Facing Yan Xiaohu's words, Zhou Qing was momentarily bewildered.
He soon understood the full story.
It turned out that three days ago, an earthquake had suddenly struck the back mountain of Divine Peak, followed by countless underground springs seeping forth.
In just one day, they had formed a vast lake.
Before long, someone discovered that spiritual energy vortices would occasionally form within the lake, and parts of its surface would even freeze over for brief periods.
The Sect Leader had personally gone there to investigate and, after some probing, delightedly discovered the presence of Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish within.
Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish were an exceptionally rare kind of spirit fish. Not only was their flesh delicious, they were also a natural spiritual medicine.
A single fish was worth a fortune. If refined, it could not only strengthen one's foundation and cultivate one's essence, but with enough luck, it might even help one break through in cultivation.
For this reason, the Sect Leader directly bestowed that lake upon Lu Yaoyao as a gift for taking her as a disciple.
Unexpectedly, Lu Yaoyao had not claimed it all for herself. Instead, she shared it out and invited every Core Disciple to go fishing.
Whoever caught one could keep it. Beyond that, she had prepared some small gifts, food, and a bonfire for the evening, as a formal way of getting to know everyone.
It had to be said that Lu Yaoyao was not only beautiful, but also made people feel comfortable with the way she handled things.
"Come on, come on! These Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish are priceless treasures! If the two of us get lucky and catch a couple, it'll bring tremendous benefits to our cultivation!" Yan Xiaohu said, tugging Zhou Qing along.
Zhou Qing actually wanted to refuse. After all, he still did not know Lu Yaoyao's true intentions. What if she had dug another pit and was waiting for him to jump in?
But the temptation of the Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish was simply too great. Especially after refining the Spirit Hidden Worm, his cultivation had skyrocketed to the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer, leaving him just one step away from Foundation Establishment.
He knew a little about the Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish as well. It was practically a natural tonic, especially when it came to strengthening one's foundation and cultivating one's essence. It would be of enormous help to someone like him who had just broken through.
Besides, there would be so many people there. Perhaps he could farm a few Ignorance Points too.
"Let's go. I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, we just won't provoke her. If she comes looking for us, can't we just hide?" Yan Xiaohu said.
After a brief hesitation, Zhou Qing agreed.
Not long after, when the two arrived at the back mountain of Divine Peak, a vast lake indeed came into view.
Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a mysterious dark-blue radiance. The lake's surface was calm and unruffled, with only the occasional breeze stirring layer upon layer of delicate ripples, like an immortal's robes fluttering in the wind.
Spiritual energy also curled upward, forming a faint mist over the lake that seemed both present and absent, dreamlike and illusory.
Even the wild grass nearby emitted a gentle, lustrous glow.
Along the lake shore, some Core Disciples from various peaks had already gathered, sitting or standing as they fished quietly.
The fishing rods in their hands came in all shapes and forms. Some were jade rods that emitted a faint spiritual glow, while others were ancient, weighty wooden rods.
Every face carried concentration and anticipation as they continually prayed that a plump Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish would take the bait.
After all, according to Lu Yaoyao, there seemed to be only two or three such fish.
"Damn it, we came too late!"
Seeing this, Yan Xiaohu immediately grew anxious. There was no helping it—Little Spirit Peak was simply too far from Divine Peak.
"Hurry up and find a spot!"
After tossing Zhou Qing a fishing rod and a fish bucket, Yan Xiaohu hurried off in a fluster toward a certain direction.
Zhou Qing looked around and quickly spotted Lu Yaoyao fishing with her eyes closed in the distance. At that moment, she stood slender and graceful like a green lotus, making many nearby Core Disciples sneak glances at her from time to time.
Zhou Qing quickly hunched over and, while she had yet to notice him, hurried toward a secluded spot.
He did not care at all whether he caught any fish. Just don't drag hatred onto me again. Let me quietly farm some Ignorance Points.
Of course, if he got lucky enough to catch an Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish, that would merely be icing on the cake.
Very soon, Zhou Qing picked a spot. Wild grass grew thickly around it, and no matter how one looked at it, it did not seem like a good place to catch fish.
Its only advantage was that Lu Yaoyao could not be seen from there, and there were two other Core Disciples across the lake.
That way, he could avoid that girl without looking like he was hiding.
Then he gradually stepped back, twisted at the waist, and fiercely swung the rod forward.
The fishing rod bent under the strain, curving through the air like a great bow as it cast the line into the lake directly ahead!
Once that was done, he sat down and waited.
Time passed bit by bit. Soon, a familiar sound rang out, causing the corners of his lips to rise.
Ignorance Points +1 Ignorance Points +1 Ignorance Points +1 ...
Lu Yaoyao opened her eyes and swept her gaze around. She soon locked onto Yan Xiaohu in the distance.
