On the second day of July, the vast Southern Border was in upheaval.

A new canal began from the Yuan Cang River, but it was not solely confined to the Yuan Cang River basin.

On Xiao Feng Mountain, the Ugly Monkey scratched its ears and cheeks, chittering urgently in front of the Water Mirror.

"So daring! So audacious! Can a canal really be built like this?"

The Ugly Monkey's eyes were almost pressed against the Water Mirror, sometimes in awe, sometimes unable to resist dampening the mood with a splash of cold water,

"The terrain here is treacherous. If the elevation drop isn't resolved, how will the water flow past? Even if it does, I'm afraid it won't be navigable by boats.

Hiss, can the lock gates be separated like this? And, can the swift currents be turned gentle... Damn it, why didn't I think of that?"

The Ugly Monkey was so angry that its big eyes were about to pop out of their sockets, and its shaggy cheeks puffed up and down.

Unable to hold back, it asked Mr. Zhou, "Master! Aren't we really going to steal the credit? Ah, ptooey! Ptooey ptooey ptooey, steal credit indeed, how foolish of me!

Master, aren't we really going to help? I see that one called Wen Daoyuan, his mana seems to be a bit insufficient.

Aigh, they've passed Anping Mansion. Now they must cross the Yunheng Mountain Range. The Jingheng Road is difficult to pass, either detour or open the mountain.

Master, why don't we help one more time, assist them in opening the mountain?"

Before the words had finished, the Water Mirror also emitted a series of chattering monkey calls.

In an instant, a group of monkey demons appeared running out from the vast mountains.

The leading old monkey stood seven feet tall, covered in white fur, dragging a gigantically long vajra staff over a zhang in length.

It was unclear where its precious staff came from, but its laughter echoed all around the sky:

"Mr. Chen, Huihou of Lingxi Mountain, Hou Yuancun brings the tribe to meet you, to assist in opening the mountain!"

It turned out to be the Grey Monkey tribe from Lingxi Mountain, who came after hearing the news.

The Grey Monkey King had drunk the Jade Liquid Heart-Clarifying Wine, now successfully condensed its Demon Core, grew larger in size, and its demonic power enhanced, becoming a true Great Demon.

It had cultivated for many years, with a deep foundation.

Now, after accumulating for long, it succeeded in cultivating its Demon Core in one go and possessed extraordinary divine powers.

The precious staff weighed a full 8,900 jin, opening mountains and cracking stones with ease.

On this side of the Water Mirror, the Ugly Monkey glared, so furious that its fur stood like steel needles.

Both monkeys, the white-furred old monkey carried the treasure staff, led its fellow monkeys and monkey descendants to the mountains and forests, full of spirit, attending such an epoch-making event.

While it, the Ugly Monkey, was trapped on this barren, desolate Xiao Feng Mountain, unable to leave this small box to the truly vast great thousand world, not even free within the small box's range.

"Furious is the Monkey Lord!" the Ugly Monkey roared, "Trifling Little Demons, dare to call themselves Monkey King? Not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth, truly do not know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

Yet the appearance of the Grey Monkey King was just the beginning.

Later, when a certain mountain path across the Yunheng Mountain Range was widened with the help of many monkey demons, but Wen Daoyuan began to struggle with his diminishing mana, unable to contain the raging waters rushing from behind—

Chen Xu was about to take over, but saw a giant figure over ten zhang long emerging from the waves behind.

The figure was slender and towering, at first glance resembling a dragon.

But upon closer inspection, the creature lacked horns on its head and claws on its body, it turned out to be a Snake Demon that had matured.

The Snake Demon called loudly, "Mr. Chen, Little Demon Bai Cang, having heard of your intent to carry out the grand South-to-North Water Diversion, I've come specially to assist.

Please order me, Little Demon commands the water and grasps the waves, at your service!"

As soon as the words fell, the giant snake plunged into the rolling river water, controlling the waves, rushing instantly into the newly opened river channel ahead.

The expansive river water, the giant snake weaving through, connecting the white waves to the sky, appeared from afar like a magnificent mythical tableau.

This giant snake was not some Little Demon; it was the Shimmering Star Lake Water Monarch, an ancient demon with far longer cultivation than the Grey Monkey King, with deep mana.

The Shimmering Star Lake Water Monarch, though not transformed into a dragon, its ability to control and command water, summon clouds and rain, ranked top in the entirety of Great Li.

The Ugly Monkey on this side of the Water Mirror fretted, scratching its head and face, muttering:

"Chen Xu, has broad connections. There's the Ghost King, the monkey demon, now a big serpent appears, who knows what other beings will come to assist him?

In my opinion, this should be enough."

The Ugly Monkey spoke with a resentful tone, staring with wide-open eyes at the Water Mirror.

Then from the Celestial South to the Northern Land, from midday till the setting sun, it watched as the canal was being excavated in full swing.

It was not relying on the efforts of the common folk; instead, it was entirely magic, bringing divine into the mortal.

Yet it was not devoid of human participation.

Any household near the canal mostly heard Wen Daoyuan's grand proclamations.

The article "Plan to Pacify the Locust Demon" was recited repeatedly by him, and the influence of the Great Scholar's teachings allowed most listeners to vaguely grasp the true meaning of the text.

While some deep some shallow, some more some less in comprehension, along the way, there were always commoners who spontaneously came forth.

Ordinary people, like peddlers and peasants, craftsmen carrying hoes, those with baskets brought baskets... Bringing whatever they had at hand, doing whatever they could.

