......

Lu Ding gazed at the sky.

Yan Feifan stepped across the water and stopped beside him.

"Brother Lu, unexpected good news - I just found its original form in the bureau's database."

"It's appeared here before, clashed with the 749 Bureau, and even flooded half a county downstream. Currently on the wanted list."

"Worth a thousand contribution points."

An unexpected windfall, though already secured.

Lu Ding didn't comment further.

Withdrawing his gaze from the sky, he muttered: "Can't even die peacefully, calling for help now?"

"Protecting the path?" Lu Ding sneered.

"Let's see who dares come protect it!"

"Feifan, contact Yunhai and move into Blackwater Market. Tell them to bring extra prisoner transport vehicles - might not have enough seats otherwise."

The paperwork was already settled. They hadn't moved in earlier to avoid startling Di She and his so-called "Uncle Shui."

Now that things had escalated, this monster was calling for backup.

As if Lu Ding couldn't do the same.

If it came to summoning reinforcements, he could bring the entire Yunhai 749 Bureau down here.

Besides.

Who didn't have connections?

Yunmeng, Xitong, Luoyao... If Lu Ding really called, deputy directors would come running from all these places.

"Got it, Brother Lu!!"

Yan Feifan pulled out his phone to make the call.

Lu Ding moved forward.

The usually quiet Wutian suddenly spoke: "Amitabha, Investigator Lu, shall we still proceed? After your earlier strike..."

"This humble monk senses something awakening inside. Extremely dangerous."

"Moreover, Drowned Corpse Cave only has this one entrance."

Lu Ding understood Wutian's concern.

But...

"If that fish spirit let Di She escape inside, it means there might be life-saving opportunities within."

"If there's a possibility, we must strangle that possibility until it becomes impossible."

"As for danger? If he dares enter, why shouldn't I?"

"But Investigator Lu, your life is far more valuable than his."

Normal thinking suggested jade shouldn't clash with rubble.

But Lu Ding wanted complete control.

He couldn't risk Di She obtaining some heaven-defying opportunity inside that might let him reverse his fate and become a threat later.

All unstable factors must be eliminated in their infancy.

"Monk, wait outside and monitor the situation. If Di She emerges, capture him for me."

With that.

Lu Ding flew forward without looking back.

This also gave Wutian an honorable exit.

Since the monk sensed danger and warned him.

Lu Ding saw no need to drag him into peril.

Nor would he say something dismissive like "stay if you're scared."

When others show genuine concern, one should reciprocate in kind.

After finishing his call, Yan Feifan immediately followed Lu Ding.

Without hesitation.

Wutian hurriedly blocked him, but before he could speak:

"Master, don't worry," Yan Feifan preempted, "I heard your warning. I can protect myself - walk through walls, run if necessary."

"Besides, Brother Lu shouldn't go in alone without support. He's not used to working solo."

"Master, you holding the perimeter outside would be perfect. Much obliged."

Yan Feifan sidestepped Wutian to chase after Lu Ding.

Wutian watched the two depart.

Between his brows, invisible to others, red light flickered intensely.

After brief consideration.

He removed his prayer beads.

"Amitabha. Knowing the mountain harbors tigers, yet deliberately traveling tiger paths. If you can do it, so can I!!"

The trio entered Drowned Corpse Cave together.

In the dim environment.

Lu Ding examined his latest acquisition.

[Contained Creature: Aoyu]

[Containment Reward: Aoyu Shield Technique]

[Aoyu Shield Technique: Extreme durability. Erects mountain-like shields capable of blocking all things]

Seeing "Aoyu," Lu Ding was genuinely surprised that fish spirit wasn't ordinary.

He'd assumed it was just some oversized black fish.

Turned out it had pedigree.

[Folk Tales], [Huainanzi]... and other ancient texts mentioned this creature.

Though descriptions varied.

Judging by the giant black fish's true form:

One [Folk Tales] entry claimed Aoyu was the eldest son of the true dragon.

The phrase "standing atop the Aoyu's head" referred to it.

Another entry said:

Aoyu wasn't the firstborn, but still dragon offspring - sired by a dragon and giant catfish.

Lu Ding remembered this mainly from reading Ghost Blows Out the Light in his past life, encountering the "Ironhead Dragon King" and getting curious.

His research turned up Aoyu as the prototype.

Another similarity: Aoyu inhabited the ancient "Yellow River" described in texts.

Lurking beneath to ram passing ships with its iron-hard head, sinking vessels and drowning crews.

[Aoyu dwells beneath Yellow River. Largest specimens exceed seventy zhang (210m). Black-scaled, armored. Head hard as iron. Attacks merchant vessels...]

This head-hardening trait led ancients to engrave its image on shields.

There was even a folk tale:

Originally, this design appeared among rebel forces.

Rebels couldn't match imperial troops in equipment quality.

So they used psychological tactics.

'Listen up! These shields bear Aoyu - the Dragon King's son, tougher than hell, head so hard it cracks walnuts!'

'In battle, just block with these. Nothing gets through!'

The soldiers believed it.

Good for morale.

When battle came:

Imperial troops swung their blades: 'This eight-pound-six-ounce saber cuts iron like mud, severs hair on the wind! Surrender or die!'

Rebel soldiers raised shields, gripping notched blades: 'Bullshit! Ever seen Aoyu shields? Try cutting this!'

Clash after clash ensued.

Surprisingly.

The shields held.

Rebels counterattacked with chipped blades - only to get stuck in bone.

Imperial soldiers raged: 'Cheating bastard! Said I could swing freely!'

Rebel kept sawing with the serrated edge.

Well.

If the blade's notched, might as well use it as a saw.

Thus the Aoyu shield design endured.

Of course, just folklore.

Truth uncertain.

But entertaining.

When Lu Ding first read this, the imagery amused him greatly.

Judging by that fish spirit's performance:

Despite bloodline advantages, its cultivation was lacking.

Wasted such illustrious origins.

Lu Ding didn't know - without its obsession, Shui Xuan wouldn't have degraded so.

Drowned Corpse Cave's Human Transformation Art was both its opportunity and tribulation.

Moreover, it was merely of Aoyu lineage - its bloodline purity nowhere near the real deal.

Suddenly.

Lu Ding realized the Aoyu Shield Technique overlapped with Stone Daredevil (Evil-Warding Rebirth Stele) functionality.

Might they merge?

Lo and behold.

The golden finger's pages shimmered as scripts dissolved and reformed.

[Evil-Warding Rebirth Stele - Ready]

[Aoyu Shield Technique - Ready]

The two techniques fused.

Not yielding another technique, but... a spell!

..