“Besides the baptism, there’s one more thing. The Tianxing Old Ancestor wants me to bring you and Fuyao over immediately for the Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism.”
“When are we going?” Lu Xuan asked.
The Sect Master glanced at Ji Fuyao, who was diligently washing dishes, and said, “Now. Immediately. Right this second.”
Ji Fuyao looked at Lu Xuan, who remained completely still on his recliner, and smiled. “Sect Master, my apologies, please wait a moment.”
The Sect Master’s face twitched. “Fine.”
He was deeply frustrated. His words were clearly less effective than Lu Xuan’s! Fuyao was absolutely obedient to Lu Xuan. He was so angry he could roar internally.
After a short while, Ji Fuyao smiled, bowed slightly to the Sect Master, and said, “Sect Master, I’m ready.”
The Sect Master looked at Lu Xuan, who was still lounging on the recliner, and grabbed him by the collar. “Lu Xuan, let’s go! The Cangxuan Old Ancestor and Tianxing Old Ancestor have been waiting long enough.”
With that, a divine rainbow appeared beneath the Sect Master’s feet, gently lifting Ji Fuyao. The three of them instantly traversed the void, flying toward a hidden sanctuary.
They quickly passed through a series of mysterious seals and restrictions. Inside, a vast River of the Grand Dao flowed between Heaven and Earth. The Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the Tianxing Old Ancestor sat patiently by the bank, focused on their fishing.
They were so engrossed they didn’t notice the trio’s arrival.
“Blast it all!” The Tianxing Old Ancestor’s face was flushed crimson as he cursed angrily.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor smiled faintly. “Fishing requires a tranquil heart, Brother Tianxing. You’re getting impatient.”
The Tianxing Old Ancestor angrily shook his fishing rod. “How can I not be impatient? I’ve been here for three days without a single bite! Brother Cangxuan, are you cheating?”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor pursed his lips and held up two fingers. “Brother Tianxing, I’ve only caught eight Spirit Fish myself.”
The two supreme figures began to bicker.
Suddenly, the Tianxing Old Ancestor leaped into the river and stomped his massive foot down.
Splat! A Spirit Fish’s eyes went white, instantly crushed to death.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor casually scooped up the fish. “Heh heh, I caught one too!”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor shook his head, exasperated. “Brother Tianxing, that’s cheating!”
The Tianxing Old Ancestor placed the fish in an Ancient Bucket. “My fishing spirit is up today! I’m going to keep fishing!”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor sighed. “Brother Tianxing, weren’t we supposed to give Fuyao and Lu Xuan the Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism today?”
The Tianxing Old Ancestor’s gaze was fixed on the swimming Spirit Fish in the river. “Actually, tomorrow works just as well.”
Cangxuan Old Ancestor was speechless.
Ji Fuyao was slightly stunned by the sight. The Tianxing Old Ancestor was certainly a headstrong and unrestrained figure.
Lu Xuan, however, merely smiled. He understood the Tianxing Old Ancestor perfectly. When you’ve had an empty net for three days, you get desperate.
The Sect Master’s face twitched, and he quickly whispered an explanation to Ji Fuyao and Lu Xuan. “The Tianxing Old Ancestor is like that—unrestrained and free. He’d rather use his hands than his mouth... but when he does open his mouth, he can curse your ancestors back to the primordial chaos.”
Lu Xuan was dumbfounded.
Ji Fuyao covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
The Sect Master continued, “Remember this: when the Tianxing Old Ancestor starts cursing, he’s truly enraged. When that happens, do not provoke him.”
Ji Fuyao’s delicate lips parted in an ‘Oh,’ and she nodded.
At that moment, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor turned around. “Fuyao, Lu Xuan, come over.”
The three immediately walked forward.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor was holding his breath, intensely focused on his fishing rod, ready to pounce on any swimming Spirit Fish.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor smiled at Ji Fuyao. “Fuyao, do you know why your Tianxing Old Ancestor, despite his deeper mastery of the Grand Dao Scripture than mine, can’t catch any Spirit Fish?”
Ji Fuyao feigned ignorance and shook her head. The reason was obvious: the Tianxing Old Ancestor was too impatient.
“It’s simple,” the Cangxuan Old Ancestor said with a faint smile. “Though these Spirit Fish are manifestations of the Grand Dao Scripture’s mysteries and the ultimate truths of Heaven and Earth, only a clear and tranquil mind, one that is calm and unified, can attract the fish’s profound essence!”
