Chapter 1, Zhao Shoushou
As an unqualified and half-hearted practitioner, he possessed dozens of grass carp and bluegill in the cabin of his small fishing boat. After becoming a first-level practitioner and receiving the baptism of spiritual power, he became exceptionally perceptive. In the intervals of maneuvering the cormorants, he easily caught a large number of fat fish with a fishing rod, quickly becoming a renowned fisherman on Cormorant Island. Every day, fish traders would come from afar to purchase his catch at high prices.
Cormorant Island, as the name suggests, is famous for its numerous cormorants. Each day, with the rise of the morning sun, many fishermen call out to their trained cormorants using special sounds, gathering their friends and steering their small fishing boats into the depths of the lake, hoping to achieve a good harvest with the help of the cormorants
Although Cormorant Lake is shrouded in mist year-round, the number of mist stones is not abundant. The daily harvest largely depends on luck. Only a novice like him, who is at the first level of Qi Refinement and frequently enters and exits the cultivation world, would be willing to toil here to earn a meager amount of spirit stones.
The persistent fog that lingers over the lake throughout the year is attributed to its influence. Ten fog stones can be exchanged for one low-grade spirit stone, and every three months, some itinerant cultivators come to purchase them. It is said that this low-tier spiritual material can be used to set up some low-level illusion arrays, which is currently his only stable source of spirit stones.
The two cormorants, having regained their freedom after about a tea's time, incessantly squawked in dissatisfaction. However, Zhao Shoushou, who was busy searching for fog stones with his back turned, remained completely indifferent. Seeing that their protests were in vain, the two cormorants could only helplessly shake their plump behinds as they stood at the bow of their designated boat, waiting for their owner to feed them
However, amidst the boundless mist, there is a small boat located in the center of Cormorant Lake. From a distance, one can see a slender youth with dark skin, dressed in the typical attire of a fisherman with a straw hat, rhythmically tapping the side of the boat with a wooden stick. The small fishing boat moves forward at a steady pace, swaying in sync with his body, seemingly unaffected by the low visibility of the surrounding mist.
The pair of cormorants he controls has become so robust under the nourishment of the Spirit Beast Pill that they can dive to the bottom of the lake to retrieve mist stones. Of course, in the rare and fortunate circumstances, they can also catch another lake treasure known as "mist fish." These little creatures, only as thick as a finger, can be exchanged for two low-grade spirit stones each, making them the most valuable treasure of Cormorant Lake. Unfortunately, their numbers are exceedingly scarce and they are quite slippery, having only succeeded in catching them twice over several years.
The cormorant is a large fish-eating bird, adept at diving. After diving, its feathers become thoroughly wet, and it must spread its wings to dry in the sunlight before it can fly. It has a strong and long, conical beak with a sharp hook at the tip, suitable for catching fish, and a small pouch in the throat. Its feet are positioned at the back, with flat toes, and the hind toe is relatively long, equipped with webbing. It inhabits coastal areas and wetlands. When flying, both its neck and feet are extended. It is often domesticated for fishing, with a rope tied around its throat, forcing it to regurgitate the catch.
Only then did he officially step into the realm of cultivation, becoming a newly emerged loose cultivator. After spending another two years diligently acquiring various cultivation knowledge, he finally became a qualified low-level loose cultivator. He began to work hard to improve his cultivation level. He appeared in the center of Cormorant Lake specifically to retrieve a lake treasure known as "Mist Stone" that is produced at the bottom of the lake
The youth was named Zhao Shoushou. He was originally a fishing boy on Cormorant Island. Ten years ago, while playing beside an old tree on the island, he encountered an elderly man with graying hair, who exchanged five copper coins for a tattered book titled "Wave Skill." In his childhood, he had secretly studied for several years beside a private school and learned a few characters. However, due to his family's poverty, he could only make a living by fishing. Therefore, obtaining a book of his own was exceptionally precious to him, and he devoted himself to studying it diligently.
These spirit beast pills used for feeding are not considered true elixirs; their only function is to assist certain gifted beasts in enhancing their physique and awakening their intelligence to a certain extent. As for the actual effectiveness, it remains uncertain. However, in comparison to the price of one low-grade spirit stone for a bottle containing one hundred pills, they can be regarded as a good value for money
Datang, Xianzhou
Today is a lucky day, blessed by the Lake God. The two little ones performed well, so today they are rewarded with a spirit beast pill. Carefully, Zhao Shoushou stuffed four fist-sized green stones into his waist pocket, then took out a green jade bottle from his bosom. With a pained expression, he poured out two of the so-called spirit beast pills and placed them into the mouths of the eagerly waiting cormorants.
La la la la, I am a skilled fisherman, coming and going in the wind and rain, one day a beautiful life will arrive, work is done, I am going home, singing a spirited tune, easily maneuvering the fishing boat on the way back
Having inadvertently embarked on the path of cultivation, I have been stumbling along in solitary practice. Fortunately, the "Ripple Technique" is not particularly profound, yet it excels in its stability. I have never encountered the terrifying phenomenon of going astray in cultivation, which everyone speaks of with dread. As for the elder who once imparted the technique to me, he has never reappeared. Three years ago, one day, while sailing, I accidentally ventured into the depths of the mist and coincidentally encountered a small trading event organized by several loose cultivators.
With a series of splashes on the water's surface, two robust and powerful cormorants flapped their wings and struggled to climb onto the fishing boat. Each of them had a red ribbon tied around the middle of their necks to prevent these gluttonous little creatures from swallowing the food in their mouths. Zhao Shoushou skillfully pinched the middle of the cormorants' necks to assist them in regurgitating the treasures they had found at the bottom of the lake
Luzhi County is one of the thirty-eight counties of Xianzhou. The region is characterized by numerous lakes and rivers, with barren land and sparse population. Only a few islands in the lakes manage to cultivate crops with the help of river silt or provide some fishermen with a meager livelihood through the harvesting of river delicacies. Luzhi Island is the largest island in Luzhi County.
The cormorant, which has clearly tasted the sweetness of its situation, is diligently calling out, continuously expressing its joy and loyalty to its master, vividly portraying the image of an unyielding sycophant, in stark contrast to its usual lazy demeanor that could hardly muster a sound.
Most fishermen conduct their fishing activities within thirty kilometers of the islands, as the tranquil and nurturing Mother Lake can occasionally display its temper. Even small waves can easily capsize these narrow fishing boats. It is said that the core area of Cormorant Lake is perpetually shrouded in thick fog, making it easy to get lost if one ventures into it
Three low-grade spirit stones can be used to purchase a first-tier low-grade spirit pill called the Qi-Enhancing Pill from itinerant cultivators. This pill can assist in enhancing one's cultivation, making it particularly suitable for Zhao Shoushou, who has just embarked on the path of cultivation. Consuming one pill is equivalent to the effects of six months of diligent meditation and training, making it extremely precious.
Initially, it was the childlike nature that was attracted by the descriptions in the book of flying to the heavens, entering the earth, changing one's appearance, and achieving immortality. On a whim, during fishing, I began to meditate and cultivate according to the teachings in the book by the edges of some sparsely populated ponds or streams. Until one day, five years later, I suddenly felt a wave of coolness sweeping over my entire body, as if I had consumed a peach of immortality, bringing an unparalleled sense of comfort.
Cormorant Lake occupies two-thirds of the total area of Cormorant County and is also the mother lake upon which the fishermen of Cormorant County rely for their livelihood. From a distance, its boundaries are indistinguishable, with shimmering waves complemented by patches of white mist, cloaking it in a veil of mystery. Hundreds of fishing boats scattered within it do not stir any ripples.