Chapter 545: From Changjing To The West—9,900 Li
“A single drop of water?”
“Precisely! And it happened not long ago. Many people saw it with their own eyes. Otherwise, how could a spring suddenly appear in the depths of this desert, right in the middle of this shallow land? If not for the mercy of an immortal, who else would grant us travelers a source of water to quench our thirst?”
“That must truly be an immortal...”
“Of course! Look at that stone stele over there. It says that the water in this spring was borrowed from an island far across the southeastern seas. That’s why some call it 'Borrowed Spring' or 'Immortal’s Spring.' If not for an immortal, who else could have the power to bring water from a distant island tens of thousands of li away?”
“That makes sense...”
Amid his dazed state, these voices drifted into his ears.
The clear spring water he drank quickly nourished his body. At this moment, he felt as if his body were a desert, parched under the scorching sun, with every cun thirsting to store vast amounts of water. As the spring water poured into this barren land, it was instantly absorbed by every part of his being, swiftly moistening and restoring vitality.
The merchant slowly began to rise.
The two men who had been speaking ahead were now cupping their hands in farewell. Though they had only met by chance as strangers on the road, such encounters were rare and precious. Why should past acquaintance be necessary? And so, with mutual respect, they bid each other farewell and went their separate ways.
The merchant remained where he stood, gazing at the spring before sweeping his eyes across the surrounding landscape. As his mind gradually cleared, memories began to piece themselves together.
A familiar image surfaced of that Daoist priest, seated in meditation, and himself conversing with him.
Back then, there had been no lake here.