Time flew by in an instant.
Three months later.
Jade Island.
A fishing village.
Fang Qing stood bare-chested, drying fishing nets.
Ever since Old Man Cha's family had rescued him three months ago, they had taken him in. He had eagerly volunteered to work for them, mainly to familiarize himself with the surroundings and practice the language.
Although the language of Jade Island was somewhat similar to Ba language, there were differences after all, and he needed to adjust and adapt to them one by one.
Fortunately, Old Man Cha believed he had come from afar. The distances between the major islands were vast, so some variation in accent was perfectly normal.
As for Fang Qing's explanation of his identity, naturally, he had used the worn-out excuse of amnesia. He only remembered his name...
After all, he was unfamiliar with both the people and the place, so he could not make up any convincing excuse.
Fortunately, Old Man Cha had not pressed the matter and simply taken him in.
Though from Fang Qing's observations, the old man merely wanted an extra pair of hands, and perhaps had other designs as well.
"Fortunately, people here can harvest food from the sea. Even mortals can keep themselves fed and clothed... one more mouth to feed makes little difference."
"Brother Fang, time to eat!"
Just as Fang Qing was sighing with emotion, a little girl came running over, cradling a large chipped sea bowl.
"Thank you, Zhu'er."
Fang Qing took it and saw chunks of dark green cake inside the bowl. It tasted somewhat like seaweed mixed with rice.
It was food made from seaweed. Though the taste was ordinary, it was filling enough.
Every so often, they could also gather some seafood. In terms of material abundance, this place actually surpassed Three-Water Hollow, where he had lived before. Of course, it was still far inferior to his previous life.
"Heehee..."
Zhu'er wore a bright red short jacket, with her hair tied into two horn-shaped braids. Her eyes darted about adorably as she squatted on the ground and played with seashells.
"Zhu'er, you're so adorable. You must have the aptitude for cultivation. Azure Sea Sect will surely choose you, and you'll become an immortal."
Fang Qing teased her.
After learning about the place over this period of time, he had gained some understanding of this sea region.
Lesser Vast Sea, Jade Island!
The Lesser Vast Sea was part of the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm, located in its southeastern corner. There were three sects here, each with Core Formation ancestors in command, protecting the people so that the demon beasts of the sea dared not invade.
Within the Lesser Vast Sea lay countless scattered islands. Some had Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators stationed upon them, becoming small local powers; others had Qi Refinement immortal masters guarding them, allowing them to survive with difficulty.
"Because the Outer Sea is extremely dangerous, islands without Qi Refinement cultivators guarding them cannot support mortal life at all... Mortals and cultivators live together, so much information isn't secret."
Fang Qing gazed toward the depths of the island, his eyes profound. "Azure Sea Sect is considered a righteous and prestigious sect. Every so often, it selects children with spiritual roots to enter the sect... This is my opportunity!"
His gaze burned. Though fourteen or fifteen was a little old, for the sake of cultivating immortality, he did not mind painting an old cucumber green!
"Besides... the cultivation techniques here are just as I imagined: as long as you have aptitude and obtain one, you can cultivate without being blocked by the threshold of the first breath of qi... In fishing villages, there are many tales of martial arts masters falling into the sea, finding the ruins of predecessors, or poor scholars discovering immortal cultivation manuals in scriptures, then stepping onto the path of cultivation and attaining the Dao to become immortals!"
Compared with the high-threshold cultivation methods of Ancient Shu, Fang Qing felt that the cultivation techniques here suited him better.
Of course, his greatest confidence came from possessing the golden finger, Revert to Root, Return to Origin. Even if he took the wrong path, he would not be afraid!
The greatest joy in life was possessing the right to take back a chess move!
Therefore, Fang Qing was determined to obtain a place in Azure Sea Sect's Immortal Destiny Assembly!
At dusk, the sun sank westward, casting ten thousand rays of golden light.
"Haha, Little Fang, come lend a hand."
On the Cha Family fishing boat, Old Man Cha leaped down with a wooden bucket in hand.
Fang Qing took it and found sea fish crowded together inside.
