“`
At the very front of the Ling Boat, there was a position with a transparent light screen.
Having spent over three years on Jilong Road, Chen Mu now knew that the glass-like substance before him was called qiongyu.
It was a man-made material used in Artifact Refining, tough and pressure-resistant, unafraid of falling. The most common use for it was in the Glowing Algae Lamps.
But to use it here to resist the immense water pressure seemed somewhat inadequate.
“Intriguing Talismans,” Chen Mu looked towards the edge of the screen wall. A ring of intricate black patterns that looked like lace.
Secret Techniques, Artifact Refining, all were closely related to these special symbols.
He hadn’t looked for long before his attention was drawn to a huge object in the distance.
“The Heavenly River Water Mansion is this big?” Chen Mu was shocked in his heart.
The entire Water Mansion looked like half a salted duck egg lying on the sea floor.
On the surface were patterned rings of bright spots.
From afar, it resembled a towering mountain.
In front of the Water Mansion, the Ling Boat, which seemed quite large in Chen Mu’s eyes, looked like a ping pong ball placed under a basketball hoop.
“You absolutely can’t imagine it,” Shang Huan leaned forward to Chen Mu with a grin, “The entire Water Mansion is actually the remains of a Golden Pearl Clam demon.”
Chen Mu’s pupils suddenly shrank.
This massive object used to be a living monster?!
If they ever encountered a live one, likely just a slight breath from it could blow people away!
“Of the twenty-one Water Mansions in the Heavenly River, it’s said this isn’t even the largest,” Shang Huan remarked with a sigh.
“There are twenty-one of these Water Mansions?” Chen Mu couldn’t believe it.
Twenty-one Water Mansions meant there were as many enormous monster corpses.
Did they die naturally, or were they hunted down?!
If they were hunted, what kind of powerful beings had hunted down such great demons?!
“Not just that, it has been said that in Ancient Times there were seventy-two, built by true dragons and managed by the Heavenly River Dragon Palace. Alas, as time passed, the Dragon Palace left no trace, and only twenty-one Water Mansions remain. The legends are just that, legends.”
Dragon Palace? True dragons? Seventy-two Water Mansions?
Chen Mu was speechless for a moment.
…
“Although the Water Mansion is nice, wanting to live here is no easy feat,” Shang Huan said with a squint, a hint of lament in his voice.
Is it because of high expenses?
Not to worry. After all, he was a wealthy man carrying thirty thousand White Jade Coins!
Chen Mu appeared nonchalant.
But, this fatty’s sudden lament seemed a bit off.
“They say even the most ordinary accommodation here costs four White Jade Coins a month.”
“We’ve arrived at the Water Mansion this time, but it’s clear that the Lower Courtyard won’t continue to pay us.”
“It’s necessary to think about money-making opportunities early,” Shang Huan said earnestly.
Chen Mu glanced at the fatty but said nothing.
Continue your performance.
“I know we’ve previously made a sum of money relying on Insect Repellent Incense.”
“But living off your savings isn’t feasible.”
“Besides, don’t you want to practice at the dojo? The Heavenly River Water Mansion Dojo is said to be comparable to the Earth Vein Spiritual Spring, the best on Jilong Road.”
“You need to earn money!”
“So,” Chen Mu looked at Shang Huan askance.
“Hehe! I’m planning to open a tavern,” Shang Huan chuckled as he winked.
“I will invite brother Mo to be a shareholder, ask Liang from the Minor Supervision Court for support, plus your cooking skills that rival the top chefs of the Eight Treasures Tower. As long as I set the prices at half of what the Eight Treasures Tower charges, this business is sure to make a fortune.”
“In a month you could easily make fifty to sixty White Jade Coins.”
“I’ve already thought of the name, it’ll be called Little Eight Treasures!”
“I’ve also thought about the location, two streets away from the Eight Treasures Tower, not close enough to draw their attention; not too far, able to leverage the reputation of the Eight Treasures Tower.”
“What do you think?!”
I think you’re totally courting death!
“Not much,” Chen Mu said indifferently.
This fatty was always taking risks when it came to making money.
“I’ll increase the pay!” Shang Huan said calmly, “Double!”
“Even with more money, I won’t do it,” Chen Mu said without even looking at him.
“Why?” Shang Huan didn’t understand.
