Chapter 9 - 8: Three Years

Chapter 9: Chapter 8: Three Years

Chen Jianghe swam to the surface of the lake and returned to his fishing boat. He didn’t write to Yu Daniu to ask if he had actually lent Wang Kui the Spiritual Sand.

His relationship with Yu Daniu was only slightly better than with the other Fishermen and Farmers; they weren’t close enough to share every secret. Wang Kui was also Yu Daniu’s neighbor, so it was only natural if Yu Daniu wanted to build a good relationship with him. As for Wang Kui’s reputation for borrowing without repaying, it had long spread throughout the Outer Waters. There was no need for him to waste his breath on the matter.

There were no walls without cracks in this world, and gossiping behind someone’s back would only invite resentment. That completely contradicted his low-profile and cautious style. Furthermore, lectures often fell on deaf ears, but harsh experience taught a man instantly.

Entering the cabin, Chen Jianghe began his Cultivation. He circulated the Returning Origin True Water Technique, absorbing and refining the thin Spiritual Qi over the lake. Completing his Circulations, he steadily improved his Cultivation.

Time slipped away in the blink of an eye. Three years flew by like a flowing river.

Chen Jianghe was now twenty years old. Compared to his lifespan of two hundred and forty years, he hadn’t even lived a tenth of it. Over these three years, his Cultivation had improved. His Dantian Qi Sea had expanded to the size of an eyeball, and he estimated that he would break through to the Second-Layer Qi Refining in a year at most.

As for the Magic attached to the Returning Origin True Water Technique, aside from the Small Water Control Technique and Water Avoidance Curse, he had also learned the Water Arrow Technique. When cast, his Water Element Magic Power could condense a half-foot-long Water Arrow capable of piercing a finger-thick wooden board.

His Cultivation was still too low. A Lower-Grade Water Arrow Talisman could release a three-foot-long Water Arrow that could pierce through secular Hundred Refinement Armor, equivalent to a full-force strike from someone at the Third-Layer Qi Refining. Nevertheless, he at least had a true offensive method now.

He had also raised three batches of Large Cyan Fish.

In the first year, the total yield of the Large Cyan Fish reached two thousand three hundred catties, with an average weight of three point six catties, yielding a profit of eighty-three grains of Spiritual Sand. In the second year, the total yield was two thousand five hundred catties; the average weight remained three point six catties, generating eighty-five grains of Spiritual Sand. In the third year, the total yield hit two thousand six hundred catties, and the average weight improved to three point seven catties, bringing in ninety-six grains of Spiritual Sand.

The total earnings over the three years added up to 282 grains of Spiritual Sand. Combined with the 28 grains he had left after purchasing the Spirit Awakening Pill, he had a total of 310 grains. After deducting 30 grains for his expenses over the past three years, Chen Jianghe had now saved up 280 grains of Spiritual Sand.

Just like before, other than going to the port to buy daily necessities, he spent all his time on the fishing boat focusing on his Cultivation, devoid of any other entertainment. Naturally, his speed of accumulating Spiritual Sand was very fast.

Ever since Little Black consumed the Spirit Awakening Pill, it had awakened its Spiritual Wisdom by the second month. When Chen Jianghe went into the water, he saw that Little Black could already sense Spiritual Qi and was rhythmically Absorbing Spiritual Energy. This made him wonder if Spirit Beasts didn’t need a Cultivation Technique, relying entirely on the most basic Breathing Spiritual Energy for Refinement. Or perhaps, once a Spirit Beast awakened its Spiritual Wisdom, it would automatically activate some legendary bloodline inheritance.

Over these three years, although Little Black had not yet reached the Entry Tier, Chen Jianghe clearly felt that its body was brimming with Spiritual Qi—far more abundant than that of the farmed Large Cyan Fish. It was likely on the verge of reaching the Entry Tier to officially become a Spirit Beast. Therefore, when the Yun Family came to collect the fish early this morning, he made Little Black burrow deep into the mud at the bottom of the lake to avoid being detected by the Chief Ship Steward’s Divine Sense.

"Should I buy a Qi Nourishing Pill for Little Black in advance?" Chen Jianghe thought to himself.

He now had 280 grains of Spiritual Sand saved up, which was more than enough to buy a Qi Nourishing Pill. Right now, Little Black was brimming with Physical Body Spirit Qi; it only needed a catalyst to internalize the Spiritual Qi and advance into a Spirit Beast. A Qi Nourishing Pill should be able to help it complete the promotion.