"Bad luck today. Only a few Blue-Flower Fish..."
Old Man Cha shook his head. "If only we could catch a Treasure Fish..."
Fang Qing knew that so-called Treasure Fish had already surpassed ordinary fish. They were unusual species with many medicinal uses, useful even to immortal masters.
Among mortals, they were worth a fortune!
"Sure enough, those who live by the mountains eat from the mountains, and those who live by the sea eat from the sea... I hear those Qi Refinement Great Cultivators rely mostly on Treasure Fish for their daily cultivation... As for Foundation Establishment mighty figures? Naturally, they eat true demon beasts..."
Compared to demon beasts, these so-called unusual Treasure Fish were probably only at the Half-Demon level. Once they became true demon beasts, ordinary fishermen would be utterly helpless against them. A shipwreck and loss of life could happen in an instant. Zhu'er's parents had reportedly died that way.
"You caught a Red-Scaled Porgy when you were young, sir. You'll definitely catch another one."
Fang Qing smiled, knowing exactly what would make Old Man Cha happiest.
As he humored the old man, he began handling the Blue-Flower Fish.
These Blue-Flower Fish had blue scales and fangs, their postures fierce. They even tried to gnaw at his fingers, and their tails struck with considerable force, making them difficult to deal with.
Thinking of this, Fang Qing's eyes darkened slightly, and his hands shot out like lightning.
"Red Sand Hand!"
The surface of his palm turned faintly red. He grabbed a Blue-Flower Fish and squeezed lightly, crushing its brain.
"Good lad, this Red Sand Hand has truly entered the gate."
Old Man Cha nodded in satisfaction at the sight.
The so-called Red Sand Hand was merely a third-rate martial art, nothing remarkable on Jade Island. Most mortals learned a trick or two of martial arts to strengthen their bodies.
Among the sea folk of this fishing village, the most common techniques were Red Sand Hand and Thousand-Kilogram Drop.
The former was a fish-catching technique, requiring cultivation with a special red sand found on the beach.
Thousand-Kilogram Drop, meanwhile, was a lightness technique used to steady one's body aboard a ship.
Since Fang Qing was going to help out on the boat, Old Man Cha had naturally taught him both techniques.
"Hehe..."
Old Man Cha smilingly pulled out a smoking pipe with an antique bronze mouthpiece. Leaning against the side of the boat to rest, he watched Fang Qing clean the Blue-Flower Fish one by one before suddenly speaking. "Little brother, you've been here three months now, haven't you?"
"Yes, three months."
Fang Qing's hands did not stop. He knew what Old Man Cha intended.
"You want to attend the Immortal Destiny Assembly? Azure Sea Immortal Sect does take in children, but you're a bit too old, and you aren't from this island. It'll be difficult..."
Old Man Cha said, shaking his head.
"I ask you, sir, to guide me."
After finishing the Blue-Flower Fish, Fang Qing stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.
He knew that this old fisherman might have rescued him out of momentary kindness, but keeping him for so long and teaching him martial arts could not be explained by mere kindness alone.
This man must want something. He intends to use me.
But having value to be used is still something to be thankful for. At least he invested first...
Fang Qing's expression did not change.
Beside him, Zhu'er blinked her eyes and stepped forward to massage her grandfather's back. Her voice carried a childish softness. "Grandpa, please help Brother Fang..."
"Go, go!"
Old Man Cha could not help himself and shot Fang Qing a fierce glare. After coaxing Zhu'er away, he finally said, "I've been putting out to sea constantly these past days, circling the waters near the island, but unfortunately, I haven't caught a single Treasure Fish..."
"If there were a Treasure Fish to improve one's aptitude, then even if little sister Zhu'er lacks spiritual roots, she could take up martial arts after the Immortal Destiny Assembly..."
Fang Qing indicated that he understood.
"A single Treasure Fish is worth at least a hundred Silver Shells..." Old Man Cha sighed. "The veteran fishermen in our village who don't dare venture into the deep sea would be worthy of praise if they caught two or three Treasure Fish in a lifetime. But this old man knows of a route. In a few days, it will be the Dragon King Festival. During the sacrifice, Sea Dragon Reef will certainly draw Treasure Fish there!"
