I Practice Farming While the Rest Cultivates

Lu Xuan approached the Dark Fish and pinned it down with a single palm. The giant fish immediately became motionless, docile lying on the ground.

He placed it into an ordinary Spirit Beast Bag and casually hung it by his waist.

"Friend Lu, this Dark Fish is top-notch in flavor, but there's one thing to be mindful of. Before cooking, it must be properly dealt with, washed to remove the True River essence within the Spiritual fish's body, otherwise eating too much of it could be detrimental to 'Cultivators'."

Shi Zichen said seriously, offering a reminder.

"Alright, Lu Mou will take note."

Lu Xuan laughed.

Having so easily caught a Fourth Grade Spiritual Fish, he was feeling quite pleased at the moment.

Shi Zichen returned to his Obsidian Spirit Rod, holding the Fifth Rank rod in his hands and feeling somewhat out of sorts.

"Without catching fish, even the best equipment is useless."

He adjusted his mindset and continued to sit by the riverbank, quietly fishing.

Yet, in less than two days, there was activity from Lu Xuan's direction again.

Turning his head to look, he saw the handsome young man raising his rod high, wrestling with another huge fish.

"Another Dark Fish? Did he poke into a lair of Dark Fish?"

Shi Zichen thought to himself.

Although the Dark Fish was only Fourth Rank and not rare in the Thousand Treasures True River, it was still considered a High-grade Spiritual Fish.

For the many 'Cultivators' who spent long periods fishing for treasures by the river, catching a Dark Fish was considered a substantial gain.

Better than coming up empty-handed.

"I didn't expect Friend Lu to be so skilled at fishing, to have caught a second Dark Fish in such short time."

He approached Lu Xuan, his tone tinged with a hint of sourness.

"Stone Daoist flatters me."

"Lu Mou once heard a rumor that 'Cultivators' who try fishing for the first time often inexplicably catch various Spiritual fish, calling it a beginner's protection period."

"Perhaps Lu Mou is experiencing just that."

Lu Xuan's face showed a hint of a smile as he removed the second Dark Fish from the Agilawood Hook.

This second fish appeared significantly larger than the first, with dark spiritual light flowing over its many scales, spitting streams of water arrows at Lu Xuan, displaying its ferocity.

"It's possible."

Shi Zichen nodded, finding solace in the idea.

He returned to his fishing spot, subtly moving a bit closer to where Lu Xuan was.

Lu Xuan, as if he hadn't noticed, continued in his original position, using his specially concocted bait to entice the Dark Fish deep within the True River.

Perhaps due to the limited number of Spiritual fish below, the third fish took a little longer than the previous two to bite.

It wasn't until the tenth day of fishing that he finally caught the third Dark Fish.

"Three of them!!"

This made Shi Zichen completely restless, coming up to Lu Xuan and sighing heavily.

"Maybe Lu Mou has a fate with these Dark Fish, or perhaps the bait bought from the Fish Shop Owner just so happens to be favored by these kinds of Spiritual fish."

"Of course, the most likely reason is that the spot Lu Mou chose happens to have quite a few Dark Fish, which is why I could easily get three of them."

Lu Xuan pondered for a moment before saying.

He had been quite discreet when preparing the bait earlier, and since Shi Zichen was entirely focused on his float, he didn't attract the other's attention.

"Friend Lu catching these three Spiritual fish is your good fortune. Shi Mou just feels a bit unbalanced inside, and has no other thoughts."

Seeing Lu Xuan's demeanor, Shi Zichen hurriedly explained.

"I understand, I understand," a mere three fourth-grade Spiritual fish, and Stone Daoist could fish up a Treasure Item that far exceeds their value without any effort,"

Lu Xuan laughed as he spoke.

The two returned to their own spots and once again fell into anticipation of fishing up treasures.

"Not to mention, the moment you fish something up, there's an unprecedented sense of satisfaction,"

"Especially with a high-rank Spirit Fish like the Dark Fish,"

"Who knows what the experience of fishing up a fifth-rank or even higher rank Treasure Item will be like in the future,"

Lu Xuan thought to himself.

Now that he possessed that special ability, he was confident that, with adequate preparation, he could fish up higher rank Spirit Fish and Water Beasts.

"If I fish up some rare Spirit Fish or Water Monsters, I could also try raising them myself,"

"There are thousands of mysterious Treasure Items from unknown origins in the True River, I wonder if there is a chance to fish up one or two High-grade Spirit Seeds,"

He let his thoughts run wild.

"The fact that I can concoct special bait must be kept a secret, that way I can obtain more Treasure Items and avoid unnecessary trouble,"

If those Great Sect Powers learned that Lu Xuan had this special ability, they might force Lu Xuan to work for them.

He was naturally free-spirited and disliked being constrained, so it was best to avoid that kind of situation as much as possible.

"Once I return, I'll try to collect some Spirit Bamboo saplings or Spiritual Seeds to craft a higher quality Spirit Rod, and the fishing line and hooks can also be upgraded,"

Lu Xuan thought to himself, since his Ink Jade Spirit Rod was only fourth-grade, it might not be able to withstand high-rank Treasure Items when fishing, so getting better fishing gear was necessary.

After catching the third Dark Fish, Lu Xuan sat there for five more days without receiving any information about the Dark Fish in his mind.

He guessed that the Dark Fish in this area had been fished out by him, and so he began to consider leaving.

"As fine as Spiritual fish are, one must not indulge obsessively, cultivating Spirit Plants is the most important thing,"

"The Spirit Plants in the Thunder Fire Asterism Cave are about to mature,"

Lu Xuan thought, then carefully stored away the Ink Jade Spirit Rod and other Treasure Items, and approached the middle-aged "Cultivator" who seemed petrified.

"Stone Daoist, Lu Mou will take his leave now. Here's a Dark Fish as a gift for you, I hope you'll be able to fish up even better Spirit Fish and Water Monsters in the future,"

He took out a Dark Fish from his Storage Bag and presented it to Shi Zichen.

"Friend Lu, you managed to fish up three fourth-grade Spirit Fish in less than half a month, such a high success rate, have you considered fishing for a few more?"

Shi Zichen did not rush to take the Dark Fish, a look of surprise appearing on his face.

"No need, Lu Mou remembers that Daoist Stone warned me at the beginning not to get addicted and neglect my cultivation,"

Lu Xuan's face had a mischievous smile, as if making an insinuation.

"Of course, more importantly, there are quite a few Spirit Plants that I am cultivating in my Cave Abode. They need careful nurturing, and it wouldn't be good for their growth if I leave them for too long,"

He said seriously.

"I see, it looks like cultivating Spirit Plants is much more important to you than fishing for treasures,"

Shi Zichen nodded and accepted the Dark Fish.

"Thank you, Friend Lu. Then Shi Mou will just enjoy your good luck charm and savor this Dark Fish along with the bottle of Spirit Brew you gave me earlier,"

Lu Xuan's easy gift of a fourth-grade Spirit Fish gave Shi Zichen a favorable impression of him.

"Stone Daoist, goodbye for now. We'll meet again someday,"

Lu Xuan bowed, then rode the silver-white Sword Light into the endless Void.

Shi Zichen watched until Lu Xuan's figure completely vanished, then he continued to sit in his spot, without blinking, staring at the float bobbing in the True River.

Soon, he packed up the Obsidian Spirit Rod and, with a composed demeanour, moved to the spot where Lu Xuan had been fishing before.