NOVEL NEXT Ch. 19
Chapter 19: A New Region in the River of Fortune
After rowing for quite some time within the River of Fortune, Jiang Zhaoming arrived at a new region.
He looked into the river and noticed that the forms of the various colored fish and shrimp were, more or less, different from those in the previous area.
Jiang Zhaoming released a cluster of White Fortune, intending to first probe which planes this region’s fortunes mostly originated from.
Before long, countless lines of Fortune Blessing information densely appeared before him.
He carefully controlled the bait, trying his best to prevent the fish and shrimp imbued with White Fortune from biting the hook.
Soon, he saw numerous Fortune Blessings—some were Life Fates, some were Innate Talents, and occasionally, one or two Divine Artifacts would appear.
As for Wonders, he did not see a single one.
Based on the few Divine Artifacts he observed, Jiang Zhaoming deduced which planes’ treasures were present in the surroundings.
“Saint Tang Plane, Desolate Wolf Plane, Gu Spirit Plane…” Jiang Zhaoming narrowed his eyes. “So it truly is a new region!”
He withdrew the White Fortune and instead took out a rarer Blue Fortune.
That cluster of fortune flowed in his palm, radiating a mesmerizing glow.
“Let me see what remarkable creations your foreign-plane Divine Artifacts possess!”
As the Blue Fortune entered the river, many large fish emanating a blue radiance began to approach.
Jiang Zhaoming focused intently on the river’s surface as streams of information gradually came into view.
【Divine Artifact · Ten Thousand Gu Corpse Legion】: A barracks from the Gu Spirit Plane, constructed from bones and gu insects. It contains 10,000 First Layer Tempering Bones Realm Gu Soldiers and 1,000 Ninth Layer Tempering Bones Realm Heart-Eating Gu Guards.
【Divine Artifact · Blood Wolf Cavalry Barracks】: A barracks from the Desolate Wolf Plane, built from ancient wolf bones and beast hides. Inside are 5,000 Fifth Layer Tempering Bones Realm Wolf Riders and 5 Sixth Layer Blood Refining Realm Blood Wolf Berserkers.
……
Jiang Zhaoming’s pupils contracted.
These creations from foreign planes were indeed tempting.
However, he did not act rashly.
Instead, he slowly reeled in the fishing line, falling into deep thought.
The influence of the Divine Artifacts from the River of Fortune was undoubtedly immense—especially in military terms—they could provide Jiang Zhaoming with rapid reinforcements in combat strength.
But were these armies truly the best choice?
“Black-Armored Army…”
He recalled that invincible cavalry force.
This army, drawn from the River of Fortune, had indeed rendered outstanding service in several battles.
Yet as time passed, Jiang Zhaoming gradually noticed the eerie nature of this divine army.
They were like pre-programmed puppets—utterly dull when it came to learning new things.
Those complex military formations they were originally familiar with could be executed effortlessly.
But when Jiang Zhaoming tried to teach them even the simplest formations from this world, their intelligence became hollow, as if some invisible shackle restrained their spirituality.
Even their strength—these soldiers who had been in this world for two months—had not advanced in the slightest.
Moreover, they found it difficult to integrate into life in the Great Zhou, unable to adapt to new ways of living.
They seemed like abandoned children of the Saint Tang Plane, discarded in exchange for fortune, spending most of their time confined within the Black-Armored Army camp.
At this thought, Jiang Zhaoming once again looked toward the River of Fortune.
Gazing at the streams of Fortune Blessings below, he felt a faint realization arise within his heart.
“It seems governing Anxi Prefecture won’t be so simple. I’ll need to put effort into other areas as well.”
Having made up his mind, Jiang Zhaoming picked up his fishing rod and began to cast once more.
Starting with three Blue Fortunes, Jiang Zhaoming used two of them to fish up two blessings from the River of Fortune:
【Wonder · Moon-Howling Wolf Den】: A wolf den carved from moonstones that can endlessly give birth to giant wolves. Each day, it can produce 50 Third Layer Tempering Bones Realm Moonshadow Wolves or 1 Fifth Layer Blood Refining Realm Moonhowl Wolf.
