Guarding the River of Time

Chapter 426 - 416: The Little Creature in the ’Time Cave,’ Refinement Nears Completion!

Su Mu returned to his normal patrol life, diligently working for over a month. His luck was incredible, earning two hundred thousand Favor Points, in addition to the four hundred thousand Favor Points he had previously obtained, and the more than four hundred thousand Favor Points he had originally saved.

Finally, he managed to gather one million Favor Points.

He didn’t hesitate to use them directly to refine this river.

[Favor Points - 1000000]

[River Affinity: 70%] → [River Affinity: 80%]

As the River Affinity increased to eighty percent, Su Mu was astonished to find that his body was undergoing a subtle transformation, evolving in a certain direction.

No matter how he introspected his body, he couldn’t determine in which direction he was transforming.

Standing on the water’s surface, he had a faint feeling of merging with the river, as if the Long River was in harmony with him, and every move he made could influence the surrounding environment. With every breath, he could sense the rhythm of the water’s flow.

This feeling was exceedingly wondrous.

He slowly squatted down and extended his hand. The moment he touched the river water, the previous icy feeling vanished completely, replaced by warmth, like touching "his own skin".

Moreover, the droplets of river water seemed to have life, swimming between his fingers.

No matter what changes were happening to his body, as long as he was sure it was developing in a good direction, nothing else mattered.

At this point, he introspected his Sea of Consciousness and was shocked to find it seemed to resemble the river beneath his feet. There was a convergence of Origin breath, and above the Sea of Consciousness, there was a stone bridge, faintly discernible, appearing and disappearing, glimpses of it could be seen, but upon closer inspection, it vanished.

....

The refining progress was already at eighty percent, with only the last twenty percent remaining. Translated into Favor Points, only two million short!

The goal was extremely close!

Based on his current income from earning Favor Points, at the fastest, it would take a year, and it wouldn’t exceed two years at the latest. Even with a conservative estimate, it could be completely refined within three years.

.....

"Papa, Nannan is ready!"

Early this morning, Nannan tied her hair into an upright bun, changed into a simple silk robe, rolled up her pants, revealing her fair and delicate little feet. Afraid of soiling her clothes, she also wore a sky-blue apron, carrying a large bucket in one hand and a small shovel in the other.

Today was the day to go with Papa to the riverbank to retrieve the nets and catch fish, which was Nannan’s most anticipated day of the month.

Su Mu had placed fish-catching traps in many low-lying river channels with abundant aquatic life and numerous Treasure Fish in the Silk Grass Waters, going to retrieve them once a month.

It wasn’t really for catching Treasure Fish, as he no longer relied on consuming Treasure Fish for cultivation because most Treasure Fish had little cultivation effect on him. They were generally used as dinner ingredients, especially since Nannan was still growing.

There was no shortage of Treasure Fish ingredients at home, as the Treasure Fish kept in the large water cellars were enough for the father and daughter to eat for decades.

The main purpose was to take a day to accompany Nannan, letting her experience the joy of catching fish.

After all, on this river, there weren’t many other entertainment activities, only catching fish, picking up shells, and uncovering crabs.

......

Su Mu also put on a straw hat, picked up the tools, and led Nannan towards the river.

The chosen waters were not far from home, with a serene environment and very safe, especially since the river had become increasingly unsettled recently. Su Mu would not risk taking Nannan to unfamiliar waters.

Nannan walked barefoot on the soft riverbank, leaving shallow footprints. She stopped and started, occasionally finding beautiful shells and picking them up to put them in the bucket.

Soon, she discovered a large stone, and upon turning it over, tiny newly-hatched crabs crawled out.

But if the crabs were too small, Nannan would let them go, not harming them. If she encountered particularly large ones, she would catch them to take home.

Very quickly, she found a very beautiful amber pebble.

In just a short while, Nannan’s bucket contained several exquisite shells, beautiful ambers, and oddly shaped pebbles.

Each time she went out with Papa to retrieve the nets and catch fish, Nannan would find some pretty trinkets. She had a small box filled with the pretty little things she collected.

....

"Nannan, come quickly!"

"Look at what Papa found."

At this moment, Su Mu squatted in front of a small hole on the riverbank, waving at Nannan.

Hearing him, Nannan ran to Su Mu’s side, seeing her father covering the hole with his hand.

Nannan clenched her little fist, her eyes filled with anticipation, eager to know what her father was covering.

Su Mu slowly opened his hand, and a furry little creature poked its head out of the hole, looking terrified at the two eyes staring at it.

This was a White Moon Otter, looking similar to an otter but much cuter than an ordinary otter. Its fur was pure white and spotless, its eyes lively, like two pale blue ambers.

Nannan had knowledge from reading countless Ancient Texts, especially the illustrated guides of Spirit Beasts.

She recognized at a glance that this was a legendary "White Moon Otter". Why was it "legendary"?

It wasn’t because the "White Moon Otter" was powerful; on the contrary, it was quite weak. Against some large Fierce Beasts on land, it had no resistance, but it had a very remarkable ability.

That was, it was extremely proficient at fishing. In the river, as long as the fish was smaller than it, regardless of the type of Treasure Fish, it could catch it.

Moreover, their numbers were extremely scarce, almost reaching the brink of extinction.

The "White Moon Otter" had an extraordinarily gentle and timid nature. Facing Su Mu’s gaze, it dared not move, crouching on the ground, trembling in fear.

....

"Do you like it?"

Su Mu asked.

Hearing him, Nannan nodded and said, "I like it."

Just when Su Mu was about to bind it and take it home as a pet for Nannan, she reached out her small hand to stop him: "Papa, Nannan just purely likes it."

"Little fellow, you’re so cute. We just accidentally passed by your home, no need to be afraid, bye-bye."

Hearing this, Su Mu was momentarily stunned, then smiled, deciding not to capture the "White Moon Otter".

Just like that, the "White Moon Otter" watched them walk away, with a twinkle in its eyes, as if pondering something.

....

Soon, they arrived at the first Silk Grass Waters where a fish trap was placed.

Upon seeing the waters before him, Su Mu’s pupils suddenly contracted.