The water zombie that came to Hai Luo Bay for hunting was none other than the “River God” from Yujia Country, whose whereabouts had been unknown.
Once this revelation was made, it immediately caused an uproar on the internet.
It must be said, the internet users’ ability to “dig for facts” was off the charts. In order to prove that Zhongzhou hadn’t falsely accused Yujia Country, they spent an entire night scouring Yujia’s news from the past month, neatly listing them by date, and meticulously examining each word, even going as far as to analyze every image.
And when they looked, they were shocked.
This water zombie had crawled ashore in Yujia Country over half a month ago. At that time, it wasn’t very large, didn’t possess any mind-controlling skills, didn’t have grotesque heads, and certainly hadn’t developed human-like intelligence.
It was simply following its instincts, coming ashore to hunt. But not only was it not shot, it was instead worshipped by ignorant villagers as a “River God.”
From then on, its feeding never stopped. From chickens and ducks to cows and sheep, from criminals to the deceased, the villagers firmly believed that the “River God” could cleanse the sins of the guilty, and that if the bones of the dead were integrated with the “River God,” the dead would have a beautiful afterlife.
Their blind belief led them to madness, causing them to resist the military’s intervention. And because the army wasn’t strong enough, Yujia Country missed the best opportunity to kill the water zombie.
It evolved.
The accumulation of human resources transformed it from a mere monster into a demon. The occasional criminal and dead body no longer satisfied its hunger. When it smelled the vitality of a pregnant woman, its beastly slaughter began without warning.
The water zombie nearly wiped out the village. It deliberately dragged its prey into the river, using the blood and bones to attract waves of hunters. By the time it left, satisfied, the casualties in Yujia Country were uncountable.
Due to slow information spread, villages in countries like Dannan and Bai Xiang along the river also suffered. Afterward, the water zombie was no longer satisfied with the population of villages. It wanted more, more blood.
By chance, it followed the river to the sea, and after sniffing the vitality, it came to Hai Luo Bay…
As of now, the fear the water zombie brought to Hai Luo Bay still lingered. Especially when citizens woke up and found themselves not at home but on the streets, alleys, or at the coastal defense, they were almost driven mad with fear!
How had they ended up outside while they had been safely sheltering inside with their doors and windows locked? It was terrifying to think about!
The mere thought that their families might have nearly been fed to the monster made the public’s anger boil over. After days of public debates, Yujia Country issued an official apology. However, whether they would make the same mistake again was unknown. Only the few remaining clear-headed individuals felt a shiver down their spine, sensing that such incidents might happen again.
[Blessings from the Bodhisattva]: “I hope other countries can guard their lands like Zhongzhou. If they keep offering up ‘River Gods,’ even a Great Luo Jinxian won’t be able to protect them, it’ll be over!”
[The High Priest’s Pomeranian]: “Local resident of Hai Luo Bay reporting. I opened my eyes and found myself on the shoals. An injured soldier grabbed me, preventing me from moving forward. Not far, around twenty meters away, was the body of the water monkey. I’ll be haunted by this for life! Honestly, if it weren’t for the prophecy warning and the military’s preparation, Hai Luo Bay would be a sea of corpses right now.”
[The Strongest Fifth Fighter]: “I live in the city next to Hai Luo Bay, and I haven’t dared to go near the coast! I’m afraid I’ll randomly end up feeding a monster and not even know how I died.”
[Hell Mode On]: “Stop chatting! Go protect our High Priest, other countries are coming to steal him!” The comments instantly exploded to over ten thousand.
The “stealing” wasn’t an exaggeration, it was a direct attempt at kidnapping. The internet has a memory, and it doesn’t keep secrets. Just as Zhongzhou’s netizens could cross the wall to access foreign news, foreign countries also had ways of accessing Zhongzhou’s information.
After the High Priest JS’s prophecies became spot on every time, Ji Si’s popularity on foreign websites reached unimaginable levels. If not for the Great Wall, national borders, and language barriers, no matter how strong his runes or fast his internet speed were, he wouldn’t be able to withstand the brick-wielding “brothers” ready to break through.
