Guarding the River of Time

Chapter 427 - 417: Long River’s Water Level Drops, the Calm Before the Storm

The Silk Grass Waters in front of them were now dried up. On the muddy riverbed, a dozen fish traps set up by Su Mu lay scattered around.

"Nannan, don’t come over here yet."

Speaking, Su Mu rolled up his pants, stepped onto the mud, and walked toward the fish traps. With a wave of his hand, Spiritual Power erupted, uncovering the mud that buried the fish traps.

He lifted the mud-covered fish trap and found only a few fish carcasses inside. They appeared to be fine specimens of Treasure Fish, but they had died from long exposure to air.

Their flesh had already decayed, releasing waves of stench.

He checked the remaining fish traps, and all were similar. The Treasure Fish were caught, but due to the dryness of the waters, they had all died, and some even rotted.

This area was a small pond, about 3,000 square meters in size, not large.

Drying up was quite normal; the only unusual part was that the pond was near his home. He often brought Nannan here to collect fish, so he dedicated some effort to cultivating this small pond by planting some aquatic plants suitable for fish growth. Every visit included maintenance and reinforcement, and he frequently added some "bait" to lure fish.

Thus, this small pond had been a priority "fishing spot" for Su Mu over the years. To prevent it from drying up, the water source was diverted from the main river channel.

Why did it dry up?

It was all fine when I visited last month!

At this moment, Su Mu suddenly thought of something!

He went to the nearby main river channel, opened his Divine Sense, and carefully surveyed the area, suddenly shocked.

The water level in the main river channel had dropped by one meter!

Now, the reason for the small pond’s drying was found, as the water in the small pond was diverted from the main river channel. With the main river channel’s water level dropping, there was no water level difference, and without a source entering, it led to drying up.

....

But?

Why did the main river channel’s water level drop by a whole meter?

This isn’t some tributary; it’s the main river channel. The sources of all tributary waters originate from the main river channel. With the main river channel’s water level dropping by one meter, countless tributary waters would have dried up.

....

Su Mu couldn’t figure it out either. There wasn’t any scorching sun, so why did the water level drop by a meter in just a month?

He had been guarding the river for years, and the water level had never changed.

Even during those two major floods, after proper flood discharge, the water level would indeed temporarily drop, but only for a short time, quickly returning to normal. This meant the source of the river was very ample, with strong regulatory and risk resistance abilities.

...

Su Mu returned to the muddy riverbed, rubbed his chin, paced back and forth, pondering the reason.

"Dad, it seems like there’s something in the mud."

Nannan pointed to a bubbling spot in the mud and said.

The next second.

A snowy white otter burst out from the mud, seemingly holding something in its mouth.

This otter was the very same White Moon Otter that had just emerged from a burrow from underground.

The White Moon Otter crawled towards Su Mu.

Seeing this, Su Mu crouched down and took the item from the White Moon Otter’s mouth.

It was a broken piece of copper, the Spirit Charm lost, likely a fragment fallen from some Magical Treasure.

Though the Spirit Charm had disappeared, there still remained faint traces of aura on it.

Carefully sensing this subtle aura, Su Mu furrowed his brow, feeling as if he had seen it somewhere before, but could not recall it at the moment.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted.

Flood!

Precisely, during the last flood, several powerful enemies appeared without warning, cornering him and almost bringing him into peril.

The same faint aura on those people and the residue on the copper piece were identical.

This implies the main river channel’s water level drop might be related to "those people"?

But, how did they manage?

Causing the entire main river channel’s water level to drop by a meter is a massive undertaking, at least impossible to complete quietly under his nose; it’s utterly impossible.

However, the copper piece discovered by the White Moon Otter indeed served as a warning to Su Mu.

He had been targeted.

He even suspected the first flood wasn’t a coincidence, probably aimed at him as well, possibly orchestrated by the same group of people responsible for both floods!

During the last flood, all who cornered him were slain by him.

Yet, he speculated they were likely just pawns under someone’s orders, with the real mastermind behind the scenes yet to appear.

He wondered why, diligently working on the river all these years without offending anyone, he unwittingly made enemies?

Moreover, these enemies weren’t simple.

....

"Thank you, little one."

Su Mu smiled at the White Moon Otter as he put away the piece of copper, an incredibly important clue.

Nannan waved her small hand, producing a Spirit Fruit, and offered it to the White Moon Otter, saying, "Adorable little one, thank you for helping Dad. Would you like some fruit?"

She wasn’t sure if the White Moon Otter ate fruit, but according to the Ancient Texts, White Moon Otters only ate small fish and shrimp.

However, she couldn’t catch fish without getting into the water, so she could only reward it with a Spirit Fruit.

The White Moon Otter took the fruit offered by Nannan, opened its mouth, and stored it in its cheek. Such a large fruit was stored in the cheek without showing at all; looks like the White Moon Otter’s cheek had an "independent space".

....

Su Mu gazed at the White Moon Otter with a hint of delight in his eyes.

Unexpectedly, although the White Moon Otter appeared ordinary, its sense of smell was incredibly keen, noticing the copper piece deep in the mud when even he didn’t.

This sense of smell was arguably the best among all Spirit Beasts he’d encountered.

For a moment, he felt an urge to foster this talent.

Perhaps, take it home to raise?

....

"Adorable little one, would you like to come home with us?"

"Our house isn’t big, but we can spare a place for you to stay."

Nannan was so perceptive, always noticing every emotional change in her father. She sensed her father wanted to take this little otter home.

"With your agility, you must be great at catching fish."

"From now on, you can accompany us to catch fish."

Nannan said with a smile to the White Moon Otter.

It must be said, Nannan had a natural affinity for these small animals, sincerely.

The little ones at home also became more cohesive and harmonious due to Nannan’s presence.

The White Moon Otter gazed at Nannan, conflicted, making a significant decision.....