From Family Fisherman to Water Virtue Immortal

Li Quanqing held the four spirit stones in his hand, their texture warm and smooth, with a faint, cool spiritual energy seeping through his skin into his meridians. 

Four spirit stones per quarter meant sixteen spirit stones a year. 

Once he broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement, it would be thirty-two, and at the fifth level, sixty-four. 

By the time he reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement, even if he did nothing, he could earn over a hundred spirit stones a year just by lazing around. 

The family's benefits were indeed quite generous. 

However, the Li family didn't support idlers. If someone didn't break through a minor realm within ten years, their stipend would automatically be halved. 

"Are you interested in joining the Artifact Refining Hall and learning the art of refining artifacts?" 

Li Kunli wandered around the fish pond, in no hurry to leave, and extended an olive branch. 

In his eyes, the young man before him was indeed a gem within the family. 

Moreover, he had no significant background, so once he grew stronger, he could become a valuable asset to his faction. 

Li Quanqing was momentarily stunned, carefully choosing his words. 

"I would naturally be willing, but learning artifact refining is too expensive. I haven't saved up enough spirit stones yet." 

Li Kunli pointed at the storage bag in the young man's arms and smiled. "You're not exactly poor, are you? Are you worried about your fish pond? Don't worry, raising fish and refining artifacts don't conflict. When I was young, I was also a renowned fish farmer in the family!" 

Li Quanqing felt a bit awkward. "These spirit stones were obtained by mortgaging the contribution points left by my parents to the family." 

"Then it's perfect not to return them. After all, hoarding them is useless. They should be used as resources on your cultivation path." 

The old man smiled meaningfully. "Or are you planning to follow the example of those stingy family members, saving up contribution points for the priority to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill?" 

"Not at all. I just want to save up a thousand contribution points to exchange for the 'Tides of the Blue Sea Art' in the Scripture Pavilion." 

Li Quanqing quickly waved his hands. "If I can break through to the late Qi Refinement stage in this lifetime, I'll consider myself lucky. I wouldn't dare dream of Foundation Establishment." 

"Not even daring to entertain such thoughts? You lack the vigor of a young man." 

Li Kunli shook his head. "There are many ways to learn the family's foundational scripture. For example, if you place in the top ten in the family competition in a few years, you can get it without spending contribution points." 

"Family competition?" 

Li Quanqing was momentarily confused. The competition was held once every ten years, so he wasn't very familiar with it. 

"Or, if you show exceptional talent in artifact refining, you can take the Artifact Refining Hall's path. I can personally request the family head..." 

The old man's words were suddenly interrupted by a barrage of water arrows. 

Splat! Splat! Splat! 

The water surface churned as over a thousand green carp surfaced, their fish eyes glaring as they spat thick streams of water. 

Li Kunli, a fire-attribute cultivator just one step away from Foundation Establishment, exuded a scorching aura that nearly boiled the lake water. 

The green carp in the pond couldn't stand the heat and collectively rebelled against the human cultivator's mistreatment. 

Moo! Moo! 

The two Azure Jade Carps also couldn't help but surface for air, circling Li Quanqing, clearly intimidated by the Third Elder's presence. 

"There's a Golden-Striped Azure Jade Carp here?" 

Li Kunli's eyes lit up. With a wave of his sleeve, a sea of flames erupted, evaporating all the water arrows into the mist. 

During this inspection of the family's waters, aside from officially announcing that the Artifact Refining Hall would now handle stipend distribution, he was also looking for high-quality Azure Jade Carps to refine a precious magical artifact. 

After just a few glances, the old man recognized the state of the male Azure Jade Carp. "You've raised it well. It's just a few days away from becoming a demon beast. How about selling it to me once it matures?" 

Li Quanqing naturally agreed. "I'll deliver it to the Third Elder once it's ready." 

"Don't worry, I won't let you suffer a loss." 

Li Kunli laughed heartily and flicked out an ice-blue pill. "I'll take my leave now. No need to see me off." 

With that, he floated away on the water, his sleeves billowing, exuding an air of immortal grace. 

Splash! 

The fish surged, and hundreds of green carp gathered on the water's surface, their scales glistening as they frantically tried to snatch the ice-blue pill. 

"Stay back!" 

Li Quanqing took out his token and activated the formation. Lotus flowers bloomed, and lotus leaves glowed as the formation patterns intertwined on the water's surface like a chessboard, separating all the green carp. 

Only the two Azure Jade Carps were left unrestricted. 

Boom! 

The ice-blue pill dissolved upon contact with the water, instantly forming a wheel-sized block of ice on the surface, exuding a chilling cold. 

Can this thing even be eaten? 

Li Quanqing was still puzzled, but the two-spirit fish were already eager. 

Crunch! Crunch! 

The Azure Jade Carps flapped their fins, striking the ice with astonishing force, sending ice shards flying and creating a sparkling blue glow. 

They continuously devoured the ice shards, as if they contained an indescribable magic, and a faint icy aura began to emanate from their scales. 

Visibly, a light sphere began to form above the male Azure Jade Carp's forehead, indicating that it was about to reach maturity. 

Li Quanqing rubbed his hands together, feeling the excitement of opening a blind box, curious about what reward he would receive. 

The male Azure Jade Carp devoured two-thirds of the icy pill before suddenly freezing in place. 

Gradually, as its broad fins waved, cold air surged, and ice spread, eventually encasing itself in a block of ice. 

The female Azure Jade Carp, on the other hand, remained lively, though her aura also grew colder. 

"Is this silly fish going to freeze itself to death?" 

Li Quanqing sat on the lotus platform, unsure of what to do. After about half an hour, he finally saw the light sphere fully form, marking the fish's official entry into maturity. 

Moo 

A deep, resonant call echoed through the pond, majestic and heavy, causing ripples that gave off an inexplicable sense of authority. 

The previously restless green carp instantly fell silent, curling up in fear and silently sinking to the bottom of the pond. 

Even the turbulent waves were calmed by the call, leaving the water surface as smooth as a mirror. 

Crack! 

The ice shattered, and demonic energy surged as the male Azure Jade Carp triumphantly burst out of the ice, leaving a trail of sparkling water in the air. 

Its scales had grown larger, deep and jade-like, with a row of fine scales along its back now gleaming a brilliant gold. 

Moo! Moo! 

It let out a proud cry, diving into the water and circling the female Azure Jade Carp, its pale green fins waving like clouds, its scales opening and closing like a peacock courting a mate. 

Despite its now three-foot-long body, Li Quanqing easily used the Water Control Technique to lift it out of the water. 

Splat! 

The Azure Jade Carp irritably thrashed, imitating the green carp by spitting a stream of icy water, which struck the formation with considerable force. 

[Full of Passion] Green Carp: "I'm finally going to rise to greatness! Damn it, let me go!" 

[Maturity: 100%] 

Li Quanqing was a bit confused. He hadn't thrown any aphrodisiac into the water. Did the ice-blue pill have a... stimulating effect? 

But the most pressing matter was, of course, the light sphere. 

Seeing the enticing light sphere floating in the air, he could no longer restrain himself and reached out to touch it. 

[Harvested a Qi Refinement stage Golden-Striped Azure Jade Carp, rewarded with the refining method for the Green Carp Sword!]