【Divine Artifact · Thousand Mechanisms Gu】: A mechanical gu shaped like a bronze beetle. It can be dismantled and reassembled into countless forms and possesses three main configurations: “Thousand Mechanism Armor,” “Sky-Splitting Blade,” and “Spirit-Sealing Lock.”
“Thousand Mechanism Armor” unfolds into full-body armor, capable of withstanding attacks from early-stage Divine Power Realm cultivators.
“Sky-Splitting Blade” transforms into a three-inch flying blade that can pierce the protective qi of early Divine Power Realm cultivators, though it must be nourished by blood essence.
“Spirit-Sealing Lock” attaches to an enemy’s body, sealing their spiritual energy circulation, effective against cultivators below the Golden Body Realm.
“Marvelous!” Jiang Zhaoming’s eyes lit up.
That Moon-Howling Wolf Den was practically a perpetual motion machine!
It could continuously spawn giant wolves, yielding greater returns the longer it existed.
These wolves could be trained not only as war beasts but also as mounts.
With winter approaching and Anxi Prefecture’s harsh climate making military campaigns difficult, this was the perfect opportunity for Jiang Zhaoming to develop a local cavalry of giant wolf riders.
As for the Thousand Mechanisms Gu—it was a perfect life-saving treasure.
What he feared most now was assassination by Divine Power Realm experts; with these three transformations, he could at least hold his ground.
“There’s still one Purple Fortune and one Blue Fortune left…”
Jiang Zhaoming rubbed his chin.
The Blue Fortune could be kept for emergencies, but that Purple Fortune opportunity must be put to full use!
Last time, he had rushed his casting and suffered for it—this time, he was utterly focused.
“Purple Fortune, bring me something big!”
The Purple Fortune transformed into a half-foot-long spiritual fish and leapt into the river.
In an instant, the surrounding fish scattered, and eerie ripples spread across the water’s surface.
Before long, a shadow emerged from the river’s depths, and a line of information appeared before Jiang Zhaoming.
【Divine Artifact · Plague Hive】: A colossal beehive that breeds plague poison bees. With sufficient food, it can hatch 1,000 Ninth Layer Flesh Refining Realm Corrosive Poison Bees daily and produce one early-stage Divine Power Realm Plague Queen Bee annually.
Jiang Zhaoming’s breath halted—this was a weapon of war!
Yet before he could rejoice, a sudden change occurred.
“Boom!”
A massive creature appeared, slamming into the purple fish that represented the Plague Hive and sending it flying.
Then, Jiang Zhaoming saw an enormous, deep-purple entity appear before him.
【Divine Artifact · Fortune-Appraising Treasure Mirror】: A treasure mirror crafted by Daoist Tianyan, capable of perceiving the fortune of all things.
Jiang Zhaoming tried to pull back his fortune-bait, but the massive creature bit the hook instantly, giving him no chance to withdraw.
Feeling the immense force transmitted through the line, Jiang Zhaoming, though reluctant, could only wrestle fiercely with the giant fish.
Otherwise, he would lose not only his choice but also the Purple Fortune itself.
Fortunately, his fishing boat was large and steady enough that he managed to gradually haul the fish—trying to escape into the depths—upward.
After some struggle, the giant fish finally gave in and was pulled onto the boat by Jiang Zhaoming.
He shook his arm, nearly dislocating it from the strain.
……
In a secret realm amidst immortal mountains, a white-bearded Daoist suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Cough… cough…”
Daoist Tianyan wiped the blood from his lips, feeling the sudden surge of fortune within him, his face filled with bitterness.
“Ah… truly difficult to gain even the slightest advantage over you.”
He shook his head with a wry smile and was about to put away the treasure mirror when his entire body suddenly froze.
The daylight… dimmed.
The old man jerked his head up, his pupils contracting sharply—
An endless shadow was slowly covering the entire sky.
The darkness was so vast it seemed ready to swallow the whole plane.
Even more terrifying was that through the translucent veil of that shadow, one could faintly see a colossal, mountain-like figure…
Raising its hand?