Chapter 1: Shui Linglong

Liang Xi and Zhuang Yuzhen traveled downstream on a swift boat along the Yun River. The Yun River was one of the four great waterways of the land, stretching over three hundred miles, vast and boundless. With such scenery before him, Liang Xi was in high spirits, unable to resist breaking into loud song. Once they passed the Yun River, they would enter the territory of Xuan Prefecture. Geographically, Xuan Prefecture lay to the north of Yun Prefecture; thus, Xuan was known for its martial valor, while Yun was famed for its spiritual beauty. Together, these two prefectures formed Qingyang County. Beyond Qingyang lay the fabled Outer Regions, where countless martial artists dreamed of venturing. Yet for Liang Xi and Zhuang Yuzhen, the Outer Regions remained but a distant prospect.

“My little Liangxi,” Zhuang Yuzhen teased, “it seems you’ve truly returned to your old self. I thought you might go soft-hearted again this time—after all, a beauty pleaded with you so earnestly. You’ve always had such a gentle soul. Even if you had agreed, it would have been nothing to be ashamed of.” Even at such a time, Zhuang Yuzhen could not forgo jesting with his junior brother. “How could you be such a troublemaker, boy? That Miss Zhenzhen’s sobs were truly pitiful! How could you be so heartless?”

Liang Xi wondered if his senior brother had grown sharp-tongued after spending so much time together, but he took no offense. Laughing, he replied, “It seems, brother, that you truly pity me. Why not turn back yourself? I imagine Gu Chuan would be overjoyed to see you return.”

“You rascal, enough nonsense,” Zhuang Yuzhen scolded with a laugh. But gazing at the endless expanse of the Yun River, his mood was buoyant. The vast, misty waters merged with the sky, unforgettable in their beauty.

“Gentlemen, from your accent, you must be from Yun Prefecture? Heading to Xuan Prefecture to cultivate?” The boatman, poling his craft, called out to them.

“Indeed,” Liang Xi replied, smiling. “Boatman, you seem to know Xuan Prefecture well. The journey is long—why not tell us what it’s like?”

The boatman, a talkative soul, did not hesitate. “I was born and raised in Xuan Prefecture. To be honest, there’s not much to it—just a land thick with sects and clans. They say even a three-year-old in Xuan Prefecture knows a few martial moves. That may be an exaggeration, but it’s not far off. Xuan is a land of heroes, where all hold strength in highest esteem. You two have an extraordinary bearing; I’m sure you’ll have remarkable experiences there.”

“Though Xuan Prefecture is home to countless sects, only two truly dominate: Su Yi Tower and Cold River Isle. Many powerful figures come to Xuan, but few ever catch the eye of those two schools. If you two can enter one of them, you may one day shake all of Xuan Prefecture.” The boatman’s eyes sparkled as he spoke, as if he himself were already a disciple of Su Yi Tower or Cold River Isle.

Su Yi Tower and Cold River Isle—Liang Xi and Zhuang Yuzhen took note of these names. But just then, their swift boat began to rock violently. The boatman glanced at the sky and cried, “This is bad! Luck is not with us today—we’ve run into the first great wind in many years. Gentlemen, sit tight and don’t let the wind toss you into the river. If you fall into the Yun River, you’ll be in real trouble!”

In an instant, fierce winds swept across the water. While wind was not rare on the river, such a violent gale was almost unheard of—indeed, it seemed more like the workings of a formation than a natural storm. “Truly unlucky,” the boatman muttered. “Never did I think I’d see the wrath of Madam Medusa today. I’ve sailed this river for decades, and this is the first time I’ve seen such a thing. I should never have taken you aboard.”

“Madam Medusa need not be angered,” he continued, his voice shaking. “You two are men of great power, but I am not. My whole family relies on this boat for our livelihood. Though it shames me, I have no choice but to ask you both to disembark. Fortunately, we’re not far from Xuan Prefecture now—you can swim the rest of the way. If we meet again in Xuan, I’ll be sure to apologize in person.”

Wind and spray lashed their faces, stinging painfully. Liang Xi was moved by the boatman’s plight. “Old sir, you need say nothing more. It’s we who have brought trouble upon you. Brother—give him all the spirit crystals we have. After this storm, he’ll surely need a new boat.”

Though Liang Xi came from a wealthy family, he bore not a trace of arrogance—only a rare, kind heart. His mother, Lady Jun Cailin, had always said, “The Liang family has gained great fortune; therefore, we must be upright, so our house may endure.” In such an environment, Liang Xi’s conduct was markedly different from others. In Yun Prefecture, from commoner to city lord, all respected him, thanks not only to his family’s standing but also to his own virtue. Had he been a wastrel, no amount of prestige could have saved the family from ruin in a few short years.