She knew Zhou Qing had come. She just did not know where he was.
She had just wanted to rise when she seemed to think of something. Gritting her teeth, she sat back down and murmured softly.
"Hold it in. I absolutely have to hold it in. If I change something, then I'll be gone... And I still need to know who my mother is..."
Ignorance Points +1 Skill Shard +1
Zhou Qing, who had nearly dozed off, instantly jolted awake. Thinking he had heard wrong, he hurriedly looked at the panel.
Name: Zhou Qing Age: Nineteen Cultivation: Qi Condensation Ninth Layer Cultivation Art: Taiqing Mysterious Qi Art Talent Skill: Reduce Presence Level: LV1 (64/100) Skill Shards: 2/3 (Cannot be obtained)
When he saw that there truly were two Skill Shards, excitement surged through him.
He was only one away from obtaining a new talent skill.
This time, he had truly come to the right place.
Looking at the motionless fishing rod, he shifted into another position and lay down, preparing to take another nap. Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out behind him.
"Senior Brother Zhou, how's the fishing going?"
Zhou Qing immediately sat up straight. When he turned around, he saw Lu Yaoyao leaning forward slightly, her eyes bright as stars and curved into two crescents. The upturn of her lips was just right, and her voice was crisp as a bell, carrying a hint of playfulness and curiosity.
Before, if a beauty had struck up a conversation with him while he was fishing, he would not have known how smug he would feel. But ever since he had formed that thought of "the other party seeking revenge," he had become far more guarded.
He quickly rose to his feet and said, "So it's Junior Sister Lu. No good, no good. My luck has always been terrible. I only came this time to make up the numbers. I'm planning to try another spot."
As Zhou Qing spoke, he began to reel in his line and leave.
But Lu Yaoyao said, "I think this place is quite good. Maybe an Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish will swim over soon."
Zhou Qing gave a dry laugh.
In this godforsaken corner, what fish could there possibly be?
Before Zhou Qing could speak, Lu Yaoyao suddenly leaned closer, blinked her curious eyes, and asked, "Senior Brother Zhou, what kind of girl do you like?"
Zhou Qing instinctively took a step back, immediately becoming alert.
Something was wrong!
Something was definitely very wrong!
Was she setting a trap for me?
"Do you like silver hair?" she asked expectantly, playing with her hair. Zhou Qing was surprised to discover that beneath her black locks was a faint layer of silver hair.
Zhou Qing took another step back. So this was what she had been waiting for.
He hurriedly said, "Junior Sister Lu, I don't like silver hair. I like green hair."
"Green hair?" Lu Yaoyao froze, her face full of shock.
Zhou Qing nodded. Just as he was about to speak, rustling footsteps sounded again.
Li Daoxuan, the chief disciple of Divine Peak, was hurrying over with his four junior brothers, all carrying fishing gear.
Zhou Qing quickly laughed awkwardly. "Yes, green hair. Junior Sister Lu, you go ahead and keep busy. I'll change spots."
With that, he hurriedly left.
Lu Yaoyao remained where she was, her brows tightly furrowed.
"Green hair? That can't be right!"
At that moment, Li Daoxuan and the others jogged over. Seeing Zhou Qing fleeing in such a sorry state, they all exchanged bewildered looks.
Lu Yaoyao said, "Senior Brothers, do you prefer girls with green hair or silver hair?"
The crowd was puzzled, but they soon answered in unison, "Black hair."
Zhou Qing found another spot. Only after confirming that Lu Yaoyao had not followed him did he finally let out a long breath.
Then he felt a wave of relief.
"Heh. Giving me such an obvious hint, and I still refused to take the bait. That'll make you furious."
He then walked to the water's edge, carefully examined his reflection, and felt his chest muscles.
"I'm fairly good-looking, but not enough for someone to fall head over heels for me at first sight. Not to mention anything else, Li Daoxuan is better-looking than me. Whether in status or cultivation, he and I are as far apart as heaven and earth. When something is abnormal, there must be a demon behind it."
Zhou Qing muttered to himself. He had already decided that once he returned this time, he would ask his master about it.
He would see whether his master had ever killed someone similar to Lu Yaoyao. After all, this was karma you created, so why should I bear it?
Then he cast his fishing rod out again and quietly waited.
Across the lake, people occasionally caught one or two fish, but none were Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish. They cursed and grumbled as they cast their rods once more.
Zhou Qing simply lay down. He no longer cared at all about the Ice Soul Dark Scale Fish. He might as well use this chance to farm some Ignorance Points.
But just then, Zhou Qing suddenly felt cold. He even involuntarily shivered.
"What's going on?" Zhou Qing looked around, but when he clearly saw the lake before him, his pupils suddenly contracted.
"No way!!!"
Before you continue