Sunset hung low.

The sun is setting.

Startled fish leaped from the water, creating ripples that seemed to shatter even the golden sunset.

A lake breeze blew, and the reeds on the shore fell side by side. A fishing boat emerged from the reeds and moored on the shore.

Along the long lake shore, many buyers are already eagerly anticipating the catch that the fishing boat will bring back today.

This lake, named Jade Ring Lake, covers a vast area, so large that it seems to stretch as far as the eye can see. From a distance, it appears as if there is a misty haze in the center of the lake, and even undulating mountains, giving the lake a mysterious veil.

Everyone in the neighborhood knows that behind the faintly visible mist and mountains lies the unreachable abode of immortals.

Legend has it that in the center of Jade Ring Lake lies another lake within a lake, a true celestial pool called Jade Ring Pool. Even a mortal fortunate enough to drink a drop of its water can live for decades longer. Compared to the priceless spirit fish of Jade Ring Lake, those are the true celestial treasures.

Fifty-four years ago, this lake was teeming with hundreds of small boats, and countless immortals came and went, making it a lively place.

Since fifty-four years ago, the number of small boats on this lake has drastically decreased, and no immortals have visited this place anymore. Even fishing boats that fish in Jade Ring Lake will mysteriously disappear, and then the next day, the empty fishing boats will come to rest on the shore by themselves.

At first, people thought the missing person had entered the fairy gate in the center of the lake, but more and more rumors made people realize that this fairy-like lake might not be so simple.

"Old Yu! Xiao Yu! What kind of fish did you catch today?"

Among the shoppers was a burly young man who shouted to the old man and the young girl who had just come ashore.

Old Yu and Xiao Yu are grandfather and granddaughter. They have been fishing in Jade Ring Lake for generations. While other fishing boats mysteriously disappeared into the lake, only Old Yu's boat remained standing.

Previously, some envious people had stolen Old Yu's boat to go fishing on the lake, but they also failed to escape the fate of disappearing. People gradually came to believe that Old Yu was the fisherman appointed by the immortal sect in the lake.

"Brother Lin! Sturgeon, killifish, red snapper, you name it, we have it!"

Little Xiao Yu helped Grandpa drag the fish basket while smiling sweetly.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" the customers exclaimed in unison.

Restaurants in the cities near Jade Ring Lake all feature the spirit fish from the Jade Ring Lake as their signature dish. The fishing boat of the Old Yu, the only one that is safe from accidents, naturally becomes the sole fish supplier for all the restaurants in the vicinity. Every time the grandfather and grandson return from fishing, representatives from various restaurants will come to purchase the spirit fish at high prices.

The grandfather and grandson displayed a dazzling array of fresh seafood on the shore, and representatives from various vendors began to compare prices wildly.

They were all mortals, yet they weren't comparing earthly gold and silver, but rather celestial objects.

Old Yu doesn't accept gold or silver when selling fish; he only accepts items from immortals. People all think he does this to send his young granddaughter into the immortal realm and advise him to give it up. With his fishing skills, he could easily become a wealthy man famous for miles around, and even Xiao Yu could become a carefree Eldest Young Lady, not much different from an immortal.

Old Yu remained stubborn, ignoring the money from the cart, but readily accepting tattered talismans and broken swords.

Soon, these valuable spirit fish were sold out, and most of the customers who had flocked to buy them left satisfied.

Before leaving, Brother Lin, who had spoken earlier, secretly slipped a few silver coins into Xiao Yu's hand and instructed her:

"Xiao Yu, you should also persuade your grandfather. Instead of exchanging these useless junk items, why not find you a good family to marry into?"

Xiao Yu didn't say anything, but simply stuffed the money back into her hand and waved goodbye to Brother Lin.

The Xiao Yu stood gracefully, its skin delicate, a healthy tan from years of fishing. Now, holding a pile of scrap metal she'd received in return for selling the fish, her beautiful brows furrowed, and she murmured:

"Grandpa, will these things really work?"

Old Yu took a puff of his pipe, his cloudy eyes darting aimlessly, and said softly:

"We have to give it a try. Let's go back."

"Oh..."

Xiao Yu reluctantly agreed and then planned to follow her grandfather back to the cabin.

"Grandpa, little sister, do you still sell fish?"

A clear voice rang out, and a young boy called out to the grandfather and grandson.

He wore a simple black robe with a long sword in a black sheath hanging at his waist. His hair was somewhat disheveled, and he looked a bit travel-worn.

For some reason, Xiao Yu felt her heart skip a beat. In her days spent with the lake, this was the first time she had ever seen such a young man, as handsome as a pine tree and as dark as ink.

"There's... there's one more killifish, would you like to buy it?" the Xiao Yu asked, bewildered.

"That's our dinner!" Old Yu flicked his cigarette ash, glared at his granddaughter, then glanced at the young man who had suddenly appeared, and said, "Sir, you should leave now. We've sold out of fish for today. If you want to buy some more, come back early tomorrow."

"Then I won't buy any fish, how about just a bowl of fish soup? I'm a stranger who came here because of its reputation, I just want to drink some fresh fish soup from Jade Ring Lake, please grant my request, sir."

You Su spoke, he took out three spirit Spirit Stone rich in Spiritual Qi from his pocket.

When Xiao Yu saw the three Spirit Stones, her beautiful eyes immediately lit up, and even the impatient Old Yu was slightly taken aback.

"Yes! Yes! Grandpa's fish soup is the best! Please come up quickly, sir!"

The Xiao Yu clattered down the tattered things it was carrying and lowered the boat plank for You Su, as if afraid that the "big fish" would escape.

Seeing his granddaughter's enthusiastic attitude, Old Yu could only take another puff of his pipe and say wistfully:

"Let's get on the ship."

The fishing boat wasn't large, but the cabin was fully equipped. Stepping inside, the smell of fish filled the air.

Old Yu was cooking dinner at the bow of the boat, and wisps of smoke were rising from the chimney.

You Su sat on the fixed stool, accepted the hot tea offered by the girl, and softly thanked her.

For some reason, Xiao Yu felt her face getting hot. She sat opposite You Su, and couldn't help but steal glances at the handsome young man out of the corner of her eye.

"Where are you from, sir?"

"I come from Chuyun City," You Su replied with a smile.

"Chuyun City? That's so far away," Xiao Yu exclaimed after thinking for a moment.

"Little sister, do you know about Chuyun City?"

You Su was also somewhat surprised, Chuyun City was not a famous city among the thousands of cities in the Central Yuan Continent.

"Don't call me little sister, you don't look that old. Just call me Xiao Yu." Xiao Yu stuck out her tongue and added, "Do you think that a dark-skinned girl like me, a fisherwoman, would possibly know about cities so far away?"

"Honestly, I had absolutely no such thought. Rather, I was amazed by Xiao Yu's extensive knowledge."

Xiao Yu smiled shyly, "It's alright, it's just that my father used to show me maps of the Central Yuan Continent a lot, and I always wanted to leave Jade Ring Lake and travel around, so I remember all those places in the north and south of the country very well."

"Xiao Yu is amazing," You Su praised sincerely.

"By the way, what's your name, sir?"

After a moment of contemplation, You Su smiled and said:

Just call me Xu Haolong.