5: Chapter 5 Second Miss

Seeing this intelligence...

Xu Changsheng's face lit up with joy.

After waiting for several months, good intelligence has finally arrived again.

Qingbo Fishing Ground is located in the eastern part of the market; it is a lake created in Liuyun Market by drawing water from outside the market through the Spirit Canal.

"It seems my fishing skills will be put to the test."

...

The next day.

Qingbo Fishing Ground.

The lake surface was wide, the water a clear emerald green, and the weeping willows swayed gently.

Fishing Pond No. 32 is located in the middle of the lake, and a day of fishing costs three Spirit Stones.

It was a bit expensive, but all the harvest within that day would belong to him.

After putting on the bait and casting the line, Xu Changsheng sat on the Spirit Boat and began to wait quietly.

...

The sun rose and set; it was evening.

Xu Changsheng's expression was a bit unsightly.

He had come up empty-handed!

The bucket beside him was completely empty.

[Todays Intelligence (White): Fishing Expert]

[There is a fishing expert at Fishing Ground No. 31.]

"An expert?!"

Seeing today's intelligence, Xu Changsheng felt as if he had grasped a life-saving straw. He vigorously rowed the oars and headed toward Fishing Pond No. 31.

Before long, he saw a small boat in the distance.

On the small boat, a beautiful figure sat quietly and gracefully at the bow.

Dressed in an elegant light blue gown, her ink-black hair fell like a waterfall, and her face was clean and refined.

It was none other than the Chief Manager of the market—Xie Wantang.

Liuyun Market was actually the Family property of the Foundation Establishment Xie Family. As the daughter of the Xie Family's Second Elder, Xie Wantang was known as the Second Miss and was appointed as the General Manager of the market.

Xu Changsheng did not dare to go further and gazed from afar; this was enough, as he only needed to learn the techniques.

Fortunately, Xie Wantang did not mind him watching. After giving him a slight smile, she continued fishing as if no one else were there.

Her jade-like hands were busy, reeling in and casting the line every so often, and each time there was a catch.

Xu Changsheng's gaze was sharp, and he gradually gained some insights.

He cupped his fists in farewell and returned to Fishing Pond No. 32.

Calming his breath and mind, he cast the rod again.

"Splash!"

Soon, a golden Dragonfish with a sharp horn on its head tumbled on the lake surface.

"I'm in luck; I caught it on the first try."

Seeing the strange appearance of this fish, Xu Changsheng confirmed it was the Dragonfish mentioned in the intelligence.

The Dragonfish soon exhausted its strength and was pulled ashore.

He cut open the fish's belly.

Having obtained the Legacy, he left satisfied.

...

Returning to the inn.

He pressed the Legacy to his forehead and inherited a First-Tier Medium Grade Talisman Legacy.

The communication talisman suddenly vibrated; it was sent by Wu Laoxie.

When he left the spirit fields, Wu Laoxie was afraid of losing contact with him, so he had given him a communication talisman.

"Brother Xu, don't forget the gathering tonight with Qingqing and the others!"

Seeing the message, a hint of reluctance rose in Xu Changsheng's heart.

He wasn't the only one who had failed to make the cut at the Chixiao Sect back then. He had come to Liuyun Market with several other 'failed candidates' he got along with, and they called each other brothers.

Wu Qingqing was one of them. It was only after getting to know her that he met Wu Laoxie at the spirit fields.

They gathered every year to share their situations with each other.

As time passed, the gatherings gradually changed in nature, becoming occasions for comparison and showing off.

"Forget it, I should go anyway."

After all, no matter how bad the atmosphere was, it was still a way to obtain information; perhaps he could gain some good intelligence.

He walked straight out of the inn.

He arrived at Wangjiang Restaurant half a mile away. It was also an Official Shop; the Xie Family kept their shops close to each other. He arrived quickly.

He went up to the second floor and entered the agreed-upon private room.

Seeing someone enter.

The three people in the room all turned their gazes toward him.

Then.

The Young Master in a brocade robe sitting in a prominent position gestured for him to sit: "So it's Changsheng. Long time no see. Sit, sit."

