111 River Experience (1/2)
The next day
As the most experienced person among the group, Jia Shan guided Xu Miao and the company toward the northwest, following a small stream toward the long Crimson River.
The stream flowed from a nearby mountain to the river, so it was the best clean water source for the party. Xu Miao stocked enough water for the long journey.
It took them half a day to reach the Crimson River. As its name, the entire river was as red as blood.
”Have you been here before, Xu Miao?”
”No, senior. This is my first time.”
Jia Shan chuckled as he taught Xu Miao about the river history, ”This is the famous Crimson River, the longest river of this continent. Legend said that an immortal was sealed under the bedrocks, and his blood flows into the river. However, nobody can confirm this legend or survive after diving into the river.”
”Huh?” Xu Miao tilted his head, finding the story odd, ”Are you sure? Aren't the redness from some kind of pathogens or bacteria?”
”Pa-to-what?”
”Never mind. Say, even a 7th-stage cultivator like you can't survive inside the river?”
Xu Miao gazed at the wide river. Judging from his eyes, it was at least a kilometer wide. The red water moved from west to east, which was similar to China's Yellow River.
”I think you should experience it yourself. Scoop a handful of water from the river and throw them away.”
Xu Miao's face distorted. He got paranoid, ”My hands won't dissolve from the acid, right?”
”It's not acidic. Actually, it will just make you… a bit crazy.”
”How crazy?”
”A Li~~~~~ttle tiny bit crazy,” Jia Shan burst into laughter as if he was looking forward to seeing a good show.
Sensing the ominous prank of the senior, Xu Miao turned to his yin slaves, whom Xu Miao had adjusted the traits and behavior last night.
”Pan Xiaofan!”
The leader of the 10 ex-broken slaves saluted like a modern soldier, ”Yes, master!”
”Scoop the river water with your hands. Don't drink it.”
”… Can I refuse?”
Xu Miao raised his eyebrows, ”Why?”
”It will make me… crazy.”
”How crazy?”
”VERY crazy.”
”…”
Xu Miao glanced at Jia Shan, ”You said – Li~~~~~ttle tiny bit crazy. Why did she say VERY crazy?”
”It's your imagination.”
”…”
Xu Miao turned to the slave girls and Wei Yuan. For some reason, everyone shook their head, ”We're not going to do it. We had done it at least once this year. We can't do it anymore.”
Jiang Lan and Kang Yan also seemed afraid of the river. They hugged each other, and they were on the verge of crying, ”Please don't let us do it. It's shameful. We'd rather die.”
”…”
Xu Miao turned to Jia Shan again, ”Li~~~~~ttle crazy?”
”Li~~~~~ttle crazy.”
”How crazy?”
”Li~~~~~ttle, little crazy.”
Xu Miao frowned and looked at everyone again. Now, everyone avoided eye contact.
”Fine. I'll test it out. If I do something a li~~~~~ttle crazy, I won't take responsibility for my action.”
Jia Shan waved his hand and smiled, ”Don't worry. We all have done it many times in the past. It's a necessary rite of passage.”
Upon hearing the word, [Rite of Passage], Xu Miao had a change of heart, ”Now, I don't want to touch this river water anymore.”
”If I say that you'll get some immunity against elemental attacks, such as fire, ice, or thunder, will you touch it?”
Xu Miao was surprised, ”Oh? You should have said it earlier! The river water can strengthen us? But why did you say that no one can survive after diving into the river.”
”You have to experience it yourself.”
”…”
It was suspicious, a li~~~~~ttle too suspicious to the point that Xu Miao wanted to toss Jia Shan into the river as a guinea pig. Yet, Xu Miao walked to the river and scooped a handful of water.
\u003c\u003cWarning! You've touched the diluted blood of the Rooster God.\u003e\u003e
\u003c\u003cThe remnant of Rooster God's will has temporarily controlled your body!\u003e\u003e
Xu Miao clicked his tongue when the system told him the true identity of the Crimson River. He tossed all water in his hand and leaped away from the riverbank.
But it was too late.
Xu Miao suddenly bent his knees and elbows. He flapped the fold-in elbows and raised his chin.
POGPOK!!
A weird rooster's noise came out from Xu Miao's throat.
Then, he roared.
AEK-EE-AEK-AEEEEKKK!!
It was a weird rooster's cry.
Xu Miao kept flapped his wings, aka folded arms. Then, he widened his mouth and cried proudly.
AEK-EE-COCK-KOOO!!
”…”
Jia Shan didn't laugh or hold back his laughter. He only nodded as Xu Miao's rooster cry was unique, ”I remember that I did something like, cock-koo-doo-doo.”
Jiang Lan, Kang Yan, and Wei Yuan had a wry smile. They couldn't laugh since Xu Miao reminded them of their dark past. Everyone averted their eyes, waiting for the shameful experience to end.