Chapter 3: Sea Dragon King’s Birthday
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
Three months later.
Jade Island.
A fishing village.
Fang Qing was bare to the waist, drying fishing nets.
Ever since he had been rescued by Old Man Zha’s family three months ago, he had been taken in by them. He had eagerly helped with all kinds of work, mainly to familiarize himself with the surroundings and practice the local language.
The language of Jade Island was somewhat similar to the Ba language, but there were still differences in the end, requiring gradual adjustment and adaptation.
Fortunately, Old Man Zha believed he came from far away. The distances between major islands were vast, and slight differences in accent were perfectly normal.
As for Fang Qing’s explanation of his identity, it was naturally the worn-out excuse of amnesia—he only remembered his name…
After all, he was unfamiliar with the place and could not fabricate any convincing excuse. Luckily, Old Man Zha did not press the matter and directly took him in.
Although, according to Fang Qing’s observations, the old man merely wanted an extra laborer—perhaps with other motives as well.
“Thankfully, this place can harvest sea grain. Ordinary people can actually feed and clothe themselves… One extra mouth doesn’t make much difference.”
“Brother Fang, it’s time to eat!”
Just as Fang Qing was sighing inwardly, a little girl came running over, holding a chipped large sea bowl.
“Thank you, Zhu’er.”
Fang Qing accepted it and saw chunks of dark green cakes inside. They tasted somewhat like seaweed mixed with rice.
This was food made from sea algae. Although the taste was average, it was filling enough.
Occasionally picking up some seafood, the abundance of resources actually surpassed that of Three-Waters Hollow where he had lived before—of course, it still could not compare to his Reincarnation life.
“Heehee…”
Zhu’er wore a bright red short jacket, her hair tied into horn-shaped braids. Her eyes darted about cutely as she squatted on the ground playing with seashells.
“Zhu’er, you’re so cute. You must have the talent for cultivation. You’ll definitely be chosen by the Azure Sea Sect and become an immortal.”
Fang Qing teased her with a smile.
Through these past days, he had already gained some understanding of this sea region.
The Small Huan Sea, Jade Island!
The Small Huan Sea belonged to part of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, located in its southeastern corner. There were three sects here, each with a Core Formation ancestor in residence, guarding the people so that sea demonic beasts dared not offend them.
Within the Small Huan Sea were countless scattered islands. Some had Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed there, forming small local powers;
others had Qi Refining cultivators barely sustaining themselves.
“Because the outer seas are extremely dangerous, islands without Qi Refining cultivators guarding them simply cannot support mortal survival… Mortals and cultivators live together, so many matters are not secrets.”
Fang Qing gazed toward the depths of the island, his eyes deep. “And the Azure Sea Sect is considered an upright and prestigious sect. Every so often, it selects children with spiritual roots to enter the sect… This is my chance!”
His gaze burned hot. Even if he was already fourteen or fifteen, for the sake of cultivation, painting an old cucumber green was nothing to worry about!
“What’s more… The cultivation methods here are exactly as I imagined—so long as one has aptitude and obtains them, one can cultivate directly, without being blocked by the first breath of qi… In fishing villages, there are many legends of martial experts falling into the sea and finding ancient inheritances, or poor scholars discovering cultivation manuals in scriptures, thus stepping onto the path of cultivation and attaining immortality!”
Compared to the high-threshold cultivation of Ancient Shu, Fang Qing felt that the cultivation methods here suited him better.
Of course, his greatest confidence still lay in the cheat ability he possessed—“Return to Origin.” Even if he took the wrong path, there was nothing to fear!
The greatest joy in life was having the right to undo one’s moves!
Therefore, Fang Qing was determined to obtain the immortal opportunity of the Azure Sea Sect.
At dusk, the sun sank westward, golden light flooding the sky.
“Haha, Little Fang, give me a hand.”
On the Zha family fishing boat, Old Man Zha leapt down holding a wooden bucket.
Fang Qing took it and found several sea fish crowded inside.
“Luck wasn’t good today, only a few blue-patterned fish…”
Old Man Zha 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 special variants with many medicinal properties, even useful to immortal cultivators.
Among mortals, they were worth a fortune.
“Rely on the mountains to eat the mountains, rely on the sea to eat the sea… I hear those Qi Refining experts rely mostly on treasure fish for daily cultivation… As for Foundation Establishment experts? Naturally, they eat real demonic beasts…”
Compared to demonic beasts, so-called “variant treasure fish” were probably only at the half-demon level. Once they became true demonic beasts, ordinary fishermen would stand no chance—ships would be destroyed and lives lost. Zhu’er’s parents were said to have died that way.
“You caught a red-scaled bream when you were young. You’ll definitely catch another one.”
Fang Qing said cheerfully, knowing exactly what would make Old Man Zha happiest.
While coaxing the old man, he began processing the blue-patterned fish.
These fish had blue scales and fang-like teeth, fierce in appearance. They even tried to bite his fingers, and their tails struck with considerable force, making them hard to handle.
At this thought, Fang Qing’s gaze sank slightly, his movements swift as lightning.
“Red Sand Hand!”
A faint red hue appeared on his palm. Grabbing a blue-patterned fish, he applied a bit of force and crushed its brain.
“Good lad, that Red Sand Hand has entered the basics.”
Seeing this, Old Man Zha nodded in satisfaction.
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 fishermen of this village, the most common techniques were Red Sand Hand and Thousand-Catties Drop.
The former was a fish-catching technique, cultivated using a special red sand unique to the beaches.
The latter was a light-body technique used to stabilize one’s stance on boats.
Since Fang Qing helped aboard the boat, Old Man Zha naturally taught him both techniques.
