A yellow Paper Crane flew downstream with two people aboard: one was Chen Bo, the other was Jiang Chen.

As they flew farther ahead, a vast expanse of dense forest suddenly appeared before them. From within the woods, intermittent low roars echoed from time to time.

Chen Bo pointed in that direction and introduced, “Past this forest lies Beast Mountain. If you have any needs in the future, you can head deeper from this direction.”

“Alright,” Jiang Chen replied, taking an extra glance at it.

Continuing forward for roughly another incense stick’s worth of time, suddenly the surrounding terrain changed dramatically, becoming undulating like mountain ranges.

From time to time, they could see huge pits appearing on the ground one after another—some shallow, others bottomless. The metallic spiritual energy in the air gradually grew denser and even carried a hint of a rusty smell.

Chen Bo continued introducing, “Fire Peak is right above our heads now; be careful when passing by, as discarded artifacts occasionally fall down—make sure not to get hit.”

Jiang Chen looked up but couldn’t see any so-called Fire Peak at all; he couldn’t help but make a playful remark, “Shouldn’t we wear helmets then?”

Chen Bo paused briefly—not quite understanding—but waved his hand anyway. “That shouldn’t be necessary; these discarded artifacts make noise when falling; you can hear them from far away.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp whistling sound suddenly came from ahead—

Whoosh!

Immediately after, both saw a burning fireball descending from the sky! Due to the distance, its exact size couldn’t be discerned clearly.

Both being Wood Spiritual Root cultivators, they felt extremely uncomfortable. Normally, facing such a situation would definitely require keeping one’s distance. Yet Jiang Chen noticed surprisingly many people approaching instead!

Chen Bo explained, “These are Earth Spiritual Root disciples from the Earth Vein; they occasionally seek heavy discarded artifacts to temper their bodies, or take them to the outside rogue cultivator markets to sell—there are rogue cultivators specializing in recycling garbage from our top-tier sects.”

“No wonder they emerged from the pits,” Jiang Chen realized.

For the next period—or rather, distance—they remained almost entirely under the shadow of Fire Peak.

Fireballs fell intermittently from the sky: some large, some small. Regardless of size, all were fiercely contested by Earth Spiritual Root disciples.

Relying on the Paper Crane, it took a long time to finally escape the area.

The journey thereafter appeared relatively normal: either open land or grassy fields.

As they approached further, they discovered that the surrounding streams, rivers, and swamps gradually increased. Initially not obvious—only occasionally visible—but soon everywhere shimmered with watery light; various tributaries emerged everywhere.

The Water Spiritual Energy in the air grew increasingly dense.

Another roughly ten-plus minutes passed. Suddenly, countless tributaries began to converge!

Yet strangely, the water was pitch-black!

Near the center of the lake hovered a strange pavilion: a total of nine stories tall; each story was at least five meters high; its surface rippled intermittently; one could even see large fish leaping out!

This seemed… a nine-story pavilion formed of water?!

Jiang Chen’s throat bobbed before he managed to speak, “Senior Brother… Rain Pavilion is actually made of water?”

Chen Bo didn’t speak, merely nodding lightly.

As the two drew closer, more Paper Cranes appeared: some enormous, carrying a dozen people; others tiny, accommodating a single person seated cross-legged.

But not just cranes—many types of flying tools were visible. He even saw a blood-red banner fluttering in the wind!

Just as they were about to approach Rain Pavilion, suddenly the lake waters below inexplicably churned!

The air—or rather the entire space—actually trembled!

This caused many flying tools to become extremely unstable and begin swaying violently!

The Water Spiritual Energy in the air grew increasingly chaotic, becoming eerie and terrifying!

Everyone looked down, their faces changing drastically!

An enormous ferocious serpent head, accompanied by a hundred-zhang-long yellow serpent body, erupted from the water!

Below its head was a pair of massive fleshy wings! Upon unfurling in the air, they practically blotted out the sky and sun! A large area was instantly plunged into darkness!

The terrifying aura made one feel plunged into an icy abyss!

Jiang Chen urgently shouted, “Senior Brother, what do we do?!”

Chen Bo struggled to control the Paper Crane, forcibly stabilizing it as he answered, “Don’t panic! Below Rain Pavilion suppresses the Mystic Tortoise; this Flying Serpent is its companion beast! Once the Mystic Tortoise slumbers, the Flying Serpent emerges to stir trouble! But remember—this is Rain Pavilion territory!”

Sure enough, as soon as his words fell, the black Rain Pavilion ahead suddenly shuddered!

Immediately after, numerous immense yellow talismans flew out!

Jiang Chen looked up and found the talisman inscriptions obscure and incomprehensible: characters unlike characters, symbols unlike symbols! Yet strung together, they emitted heart-palpitating energy!

Instantly, nine massive yellow talismans swept toward the Flying Serpent just as it was about to stir trouble!

It was granted no chance to resist!

They released streams of cyan, dazzling spiritual light, rapidly interweaving together! Instantly, they transformed into a heaven-encompassing net, trapping the hundred-zhang-long yellow serpent!

Although the Flying Serpent struggled continuously, causing the spiritual light net to emit continuous zila tearing sounds, it caused no substantial damage!

Soon, the serpent was forcibly pressed back into the pitch-black lake waters!

The sense of crisis came fast and left fast!

“Every summer it becomes active!”

“Why can’t they completely suppress the Flying Serpent?!”

“I heard the Mystic Tortoise and Flying Serpent—one must appear, they cannot both slumber simultaneously!”

Complaints echoed from the surroundings.

Seeing they were truly safe, Jiang Chen’s suspended heart finally settled.

Under Chen Bo’s control, the Paper Crane gradually approached the first floor of Rain Pavilion.

The moment they landed, their feet emitted a puchi splashing sound!

It wasn’t solid ground at all, but still black water! Yet strangely, they couldn’t sink; instead, they felt a peculiar buoyancy!

Chen Bo reminded him, “Each floor of Rain Pavilion serves a purpose; the first floor mainly issues tasks to Water Spiritual Root formal disciples. My cousin’s birthday banquet is on the third floor; let’s go.”

Jiang Chen quickly followed, simultaneously and curiously surveying the surroundings.

Rain Pavilion was unusually large, seemingly silently expanding!

When they entered the first floor, they discovered the interior space was comparable to a plaza!

They could see numerous Water Spiritual Root disciples: men and women; old and young.

Upon entering, Jiang Chen experienced a peculiar sensation: his body felt as if it wanted to grow and develop!

He didn’t ask, because it was easily understood:

This feeling of development was likely closely related to his spiritual roots. Inherently Water Nourishes Wood, and this place was filled with Water Spiritual Roots; the Water Spiritual Energy was extremely dense!

The combination of factors made his Wood Spiritual Root exceptionally ‘thirsty’!