He and Zhuang Yuzhen took out every last spirit crystal they had. Zhuang’s own supply was meager, but he handed over everything as well—he was a generous soul, believing that spirit crystals should go to those in need. If, after the storm, the boatman’s vessel was destroyed, how could the two of them rest easy? The boatman was astonished by such generosity; before he could utter a word, Liang Xi and Zhuang Yuzhen leapt directly into the river, vanishing beneath the mighty waves!

They were still young, and the rare storm stirred their competitive spirits. They thought, “If we can’t even cross the Yun River, how can we call ourselves cultivators?” Liang Xi called out, “Brother, it’s been years since we’ve had an experience like this. Why not race and see who reaches Xuan Prefecture first?”

Zhuang Yuzhen’s heroic spirit soared. “Just as I hoped! But tell me, little Liangxi, who taught you how to swim in the first place? It was me, your brother! In these waters, I am the Dragon King!” Roaring winds and crashing waves surrounded them, but the two young men carved through the tempest as if it were nothing. Strangely, though they used no special arts, the waves could not overcome them.

“You’re right, brother,” Liang Xi laughed. “You taught me to swim, but you don’t realize how much stronger I’ve grown. In the past, I could never beat you, but now, things are different!” With that, he dove beneath the surface.

It was impossible not to use any supernatural skills in such a storm—one misstep could mean death. Victory could wait; their first priority was to reach shore alive. Liang Xi immediately activated the Falling Star technique from the Cloud Atlas—the third chapter of the four. The Falling Star, based on the nineteen lines of the chessboard, was meant for probing enemy weaknesses and striking with one’s own strength. But here, amidst the river’s chaos, it served just as well.

Where was the wind strongest? Where was it weakest? No one else could tell at a glance, but under the Falling Star’s guidance, there were no secrets. In the water, Liang Xi used the newly created Phantom Flight of the Bird—a movement art. His body shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, swift as lightning. This was the second illusion of the Phantom Flight: “No Trace.”

Zhuang Yuzhen knew his junior brother well—there was no keeping this boy from using his arts. He himself could not use the Falling Star, but the Heavenly Volume of the Cloud Atlas granted him “Golden Body Defense,” a shield to withstand all attacks, even the fiercest wind and waves.

He activated the Golden Body, and golden light shimmered around him, pushing back the river water. He, too, used the Phantom Flight of the Bird. “See, little brother? I may not be as fierce as you, but I’m not bad myself!”

The two moved at breathtaking speed. The boatman, wracked with guilt for casting them off, saw two figures cutting through the raging waters, their energy blazing. Could these boys be immortals? The great gales and waves were rare, but every time they came, they shook both banks of the river; yet these two were utterly unfazed. Or rather, it seemed the storm feared them! The boatman was filled with longing—if only he had possessed such powers in his youth! In a flash, the two young men reached the shore together and vanished from sight.

“Well done, boy! You broke my water formation so easily!” A soft, melodious voice drifted across the water. Liang Xi and Zhuang Yuzhen were about to leave, but the sound made their hearts skip. Though gentle, it carried a hint of eerie menace. Suddenly, the waters surged, and a graceful, alluring woman appeared atop the waves before them. She was stunning—no, “bewitching” was not too strong a word, especially with those eyes, bright with life.

“Brother,” Liang Xi whispered, “we must be lucky today. I think this must be the Madam Medusa the boatman spoke of. She’s quite a beauty. I wonder, Madam, what business do you have with us?”

Madam Medusa looked the two over and laughed sweetly. “Such handsome youths! I’ve met many fine young men across the land, but never before has anyone so easily broken my water formation. I am delighted, so I have come to meet you. I have an idea—come with me into the water and become immortals of the Yun River, living in bliss. You both possess extraordinary skills, able to move freely within my formation. If I cannot make use of you, I’m afraid I must see you dead!”

“Still, I cherish talent, and I am reluctant to do so. Gentlemen, what do you say?”

Liang Xi and Zhuang Yuzhen both felt a chill. Liang Xi loathed such people most. “Madam Medusa, you’re no spring chick—your face is like withered bark, yet you call yourself ‘little sister.’ Good thing I haven’t eaten yet, or I’d have lost my lunch at the sight!”

Zhuang Yuzhen, too, could not hold back. His junior brother had a sharp tongue indeed. This Madam Medusa was clearly powerful, appearing as a young maiden, and so calling herself “little sister” was not unreasonable. Women cared most for their looks, and Madam Medusa was fiercely proud of hers. At Liang Xi’s words, her brows arched and a mur