44: Finding medicinal herbs in the water reveals a hidden paradise.

Ten days had passed since the suppression of the Water Bandits.

That afternoon, Museum Master Zhao Zheng returned from the Prefecture City, covered in dust, and immediately summoned Chen Linsheng to the quiet room in the backyard.

After listening to Shi Poyue's detailed report and personally checking Chen Linsheng's cultivation progress, Zhao Zheng's Vital Energy penetrated Chen Linsheng's body, sensing the integrated, constantly self-operating Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique Realm, which functioned whether he was walking, sitting, or lying down.

Even though he was mentally prepared, a light of uncontrollable surprise erupted in his eyes.

"Good! Good! Good!" Zhao Zheng exclaimed three times, clapping his hands and laughing heartily. "Pile Posture Major Achievement, Vital Energy spontaneously Body Tempering! A Sheng, you truly have never disappointed your Master!"

He carefully examined Chen Linsheng, growing more satisfied the more he looked, but amidst his joy, he did not forget to earnestly instruct:

"However, the Dao of Cultivation requires balance, effort and rest. Your progress is too fast; you must constantly reflect and solidify your Foundation. Never be greedy for success or advance rashly, lest your Foundation becomes unstable. Sometimes, being slow is actually fast."

"This Disciple will remember Master's teachings," Chen Linsheng respectfully replied.

He knew his Master's words were reasonable. If he hadn't had multiple Perfection Skills feeding back into his Physical Body, supplemented by Spirit Pills and Medicinal Baths, this speed would indeed pose significant hidden dangers.

In the following days, Chen Linsheng strictly followed his Master's command, not blindly focusing on bitter cultivation of Palm Techniques and Spear Arts, but instead dedicating more energy to exploring his Aptitude for Water and honing new Skills.

He submerged himself in the Clear River almost every day, sometimes piloting a Fishing Boat, cruising through the waves, and sensing the water current and wind power.

Other times, he would dive directly to the river bottom, searching for the aura of the aquatic Spirit Medicine he sensed that day, and wrestling with large fish in the river.

Wielding a spear underwater, where the resistance was immense, was an excellent way to temper his control over strength.

Underwater swimming and chasing fish was an ultimate test of his Movement Technique, endurance, and judgment.

During this almost instinctual application and tempering, the spirit book in his mind continuously vibrated, and new characters constantly emerged and rapidly improved:

[Skill: Fishing and Hunting (Minor Achievement)]

[Progress: (0/800)]

[Divine Effect: Hearing to Distinguish Position, Skillful Force Displacement, Undercurrent Perception. Able to distinguish the size and species of fish schools by listening to water sounds, knows how to use skillful force to catch large ferocious fish, and can keenly perceive the direction and intensity of underwater undercurrents.]

[Skill: Boating (Minor Achievement)]

[Progress: (0/800)]

[Divine Effect: Breaking Waves Forward, Man and Boat as One, Commanding Like an Arm Directing a Finger. Able to stabilize the boat in significant wind and waves, controls the vessel with extreme finesse, and can execute complex maneuvers such as sharp turns and sideslips.]

[Skill: Celestial Phenomena (Minor Achievement)]

[Progress: (0/800)]

[Divine Effect: Astrological Navigation, Plan Ahead, Seek Advantage and Avoid Harm. Can accurately determine direction based on the position of stars, can predict adverse weather such as storms several hours or even half a day in advance, and instinctively choose the safest or most likely fruitful navigation route.]

The simultaneous promotion of the three Skills to Minor Achievement, with their mutually reinforcing Divine Effects, allowed Chen Linsheng's familiarity with this body of water to reach a completely new level.

Utilizing the "Undercurrent Perception" of [Fishing and Hunting] and the "Seek Advantage and Avoid Harm" of [Celestial Phenomena].

He successfully locked onto the exact location of an aquatic Spirit Medicine at the river bottom.

He also sensed the fierce aura entrenched near the Spirit Medicine.

A massive Iron-headed Alligator Gar whose scales shone with a cold, eerie light!

This Alligator Fish lurked next to a muddy cave beneath the Spirit Medicine, Cultivating using the Spiritual Qi emanating from the Spirit Medicine, and had already begun to display fierce power.

A dark moon and high winds night is a night for murder and arson.

Oh no, it was time for Herb Gathering and killing fish.

Tonight was moonless, with only the Milky Way stretching across the sky.

Chen Linsheng rowed the reinforced Fishing Boat he had purchased, silently leaving the Dock.

The "Man and Boat as One" Divine Effect from [Boating Minor Achievement] allowed him to forgo lights, relying only on his perception of the water flow and "Astrological Navigation" to precisely pilot the small boat, breaking through the slight ripples, and arriving at a dense patch of reeds near the target water area.

He firmly tied the boat rope to a cluster of thick reed stalks, then silently slipped into the icy river water like the most skilled diver.

