Bai Qi spent an entire night reading and deciphering the illegible secret text of magic and finally managed to arduously reach the beginner level.
He let out a long breath; with One-Practice Perfect Golden Flesh and Jade Veins, he could now close his pores, breathe only through his mouth and nose, and maintain a habit of focusing and ditating.
The robust Qi blood smoothly flowed through his body, nourishing every inch of his muscles and skin, allowing him to sit all night without feeling any soreness.
"I heard Uncle Dao say that when it cos to ditation and entering a deeper state, the Buddhist and Daoist sects are the best."
Those Great Monks and Daoists in the temples and Taoist temples can sit still for days without their limbs stiffening.
Instead, with the soothing rhythm of chanting and guiding, they harmonize the Qi blood within, becoming more agile.
This is the legendary "static skill"!
A secret technique specifically for cultivating Qi and spirit!
However, under the rule of Dragon Court, the Daoist sect flourished, and they could even receive official governnt appointnts, wielding the power of life and death over a region.
Conversely, the Buddhist sect was sowhat depleted; in bustling places like Prefecture City and County City, it's said you can hardly find any temples, whereas around the poor rural areas of Black River County, wandering monks are occasionally seen.
"Burning the midnight oil all night, I still feel refreshed and clear-headed, as if I've suddenly co to a great enlightennt."
Bai Qi got off the bed, his eyes shining brightly, stretching his body casually.
Crash! Swoosh!
As he moved his hands and feet, he felt the Qi blood within was imnsely abundant, as if endless, enough to hold back eight or nine spirited horses!
"The difference between One-Practice Perfect and Great Success is indeed significant, every title decreed by the Daoist Official has its subtlety.
If each of the four practices could be perfected, what would happen then?"
Bai Qi's thoughts flashed, and then the image of Ninghai Zen passed through his mind.
Probably, that's how a master would be?
He reached out to grab the water jug to pour a bowl of water to quench his thirst, but found it was already empty.
Putting away the secret text and that secret text book, he put on his outer robe, fastened his belt, and stepped over the threshold.
The sky was bright by now, Xu Sanyin was in the west wing of the rear courtyard chopping wood, this person was indeed diligent, working efficiently, besides the daily feeding and washing of horses, preparing feed, he also took on other rough chores.
Bai Qi planned to observe for a while longer; if his performance continued to be good, he could be placed at the fish stall to help Uncle Changshun.
As the business slowly grew, he needed so tough characters to keep everything in check.
The fishern and woodcutters from Black River County were not all honest, many were unruly, hardened by the poor and harsh environnt.
"Big Brother, breakfast is here."
Bai Ming carried a load of stuffed at buns, fried dough cakes, along with the fragrant at porridge they boiled at ho.
This old house now had quite a few people, including Xiaotou's two sisters, who ca during lunch and dinner to cook, and also washed and dried clothes.
They could be considered "short-term workers," not living in the main house.
After all, with a young man and a teenage boy, plus the groom Xu Sanyin, the masculine energy was too strong, so it wasn't suitable for the won to stay overnight.
"Have you had any dreams lately?"
Bai Qi asked casually while chewing the at-filled, juicy buns.
"Nope, ever since that ti my soul left the body and I wandered at night, I haven't been dreaming much, I sleep soundly and deeply."
Bai Ming raised his head, still thinking about the Sparrow Immortal of the five hundred li mountain path:
"Big Brother, when are we going back to the mountain? You haven't given the Sparrow Immortal the na you thought of."
Bai Qi quickly finished his breakfast, wiped his mouth:
"Before the end of the year, I'll take you to pay tribute to the mountain, once I am done with the current work on my hands, as the days go on and the weather becos increasingly cold, the fishery will not be open."
Bai Ming nodded, in fact, there was never a rule for the fishery, Chai Market, or fire kiln to close for the winter, it was just that his brother was kind-hearted and didn't want to exploit the locals.
People like Yang ng in the past did not hesitate to force fishern to go out in the freezing weather, risking lives, washing the river with dead bodies.
"I'm free today; I'd like to see the East Market Pier, you don't have to do copying work, just stay ho and practice."
Bai Qi instructed, considering Black River County's unrest had not subsided; despite distributing relief grain, the chaos continued.
For now, it was better if Ah Di stayed indoors.
"Mm, I know."
Bai Ming replied.
...
...
"Master Qi, it's been a long ti; you look more vigorous than ever!"
"Master Qi, yesterday, I saw Young Master He from the County City; the first thing he did upon arriving in Black River County was to pay you a visit!"
"Indeed! The future business of the fishery all depends on Master Qi! One must pay respects to the Dragon King before daring to fish in the river!"
"Master Qi, you are indeed the Dragon King of our Black Water River..."
As soon as Bai Qi appeared, a large crowd gathered around him, everyone half a head shorter, not a single one stood straight.
Listening to these flattering words, he felt slightly uncomfortable, but could only clasp his hands together, returning their smiles.
"What's everyone doing here! Don't you have any work to do? You're all reeking of fish, trying to stink Ah Qi to death!"
Uncle Changshun quickly arrived and dispersed the crowd, he lifted his coarse cloth shirt, roughly wiping his bloodstained and scaly hands, keeping a few steps distance, and said with a smile:
"Ah Qi, we've got a few more good boats, I've checked them out, the boards are very sturdy, they won't rot!
