Chapter 82 The Three Perils of the Tianqing River

Shen Duo glanced at the school of devil rays beside the "Sailing Ship," a trace of a smile appearing on her delicate face.

"As promised, here are the sacred phantom beasts. You can make your own contracts with them."

As she spoke, the mental power from the scroll within Shen Duo's dantian controlled over a dozen leader devil rays to swim up beside the "Sailing Ship." The phantasmists on deck were all stunned by her words.

Someone called out loudly, "Lord Shen Duo, do you mean these leader devil rays have already been tamed by you?"

Nearly everyone wanted to know the answer to that question.

"Of course. Otherwise, why would these fish obey my control?" Shen Duo replied lightly.

"Are you also a beast tamer, my lord?" someone exclaimed in astonishment.

Shen Duo didn't answer, merely smiled at them, tacitly acknowledging it.

Many swallowed hard in shock. The discovery was simply too astounding. A person who was both a phantasmist and a swordsman might already be considered a rare prodigy, but someone who was both a high-level swordsman and a beast tamer—such strength was almost unthinkable!

The phantasmist who had previously won Shen Duo's promise stepped forward, still somewhat skeptical. Guided by Shen Duo, he formed a contract with one of the leader devil rays. Two dazzling arrays appeared beneath man and beast, glowing brilliantly, and as the contract was completed, they gradually faded away.

The phantasmist tried communicating with the leader devil ray and, sure enough, found he now shared a mental link with the phantom beast!

His expression shifted from doubt to belief, and finally to wild joy. This man, who had spent half a lifetime training to become a two-star phantasmist, leaped up in excitement. "It's real! It works! I did it! I finally have a phantom beast! Hahaha, I have a phantom beast!"

With the first attempt a success, the remaining people scrambled to form their own phantom beast contracts. By the time Shen Duo had fulfilled all her earlier promises, most of the afternoon had slipped away.

Only a few leader devil rays remained in the school. After all, they were unique magical beasts of the Tianqing River. No matter how fierce they were, Shen Duo didn't wish to wipe them out. Having lived in the twenty-first century, she knew all too well the importance of the natural ecosystem. In the end, Shen Duo let the remaining leader devil rays lead their school away to continue their migration.

The "Sailing Ship" set out once more—they needed to reach the next port as soon as possible to have a new mast installed.

After keeping her mind tense for most of the day, Shen Duo was utterly exhausted. Feng Jun supported her back to her cabin to rest.

He didn't leave, but instead sat at her bedside, keeping watch as she meditated with her eyes closed.

Half-asleep, Shen Duo heard bursts of astonished exclamations outside, each louder than the last.

She furrowed her fine brows, rubbed her eyes, and sat up sleepily, seeing Feng Jun standing by the round window of the cabin.

"Feng Jun, where are we now?" Just waking up, Shen Duo's voice was still a little hoarse.

Feng Jun turned, his long, narrow eyes shining with excitement. His voice, deep and low, sounded, "Little Duo, we've reached the Three Perils of the Tianqing River."

"What! Really? Let's go see the deck!" Shen Duo sprang from her bed and grabbed Feng Jun's hand, dragging him outside.

Feng Jun felt the warmth and softness of her small hand in his large palm, and even his perpetually cold expression seemed to thaw a little.

There were already many people gathered on the deck, all conquered by the natural spectacle before them, shouting excitedly.

Seeing them come out, someone kindly made space for them.

Shen Duo gazed at the magnificent sight before her, eyes wide with awe. The perilous wonders of the Tianqing River were in no way inferior to the Three Gorges of the Yangtze.

Entering the region of the Three Perils, the entire river narrowed dramatically—its broad channel suddenly halved, and as the water rushed in, it became a torrent. On both sides towered mountain ranges, rocky and rugged at the waist, with perpetual snow crowning the peaks, wreathed in wisps of cloud and mist. Looking up from the river, the summits seemed like a fairyland untouched by man!

It was springtime, when all things revived. At the foot of the mountains flanking the river, vast patches of ferns were in bloom, golden flowers forming a sea that seemed to stretch to the river’s very end. A spring breeze carried the scent of blossoms mingled with the spray of waves onto the faces of those on deck—a fusion of gentleness and wildness that was utterly enthralling.

No wonder every itinerant phantasmist had to witness this marvel at least once.

Dick, seeing them on the deck, strolled over. Smiling at the grand river view, he said, "Sunset is near. Soon, the whole world will be bathed in golden light—at that moment, the Three Perils of the Tianqing River are at their most dazzling."

From Dick, they learned that the Three Perils didn't refer to three scenic spots, but to three dangerous stretches of the Tianqing River.

From the moment the river entered the territory of the Xingluo Empire, it became treacherous. In this middle reach, the river was no longer broad. The Xingluo Empire was hilly and forested, its topography shaped over millennia into a land where the Tianqing River turned perilous.

In the past, the route was ill-suited for large vessels—jagged rocks, narrow channels where one man could hold off a thousand, even great waterfalls. It was a favored destination for adventurous cultivators seeking trials.

Later, when the Aub Empire downstream and the Hilton Empire upstream began trading, the Continental Shipping Association allocated funds to develop the current channel, redirecting water and carving out a new route, so that large ships could pass.

As he spoke, Dick pointed to a fork in the river ahead. "We'll take the channel on the right. The left is the original course, steep and awe-inspiring."

After passing through the Three Perils region, the new channel would merge again with the original, becoming one river once more.

Shen Duo and Feng Jun looked where Dick pointed; indeed, the narrow channel could barely accommodate a small boat a few meters wide. Not far off, bizarre rocks jutted up, their wild majesty stirring a desire for conquest.

Both their eyes shone, their spirits eager for adventure.

Seeing their longing expressions, Dick laughed heartily. "With your strength, you could easily take the old channel for a bit of adventure. The 'Sailing Ship' will reach the Port of Ais by tomorrow evening and remain there for a day to resupply. As long as you arrive before then, we can continue our journey together."

After the two channels rejoined, it was only about an hour's sail to the Port of Ais—a medium-sized port, much busier than the small harbor at Niwei City.

The two exchanged a glance, both agreeing to Dick's suggestion. The opportunity was rare; if they missed it now, who knew when they'd again witness and experience the Three Perils of the Tianqing River.

Nearby, Wei Dong had overheard their conversation and came over of his own accord.

Tall and muscular, he scratched his head sheepishly as he spoke, resembling a good-natured bear.

"Shen Duo, Feng Jun, could I join you on your adventure?"