The flood dragon often came ashore, transforming into a young man. He would walk from the south end of Lake Cloud to the north end, visiting each village, asking about their hardships, and helping people with their troubles.
When fishermen said, “The fish aren’t getting caught in the nets these days,” the flood dragon would tell them where to cast their nets the next day. Sure enough, if they followed his advice, they would catch plenty of fish.
When farmers complained, “The weather is too dry, and the crops are wilting,” the flood dragon would stir up Lake Cloud, causing it to rain gently for three days.
During the snowy season when the lake was frozen, he would use his magic to create a clear path on the ice, guiding travelers safely.
The villages around Lake Cloud enjoyed favorable weather and peace year-round because of the flood dragon’s protection.
Beneath Lake Cloud, there was a demon palace called Fire Dragon Palace. Two Serpent Demons resided there. They breathed fire and smoke, ate molten lava rocks, and drank sulfur water. They had long been confined underground and were eager to roam above.
They spewed demonic fire, burning through the earth’s core and the bottom of Lake Cloud. The lake dried up, turning into a sea of fire. The land was scorched, crops died, and the green mountains turned barren.
Seeing his palace and the villagers’ homes reduced to ashes, the flood dragon was heartbroken. He brought water from the East Sea but couldn’t extinguish the demonic fire. Even when he summoned the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, they dared not approach the Serpent Demons.
The East Sea Dragon King advised him, “Come back to the East Sea with me and escape this demonic fire.”
The flood dragon replied to his father, “I cannot leave this great lake; the people are in dire straits!”
The South Sea Dragon King also urged him, “Prince, come back to the South Sea with me. We will build you a beautiful new palace.”
The flood dragon shook his head repeatedly, “Thank you, King. But now that the lake has turned into a sea of fire and the people are suffering, how can I build a new palace alone?”
The West Sea Dragon King offered, “Come to the West Sea. I have a princess waiting to marry you and make you a prince consort in our palace.”
The flood dragon declined again, “Thank you for your kindness, King. But I will not rest until I rid us of these demons!”
The North Sea Dragon King tried to persuade him as well, “Come to the North Sea. There are endless delicacies and immortal fruits.”
The flood dragon vowed, “Even if it costs me my Sentient Bone, I will eliminate these Serpent Demons. I will seek help from the mountains and save the people from this disaster!”
The flood dragon bid farewell to the Dragon Kings and the villagers along the lake shore. He headed straight to Celestial Palace’s Empyrean Sanctuary to report the Serpent Demons’ crimes to the Emperor of Heaven.
The Emperor of Heaven said, “I only govern the heavens, not the earth. Seek help elsewhere.”
The flood dragon then sought Ksitigarbha’s help to use his powers to save the people from this disaster. Ksitigarbha replied, “I only manage affairs of the underworld, not human matters.”
The flood dragon had no choice but to seek Buddha in the Western Pure Land.
Buddha said, “I only oversee the Pure Land. Matters of the East are handled by those in the East.”
Finally, the flood dragon went to Changbai Mountain to seek help from Madonna, revered as an ancestor by Lake Cloud’s people.
He presented himself before Madonna and recounted every crime committed by the Serpent Demons against the people, pleading for her assistance.
Madonna lifted him up and agreed, “The people of Lake Cloud are my descendants. Since you have traveled far and wide seeking help, I will accompany you.”
She led her four disciples and the flood dragon on a cloud towards Lake Cloud, now ablaze.
From above, they saw the two Serpent Demons spewing smoke and fire in all directions.
Madonna halted their cloud and shouted, “You wretched creatures! Instead of cultivating underground, you dare wreak havoc on the surface? You deserve death!”
The Serpent Demons paid her no heed and retorted, “Who is this old woman meddling in our affairs?”
They spewed fire at Madonna. Unfazed, she pointed southward, summoning divine water from Changbai Mountain’s heavenly pool. The water cascaded down and quickly extinguished the demonic fire.
Seeing this, the Serpent Demons tried to flee. Madonna chanted a spell that immobilized them at their fire-breathing mouths.
She then pointed at Changbai Mountain again, moving two small mountains named Mount Aylanta and Mount Arcmond to firmly press down on the Serpent Demons.
Finally, she sprinkled divine water in all directions, extinguishing all remaining fire.
The flood dragon and villagers knelt in gratitude.
Madonna instructed them, “To the north of Nightingale Ridge lies a clear spring. Dig it out to fill the lake and water the trees. This will ensure bountiful harvests.”
Led by the flood dragon, everyone worked together for eighty-one days and dug forty-nine zhang deep until they found a pearl spring.
The spring water flowed into Lake Cloud, filling it up; it watered the forest, turning charred branches green again; it irrigated fields, making crops grow strong.
To this day, Mount Aylanta and Mount Arcmond still press down on those Serpent Demons.
In winter, a long ice line appears on Lake Cloud’s surface, reminding people of the helpful flood dragon and his legend.
Leo and Sophia’s minds jolted back to reality as the story images vanished. They found themselves back in the stone chamber.
The flood dragon statue before them had lost its greenish-gray luster. Its eyes were now closed.
“Could this statue be of that flood dragon?” Leo wondered aloud. Sophia was equally astonished and curious.
As they stared in surprise, the statue began to fade away until it completely disappeared.
In its place was a dark passageway entrance similar to the first stone chamber.
They exchanged glances before Leo steadied himself and took Sophia’s hand. “Let’s keep going,” he said.
They entered another set of descending stone steps.
Leo used his Spiritual Power to protect Sophia while his Divine Awareness scouted ahead cautiously.
After descending the steps, they entered another passageway.
Using his phone’s flashlight for illumination, Leo noticed slight differences compared to previous passages.
Complex patterns adorned both walls of this passageway. These patterns seemed to form some kind of design that Leo couldn’t decipher.
Interestingly, although the stone floor was smooth and even, there were no signs of artificial polishing-it appeared naturally formed.
The passage was deeply dark; their phone light could only illuminate a short distance ahead.
Leo’s Divine Awareness remained alert for any movement but detected no danger so far.