Thanks to your great reputation, the martial arts halls in the Inner City all co to us for fresh fish, we can't sell enough every day!"
Returning once more to the East Market Pier, it was still as noisy and clamorous as ever, emitting a strong fishy odor, like a muddy quagmire, but Bai Qi didn't feel any discomfort, while chatting with Uncle Changshun, he to the shore:
"Have you caught any treasure fish recently?"
Uncle Changshun shook his head and lowered his voice:
"Ah Qi, the bait you gave is very effective; cast a net and you're sure to get a hit, and it's easy to catch big ones. But not many treasure fish, just a palm-sized Silver Sand Carp, which I decided to give to Sanshui at the shop."
Bai Qi humd in agreent. It seems that the previous two bountiful hauls were more reliant on Ah Di drawing blood, enhancing the bait's effectiveness.
He pondered about making more soday, going to Mihun Bay to cast a heavy net and see what changes occur.
Ordinary treasure fish no longer have much use for him, at most satisfying a craving, but not significantly increasing Qi and blood.
He needed sothing more powerful, or as He Jingfeng would say, a rare thing containing spiritual energy.
"The Demon Fish is poisonous throughout, with only one usable Inner Pill, while the treasure fish is all treasure but can't nurture any Inner Pill... If he really catches a fifty-pound Golden Rainbow Trout, it might be too much to eat."
Bai Qi was mulling over this in his heart, and he instructed Uncle Changshun to cast more nets in these few days, aiming to secure a good haul before the year ends.
Then they would all receive good pay and live worry-free for a while.
Of course, the bait would also be sufficiently supplied, as his Sea Driving Skill was just starting, and he was eager to have a place to practice!
"I know, I know. Ah Qi, are you going on the boat?"
Watching Bai Qi jump onto a sampan, untying the cloth rope from his hair, Uncle Changshun couldn't help but show surprise.
How could a boss work by getting into the water to catch fish himself?
"Haven't had ti for the water in a long ti, feeling a bit itchy. Uncle Changshun, keep the robe and boots, I'll steer the boat around a few tis."
Bai Qi took off his outer robe and kicked off a pair of boots, his bare body steaming with heat, completely unafraid of the cold.
"Master Qi is going into the river!"
"It's sure to be another fifty-pound treasure fish!"
"On the day the fishery opened, I personally saw such a big, such a long Golden Rainbow Trout!"
"Master Qi! Really good flesh, if won take a few glances, they probably can't handle it..."
Bai Qi maneuvered the oars, speeding ahead, diving straight into the wide Black Water River.
...
...
[Skill: Eight-Section Skills (Proficient)]
[Progress: (15/800)]
[Effect: Riding the waves, running across the tides]
...
[Skill: Fishing (Proficient)]
[Progress: (775/800)]
[Effect: Cloaked by wind and rain, launching a boat into the river, generating water ripples, offering protection]
...
Two hours later.
Bai Qi's ten toes tightly gripped, standing firmly despite the torrential and fierce current barely reaching his knees.
In the Martial Dao, it requires Third Training Great Success and the Water and Fire Immortal Robe to cross water without foreign aid, walking the river alone.
Yet he managed this by relying on the effect of the proficient level Eight-Section Skills.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap—
Bai Qi took off like he was running on land, stepping on the river surface, swiftly leaping and running, kicking up circles of water waves.
Only to see his leg muscles bounce and twitch, launching him high into the air, then crashing back into the riverbed, the huge commotion startling the fish school, scaring them into scattering.
"It's more enjoyable in the water, no constraints!"
Feet swinging, a sudden burst, Bai Qi shot out like a strong bow and arrow, crossing dozens of steps, stretching his fingers wide to catch a slippery black fish in his hand.
"Go!"
He erged from the water, casually tossing the seven or eight-pound catch into the fish basket.
Shaking the water droplets off his hair, he stepped onto solid waves, as if climbing stairs, quickly walking back onto the sampan.
This scene, if witnessed by other fishern, would truly make them consider Bai Qi a reincarnated flood dragon.
No matter how skilled one is in water, no one has been seen to run on waves barefoot, leaping as usual!
"Huh, the ink seal has changed?"
After having enough fun, Bai Qi sat at the bow of the boat, slowly regulating his breath, the surging Qi and blood dried the water traces instantly.
Last night he had reflected on two pages of secret text of magic, feeling the ink seal vibrating intensely, he was just too focused at the ti, fully invested in the intricate study of the secret text, not paying much attention.
"The manifestation of magic isn't 'skill'; it's 'Magic Dao', indicating a difference between the two. Skill progress is fixed at 'eight hundred', while Magic Dao is 'three thousand'. What does this signify?"
Bai Qi cald down, once again examining the ink seal within his mind.
Like countless stars intertwining, unfolding various imprints containing traces of the great Dao, forming a comprehensive 'Celestial Curtain'.
Upon close inspection, it was like witnessing vast magnificent phenona, the hazy flowing light roaring like a torrential flood, emitting deafening thunderous noise.
Bai Qi felt like a tiny fish half a finger long, facing a boundless vast ocean, simply pouring a trace of spirit into it, instantly being completely engulfed.
Unconsciously, he murmured softly to himself:
"Cultivate the Dao... from mortal to saint... from beginning to end... then ascend to truth!"
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