YM778.TV Chapter 52: Possible to Achieve Hidden Feats 1
“Lake Dongting, also known as Yunmeng Swampland in ancient times, is one of the largest bodies of water within the borders of Great Xia.
For thousands of years in the past, fishermen who lived around the Yunmeng Swampland built temples and worshipped the Dragon Sovereign, praying for favourable weather and abundant fish harvests in the following year.”
“However, for reasons unknown, Yunmeng Swampland has undergone numerous changes over the past several thousand years. The once vast water body either dried up or was absorbed by one of the Four Waterways, the River Ji, leaving only a third of its peak capacity.
The countless fishermen living around Yunmeng Swampland have also experienced numerous water-related disasters and have gradually abandoned their faith in the Dragon Sovereign.”
“Today, only the oldest generation of traditional fishermen still maintain the tradition of worshipping Lord Dragon Sovereign every year.
The remaining younger generation either goes to work in big cities or completely dismisses the beliefs about Lord Dragon Sovereign, resulting in a dwindling number of fishermen on Lake Dongting.”
Shen Yuan sat on a small boat, the boatman wearing a bamboo hat with a face full of melancholy.
Yet, Shen Yuan found the boatman’s lamentations perfectly understandable.
Since ancient times, fishermen have lived on water from birth, with many living on their narrow boats without a proper house.
Even though this is no longer the case in modern society, life on the boat can be hard, thus it is only natural for young people to yearn for the big cities.
Having successfully practiced the Primordial Spirit Sword Control Method last night, Shen Yuan was now ready for the upcoming Dragon Sovereign Feast, and all that remained was to reach Fubo Pond before the banquet begins.
Although Lake Dongting is known as a lake, it is only second to the Four Waterways in terms of the size of its waters within the borders of Great Xia.
It would be no easy task to find Fubo Pond within such bounds, so Shen Yuan had no choice but to seek the assistance of a local old fisherman.
After heading in the direction where humans were gathering for a while, Shen Yuan finally came across the boatman and asked him to row the boat under the pretext of sightseeing Lake Dongting, which led to the previous scene of the boatman telling tales about the Yunmeng Swampland.
Sitting on the wooden boat, slowly sailing past the surrounding mountains, one could not see the end of the lake.
The Maine Coon had disguised itself as an ordinary cat and was huddled in the middle of the cabin, daring not to move in fear of capsizing the boat due to its tremendous size.
As for Bai Xue, she had recovered from her previous cowardly state after leaving the Ghost Market, she was now lying on the bow of the boat, stretching out her little claws trying to play with the fish in the water.
The boatman rowing the boat with a kitten as company, having a serene and elegant feel as though one was travelling through a landscape.
However, at this moment, Shen Yuan was not appreciating the surrounding scenery, instead he was contemplating the legends told by the boatman.
In the boatman’s words, the Dragon Sovereign, the drying up of Yunmeng Swampland, and the alteration of the waterways were all ancient legends passed down for centuries.
Yet to Shen Yuan, the various pieces of information hinted at something else.
“In ancient times, Yunmeng Swampland was overseen by the Dragon Sovereign, yet in the following thousands of years, the Dragon Sovereign vanished, and its vast waters attracted many prowlers.
The drying up and changes of the waterway over thousands of years should have been caused by other Water Gods or Dragon Sovereigns fighting to take over the Yunmeng Swampland water body.
Up to this day, Yunmeng Swampland has turned into Lake Dongting, and Yunmeng Dragon Sovereign has lost its worshippers.”
Surprised at this piece of the Aquatic Tribe’s history, Shen Yuan also realised that beneath their united front, the Aquatic Tribe was rife with power struggles and disputes.
At this thought, Shen Yuan couldn’t help asking the boatman:
“How far back can the history of Yunmeng Swampland be traced?”
Upon hearing this, the boatman paused in his work and thought for a moment before saying:
“My ancestors only migrated to Lake Dongting a few hundred years ago, and most of what I know about Yunmeng Swampland comes from the old myths and stories passed down from one generation to another. I’m not sure about the specific timeline.
