Chapter 30: Old Octopus

The sudden turn of events threw me into confusion. As the raft was overturned by the towering waves, I instinctively leapt upwards, propelled purely by reflex. My jump carried me more than ten meters high, and when I landed, it was neither too early nor too late—I found myself right atop the colossal creature. It resembled an enormous octopus, its body as large as a small mountain, shrouded in darkness. Eight tentacles danced in the air, and I was instantly reminded of the Kraken from "Pirates of the Caribbean," its appearance uncanny.

After the waves engulfed Yu Jing, he swiftly resurfaced and swam toward the distance. The octopus emerged, immediately extending its massive tentacles toward Yu Jing, as if it had long been aware of our presence. Yu Jing, seasoned by storms and peril, faced the octopus without waiting for me to strike. He floated motionless in the water, and as the tentacles curled toward him, he sprang from the river, landing steadily atop its surface.

The octopus’s tentacles lashed mercilessly at Yu Jing. Rather than retreat, he advanced, shifting abruptly to the left before the tentacle could reach him, then leaped and landed atop the giant octopus’s head. I held my breath, worried for him. The octopus’s head provided ample space, nearly half a basketball court, and its tentacles swung violently around us. Dodging as best I could, I pondered our next move. This couldn’t go on. I signaled Yu Jing to create chaos atop the octopus’s head, drawing its attention, while I quietly slipped beneath the water.

Yu Jing unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks, his wind-laced fists pounding the octopus’s head. The creature seemed stunned by the tenacity of its two insignificant adversaries and grew increasingly frenzied, swaying violently in the river. All eight tentacles stirred the waters, boiling the entire river surface.

Underwater, I targeted the octopus’s vulnerable abdomen, ready to strike. Suddenly, an uncontrollable pull drew me toward the creature—its huge suction cups, each as broad as a basin, had caught me. If I were trapped, I wouldn’t escape unscathed. Worst of all, my lungs felt ready to burst, my consciousness fading. I refused to give in—I couldn’t die here, not with the white fox still awaiting rescue. I tensed every muscle, releasing the black stream of energy within me, swiftly forming a shield of dark energy.

The suction eased, and I struggled toward the surface for air. At that moment, the octopus’s tentacles curled around me again. In the water, hindered and unable to dodge, I was tightly ensnared. The tentacles squeezed ever tighter; I could hear my bones breaking and feel agonizing pain. At last, I unleashed all my energy. The black mark on my forehead expanded outward, forming a jet-black portal.

A cool sensation radiated from my forehead. Before I could grasp what was happening, the river froze solid. I struggled fiercely, and the octopus’s tentacle split open just enough for me to escape. My body ablaze with fire, I shot out from the ice, landing greedily atop the frozen river, gulping in fresh air. Yu Jing jumped down from the octopus’s head, bewildered, and asked, “What happened here?”

“The hole on your forehead…”

I touched my brow and found a genuine opening. I couldn’t say how it came about, so I simply recounted my underwater ordeal. By now, the river was solid ice, and the octopus was trapped within a massive block, its head protruding above the surface. Its enormous eyes fixed upon us, and what seemed like tear stains glistened beneath them.

Could it be seeking our help to thaw itself? Yu Jing noticed the change and approached the octopus’s eyes, saying, “Brother Yunfei, the octopus is crying.”

I stood and walked over, each step agonizing. I felt my right ribs—two were broken.

“What now?” I asked Yu Jing. Should we help thaw it, or simply leave? Who could guarantee it wouldn’t attack us once freed? Yu Jing, native to this world, surely could give me a clear answer, but he looked troubled and said, “I don’t know.”

I thought it best we leave; there were more urgent matters to attend to, no time to linger. Yu Jing supported me as we crossed toward the riverbank. We’d barely gone a few steps when heavy breathing sounded behind us. I turned to see the giant octopus struggling from the ice. I hurriedly signaled Yu Jing to run, but just as we started, a hoarse and urgent voice called out from behind.

“Please wait, both of you.”

Yu Jing and I turned simultaneously.

“Are you speaking?” I asked, staring at the enormous eyes.

“Yes, it is I. Forgive me for earlier offenses,” the octopus replied.

An octopus speaking? Had I not witnessed it myself, I would never believe it. I stepped forward, asking, “You can talk?”

The octopus crawled from its icy prison. “It’s nothing unusual. I have cultivated for ten thousand years and long mastered human speech. Were it not for the water spirit beast draining my spiritual energy, I would have ascended to the celestial realm long ago.”

Water spirit beast, spiritual energy, celestial realm—could there truly be gods? I pressed for more. The river, it explained, was once a humble stream. Years ago, after a torrential rain, the waters swelled and a water spirit beast appeared. This beast had no true form, often shifting shapes, able to merge with water and nearly undetectable.

Just as the octopus was about to ascend, the water spirit beast stole its spiritual energy. A thousand years’ cultivation vanished in a moment, making the spirit beast even stronger. Though the octopus had cultivated for nine thousand more years, it could do nothing against the spirit beast. Left with no choice, it hid in the river, continuing its cultivation.

“I sympathize with your plight, but I’m afraid we cannot help you. We have urgent matters,” I said, arms crossed.

The octopus gently tapped the ice. “You can freeze the river—that’s enough to deal with the water spirit beast.”

I scratched my head, glancing at Yu Jing, who smiled helplessly, his expression saying I could decide as I pleased. This was troublesome. Should I help? If so, searching for the Ice Soul would be delayed.

Seeing my hesitation, the octopus slid its tentacles across the ice toward me. “Rest assured, help me rid the river of the water spirit beast, and I shall reward you with a treasure.”

“A treasure?” I looked up at it.

“Yes, something you can use.”

“What kind of treasure?”

“You will know when the time comes,” it replied, waving its tentacles.

“No problem, but it will have to wait three days,” Yu Jing said.

That was exactly what I wanted to say. In three days, once the white fox was safe, I could focus on other matters. The white fox meant more to me than any treasure. I clasped my hands and said, “Please be patient, great one. In three days, I will return.” As I turned to leave, the octopus’s tentacle blocked my path.

What did that mean? Was it afraid I wouldn’t return, trying to force me? I turned coldly to the giant octopus. It smiled and said, “I will wait for you, but could you thaw the ice first?” So that was it—it simply wanted to be freed. Had it tried to detain us, I would have fought without hesitation; no one could force me into anything.

I summoned my inner energy, flames blazing across my body. I told Yu Jing and the octopus to stand clear, then spread fire outward. Before long, the ice melted, and Yu Jing and I plunged back into the water. But now, with the octopus as our vessel, even the wildest waves were nothing to fear. Yu Jing and I sat atop the octopus’s head as it carried us toward the opposite bank.