After a moment of thought, he felt it was somewhat inappropriate. This was the second time he had promised an incentive reward to Little Black. If he gave the reward in advance, it might make Little Black slack off. After all, over these past three years, Little Black hadn’t produced any stunning results in breeding the Large Cyan Fish. Once Little Black became a Spirit Beast, his own maximum lifespan would undoubtedly increase along with it, but for now, two hundred and forty years of life was entirely sufficient for him.

A moment later, Chen Jianghe made his decision.

He would buy the Qi Nourishing Pill, but not for Little Black. He would take it himself. With his current Cultivation, consuming a Qi Nourishing Pill should allow him to break through to the Second-Layer Qi Refining. This would also save him a year of bitter Cultivation. In the eyes of outsiders, saving up Spiritual Sand to buy a Qi Nourishing Pill for a Cultivation breakthrough was a perfectly normal train of thought. If he hoarded his Spiritual Sand without ever using it, it would not only invite unwanted attention but also arouse suspicion.

This year’s Large Cyan Fish had already been collected, and it was time to head to Port No.1 to fulfill the annual promise the three of them had made to meet up.

"During this year’s Fish Sleep Stage, Old Gao sent a message saying he was leaving Jingyue Lake, and he hasn’t sent any updates since. I wonder if he has returned from the outside," Chen Jianghe mused.

Over the past three years, both Old Gao and Yu Daniu had undergone some changes. Because his lifespan was nearing its end, Old Gao had become depressed and gloomy. He was no longer as mild-mannered as he had been in previous years. During their small gathering last year, he had even lost his temper at Yu Daniu.

It was all over the matter of Yu Daniu lending Spiritual Sand to Wang Kui.

If it had been the old days, Old Gao would have, at most, offered Yu Daniu a few words of gentle advice, but he absolutely would not have lost his temper and shouted at him. It was only during last year’s gathering that Chen Jianghe found out Yu Daniu had indeed lent Spiritual Sand to Wang Kui. However, the amount had been exaggerated by Wang Kui. It wasn’t sixty grains of Spiritual Sand, but thirty.

At first, Yu Daniu hadn’t wanted to lend the Spiritual Sand either, as he knew a thing or two about Wang Kui’s reputation in the Outer Waters. But he couldn’t withstand Wang Kui’s relentless pestering. The requested amount was reduced from sixty grains to thirty, accompanied by all sorts of solemn vows and guarantees. Ultimately, out of consideration for their neighborly ties, Yu Daniu lent Wang Kui thirty grains of Spiritual Sand, with the agreement that it would be repaid after the fish harvest the following year.

As a result, when they bumped into each other at the port right after the next year’s fish harvest, Wang Kui greeted Yu Daniu with a face full of smiles. Yu Daniu had thought Wang Kui was coming to repay the thirty grains of Spiritual Sand, and even felt a pang of guilt for misunderstanding him based on previous hearsay.

He never expected what would happen next.

The very first thing out of Wang Kui’s mouth was a request to borrow more Spiritual Sand, not to repay the thirty grains he already owed. Furthermore, Wang Kui made an outrageous demand this time, asking to borrow eighty grains of Spiritual Sand right off the bat.

Naturally, Yu Daniu refused. However, as Wang Kui continuously lowered the requested amount and resorted to a mix of coercion and bribery, Yu Daniu ultimately lent him another twenty grains. In return, Wang Kui swore on his parents’ names that he would absolutely repay Yu Daniu fifty grains of Spiritual Sand the following year.

When they met up after yet another year’s fish harvest, Wang Kui still asked to borrow Spiritual Sand with a smile on his face. He kept his mouth completely shut about the fifty grains he had previously borrowed. He even lowered his request to a mere five grains of Spiritual Sand.

But this time, Yu Daniu adamantly refused to lend him anything, which resulted in Wang Kui loudly cursing him out at the port. Not only had the previous fifty grains of Spiritual Sand gone down the drain, but he had also made a public enemy.

Too furious to let it go, Yu Daniu vented about the incident during their small gathering at the Yuelai Inn, only to be harshly scolded by an emotional Old Gao. The gathering had ended on a sour note.

Arriving at the market at Port No.1, Chen Jianghe walked into the Yuelai Inn, uncertain if Old Gao and Yu Daniu would even show up this time.