If you want to transform into a dragon, you must have water. How can you transform without water?
Shallow waters cannot nurture a True Dragon. In the inland where there is no seawater, Zhang Shicheng wants to transform into a dragon and a walking flood dragon; he must first gather a grand momentum.
"If the heavy rain keeps pouring like this, I'm afraid it will lead to floods. At that time, numerous civilians will be displaced, and it will cause major problems." Chen Xu looked at the black clouds in the sky, seeing them densely packed in the cloud layer, thick and heavy, pressing extremely low, concealing an unknown amount of water within.
"It's beyond our control now. These people are Prince Pingbian's subjects. Let him flood his subjects — what does it have to do with us?" Zhang Chen said.
It's not that he doesn't want to handle it, but he simply can't. The entire Northern Land is experiencing rain, and with his skills, how can he possibly restrain this overwhelming downpour?
Chen Xu also sighed deeply: "Perhaps we should prepare a large ship in advance."
"Indeed! We should prepare early." Zhang Chen shifted his gaze away from the black clouds, sighing gently, feeling a sense of frustration. If it continued to rain for ten days and half a month, how many people would die?
At this moment, a sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Zhang Chen, adept in sonic vibrations, was very familiar with sounds, recognizing them as belonging to Xie Lingyun.
In this world, there are countless footsteps. To the untrained ear, they may seem alike, but to Zhang Chen, each person's footsteps are as distinct as their face — a unique identity for each person.
Zhang Chen turned to look and indeed saw Xie Lingyun, wearing a rain cape and holding an oil-paper umbrella, appearing outside the inn's door.
She put away the oil-paper umbrella and walked into the room, casually hanging the rain cape on the wall, revealing the chain armor underneath.
Xie Lingyun not only cultivated her Divine Soul but was also an extremely powerful martial artist. The chain armor weighing dozens of pounds on her body seemed to bear no weight.
If in the past someone asked: Could a person lift their own body by holding their head?
Zhang Chen would definitely say: No. But now, after being exposed to the Divine Soul Dao, Divine Soul can actually manipulate matter. Although it's extremely difficult to lift the physical body, supporting chain armor is definitely possible.
Those cultivating the Divine Soul Dao abide by a strict rule: the physical body is as heavy as Mount Tai. Wanting to propel the body through soul flight is nearly impossible!
Unless one reaches the realm of Yang God!
As for the time when Fox Fairy Nannan could carry her body and run around the mountains, it was because she had the Great Divine Techniques of Void Transformation to directly intervene with matter, allowing her to exhibit powerful Divine Power hence carry her body.
Though Xie Lingyun cannot lift her body, relying on the Yin Spirit Power to reduce the weight of the chain armor is not an issue for her.
Looking at Xie Lingyun soaked in rainwater, Zhang Chen flicked his fingers, dispelling all the dampness from her.
No matter if it's an oil-paper umbrella or rain cape, facing such a torrential downpour, it's hard to completely block it out.
"Something major has happened!" Xie Lingyun took a sip of hot tea, her voice heavy with gravity: "You should join the Inspection and Supervision Department; otherwise, you might die in the Northern Land."
"Is it because Zhang Shicheng is attempting to transform into a dragon again these days?" Zhang Chen asked.
"The other party is very likely to succeed in transforming into a dragon. That's when Zhang Shicheng and the court will break away!" Xie Lingyun's voice was full of seriousness: "Once Zhang Shicheng succeeds, he will at least be at the Twelfth Tier strength, and no one in the Northern Land will be his match."
"Doesn't the court have three National Guardian Divine Artifacts to suppress fate?" Zhang Chen asked.
"A demon race elder surfaced, adept in a five-colored light, which intertwined two artifacts." Xie Lingyun's voice was full of bitterness:
"Those two artifacts must remain to suppress fate and cannot be moved easily, lest the demon race elder seize the opportunity. Now, the North's only hope is in the hands of the Grand Steward, who wields the Penalty Spear. If he can strike at Zhang Shicheng and cause his transformation to fail, we might have the chance to seize Zhang Shicheng amidst the chaos."
Listening to Xie Lingyun mention the Chief Eunuch again, Zhang Chen's heart raced slightly, being tied to the matter of the Tree of Life Coffin.
"However, the Grand Steward's main task is to escort the Tree of Life Coffin back to Kyoto to extend the lives of royal nobles. To the Grand Steward, royal commands take precedence, and he may not act to add more uncertainty to himself." Xie Lingyun's voice was full of bitterness.
Once Zhang Shicheng transforms into a dragon, he will be a Twelfth Tier power, almost invincible. Who could be Zhang Shicheng's opponent then?
At this point, Xie Lingyun's clear eyes looked at Zhang Chen: "I came here today because my father wanted me to ask you, do we still have a chance to kill Zhang Shicheng?"
"Kill Zhang Shicheng? There might still be a chance." Zhang Chen poured tea for Xie Lingyun: "Go tell Lord Xie, I will strive to create an opportunity to kill Zhang Shicheng for him."
