From Family Fisherman to Water Virtue Immortal

Qingdu Island, one of the seven subsidiary islands of the Li family, was home to the largest population of mortals among them. 

The island's waters were vast, with few hidden reefs, making it a natural deep-water port. 

Every morning, large ships laden with goods would depart from here, heading straight for the Baoqing Market. The bustling activity made the island lively and vibrant. 

On this particular day, the sky had just begun to lighten. 

Li Quanqing had already risen and rowed his fishing boat to the agreed-upon location. 

The morning sea breeze was cold and carried the salty tang of the ocean. A thick fog rolled in like a mist demon opening its maw and blowing into the harbor. 

The sun had yet to rise, but the dock was already bustling with activity. Many mortals were hauling goods up and down, perhaps having worked through the night without rest. 

Li Quanqing watched these ordinary people, busy as ants. Though they seemed insignificant, it was their labor that supported the prosperity of the cultivation world. 

"Junior Brother, you've arrived quite early." 

Ripples spread across the water as Li Quanshu arrived, rowing a pristine white jade-like vessel. She was dressed in a lake-blue immortal robe, radiant and dignified. 

"Senior Sister, you're quite extravagant to own a spirit vessel," Li Quanqing remarked, glancing at the white jade boat beneath her with slight awe. 

The spirit vessel was massive, spanning two to three zhang (6-9 meters). It was unclear what material it was made of, but every inch of its hull was covered in intricate spirit runes and restrictions, glowing with a dazzling light. It was a treasure of the immortal world. 

Compared to this vessel, Li Quanqing's rickety fishing boat might as well have been garbage. 

"It's just a low-grade spirit vessel, and I bought it second-hand at that. The day I spent my spirit stones on it, my heart ached," Li Quanshu said, half-jokingly, as she smoothed her wind-tousled hair. Her figure was graceful, and her smile was charming. 

Spirit vessels, being medium-to-large-sized magical tools and essential for sea-faring cultivators, were always exorbitantly priced. 

This spirit vessel alone could easily cost over a hundred spirit stones. 

Woo-woo! 

A deep, resonant horn sounded, its powerful tone echoing across the vast sea. 

This was the signal that the family's cargo ship was about to depart. 

The horn's call seemed to awaken the slumbering red sun, dispersing the thick fog and revealing the colossal entity hidden within. 

It was another spirit vessel, but one as massive as a mountain. Its towering hull loomed like a wall before their eyes. 

Countless spirit runes and restrictions shimmered across its surface, emitting a terrifying and awe-inspiring aura. It felt as though one was standing before a Foundation Establishment cultivator, suffocating under its pressure. 

A second-grade large spirit vessel! 

This was the first time Li Quanqing had seen such a behemoth, and he couldn't help but be deeply impressed. 

The vessel's formations hummed with power; a single strike from it could likely rival the full force of a Qi Refinement cultivator at the peak of its power! 

The mortals shouted as they withdrew to the dock, gathering in small groups, ready to drink their morning wine and head home to sleep. 

Their tasks were complete, but the cultivators' journey was just beginning. 

Hundreds of Qi Refinement cultivators piloted their boats, naturally gathering around the large spirit vessel like a school of fish surrounding a giant whale. 

Among them were members of the Li family as well as affiliated smaller families, all preparing to hitch a ride on this convenient voyage. 

"Junior Brother, come aboard!" 

Li Quanshu patted her spirit vessel, which had plenty of space. 

Li Quanqing didn't hesitate, entrusting his fishing boat to the dock's mooring point and stepping onto the white jade vessel. 

The deck felt as steady as the solid ground beneath his feet. 

Woo-woo! 

The large spirit vessel sounded its horn again. Flags bearing the Li family's emblem a fish and a dragon rose from various points on the ship as it slowly set sail. 

The white jade spirit vessel blended into the fleet, a circle of spirit light enveloping its hull. It cut through the waves effortlessly, and even the sea breeze that blew in felt gentler, much to the envy of onlookers. 

"Junior Brother, since you don't have a spirit vessel, you can take this second-grade vessel when you travel to Baoqing Market in the future. Though the ticket price is a bit steep," Li Quanshu said thoughtfully, trying to ease any awkwardness in the boat. 

