Chapter 148: Spiritual Sand Everywhere

Within the water vein node, misty spiritual light permeated, dispelling the darkness.

"No wonder Zhao Meng casually grabbed a handful of spiritual sand back then."

Arriving inside the water vein node and casting his gaze to take in the scenery of the nodal space, Jiang Chen finally understood why Zhao Meng, having accidentally stumbled into this place, was able to carry away a handful of spiritual sand in his panic—because spiritual sand was scattered everywhere in this water vein node.

At the very center of the nodal space lay a spiritual spring, which was the manifestation of the Qingyuan River's water eye, containing a portion of the Qingyuan River's power. Nourished by this spiritual spring, a pool had formed, giving birth to clusters of cyan duckweed. However, most of these duckweeds were incomplete, as if they had been nibbled on by something.

"Vortex duckweed, a first-rank spiritual item, possesses the effect of tempering the physical body and slightly healing physical injuries. Although not particularly precious, such a large patch is nonetheless rare, though unfortunately, most of them were used by the mist flood dragon to appease its hunger."

Looking at the few remaining intact duckweeds, Jiang Chen could not help but shake his head.

Back then, after leaving Wooden Fish Island, the mist flood dragon had unconsciously wandered in the Qingyuan River. Swept away by an undercurrent in an unexpected accident, it had fallen into this water vein node. At that time, it was still quite weak and far from as powerful as it was now. Unable to grasp the shifts of the undercurrent, it had no way to resist the undercurrent's shredding force and break through by brute force.

Food within this water vein node was scarce; the fish and shrimp occasionally swept in by the undercurrent were simply not enough for the mist flood dragon to survive on. It was precisely because of this that it turned its gaze to the vortex duckweeds, relying on consuming them to stave off hunger.

However, it was also precisely because it ate so many vortex duckweeds that the mist flood dragon's body became exceptionally powerful.

Of course, even with the duckweeds as food, the mist flood dragon's normal survival remained difficult to sustain, so whenever hunger became truly unbearable, it would resort to its bloodline power to fall into a deep slumber.

Eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating—this was the mist flood dragon's dull and monotonous life over the past few decades, and it was also the source of its Great Accomplishment realm in Qi Refining. Possessing a powerful bloodline, sleeping in this place brimming with spiritual Qi was itself a form of cultivation for it.

The reason Zhao Meng was able to smoothly escape from this water vein node back then, apart from good luck in matching the rhythm of the undercurrents, was largely because the mist flood dragon was in a deep slumber, until the second rampage of the Qingyuan River caused the water vein node to shake, truly startling the mist flood dragon awake.

"This is a fine place. Although it hasn't nurtured any exceptionally precious treasures, just this expanse of spiritual sand alone is already of considerable value."

A thought flickered through his mind, and with a shake of his body, Jiang Chen transformed back into human form. At this moment, he was entirely in his true appearance, without the slightest trace of demonic characteristics.

The flood dragon skin was an extension of himself. Upon completing the spirit-infusion, his control over the flood dragon skin had reached the ultimate limit. The problem of demonic skin backlash, which practitioners of the Inconstant Sect feared most, simply did not exist for him.

"The spiritual Qi within the spirit cave has been consumed quite a bit and indeed needs some replenishment. Moreover, Taoyao's awakening also requires sufficient spiritual Qi for nourishment."

Retrieving a peach wood branch from his sleeve, Jiang Chen prepared to take away all the spiritual sand within the nodal space.

Besides the surface layer, there was still quite a bit of spiritual sand hidden beneath the ground. Manual excavation would be far too troublesome, whereas using the peach wood branch would be much simpler.

The next instant, spiritual light bloomed, the peach wood branch descended, and a spiritual peach tree appeared within the water vein node.

Hum. The peach tree took root, and as its roots spread, more and more spiritual sand lost its luster at a rate visible to the naked eye, returning to ordinary dirt.

After about the span of an incense stick's burning, the sand all over the ground had turned into ordinary mud, leaving only the spiritual peach tree radiating a brilliant, dazzling spiritual light.

Seeing this sight, Jiang Chen felt quite satisfied.

"The spiritual Qi provided by these spiritual sand deposits within the water vein node is actually much richer than that of the An family's first-rank spiritual spring from before—about twice as much. But this is only natural; after all, this spiritual sand is the accumulation of this water vein node over countless years."

Making a slight assessment, Jiang Chen formed a rough judgment in his mind.

At that very moment, having absorbed all the spiritual sand clean, the peach tree naturally extended its roots toward the most core spiritual spring of the nodal space.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow slightly, made a move to stop the peach tree, and transformed it back into the peach wood branch.

"This spiritual spring is the manifestation of the Qingyuan River's water vein power and is no small matter. It cannot be moved, nor must it be moved, otherwise it will inevitably provoke another flood."

Holding his greed in check, Jiang Chen took back the peach wood branch.

He knew very well that the most precious treasure in this water vein node was this spiritual spring. Containing the power of the Qingyuan River within, although it had not reached the second rank, it similarly possessed extraordinary profundity.

By comparison, those numerous-looking spiritual sand deposits were actually just supplementary bonuses. After all, this was a water vein node, not a true spiritual sand mine. It was just that this spiritual spring concerned the entire Qingyuan River and was not easily tampered with; the slightest carelessness would result in a fierce backlash.

"With this spiritual spring present, the spiritual Qi within this nodal space will soon recover. Coupled with the protection of the outer undercurrent grand formation, this makes for an exceptionally fine choice of a secondary residence."

"The mist flood dragon skin is nearly sentient and possesses the ability to continue cultivating. This place can be used as its cultivation ground. Although the spiritual Qi within the spirit cave is purer, the river Qi here is even more suited to it. Beyond that, I can also try cultivating spiritual plants and raising spiritual fish here. The vortex duckweeds that naturally exist here are a fine choice."

"Although their individual value isn't particularly high, they are easy to raise and not delicate. If they can be formed on a certain scale, they should yield no small profit."

Musing in his mind, Jiang Chen's plans for the water vein node began to take shape.

A short while later, confirming there were no omissions, Jiang Chen transformed into a flood dragon and left the nodal space. After his departure, the radiance within the nodal space immediately dimmed, leaving only that spiritual spring flowing quietly, exhaling and inhaling the river Qi.

Meanwhile, after breaking free from the undercurrent, Jiang Chen did not rush back to the Taiping Sect. Instead, he drove his flood dragon body, cruising along the riverbed to further familiarize himself with the mist flood dragon's power.

"I previously obtained a medium-grade magical artifact, the Tides-Rising Fan. Although its grade is a bit low, possessing only fifty heavy restrictions, its essence is quite good. I can hand it over to the mist flood dragon to refine; turning it into a high-grade magical artifact should pose no problem. Aside from that, there is also the Flood Dragon Water-Covering Armor. Once refined, it can likewise be given to the mist flood dragon for use."

With a light flick of his dragon tail, whipping up a spray of waves, Jiang Chen easily trapped a black spirit carp.

"During the previous flood outbreak, quite a few spiritual items were churned up in the Qingyuan River. This shows that there are still plenty of fortuitous encounters to be found within the river."

"Using true Qi to protect myself, although I could previously enter and exit rivers as well, there were numerous restrictions. Now, transformed into a flood dragon, I might as well explore more thoroughly; perhaps I will reap some fine rewards."

Binding the black spirit carp beside him, Jiang Chen moved further ahead, leaving a fleeting, shadowy trace beneath the water's surface.