Old Man Yang continued, "Just keep swimming as far as you can go, and see where you can reach. Make sure to keep a low profile when passing by that blacksmith shop, but don't be too worried, either. Your existence makes the water in this creek particularly dark, and if that gives rise to water essence, then that would be beneficial to the refinement of swords, so Master Ruan won't go out of his way to target you. 

“In fact, if you perform your duties diligently, perhaps he'll even bestow some fated opportunities upon you. Even though Jewel Small World is broken, and its spiritual energy is quickly seeping out, it should be able to last for 30 to 40 more years. Master Ruan's status as a Sage is as unshakeable as ever, so this is actually a good thing for him."

"I will be sure to remember your teachings, esteemed immortal," the old woman said in a fawning voice.

Back at the Azure Cow Ridge, an admiring voice suddenly rang out. "What a man of incredible power you are, Senior! Not only were you able to appoint a river guardian, what's most remarkable is that you managed to do so without disturbing the Heavenly Dao."

Old Man Yang remained seated, and he didn't even bother to turn around as he sneered, "The difference between a river guardian and a river god is night and day. Don't tell me that a scholar like yourself is unaware of the difference."

The man who had just arrived was none other than the most studious scholar of Lake View Academy, Cui Minghuang. He was most likely going to be the final outsider to leave this town.

Cui Minghuang smiled as he said, "Even so, this is still an astonishing feat. You've managed to squeeze out a tiny path from what was originally a dead-end....