Corpse Recovery Diver

After a long time, the black-robed figure let out a sinister laugh.

Unlike the intimidation and curses of those evil spirits in the white mist before, this laughter carries a touch of lament.

It was as if seeing the household of an old enemy, now reduced to relying on children to hold the fort, evoked a sense of helplessness.

Even though Li Zhiyuan could still "meet eyes" with him, holding the scene, in the eyes of the black-robed figure, it was merely the stubbornness of a young man needing to uphold the family honor.

The black-robed figure's gaze shifted from the young man, scanning the tablets on the altar behind.

It lingered on one tablet for a long time.

As if reminiscing about the years spent confronting the Dragon King.

Li Zhiyuan knew that if he followed that gaze, he should be able to find where the Dragon King was.

But he couldn't do that.

Others ignoring you and looking at your elders is an attitude of not taking you seriously; truly turning back to seek the elders would lower your own status.

Everyone knew that the Qin and Liu Families had fallen, but Liu Yumei had been sustaining their legacy all these years.

Now, this responsibility has fallen on Li Zhiyuan's shoulders.

The young man spoke: "If you genuinely wish to pay your respects, you should find your way here and bow before the tablets."

The black-robed figure's gaze returned to the young man.

This time, it was not with disdain, but with solemnity.

He extended his hand from his sleeve.

Li Zhiyuan noticed that the man's hand was large, and long - fitting his exaggerated height, which was not unusual.

However, the five fingernails on that hand were entirely black, exuding pure corpse energy.

This isn't the aura of the dead, which carries a unique dampness.

This corpse energy, Li Zhiyuan had seen it before, long ago, when the cat-faced old lady came to borrow tables and chairs, pots and pans for a birthday feast, and a zombie emerged from a dream to battle.

Is this black-robed figure a zombie?

There was a piece of jade in the palm of the opponent's hand.

In his own hand, he had just gotten a piece of broken jade, which was part of it.

The opponent tossed it up, the jade split, fell to the ground, and transformed into three pieces.

His guess was correct, this jade was indeed for divination.

Though there are only three pieces, their angles as they fall can be interpreted in countless ways.

This path can be described as interchangeable, the rules differ, but the algorithm is the same.

Li Zhiyuan glanced down, instantly recognizing that the oracle is auspicious.

A hoarse voice came from the black-robed figure's throat:

"My clan is about to ascend, please attend."

With those words, the black-robed figure's form began to gradually fade.

At this time, far in the sky, the clouds seemed to notice something large about to emerge. They felt confident again, descending, and noise seemed to be rearing up again.

Yet, as Li Zhiyuan cast his gaze skyward, the speed of the clouds' descent suddenly slowed, and the noise within dwindled down.

Seeing this, the black-robed figure once more let out that sinister laugh.

The form vanished completely.

However, the three pieces of broken jade used for divination earlier, remained outside the threshold.

Is this jade an invitation?

But, there are three pieces.

Is one meant to gather three pieces to form a whole?

Or, were there originally three pieces of broken jade to be given to three different parties?

Or is it... with many invitees, only three slots to attend, relying on competition for them?

The first possibility, Li Zhiyuan immediately ruled out, as the opponent came here to extend an invitation, making collection tasks unlikely.

If the second possibility were true, it would mean the challenge this time, like the previous trip to Guizhou, was a cooperative task—only this time three teams are needed to confront it together.

If it's the third possibility, with several parties vying for entry, gaining one piece of broken jade first might not entirely be beneficial, as it could make him a target for other groups to hunt for.

In Zou Jiang, the ultimate winner of each generation becomes the Dragon King.

As the hundred boats vie, how could Jiang Shui not seize chances, letting collisions and struggles occur between you?

It's not only the Miao Border that nurtures gu; these Dragon Kings of history emerged from fierce competitions in Jiang Shui.

Li Zhiyuan opened his eyes, returning to reality.

Alii watched the young man, knowing this time was different.

In the past, such beings had appeared briefly in dreams, but never lingered this long.

Li Zhiyuan bowed his head, pressing his forehead against the girl's.

"This way, it's interesting, good to capture in painting, right?"

The girl withdrew her forehead, then gently and warmly bumped forward again, smiling.

"Little Yuanhou, Little Yuanhou, your Grandmaster won a prize, hahaha, he won a prize!"

Grandmaster's excited voice came from downstairs.

Before winning, Grandmaster was secretive.

After winning, he was remarkably arrogant.

Riding Run Sheng's tricycle, on the way back anyone recognizable, Grandmaster would feign difficulty, saying:

"Oh, just scratched one, how did I win, he has no time for travel."

When others both envied and helped him analyze, Grandmaster would add another sentence:

"It's up to Little Yuanhou and the kids to go for a play, they'll surely be delighted."

Li Zhiyuan went downstairs.

Li Sanjiang happened to be holding the prize ticket as he got off the tricycle.

"Little Yuanhou, here, you can go to Beijing to visit your Grandpa Bei and Grandma Bei."

Love is exclusive, but also inclusive.

Li Sanjiang certainly hoped Little Yuanhou would belong solely to him forever, but he knew for the child to develop well in the future, support from Grandpa Bei's family was essential.

Li Lan, that girl, he had found strange since childhood.

But Li Sanjiang didn't believe Grandpa Bei and Grandma Bei wouldn't adore such a gifted grandson.

Li Zhiyuan accepted the prize ticket, on which the prize had already been scratched off—Family of Five Seven-Day Luxury Tour.

However, there was still a small part left unscratched in the front, Li Zhiyuan gave it a scratch, then said:

"Grandmaster..."

"I won't go, you all go enjoy yourselves, I'll prepare some local specialties to take to your Grandpa Bei and Grandma Bei."

"It's not Beijing..."

"Oh, Grandmaster's got a lot here, can't leave, gotta make money, besides, you go see your Grandpa Bei and Grandma Bei, it's unsuitable for Grandmaster to follow, they might not be happy about it."

Li Zhiyuan could only lay the prize ticket open, handing it to Li Sanjiang, saying:

"Grandmaster, this ticket is not for Beijing."

"Huh, how isn't it, I even had Marquis Runsheng help me take a look."

"There are two characters in front."

Li Sanjiang leaned his eyes closer, took a careful look, and then astonishingly read aloud:

"Yunnan Family of Five Seven-Day Luxury Tour?"