64: Trapped Dragon Formation

The next day, just after the Hour of the Tiger, the sky was not yet bright, with only a sliver of pale light showing on the eastern horizon.

Chen Linsheng carefully checked his equipment. His Solid Iron Long Spear was polished to a shine, its tip gleaming with a cold light.

The "fierce wind" bow and a quiver full of arrows were slung diagonally across his back.

In the leather pouch at his waist, sharp-edged stones and several emergency medicines were all in order.

Finally, he put on a piece of tanned, tough leather armor. Although it didn't offer as much protection as iron armor, it was light and flexible, and wouldn't hinder his movements in the water.

Su Wan stood at the courtyard gate, her eyes full of reluctance and worry. She straightened the collar of his leather armor and said softly, "A Sheng, be careful with everything. I'll wait for you to come back."

Chen Linsheng took her slightly cool hand and gave it a firm squeeze, giving her a reassuring look. "Don't worry, wait for my good news."

Without further hesitation, he turned and strode into the pre-dawn twilight.

Arriving at the Qinghe Pier, the berths that usually held various vessels were somewhat empty now. Only a single warship, several times larger than a Water Patrol Division skiff and with a noticeably reinforced hull and visible crossbow silhouettes on both sides, was quietly moored at the main pier.

A flag of the Water Patrol Division was planted at the bow, fluttering loudly in the morning breeze.

The tall figure of Senior Brother Shi Poyue was standing by the ship's railing. Seeing Chen Linsheng, he waved and called out, "A Sheng, over here!"

Chen Linsheng tapped his toes lightly, his body soaring onto the deck like a large bird.

Scanning the area, he saw that Master Zhao Zheng, Senior Martial Uncle Chen Chuan, as well as Second Senior Brother Di Moyu, Third Senior Sister Liu Ruyan, and Fourth Senior Sister Zhao Linger were all present. Additionally, there were over ten elite experts with sharp Auras dressed in Water Patrol Division uniforms, clearly the elites mobilized for this operation.

“Senior Brother, this is...” Chen Linsheng looked at the clearly military warship with some confusion.

Shi Poyue lowered his voice and explained, “Master borrowed this ‘River-Suppressing Vessel’ from the Water Patrol Division. Ostensibly, it's to escort Senior Martial Uncle back to Jiuqu Prefecture, and we're just heading downstream to avoid suspicion.”

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of respect. “Senior Martial Uncle is the Commandant of the Constabulary in our superior Jiuqu Prefecture.”

Chen Linsheng realized the truth. No wonder Senior Martial Uncle's Aura was so imposing; he was a high-ranking official of the prefecture-level Constabulary, in charge of criminal investigation and arrests for an entire prefecture. His power was significant, and his strength was naturally unfathomable.

At this moment, Chen Chuan and Zhao Zheng were standing side-by-side at the bow, gazing downstream.

Chen Chuan's gaze was like lightning as he scanned the gradually widening river surface. He said in a deep voice, “Junior Brother, that Jade Water Toad has matured and holds all the geographical advantages. If we fight it in the water, even if you and I join forces, there's no guarantee it won't see the situation is unfavorable and dive into the deep water or use water-evasion to flee. Once it escapes, finding and killing it again will be even more difficult.”

Zhao Zheng nodded. “What Senior Brother says is absolutely correct. I wonder if Senior Brother has a good plan?”

Chen Chuan smiled slightly. With a flip of his palm, a palm-sized, compass-like object appeared in his hand. It was neither metal nor wood and was inscribed with countless complex silver patterns.

As soon as the compass appeared, the surrounding air faintly rippled, and an invisible force field spread out, giving those nearby a strange sense of restraint.

“This is the ‘Dragon-Trapping Formation Plate,’ which I obtained through an Opportunity in my early years.” Chen Chuan held the Formation Plate, his tone confident. “We only need to set it up near its lair. Once activated, it can form an invisible barrier, isolating the inside from the outside and disrupting the water flow. If that beast wants to use water-evasion to flee, it will be wishful thinking!”

