Celestial Master： I Have an Otherworld

Chapter 314 - 102: Spirit Fish (Part 4)

"If Young Master Fang insists on acquiring the Three Purities Temple, I can return it to him. However, the price must be discussed personally with Lord Yan."

"There is no need for that." Fang Zheng gently shook his head:

"I’m merely interested in certain things in the Three Purities Temple. Guard Gong knows that I have studied magic for some time. May I take some things from the temple?"

"It’s a trifling matter." Guard Gong waved his hand:

"Young Master Fang can take them anytime."

"Thank you!"

Fang Zheng clasped his hands in gratitude, a smile appearing on his face.

The Seven-Star Divination Altar is obtained!

Next, it is time to return to modern society. Let’s see if I can extract the Ginseng Essence. If feasible, advancing the Elemental Thunder Skill should not be difficult.

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*

South Dam breached, affecting several counties.

Apart from Gu’an County, Santai County, nearby Wu Qing, Baodi, Ning River, Xiang River... several counties were hit by disaster, even extending to Jinzhou Prefecture.

It’s close to autumn harvest.

Suddenly, a flood struck.

Half a year’s labor turned futile. Not only were fertile fields submerged, but houses were also washed away. Two prefectures suddenly had a large number of refugees.

With a surge in refugees, unrest is inevitable.

Various Jianghu sects leapt out, with Gu’an County being the first to be dragged into the chaos.

After autumn,

comes the bitter winter.

For the refugees, life is even harder. Once pushed to the brink, they are capable of doing anything.

"The city gates are tightly shut, prohibiting the influx of refugees; enforcing strict curfews, governmental officials and city defense patrol day and night, yet it still cannot curb the chaos."

Wu Hai sighed:

"Currently, the city defense army has abandoned the outskirts of the county and only protects the core area. Fortunately, no disturbances have occurred near Fang Mansion."

"Master."

A woman entered the room, the fragrance of steamed fish wafting from the tray. She bowed and placed the steamed fish on the desk, speaking softly:

"Miss Jin Shu personally steamed it; please try it."

Years passed, and the daughter of Old Liu, the gatekeeper, had grown into an adult. She had become quite striking and turned into the steward of the Fang Mansion kitchen.

Her beautiful eyes shifted, casting a slightly shy look toward Fang Zheng.

Old Liu had mentioned a few days ago that he would try to get her into the Fang Family. Not asking to be Madam Fang, but even as a concubine, she herself was willing.

Of course,

This matter remains uncertain for now.

"Is this the Golden Carp?"

Fang Zheng picked up his chopsticks, poked at the fish, and said:

"It’s said that eating it can extend one’s life?"

"Indeed."

Liu Yaomei nodded:

"The fishermen said this Golden Carp is a specialty of Huishui; only a limited amount is produced each year, and most fishermen never catch even one in their lifetime."

"People of the Exclusion Sect even strictly forbid it from being sold. If they find someone selling it privately, they’re killed on the spot, saying all Golden Carps must be consumed by the sect’s experts."

She swallowed, then continued:

"For some reason, after the breach of the South Dam, quite a few Golden Carps appeared. Just in Gu’an County, five were found."

The one before him was one of them.

"Hmm."

Fang Zheng nodded, picked up a piece of fish, and put it into his mouth.

The fish was prepared simply, preserving its natural flavor. It was fresh, fragrant, tender, and melted instantly, making his eyes light up as he nodded to himself.

The next moment.

A warm current surged within his body, silently flooding into his limbs. A feeling of extreme comfort and relaxation arose within.

"Mmm..."

Fang Zheng slightly squinted his eyes, letting out a contented sigh, unable to help but pick up another piece of fish.

The warm current reappeared.

It was as if receiving a deep therapeutic massage, with every muscle soaking in a hot spring.

Even,

The hidden injuries within the body’s fibers were silently dissolved.

"This fish..."

Fang Zheng paused, his eyes flickering:

"Is there truly something like this in the world?"

The fish of the Golden Carp did not boost cultivation base, but the warm current could wash away deeply-seated ailments.

Even places untouched by True Qi, it could reach.

"Flawless!"

Fang Zheng’s eyes gleamed brightly, his voice trembling:

"It can assist Martial Artists in breaking through to the Realm of No Leakage!"

Unlike Minor Circulation and Grand Circulation, the third realm for a Martial Artist, Flawless, cannot be achieved through mere bitter practice; a perfect and unobstructed body is required.

Anyone who suffered injuries in their youth, harboring hidden ailments, would never reach the Realm of No Leakage in their lifetime.

Among a hundred Martial Artists,

perhaps not one could reach Flawless.

The reason lies here. After all, for those practicing martial arts, who hasn’t suffered injuries, who hasn’t experienced True Qi blunders?

The hidden maladies from those times, however tiny, become a mountain blocking the path to advance to the Realm of No Leakage.

