

Could he have already reached the third layer of the Profound Mysteries?

Just then, Zhao Changhe’s voice reached her ears. “Don’t just stand there. I’ll keep this thing occupied. You focus on dealing with the fishmen and figuring out what to do with that statue at the center of the lake. This battle is complicated, and whether we can take control depends on how well the Azure Dragon Saintess can perform...”

Xia Chichi snapped back to attention. Iceheart swung out, slashing the throat of an attacking fishman. In the next instant, she leaped, skimming across the water straight toward the heart of the lake.

The water construct pointed in her direction.

A massive wave surged from the center of the lake, rushing toward Xia Chichi.

Boom!

Zhao Changhe stored his saber and threw a punch. “Your opponent is me!”

The massive wave halted and then shattered into a mist that filled the air.

Xia Chichi passed through the mist, her gaze fixed on the statue.

Xia Longyuan watched in silence. Ever since Xia Chichi had gone to the capital, he had never seen his daughter with such a carefree, joyous smile. Even in the midst of a battle, she seemed to be gracefully strolling through a serene evening.

“This young man is Zhao Changhe?” muttered Hai Pinglan, hidden somewhere unseen. “His understanding of water... It’s like he’s lived on the sea for twenty years. And that punch—why does it resemble my fist art, the Furious Sea Raging Waves Fist[1]? Where did he learn it?”

1. Note that some of the Chinese character in the name of this fist art, specifically 怒海, are related to the Furious Pirates (怒海帮), likely the source of inspiration for the name. ☜