24: Golden bowel! Homecoming!
Collection Successful: Spirit Spring - Zhengyang Branch (Minor).
Illustrated Compendium Classification: Oddities - > Spirit Springs - > Vitality Nurturing.
First Illumination Reward: A slight increase in "Vitality" for all Family members! (Doubled for host) (Effect: Increases wound healing speed and enhances immunity).
As the sweet stream water went down his throat, information about the river was also collected into the Illustrated Compendium.
"Spirit Spring? Does that mean there's a great Opportunity at the source of this water? Or is it because of that lake, all the water here counts as a Spirit Spring?"
Chen Fan did not delve deeply into this question, nor did he plan to immediately.
Because he had been away from home for some time, if he spent time exploring the Secret Realm, his Family would inevitably worry.
Besides, this was a blessed land, an Opportunity for cultivators; as a mortal, he did not yet possess the ability to explore it.
So, for his own safety, it was best for him to just pick up some benefits in this periphery; as for the deeper parts.
There was no rush, he now held the Secret Realm key, so this place wasn't going anywhere.
Thinking this, Chen Fan turned his thoughts back to the few small fish in the stream, which were entirely silvery-white, almost transparent, and only finger-length.
Collection Successful: Spirit Beast - Silver-Lined Spirit Loach.
Illustrated Compendium Classification: Living Beings - > Spirit Beasts - > Water/Vitality.
First Illumination Reward: A slight increase in "Water Affinity" for all Family members! (Doubled for host).
"What a Treasure!"
Chen Fan's eyes gleamed.
This stream water, these spirit loaches, were all excellent things for nourishing the Physical Body and prolonging life!
After a rough exploration of the relatively safe East Foothills and South Creek, Chen Fan's gaze finally returned fervently to that vast golden-red lake—Pure Yang Lake.
He came to the lakeside and tentatively extended his hand into the lake water.
A warm but not scorching Pure Yang energy instantly enveloped his palm, like the gentlest mother comforting her child.
This energy was pure, vast, and carried a sacred feeling of cleansing the Impurities from body and Soul.
Collection Successful: Oddity - Pure Yang Lake Water (Diluted).
Illustrated Compendium Classification: Oddities - > Pure Yang Origin (Diluted).
First Illumination Reward:
Obtained the "Breath of Pure Yang (Weak)" talent! (Effect: Passively and slowly tempers the Physical Body, removes Impurities, increases Yang Qi, has natural resistance to Yin evil forces, slightly increases Spiritual Qi absorption efficiency).
(Note: Pure Yang Lake Water contains the Origin Pure Yang power; those without special Physiques or profound Cultivation cannot directly absorb large quantities. Forcible absorption may lead to incineration by Yang fire. It can be safely used after dilution or refining.).
The influx of information left Chen Fan both delighted and alarmed.
He was delighted that merely by touching the diluted lake water, he had gained such a powerful talent!
He was alarmed by the domineering nature of this lake water!
The Origin Pure Yang power was definitely not something he could casually use at his current stage, which made him understand the weight of the words "Source of Pure Yang" even more!
His gaze turned to the center of the lake.
The small island, shrouded in a hazy golden glow, was displayed as "Unknown" on the Illustrated Compendium map.
A strong attraction emanated from there, but it was also accompanied by an instinctive reverence.
Chen Fan forcefully suppressed the urge to explore it immediately.
He knew that with his current strength, rashly venturing to Lake Heart Island would likely lead to more ill than good.
"No rush, no rush..."
He murmured to himself, forcing himself to calm down.
He turned his attention to the shallow water area by the lake.
The lake water was clear, and he could clearly see the fine, warm golden sand covering the bottom.
Various forms of aquatic plants swayed in the water; some resembled carved jade, while others bloomed with pale golden flowers.
Even more striking were the graceful fish swimming in the shallow waters.
Some were entirely crimson-gold, their scales shimmering in the sunlight like flowing flames—Spirit Beast - Chiyang Carp!