Yet, even with this, Ji Si’s comment section still had messages in various foreign languages. From the cautious greetings at first, to bold confessions without restraint, and eventually to blatant attempts to poach him—Zhongzhou’s netizens were taken aback.
Nut Country Citizen: “Respectful High Priest, may I ask how much your consultation fee is per hour in US dollars? Or how much would it cost for you to predict an event? If Zhongzhou pays this much, we are willing to offer double. If you like, I think the ‘Elvis’ bay is perfect for your residence…”
Wine Flower Country Citizen: “If Nut Country offers that much, our Wine Flower Country will offer three times as much.”
Never-Sets Sun Country Citizen: “Oh my god! Look at those two fools! Please don’t mind their rudeness, High Priest! If you’re willing to vacation in Never-Sets Sun Country, we’re willing to offer five times as much!”
Cherry Blossom Country Citizen: “Everyone, pay up! I’m already on a plane to Zhongzhou!”
Zhongzhou Netizens: …
What’s it like to have your own cabbage eyed by someone else’s pigs? No, let’s show our national strength and defend our cabbage! You can kneel to the High Priest, but you cannot steal him!
Although they knew that most of the comments from foreign netizens were likely jokes, who could be sure there wasn’t someone behind the scenes testing the waters? Zhongzhou’s netizens knew how to protect their cabbage, and so did the high-ranking officials.
Thus, in the crisis of international poaching, the official olive branch finally extended.
First, a few influential public figures made their appearances; second, a group of celebrities joined in; third, many reputable companies jumped on the bandwagon; and finally, the National Abnormal Events Liaison Office directly started paying attention to him!
This was the pace of “the official is watching you”…
If it were an ordinary person, they would have already stood up, thanked all the various parties for their attention, and politely declined the foreign offers.
However, Ji Si was no ordinary person. Even with the world’s focus on his “dojo,” he still didn’t utter a single word. In fact, he didn’t even turn on his phone.
Don’t ask, the answer is simply: he was busy raising cabbage!
Ji Si had Si Nuocheng book a swimming pool, and without hesitation, he waved his hand, sending him and Qi Xinli into the cold, large pool.
The swimming pool, usually used in summer, was closed in winter, and there was no air conditioning or underfloor heating. The south was damp and cold, and the wolves from the north would freeze into dogs. The water, during the cold winter months, was so cold it could freeze to the bone, and even a slight touch would leave a person stiff and senseless, let alone being fully submerged in the water.
But Ji Si smiled faintly, and they dared not resist. They couldn’t take off their clothes, there was no heating, and once their down jackets and pants soaked up the water, they instantly became a heavy burden, weighing dozens of pounds.
Cold! So cold it was unbearable!
Ji Si smiled, “What are you two standing there for? One swings a knife three thousand times, the other chants sutras three thousand times. Do I need to remind you?”
Si Nuocheng: … So today’s lesson is to outsmart the water?
Qi Xinli: … So the question is, how do you chant sutras in the water?
The two of them exchanged looks, then simultaneously took a deep breath and dove into the water. Shortly after, a series of bubbles rose from Qi Xinli’s position. He struggled, coughing fiercely as he crawled out of the water, feeling like he was about to drown.
He turned his head, only to see Si Nuocheng completely still, his figure in the water moving in a steady and graceful rhythm, as though he was already mastering it.
Qi Xinli fell into silence.
No comparison, no harm. The more he spent time with Si Nuocheng, the more Qi Xinli was grateful he was older. It was a stroke of luck he didn’t have to study in the same grade as this… overachiever.
If they had been the same age, always being one step behind would’ve been too damaging to his pride.
But before he could feel any better, he saw a large sunshade being set up by the pool.
Jiang Qining and Laki transformed into two busy little bees, setting up tables, moving chairs, and then ordering eighteen different cups of coffee, all neatly arranged beside Ji Si.
They aimed to make Ji Si as comfortable as possible, lounging in a chair like a boss, wearing sunglasses and blowing out puffs of smoke, casually dropping a few words about the secrets of awakening.
Laki eagerly handed Ji Si a coffee, “Here, have some!”
