Qin Tao's lips moved slightly, but he couldn’t utter a word for a while.
The sincerity on the other party’s face made him uncertain—was Lei Jun mocking him?
Qin Tao carefully observed Lei Jun.
Lei Jun’s face was full of emotion, with a hint of fear and confusion in his gaze, as if he genuinely feared the torment of impending death more than death itself.
“Junior Brother Lei, you're still young. Don’t be so disheartened,” Qin Tao chuckled awkwardly, forcing himself to speak.
Lei Jun nodded. “Senior Brother Qin is right.”
With that, he packed up the dishes and left.
“Waiting for death? Then why don’t you go and face the Tribulation of the Third Heaven? What’s waiting for you there is a real death...” Qin Tao's mouth twitched as he watched Lei Jun’s departing figure fade from sight.
After sending Qin Tao away, Lei Jun avoided any additional entanglements for the moment. His focus remained on his cultivation and waiting for the birth of the Water Marrow Yinfish.
However, as summer arrived, the flood season began.
In addition to the southern Xunjiang, the Yunxiao Mountain Range was filled with numerous rivers, streams, lakes, and marshes. Both the Zixiao Sect and Qingxiao Temple had to commence their annual flood control efforts to prevent water disasters from affecting the surrounding regions.
Even the Tianshi Mansion had sent people to help.
“Senior Brother Luo?” Lei Jun was slightly surprised. “You’ve come as well?”
Luo Haoran, along with a few fellow disciples, greeted Lei Jun after meeting with Qingxiao Temple’s Lu Zhaoqing and Qin Tao.
“I participated in setting up the talisman array for Qingxiao Lake’s waterworks last year,” Luo Haoran explained with a smile. “This year, there’s no need for major construction; we’re just here for inspection and reinforcement.”
Having not seen each other for months, the group sat down and chatted.
During the conversation, someone brought up an incident.
On their way, they encountered a flood in the Xunjiang region and saved a few people—members of the Fang family of Jingxiang.
Water disasters in this world were often extraordinary.
Under the disturbance of spiritual energy, floods could merge with chaotic spiritual energy flows, becoming terrifying torrents. Even cultivators could be reduced to bones if caught in them, much like Li Ming, who had perished at the bottom of the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool.
Among the great clans, the Fang family of Jingxiang maintained relatively harmonious relations with the Tianshi Mansion. It wasn’t unusual for disciples of the Mansion to lend a hand if a member of the Fang family was in danger.
“Fang Mingyuan?” Lei Jun turned to Luo Haoran upon hearing the name.
Luo Haoran, who seldom flaunted his accomplishments, had remained silent earlier. Hearing Lei Jun’s question, he nodded.
“I didn’t know beforehand, but since I encountered them, I couldn’t just ignore it. Back then, he injured Senior Brother Zhang Yuan at the sect’s gate, but I seriously wounded him in return—he received his punishment.”
Lei Jun asked, “And after that?”
Luo Haoran replied, “After thanking us, the Fang family went downstream.”
Lei Jun pondered for a moment and then said, “Senior Brother Luo, there’s a Confucian saying: ‘A gentleman may be deceived with righteousness.’”
Luo Haoran nodded. “I understand, Junior Brother Lei. While good intentions are important, it’s always wise to remain cautious.”
After a few more words, the group retired for the night.
The next morning, everyone dispersed to inspect the various waterworks, aiming to curb water disasters and prevent the chaos of spiritual energy torrents.
But, as the saying goes, what you fear is what comes to pass.
“Qingxiao Lake’s levee has breached, and the talisman array is damaged! Emergency repairs are needed!”
Qingxiao Lake, the most crucial reservoir near Qingxiao Temple, was at risk. A major flood would wreak havoc on the surrounding mountain valleys, villages, and towns.
Lu Zhaoqing, the temple master, and Qin Tao, the Overseer of Rituals, had to personally rush to the lake to support Luo Haoran, who had arrived earlier.
“The talisman array at Qingxiao Lake was newly established; it shouldn’t fail so quickly,” Lei Jun muttered, frowning. “Shoddy work? Or perhaps...”
Lei Jun had researched this area before summer.
As long as there were no major floods near Qingxiao Lake, the cold springs deep in the mountains wouldn’t be affected.
