Chapter 4, The Cormorant Lake Meeting (1)
The first-level Water Arrow Technique is simple and direct, and it is an essential spell in every water attribute cultivation method. Every practitioner of water attribute cultivation inevitably encounters and learns the Water Arrow Technique first. Practitioners can use their magical power to condense the surrounding water into water arrows for attack. However, the Water Arrow Technique also has a characteristic: it is easy to learn but difficult to master. The extent of its power depends on the practitioner's proficiency and cultivation level.
The mist fish, which Zhao Shoushou cannot forget, is merely a low-grade spiritual fish of the first rank. The spiritual power contained within it is not particularly remarkable, yet it excels in its exquisite flavor. Moreover, the mist fish is one of the few treasures that can be consumed by mortals who have not yet embarked on the path of cultivation. Its gentle spiritual power can nourish the body, laying a solid foundation for future cultivation. Consequently, it is an essential item for many prominent families and sects in preparing their disciples, which is why it can be sold for two low-grade spiritual stones
"Big Fatty cancels the quota for Spirit Beast Pills, while Little Fatty rewards one Spirit Beast Pill, allowing for the consumption of two Spirit Beast Pills today." A strict system of rewards and punishments is also implemented for the two beloved cormorants, Zhao Shoushou, employing both a heavy hand and a carrot approach. However, the daily distribution of two Spirit Beast Pills remains unwaveringly completed.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, perhaps due to the blessing of the Lake Lord, or perhaps because the two cormorants worked exceptionally hard under the stimulation of the Spirit Beast Pill. During this period, a total of twenty-four Mist Stones were aged, and with this alone, the initial wish for twelve Spirit Stones had been fulfilled, which was sufficient to purchase four first-tier low-grade Spirit Pills for Qi Circulation, aiding him in breaking through the bottleneck to advance to the second layer of Qi Training.
"Big Fat, why aren't you quickly spitting out the lake treasures? Do you really want to keep them all to yourself? We are good friends and partners who never hide anything from each other." Zhao Shoushou decisively grabbed the larger Big Fat, turning its sharp beak upwards and shaking it. After a series of slaps and shakes, two palm-sized fresh fish fell from the cormorant's throat onto the boat, and in the space between the two fish, only a piece of mist stone with a special pattern dropped.
With a splash, two cormorants suddenly jolted at the sound of the spirit beast pill. Their strong and powerful hind limbs released, and they vanished beneath the water. Zhao Shoushou, the guide, did not dare to be the slightest bit careless, using a special tapping sound to lead the cormorants forward. The small fishing boat aimlessly drifted in the center of the lake, surrounded by mist.
Little Fatty has always been the most obedient one; today, the outcome entirely depends on you. Big Fatty is nothing but a greedy foodie, wholeheartedly pursuing two fresh fish. The tenderness in the words cannot conceal the roughness of the actions. However, when a silver-white little fish, no thicker than a finger, appears, Zhao Shoushou can no longer contain the excitement within.
The "Ripple Technique," as a relatively complete water attribute cultivation method, also records several different spells. Among them, two first-tier inferior spells named "Water Treading Technique" and "Water Arrow" can be practiced as soon as one advances to the second layer of Qi Refinement. If one can successfully master both offensive and evasive spells, their combat power can increase several times.
Regardless of how aggrieved the cormorant, with its long neck and small head, tries to act cute, Zhao Shoushou remains unmoved. In a cheerful mood, he skillfully maneuvers his small fishing boat, humming an unknown cheerful tune as he heads back to Cormorant Island. The long-awaited cormorant gathering is set to begin early tomorrow morning, and he must quickly gather all the lake treasures. For him, who currently lacks the ability to travel far, the cormorant lake gathering held once every three months is the only source of resources and information for his cultivation. Zhao Shoushou has always been the first to arrive and the last to leave at every cormorant lake gathering, with the sole purpose of gathering more interesting tidbits from the cultivation world to enhance his knowledge, which may seem trivial to other cultivators.
The daily process of fishing remains the same; each time, the cormorant spends approximately the duration of a stick of incense searching for and chasing the lake treasures. For a cultivator who has already stepped into the threshold of cultivation, it is somewhat embarrassing to still rely on the assistance of poultry to catch lake treasures in exchange for spirit stones. Therefore, on the surface, the seemingly ordinary and composed Zhao Shoushou is extremely eager to break through to the second layer of Qi training.