But, one thing is certain; the worship of Yunmeng Dragon Sovereign existed ten thousand years ago.”
Seeing the boatman’s uncertain attitude, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but ask, puzzled:
“Wiry are you so certain?”
The boatman looked at Shen Yuan with a somewhat odd expression.
“Even a youngster like you should know if you watch the news a bit more.
About half a year ago, a giant Dragon Sovereign Temple was discovered in the water region of the ancient Yunmeng Swampland. After research by Great Xia’s archaeologists, it was found to have at least ten thousand years of history.
Think about it, a grand Dragon Sovereign Temple that could be built ten thousand years ago; the legend of the Yunmeng Dragon Monarch must certainly predate it.”
While talking, the boatman even showed him a photo of the news on his mobile phone. Shen Yuan took a quick glance and indeed it was a massive temple.
Moreover, in terms of its architectural style, it was somewhat similar to the Falling Clouds Grotto Heavens.
The unexpected confirmation of this piece of news made Shen Yuan quite excited, to the point that even the matter of the banquet held by the Fubo Pond Dragon Monarch was temporarily put on hold.
Since the legend of the Dragon Monarch was widely circulated in the Yunmeng Swampland ten thousand years ago, it must definitely be recorded in the Artificial Intelligence System, which might, in turn, represent a trail leading to a hidden achievement!
“Ten thousand years ago, the Yunmeng Swampland was on a par with the Four Waterways. Although it has declined to its present state, it might have been an important pillar in the Aquatic Tribe system ten thousand years ago.
A variety of Water Gods and Dragon Monarchs dared to swallow the waters of the Yunmeng Swampland, indicating that the Yunmeng Dragon Monarch did indeed encounter troubles several thousands of years ago, let alone during the recent period of Spirit Energy depletion.
It has a long history, numerous legends, and does not face any threats from the Aquatic Tribe Dragon Monarchs.
If we delve into it, maybe we could find a hidden achievement in this Yunmeng Swampland after ten thousand years?”
With this thought in mind, Shen Yuan had made a judgement.
Going to the Fubo Pond to attend the banquet of the Dragon Monarch is important, but it pales in comparison to the chance of obtaining a hidden mission that is right in front of his eyes.
The best course of action currently would be to investigate the legend of the Yunmeng Swampland while confirming the exact date of the Dragon Monarch banquet in the Fubo Pond.
If both can be managed at the same time, that’s naturally the best. But if there’s any conflict, he would have to give up the banquet. After all, what Shen Yuan really wants is the Natural Spirit Pool. Even after the banquet, there’s no problem in trading with the Fubo Dragon Monarch for it.
Shen Yuan directly asked the boatman:
“Do you happen to know the detailed legend of the Yunmeng Swampland? Especially information about the Yunmeng Swampland from ten thousand years ago.”
“Ten thousand years ago? That history is too long. Even the Yunmeng Swampland has dried up, not to mention any information that could have been handed down.”
Shen Yuan looked disappointed, but then he heard the boatman say:
“I am not clear about these legends, but certainly someone else will.”
“Who?”
“Yunmeng Village on the west side of Dongting is, you could say, the oldest village in the whole Yunmeng Swampland and has existed even before Great Xia was established.
Over these thousands of years, many fishermen have given up on worshipping the Dragon Monarch, but only Yunmeng Village has maintained the practice without any changes, and even renovated a temple for the Dragon Monarch that continues to be passed down till today.
It’s a pity that the temple doesn’t have many worshippers, and aside from Yunmeng Village, no one else is willing to go worship.”
“Half a year ago, a businessman wanted to use the popularity from the unearthed Dragon Sovereign Temple to find Yunmeng Village. He proposed to lease the Dragon Sovereign Temple and turn it into a tourist attraction, but was collectively opposed by the people of Yunmeng Village, and so the matter ended there.”
“Though, if you are thinking of going to Yunmeng Village, I recommend waiting a bit.”
Shen Yuan was puzzled and asked, “Wiry?”
The boatman seemed to assure himself of something by glancing to his right and left, then cautiously said to Shen Yuan:
“That Yunmeng Village, has attracted a monster!”