Chapter 190

Chapter 190: The Water Contract Clan

To Lou Yun, Chang Xiang’s words simply sounded like a fairy tale. Humans could actually forge a contract with water? This was truly too bizarre!

As if aware of Lou Yun’s thoughts, Chang Xiang scoffed unceremoniously. "What’s so strange about it? Isn’t the relationship between you and the celestial fire essentially a form of contract? If one can forge a contract with fire, why can’t the source of all things, water, do the same?"

"Hmm, that makes perfect sense! So, what exactly is this water contract?" Lou Yun asked curiously.

Chang Xiang fell silent for a moment before explaining to Lou Yun. "In that world, there originally was no surname ‘Shui’ (water). Later, the very first member of the Shui family forged a contract with water, hence taking ‘Shui’ as his surname. The specific content of the contract remains unknown to anyone. But from that moment on, he indeed gained the ability to control water. It’s no exaggeration to say that wherever there was water, he was nearly invincible!"

"Water is the source of all things, and places with water are naturally abundant. So, relying on this ability to control water, the Shui family gradually grew and prospered. However, not every descendant possessed this ability. Only one member per generation potentially could possess it!"

"The person blessed with the water control ability would be born with a water-pattern birthmark on their chest. This birthmark is, in fact, the actual water contract!"

"However, possessing the water contract doesn’t mean they are inherently capable of controlling water. They still need to unleash the water contract to gain that ability. As for the method to unleash it, only the Shui family knew. I vaguely recall hearing something about it, seemingly related to fire."

Lou Yun now understood Chang Xiang’s insistence on bringing Shui Lingluo. Yet, he remained puzzled. "Then how did you know Shui Lingluo is that very person in this generation of the Shui family possessing the water contract?"

Indeed, while her surname hinted at her identity to Chang Xiang, Chang Xiang lacked x-ray vision. He couldn’t have possibly seen the birthmark on Shui Lingluo’s chest. Yet, he had actively prompted Lou Yun to inquire, indicating he must have had some degree of certainty beforehand.

"It’s simple. A water contract is a form of seal, naturally emitting a certain energy fluctuation. It’s just that this energy fluctuation is extremely faint and associated with the energy of heaven and earth. Ordinary people can’t sense it, but I can detect it."

"Oh!" Lou Yun continued his questioning. "So, you still can’t confirm whether Miss Shui’s water contract has been fully unleashed. If it hasn’t, wouldn’t I be making a wasted trip?"

Chang Xiang genuinely had no certainty about this. His main reason for making the request was purely out of wholehearted consideration for Lou Yun. Even the slightest possibility was worth pursuing if it might help him!

Given the circumstances and intimately knowing Lou Yun’s character, Chang Xiang naturally wouldn’t reveal the complete truth. He rolled his eyes and fabricated a plausible reason. "Actually, I’m primarily concerned about Miss Shui’s situation. Think about it—a person possessing an ability to control water that makes them nearly invincible in battle, yet working as a lowly servant or maid in another’s residence. This clearly indicates that the Shui family must have suffered some major calamity. Very likely, they might not even be aware of the water contract anymore. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have fallen to this state. So, I want you to go investigate what actually happened."

"If they are unaware of their own family’s legacy, then you tell them. Try to help Miss Shui unleash her water contract. After all, unleashing the water contract is related to fire, and you not only possess Fusang Fire, but Xiao Huo has several types of celestial fire inside his belly! By doing this, you might just help the Shui family regain their former glory! Then, you can freely take her with you to the seas. Two perfect outcomes with one action – how wonderful!"

Lou Yun, being more responsive to kindness than force and inherently good-natured, was exactly why Chang Xiang phrased it this way. Using the decline of a family to tug at Lou Yun’s sympathy ensured he would obediently seek out Shui Lingluo!

Chang Xiang’s tactic proved highly effective. Lou Yun wasn’t particularly concerned about whether Shui Lingluo could help him personally. But learning he might help the Shui family rise from obscurity and change Miss Shui’s current living conditions truly moved his heart.

The only minor inconvenience was the distance. Returning to Gu Feng Nation from Yao Lin Valley and then heading to Biko Island meant taking a significant detour, which would waste considerable time.

Chang Xiang, however, didn’t see it that way. "Those two youngsters, especially Wen Hou, after his magical weapon undergoes Spirit Transformation, its flying speed is incredibly fast. So, it won’t delay us much! Besides, even if it wastes a little time, it might just save your own life. That alone makes the delay worthwhile!"

Under Chang Xiang’s persistent urging, Lou Yun could only swallow his pride and awkwardly seek Wen Hou’s help. "Um, Wen Hou, I’d like to trouble you with something!"

Wen Hou grinned warmly. "Just tell me what it is, you don’t need to be so courteous!"