Some were slender, with flashing silver scales, moving extremely fast like darting golden light—Spirit Beast - Golden Shuttle Spirit Fish!
There were even a few giant clams the size of millstones, with thick, dark golden shells, slowly opening and closing on the lakebed—Spirit Beast - Gold-Armored Spirit-Bearing Clam!
Each time he collected a species, the Illustrated Compendium gave generous rewards, mostly enhancing corresponding attribute affinity or strengthening Physique. More importantly, they all came with information on the habits, value, and… basic domestication or fishing knowledge of these spirit fish!
Especially the descriptions of the Chiyang Carp and Golden Shuttle Spirit Fish, which explicitly stated that their flesh contained gentle Pure Yang Qi, and long-term consumption had miraculous effects on a Martial Artist's body tempering, even slightly improving innate bone structure!
"This is the true Treasure Trove!"
Chen Fan's heart pounded with excitement.
Pure Yang Lake itself was the Origin, difficult to utilize directly, but the creatures living in the lake were resources that could be steadily acquired and had an immediate effect on the Family!
He cautiously collected some golden sand (Spirit Ore - Pure Yang Lake Gold Sand (Trace)) containing faint spiritual light from the lakeside, dug up a few complete and vibrant shallow water spirit plants (such as Spirit Plant - Gold Cup Water Lotus), and used a special net to painstakingly catch a few relatively docile Chiyang Carp and Silver-Lined Spirit Loach, carefully storing them in a special water bag filled with lake water.
As the morning glow dyed Pure Yang Lake a burning crimson, Chen Fan stood by the lake, looking back at this Treasure Trove he had initially explored.
His satchel was filled with various spirit plant seedlings, Ore samples, and water bags containing spirit fish.
In his Sea of Consciousness, the Encyclopedia of All Things had illuminated dozens of brand new, sparkling entries, bringing comprehensive benefits.
More importantly, he had already outlined a blueprint for utilizing the Secret Realm's resources to nourish his Family's development!
"Source of Pure Yang... Pure Yang Lake..."
Chen Fan murmured, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and ambition.
"Although I cannot directly use your power, all that you have nurtured is enough to transform the Chen Family! red jade rice? Iron Mountain Pigs? Compared to the gifts from here, they are merely mundane things!"
He took one last deep look at the mysterious glowing island in the center of the lake, as if to engrave its location into his Soul.
Then, he resolutely turned around and communicated with the "Secret Realm Key" in his Sea of Consciousness.
An almost imperceptible spatial ripple spread out before him, gently enveloping him like water waves.
Light and shadow swirled, and a slight dizziness came over him.
The next moment, Chen Fan's figure reappeared by the familiar, vine-covered stream.
Under his feet were cold stream water and firm pebbles, as if the dreamlike encounter had never happened.
But the heavy satchel at his waist, the golden glow mark added to his Sea of Consciousness, and the surging, far greater Golden Viscera Realm power within his Physical Body, as well as the wisp of "Breath of Pure Yang" quietly integrated into his Bloodline, all silently proclaimed the dawn of a new era!
He looked up at the sky; the morning sun had just risen, and the twilight had not yet dispersed.
A night had passed since he entered to explore and Cultivate.
If not for the benefits collected by the Illustrated Compendium and the tangible items in his satchel, Chen Fan would have only felt it was all just a dream.
Chen Fan tightened his satchel, a calm and confident smile appearing on his face.
He did not return immediately but found a hidden spot nearby to carefully conceal the overly conspicuous, glowing gains, leaving only a few relatively ordinary-looking Chiyang Carp (stored in ordinary water bags, partially concealing their spiritual light) and a few high-quality ordinary medicinal herbs in his basket.
"It's time to go home."
He whispered, his agile figure disappearing into the deepening twilight, heading swiftly towards Nanxi Village.
The heavy, earth-shattering secret concerning his entire Family's future was carefully and deeply hidden in the deepest part of his heart.
And the path to the Chen Family's rise, due to this unexpected Secret Realm journey, had been infused with truly extraordinary Bloodline, and was about to usher in an unstoppable ascent!