"Wow! So fast!"
On the Yuejin River, an old turtle was traveling upstream, carrying more than a dozen people on its back, including Lu Zheng and his group.
Not to mention Du Yueyao and the other ordinary people, even Lu Zheng had never experienced such a thing; standing at the forefront of the turtle's shell, he enjoyed the scenery on both shores while chatting with the old turtle.
"Fellow Daoist Gui, how does the River God of the Yuejin River know Qingyan?"
"Doctor Liu has been saving lives and healing wounds recently, and her self-created 'Little Star Hu Four Spirits Antimalarial Soup' has saved countless lives, gaining widespread fame across several provinces. Even though the River God resides in the Water Mansion, he has heard of it."
The old turtle said, "Counting the time, it seems Doctor Liu will soon have traversed the Lingbei Dao. If she wishes to go to Chuandong, she must either go over the mountains or through the water, and so we've been observing closely for the past few days.
Earlier, when I saw you lingering on the shore, I matched your group to the description given by Lady Qingyi and came to assist you."
Lu Zheng nodded in acknowledgment.
In the past month, Lu Zheng has acquainted himself with many cultivators, both nameless loose cultivators and those from renowned sects, even demons and Incense and Candle Gods sealed by the Great Jing Dynasty.
Most of them could not discern Liu Qingyan's true form, but there were still some who could.
However...
No one spoke of it, nor did anyone reveal this fact, and most were very courteous and respectful towards Liu Qingyan.
Lu Zheng was previously puzzled; this is a Xianxia World where everyone possesses cultivation abilities—an obstinate ailment may not be curable, but aiding the people in overcoming malaria doesn't seem like a significant issue, right?
Later, he realized he was naive.
Firstly, the root cause of this flood disaster is still a natural catastrophe—a Great Power would not intervene to dissolve the disaster at its inception and become a nanny for ordinary people.
Secondly, the populace is the foundation of the Great Jing Dynasty, so when a disaster strikes, the court and some ordinary cultivators will emerge to relieve and rescue the people.
These two seemingly conflicting ideals are not actually contradictory; it depends on one's perspective.
Lu Zheng chose not to dwell on it deeply and focused only on the present.
Ordinary Abnormal People are limited in Dao Practice, and using their own cultivation to heal the populace consumes True Qi, ineffective compared to physicians applying remedies, resulting in wasted effort, which could impede their cultivation severely.
Moreover, they can only treat once; what happens when they leave and the populace becomes ill again? Especially with so many people suffering, can these scattered cultivators truly provide comprehensive treatment?
Hence, a top physician and a top prescription, in this situation, produce actual results far surpassing that of Abnormal People.
And coupled with the Merit Golden Light radiating from her...
Thus everyone who sees Liu Qingyan genuinely admires and respects her deeply.
Thus Liu Qingyan's reputation was able to reach the circles of cultivators, attracting attention from the River God of the Yuejin River, who arranged for someone to guide the way.
"Chuandong is mountainous, more complex than Lingbei Dao, with many monsters and devils not yet disappearing, instead taking advantage of chaos. Fellow Daoist Lu, please be vigilant."
Lu Zheng nodded, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Gui, I shall be cautious."
Once spoken, rain upstream of the Yuejin River intensified, stirring water vapor into a misty cloud, obscuring vision.
"Someone is manipulating the clouds and water!" the old turtle exclaimed.
Just like speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao appears; Lu Zheng was speechless.
However, observing the weather ahead, it only veils a few miles, leaving Lu Zheng entirely unfazed.
"No matter, Fellow Daoist, proceed forward!"
Lu Zheng shouted, circulating True Qi within, activating the 'Cloud Walking Technique,' directly evaporating the water mist ahead.
Then they saw a silhouette in the water ahead, performing seal techniques and casting spells.
"Supreme Decree, Clouds Disperse, Rain Withdraw, Hasten!"
Lu Zheng called out, deploying the 'Cloud Walking Technique,' contending for the surrounding smoky cloud moisture.
The opponent aims to gather clouds into rain, increasing the Yuejin River's water volume, attempting to flood it again.
Lu Zheng seeks to disperse clouds and rain, causing cloud Qi to scatter, preventing further rain.
"A disciple of the White Cloud Temple?"
A cold voice resounded, followed by transparent sword Qi slicing through the air.
The sword Qi swept through the rain, absorbing numerous raindrops, transforming into a Water Sword, thrusting towards Lu Zheng's chest.
Lu Zheng patted his gourd, summoning the Cloud Pattern Seven-Star Sword.
With the sword in his right hand, he made a motion, releasing a White Cloud Sword Qi to meet the piercing Water Sword at the tip.
The Water Sword shattered, rain splattered around, but Lu Zheng formed a barrier of Cloud Qi, unaffected by this.
Then, towering waves arose on Yuejin River, charging towards Lu Zheng and his group.
Yet, the turtle beneath them was no ordinary being; without moving or speaking a word, the incoming wave divided, sweeping past them from both sides.
"Oh, a River God's old turtle? Why have you entered the Chuandong Dao?"
"Ah, someone from Pan Shui Cave!" the old turtle said gravely, "Fellow Daoist Lu, be careful, this person is skilled in Water Techniques!"
"I shall face him; Fellow Daoist Gui, please shield my friends."
Speaking, Lu Zheng leaped from the turtle's back, stepping on water as he charged the opponent.
"Come well! Watch my sword!"
The opponent sneered, waving hands, converting countless water droplets to swords, assaulting Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng wielded the Seven-Star Sword, swiftly casting hand seals, shielding with layers of Cloud Qi, crashing into the rain sword barrage.
The opponent's water techniques were superb, Lu Zheng assuredly countered using his most familiar Cloud Technique.
Lu Zheng knew many arts, but Flying Sword, Spirit Secret Technique, Body-Freezing Curse, etc., were surprising maneuvers—his strongest face-to-face skills remained Martial Dao and White Cloud Temple's Qi Refining Technique.
Lu Zheng's Martial Arts Technique was not profound, making his Fundamental Skill the 'Innate Cloud Transformation Qi Method Scripture' and the 'Taiqing Crossing Profound Qi Cloud Secret Scripture.'
Cloud Gathering Curse shielded him, billowing white clouds seemingly intangible yet real, continuously surrounding him.
It seemed unable to cloak Lu Zheng's form, yet any attack entering the white cloud vicinity would be completely worn away.
"Humph!"
The opponent scoffed, changing hand seals, conjuring two Water Dragon Vortexes from behind, attacking Lu Zheng.
"You're merely playing with water; focus on water play and forget about swords; let me show you what sword technique truly is!"
Unperturbed, Lu Zheng stood firm, facing the incoming Water Dragon Vortexes.
His Seven-Star Sword pierced forth, drawing several sword flowers, gently tapped the Water Dragon Vortexes, where White Cloud Sword Qi penetrated deep, targeting their weak spots.
"Break!"
Lu Zheng shouted crisply; the Water Dragon Vortexes shattered, cloud Qi swirled alongside, suppressing all water splashes.
Stepping through the drifting rain, Lu Zheng stride reached near the opponent.
"Watch the sword!"
Seven-Star Sword thrust swiftly, white clouds surrounding, aiming to envelop the opponent.
Suddenly, the opponent submerged, transforming into a Water Arrow, darting away, his voice reaching Lu Zheng's ears.
"Excellent! Wonderful Cloud Technique! Excellent Swordsmanship! I yield easily this time! Until our paths meet again in the mountains and rivers, farewell!"