No matter how formidable Zhang Shicheng's cultivation might be, as long as he is separated from the Earth Vein, without the suppression of its power, his soul cannot resist my Hook.
And by that time, Zhang Shicheng will only have a soul left. Can his physical body not be slain by a Yang God True Man?
I have the Blood Transformation Divine Saber, though it is damaged, piercing Zhang Shicheng's body should still pose no issue, right?
"I wish to meet Commander Xie face to face to discuss various details." Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun.
"I'll make arrangements." Xie Lingyun did not refuse, for she was well aware of her own father's unreliability. The reason he didn't come to meet Zhang Chen personally was because he was too wary of Zhang Chen's uncanny methods.
Beside them, Chen Xu saw Xie Lingyun sit down, quietly exited the room, leaving space for Xie Lingyun and Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen called for the waiter to serve beef hotpot, and then he and Xie Lingyun enjoyed the hotpot until they were satiated with food and drink. Only then did Xie Lingyun don a bamboo raincoat, open an oil-paper umbrella, and depart.
Standing at the window, Zhang Chen watched as Xie Lingyun's figure disappeared into the rain. His eyes showed seriousness: "The situation is very grave! Otherwise, Xie Lingyun wouldn't be wearing chain armor."
Xie Lingyun hadn't reached the Inspection and Supervision Department's base yet but saw a carriage surrounded by guards stopping at the entrance from afar.
A coachman knelt on the ground as a human stirrup, and guards opened umbrellas, supporting them for the two.
Then she saw a figure she detested appear at the gate; perhaps sensing Xie Lingyun's gaze, the person turned and smiled at her through the raindrops: "Oh, it's Niece Xie, looking increasingly radiant."
It was not surprising that Prince Pingbian knew about the Inspection and Supervision Department's base in the Northern Land, but his arrival at such a timeline was certainly peculiar.
The two looked at each other. Xie Lingyun sighed softly, reluctantly stepping forward to pay her respects: "Greetings, Prince."
Her words were filled with a sense of alienation, clearly showing her indifference.
Prince Pingbian took no offense, smiling: "Your return is timely. I have matters to discuss with your father, and you may as well provide your counsel and opinions."
Xie Lingyun knew what Prince Pingbian was up to, her mind turbulently swirling with thoughts, but she entered without showing a hint.
By now, guards had already notified, and they saw Xie Xuan in white in the main hall to welcome them.
"Your Highness's great presence here today, I am guilty of failing to greet from afar. Pardons, pardons!" Xie Xuan spoke words of apology, but his feet were firmly planted in the hall like nails, unmoving.
Prince Pingbian entered the hall and smiled: "No worries! It's a trivial matter; how could I care about such formalities from my perspective?"
Then they took their seats, with Xie Lingyun accompanying them. Once the tea was served, Xie Xuan looked at Prince Pingbian: "I wonder what instructions Your Highness has for your grand visit?"
"I wish for your daughter to marry my son, and our families can become one. What do you think?" Prince Pingbian looked at Xie Xuan with tiger-like eyes, not concealing his intentions, although his tone seemed conversational, an unmistakable refusal was felt between the lines.
Xie Xuan and Xie Lingyun exchanged a glance; the father and daughter naturally knew Prince Pingbian's intentions, but they worked for the court, how dare they entangle with Prince Pingbian?
The crucial point was, Xie Xuan's family was all in the Capital City. If he dared betray, the lives of hundreds of family members would surely be wiped out completely.
"My daughter holds no title, how can she be worthy of the young prince?" Xie Xuan shook his head: "Our families are not matched by status."
"Only if you desire, and with my word, she would be worthy!" Prince Pingbian pressed aggressively.
Upon hearing Prince Pingbian's words, Zhang Shicheng smiled bitterly: "I dare not! My daughter's marriage is entirely up to her. As a parent, I do not interfere. No matter whom she favors, whether they're commoners or nobles, it's her own choice. If you wish to raise her status as Princess Consort, that's to honor her, but this matter must be asked of her personally."
Prince Pingbian certainly understood Xie Lingyun's stance, as she had rejected him before. This father-daughter pair continually evading was clearer than day to him.
However, he hadn't intended to conclude directly today; he was here to apply pressure.
"My family's ancestor is on the brink of Dragon Transformation, at least an Eleventh Tier powerhouse. By that time, only one voice will exist in the entire Northern Land — Prince Pingbian's Mansion. Even the court's influence cannot reach above that." Prince Pingbian threatened the two with a smile: "If you are wise, you should make informed choices. Our future in Northern Land is singularly ours, singularly our force, and that's Prince Pingbian's Mansion."
"Now that words are spoken, consider well. If you've decided, directly dispatch troops to aid my efforts on the battlefield. The time limit is three days!" Zhang Shicheng finished speaking, set down the teacup, waved his sleeve, and boldly rushed out into the rain.