The Sect Master was confused. “But Lu Xuan hasn’t cultivated the Grand Dao Scripture. Why did he manage to catch twenty Spirit Fish?”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s face darkened as he spoke. “Ah, Lu Xuan is an anomaly. Though his cultivation is low, his heart is pure, and he has unintentionally touched the boundary of ‘Non-Action.’ That’s why he can catch them.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the Tianxing Old Ancestor glared at Lu Xuan, his beard bristling. “What? You little brat caught twenty Spirit Fish?”
Lu Xuan said casually, “Luck, just luck.”
The Tianxing Old Ancestor’s chest heaved. He thrust his fishing rod at Lu Xuan. “Come on, you try!”
Lu Xuan immediately handed the rod to Ji Fuyao. “Fuyao, this is your first time. You try it.”
Ji Fuyao’s face flushed. She looked at Lu Xuan, her starry eyes twinkling. “Master, I don’t know how.”
Lu Xuan chuckled. “Not knowing is the best way. That’s how you catch fish.”
It was a well-known truth: the newbie buff was paramount in fishing! Veterans could sit silently all day, while the newbie next to them hauled in fish one after another.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor moved aside. Lu Xuan nudged Ji Fuyao forward, and she sat cross-legged by the river. Her fiery red dress billowed around her as she began to fish.
She tilted her beautiful neck and looked at Lu Xuan. “Master, what should I do?”
Lu Xuan was about to speak, but the Cangxuan Old Ancestor interjected. “Activate the mysteries of the Grand Dao Scripture you’ve comprehended. Feel the essence of the Spirit Fish in the river, and they will be drawn to you. It’s quite simple.”
Ji Fuyao followed his instructions. A faint divine radiance flowed from her body, and the aura of the Grand Dao Scripture slowly emanated, like a gentle mist or a soft breeze. Profound, obscure energy drifted around her. Bathed in this light, Ji Fuyao’s figure was perfectly graceful, like a goddess descending, ethereal and sacred.
Soon, a Spirit Fish leaped onto the hook.
“Eh?” The Tianxing Old Ancestor was dumbfounded.
He immediately pushed his Ancient Bucket toward Ji Fuyao. “Put it here…”
Before he could finish, Lu Xuan had already placed his own, long-prepared bucket next to Ji Fuyao.
The Spirit Fish flopped into Lu Xuan’s bucket.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor glared at Lu Xuan. “You brat!”
Lu Xuan simply smiled.
Not long after, Ji Fuyao caught another one.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor hissed in shock.
Two hours later, Lu Xuan’s bucket was half full. Nineteen Spirit Fish!
Flames burned in the Tianxing Old Ancestor’s eyes. He looked at the Cangxuan Old Ancestor. “Brother Cangxuan, what the hell is going on?”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor looked heartbroken. “I don’t know either!”
These two master and disciple had collectively fished out thirty-nine of his Spirit Fish!
Ji Fuyao handed the rod to Lu Xuan. “Master, you try?”
Lu Xuan deliberately said, “Let’s not push our luck. While the Cangxuan Old Ancestor is certainly not stingy, it’s bad form to completely empty his pond.”
At this, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor immediately waved his sleeve and looked at Lu Xuan. “Fish! I give you one full day! Catch as many as you can!”
Lu Xuan’s lips curled into a slight smile. “In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony!”
He sat down cross-legged.
Soon, a Spirit Fish dropped into the bucket.
Another one!
And another!
…
In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Lu Xuan’s bucket was full. He immediately placed it into his Storage Ring and replaced it with a new one.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor coughed dryly. “Cough, cough…”
The Tianxing Old Ancestor chuckled. “Brother Cangxuan, you’re getting impatient.”
Ji Fuyao couldn’t help but smile.
Half a day later, Lu Xuan had filled three buckets.
When he pulled out the fourth bucket, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s face twitched. He was utterly silent, his heart bleeding! Lu Xuan, you brat, aren’t you going to stop?
Even Ji Fuyao felt a little awkward. She moved closer to Lu Xuan, her exquisite face tilted toward his, and whispered, “Master, I think we’ve caught quite a lot.”
Lu Xuan remained calm. “Alright, one more bucket, and we’ll call it a day.”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor was speechless. This kid had to be doing it on purpose! His shamelessness was truly boundless! He desperately wanted to stop Lu Xuan, but he knew the Tianxing Old Ancestor would immediately intervene.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor, meanwhile, was laughing uncontrollably.
An hour later, Lu Xuan filled the final bucket of Spirit Fish.
