Dragon King Festival (Seeking Recommendations!)

Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

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, he had been taken in by them. He had eagerly helped with their work, mainly to familiarize himself with the surroundings and practice the language.

Although the language of Jade Island bore some resemblance to the Ba language, there were differences after all, and he needed to adjust to them one by one.

Fortunately, Old Man Cha assumed he had come from afar. The distances between the major islands were vast, so slight differences in accent were perfectly normal.

Naturally, Fang Qing's explanation for his identity was the same old amnesia story—he only remembered his name...

After all, he was a stranger in an unfamiliar land and could not invent any convincing excuse.

Fortunately, Old Man Cha did not press the matter and simply took him in.

Though from Fang Qing's observations, the old man merely wanted another pair of hands—or perhaps had some other scheme in mind.

"Good thing people here can harvest food from the sea. Even ordinary folk can fill their bellies... one more mouth to feed makes no difference."

"Brother Fang, time to eat!"

Just as Fang Qing was sighing to himself, a little girl came running over, cradling a large chipped sea bowl in her hands.

"Thank you, Zhu'er."

Fang Qing accepted it and saw chunks of dark green cakes inside the bowl. They tasted somewhat like seaweed mixed with rice.

This was food made from seaweed. The flavor was mediocre, but it was filling enough.

With the occasional bit of seafood gathered as well, the abundance of supplies here actually surpassed Three-Water Hollow, where he had lived before. Of course, it was still nowhere near his previous life.

"Heehee..."

Zhu'er wore a bright red short jacket, her hair tied into horn-shaped braids. Her big eyes darted about adorably as she squatted on the ground and played with seashells.

"Zhu'er, you're so adorable. You must have the talent 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 the past few months, he had gained some understanding of these waters.

The Lesser Vast Sea, Jade Island!

The Lesser Vast Sea was part of the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm, located in its southeastern corner. Three sects stood there, each with a Core Formation ancestor overseeing it and protecting the people, so the sea's demon beasts dared not invade.

Scattered like stars across the Lesser Vast Sea were countless small islands. Some had Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators stationed upon them and became minor powers, while others had Qi Refinement immortal masters guarding them, struggling to survive.

"Because the outer seas are dangerous, islands without Qi Refinement cultivators to protect them cannot support mortals at all... Mortals and cultivators live together here, 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 spirit roots to enter the sect... This is my chance!"

His gaze burned. Though he was a little old at fourteen or fifteen, for the sake of cultivation, he did not mind painting an old cucumber green and pretending it was fresh!

"Besides... the cultivation techniques here are just as I imagined. As long as one has the aptitude and obtains one, one can cultivate, without being blocked by the threshold of the first breath of Qi... There are many tales in fishing villages of martial arts masters falling into the sea and finding ancient ruins, or poor scholars discovering cultivation manuals in scriptures, then stepping onto the path of cultivation and attaining immortality!"

Compared with the high-threshold cultivation of Ancient Shu, Fang Qing felt the cultivation techniques here suited him better.

Of course, his greatest confidence came from Revert to Root, Return to Origin, his cheat. Even if he chose the wrong path, he had nothing to fear!

The greatest joy in life was having the right to take back a move!

Thus, Fang Qing was determined to obtain a place at Azure Sea Sect's Immortal Destiny Assembly!

At dusk, the sun sank westward, scattering countless shafts of golden light.

"Haha, Little Fang, lend a hand."

On the Cha Family fishing boat, Old Man Cha leaped down carrying a wooden bucket.

Fang Qing took it and found sea fish crammed 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 strange breeds 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, while those who live by the sea eat from the sea... I hear those Qi Refinement Great Cultivators rely on Treasure Fish for their daily cultivation... As for Foundation Establishment experts? Naturally, they eat real demon beasts..."

Compared with demon beasts, these so-called strange Treasure Fish were probably only at the Half-Demon level. Once they became true demon beasts, ordinary fishermen could not deal with them at all. Their boats would be wrecked and their lives lost with ease. Zhu'er's parents were said to have died that way.

"You caught a Red-Scaled Porgy when you were young, sir. You'll definitely catch another one."

Fang Qing said cheerfully, knowing exactly what would please Old Man Cha most.

As he coaxed the old man, he began cleaning the Blue-Flower Fish.

These Blue-Flower Fish had blue scales and fangs, with ferocious postures. They even tried to bite his fingers. Their tails struck with considerable force, making them difficult to handle.

At that thought, 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 seized a Blue-Flower Fish and applied a little force, crushing its brain.

"Good lad, your Red Sand Hand has 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 and nothing special on Jade Island. Most mortals learned a trick or two to strengthen their bodies.

Among the seafolk of this fishing village, the most common martial arts were the Red Sand Hand and Thousand-Kilogram Drop.

The former was a fish-catching technique, cultivated using a special red sand found on the beach.

Thousand-Kilogram Drop, meanwhile, was a lightness technique used to steady one's footing aboard a boat.

Since Fang Qing was going aboard to help, Old Man Cha had naturally taught him both techniques.

"Hehe..."

Old Man Cha smilingly pulled out a pipe with an antique bronze mouthpiece, leaned against the ship's railing to rest, and watched Fang Qing clean the Blue-Flower Fish one by one. Then he suddenly spoke. "Little brother, you've been here for three months now, haven't you?"

