Chapter 115: It Was Her

Beneath the river’s surface, dark currents surged, countless fish darting among the swaying water plants. Liu Ping and Ao Jinyu walked through it as if treading on solid ground. Looking closely, golden light shimmered beneath their feet—it was not river mud they walked upon.

“Where are we headed?” Liu Ping asked, glancing at Ao Jinyu, who was now clad in divine robes that starkly contrasted the delicate maiden she had appeared earlier.

At this moment, Ao Jinyu wore the attire of the River God—a deep azure garment, classical and elegant, imbued with a rich charm that seemed to have matured her overnight. Hearing the question, she replied, “To the river's eye.”

“The river’s eye?” Liu Ping was momentarily taken aback. His expertise lay in cultivation, with little knowledge of the divine path.

Ao Jinyu nodded. “The river flows into the South Sea, just like all rivers merge into the ocean. The sea has a ‘sea eye,’ and naturally, the river has its ‘river eye.’ The sea eye and river eye connect to form a grand return system, linking all corners of the world. This is the final refuge of the water deity’s path.”

This was a secret of the Water God, one Liu Ping heard for the first time. He nodded thoughtfully. “I see.”

Soon, they arrived at the river eye of the Zhang River. Before them yawned a massive pit, dozens of feet wide, its depths dark and unfathomable, as if leading to an endless underworld.

Ao Jinyu said, “Young master, this is the river eye, also known as the ‘small return.’”

The sea eye was also called the ‘return,’ and this river eye could be regarded as a smaller version of the same.

Liu Ping’s heart stirred at the name. As he gazed at the return, a sense of profound familiarity washed over him, as if he had come home.

“Could this... be resonance?” he murmured softly, his thoughts racing as he recalled certain ancient records.

The sea eye, or return, was linked to the ‘Realm of Shaohao.’

Shaohao, a true deity with many divine forms, was the son of Baizhao Ju and thus bore the essence of the ‘Golden God.’ Later, he inherited all of his father’s consciousness, merging into one, becoming the third generation White Emperor.

Besides the Golden God, Shaohao was also the king of the hundred birds, a totem of the ancient Eastern Yi tribes.

Moreover, he was the moon god—Taihao was the sun, and Shaohao’s very name symbolized the moon.

Alongside being the moon god, king of white birds, and golden god, Shaohao’s early path to enlightenment was primarily as the ‘Sea God.’

Legend held that Shaohao’s mother, Huang E, met Baizhao Ju on the vast, desolate sea of Qiongsang. They drifted together on the waves, losing all sense of return, living a life both beyond and within the mortal realm, resulting in the birth of Shaohao.

From a young age, Shaohao delighted in playing within the return, eventually mastering the ocean and becoming the Sea God. In ancient times, before the return had its name, the place was simply called the ‘Realm of Shaohao.’

Ao Jinyu, now tense, prepared to begin refining the Zhang River through the river eye, paying no mind to Liu Ping’s reactions. “Young master, I’m starting.”

“Oh.” Liu Ping was jolted back to the present and saw the nervousness in her eyes. He smiled gently, “Don’t be nervous.”

“Mm, I’ll do my best.”

“Even if it’s your first time, as long as you focus, it will go smoothly.”

“Mm.”

Ao Jinyu produced a Water God seal—an ancient, unassuming square seal. It seemed ordinary, yet from Liu Ping’s perspective, its extraordinary nature was evident. Blue energies swirled upon it, its foundation glowing pure gold. This was the fate of the Zhang Prefecture’s River God.

The vast blue and gold energies quickly transferred to Ao Jinyu, her aura rapidly soaring. In an instant, her cultivation leapt to the third stage of the human-immortal realm.

Such a sudden surge of power left Liu Ping astounded, marveling at the swift might of the divine path.

Gradually, after about three hours of refining using the river eye, Ao Jinyu had absorbed forty percent of the Water God seal’s essence, reaching the threshold of the Earth Immortal realm. Her aura grew increasingly restrained and steady. With this seal on her home turf, she could even unleash Earth Immortal-level combat power.

But the process was far from complete. She would need to travel extensively, refining all its branches. It would take roughly seven days for Ao Jinyu to fully ascend as the Zhang River Water God.

They lingered for half a day more, the atmosphere warm and comfortable, yet the time for parting approached. The Dragon Boat Festival was the day after tomorrow, and she must return home early to celebrate.

Seeing the little dragon girl’s reluctant expression, Liu Ping smiled and slipped several precious talismans from his treasure pouch into her hand.

These talismans could unleash a full-power Earth Immortal strike—rare and valuable, even among Earth Immortals. Ao Jinyu paused, surprised, then asked, “Young master, what’s this for?”

“A gift. I don’t need them.” Liu Ping said casually. As one who had witnessed divine and demonic descendings, such items were unnecessary to him. Better to give them to Ao Jinyu for protection. Consider it payment for the privilege of refining the Water God seal. That return had allowed him to discover the vital energy of the Heavenly Flower seed; he could not be stingy. With these, she could even defeat Earth Immortals in succession.

Ao Jinyu understood her need and accepted them without hesitation. Then she took out a conch shell and placed it in Liu Ping’s hand.

“This is a communication conch. Speak into it, and I will hear your voice.”

Playing with the shell, Liu Ping chuckled, “Is this like a token of affection?”

Ao Jinyu bit her silver teeth and said, “If you keep joking like that, I won’t give it to you.”

Quickly, Liu Ping tucked it away in his treasure pouch. “Once given, gifts are never taken back.”

Seeing his hurried action, Ao Jinyu chuckled softly, “Of course, I have the right to reclaim my things, but since you like it so much, I won’t.”

After bidding farewell, Ao Jinyu insisted on escorting Liu Ping back to the shore.

Straightening his robes, Liu Ping hurried into the town. Watching the bustling crowd, he felt as if he had stepped back into the mortal world.

“Back among mortals again,” he murmured, hired a carriage, and headed toward his senior sister’s Taoist temple.

Along the way, he bought a great quantity of food and some fine silks. Though mundane, these gifts still felt meaningful.

As a token of gratitude for his senior sister’s sacrifices, Liu Ping treasured the sentiment more than the material worth.

Seeing her smile, he felt it was all worthwhile. They chatted about recent strange occurrences, and the tales left the intoxicated Red Dust visibly surprised.

After their talk, he sought guidance on cultivating the Heavenly Flower seed, gaining much insight.

Not long after, Liu Ping emerged again, hired another carriage, purchased more food and gifts, and set out for White Angel’s mountain.

Unfortunately, White Angel was not there, much to Liu Ping’s surprise. He asked the local demons but they knew nothing, only that she had gone out on some errand. Missing White Angel brought a pang of regret.

He then hired a carriage and made his way home.

The carriage jostled lightly as it sped along. Liu Ping casually scanned the passing scenery when suddenly his gaze froze upon a somewhat familiar figure.

“Hmm, who is she?” he wondered, then recognition sparked instantly: “It’s her!”

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