I've heard the Little Dragon Girl has arrived in Tonglin County, and Lin Wan crossed over to the Great Jing Dynasty by the third weekend, taking the opportunity to stroke Ao Qian's short horns.

Of course, this stroking came at a cost: a box of Ferrero chocolates and a serving of animal cream cake.

…

The days passed peacefully until five days later when Ao Kuo bade farewell and headed to Gui Ling River to assume his post, while Lu Zheng took Lin Wan along with him.

Because Lin Wan wanted to see what the Water Mansion in this world was like.

Meanwhile, Lu Zheng also brought Yue Honghai, as a means to introduce him. In the future, if there was a need to send messages, he wouldn't have to personally run and deliver them.

The four of them rode clouds and mist, swiftly arriving at a certain bay upstream of Gui Ling River.

Ao Kuo brushed his waist's Brocade Qilin Bag's mouth, and a glowing Jade Seal appeared in his hand.

"The Gui Ling Water Mansion is right at the bottom of this river bay," Ao Kuo said, "Let's go down."...

Lu Zheng nodded, then with Lin Wan and Yue Honghai, followed Ao Kuo into the water.

Ao Kuo and Yue Honghai, being from the Aquatic Race, didn't need the Water Avoidance Technique and could freely move and speak underwater, a feat that even Lu Zheng, despite having higher cultivation than them, couldn't achieve.

Lu Zheng and Lin Wan practiced the Water Avoidance Technique and, together with Ao Kuo and Yue Honghai, advanced towards the riverbed.

This bay in Gui Ling River was extremely deep, and the deeper the water, the more turbulent the underwater currents became. In the center of the bay, there was an even deeper depression, which they only saw up close, houses a mansion at its lowest point.

The Gui Ling River Water God's Mansion, arrived!

Following Lu Zheng, Lin Wan finally saw this scene from the mystical and fantasy world of Xianxia.

The mansion, encompassing an area of over a hundred zhang, had Luminous Pearls embedded around its walls, archways, and palace roofs, illuminating the dark riverbed like present-day neon lights.

Apart from the Luminous Pearls, there were Water-Repelling Pearls. A large Water-Repelling Pearl was embedded at the top of the Water Mansion's main hall, forming a Water Repelling Array together with several similar pearls around the mansion, isolating the river's current.

Within this isolated space, a faint glow enveloped the entire Water Mansion, making it difficult to gaze inside its interior from outside, only vaguely revealing the top of the main hall, and the outermost walls and archways.

"Wow, so magical!" Lin Wan exclaimed in shock.

Ao Kuo and Yue Honghai, unaware of Lin Wan's background, wouldn't underestimate her because she was Lu Zheng's woman. But as someone with only a few decades of Dao Practice, it was normal not to have seen a Water Mansion, right?

"No need to be surprised, sister-in-law," Ao Kuo laughed heartily, "You haven't seen the grandest yet. Wait till the new year when Brother Lu takes you to the East Sea Jade Dragon Palace; it's much bigger than Gui Ling River Water Mansion!"

Yue Honghai nodded repeatedly, pointing at Gui Ling River Water Mansion, "Despite Gui Ling River being an important water vein in Lingbei Dao, why is this Water Mansion not so vast?"

"I don't know either," Ao Kuo shook his head, "But this place is a bit small. Once I assume the position, I'll expand the Water Mansion beyond this circle."

As they chatted, they quickly reached the entrance of the Water Mansion.

At the Water Mansion entrance stood two water soldiers with fish heads and human bodies, holding steel forks and wearing solemn expressions. Seeing the group appear, ready to confront them with forks, they caught sight of the Jade Seal in Ao Kuo's hand, their eyes gleaming.

Ao Kuo nodded, lifting the seal in his hand, "I am Jade Dragon Ao Kuo, here to assume the Gui Ling River Water God's position."

The two water soldiers exchanged glances, collected their forks, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute, "Greetings, my lord!"