"Well, before heading to Biko Island, I’d like to make a trip to Yuyang City near Gu Feng Nation to pick up a friend. This friend might play a crucial role in helping with our journey." Lou Yun then became somewhat bashful. "However, my own magical weapon isn’t capable of flight yet… so I was wondering, could I possibly trouble you to take us there?"

By the end, Lou Yun was quite embarrassed himself. They were kindly coming to his aid, and here he was making an even more demanding request!

Wen Hou, however, proved incredibly easygoing. Smiling broadly, he said, "How is that troublesome? It’s merely a trifling effort. Let’s set off right away!"

As he spoke, Wen Hou had already retrieved his magical weapon – the mirror. He tossed it into the air where it enlarged instantly. Tie Sha, without uttering a word, jumped aboard first, seemingly having no objections to the detour either.

Lou Yun and Wen Hou followed, jumping onto the mirror afterwards. Wen Hou smiled. "Hold on tight. Since we’re in a hurry, I’ll set a faster pace!"

"Spirit Transformation!"

With Wen Hou’s forceful shout, the mirror transformed into an irregular rhombus, two sides extending like wings!

Previously, Lou Yun hadn’t understood why the mirror transformed like this once Wen Hou’s magical weapon activated. But after completing the refinement of his mystery rank common weapon, he now realized. The current shape of the mirror almost perfectly matched the shape of the Weapon Core in mystery rank common weapons – a form designed to maximize harnessing the power of the wind!

With a sharp "Swoosh!", the mirror abruptly soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of silver light flying towards Gu Feng Nation.

Sitting on the mirror, Lou Yun thought about chatting with the other two, maybe asking about their whereabouts since parting. But seeing Wen Hou standing at the edge, concentrating fully on steering the mirror’s flight path and speed, and Tie Sha sitting silently on the other side, eyes closed and expressionless, Lou Yun dismissed the idea. He decided to take the opportunity to cultivate instead.

Observing the Fusang Tree inside his body and checking his magical weapon realm, Lou Yun made a startling discovery: his magical weapon realm had increased without him realizing it!

Previously, Lou Yun’s magical weapon realm was Advanced one-star, preparing to advance to Advanced two-star. He had even forged the common weapons required for consumption. However, Short Winter Melon’s sudden appearance had forced him to temporarily set aside consuming the weapons. Logically, his realm should still be Advanced one-star.

Yet reality proved otherwise. Lou Yun suddenly realized his magical weapon had unknowingly ascended one realm, reaching Advanced two-star!

How did this happen? Could it be due to this Fusang Tree?

Chang Xiang couldn’t provide a definitive explanation for this either. After pondering for a while, he concluded, "I suppose it might be like this. The reason magical weapons advance in realms is because they reach their limit for containing spiritual energy and can absorb no more. They need to ‘upgrade’ their realm. The Devour Weapons art you practice achieves this by having the magical weapon consume common weapons. The trace amounts of heaven-and-earth energy within the consumed weapons expand a little space inside the magical weapon."

"Now, with this Fusang Tree, its roots have penetrated directly into your magical weapon. Using its own power, it forcefully expanded the internal space of your magical weapon. As a result, your magical weapon realm ascended. As for you not noticing it happening… I disagree. It likely occurred simultaneously with the appearance of the Fusang Tree. At that time, you were distracted and thus didn’t realize."

Lou Yun felt Chang Xiang’s explanation was reasonable enough. He nodded, refraining from further inquiry. After all, advancing in realm was definitely a good thing.

At that moment, Wen Hou’s voice suddenly sounded beside Lou Yun. "Brother Lou, what kind of demon beast is that on your shoulder? I saw it last time too, and after all this time, it hasn’t changed at all!"

Lou Yun opened his eyes. Wen Hou was sitting beside him now, still smiling, though a hint of weariness showed on his face, clearly a result of piloting the mirror in its Spirit Transformation state.

This naturally filled Lou Yun with guilt. He was causing them so much trouble for his own sake. He quickly answered, "It’s called Xiao Huo. I encountered it by chance, and we seemed to have an affinity, so I kept it close. As for its specifics… I’m not entirely sure either."

Lou Yun lifted Xiao Huo off his shoulder. Internally, he noted that Xiao Huo wasn’t unchanged. Each time it devoured a celestial fire, its body altered slightly, though subtly. Lou Yun knew this best. Xiao Huo was significantly larger now than at the beginning. If this continued, it might keep growing. Having it perched on his shoulder constantly wasn’t ideal; finding it a permanent place might be better.

Wen Hou also reached out and stroked Xiao Huo. Strangely, Xiao Huo, who usually tolerated no one’s touch with any grace, showed absolutely no resistance to Wen Hou’s caress. Instead, it seemed to quite enjoy it, lying there motionless and perfectly still!

Simultaneously, Chang Xiang suddenly spoke up, warning Lou Yun. "Boy, this is strange! The energies inside Wen Hou and Xiao Huo… they’re resonating!"