Even if it was merely digging a few shovels of earth, carrying a few loads of gravel, it was a contribution.

Though it might not have been of great help, the collective will and direction of the masses was, at this moment, the greatest support for Wen Daoyuan.

The map Chen Xu had drawn earlier, the Map of North and South Mountains and Rivers, once it landed on the earth, absorbed powers from all directions, growing rapidly.

The Treasure Map, though invisible at the moment, continuously shed golden light, guiding the swift excavation of the canal.

A grand momentum formed between heaven and earth, making everything from the myths seemingly manifest in reality at this very moment.

The Ugly Monkey watched with excitement, anxiety, and inexplicable anger.

It waved its shriveled, furry claws, counting sharply:

"Three thousand miles, four thousand miles, five thousand miles... so fast! Zizi, the Yunheng Mountains are also crossed, hey, now no more demons or ghosts can come to help Chen Xu, can they?"

Just as the Ugly Monkey finished speaking, the canal finally crossed the Yunheng Mountains, about to extend the mighty river flow into Jingheng Dao.

From dozens of miles away, a wolf's howl suddenly arose.

"Awooo—"

The howl of the Wolf Demon rolled like thunder, making the whole earth seem to tremble.

The Ugly Monkey stared at the Water Mirror, instantly excited: "Huh, is there going to be an enemy? Yes, yes, traveling from south to north. Now in the Sixteen States of Beijiang, it's all hot and toxic.

The North-South Water Transfer isn't just about the river crossing the Yunheng Mountains; the most critical part is how to make the river flow into the Northern Land!

The Great Demons of the Northern Land are different from those in the south. Surely, the Great Demons of the Northern Land aren't going to help Chen Xu, this kid, are they?"

It couldn't help but gloat.

Unaware, Mr. Zhou beside it glanced at it helplessly.

Mr. Zhou even extended his withered palm as if wanting to flick the Ugly Monkey's head again.

But he didn't, because just then, the Water Mirror showed new changes.

Dust rolled, and a pack of wolves charged forward.

Suddenly, the leading Wolf King leaped into mid-air, transforming into a towering man over ten feet tall.

This strong man wore a loose vest, with clusters of wolf hair sprouting from his chest, and wolf ears atop his head, his wild nature still unmistakable.

The Wolf Demon spoke, his voice like a thunderous drum, yet he asked, "Daoist of the Human Race, your roast chicken is quite delicious. I want to ask, do you have any more roast chicken?

If you're willing to give five... no, three, three roast chickens, I will lead my pack to help you open the land and clear the way."

Wow!

The dignified Wolf King could be bribed with just three roast chickens.

He didn't just want three roast chickens; he even bargained himself down!

In front of the Water Mirror, the Ugly Monkey was dumbfounded.

It gurgled urgently in its throat, angrily shouting: "Shame of the Demon Race, what Wolf King? According to this monkey, this is just a... a... a rice bucket! Ouch..."

Thud!

Mr. Zhou's flick finally landed on the Ugly Monkey's head once more.

Accompanied by a sudden hearty laugh from Mr. Zhou.

The Ugly Monkey covered its head, daring not to speak in protest.

Next, the Ugly Monkey saw that not only was the Northern Border asking the Wolf Demon for roast chicken, but the Snake Demon also came to ask for roast chicken.

This snake differed from the Bai Cang Water Monarch, as Bai Cang could control water and stir waves, while this snake excelled at turning soil.

Its massive body arched across the cracked land, effortlessly plowing a deep furrow.

This snake also led its kind, dozens of giant snakes working the soil, with the canal cutting through the land like arrows, advancing a hundred miles in no time.

The Ugly Monkey grew more excited as it watched, no longer swearing, but instead muttering repeatedly:

"Thousands of miles of drought, this North-South Water Transfer isn't just about transferring water over here, you know.

I'm afraid even if the canal can be opened, the river might seep into the ground or evaporate in an instant... hey, it's tough."

The Ugly Monkey's words became prophetic.

On the other side of the Water Mirror, things progressed briskly.

The people who came from all places along the route, unable to follow the canal for thousands of miles, could see the river flowing locally, their hearts surged with joy, loudly cheering "The immortals are watching."

As the canal passed through the Yunheng Mountains, the disaster victims of the Northern Border arrived, crying tears of joy, unable to contain themselves.

"Heavens, am I seeing things? Am I really not mistaken? Water, this is really water! Drinkable water, hahaha!"

The disaster victims surged like a swarm of ants, flocking to both sides of the canal.

Some even ignored warnings, yelling as they leapt "thud" into the river.

"Water's here! So much water, a whole river of water, hahaha... I have water to drink now, I won't die of thirst anymore, gulp gulp..."

The disaster victims shouted wildly, laughing and crying in a frenzy of joy.

However, those who leaped into the river did manage to drink water, but at the same time, leaping into the river can also drown!

With a few "plop plop" sounds, shouts of "Ah, save me—" rang out.

But it was too late.

In an instant, a dozen or so people sank to the riverbed, drowned.

The changes occurred so swiftly that neither Chen Xu and Wen Daoyuan, flying in the air, nor the Shimmering Star Water Monarch controlling water, nor the other demons helping to open the canal, were able to react.

Resentment surged to the sky in an instant; this was the Northern Border!

What should be done?

The Ugly Monkey exclaimed, "Ouch."

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