Li Quanqing smiled but said nothing. 

With his steady temperament, he had little interest in constantly traveling outside. Staying by his fishpond, he could encounter opportunities without even leaving home. 

The mountain-like spirit vessel gradually picked up speed, its hull crashing against the sea with a thunderous roar, leaving behind towering white waves like rolling hills. 

Baoqing Market was over 3,800 li (about 1,900 kilometers) from the Qingyu Archipelago, and the journey would take only four hours. 

Li Quanshu's spiritual power alone was no longer sufficient to sustain the spirit vessel's high-speed travel. 

She had anticipated this and took out several spirit stones, preparing to place them into the recess at the center of the boat. 

"Let me try," Li Quanqing said, casting a water control spell to manipulate the seawater on either side of the vessel. 

The water ahead of the boat parted automatically, while a large wave formed at the stern, pushing them forward as if propelled by a giant hand. 

Though it was just a basic spell, in his hands, it displayed an astonishing level of power and finesse. 

"Such a masterful technique! To have refined the water control spell to this level!" 

Li Quanshu's eyes sparkled with admiration. To her, this junior brother seemed like a genius capable of anything. 

"Qi Refinement, fourth layer..." 

The young woman sensed the cultivation aura he had revealed and sighed inwardly. 

She had been stuck at this bottleneck for over a year, only breaking through half a month ago after intense cultivation. 

Was the gap in spiritual roots truly insurmountable? 

The two took turns controlling the spirit vessel, switching whenever their spiritual power dropped below 70%. 

Though they were under the protection of the family fleet, Li Quanqing still preferred to play it safe. 

Midway through the journey, they encountered a second large spirit vessel heading in the opposite direction from Baoqing Market, a testament to the Li family's wealth. 

As it turned out, Li Quanqing's caution was somewhat unnecessary. 

The thousands of li of the sea passed by in a flash, without any incidents. 

Along the way, islands of all sizes dotted the sea like stars. Some boats broke off from the fleet, while new cultivators joined in. 

There were no reckless bandits or flesh-craving sea beasts foolish enough to attack. 

In these waters, the Qingyu Li family reigned supreme. 

No matter what demons or monsters lurked, a single collision from the mountain-like spirit vessel would reduce them to dust. 

Finally, a massive island lush with vegetation appeared on the horizon, its greenery visible even from a distance. 

They had arrived at Baoqing Market. 

About a hundred li from the market, Li Quanshu guided the spirit vessel with her spiritual power, steering it off the main course. 

Li Quanqing had expected this. 

The Xie family member they were meeting didn't reside in the market itself but on a nearby spirit island. 

The area around Baoqing Market was dotted with islands, many of which were popular as cultivation residences, offering long-term leasing services. 

This was also Li Quanqing's greatest dream to one day buy his spirit island and live a carefree life. 

"My friend here is a true direct descendant of the Xie family, with considerable status. Junior Brother, make sure you don't lose your manners later," Li Quanshu reminded him again as she adjusted her appearance. 

"Don't worry, Senior Sister. I know what to do." 

Li Quanqing gazed into the distance, where a splash of vibrant red caught his eye amidst the blue expanse of the sea. 

It was an island covered in maple trees, square-shaped and resembling a ship. It was called Red Maple Island. 

Now, in late autumn, the maple leaves were at their reddest, burning like flames. As they drew closer, the sight was breathtaking. 

"Honored guests, our master has been awaiting your arrival." 

Using a token, Li Quanshu bypassed the island's protective formation, and two young maids, delicate and adorable, came forward to greet them. 

"What a wonderful place!" 

Li Quanqing walked along a path paved with jade, feeling the abundant spiritual energy and taking in the intoxicating scenery. There was undoubtedly a high-grade spirit vein here. 

The sound of rushing water reached his ears, and as they rounded a bend, the view opened up. 

A waterfall-like jade ribbon cascaded into a deep pool, with pavilions and towers nestled along the water's edge, serene and picturesque. 

A young woman in a bright red robe sat in one of the pavilions. She turned to them, her smile breathtakingly beautiful: 

"Fellow Daoists, you've traveled far. Please, have a drink to wash away the dust of your journey!"