Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit
Chapter 118 - 95 Who Dares to Intrude into the Water Mansion?! [First update, asking for monthly votes!]

Chapter 118: Chapter 95 Who Dares to Intrude into the Water Mansion?! [First update, asking for monthly votes!]

"Lishui River."

"Dragon Palace."

Chen Jichuan put away the copper mirror, his eyes glowing brightly.

Through the Circular Light Skill, he saw that the transformations of the previous night had caused a palace deep within the Lishui River to emerge, with one corner revealed.

A palace built within the waters—

If it wasn’t the True Dragon Dragon Palace, then it was the Water God Mansion.

"I wonder if there are any shrimp soldiers or crab generals inside."

As Chen Jichuan pondered this, he did not hesitate.

He descended from the Dharma Platform, tied the Yuanchen Sword to his waist, took along his bow, talismans, paper men, and other items, then strode out of the cave toward the Lishui River.

...

The Lishui River surged majestically, flowing unceasingly.

Originating in the west, it flowed eastward into the sea.

As it passed through Yongg State, it traversed eight counties. To the south of the Lishui River lay three counties, and to the north five counties. Among them, Shi’an County and Hengshan County were separated by the vast Lishui River, forming a natural barrier, making places like Biqing Cliff and Iron Leaf Island difficult to invade.

In Shi’an County, ninety-nine percent of the rivers, large and small, were tributaries or branches of the Lishui River.

Chen Jichuan departed from Mingtang Mountain, moving without a trace on the snow. He passed through Jianling and finally arrived at the northern region of Lingchuan, by the banks of the Lishui River.

Splish, splash!

Rumble, roar!

The great river roared as it surged forward, resounding like thunder.

"This is the spot."

Chen Jichuan searched the riverside for some time before confirming the location he had seen in the copper mirror.

Such a grand palace could never be displaced by river water.

Even if it did drift away, it couldn’t have gone far.

"Open!"

Standing on the riverbank, Chen Jichuan pointed the copper mirror and used the Circular Light Skill.

But the copper mirror showed no change, and the specific whereabouts of the palace remain elusive.

He considered for a moment.

"Go!"

Chen Jichuan retrieved a paper man from his robe, recited an incantation, and tossed it into the water.

He also summoned the Roaming Village and Robust Five Ghosts, instructing them to enter the water and search for the palace’s location.

However, whether paper men or Five Ghosts, all were averse to water and couldn’t remain submerged for long. Otherwise, the paper men would dissolve, and the Five Ghosts would sink, never to return.

"Take it slow."

"No need to rush."

Chen Jichuan summoned both the Thousand-mile Eye and the Sharp-Hearing Ear.

The Thousand-mile Eye couldn’t penetrate underwater.

The Sharp-Hearing Ear heard nothing.

Instead, he observed the two riverbanks. Over ten miles up and downstream, he saw entrenched military camps, bristling with anticipation. On the north bank, three shipyards situated along tributaries of the Lishui River were bustling with craftsmen and apprentices working feverishly to construct warships.

From the looks of it,

Biqing Cliff had yet to abandon its plans to invade Shi’an County.

But with the Golden Crowned Divine Eagle possessed by a ghost and Tushan Ji seriously injured, when exactly Biqing Cliff would launch its offensive remained unknown to anyone.

"No battles will occur in the short term."

Chen Jichuan finished surveying the riverbanks, then found a hidden corner where he could remain unnoticed.

From there, he proceeded to investigate methodically.

The paper men and Five Ghosts shuttled back and forth, needing to emerge every quarter-hour to rest before diving back into the river to continue their search.

The progress was slow.

As the day darkened, the stars and moon appeared in the heavens.

Night had deepened.

Chen Jichuan remained by the riverbank.

A gentle breeze drifted by.

The weather was caught between warmth and chill.

Chen Jichuan held the copper mirror, watching the surging river. Suddenly, the mirror flashed with light as the waves roared, rising in countless layers. At their center, a patch of darkness emerged.

The corner of the palace came into view, followed closely by the magnificent golden roof of the entire palace, gleaming in radiant splendor.

Glazed tiles.

White jade walls.

Chen Jichuan’s face lit up with joy: "Found it."

He hurried to follow the traces, running downstream for several miles, where he spotted the palace beneath the surface. Dark and indistinct, it drifted with the waves, rising and falling slowly.

From the looks of it,

there appeared to be no master residing within.

"Best investigate it first."

Unwilling to take risks, Chen Jichuan dispatched the paper men and prioritized the Five Ghosts to explore, while he kept a watchful eye on the palace from outside.

The paper men transformed mid-air, growing to the size of an average person, wielding long spears as they dove into the water, landing atop the palace. They climbed down the pillars adorned with carved gods and painting fairies, fumbling all the way to the great hall’s doors.