[Aptitude for Water Minor Achievement] was fully activated, and the [Breath Concealment Technique] was pushed to its limit.

He was like a true swimming fish, diving along the riverbed, flexibly avoiding undercurrents, and heading straight for the Spirit Medicine's location.

Soon, a "Glazed Grass" entered his view—it was entirely deep blue, shaped like coral, and emitted a soft glow and a refreshing cold fragrance.

And in the mud beneath it, the massive black shadow suddenly became alert. A pair of vertical pupils, like lanterns, lit up in the darkness, filled with coldness and brutality.

"Roar!"

A low roar reverberated underwater. The Iron-headed Alligator Gar suddenly darted out, opening its massive mouth, revealing sharp white teeth, and lunging directly at Chen Linsheng with a blast of foul wind!

If this were half a month ago, Chen Linsheng might have needed to exert some effort.

But now, his strength had greatly increased, and he had come prepared!

He suddenly kicked off the bottom. The explosive power of [Eight Steps Catching Cicada] was astonishing even underwater, allowing him to narrowly dodge the Alligator Dragon's pounce.

At the same time, the Solid Iron Long Spear in his hand was like a venomous Dragon emerging from the sea. The "Flickering Light and Shadow" of the Startled Swan Spear drew a white torrent in the water, accurately and viciously stabbing towards the Alligator Fish's relatively vulnerable eye socket!

"Puchi!"

A bloom of blood diffused in the water.

The Alligator Dragon cried out in pain, frantically whipping its huge head, stirring up the mud on the river bottom.

Chen Linsheng, having gained the advantage, showed no mercy. His figure was like a maggot attached to the bone, sticking close to the Alligator Fish, his long spear stabbing or sweeping, specifically targeting its weak points like joints, eyes, and nose.

The "Skillful Force Displacement" from [Fishing and Hunting Minor Achievement] allowed him to easily neutralize the terrifying force of the Alligator Fish's giant tail sweep, while [Undercurrent Perception] gave him complete awareness of the water flow changes stirred up by the Alligator Fish, allowing him to always evade in advance.

In just a moment, this Iron-headed Alligator Gar, which had dominated this section of the river for years, was covered in wounds and its movements slowed down.

Chen Linsheng seized the opportunity. Vital Energy surged within him, and the force application technique of Hunyuan Palm was integrated into the spear shaft, delivering a "Piercing Rainbow"!

The long spear, carrying unmatched strength, instantly pierced through the Alligator Fish's relatively soft neck!

The Alligator Fish's massive body twitched violently a few times before finally sinking powerlessly to the river bottom, its blood staining a large area of water.

Chen Linsheng quickly moved forward, carefully harvested the "Glazed Grass" that emitted rich Spiritual Qi, and placed it into the cold jade box he had prepared.

He also dragged the Alligator Fish's corpse aside. The flesh and blood of this Exotic Beast contained abundant Vital Energy and was a rare great tonic.

Just as joy filled his heart and he prepared to leave with his spoils, the Divine Effect of [Scent-Guided Tracking] was passively triggered again at his nostrils!

A more subtle, purer, and ancient medicinal fragrance wafted out, thread by thread, from the depths of the muddy cave where the Alligator Fish had originally been entrenched!

"There's more?"

Chen Linsheng's heart stirred, and he immediately swam toward the medicinal fragrance.

Pushing aside the water grass and mud at the cave entrance, a deep, secluded opening just wide enough for one person appeared.

He swam in without hesitation. It was narrow at first, but after swimming about three or four zhang, the front seemed to be blocked by an invisible film, and the water flow stopped there.

He reached out and touched it, feeling a resilient resistance, as if a transparent wall separated the inside from the outside.

"A Barrier? Or... a naturally formed Spiritual Qi Screen?"

Chen Linsheng's curiosity was greatly aroused. Anything capable of spontaneously forming such a screen must be extraordinary!

He stopped hesitating. The Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique circulated at full power within him; Vital Energy surged like a tide, and a bronze glow faintly flowed beneath his skin.

He gave a low shout, concentrated his strength in his shoulders and arms, and slammed forward!

"Pop!"

A faint sound, like a bursting bubble.

The resilient film immediately shattered!

A huge suction force came through. Chen Linsheng felt his vision blur, and his body was uncontrollably pulled inside.

The next moment, he stumbled onto the ground, surprised to find himself inside a dry cave!

Looking back, the film still existed, clearly separating the outside river water, like a transparent crystal portal.

The cave was not completely dark. The four walls were inlaid with strange stones that emitted a soft white light, illuminating the interior dimly.

The air was fresh, carrying a faint, indescribable fragrance. The Spiritual Qi concentration was several times higher than the outside world!

Chen Linsheng calmed his mind, his sharp gaze sweeping across this mysterious space, deeply shocked: "Beneath this river, there is actually a Hidden Paradise!"