ragginovel Chapter 38 Intermediate Fisherman
Chapter 38 Intermediate Fisherman
The eldest and second eldest brothers' curious inquiries, the aunts' overt and covert scrutiny, and finally, the mother's all-knowing yet silent gaze...
All of this made her feel an invisible constraint, which was completely different from the simple and straightforward interaction she had with Yang Changsheng by the Biyue Lake.
The evening breeze had become somewhat cool, and it carried the moist air from the depths of the emerald lake through the open, carved windows.
The sound of water flowing down the artificial hill in the middle of the lake was particularly clear in the deepening night.
An hour passed quietly amidst the lights, laughter, and aroma of spiritual food in Shuiyunxuan.
At the end of the session, Liu Qing gently gestured for everyone to disperse and rest after completing their training.
Liu Xiaoying followed her mother, Lin Qingge, and silently walked out of Shuiyunxuan.
The mother and daughter walked along the corridor, stepping on the moonlit stone path, towards their respective homes.
Outside the corridor, in the deep courtyard, the small lake shimmered with a dim light in the moonlight, and a few silver carp occasionally stirred the water, creating ripples.
Liu Xiaoying stopped at the bend in the corridor, watching her mother's elegant, fairy-like figure disappear behind another moon gate.
She leaned alone against the railing, the night breeze ruffling her long hair and skirt.
In his mind's eye, his father's words, "Don't leave too many ties behind," still echoed, clear and carrying an undeniable weight.
Her beautiful eyes gazed at the night sky, where the sky in the direction of the lake was tinged red by the lights of the market, blocking out the starlight.
That vast expanse of water, so familiar to Yang Changsheng, which he used to navigate daily in his small boat, now seemed so distant.
"Can bonds... truly be severed and discarded so easily, as Father said?"
Liu Xiaoying sighed softly, her expression calm, and walked back to her room to continue studying the art of talismans.
……
As usual, the morning mist shrouded Bishui Lake. On a wooden boat in the waters of Yisi District No. 9527, Yang Changsheng sat cross-legged.
Three months passed quietly amidst diligent practice.
With ample Marrow Cleansing Pills and no worries about pill poisoning, his Xuan Yuan Technique's power became increasingly condensed as he continuously absorbed and refined it, and his dantian and sea of qi also grew larger.
His cultivation level is steadily advancing towards the peak of the third level of Qi Refining.
The arduous cultivation of the Nine Revolutions of the Sun and Moon Forging Scripture never ceased, and under the tempering of the essence of the sun and moon, the muscles, bones, and flesh grew stronger and stronger.
He repeatedly studied and learned from the jade slip he obtained from the puppeteer of Black Wind Pass.
The twisted and complex lines on the basic rune diagrams can now be reliably reproduced on the wooden tablet through countless tedious engraving practices using scraps of green ironwood.
The vision of the Spirit Eye Technique has become increasingly clear, allowing one to perceive even more subtle spiritual energy flow in the air.
Yang Changsheng's days were filled with a very regular and fulfilling routine, consisting of cultivating his skills, tending to the shrimp, and studying puppetry.
"Splash—"
The water surged and a large group of crystal shrimp, their bodies translucent, were dragged up by a low-quality fishing net, reflecting dazzling light in the morning sun.
Today marks the end of the four-month harvest season.
With steady movements, Yang Changsheng divided the captured shrimp into specially made large water tanks, awaiting inspection.
Before long, the familiar large ship arrived on time.
"In the Yisi District, the 9527 water area, the total output of crystal shrimp is 3,120 catties, with an average weight of 1.6 taels."
After the accompanying monks weighed the items, they reported this astonishing number.
"Good! Yang Changsheng, your yield has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and the quality is also very high. You've already met the standards for promotion to intermediate-level fisherman. I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
Manager Wang glanced at the dense, vibrant swarm of shrimp in the tank, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before turning into undisguised praise.