Jiang Qining eagerly offered peanuts, “Here, eat some!”
Ji Si, like a spoiled rich young master, casually drank his coffee and ate the peanuts, comfortably settling into a large chair covered with a soft blanket, and instructed, “You two can go now.”
“Yes!”
Qi Xinli: …
No comparison, no harm. He struggled with his meditation and cultivation, while Ji Si lay back and enjoyed; he was starving and struggling, while Ji Si dined like a king; he fought alone, while Ji Si had legions of admirers. This cold, indifferent world was so harsh, the only warmth left was the pool water.
Qi Xinli felt his pride being crushed!
But he never expected that even more humiliating things were coming. Due to the profound nature of Zhongzhou’s language, Ji Si’s words “You two can go now” had different meanings in the ears of Jiang Qining and Laki.
Jiang Qining obediently stood to the side, but Laki cheered, stripped down to his underwear without a word, and dove into the cold water with a splash. Moments later, he resurfaced, shaking his hair and shouting excitedly, “Ura!”
Everyone: …
Oh, now they remembered. The Ura people have three great loves: drinking, fighting bears, and cold baths. In sub-zero temperatures, with 75% alcohol, breaking through the ice and soaking in the water is a release of the soul, the true essence of the Ura spirit.
Looking at Laki, although he only had half Ura blood, he perfectly inherited the unique traits of that bloodline. He swam with backstroke, butterfly stroke, breaststroke, and freestyle, becoming more and more energized, shouting and cheering.
Si Nuocheng couldn’t help but swim to the shore for air, his face turning pale from the cold. Laki, like a happy little sprite, swam back and forth in the pool, his face glowing, moving effortlessly.
Si Nuocheng: …
Qi Xinli shivered as he dove back into the water, his mind frozen and muddled, struggling to remember what “awakening” felt like. He decided to move his limbs, hoping to get his blood circulating. If he didn’t warm up, he feared he would freeze to death in the pool.
Qi Xinli struggled to paddle through the water, only to see Laki timing himself with his watch, beginning his 3,000-meter winter swimming training. This energetic young man, shouting “Ura,” swam faster than a duck!
Qi Xinli: …
Seeing this, Ji Si’s tone became complex, “You two awakened ones, and you’re both still not as good as Laki.”
Si Nuocheng: …
Qi Xinli: …
It was too damaging to their self-esteem!
…
The highest good is like water, at its most still and gentle. It can use cold to settle one’s restlessness, droplets to refine patience, urgency to temper one’s bones, and it can wash away one’s filth, cleansing both body and mind.
From the beginning, humans came from water. Therefore, immersing oneself in water is like returning to the comfort of the womb, making it easier for body, mind, and soul to connect. This is why many practitioners throughout history preferred to meditate and gain wisdom under the cascade of waterfalls.
Water is the origin of all things, and also the essence of all things.
“Don’t let the physical sensations dominate your will,” Ji Si said softly, “Relax your body and mind, merge with your environment, use your senses to link with the energy in the water, and draw on that power.”
“Don’t be wary of the cold, don’t resist it, embrace it.”
After five days of intense training, Si Nuocheng and Qi Xinli had already grown accustomed to the biting cold, though they were still not proficient in the steps of “linking” and “drawing.”
They didn’t understand spiritual communication, nor did they know about the dantian. Even the most basic breath control had to be learned from scratch. Luckily, both of them were highly talented and persistent, so after a few attempts, they had a breakthrough.
“Calm your heart,” Ji Si slowed his pace, “Remember the feeling of linking and drawing. Let your body and soul unite. Use your soul to guide your body, making the body possess the characteristics of the soul. With this, whether you find yourself in lava or submerged in the deep sea, your body will remain unharmed.”
“Dig deep into your strength.”
Si Nuocheng closed his eyes, a faint golden glow enveloping him, rippling outward in layers. Qi Xinli’s blue aura responded, sending out similar waves. They collided, vibrated, and spread, causing the entire pool to ripple.
Magnetic resonance, lifting each other’s power. The waves grew larger, almost reaching the size of crashing surf. Jiang Qining and Laki felt their bodies heating up, as if they were in a sauna.