Ao Kuo casually lifted the water soldiers, indifferent, then the soldiers stood up and hurriedly turned around to push open the Water Mansion doors.

"My lord, please enter. I'll notify the Prefect immediately," said the left soldier, turning to enter the doors and disappearing.

The right soldier's face changed, quickly forcing a flattering smile, bowing forward in a guiding gesture, "Please, esteemed guests!"

Ao Kuo nodded, gesturing to the group to proceed, smiling, "Let's go; see what this Gui Ling River Water Mansion looks like; it's my first time as a Water God for the Da Jing Court."...

Yue Honghai, now familiar with Ao Kuo, laughed heartily, "Once novice, twice familiar; perhaps in two years you'll be the East Celestial River God."

"That would be challenging," Ao Kuo chuckled, "East Celestial River spans Central Plains, and the River God is a Golden Dragon Ancestor; I dare not aspire to that."

Lu Zheng raised his eyebrows, only now learning that the East Celestial River God is a Golden Dragon, "Is the Golden Dragon Ancestor very powerful?"

Ao Kuo nodded, "Much more powerful than I am."

Lu Zheng, holding Lin Wan, followed by Yue Honghai, walked in side by side with Ao Kuo into the Water Mansion.

Once inside the Water Mansion gates, the soldier led the way, swiftly turning around the Screen Wall, reaching the front yard, about to enter the front hall.

Suddenly, Lu Zheng halted, glanced around, "Where are the front yard guards of the Water Mansion?"

He was a regular visitor to Lu River God's Mansion and familiar with the Water God's Mansion rules; though not as strict as having guards every five steps and sentries every ten steps, it was official premises, with all the pomp it should bear, including hundreds of water soldiers and clerks, with the mansion bustling.

Even if the Gui Ling River Water God was resigning, and the new God was yet to assume office, shouldn't the Water Mansion officials be less lax?

Who knows when the new God will take office? Don't they fear losing face before the newcomer?

After Lu Zheng asked, the leading soldier halted in his tracks and quickly turned back, his face bitter, "Allow me to inform, sir, since the old lord departed, our Water Mansion has lost its protection, and a large black fish frequently visits. The water soldiers can't fend it off, and are all injured, only lucky enough to guard the gate while others recover at the rear camp."

"What!?" Ao Kuo's eyes widened, angrily, "Where did the audacious black fish come from, daringly intruding the Water Mansion?"

"That's indeed the case," the soldier replied helplessly, "Magistrate Bei and Chief Clerk Fan are also powerless, forced to retreat to the Water Mansion. Fortunately, you're here; I expect they're waiting for you in the main hall. We've eagerly awaited you!"

As the soldier's words concluded, two figures appeared at the main hall entrance, one wearing a green official uniform, with white hair and beard, and the other a middle-aged in black official attire.

"Bei Yuehai, greetings to Lord Ao!"

"Fan Yuwen, greetings to Lord Ao!"

Ao Kuo nodded, striding towards the main hall entrance, gesturing them to follow, both angry and excited, "Tell me, what is this bold black fish?"

Bei Yuehai and Fan Yuwen hurriedly bowed, and after Ao Kuo entered the main hall, they saluted Lu Zheng and the others, "Greetings, esteemed guests!"

"Oh, we aren't any esteemed guests, just accompanying Brother Ao for a tour," Lu Zheng waved, then gestured towards them politely, "Please!"

"Please!" Bei Yuehai and Fan Yuwen quickly returned the gesture, not daring to enter first.

Lu Zheng nodded, indifferent, then took Lin Wan along with them inside.

But as he, Lin Wan, and Yue Honghai stepped inside, Bei Yuehai and Fan Yuwen, standing on either side of the entrance, simultaneously moved, closing the main hall doors.

"Boom!"

In the next moment, the scene inside the main hall transformed dramatically.

An array!