Chapter 106: Where Does Your Fish Live? (Including Extra Chapter)

Page (1/3)

"The people of the Dao Court are really something... First there's Zhou Xiaocheng, then a scheming woman. I'm honestly intimidated by them," Qing Zhen said speechlessly.

"That's how Dao Court people are. If you find one around you, be careful—they're the kind to deceive you with good intentions. Their motto is always: it's all for the human race; what’s a little sacrifice?" Xie Wu mimicked a certain tone, arrogant and disdainful.

"That kind of attitude just begs for a beating," Qing Zhen replied with even more exasperation.

"How on earth are Dao Court people raised? Why are they all like this?" Qing Jin asked helplessly.

"Always holding high positions—Heavenly Elder is number one, and they’re number two. That’s how they turn out," Ning Qi said with a salty tone.

"The human race shouldn’t let Dao Court dominate alone," Xie Wu said.

"This isn’t about whether they dominate or not, but that Dao Court took the wrong path long ago," Qing Jin pondered.

Ning Qi remained noncommittal. Xie Wu gave Qing Jin a serious look, thinking this guy has some ideas.

The Qing Jin siblings hosted Xie Wu for a meal, after which Xie Wu took her leave. Ning Qi accompanied her out, saying before parting, "I have to come back in a few days. Got some things to handle."

"Alright, go ahead. I know you’re going to accompany your senior sister," Qing Zhen said bluntly.

Before Xie Wu could react, Ning Qi was already blushing.

Qing Jin thought: Could it be a secret crush?

"By the way, I’ll come by again tomorrow. Let’s head to Xuantian Garden together to get the qualification to enter the tower. Xuantian Garden is the base of the Xuantian Alliance, the force responsible for managing Xuantian Tower, which is located inside the garden."

"Is that like paying an entrance fee?" Qing Hu asked in surprise.

"Xuantian Tower is in Wuding City. Outsiders wanting to enter have to give the city some benefits. Charging a ticket is normal. Xuantian Alliance should be a coalition of major forces in Wuding City," Qing Jin explained.

"Charging at the gate—sounds like good business," Qing Hu praised. "Will our Panlong City charge a city fee in the future?"

"No, Panlong City is too small; few people come. Charging a city fee wouldn’t make sense," Qing Jin said.

Having witnessed Wuding City's prosperity, Panlong City seemed tiny in his eyes. A strange emotion stirred within Qing Jin.

Ning Qi said without expression, "Panlong City isn’t small. In the Eastern Wilderness, aside from Dao Court’s cities, no other lords have built cities on their lands. Yours is unique."

"Not now, but there will be," Qing Jin said. "Once everyone sees how profitable Panlong City is, more cities will be built in the Eastern Wilderness."

Ning Qi seemed thoughtful.

Panlong City was indeed very lucrative. In less than a month since opening, Qing Jin’s family had earned hundreds of thousands of Red Coins. The money flowed like a stream.

Especially as more scattered cultivators and caravans arrived.

Whether at Panlong Lake or nearby, reckless scattered cultivators ventured out to reclaim wilderness and hunt. Many died, but the harvest was great—tens of pounds of wild spiritual treasures. This equaled the typical yield of three to five years on the same size land.

Of course, their reckless deaths also helped later arrivals identify extremely dangerous zones.

Those who came after could avoid the dangerous areas and still gain a good harvest. If they didn’t want to explore nearby, they could band together and venture further, even deep into the Eastern Wilderness.

In short, with Panlong City as a frontier base, it became much easier for everyone to rest and trade.

Moreover, Ning Qi saw another benefit: more people meant large safe zones were cleared nearby. Meishan County had already carved out a dozen new territories around Panlong land, though no lords had been assigned yet.

Those lands were once desolate and dangerous, so no lord was eager to claim the right to develop them. Now, with Panlong City leading, others were more willing to go. But since these were still ferocious beast territories, clearing them would require manpower, resources, and time.

At least not within this year. Maybe next year someone would move there.

"You have a point. But our Ancient Saint Sect, despite having the ability to build cities, is unwilling to become a target for Dao Court's beast tides.