"The Sea Dragon Birth?"
Fang Qing's expression turned grave. "How exactly does it work?"
He knew the real meat of the matter had arrived.
"The so-called Sea Dragon King Festival..." Old Man Cha's expression grew distant as he began to explain. "It is a sacrifice held by us fishermen. Veteran fishermen must steer the boats, delivering the offerings and the strongmen guarding them to Sea Dragon Reef... Once night falls, the large ship leaves, and only a few strongmen remain to watch the offerings. After they endure the night until dawn, there will be the wondrous sight of Ten Thousand Fish Paying Homage. There will certainly be several Treasure Fish among them. With the skill in your hands now, you have a good chance of catching one."
After he finished, he stared straight at Fang Qing with expectant eyes.
"This matter... must surely be quite dangerous. Where does the danger lie? I have several questions and ask you to clear them up."
Fang Qing looked solemn.
"Danger... naturally there is some, but nothing much has happened in previous years."
Old Man Cha explained them one by one, then said solemnly, "Little brother, your brow is noble and prominent; you are certainly no creature meant to remain in a pond. This old man swears upon his family name and ancestors: as long as you agree to take part in this Sea Dragon Birth, I will immediately vouch for you and register your household in Dahua Fishing Village. You will certainly be able to attend the Immortal Destiny Assembly."
It sounds... as though the danger isn't great... my foot!
Fang Qing pondered inwardly. With Azure Sea Sect here, no great demon would dare run wild. But this so-called Sea Dragon King is still highly suspicious...
Fortunately, from the sound of the process, only those on the reef island face danger... And the danger comes at night, so I can simply avoid it.
Though he had already made up his mind, a troubled expression appeared on his face. "This... I need to consider it carefully."
"Of course. Think it over carefully, little brother. Immortal destiny is a rare opportunity. At your age, if you miss this year, you may not be able to register next year."
Old Man Cha smiled. To Fang Qing, that aged face actually resembled Uncle's somewhat.
Late at night.
After inspecting the surroundings, Fang Qing carried a bucket of red sand and called out with his thoughts.
"Dao-Born Pearl!"
Boom!
Clouds billowed and rosy mists rose, as heaven and earth intersected!
Clear and turbid qi churned, forming a gateway.
In the blink of an eye, it was already another world.
Land of Ancient Shu, inside a mountain cave.
Fang Qing's figure appeared, with several wolf carcasses beside him. Their skulls were caved in, clearly smashed to death by heavy hand techniques.
He rubbed his hands, deep in thought. "I used the ability of my golden finger, Revert to Root, Return to Origin, to convert the inner strength of Red Sand Hand into Origin Qi, and there's only this tiny amount?"
At this moment, if Fang Qing looked inward at the Dao-Born Pearl, he would sense that somewhere mysterious beyond mystery, neither within nor outside his body, the Red Sand Hand cultivation he had originally practiced had suddenly transformed into a white speck of light more than ten times smaller than a grain of rice, so tiny it could almost be overlooked.
"Fortunately, I can likewise convert the cultivation of Thousand-Kilogram Drop, then add it to Red Sand Hand... That is why my martial arts progress has been so rapid."
Over the past three months, though he had rarely traveled back here, he had constantly been exploring the uses of his golden finger.
For example, Revert to Root, Return to Origin!
With a thought from Fang Qing, that wisp of Origin Qi suddenly transformed into Thousand-Kilogram Drop cultivation, making his legs strong and powerful, equivalent to fishermen who had trained for half a year!
"This... is incredible."
Joy appeared on his face. "In that case, if I cultivate a large number of low-level techniques, then reset all my points, perhaps I can rapidly add points to one martial art until it reaches its peak, even the realm of perfection?"
Fang Qing thought it over, then hesitated somewhat. "However, matters such as efficiency and loss, as well as bottlenecks in profound martial arts, all need to be considered..."
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