Chapter 513: Chapter 503: A New Path, the Reason for the Falling Water Level

"Brother Su, take this fish with you."

Elder Bai Mei lifted his head and looked earnestly at Su Mu.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu was stunned, finding it a bit strange, and he asked, "Is this fish... very special?"

Su Mu wasn’t a fool; he noticed Elder Bai Mei’s change in demeanor. The elder seemed to hold this fish in high regard.

In response, Elder Bai Mei did not intend to hide anything, and he said, "Among all the fish I raised, this one is the most special."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu glanced at the transparent fish in his hand and said, "If that’s the case, I should return it to you."

Just as Su Mu was about to release it, Elder Bai Mei stopped him, "Brother Su, wait a moment."

"That’s not what I mean."

"Although this fish is special, it can’t realize its full potential staying with me."

"I hope Brother Su can raise it well and not release it into the river."

This fish was Elder Bai Mei’s greatest backup, but now he decided to give it away to pave a new path forward.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu carefully examined the transparent fish in his hand, but no matter how he looked, he couldn’t discern anything special about it.

The fish’s aura was very ordinary, even somewhat weak, and could hardly be called a "Treasure Fish."

"Brother Su, this fish hasn’t truly grown yet. When you raise it to a certain stage, you will understand."

Saying this, Elder Bai Mei paused and smiled, "Although this fish is special, it holds special meaning only for me because it’s the first fish I raised in this pond."

"It won’t affect me in any way, so Brother Su doesn’t need to feel burdened."

"I just hope Brother Su can take good care of it."

He was concerned that Su Mu might hesitate to accept it, so he said this on purpose.

Initially, he feared Su Mu would take it away, now he dreaded Su Mu might not.

"Actually... I also have a small request." Fearing Su Mu might refuse, Elder Bai Mei continued, "If anyone inquires about me, I hope Brother Su can help me conceal the fact that I live here."

Su Mu was stunned at the words.

"Because I have many enemies," Elder Bai Mei laughed heartily.

At this, Su Mu laughed and said, "That’s a small matter, a small matter."

"I told you, whatever difficulties you encounter, just let me know; if I can help, I definitely will."

Unconsciously, the bond between the two deepened.

.....

The two sat in the courtyard and chatted freely.

Though it was their first meeting, Su Mu could feel Elder Bai Mei’s sincerity, at least a genuine intention to become friends.

Su Mu didn’t have many friends, so making a new one would give him another path; in cultivation, networking is indeed important.

....

"It’s getting late, I have to leave now."

Su Mu looked up at the dusking sky, and stood up to speak.

Recently, the river had become increasingly unsettled, and he usually returned home by nightfall.

Upon hearing this, Elder Bai Mei also stood up and said, "Alright, I won’t keep Brother Su then. Feel free to come anytime, you’re always welcome."

After saying this, Elder Bai Mei thought of something and continued, "Brother Su, regarding the reason for the water level drop, I think I know some clues..."

At these words, Su Mu raised his eyebrows, "Brother Yang knows?"

"It’s just a guess, not certain." Although Elder Bai Mei had detached himself from all conflicts of the Ten Thousand Realms and no longer paid attention, now that he decided to follow Su Mu, he had to contribute in some way.

"It’s getting late; if Brother Su is busy, next time when you’re free, I’ll take you there."

"I’m not very busy," Su Mu replied.

...

"Then please follow me, Brother Su."

With that, Elder Bai Mei led Su Mu towards the waters outside.

The two walked one in front and one behind over the waters, step by step towards the depths.

As they walked, Su Mu noticed that the water flow speed increased the deeper they went.

The current was at least ten times the speed of the main river; yet the terrain was flat, so why the huge discrepancy in flow speed?

...

Elder Bai Mei walked slowly, though it was already his fastest pace. Given such high water speed, it was not easy for him to walk on the Water of Time.

Su Mu, following behind, didn’t rush him.

After about half an hour, the sound of rushing water came from ahead.

The deeper they went, the louder the sound.

Finally, they arrived at a junction.

There stood a protruding bluish stone at the junction. After getting on it, Elder Bai Mei pointed ahead and said, "I’m not quite sure, but it could be because of this...."

Su Mu looked ahead, his pupils constricting sharply.

Ahead lay a massive abyss, a hundred meters wide and fathomless, with ten tributaries racing toward its depths, every moment sending torrents of water into this abyss.

The sight was truly magnificent.

This abyss voraciously devoured the incoming torrents, as if bottomless, consuming everything.

Witnessing this, Su Mu inhaled sharply, given such substantial water loss, it’s bizarre if the river level doesn’t drop!

"Has this abyss always been here?"

Su Mu asked Elder Bai Mei.

As this abyss was nearby, Elder Bai Mei, who lived here for years, should know well.

Upon hearing this, Elder Bai Mei shook his head, "No."

"It appeared three months ago."

....

’Three months ago?’ Hearing Elder Bai Mei specify the time accurately, Su Mu’s brow furrowed deeply.

"I’m unsure of the exact timing, but approximately three months ago."

"At the time... I was napping in the courtyard when I suddenly heard a loud crash, the whole ground started shaking violently, and I could clearly feel the tremor from the courtyard."

Elder Bai Mei’s face reflected contemplation, with a flash of fear passing through his pupils.

At the time, he thought something major had happened to the River of Time.....

"I followed the commotion here, then saw this abyss."

"I suspect this was blasted open forcefully....."

As he spoke, Elder Bai Mei couldn’t help but swallow. Across All Heavens and Myriad Realms, those who could blast such an abyss on the River of Time must be those at the pinnacle.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu fell into deep thought.

Three months ago.....

Logically, considering the coverage of his Divine Sense, he should have detected any commotion on the Long River. Such a huge disturbance couldn’t have escaped his notice.

"Brother Yang, could you recall more precisely how many days ago?" Su Mu asked Elder Bai Mei.