“Crack!” The tiles on the eastern side of the pool cracked open.
Ji Si’s staff hit the ground, “That’s enough.”
The sixth day of training ended, and the two soggy “cabbages” crawled up to the shore. They each wrapped themselves in a towel, standing in the wind without feeling cold. This wasn’t the feeling of being numb from the cold, but rather, as if they had become a drop of ice water themselves.
No, it wasn’t just water.
They could be the wind in this space, or the dust swirling around them, or even the flowers, birds, insects, and all living things. Everything was them, and they were everything. This feeling… unbelievable, yet undeniable!
No scientific theory could explain its principle; it could only be sensed and experienced through the heart and soul.
Qi Xinli muttered, “Now I chant sutras every day to elevate my soul. Who would believe I used to be a physics PhD?”
Si Nuocheng sighed, “Now I cultivate myself every day to evolve. Who would believe I used to be a big-time CEO?”
“You two, enough!” Jiang Qining skillfully wiped the table, moved chairs, and poured water, “I now run errands and do all the chores like a waiter. Who would believe I’m the son of the Whale Ferry King? I’ve done no work in my life, but I’ve done it all in these few days!”
“You all better give up.” Laki slurped his noodles and said, “I’m called ‘Laki’ every day now. Who would believe I had a proper real name?”
Everyone: … Sorry, we really can’t remember your real name.
“I remember you have two names,” Jiang Qining suddenly said. “I heard you mention it before. Your mother gave you a Chinese name, and your father gave you an Ura name. Since you don’t like your current name, why not use your Chinese name?”
Everyone: …
The reason someone would abandon a three-character name in favor of a much longer one could only be that the meaning of a three-character name is more terrifying than that of a long one! Otherwise, who would choose complexity over simplicity?
Sure enough, Laki fell silent.
After a long pause, he said firmly, “I think ‘Laki’ sounds great!”
Hearing this, Ji Si couldn’t help but laugh.
As everyone’s gaze turned toward him, Ji Si subtly retracted the hand that had been counting with his fingers and explained, “The birth date and name given by your parents are your core strength, the key to unlocking your soul’s power.”
“And the name forged with the love of your parents is their greatest protection for you.” Ji Si continued, “Accepting the name given by your parents and embracing its meaning is like receiving your parents’ most sincere blessing. It can bring you luck and protection, ensuring you avoid misfortune and stay safe.”
“Ordinary people have one name, but you have two. Are you sure you want to give one up?”
Laki’s face twisted in distress, his expression conflicted. It was clear he was torn, unsure whether or not to speak his mind.
Ji Si, speaking frankly, added, “Sometimes, the power of a name can only be fully realized when both the first and last names are used. For example, when I wish Si Nuocheng peace, he receives the full blessing; but if I wish ‘Laki’ peace, you only receive two out of nineteen parts of the blessing.”
With a full name of nineteen characters, you only get two parts of the blessing, which is really quite a loss!
Laki gritted his teeth, determined, and said, “Chi Niuzhuang!”
Everyone: … We are all stunned!
“My Chinese name is ‘Chi Niuzhuang’!” Laki scratched his chestnut-colored hair, his handsome face turning slightly red. “My mom is Ura, and the first time she came to Zhongzhou, my dad took her to a rural farm. She saw the water buffalo in the pond and fell in love with them.”
“She thought water buffalo were free, strong, agile, and fierce. Not only did they represent farming and harvest, but they also had the hardworking and honest character, which was a hundred times better than bears!”
“So, she decided my name should be ‘Chi Niuzhuang’ instead of ‘Chi Xiongzhuang’.” Laki grimaced. “I just want to ask—did my parents really love me?”
“A name that’s too rustic makes people laugh; a name that’s too long makes people forget it. I wanted to change my name when I grew up, and my dad agreed. But my mom was still as strong as ever. That night, she had me, my dad, and the bear kneel at the door.”
Everyone: …
So, the question is, what did the bear do wrong?
…
On the ninth day of staying in Hai Luo Bay, the traces left by the water zombie were finally cleaned up.