A minimum output of 1,000 catties of crystal shrimp is required; any output exceeding this will be rewarded with a bonus.
"You flatter me, sir. It's the quality of this body of water that matters, and also my good luck."
Yang Changsheng smiled modestly and accepted a spirit stone and fifty-six spirit beads.
This amount has exceeded that of the previous two quarters and can be considered a considerable income. However, it is still a drop in the bucket when it comes to the cultivation resources needed to purchase during the Qi Refining stage.
He achieved this output in four years, which is neither outstanding nor eye-catching; it was a natural progression.
"Stop with the nonsense. Your skill is your skill. Once you pass the assessment, you can enter the middle section of the water." Manager Wang grinned from ear to ear.
Although the intermediate-level fishermen under the age of nineteen are not among the most talented, they are expected to become rare senior-level fishermen within the next twenty years and can be considered as talents.
He also received rewards for the promotion of fishermen and farmers in the outer waters, so he naturally found them more and more pleasing to the eye.
Afterwards, Manager Wang informed Yang Changsheng of the location and precautions for the assessment, and then continued to perform his duties.
……
The Lu family residence by Bishui Lake, Foreign Affairs Hall.
The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, creating a solemn atmosphere. Hanging in the hall was a plaque inscribed with "Azure Waters Across a Thousand Acres," symbolizing the prestige of the Foundation Establishment family.
Yang Changsheng stood respectfully below the hall, dressed in a blue robe, tall and slender, with a calm expression.
An elder with sharp eyes first consulted the booklet that recorded the steady increase in his crystal shrimp production over the years, and then inquired in detail about his various experiences in aquaculture.
Finally, the elder in blue took out a spirit-testing stone engraved with complex array patterns.
"Come forward and pour your full magical power into me," he said in a deep voice, his expression blank.
Yang Changsheng stepped forward as instructed, placing his palm on the cool stone surface. With a slight thought, the magical power of the third level of Qi Refining in his dantian surged forth.
The spirit-testing stone vibrated softly, and the area on it representing the initial stage of Qi refining lit up steadily until the light reached the third layer before slowly subsiding.
"Hmm, Qi Refining Level 3, pure magic power, solid foundation... The reported output has been verified and is correct. You have passed the promotion assessment!"
The elder nodded slightly, then picked up a specially made jade seal and tapped it on the wooden identity plaque on which Yang Changsheng had signed a twenty-year contract.
"Buzz!"
As magic flowed, a light blue ripple mark representing a mid-level fisherman's status was instantly imprinted on the center of the wooden plaque, radiating a faint spiritual energy fluctuation.
From this moment forward, if the other party dies, the Lu family's law enforcement team will investigate.
After four years of hard work, eighteen-year-old Yang Changsheng finally stepped into the Lujia section of Bishui Lake.
We walked out of the Foreign Affairs Hall.
After completing the handover procedures, he bid farewell to the old wooden boat that had been with him for many years.
A brand-new, six-foot-long awning fishing boat was moored in front of the port dock.
The ship has smooth lines and is made of tough ironwood. A black bronze bell at the bow emits a deep, clear sound in the wind.
This is the Eagle Summoning Bell. By simply infusing a trace of magic power and ringing it, one can summon the high-grade cormorants raised by the Lu family to deliver messages between the market and the waterways. It is incredibly convenient and only requires a spirit pearl to pay for each message.
What pleased Yang Changsheng even more was a brand-new monk's robe folded in the cabin.
The robe was blue and smooth to the touch, made of first-grade low-quality "water-soft silk". The front and cuffs were embroidered with two surging water wave patterns in silver thread.
Wearing it, you immediately feel a cool and supple breath enveloping your whole body, not only insulating you from the damp and cold air from the lake, but also making you feel spotless.
Although it is only a low-grade magic weapon with limited defense, its dust and water protection effects are quite practical and thoughtful for fishermen and farmers who work on the lake year-round.