The beast tides in the Eastern Wilderness are relentless, coming yearly. Lords there without strength or Dao Court’s help are basically doomed.

If our sect built a city there, it would be the first to be assaulted by the beast tide. Dao Court folks would probably want us wiped out by the beasts.

They wouldn’t give us any support.

Even if we held the city ourselves, losses would be severe."

Ning Qi carefully weighed this and shook his head, then gave up.

"I never said your Ancient Saint Sect had to build the city yourselves. You could find some allies. They build it, you settle in and profit. Even if the city was only a tenth the size of Wuding City, your sect would still do great business."

Qing Jin’s suggestion resonated instantly with Ning Qi.

That was a good idea.

"I’ll write to my master about it when I return."

Xie Wu and her junior brother Ning Qi left the Shen family courtyard, looking back deeply. What a fine house.

"I heard this house is worth over a million Purple Coins. The original owner was a noble of the Black Wolf clan."

"Just the few of us? No chance of getting it," Ning Qi said helplessly.

"Then, um..."

"Don’t bring her up. Qing Jin is clever—better not mention his sister," Ning Qi said.

"Why do you seem so scared of your friend?" Xie Wu asked curiously.

"I’m not scared. I just think if you don’t have to offend them, don’t. You won’t get anything good from it," Ning Qi said.

"You don’t need to warn me. They’re my benefactors and your friends. Why would I cause them trouble? Do you think I’m Ning Wangshu?" Xie Wu said.

"Ning Wangshu?" Ning Qi was puzzled.

"The Dao Court beauty who lured the Black Wolf’s young master. That girl’s got serious skills—more ways to charm men than I do. Didn’t you see how many Dao Court elites threw themselves at her?" Xie Wu said.

"Oh, her," Ning Qi laughed. "I get it—a traitor. Just got saved, then acted all high and mighty. Qing Jin will remember her. No one escapes Qing Jin’s little black book."

"Oh, can Shen Qing Jin actually take revenge on her?" Xie Wu asked.

"Depends on his mood."

"You really admire Shen Qing Jin, huh?" Xie Wu asked.

"I’ve known him for two years. If he wasn’t formidable, would I?" Ning Qi replied.

Xie Wu thought that made sense.

The next morning, Ning Qi arrived early.

"Come on, come on, let's hurry to get the qualification."

Pressed by him, they left early.

Xuantian Garden wasn’t far—just over two streets away. But it was crowded. Even those refused entry lingered, unwilling to leave.

Page (2/3)

Ning Qi pushed through with everyone.

They got to the gate but were immediately stopped by two guards.

"Hey, no qualification, no entry."

"We’re here to take the qualification token exam," Ning Qi said.

"Been here before?" the guard asked.

"No, but we know about the exam," Ning Qi answered.

"Rules changed. This year, to qualify, you must be late Foundation Establishment stage or Peak Foundation, under 30 years old. Your cultivation is insufficient. Go back," the guard said.

Ning Qi quickly summoned a small turtle from his beast pouch. "I’m a Beast Tamer. This is my beast, a rare mutated Light Sound Turtle."

The guard was shocked.

"Didn’t expect you to be a Beast Tamer. How old are you?"

"I’m twenty-five."

"Alright, you can enter. But you still have to take the exam for the qualification token. See that big hall on the left? That’s where the exam is."

"Behind me are friends, all under thirty, all Beast Tamers.

This is Shen Qing Jin, his beast is a white light tiger cub, a mutated white wildcat. This is his brother Qing Zhen, his beast is a fifth-rank Radiant Sparrow.

This is their sister Qing Hu, her beast is..."

"A Light Sword Fish, right?" the guard interrupted.

"How do you know?" Ning Qi looked surprised.

"I’ve heard about their disruption on Beast Tamer Street. It’s spread to Xuantian Garden. Future super-rank beasts: white light tiger, radiant phoenix, dazzling flame dragon.

Too rare, too cool, siblings all in one family. Everyone’s been waiting to see when they’d come take the qualification exam. And here they are," the guard said, much warmer towards the three siblings than towards Ning Qi.

