Turbid Current Calamity

The Dong Household claims to be descendants of the Dragon-Rearing Clan. They not only have close ties with Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, but also have influence with the South Sea Dragon Clan. They are certainly not people with empty reputations.

The spirit fish raised on Little Dragon Mountain are mainly used to refine Blood Qi- based elixirs.

Blood Qi- activating pills are essential for disciples of the Embryonic Breathing technique.

The various factions of the Southern Verge Immortal Alliance are, after all, Ancient Method immortal sects, and they still need to uphold morality and maintain their reputation; they cannot openly go to mortals to harvest Blood Qi.

Dong Linyuan was also very discreet in his actions. He focused solely on raising spirit fish and then sold them all to the Xue Household of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain at a low price.

The Xue Household of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain would add a slight markup and sell to various families who could refine Blood Qi Pills.

The Dong Household Little Dragon Mountain profited, Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain gained power, and the cultivators of the Southern Edge Continent benefited from the Embryonic Breathing.

It was truly a win-win situation for everyone.

As for the Blood Qi Pills of the Southern Edge Continent, no one will care or investigate how many were actually refined by spirit fish.

In short, the Dong Household's spirit fish business not only generated a steady stream of income but also earned them a great deal of goodwill.

Despite being just a poor Lineage that makes a living by raising fish, they are quite prestigious in the Southern Edge Continent.

After hearing Dong Linyuan's business acumen, Liu Zhijian was immediately filled with admiration.

In both my past and present lives, every merchant I've encountered has been eager to squeeze out every last penny, unwilling to share even a fraction of the profits with others.

People with such vision and ambition as Dong Linyuan are extremely rare.

Dong Linyuan chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Actually, it was a last resort. After all, the Dong Household is just a declining clan, not as well-established as the Supreme Mystery Mountain. If we didn't know how to share benefits with others and cultivate good relationships, how could we have survived to this day?"

Liu Zhijian nodded slightly and sighed.

Every family has its own problems.

Master was always frowning and full of worries.

However, he never explained the specifics to anyone.

"We've arrived." Dong Linyuan stopped and pointed to the fishpond in front of him. "This is it."

Before me stood numerous fish ponds of varying sizes, arranged in an orderly fashion.

Members of the Dong Household family walked back and forth, feeding the fish and chasing away the birds.

Liu Zhijian glanced at it, felt a strange sense of familiarity, and couldn't help but smile.

The place where I was born is a famous land of fish and rice, and there are many similar fish ponds. When I was a child, I would help feed the fish and chase away the birds.

"These outside are all of little value," Dong Linyuan continued, "The truly valuable ones are kept in the underground river at the foot of the mountain, where they are not only hidden but also protected from theft."

Liu Zhijian was somewhat surprised. "Someone actually dares to steal fish?!"

"It might not be a person..." Dong Linyuan smiled wryly upon hearing this, and said in a low voice, "After all, this place is not far from the estuary. Sometimes when fish are stolen, we can only pretend we don't know, and we even have to take extra care of them, otherwise there could be big trouble."

Liu Zhijian felt very sympathetic after hearing this.

I once had a fishing buddy who also raised fish, but his fishpond was turned into a canteen by a flock of protected birds that ate there every day. They couldn't be chased away, and they couldn't be hit or touched. It was truly frustrating.

Dong Linyuan left it at that and led Liu Zhijian to the underground river in the Lineage's important territory. He smiled and invited, "I've heard that you are quite skilled at fishing, young friend. Could you demonstrate some techniques so that I can broaden my horizons?"

Liu Zhijian had come for this very reason, and had been itching to fish for a long time. Upon hearing this, he disregarded modesty and politeness, eagerly took out his fishing rod, and asked, "What do you usually feed them?"

Dong Linyuan was taken aback. Although he didn't understand why, he still waved his hand and ordered someone to bring some fish food.

Liu Zhijian then began to explain fishing tips.

Unlike outdoor wild fishing, in commercial fishing ponds like this one where humans have been feeding the fish for a long time, it's best to use the fish food that has been provided to the fish to increase your chances of catching fish.

Otherwise, if the fish don't like or are not used to the bait you mix yourself, no matter how good your fishing skills are, you can only watch the fish and sigh.

Dong Linyuan listened with a sense of awe but didn't quite understand, and reached out to take a pottery urn.

Inside the earthenware jar was the fish food that was being fed to them daily.

Liu Zhijian took it and glanced at it, but couldn't help but be taken aback.

The earthenware urn reeked of a strong, fishy stench; inside was a urn of blood-soaked, paste-like flesh.

Liu Zhijian looked at Dong Linyuan, somewhat uncertainly, and asked, "Senior Dong, may I ask what this is...?"