“A Formation?” Chen Linsheng was startled. This was the first time he had seen something related to Formations with his own eyes in this world.

The silver patterns flowing on the Formation Plate seemed chaotic, yet they faintly aligned with some fundamental principles of heaven and earth, emitting profound and powerful energy fluctuations.

His Skill in Trapping (Perfection) gave him an extraordinary intuition and understanding of arrangements like 'Trapping,' 'locking,' and 'binding.'

At this moment, although he couldn't understand the specific principles of the Formation Plate, he could clearly feel the powerful enemy-Trapping might contained within those patterns. It was like an invisible net that, once spread, could lock down a portion of the world.

The surprise and thoughtfulness in his eyes were not entirely unfamiliar; instead, they carried a hint of investigation. This subtle change in expression happened to be captured by Chen Chuan as he turned his head.

A flash of surprise crossed Chen Chuan's eyes, which then turned into a smile of great interest. He said to Zhao Zheng, “Junior Brother Zhao, this disciple of yours is extraordinary! Not only is his martial talent amazing, but he even seems to have a resonance with the Dao of Formations? Haha, if it's true, when he enters Army Breaker Manor in the future, with this talent, he will surely be valued by those old fellows. His future is truly limitless!”

Zhao Zheng was also surprised and delighted upon hearing this. He only knew that Chen Linsheng Cultivated at a rapid pace, but he didn't know he had this kind of potential.

He stroked his beard, his face full of pride, yet he spoke humbly, “Senior Brother overpraises him. This kid probably just got lucky and felt something by chance. But, hehe, he is Zhao Zheng's disciple after all!”

Watching the two elders start praising each other in front of their disciples, Shi Poyue, Di Moyu, and the others all had smiles on their faces, while Chen Linsheng rubbed his nose in embarrassment.

Amidst the talk and laughter, the ‘River-Suppressing Vessel’ had raised its sails. With the combined efforts of the oarsmen, it headed downstream at a quite rapid pace.

About half an hour later, the river channel gradually narrowed, the mountains on both sides became steep, and the water flow became noticeably swifter.

The large ship dropped anchor and came to a steady stop in a relatively calm river bend.

Everyone transferred to several small speedboats carried on the ship. Controlled by sailors with good Aptitude for Water, they continued toward their destination—the ‘Turtle Back Stone.’

The closer they got, the more turbulent the water became.

A rumbling sound of water could already be heard in their ears, like the rolling of muffled thunder.

The air was filled with thick water vapor. As far as the eye could see, the river surface was no longer calm, covered everywhere with churning white foam and terrifyingly powerful whirlpools.

Finally, after rounding a protruding cliff, the sight ahead caused Chen Linsheng to draw in a cold breath.

The river channel constricted sharply here, and an enormous black reef shaped like a turtle's back stood menacingly in the center of the river, forcibly splitting the current into several streams.

Around the reef, several dark green whirlpools several yards in diameter spun frantically, emitting heart-pounding wails as if a giant beast underwater was opening its mouth to swallow everything.

The water crashed against the reef and the cliff walls on the banks, kicking up waves several feet high, the sound of the water deafening.

The underwater terrain here was clearly complex to the extreme, with hidden reefs everywhere and surging undercurrents. Ordinary ships would not dare to approach.

Under the murky river water, it was difficult to see far; one could only feel the terrifying force of the water that seemed capable of shredding anything.

Chen Linsheng finally deeply understood what his Master meant by 'the current is swift, many whirlpools form, and the underwater terrain is complex.'

The Jade Water Toad had chosen its lair here, truly taking advantage of excellent geography—easy to defend and hard to attack!

Chen Chuan and Zhao Zheng stood at the bow of the speedboat, looking at the Turtle Back Stone area that roared like a water dragon, their expressions both turning solemn.

The hunt had begun!