The doors were made of an unknown material.

One push—the doors didn’t budge.

A second push—still motionless.

From the riverbank, Chen Jichuan controlled the paper men.

Suddenly, a faint fragrance wafted past, accompanied by the sound of a jade flute and ethereal music. Purple rainbows danced across the waves. Radiant chariots pulled by shining steeds roamed by grand pavilions, their brilliance illuminating the surroundings as though it were daylight. A vast lake bustled with pleasure seekers. Handsome men and beautiful women sang, danced, conversed, and feasted...

The scene was surreal and all-encompassing.

Just as the singing and dancing reached their peak, Chen Jichuan involuntarily joined in, clapping and humming. When the performances ceased, a white-clothed envoy approached, inviting him to meet the palace’s master.

"The master?"

Seeing the white-clothed envoy, Chen Jichuan’s spirit platform suddenly cleared.

With a cold snort, the illusion dissipated instantly, and the envoy too fragmented into nothingness like shattered glass.

Everything was but an illusion.

"Such illusion techniques, and you think you can deceive me?"

Chen Jichuan sneered dismissively.

His soul was resilient, his Daoist skills profound, honed further through cycles of life, death, and worldly trials. His mental fortitude had been polished to such an unshakable state.

Common illusions were powerless against him, easily unraveled with a glance.

Disdain for the illusion aside,

he raised his vigilance.

Through the paper men, Chen Jichuan looked up and saw a golden plaque hanging high atop the grand hall, inscribed with the words "Lishui Water Mansion." When the great doors were pushed open, a set of ninety-nine pristine white stone steps was revealed.

Atop the stairs,

a Yellow Luo Umbrella fluttered in the wind. Under it sat a silver-bearded elder, dressed in golden crown and yellow robes, with hair as white as a crane’s but a youthful complexion. He held a piece of green jade, radiating vitality and vigor. To his sides stood an entourage: on the east side, civil servants in purple robes and jade belts; on the west, military generals in silver helmets and iron armor.

Sharp eyes swept across, all gazes fixed on him.

"These people—"

Chen Jichuan assessed them carefully.

Each appeared astonishingly lifelike, yet lacked any trace of vitality; they resembled nothing more than lifeless puppets.

"Let’s take a closer look."

Chen Jichuan directed the paper men to climb the steps. But just as they did, a civil servant on the east side opened his mouth to reprimand: "Who dares trespass upon the Water Mansion?!"

A single shout.

The heavens above roared as a celestial river manifested, cascading with a thunderous rush, sweeping toward the paper men and grinding them to dust.

"What—"

Chen Jichuan’s vision went dark, unable to see anything further inside the Water Mansion. His heart jolted. "My paper men were comparable to Sixth-Grade Martial Artists, yet they were obliterated in an instant?"

Utterly shocked.

After some deliberation,

Chen Jichuan produced four more paper men from his robe and cast them into the waters.

The paper men transformed into tiny figures and began circling the palace’s surroundings, searching for any small crevice to infiltrate. Alas, the grand hall’s doors and windows were tightly sealed, showing no openings at all.

The windows wouldn’t budge.

To enter, the only way was through the main door, ascending the steps. Further attempts to employ the Five Ghosts were met with scorching as they touched the palace. Crying out, they bolted away hastily.

A moment longer,

and they’d likely have perished on the spot.

"Ghostly beings can’t approach?"

Chen Jichuan furrowed his brow more deeply.

No alternative arose.

He ordered the Five Ghosts to retreat. The paper men, now life-sized, were sent to push the door again.

A faint fragrance wafted in, a jade flute played, ethereal music drifted, and purple rainbows sparkled...

The illusion returned!

"Begone!"

The white-clothed envoy, shattered by Chen Jichuan’s scornful shout, was swiftly dismissed, and the great hall doors opened in response.

Up the steps—

"Who dares trespass upon the Water Mansion?!"

Once again came the shout, the celestial river descended, obliterating four more paper men in an instant, leaving Chen Jichuan’s eyebrow twitching sharply.

The civil servant had spoken twice, claiming five of his paper men.

These were refined over many days, consuming his Source Power, and he only had forty-nine in all. Losing such a portion was a severe blow.

"I must silence him."

Chen Jichuan focused his thoughts, proceeding to act at once.

He sat cross-legged by the riverbank.

Calming his mind.

"By the decree of Dan Zhu, purify the breath and banish foulness. Tongue spirit, align; god of speech, sustain the soul. Teeth spirit, fend off evils; keep truth secure. Throat spirit, draw pure essence; nourish vitality. Heart spirit, sustain the origin; connect to the Dao. Wits spirit, distill liquid; eternalize the Qi."

With his heart tranquil and spirit clear, he further recited the Oral Purification Divine Mantra three times.

Finally done.