Seeing this, Dong Linyuan couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, "Hehe, young friend, don't overthink it. This is just the meat of ordinary livestock, soaked in the Essence Blood some Demon Beast. My Dong Household is, after all, a descendant of the Human Emperor, and would never do such a thing as killing people for blood."

Liu Zhijian examined it carefully, then said somewhat embarrassedly, "This junior is ignorant; please forgive my ignorance, senior."

Then he sighed and said, "This scene reminds me of that old friend I met on the White Dragon River Danzhou City. Perhaps it's best not to."

Having said that, he put the earthenware jar aside, took some bait that Hua Chunning had given him, hung it on the hook, and gently cast the line.

Dong Linyuan glanced at the pottery urn on the ground, then at Liu Zhijian, and remained silent.

Standing on the shore with his fishing rod in hand, Liu Zhijian exuded a focused concentration that transcended the self and the surroundings.

The spirit fish in the underground river, accustomed to feeding on blood, were indeed not very interested in Hua Chunning's peach blossom bait and were slow to bite.

Fifteen minutes later.

Liu Zhijian was somewhat embarrassed and turned around to explain, "Maybe the fish ate too much... Wait, we caught a fish!"

Before he could finish speaking, he felt a sudden weight on his hand, and an immense force struck him.

The enormous creature underwater possessed unimaginable strength, threatening to drag Liu Zhijian into the water.

Dong Linyuan also looked on with a serious expression as he watched Lingyu and Liu Zhijian struggle.

Bang!

A sudden, muffled thud.

The fishing line snapped!

Liu Zhijian staggered before regaining his balance, but he wasn't particularly annoyed or disappointed. Instead, he let out a satisfied sigh.

Catching a big fish can make you happy for ten days or half a month.

However, the thought of losing a big fish due to a broken line and rod is something he never forgets, and he tells everyone he meets about it.

"The spirit fish is indeed ferocious; this trip was truly worthwhile." Liu Zhijian packed up his fishing rod and sighed, "It's my fault for not being well-prepared; the fishing line was too thin! I'll go back and prepare a bit before coming back to challenge it again!"

Dong Linyuan repeatedly expressed his regret. Seeing that it was getting late, he invited Liu Zhijian to return to the mountain to rest. They then chatted about cultivation. "Young friend, your [Kan Water] Manifestation is strong, your Dao Path will surely be smooth. Have you prepared which [Immortal Foundation] you intend to cultivate?"

Knowing that his Manifestation and Cultivation Method could not be concealed, Liu Zhijian frankly replied, "This junior's wisdom is shallow, so I have followed Master's arrangement and am preparing to cultivate [Old Man by the Stream]."

"So it's this ancient Immortal Foundation!" The Little Dragon Mountain lineage is quite ancient, Dong Linyuan's family has a long history of learning, so he naturally heard of this Immortal Foundation. He smiled and nodded in praise, "This Immortal Foundation is indeed compatible with you. If you can reach the [Purple Mansion] in the future, you will be able to achieve an extremely powerful [Life Divine Ability], which can be described as having limitless potential."

He abruptly changed the subject halfway through his sentence: "However, this ancient Immortal Foundation was once attained by immortals, and its implications are far too lofty, making it extremely difficult to cultivate and achieve."

"Currently, chaos is imminent in the Southern Edge Continent, and this Immortal Foundation is not adept at warfare."

"If the world truly descends into chaos, let alone protecting the sect, even preserving one's own life will be difficult."

Liu Zhijian was taken aback and looked at Dong Linyuan, asking, "Senior, do you have any advice for me?"

"I dare not presume to offer guidance; I merely vaguely recall a secret family tradition." Dong Linyuan shook his head and sighed, then asked, "I wonder if your master, Fellow Daoist Li, has ever explained the Daoist theory of [Kan Water]?"

"Of course." Throughout history, discussions on the Dao have always been extremely serious matters. Liu Zhijian straightened his back and solemnly replied, "My master once said that [Kan Water] is in the river, representing rushing water."

Therefore, I was ordered to gather the "Clear Qi Above the River" and cultivate the "Old Man by the Stream."

"Indeed, Supreme Mystery Mountain has a profound foundation!" Dong Linyuan nodded slightly in agreement, and solemnly added, "However, this is [Present Kan Water] modified by an immortal; its immortal aura is a bit too strong."

"According to our clan's secret teachings, the image of [Ancient Kan Water] is far more ferocious and domineering; even the [Human Emperor] would find it difficult to tame."

"The imagery of [Ancient Kan Water] has also evolved into an extremely powerful [Immortal Foundation], perfectly suited to the current chaotic situation that is about to unfold."

"It is called [The Turbid Current Calamity]!"