This Golden Carp, can actually wash away hidden ailments?

No wonder!

No wonder the Exclusion Sect values it so highly.

No wonder the Golden Carp has never circulated in the market, and no one knows its effects.

Actually.

This is also because the production of Golden Carp is so scarce, almost entirely monopolized by the Exclusion Sect. Even if one or two slip out, it has no impact.

Otherwise.

Such a treasure, even the Exclusion Sect could not monopolize it entirely.

A Flawless Martial Artist is top-notch combat power, no matter where they are placed. What it means for a sect is self-evident.

"Cleansing hidden injuries would greatly benefit my Elemental Thunder Skill. Along with the Ginseng Essence Treasure Protection Soup, I might be able to cultivate to the Realm of Six Thunders."

"By then..."

"Refining the mystical abilities of my physical body with the Elemental Thunder Skill, based on physical power alone, I might have a chance to contend with a Flawless Martial Artist."

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Fang Zheng’s breathing became more rapid.

"Acquire it!"

He suddenly looked up at Wu Hai and Liu Yaomei:

"Quickly go to the market to purchase Golden Carp, no matter the price, you must get it for me, don’t let a single Golden Carp slip by."

"Master!" Wu Hai appeared stunned:

"One costs fifty taels of silver."

"Fifty taels is nothing." Fang Zheng waved his hand:

"Even if it’s a hundred taels, we must buy it. Spread the word, as long as there is Golden Carp, no matter the price, I, Fang, am willing to pay."

Low-key?

Now he has the qualification to no longer remain low-key!

A Great Cycle Realm Martial Artist, coupled with other means at his disposal, in a mere Gu’an County, who is there to remain low-key for?

"Yes!"

Wu Hai nodded in acknowledgment.

Not long after.

The news of the Fang Mansion’s large-scale acquisition of Golden Carp spread far and wide, even heard by Linghu An in distant Zhaonan Prefecture.

A few days later.

A Golden Carp bought for eighty taels of silver was placed in front of him.

"Crack!"

The jade chopsticks snapped into several pieces. Linghu An’s body trembled slightly, and with a fervent look at the Golden Carp in front of him, he couldn’t help but stand up and shout:

"Go acquire it!"

"Buy up every Golden Carp on the market, regardless of price."

"I..."

"Returning to Gu’an County!"

This matter concerns whether he can advance further; it even hints at the traces of the Realm of No Leakage. Compared to that, gold and silver are mere external objects.

If he can’t obtain them...

The Fang Mansion,

Might need a visit!

He has no intention of vying for the position of overlord of Gu’an County with Fang Zheng, as Zhaonan Prefecture is the Ling Family’s home base. But if it involves his future,

Linghu An doesn’t mind taking action against the Fang Mansion.

......

Night.

The starlight was dim.

It was pitch black around the Fang Mansion, with only lights still burning inside, and faint sounds of music drifted out, making those who heard it involuntarily entranced.

"That Fang really knows how to enjoy himself."

A figure appeared in the dark, standing on the rooftop looking towards the Fang Mansion:

"A tall tree attracts the wind; Fang Zheng has been doing things low-key over the years. Recently, he has become so arrogant, nearly monopolizing the Golden Carp in the market."

"Does he even know his own limits?"

"Human greed is like a snake swallowing an elephant; be careful not to burst his own stomach!"

"Indeed." A hoarse voice said:

"Golden Carp can wash away deeply ingrained stubborn diseases, something every Great Cycle Realm Martial Artist painstakingly desires to obtain. How could monopolizing it not lead to resentment?"

"Hmph!" Someone snorted coldly:

"Isn’t it just that you all can’t afford it?"

Someone shook their head: "A single fish has risen to two hundred taels of silver. It’s not so much that it’s unaffordable, but it’s certainly not cheap. When the Exclusion Sect buys Golden Carp from fishermen, it’s only ten taels."

"Ten taels?" A female voice said disdainfully:

"That’s because the Exclusion Sect is powerful; others dare not refuse to sell. If Golden Carp were allowed to flow into the market, watch how much silver it could reach!"

"Two hundred taels is nothing; soon, it will sell for astronomical prices!"

"For most Great Cycle Realm Martial Artists, a single fish doesn’t have much effect." The hoarse voice spoke again:

"However..."

"The Fang Mansion’s assets are substantial!"

"Indeed." Someone nodded:

"How much money does that Fang really have? He used to be so low-key. In just a few days, he threw out more than two thousand taels of silver without batting an eye. Did he open a silver mine?"

"Stop with the nonsense!"

"Let’s take action!"

"Kill that Fang, divide the spoils from the Fang Mansion, and then we’ll naturally know his true wealth."

"Exactly!"

Voices of agreement rang out.

In the darkness.

Flashes of cold light appeared one after another, silent figures leaped out, the intent to kill surged, enveloping the still-lit Fang Mansion.