I cultivate the Chaos Technique

Chapter 119 Obstruction on Crossing the River and the Willow Leaf Boat

Standing on the banks of the Thousand Water River, Zhang Yifan gazed at its vast expanse. Though he harbored some apprehension about the dangers, the confidence afforded by his Nascent Soul cultivation compelled him to attempt a direct flight. The Thousand Water River before him was deep and boundless, its current swift and turbulent. Every drop of water seemed to contain boundless power, carrying ancient secrets. The river shimmered under the sunlight, and the air above carried a refreshing dampness, permeating the surrounding atmosphere.

The willows along the riverbank remained tall and verdant. A gentle breeze stirred, and the willow branches swayed in the wind, like thousands of delicate fingers softly touching the skin of the earth. Zhang Yifan took a deep breath, letting the moist air fill his lungs. Although he was already accustomed to countless cultivation scenes, at this moment, he still felt a strange sense of oppression—this oppression came from the Thousand Rivers before him, and even the moisture in the air made him somewhat uneasy.

After weighing his options in his mind, he finally decided to give it a try. After all, with his current Nascent Soul stage cultivation, he was confident he could easily cross this calm river. However, as he circulated his spiritual energy and slowly rose towards the other side of the river, that confidence was instantly replaced by an ominous premonition. Although he didn't consciously realize it, a deep-seated vigilance began to surge within him.

He slowly closed his eyes, as if falling asleep, immersing himself completely in that subtle and magical world of spiritual energy. With the help of his keen perception of spiritual energy, he began to carefully scan his surroundings.

The river surface before them appeared calm and still, like a giant mirror lying silently. But Zhang Yifan, with his rich experience and keen intuition, knew that this tranquility was merely an illusion, and that behind this apparent peace lay some unknown potential threat.

That inexplicable sense of crisis was like being in the stillness before a thunderstorm, oppressive and suffocating. Every breath seemed to solidify into heavy lead, pressing down on his heart, causing him to involuntarily furrow his brows. Nevertheless, having made up his mind to cross this river, how could he easily give up? After all, retreat had never been in his nature. Even if the road ahead was treacherous, filled with unknown dangers and challenges, he would forge ahead to explore the truth and answers hidden in the depths of darkness.

Just as he approached the river's surface, suddenly, an invisible force, like an invisible chain, bound him tightly. The force appeared so swiftly and violently, almost without warning, instantly enveloping him like a vast net. This force exuded a chilling aura, as if it were some kind of natural restriction, filled with oppressive force. Zhang Yifan felt a violent surge of spiritual energy attacking from all directions, like waves crashing against rocks, nearly causing him to lose his balance.

This was precisely the anti-flying restriction of the Thousand Water River. Zhang Yifan had heard during his cultivation that this river possessed an innate restriction specifically designed to prevent outsiders from easily flying over it. Unexpectedly, he was personally experiencing the power of this force today.

The pressure from the restriction almost caused him to lose control of his spiritual energy. His previously stable flight was instantly shattered; his body sank, and Zhang Yifan could only barely maintain his balance, yet he was still inevitably struck violently by the power of the restriction. His spiritual energy felt like it was being pulled by countless ropes, chaotically coursing through his body, causing him to lose control of his flight. At this moment, he felt as if he had returned to the vulnerable state of uncontrollable spiritual energy he experienced in the early stages of cultivation, and a sudden shock struck him—the power of this restriction was simply too immense.

Zhang Yifan gasped in surprise, his body plummeting straight towards the river like a kite with a broken string. With a loud "plop," he crashed into the water, splashing water everywhere. He felt his body slam into the surface, then being swept away by the swift current, water flying everywhere, before being instantly swallowed by the heavy current. Zhang Yifan quickly tried to control his spiritual energy to avoid being swept away by the current, but the unfamiliar pressure made it difficult for him to regain his balance.

To make matters worse, his face was covered in mud and sand, and his mouth was full of muddy water. He looked utterly disheveled, completely lacking the composure expected of a Nascent Soul cultivator. He struggled to his feet from the water, his heavy breathing mingling with the sounds of the surrounding water, a mixture of resentment and helplessness welling up inside him. Wiping the mud off his face, he realized just how powerful the restrictions of the Thousand Water River were. Not only could he not fly, but even his spiritual energy, which allowed him to slightly control his flight, was being interfered with.

Standing in the water, Zhang Yifan felt an even deeper awe for the restrictions on the Thousand Water River. Clearly, he needed to find another way to cross it. So, frowning, he began rummaging through his storage ring. The ring was vast, filled with various magical treasures and spiritual artifacts, but at this moment, Zhang Yifan knew clearly that what he needed wasn't those ornate treasures, but rather a tool that would allow him to cross the river safely.

After a careful search, his eyes finally settled on an item—a willow-leaf boat. He had stumbled upon this treasure during an expedition in an ancient ruin. The willow-leaf boat was small and exquisite, resembling an enlarged willow leaf, thin yet sturdy, radiating a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy. Normally, Zhang Yifan kept this willow-leaf boat treasured in his storage ring, rarely having the opportunity to use it, but its appearance at this moment was perfectly timed.

He gently took the willow-leaf boat from his storage ring and placed it on the water. Then, Zhang Yifan chanted incantations and formed a series of hand seals. As soon as these seals were cast, the willow-leaf boat trembled slightly, and then, with the enhancement of his spiritual power, it rapidly expanded until it was large enough for him to stand on. Although the change in the willow-leaf boat was not conspicuous, it was filled with an ancient and mysterious aura, as if it had some kind of tacit understanding with the river.

Zhang Yifan leaped lightly and landed steadily on the deck of the willow-leaf boat. Driven by his spiritual energy, the boat glided slowly across the water. The surface was calm, and the boat left faint trails as it passed. While the boat wasn't moving very fast, it was far better than the arduous journey he had previously endured. Occasionally, birdsong and the sound of wind rustling through the leaves could be heard, and the surrounding scenery remained picturesque, but Zhang Yifan's mind could no longer find peace.

His gaze drifted to the opposite bank, but his mind was filled with deeper thoughts. This ancient body of water seemed to hold even more unknowns and mysteries. And he, perhaps, had only just begun to touch upon this veil of mystery.