"Yes, three months."

Fang Qing did not stop working. He knew what Old Man Cha wanted.

"You want to attend the Immortal Destiny Assembly? Though Azure Sea Immortal Sect recruits children, you're somewhat too old, and you aren't from this island. That'll be difficult..."

Old Man Cha said, shaking his head.

"I ask for your guidance, sir."

After cleaning the Blue-Flower Fish, Fang Qing stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.

He knew that this old fisherman might have saved him out of a moment of kindness, but taking him in for so long and teaching him martial arts could not be explained by kindness alone.

This man must want something. He intends to make use of me.

But being worth using is still something to be thankful for. At least he invested first...

Fang Qing's expression remained unchanged.

Beside them, Zhu'er blinked and went over to massage her grandfather's back. Her voice carried a milky softness. "Grandpa, help Brother Fang..."

"Go on, go on!"

Old Man Cha was so annoyed that he shot Fang Qing a fierce glare, then coaxed Zhu'er away before speaking. "This old man has been putting out to sea day after day, circling the waters near the island, but alas, 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 had no spirit root, she could begin practicing martial arts after the Immortal Destiny Assembly..."

Fang Qing indicated that he understood.

"One Treasure Fish is worth at least a hundred Silver Shells..." Old Man Cha sighed. "The old hands in our village who dare not venture into the deep sea can catch two or three Treasure Fish in a lifetime and be praised for it. But this old man knows of a route. In a few days, it will be the Sea Dragon King Festival. During the rites, Sea Dragon Reef will surely draw Treasure Fish there!"

"The Sea Dragon Birth?"

Fang Qing's expression turned solemn. "What exactly does it involve?"

He knew the real matter had arrived.

"The so-called Sea Dragon King Festival..." Old Man Cha's expression became distant as he began explaining. "It is a ritual held by us fishermen. The old hands who know the tides must steer boats to Sea Dragon Reef, carrying offerings and strong men to guard them... Once night falls, the large boats leave, and only a few strong men remain behind 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 surely be several Treasure Fish among them. With your current skill in your hands, you stand a very good chance of catching one."

When he finished, his expectant eyes stared straight at Fang Qing.

"This matter... must be quite dangerous. May I ask where the danger lies? I have a few questions and hope you can clear them up."

Fang Qing's expression was grave.

"Danger... naturally there is some. But nothing major has happened in past years."

Old Man Cha explained each point, then solemnly added, "Little brother, your brow is noble and your bearing extraordinary. You are surely no creature meant to remain in a mere Pool. This old fellow swears upon his family name and ancestors: if you agree to join this Sea Dragon Birth, I will immediately vouch for you and register you in Dahua Fishing Village. Then you will certainly be able to attend the Immortal Destiny Assembly."

It sounds... as if the danger isn't too 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 what I've heard of the process, only those on the reef island will be in danger... and the danger comes at night, which can be avoided outright.

Though he had already leaned toward agreeing, a troubled look still appeared on his face. "This... I need to consider it carefully."

"Of course. Think it over properly, little brother. Immortal destiny is a rare opportunity. At your age, if you miss this year, you may not be able to apply again next year."

Old Man Cha smiled. To Fang Qing, that aged face somehow resembled Old Uncle's.

Late at night.

Fang Qing checked his surroundings, carried a bucket of red sand, and called out with his mind.

"Dao-Born Pearl!"

Boom!

Clouds billowed and rosy vapors rose as heaven and earth joined!

Clear and turbid Qi churned, forming a doorway.

In the blink of an eye, the world had changed.

Land of Ancient Shu, inside a cave.

Fang Qing's figure appeared. Several wolf carcasses lay nearby, their skulls caved in, clearly killed by heavy blows.

He rubbed his hands, somewhat contemplative. "I used the ability of my cheat, Revert to Root, Return to Origin, to convert the inner force from Red Sand Hand into Origin Qi, yet there's only this tiny amount?"

At this moment, if Fang Qing looked inward at the Dao-Born Pearl, he would sense that somewhere profound and mysterious—neither within nor outside his body—the Red Sand Hand cultivation he had originally practiced had abruptly transformed into a white point of light more than ten times smaller than a grain of rice, so small it was almost impossible to notice.

"Fortunately, I can likewise convert the power of Thousand-Kilogram Drop, then add it to Red Sand Hand... That is why my progress in martial arts has been so rapid."

Over the past three months, though he had rarely traveled back here, he had continuously explored the uses of his cheat.

For instance, Revert to Root, Return to Origin!

With a thought from Fang Qing, that wisp of Origin Qi abruptly turned into Thousand-Kilogram Drop cultivation. His legs became strong and powerful, equivalent to those of fishermen who had trained for half a year!

"This... is incredible."

Delight appeared on his face. "From the looks of it, if I cultivate a large number of low-level techniques and then reset all the points, perhaps I can rapidly add points to one martial art until it reaches its peak, even attaining a state of mastery beyond perfection?"

Fang Qing considered it, then hesitated somewhat. "However, issues such as efficiency and loss, as well as the bottlenecks of profound martial arts, still need to be considered..."