Chen Jichuan rose to his feet, performed the Gang Step ritual, chanted an incantation, and said: "Upon heaven, thunder roars; beneath the earth, mouths are sealed. Cosmic tongues silenced: year, moon, day, hour—silent! Be it kin or guest, I banish tumult to abyssal pits; may the Heavenly Official Talisman subdue them for an eternity. Disciple calls upon the Southern Dipper Six Stars, the Beidou Seven Stars. By the decree of the Pharaoh Immortal Master, so let it be!"

With the spell incanted,

from his sleeve emerged two little figures wielding long spears and great swords, leaping eagerly into the water and advancing toward the palace.

An illusion again.

The doors gave way.

Up the steps.

Chen Jichuan saw the civil servant appear once more, opening his mouth to shout—

"Mmm! Mmm!"

Yet he found his mouth sealed shut, unable to make a sound.

"It worked!"

"Hurry!"

Delighted, Chen Jichuan directed the paper men to rush forward.

"Halt! State your name!"

Before they could progress far,

two divine generals stepped out, driving iron halberds and long spears into the ground.

Bang!

Akin to forming an impregnable wall of bronze, the way forward was firmly blocked.

Clang, clang, clang!

Despite attempts to slash or thrust, the wall held invulnerable.

That’s when,

behind those divine generals, the civil servant managed to open his mouth once more: "Who dares trespass upon the Water Mansion?!"

"This is absurd!"

Two more paper men, destroyed yet again!

...

"This approach isn’t working."

"I can briefly silence that civil servant, but can’t bypass the two divine generals blocking the path. Their formation is as solid as bronze walls, and the civil servant’s voice undoes all progress."

Chen Jichuan frowned.

Though the civil servant and generals behaved mechanically, their capabilities were extraordinarily formidable.

That civil servant, for instance, carried the authority of his words; a mere shout could summon a celestial river, sweeping through relentlessly and wielding terrifying power.

Even Chen Jichuan himself didn’t feel confident in evading or enduring its force.

"A tongue flowing like rivers."

"Unbreachable walls of bronze."

"Let’s try again!"

Gritting his teeth, Chen Jichuan summoned yet more paper men to descend into the waters.

From the riverbank, he began by employing the ’Sealing Hundred Mouths Technique’ to silence the civil servant.

Then wasted no time.

Performing Gang Step rituals, chanting an incantation: "Heaven above, Earth below, ancestors grant me the Iron Loach Technique. Break the heavens, pierce the earth, split the mud walls in twain. I invoke the Southern Dipper Six Stars, the Beidou Seven Stars. By the decree of the Pharaoh Immortal Master, so let it be!"

With the spell cast,

within the Water Mansion Hall,

"Halt! State your name!"

Before the divine generals, phantom loaches swam and surged, aiming to smash through the bronze walls.

One strike, no damage.

Two strikes, still unbroken.

"Who dares trespass upon the Water Mansion?!"

The civil servant opened his mouth once more.

Yet again, the paper men were reduced to ashes.

...

"To hell with this!"

Chen Jichuan’s complexion darkened, his lips pale.

Repeated spellcasting,

utter failure.

Exerting tremendous energy left Chen Jichuan both physically and mentally drained, his frustration mounting by the moment.

Sealing Hundred Mouths could silence the civil servant only temporarily.

Meanwhile, the Iron Loach Technique, designed to counter bronze walls, failed to dislodge the two divine generals even slightly.

It was becoming utterly exasperating.

"The Iron Loach Technique isn’t working."

Chen Jichuan shook his head.

Realizing that his Daoist skills still lacked in strength. Even with techniques naturally countering the bronze walls, his own abilities remained insufficient to pose a true threat to the two divine generals.

Moreover, in that Water Mansion Hall, apart from the civil servant and the divine generals, there was still the silver-bearded elder beneath the Yellow Luo Umbrella. His presence alone indicated extraordinary power, though what abilities were concealed remained uncertain.

And further beyond?

Even graver trials might await, their dangers unknown.

To conquer this Water Mansion seemed far from simple.

"The Yuanchen Sword—"

Chen Jichuan clasped the Yuanchen Sword, sensing the sharpness of its Sword Qi.

After a moment’s contemplation,

he shook his head.

"I’ll wait a few more days."

"Let me establish a Dharma Platform, set up offerings, and invoke the heavens and earth before making another attempt to breach this Water Mansion!"

Ultimately, Chen Jichuan dared not recklessly jeopardize himself, nor was he willing to expend the Sword Qi contained in the Yuanchen Sword. Collecting his thoughts, he left two paper men stationed outside the mansion gates, then turned away to begin preparations for a Dharma Platform.

In Daoist practices, rituals were paramount.

With a proper Dharma Platform in place and spells invoked, he intended to see if those civil servants and divine generals would still stand in his way!

...