I cultivate the Chaos Technique

Chapter 118 The Perils of the River

Zhang Yifan walked step by step towards the Qianshui River, his eyes filled with vigilance. He had thought he could easily cross the river, but when he actually stood on the riverbank, he was deeply shocked by the magnificent scene before him. His eyes widened, and an overwhelming sense of awe welled up inside him.

This was no ordinary river! The Thousand River was like a vast, boundless ocean, its imposing presence inspiring awe. The shimmering water stretched to the horizon, seemingly merging seamlessly with the sky. The expansive surface made Zhang Yifan feel as if he were standing at the edge of the world, an endless expanse where the opposite bank was completely invisible. A gentle breeze rippling the surface created countless waves, shimmering with golden light in the sunlight—a dreamlike, breathtaking beauty that held one's gaze captivated. However, beneath this stunning scenery lay a dangerous undercurrent. Zhang Yifan already understood that this river was far from being as calm and harmless as it appeared.

He took a deep breath, his mind gradually calming down. He then released his divine sense, attempting to investigate the river, especially the terrain on the opposite bank. However, to his surprise, the moment his divine sense touched the river's surface, it was as if he were sinking into quagmire, encountering immense resistance. He frowned, trying to increase the output of his divine sense, but discovered that a mysterious force in this river area was interfering with his detection. He could only barely probe a short distance, his field of vision extremely limited.

"Just as the rumors say, this Thousand Water River is no easy place to cross." Zhang Yifan sighed inwardly, his expression turning grave. The information from his divine sense indicated that while the river surface appeared calm, the hidden dangers beneath sent chills down his spine. The deeper parts of the river were not as tranquil as they seemed; instead, they were turbulent with undercurrents as powerful as ferocious beasts. These undercurrents were intricate and intertwined, their power immense and unpredictable. Some even formed enormous whirlpools; once caught in them, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would likely find it difficult to escape unscathed.

Thinking of these undercurrents, Zhang Yifan became even more vigilant. Those spiraling whirlpools were like meat grinders, capable of instantly devouring everything, crushing the physical bodies and spiritual energy of any attacker. Some undercurrents flowed at extremely high speeds, like arrows released from a bow, incredibly swift in the river. If swept away by them, one might be carried to unknown lands, lost in this vast expanse of water, never to find their way again. These undercurrents were hidden deep within, making them impossible to guard against; a moment's carelessness could lead to death.

Furthermore, Zhang Yifan's divine sense also detected various ferocious aquatic creatures in the river. They were enormous, exuding a savage aura, like overlords of this waterway, guarding every corner of the Thousand Water River. He saw some shark-like aquatic beasts swimming in the river, several times larger than ordinary sharks, with sharp, steel-like teeth that seemed capable of easily tearing apart any creature that dared to approach. These aquatic beasts were agile, incredibly ferocious, and extremely sensitive to fluctuations in spiritual energy. Once a cultivator approached, they would quickly lock onto their target and launch a thunderous attack.

Among these ferocious aquatic beasts lurked a group of cunning and dangerous water snakes. Zhang Yifan watched their slender figures dart nimbly through the water, their scales shimmering with eerie, multicolored light, sending chills down his spine. This light was not merely for dazzling effect; it was a sign of deadly venom. If bitten, the poison would instantly spread throughout the body, corroding a cultivator's meridians and spiritual power. Even a Nascent Soul stage expert would find it difficult to expel the poison in a short time, and the slightest mistake could be fatal.

It wasn't just the aquatic creatures; a heavy sense of danger permeated the air above the Thousand Water River. Giant birds resembling eagles and vultures would occasionally appear in the sky, their wingspans reaching tens of meters, their eyes sharp as knives, constantly watching the movement on the river's surface. These birds were extremely aggressive; they fed on the creatures in the river, and any outsider attempting to cross it would not escape their hunt. When they swooped down from the sky, their speed was as swift as lightning, their sharp talons easily tearing apart the bodies of their prey. Witnessing these birds hunting, Zhang Yifan couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine; the danger of the Thousand Water River far exceeded his imagination.

Zhang Yifan's gaze returned to the river surface, where he noticed the occasional strange lights shimmering on the water. Some of these lights emitted mysterious energy fluctuations, clearly natural formations of restrictions. These restrictions acted like invisible barriers, unleashing terrifying attacks once triggered. Some restrictions released powerful electric currents, instantly turning anything that touched them into charred remains; others generated powerful suction, drawing in any approaching object and pulverizing it. Some of these lights also emitted the unique spiritual energy of treasures, indicating that precious magical artifacts or spiritual materials might be buried at the bottom of the river, but this was often accompanied by terrifying protective forces. These protective forces would mercilessly kill any living being that approached, deterring anyone from venturing further.

In such an environment, even flying was no easy feat. Zhang Yifan tried to take flight, only to find his body suppressed by a mysterious force, severely affecting both his altitude and speed. His body became unusually heavy, as if pulled by an invisible force, making it difficult to fly very high. Moreover, even more dangers lurked in the sky, especially the birds circling high above, ready to swoop down and attack at any moment. Any cultivator who dared to fly rashly would become their prey.

Zhang Yifan walked a long distance along the riverbank, trying to find a relatively safe place to cross, but disappointingly, no matter how far he went, the environment along the riverbank remained fraught with danger, with no place offering him an easy crossing. He stopped, gazing at the magnificent Thousand River before him, lost in deep thought. He understood that this challenge would be one of the most severe tests in his cultivation journey; a slight misstep could lead to his death, making him yet another victim of this river.

He closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and quickly formulated a plan. He knew that recklessness and brute force would not allow him to cross the river; he needed strategy and wisdom. Zhang Yifan began to carefully observe his surroundings, trying to find usable resources. He discovered a special kind of aquatic plant growing on the riverbank. These plants had tough stems and large leaves, seemingly suitable for making tools or defensive items. He bent down, plucked a few plants, and, feeling their resilience, fell into deep thought.

"Perhaps I can use these aquatic plants to make some simple protective arrays," Zhang Yifan muttered to himself, a plan gradually forming in his mind. He had to utilize every available resource to enhance his safety. At the same time, he recalled the several magical artifacts he had repaired after the tribulation; these artifacts might help him withstand some unexpected attacks. He gently stroked the storage pouch at his waist, his mind racing as he considered how to maximize the power of these magical artifacts.

Besides this, Zhang Yifan was also pondering how to deal with the ferocious creatures lurking in the water and the birds flying in the air. He recalled some water manipulation spells he had learned, which could temporarily control water flow and perhaps create a temporary barrier to buy himself time to cross the river. He also remembered some of his protective runes, which could isolate external attacks for a short period of time and might be used to defend against the threats from underwater creatures and birds.

As the plan gradually took shape, Zhang Yifan's tension eased slightly, but he was still clear that the Qianshui River in front of him was not a simple river, and crossing it was still full of great uncertainty and danger.