“Heh heh…”
Old Man Zha smiled as he took out a smoking pipe with an antique bronze mouthpiece, leaning against the planks to rest. Watching Fang Qing clean the blue-patterned fish one by one, he suddenly spoke. “Little fellow, you’ve been here three months now, haven’t you?”
“Yes, three months.”
Fang Qing kept working, already knowing Old Man Zha’s intent.
“You want to go to the Immortal Opportunity Assembly? Although the Azure Sea Sect recruits children, you’re a bit old and not a native of this island. It’ll be difficult…”
Old Man Zha shook his head.
“I ask for your guidance, sir.”
Fang Qing finished cleaning the fish and stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
He knew that the old fisherman might have saved him out of momentary kindness, but taking him in for so long and teaching him martial arts could not be explained by kindness alone.
‘This man must be seeking something—he wants to use me.’
‘But having value to be used is still fortunate. At least he invested first…’
Fang Qing’s expression remained unchanged.
Beside them, Zhu’er blinked her eyes and stepped forward to massage her grandfather’s back, her voice carrying a childish tone. “Grandpa, please help Brother Fang…”
“Go on, go on!”
Old Man Zha snorted, glaring fiercely at Fang Qing before coaxing Zhu’er away. Only then did he speak. “These days, I’ve been going out to sea constantly, circling the waters near the island, but I haven’t caught a single treasure fish…”
“If we could get a treasure fish to improve aptitude, then even if Zhu’er doesn’t have spiritual roots, she could still practice martial arts after the Immortal Opportunity Assembly…”
Fang Qing indicated that he understood.
“A single treasure fish is worth at least a hundred silver shells…” Old Man Zha sighed. “Those old hands in the village who don’t dare venture into deep seas might catch two or three treasure fish in a lifetime—that’s already admirable. But I know a route. In a few days, it’ll be the Sea Dragon King’s Birthday. During the sacrifice, Sea Dragon Reef will surely attract treasure fish!”
“Sea Dragon King’s Birthday?”
Fang Qing’s expression grew solemn. “What exactly is the procedure?”
He knew—the main point had arrived.
“The so-called Sea Dragon King’s Birthday…” Old Man Zha’s expression turned distant as he began to explain. “It’s a sacrifice held by us fishermen. Veteran seafarers steer boats to deliver the offerings and the strongmen guarding them to Sea Dragon Reef. When night falls, the large ships leave, leaving only a few strongmen to watch over the offerings. If they endure the night until dawn, there will be the spectacle of ‘ten thousand fish paying homage.’ Among them, there will certainly be several treasure fish. With your current skills, it’s quite possible to catch one.”
After finishing, he stared at Fang Qing expectantly.
“This matter… must be extremely dangerous. Where does the danger lie? I have several questions and ask for clarification.”
Fang Qing spoke gravely.
“Danger… naturally there is some. But in past years, nothing major happened.”
Old Man Zha explained each point, then said solemnly, “Little fellow, you show outstanding promise. You are certainly not one to remain in a small pond. I swear on my family name and ancestors—so long as you agree to participate in the Sea Dragon King’s Birthday, I will immediately vouch for you and register you in Dahua Fishing Village. You will definitely be able to attend the Immortal Opportunity Assembly.”
‘It sounds… like the danger isn’t that great… Not a chance!’
Fang Qing pondered inwardly. ‘With the Azure Sea Sect here, no great demon would dare act recklessly, but this so-called ‘Sea Dragon King’ is still very suspicious…’
‘Fortunately, from the process described, only those on the reef island face danger… and the danger is at night, which can be avoided.’
Although he leaned one way internally, his face still showed hesitation. ‘This… I need to consider it carefully.’
“Of course. Take your time. Immortal opportunities are rare. Given your age, if you miss this year, you might not be able to apply again next year.”
Old Man Zha smiled. To Fang Qing, that old face even resembled his old uncle somewhat.
……
Late at night.
After checking his surroundings, Fang Qing lifted a bucket of red sand and called out with his mind.
“Dao-Birth Pearl!”
Boom!
Clouds billowed as rosy radiance flooded the sky, heaven and earth meeting as one.
Clear and turbid energies churned, forming a gateway.
In the blink of an eye, the world changed.
The land of Ancient Shu, inside a mountain cave.
Fang Qing’s figure appeared, with several wolf corpses beside him, their skulls caved in—clearly killed by heavy blows.
He rubbed his hands thoughtfully. “I used the cheat ability ‘Return to Origin’ to convert the internal force of Red Sand Hand into primordial qi, yet there’s only this tiny amount?”
At this moment, if Fang Qing were to introspect the Dao-Birth Pearl, he would sense—mysterious beyond mystery, neither inside nor outside his body—that the Red Sand Hand he had cultivated had transformed into a white speck of light smaller than a grain of rice by more than ten times, so faint it was almost negligible.
“Fortunately, I can also convert the power of Thousand-Catties Drop and add it onto Red Sand Hand… That’s the real reason my cultivation has progressed so quickly.”
Over these three months, although he rarely traveled back, he had constantly explored the usage of his cheat ability.
For example—Return to Origin!
With a thought, that single strand of primordial qi instantly transformed into the cultivation of Thousand-Catties Drop, causing his legs to become powerful and steady, equivalent to fishermen who had trained for half a year!
“This… is incredible.”
Joy appeared on his face. “If that’s the case, if I cultivate large amounts of low-tier techniques and then reset them all, I might be able to rapidly max out a single martial art—perhaps even reach a level of transcendence?”
After thinking for a moment, he hesitated again. “However, efficiency, loss, and the bottlenecks of higher-level martial arts… all need to be considered…”