Fog fish, fog fish, there really is a fog fish. The lake provides protection, and two low-grade spirit stones have been received. Carefully taking out a gourd from within, I place the fog fish inside. Although this gourd is not a magical artifact, it is still a treasure, harvested from a hundred-year-old vine growing in the mountains. It was also exchanged for twenty fog stones at the cormorant gathering, capable of extending the lifespan of some precious fish. This gourd, while not a magical artifact, is indeed a treasure, harvested from a hundred-year-old vine growing in the mountains, and was also exchanged for twenty fog stones at the cormorant gathering, capable of extending the lifespan of some precious fish
At sunrise, one begins to work, and at sunset, one rests. Each day, I seek a secluded spot by the Cormorant Lake where the water attribute spiritual energy is relatively abundant. I diligently practice the "Wave Technique" for three hours, unwavering even in the face of thunder, only stopping when my meridians begin to ache faintly. Cultivation is like rowing upstream; if one does not advance, one will retreat. Every little bit of daily accumulation is indispensable, especially for a novice who has just stepped into the realm of cultivation, as the feeling of refining spiritual energy and continuously enhancing one's strength is equally intoxicating and hard to extricate oneself from.
Big Fat and Little Fat have started working, soon to fish for treasures from the lake. Today's quota for spirit beast pills has been canceled. "Clang, clang" Zhao Shoushou rhythmically tapped the side of the boat with a paddle, urging the two cormorants, who were pretending to be oblivious with their eyes closed, to get to work. Some threatening words were also indispensable.
A mist fish is worth 2 low-grade spirit stones, and there is always an open demand for it that exceeds supply. For Zhao Shoushou, who is impoverished and destitute, this is indeed a windfall, and he cannot help but feel elated. This is also the second time he has caught a mist fish since he officially began fishing for lake treasures, indicating that everything is developing in a positive direction.
The Cormorant Lake gathering will officially commence tomorrow, and I hope to achieve a good harvest today, with the lake god blessing us to catch a mist fish. Accompanied by the sun just rising in the morning, a simple fishing boat glides freely through the calm lake, surrounded by a faint white mist that seems to never dissipate. On the boat, two strong and powerful cormorants flap their wings continuously, seemingly waiting for their master's command to prepare for an underwater battle. The calm lake, enveloped in a faint white mist that appears to linger indefinitely, sees the simple fishing boat gliding freely, with the two robust cormorants on board eagerly awaiting their master's orders for an underwater confrontation.
Unfortunately, his two cormorants are merely ordinary domestic fowl with slightly more strength. Whether they can catch mist fish depends solely on luck. If he has the opportunity in the future to awaken his intelligence and embark on the path of cultivation to become a genuine spirit beast, then with the cormorants' skills in the water, catching mist fish would be an easy task. However, for him at present, mist fish remain a treasure that is both rare and elusive. Whether he can exchange for two additional low-grade spirit stones at the cormorant gathering also relies on luck. With the cormorants' skills in the water, catching mist fish would be an easy task. However, for him at present, mist fish remain a treasure that is both rare and elusive. Whether he can exchange for two additional low-grade spirit stones at the cormorant gathering also relies on luck.
The first-level low-grade spell "Water Walking" allows one to walk on water. As long as there is sufficient magical power, one can traverse great rivers and lakes as if on solid ground. Various lakes are easily navigable, making it an excellent spell for both fishing for lake treasures and for escaping danger. With a low threshold and minimal consumption, it is undoubtedly the first choice for low-level cultivators seeking to preserve their lives
After a stick of incense had burned, under Zhao Shoushou's constant urging, the two cormorants, Big Fat and Little Fat, flapped their wings and struggled to climb onto the fishing boat. From their already somewhat hoarse calls, it seemed they had indeed made a catch and did not return empty-handed. However, constrained by the cormorants' limited intelligence and instincts, it is very likely that they had been chasing some ordinary fat fish at the bottom of the lake, which would be a delicacy for the cormorants but of no use to him.