Chapter 12 - 11: Deep Conversation

Chapter 12: Chapter 11: Deep Conversation

Midnight.

The moonlight flowed like water, scattering across the quiet surface of Jingyue Lake in shimmering ripples. Occasionally, one or two fishing boats sailed out of the port, vanishing into the heavy veil of mist.

Inside the cabin.

Chen Jianghe guided his breath back to his Dantian and slowly concluded his Cultivation session. He had absorbed and refined seventy percent of the Qi Nourishing Pill’s medicinal efficacy, saving him a year and a half of arduous Cultivation. The moment the Qi Nourishing Pill entered his stomach, it released a massive amount of pure Spiritual Qi. If it couldn’t be entirely absorbed and refined immediately, a small portion of the Spiritual Qi would inevitably escape his body with his breaths.

He realized his Cultivation was still too low. If he took another Qi Nourishing Pill right now, he estimated he could refine eighty percent of its efficacy, which would equal nearly two years of hard Cultivation. However, to take another Qi Nourishing Pill, he would have to wait an entire year for the Pill Poison to be completely expelled from his body. He could not afford to damage his foundation just for a temporary boost in Cultivation speed.

Of course, he currently didn’t have enough Spiritual Sand to buy a second Qi Nourishing Pill anyway. Purchasing the first one had cost two hundred and ten grains of Spiritual Sand, and a minor gathering had cost another grain. Now, he only had sixty-nine grains of Spiritual Sand and some broken silver left.

Even if he waited two years and gathered enough Spiritual Sand for another pill, he would have to prioritize Little Black first. Improving his own Cultivation was crucial, but nurturing Little Black was equally important. In a sense, Little Black was his Golden Finger. He wasn’t sure if he would suddenly drop dead too should Little Black die unexpectedly.

Most of the aquatic creatures in the Outer Waters of Jingyue Lake were ordinary, posing no threat to Little Black. But what if creatures from the Inner Waters wandered into the Outer Waters?

If Little Black reached the Entry Tier and became a Spirit Beast, it would not only break through its natural lifespan limit but also increase the yield of Large Cyan Fish. Most importantly, it would gain the ability to protect itself in the lake.

The next day.

Old Gao sought out Chen Jianghe, saying he had matters to discuss.

The 512 Fishing Boat hung up a "Do Not Disturb—In Seclusion" sign. Inside the cabin, Chen Jianghe and Old Gao sat facing each other. Normally, outsiders could not enter someone else’s breeding waters, let alone board their boat. However, since they were currently docked at the port, those restrictions did not apply.

"Old Gao, what brings you here so suddenly?" Chen Jianghe brewed a pot of Starry Night tea, poured a cup for Old Gao, and then poured one for himself.

"I’m getting old, and I just wanted to find someone to chat with. Jianghe, do you have time to talk with a dying man?" Old Gao had not brought Gao Peiyao with him. He wore a smile on his face, but his tone was lonely and subdued. It carried a reverence for death, as well as the bitter resentment of stepping onto the Immortal Dao only to hover around Mid-Stage Qi Refining for his entire life.

"The Immortal Dao is hard to seek, causing countless geniuses to bow in defeat," Chen Jianghe said consolingly.

Even Celestial Pride Saint Sons wouldn’t dare claim absolute certainty in reaching Foundation Establishment and Core Formation. Many wasted a century only to eventually turn into a handful of yellow earth, let alone ordinary Cultivators like them who possessed Five-Element Mixed Spirit Roots.

"Indeed." Old Gao nodded, a reminiscent look appearing in his cloudy eyes. He looked at Chen Jianghe and chuckled, "When I was young and ignorant of the world’s vastness, I once dreamed of reaching Foundation Establishment and becoming a Foundation Establishment Ancestor who could summon clouds and rain with a flip of my hand."

Chen Jianghe didn’t interrupt, simply refilling Old Gao’s teacup. When people grew old, they liked to reminisce and recount their past to others as a way to offset their fear of death. The fact that Old Gao came to tell him these things proved his trust and showed how much he valued their years of friendship.

Chen Jianghe was also more than happy to listen. These were the experiences Old Gao had accumulated along his journey. They were extremely precious and could help him avoid pitfalls during the early stages of his Cultivation.

