16: Chapter 16 A Fairy's Guidance Leads to an Old Friend's Reunion

Under the gaze of the white-haired elder, Lin Ze retracted the drop of Limit-Breaking Heavy Water.

Although the elder was a manager of the Hall of Ten Thousand Scrolls and accustomed to rare treasures, he had never seen a Cultivator at the Early Stage of Qi Gathering who could condense his water-attributed Qi to such a degree.

"Fellow Daoist, this Incomplete Manual of the Primordial Dragon Fish Transformation cannot be sold for less than thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"Although your heavy water is miraculous, it is too little..."

The elder steadied his mind, his eyes filled with a mixture of greed and wariness.

Lin Ze smiled and said, "Since this item cannot enter the Dharma Eye of the Hall of Ten Thousand Scrolls, then so be it."

Since this path was blocked, he would seek another.

Lin Ze restrained his aura, avoided several probes of Divine Sense, passed through the bustling market, and walked straight toward a quiet body of water on the east side of the water market.

Where the purple mist was densest, a three-story pavilion made entirely of water-avoiding spirit rhinoceros wood stood proudly.

A wave-avoiding lamp hung from the eaves of the pavilion, and most eye-catching of all was the large vermilion-lacquered plaque above the main entrance.

Linghu Lin Clan · Hundred Fish Residence

This was the core of the Lin Family's industry in the Cloud Mist Water Market, responsible for the trade of spirit fish to other regions.

Lin Ze stepped onto the pavilion's stairs.

Several Guest Elders guarding the door were about to stop him, but they saw Lin Ze take a bronze waist token engraved with the words "Spirit Lake" from his bosom.

This was the token of a resident Cultivator.

"So it is a brother from the clan, please come in."

The expressions of the Guest Elders changed slightly, and they bowed respectfully.

In this water market, the identity of a clan member represented a powerful backer.

Immortal Tea Nourishes Qi, Elder's Demeanor

Upon entering the pavilion, the noise and chill of the outside world were instantly replaced by a refreshing fragrance of vegetation.

In a private room on the second floor.

A middle-aged man wearing bronze-colored Daoist robes was sitting by the window, holding a white jade teacup in his hand.

This person had a square face and graying temples.

His aura was as vast and deep as a great river, having reached the ninth level of Qi Gathering, and he was even faintly touching the terrifying threshold of Foundation Establishment.

He was the direct Disciple of the Seventh Uncle Lin Zhenyuan, who taught the arts.

The stabilizing force of the Lin Family in this place... Elder Lin Changfeng, seventh in the clan rankings.

"Junior Lin Ze pays respects to Seventh Uncle."

Lin Ze removed his thousand illusion mask, revealing his youthful face, and bowed respectfully.

Elder Lin Changfeng put down his teacup, his eyes sweeping over Lin Ze.

"You are that Ze-ge'er who voluntarily applied to go to Reed Island for land reclamation?"

"Good child, come and sit."

Elder Lin Changfeng's tone was affectionate as he waved his hand, and a strand of spiritual power lifted Lin Ze.

"A few days ago, that kid Manager Lin Hua sent back two hundred top-quality Green Jade Cold Fish, which caused quite a sensation within the clan."

"The old man praised you to the heavens in his letter, saying that your Dao Heart is firm, not only did your cultivation break through to the third level, but you also brought the Fish Rearing Technique to Major Achievement."

"Seeing you today, it is more than just Major Achievement..."

Elder Lin Changfeng personally lifted the teapot and poured a cup of spirit tea for Lin Ze.

"This is 'Cloud Mist Emerald Shadow'."

"Picked from the cliffs deep within Yunmeng Marsh, one sip is worth three days of hard cultivation."

Lin Ze took the teacup with both hands.

After that sip of tea entered his abdomen, the Meridians that had been damaged due to days of overworking and forced cross-breeding actually began to repair rapidly.

"Seventh Uncle, this Junior is ashamed."

Lin Ze put down the teacup, his eyes downcast.

"This Junior attempted to cultivate Medium Grade spirit fish, but due to my shallow knowledge, I not only wasted a bottle of python blood but also nearly destroyed my own Foundation."

Elder Lin Changfeng burst into laughter after hearing this, his eyes full of appreciation.

"What a boy who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth."

"You are only at the third level of Qi Gathering, yet you dare to play that trick of cross-breeding across stages?"

"That is a Law of Life that only old monsters at the Foundation Establishment Stage dare to explore."

"But... having this ambition makes you the future backbone of my Lin Family."

As Elder Lin Changfeng spoke, he stood up and walked to the antique shelf.

He took out a silver Jade Slip from a hidden compartment.

"This volume of the 'Secret Method of Profound Water Spirit Cultivation' is a unique copy that our Seventh Uncle obtained from the Immortal Cave of an ancient immortal fisherman when he was traveling deep in Yunmeng Marsh."

"It contains detailed records on how to neutralize cold-type and poison-type Bloodlines, and even includes three 'Spirit Fusion Hand Seals' specifically designed to assist in the evolution of Medium Grade spirit fish."

"According to the rules, this item would sell for at least twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones at the Hall of Ten Thousand Scrolls."

Elder Lin Changfeng turned around and looked at Lin Ze.

"But you are the apple of the old man's eye, and you are also a resident Cultivator who has made great contributions to the Family."

"The Family owes you; those fish sold for a sky-high price at the Hundred Herbs Hall."

"Although the vast majority must be turned over to the public treasury, I, your Seventh Uncle, still have some private authority."

Elder Lin Changfeng slapped the Jade Slip on the table and held up three fingers.

"Three Spirit Stones, plus one bottle of the 'Qi Gathering Pill' you just exchanged back."

"Take this thing."

"The rest can be considered a gift from Seventh Uncle for your land reclamation!"

Lin Ze's heart skipped a beat at that moment.

Three Spirit Stones.

A bottle of Medicinal Pill.

This was practically giving it away.

In this cold Immortal Realm, in this mercenary Cloud Mist Water Market, this protection and nurturing from a Family elder was as heavy as Mount Tai.

"Seventh Uncle's great kindness, Lin Ze will keep it in his heart!"

Lin Ze knelt down again, his voice choked with emotion.

He took out three glistening Spirit Stones and the unopened bottle of Qi Gathering Pills and presented them with both hands.

The moment that cold silver Jade Slip fell into his palm.

The panel in Lin Ze's mind appeared.

[Detected First-Grade Advanced breeding classic 'Secret Method of Profound Water Spirit Cultivation'...]

[Hundred Arts: Fish Rearing Technique (Major Achievement) has resonated, evolution path has been reconstructed!]

"Go, Ze-ge'er."

Elder Lin Changfeng stood with his hands behind his back in front of the window, looking at the vast sea of mist, his voice sounding distant.

"No matter how big the wind and waves are outside, the Lin Family will always be your harbor."

"Raise your fish well. The day you cultivate Medium Grade spirit fish, I, your Seventh Uncle, will personally escort you and carve out a path to Foundation Establishment!"

Lin Ze nodded and disappeared into the mist.