“I’m afraid of being thrown into the Tongtian River by people from the Eight Treasures Tower and drowning,” Chen Mu said.
“`
Naming it Xiao Bajun, trying to leech off the fame of Bajun Tower, aren’t they afraid of dying too quickly?
With Bajun Tower’s reputation throughout the Water Mansion and having stood for so many years, how could there not be a mastermind behind it!
If things go wrong, Bajun Tower might even be the property of the Heavenly River Water Mansion.
Chen Mu ignored the fat man and headed straight for the exit.
It was his first time at the Heavenly River Water Mansion, and he intended to have a good look around.
…
The next day, Chen Mu awoke from his sleep.
After more than a year of roughing it, he had never slept so comfortably.
He threw off the soft quilt and walked to the window.
Opening the curtains, he looked out through the large round window and saw a series of towering buildings, each over a hundred meters tall.
The yellow and white buildings were mostly cylindrical, with densely set windows made of fine jade.
If it weren’t for the ceiling at the top of the buildings emitting a white light, Chen Mu almost thought he’d woken up back in the city of his previous life.
Looking into the distance, it seemed endless.
“This is indeed an underwater city.”
Although he’d been shocked yesterday,
seeing it today still seemed incredible.
The cylindrical buildings stretched from east to west, forming roughly an arc, with a total of six rows.
Together with other lower buildings beneath the large ones, they formed six ring-shaped areas.
Along with the Heavenly River Dojo at the northernmost point, the entire Heavenly River Water Mansion was divided into seven districts.
He was currently staying in the ninth Tongtian Tower of the outermost Geng District, inside a three-story wooden inn.
“Four White Jade Coins for a month’s lodging,”
“Director Song only covered one month; after that, everyone will have to figure it out on their own,”
“It’s fine for disciples of the Spiritual Light Illusion Breaking Realm, but ordinary disciples below the Jade Seed level from the Lower Courtyard are in trouble,”
“This is forcing them to find other means.”
“It seems the situation on Jilong Road won’t be resolved any time soon,” Chen Mu frowned.
“I should think about how to save up money,” Chen Mu shook his head, letting go of further thoughts.
If there weren’t any major changes, he still wanted to wait.
Staying on Jilong Road allowed him to better obtain Secret Techniques.
…
That evening, Chen Mu left the inn’s hall and returned to his room.
He had spent the day in the hall sipping tea and listening to storytellers, ears pricked for any news.
Being his first time at the Heavenly River Water Mansion, he dared not wander recklessly.
After dinner, just when he planned to continue leveling up his Truthful Listening Technique, an unexpected visitor arrived.
“Junior Brother Chen, this is the Secret Technique Jade Scroll that Director Song asked me to give you,” Mo Wuzhou handed Chen Mu a wooden box that was as wide as a palm and as long as a forearm, his face expressionless.
Chen Mu’s eyes lit up.
“Finally, it’s here!”
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He had been away from the mountains for so many days that he thought Song Wujie was going to default on his promise!
“Inside are the basic Five Elements Qi Absorption Technique and Five Qi Primordial Technique, both suitable for refining Fasting Pills,” Mo Wuzhou explained.
A look of joy immediately spread across Chen Mu’s face.
Director Song really is a man of his word!
He had imagined many times what Secret Technique Song Wujie would give.
The one thing he didn’t anticipate was that it would be an Alchemy Method.
Fasting Pills.
His connection with this item was no small matter.
“Junior Brother, you really are lucky,” Mo Wuzhou’s face remained expressionless, but his voice was filled with envy.
Having a master who practiced alchemy, he had only learned half of the method to make Fasting Pills.
Yet Chen Mu, who had not taken a master, was the first to receive the complete method for Fasting Pills from Director Song.
However, as good as this Secret Technique is, it’s not easy to master.
Having a master guiding him, he could only use the Five Elements Qi Absorption Technique to extract the Essence of the Five Grains.
Seeing the joy on Chen Mu’s face, Mo Wuzhou still couldn’t help but say, “Junior Brother, it’s best not to blindly attempt it.”
“The Alchemy Secret Technique is quite challenging. Rash practice will only waste energy and White Jade Coins.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother,” Chen Mu thanked him with a bow.
I have an external assistance, nothing to fear! Ha ha!