But if Qingxiao Lake’s levee burst and the floodwaters surged, the cold springs could be submerged, jeopardizing the birth of the Water Marrow Yinfish.
For the public, the flood threatened many local lives.
For himself, it endangered the cold springs and the Yinfish.
Unfortunately, his master Yuan Mobai was currently unavailable.
After some thought, Lei Jun decided to act. He joined Lu Zhaoqing and Qin Tao in rushing to Qingxiao Lake.
Given the shortage of manpower, his assistance was welcomed by both.
When they arrived near Qingxiao Lake, they found the mountains had turned into valleys, and torrents of floodwater had spread across the area.
The floodwater, mixed with chaotic spiritual energy, demanded caution; even Lei Jun and his companions feared getting trapped.
Luo Haoran, who had arrived earlier, was struggling to maintain the talisman array on the damaged levee.
Numerous Spirit Talismans glowed brightly, attempting to restrain the floodwaters and chaotic spiritual energy, but the array still had significant gaps.
The trio immediately took action. Using Water Warding Talismans, they joined Luo Haoran in reinforcing the damaged array.
Despite their efforts, the four of them alone couldn’t fight the flood.
The only solution was to repair and reactivate the remaining talisman array.
Eventually, a precarious balance was achieved between the array and the floodwaters. The flood finally stopped spreading.
What unfolded before them was a massive, terrifying Hanging Sky Lake. The floodwaters, temporarily contained by the talisman array, loomed above like a sea suspended in the sky.
The vast mountains were overshadowed by the lake, their peaks submerged.
Lei Jun and the others, along with the Qingxiao Lake array, were now in a temporary void within a submerged world.
Around this void, torrents of floodwater were still held back by the talisman light, seemingly dragged and wrapped by invisible forces, unable to spread further—for now.
Most of the mountain range remained submerged, leaving only two narrow paths leading out to the north and west.
Finally catching their breath, Lu Zhaoqing looked at Luo Haoran and Lei Jun.
“Fortunately, you two came. If we had been one person short, both Qingxiao Lake and Qingxiao Temple would have faced complete destruction!”
The fragile balance relied heavily on their combined strength. Without it, the remnants of the array would collapse, and the flood would be unstoppable—not something the few of them could handle.
Even Qin Tao, despite his previous reservations about Lei Jun, nodded in agreement. “Exactly!”
Lei Jun responded humbly, “You overpraise me, Master Lu, Senior Brother Qin. I dare not take credit.”
Luo Haoran, however, remained worried. “We’ve barely stabilized the situation. We must contact reinforcements from our sect and the Zixiao Sect immediately.”
Lu Zhaoqing assessed the situation. “Someone must stay to guard the site, but at least the crisis has temporarily subsided. Let’s split into two groups—one to hold the position and the other to seek help.”
The Hanging Sky Lake blocked aerial routes; attempting to ascend might result in being swallowed by chaotic spiritual energy.
He looked toward the distant mountains. Fortunately, narrow paths still existed to the north and west.
At this moment, a Light Sphere flashed in Lei Jun’s mind, revealing words:
“Natural disaster and human peril, many hidden dangers lie ahead. Stay calm and composed; danger will pass without harm.”
Then three omens appeared:
This time, none of the omens were particularly favorable.
Fortunately, one path—a Moderate Omen—avoided the worst outcomes.
Ironically, staying to face the flood seemed more dangerous but was relatively safer. Leaving to seek reinforcements, on the other hand, looked like an escape but was fraught with peril.
Lei Jun’s gaze flickered as he examined the omens.
“I’ll stay,” Luo Haoran declared without hesitation. “I’m best suited
for reinforcing the array.”
Lu Zhaoqing turned to Lei Jun. “Then, Junior Nephew Lei...”
Lei Jun replied, “I’m unfamiliar with the terrain. If I go to seek aid, it may delay things. I’d better stay and help.”
Lu Zhaoqing was surprised, while Qin Tao was secretly delighted but dared not show it.
With no time to waste, Lu Zhaoqing quickly decided, “Then I’ll stay with Junior Nephews Luo and Lei. Junior Nephew Qin, you will deliver the message. Be careful on the way.”
Qin Tao took a deep breath. “Yes, Uncle. I won’t fail!”
Lei Jun watched as Qin Tao sprinted towards the mountains.