Divine radiance flowed in Ji Fuyao’s eyes. As expected of Master! Master’s mastery of the Grand Dao must be far superior to hers, and even the two Old Ancestors. Since these Spirit Fish represented the ultimate truth of Heaven and Earth, Master’s realm, where ‘if the heart wills the fish, the fish will come,’ meant his Grand Dao Scripture attainment had reached the absolute pinnacle!
Lu Xuan smiled and looked at the Cangxuan Old Ancestor. “Old Ancestor, I’d like to contribute this bucket of Spirit Fish to make grilled fish for everyone!”
A contribution! The Tianxing Old Ancestor roared with laughter. “Excellent!”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor looked utterly bewildered. These were his Spirit Fish, his ultimate truths! This brazen act of ‘borrowing flowers to offer Buddha’ caught him completely off guard! Lu Xuan was truly too much!
Beside them, the Tianxing Old Ancestor conjured a bonfire with a thought.
Lu Xuan looked at Ji Fuyao. “Fuyao, you grill the fish. Let the Old Ancestors and the Sect Master taste your cooking.”
Ji Fuyao nodded obediently. “Yes, Master.”
The Sect Master also moved closer.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor took out several Ancient Vials, all of them Emperor-tier treasures, containing Supreme Nectar, Dragon Bone Powder, and Ancient Crocodile Blood.
He laughed. “Fuyao, these are the good stuff. Add them to the fish. The Supreme Nectar removes any fishiness, the Dragon Bone Powder adds spice, and the Ancient Crocodile Blood is salty. Use your judgment!”
Ji Fuyao nodded and began grilling the fish. Her movements were fluid and practiced, clearly using the Sichuan-style technique.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor reluctantly brought over his own bucket, which contained only a few fish.
The four of them gathered around the bonfire, waiting for the grilled fish.
The Sect Master looked at Lu Xuan. “Lu Xuan, do you really make Fuyao cook for you every single day?” Ji Fuyao’s skill was so practiced it was almost heartbreaking.
“We eat every day, so she cooks every day,” Lu Xuan replied.
The Sect Master rolled his eyes at Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan noticed the Tianxing Old Ancestor secretly slipping the Spirit Fish he had stomped on with his massive foot into the pile of Lu Xuan’s fish, handing it to Ji Fuyao.
Lu Xuan’s face twitched. The Tianxing Old Ancestor had gone too far! That was the fish he had crushed with his big, hairy foot! Lu Xuan quickly marked the tainted fish. There was no way he or Ji Fuyao were going to eat that one.
Before long, all the Spirit Fish were grilled.
The fragrant aroma of the barbecue finally lifted the Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s spirits.
The Sect Master couldn’t help but praise her. “Fuyao, your craftsmanship is truly excellent. It smells wonderful even before tasting it. No wonder this brat Lu Xuan makes you cook for him every day.”
Ji Fuyao blushed. The Sect Master probably didn’t realize she cooked because she could comprehend the profound mysteries of the Grand Dao while doing so. It was all for her benefit, thanks to her Master.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor declared, “Let’s eat! I haven’t had a proper meal in millennia!”
The four began to eat. The Tianxing Old Ancestor chewed loudly, completely disregarding his image. When a piece of grilled fish fell onto his large, bare foot, he simply picked it up and ate it.
Everyone stared at him.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor shrugged. “Why are you looking at me? It’s cleaner than the ground.”
Everyone: “…”
Ji Fuyao picked up a Spirit Fish, opened her delicate, beautiful lips, and was about to take a bite.
Lu Xuan suddenly spoke. “Don’t eat that one.”
Ji Fuyao paused. “Master, why?”
Lu Xuan pointed at the Tianxing Old Ancestor’s foot. “That’s the Spirit Fish your Tianxing Old Ancestor stepped on.”
The Sect Master: “…”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor: “…”
The scene froze.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor chuckled. “Fuyao, give it to your Master.”
Lu Xuan immediately stood up, ready to leave. “I’m full!”
The Tianxing Old Ancestor’s lips curled into a grin. A divine radiance surged, and the Spirit Fish, wrapped in Emperor-level power, was forcibly shoved into Lu Xuan’s mouth, right down his throat.
“I curse your ancestors!” Lu Xuan roared internally. He almost activated that Five-star Great Emperor trial card. But on second thought, it probably wouldn’t help, and he still couldn’t beat the Tianxing Old Ancestor.
Lu Xuan was forced to swallow the Spirit Fish, tears welling up in his eyes.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Only Ji Fuyao looked at Lu Xuan with concern, divine light surging in her eyes. “Master, are you alright?”