From Family Fisherman to Water Virtue Immortal

Area C-Si, Fish Pond No. 13. 

The sky was a clear, jade-like blue, reflecting on the water's surface like polished glass. White clouds drifted lazily, creating a scene as beautiful as a painting. 

The fishing boat gently glided across the water, ripples spreading out and breaking the serene, tranquil atmosphere. 

Li Quanqing looked at his fish pond and couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia. 

Since he had sold off the green carp in this pond, he had rarely returned. The waters now felt somewhat desolate. 

He took out his token and activated the formation, dividing the pond into three sections. 

Two sections were for raising the Azure Jade Carp and green carp fry, while the last was reserved for the larger fish. 

Splash! Splash! 

The 38 Azure Jade Carp fry were naturally the top priority, carefully released into the pond. 

These little fish, swimming in an environment where the spiritual energy had suddenly dropped, clearly felt uncomfortable, their tiny fins flapping rapidly. 

"Endure it. Your parents grew up here, and they turned out just fine." 

Li Quanqing crushed a dozen spirit grains and mixed them with Earth Spirit Worm bait, scattering them into the pond to temporarily boost the spiritual energy concentration. 

"There are still too many of these fry. I wonder how many will survive to adulthood." 

Li Quanqing stroked his chin, deep in thought. 

The booklet Old Man Li Kunshui had given him contained notes on this. 

Given the spiritual energy concentration of the Class C fish pond, each acre of water could support the growth of one Azure Jade Carp. 

With twenty acres of water, the pond could sustain a maximum of twenty Azure Jade Carp. Any more, and the spiritual energy and nutrients would be insufficient. 

Demon beasts had territorial instincts, even those raised in captivity. 

Once these fry grew up, the limited space would trigger their instincts, leading to fratricidal conflicts. 

Therefore, the owners of large fish ponds in the Li family would typically cultivate a Carp King, forming a blood contract to make management easier. 

"When these little ones grow a bit more, I'll pick out the weaker fry with less potential and sell them at the Jade Dragon Pond market." 

Azure Jade Carp fry were quite valuable and a solid commodity. 

As for the over a thousand green carp, Li Quanqing handled them much more roughly. 

He dumped them into the pond like dumplings into boiling water, causing splashes and muddy waves, making the pond lively once again. 

Seeing his fish pond restored to its former bustling, vibrant state, Li Quanqing finally clapped his hands in satisfaction. 

He looked at the last fish basket on the boat, which contained two mature Azure Jade Carps ready to be sold for spirit stones. 

After its brief moment of glory, the male Azure Jade Carp had reverted to its [Lazy Fish] state. 

Its cultivation at the first level of Qi Refinement was stuck at 1%, showing no signs of progress. 

While it looked impressive and had great bloodline potential, it was essentially a dud. 

Better to sell it early and secure the spirit stones. 

Using his spiritual energy to control the boat, Li Quanqing headed straight for Qingyu Main Island. 

In the southern part of Qingyu Island stood a stretch of barren stone mountains, where the fire spiritual energy in the air was particularly active, hinting at hidden underground flames. 

The Artifact Refining Hall was located here, its buildings rugged and imposing, with halls stretching across the landscape. Many of the structures were even cast from copper and iron. 

When the Li family was first established, this place was called the Hundred Arts Hall, a training ground for various cultivation arts and a talent reserve for the family. 

Later, the Artifact Refining Hall became dominant, forming the backbone of the family's industry. Over time, it became known simply as the Artifact Refining Hall. 

As Li Quanqing entered the hall's gates, a massive dark green cauldron slammed into his vision with striking impact. 

The cauldron was taller than a small hill, square in shape, and engraved with a majestic heavenly gate standing amidst raging waves. 

In the water, countless carp bowed in worship, struggling against the turbulent waves, striving to leap over the gate and transform from fish into dragons. 

The scene was grand and vivid, and Li Quanqing couldn't help but stare for a while. 

"Brother, have you come to the Artifact Refining Hall to learn refining?" 

A refined-looking man in his thirties, dressed in the hall's robes, emerged from behind the cauldron. 

After allowing Li Quanqing to admire the cauldron, he smiled and asked, not showing any disdain for the fishy smell emanating from the young man. 