"Thank you, Brother Shangguan."

Xu Changsheng thanked him with cupped fists after sitting down.

This Shangguan Feng was originally a prince of a mortal imperial Family. After failing to be selected for the Chixiao Sect, he had been despondent for a few years, but today he looked radiant and quite happy.

He looked at the petite and exquisite young girl opposite him, who was Wu Qingqing, wanting to say something.

Her gaze, however, quietly dodged his and looked toward Shangguan Feng.

Xu Changsheng had no choice but to drop it.

"What are you saying? We're all friends. Today everyone is here to celebrate my obtaining a First-Tier Low Grade Spirit Wine Legacy. I toast to everyone."

"Young Master Feng, congratulations! I'm truly envious."

On the other side, Zhao Wujiu, who had a thin, monkey-like face, raised his wine cup.

Wu Qingqing also raised her wine cup, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Brother Shangguan, since you have this Opportunity, don't forget to look after your little sister more in the future."

Her body unconsciously leaned toward Shangguan Feng.

"Of course."

Shangguan Feng chuckled, made a move to put his arm around Wu Qingqing, and drained his wine cup in one go.

Xu Changsheng originally wanted to say something, but seeing this scene, his movements froze, and he could only give a wry smile and take a small sip.

Seeing that the atmosphere wasn't right, Wu Qingqing gently broke free from Shangguan Feng's embrace and returned to her seat.

She sat properly, maintaining a solemn and dignified air.

Afterward, the four of them toasted and feasted; everything seemed normal.

Xu Changsheng raised his wine cup: "This Xu is late today. I apologize with this wine and toast to everyone."

The situation in the room suddenly turned strange.

Not a single person was willing to return the toast.

Xu Changsheng's hand holding the wine cup froze in mid-air. Only after a long time did he awkwardly put it down, the smile on his face gradually fading.

The entire room was dead silent.

After a while, Shangguan Feng finally broke the silence: "I heard Su Xiaojing dumped you? How pathetic."

Back then, he had pursued Su Xiaojing for a long time, and she had always used Xu Changsheng as an excuse to brush him off. He had long been resentful of Xu Changsheng.

Now that Su Xiaojing was an esteemed Sect Disciple, she was even more beyond his reach, but fortunately, the two of them had split up.

Now he and Xu Changsheng were on the same level, and he even had an additional Low Grade Spirit Wine Legacy.

He truly felt vindicated: "What I have, you don't. What I can't get, you can't get either!"

Xu Changsheng didn't get angry and said calmly: "Yes, she and I broke up. This is a matter between us; there's no need for Fellow Daoist Shangguan to worry."

Zhao Wujiu on the side spoke with a grin:

"Young Master Feng, don't provoke Changsheng anymore. After being dumped, he gave up on himself and didn't even want those precious acres of spirit fields of his!"

Hearing this.

Xu Changsheng didn't speak again, his index finger tapping the dining table continuously, making a 'da-da' sound.

Shangguan Feng laughed loudly: "Haha, Changsheng, why go that far? You can't aim high for Su Xiaojing, but you can go to Yichun Courtyard to find someone! The women of the demimonde there best suit your aura of tilling the fields."

Zhao Wujiu continued to fan the flames: "Young Master Feng, don't say that. Wu Laoxie wanted to betroth Qingqing to him."

"No!"

Hearing herself being mentioned, Wu Qingqing hastily denied: "I'll decide my own marriage. My father can't control it; he's losing his memory and always talks nonsense."

She turned and advised: "Changsheng, I know these setbacks are hard on you, but you need to pull yourself together. Don't stay in your room all day; come out and walk around when you have time."

Her gaze turned toward Shangguan Feng with a hint of admiration: "Learn more from Big Brother Shangguan; maybe one day you'll have your own Opportunity."

After coming to Liuyun Market, Xu Changsheng had helped her a lot, and she had once been in love with him. But after entering the Prefects Mansion and seeing more people...

She finally understood that 'Big Brother Xu' was just an ordinary person struggling at the bottom of the cultivation world. Her past girlish feelings had long since been cast to the winds.