Perhaps because its evolution wasn’t complete, its blood didn’t have the power to mutate creatures, and the undissipated corpse aura didn’t summon any soul-eating spirits. However, its lingering “force” remained, and Hai Luo Bay successfully entered its “safe period.”
Seeing that Hai Luo Bay was temporarily safe, Ji Si and his group prepared to leave.
“Rare to have a little half month of calm,” Si Nuocheng fastidiously buttoned up the collar of his black shirt and stared at himself in the mirror, feeling as though his dark pupils were covered with a layer of… light gold?
He leaned closer to the mirror, but when he looked more carefully, he found nothing unusual.
Si Nuocheng donned his pure black coat and asked, “Where are we heading next?”
“Follow the clouds,” Ji Si tilted his head back to look at the sky, once again seeing the celestial phenomenon usually only visible when a large tomb is unearthed.
Four long, slender white clouds stretched into the shape of a carriage, pulling the vehicle toward the northwest. They followed the magnetic field and formed a long line, resembling the grandeur of ancient noble families going on a trip.
“Northwest?” Si Nuocheng frowned, “Following the clouds is too vague. It’s best if we have a specific destination. You know, Zhongzhou is huge, and we could end up in another city with just a slight deviation.”
Ji Si replied, “This time, it doesn’t matter if we make a wrong turn.”
“Eh?”
“Four divine beasts pulling a carriage, ghost generals stretching far. The clouds in the northwest are mostly human-shaped, covering six or more provinces, hinting at a past disaster and the coming unearthing of a thousand-year-old tomb. If this disaster occurs, half of Zhongzhou will be affected.” Ji Si continued, “If it’s not controlled, the disaster in Zhongzhou could shake the very foundations of the world.”
“No wonder the four devil caves have been so quiet; they’re probably waiting for the day the great tomb is unearthed.”
Si Nuocheng’s heart sank, “What is in the great tomb?”
Ji Si smiled but didn’t speak, “When you see it, you’ll understand. By then, I hope you will do everything in your power to survive. If necessary, I won’t interfere unless…”
“What’s after ‘unless’?” Si Nuocheng asked, but Ji Si fell silent.
Si Nuocheng: … What is it that I, as a paying CEO, can’t hear?
There was a long silence. Si Nuocheng took a deep breath and calmly smiled, “It doesn’t matter what we encounter; the key is that I want to try out the new abilities I’ve developed. Unless it’s a critical moment, I don’t really want to use them. After all…”
“What’s after ‘after all’?” Si Nuocheng went quiet.
Ji Si: …
Under the High Priest’s unwavering gaze, Si Nuocheng remained composed. He wore a deep, thoughtful expression as if contemplating something important.
Come on, let’s mutually destroy each other!
…
On the night of January 25th, with the Hai Luo Bay team seeing them off, Si Nuocheng and his group left the city. Two off-road vehicles sped away, with the Qu Kang team following closely behind, all guessing where the next trouble would arise. Little did they know, this incident would turn out to be quite significant.
In the early hours of that night, the normally motionless “High Priest JS” logged into the Weibo account. He ignored the private messages, avoided replying, and didn’t care about the domestic or international comment sections. When he finally posted, it was a bombshell: [On February 1st, the great tomb in the northwest will be unearthed, a King of Zombies will appear seeking food, and the living should not go out at night.]
Netizens who saw this prophecy for the first time found their minds blank for a moment. Every word in this sentence was understandable, but why did it feel so difficult to comprehend when put together?
Oh, a King of Zombies…
Isn’t that the kind of zombie seen only in novels and movies? Many tombs have been unearthed over the past century, but who has ever seen a zombie come out of them?
They could accept mutated monsters, they could accept alien invasions, but the term “King of Zombies” shattered their previous mindset and worldview, making them realize—perhaps many legends aren’t just stories, but events that actually happened in ancient times.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※
PS:
Ji Si: What’s that nonsense? I’m now a master of chemistry, physics, magic, and cultivation. I can fight, endure, heal, and predict. Who would believe I was once a purebred ancient person?
Teammates: … Looks like you’re the most difficult of all.