Li Quanqing nodded. "I'm here not only to learn to refine but also to see the Third Elder. He promised to buy my Golden-Striped Azure Jade Carp." 

"Oh? A Golden-Striped variant?" 

Li Quanlin was visibly surprised. After sizing up his clansman, he said, "In that case, please follow me." 

He didn't doubt Li Quanqing's words. No clansman would dare lie to offend the head of the Artifact Refining Hall. 

As Li Quanqing walked through the vast Artifact Refining Hall, the air grew hotter, filled with the clanging of metal. 

He could vaguely see shirtless men with bulging muscles working away. 

"This is the Fire Hall, where master blacksmiths from various mortal dynasties come to teach weapon forging techniques." 

Li Quanlin explained with a smile. "Although we refine magical artifacts, their roots trace back to mortal weapons. Every hall disciple must start here." 

Beyond this courtyard, the environment became much quieter. Bamboo and cypress trees surrounded a few classrooms. 

"This is the Book Hall, where the basics of refining and spirit rune engraving are taught. The elders often come here to give lectures." 

Li Quanlin explained in detail, as the young man before him was about to become a part of the hall. 

The courtyard was serene, with bamboo shadows swaying in the wind. It was class time, and the faint voices of instructors could be heard. 

Li Quanqing listened carefully, catching some refining terms carried by the wind. To his surprise, he understood them perfectly. 

This gave him a boost of confidence. 

As they continued onward, they reached an arched gateway sealed by a formation. Li Quanlin took out his token and waved it a few times. 

As the formation opened, a misty white fog greeted them, filled with astonishingly dense spiritual energy. 

"Senior Brother Quanlin!" 

As soon as they entered, a middle-aged man approached with confident strides, exuding an air of superiority. 

"Ah, Junior Brother Yuze! You look radiant. I take it your trip to the Baoqing Market was fruitful?" 

Li Quanlin greeted him warmly. Once the man had left, he whispered to Li Quanqing, "This is the Law Hall, where only true family refiners can enter. They gather here to discuss the refinement and improvement of various magical artifacts." 

"Remember, brother, do not wander in here without permission, or you'll face family discipline." 

Li Quanqing quickly nodded, though he was puzzled by the way the two had addressed each other. "Brother, I noticed that the refiner we just met was of the 'Yu' generation, yet he called you 'Senior Brother.' Why is that?" 

Li Quanlin smiled proudly. "In the Artifact Refining Hall, we don't care about your background or status. The only thing that matters is your skill in refining!" 

As they walked through the Law Hall, they saw over twenty refiners, all somewhat unrestrained, indicating their comfortable lifestyles. 

Li Quanqing even spotted a familiar face the man who had sold the Green Carp Sword at Jade Dragon Pond. 

Now dressed in a new robe, he carried himself with an air of dignity. 

At the deepest part of the Law Hall, Li Quanqing finally saw his destination. 

A red-black active volcano. 

The ground was cracked, with thick smoke billowing into the sky. Occasionally, molten lava flowed down, scorching and unbearable, like the earth's blood burning. 

Most astonishingly, refining chambers were built into the mountainside, with formations carved into them, using the magma and earth flames as energy sources. 

Li Quanqing inhaled the pungent smell of sulfur, his expression slightly dazed. 

Although he had known the Artifact Refining Hall was well-established, seeing an actual volcano before him was still awe-inspiring. 

"Brother, welcome to the true Artifact Refining Hall!" 

Li Quanlin was pleased with the young man's astonishment, as he had felt the same way when he first arrived. 

He gazed at the Qingli Volcano, his voice filled with feeling. "If one day, brother, you can claim one of these earth flame refining chambers as your own, it'll be my turn to call you 'Senior Brother.'" 

Li Quanqing smiled wryly. That was no small goal. 

Looking at the flowing magma, he felt a bit intimidated. "Brother, we're not going to climb up there, are we?" 

Although he was a cultivator, his third-level Qi Refinement spiritual energy wouldn't be enough to withstand the volcano's might. 

"Of course not. See those courtyards circling the base of the mountain? That's where the refiners live." 

Li Quanlin pointed. "Come, I'll take you to the hall master's residence. Let's hope he's not in the middle of refining right now."