"I remember in my eighteenth year after coming to the Yun family, my Cultivation broke through to Fourth-Layer Qi Refining, and the average weight of the Large Cyan Fish I raised reached three catties and eight taels.

"If I had just proceeded steadily, in another five or six years at most, I could have been promoted to a Senior Fisherman and Farmer. Sigh..." Old Gao let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with endless regret.

Chen Jianghe’s mind jolted. He remembered Old Gao mentioning that his Spirit Root was also a Five-Element Mixed Spirit Root. Arriving at the Yun family at the age of fifteen or sixteen, cultivating to Fourth-Layer Qi Refining in eighteen years, and reaching Mid-Stage Qi Refining by his early thirties—this Cultivation speed was not considered slow among Cultivators with Five-Element Mixed Spirit Roots.

Most importantly, Old Gao had a high talent for breeding Large Cyan Fish. Although Chen Jianghe’s total yield of Large Cyan Fish this year was two thousand six hundred catties with an average weight of three catties and seven taels, his actual breeding talent wasn’t that high. It all relied on Little Black urging the Large Cyan Fish fry to eat in the lake.

If Old Gao could have become a Senior Fisherman and Farmer before the age of forty, it would have been highly possible for him to break through Mid-Stage Qi Refining and become a Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator. Looking at Old Gao’s regretful expression and his current Fourth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation, some unforeseen mishap must have occurred along the way.

Old Gao continued, "I was young, arrogant, and reckless. I foolishly trusted the words of others. Not only did I work as a short-term miner, but I also joined the deep shaft excavation. Going down the deep shaft just once rewarded ten grains of Spiritual Sand, and with the commission from digging up Spiritual Ore, I could earn at least thirty grains of Spiritual Sand.

"I remember that time, the three of us went down into the deep shaft to mine Spiritual Ore and unexpectedly dug up over two hundred Spirit Stones. Between the rewards and commissions, we would average nearly one Spirit Stone each. Thus, greed was sparked, and murderous intent arose. Because I was at Fourth-Layer Qi Refining and the other two were only at Third-Layer Qi Refining, I survived the ensuing battle.

"Heh, three Spirit Stones. Those three Spirit Stones ruined my Immortal Path!" Old Gao’s tone abruptly rose, brimming with regret and reluctance. "My Dantian was damaged, causing my Magical Power to leak. Let alone improving my Cultivation, just maintaining my Fourth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation requires me to take a Qi Nourishing Pill every five years."

Listening to Old Gao detail the unforeseen tragedy of his youth, Chen Jianghe sighed heavily in his heart. The man had originally possessed a bright future, yet a single misstep had led to eternal regret.

After a moment, Old Gao gradually calmed his emotions. He looked at Chen Jianghe and said, "Jianghe, you have a steady personality and handle matters with maturity. I figure you won’t take the same detours I did, so I won’t nag you with too much advice."

"Thank you for sharing this precious Cultivation experience. This junior will take this lesson to heart," Chen Jianghe cupped his hands and bowed.

At this moment, he became even more resolute in his decision to absolutely never leave the waters of Jingyue Lake until he reached Late-Stage Qi Refining. Although the Yun family exploited their Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers to some extent, they also provided them with shelter. As long as they remained within the waters of Jingyue Lake, their lives would be guaranteed safe.

He had a long lifespan and would reach Late-Stage Qi Refining sooner or later. There was no need to rush for a temporary burst in Cultivation speed.

"Jianghe, I have a premonition that you will walk further on the Immortal Dao than I did. It’s a pity my time is running out, and I won’t be able to help you much." Old Gao pulled out a small cloth bag and placed it on the table. "This is one Spirit Stone. I hope it can provide some help during the early stages of your Cultivation."

"Old Gao..." Chen Jianghe frowned.

"I only ask that you look after Xiaoyao a little in the future. Of course, if you encounter something beyond your capabilities, there is no need to force it." After speaking, Old Gao stood up and left the cabin.

Chen Jianghe watched Old Gao’s thin, hunched back, deeply feeling the loneliness and helplessness of a man whose lifespan was nearing its end.