These were genuine prodigies. "Come, I’ll take you in. Brother, watch the gate—don’t let anyone else in casually."

"Go on, hurry or you’ll be stuck at the gate," the other guard said, also interested in the siblings.

Qing Jin smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Upon hearing they were the trio who caused a stir on Beast Tamer Street, many people surrounded them.

"Wait, let us see your beasts!"

"Yeah, let us see!"

"Don’t leave!"

Seeing the dense crowd, Qing Jin quickly pulled Qing Hu and squeezed through. Qing Zhen and Ning Qi, a step behind, nearly got crushed. Their clothes were almost torn.

Once they reached the hall for the qualification exam, all four were trembling from the ordeal.

"I don’t know if the rumors about little Hu being the Eastern Wilderness’s most beautiful woman will ever die down. If not, you’re doomed. Wherever you go, a crowd will follow. I won’t go out with you again," Qing Jin warned.

"I don’t want to go out anymore," Qing Hu said helplessly. "It’s terrifying."

The guard who had accompanied them laughed.

"So the legendary Eastern Wilderness’s most beautiful person is you, little lady?"

"Guard brother, please don’t tell anyone or I’m finished," Qing Hu said seriously.

"Alright, alright," the guard smiled. The girl seemed delicate and cute, but he didn’t see her as the Eastern Wilderness’s top beauty. He didn’t want to cause trouble for her.

Noticing the guard’s amusement, Qing Hu quickly tried to save face. "If I grow a few more years, I’ll definitely be beautiful. Just look at my big brother at his prime!"

The guard looked at Qing Jin and laughed. "Alright, this is it. Hurry in. When you leave, go out the other side, or you’ll get blocked."

Qing Hu nodded rapidly.

They bid farewell to the guard and entered the hall.

Inside were many young people awaiting their exams, grouped in threes or fives, whispering.

Few were human; most were other races.

"Hey, why are four humans coming in again? What’s wrong with the guard outside? Letting anything in?" a young boy with a golden-red horn on his forehead sneered.

"You’re inside, so how could we not?" Qing Zhen snapped back.

The boy was stunned, then angrily charged at Qing Zhen. "You’re looking for death." He shot a hidden arrow at Qing Zhen’s face.

Qing Zhen slapped it away with his right hand, creating a gust that deflected the arrow.

The arrow hit a nearby pillar with a ding.

"No shouting or fighting in the hall. If you don’t like it, get out," a middle-aged man in brocade robes stepped out, shouting at Qing Zhen and the boy.

Not wanting trouble, Qing Zhen quickly returned to his siblings’ side under Qing Jin’s glance.

The horned boy slunk back.

Seeing them separate, the man turned to the newcomers.

"You four seem old enough, but your cultivation is insufficient. Why did the guards let you in? Explain."

"We’re all Beast Tamers," Ning Qi said quickly.

"Even so, not all Beast Tamers get in. There are many, but only certain ones qualify," the man said impatiently.

Qing Hu immediately released a school of about ten Light Sword Fish.

Each fish was about a foot long, having grown bigger and heavier, floating easily in the air. Tiny light particles circled them like a halo.

Before leaving a secret realm, the fish had gorged themselves, storing energy. After exiting, they hid in Qing Hu’s beast pouch to grow.

She released the earliest awakened fish, the weakest batch.

Even so, Qing Hu guessed many wouldn’t reach adulthood.

Yet, the brocade-robed man was shocked.

Uh... these were sixth-rank Light Sword Fish in their growth stage—

These were fierce beasts past the juvenile stage!

The combat strength of fierce beasts varies by phase: juvenile is weakest, basically prey; growth stage means small experts; mature is powerful rulers, fighting to dominate territory with battles that shake mountains and rivers.

Even in old age, their aura remains formidable.

These great beasts often use tribal settlements as reserves.

"You’re so small but can control sixth-rank fierce beasts in growth stage?"

Qing Hu smiled, patting her chest. "Though small, I’m strong."

The man smiled. "Alright, you pass. What about you all? Got any specialties?"

Qing Zhen released four young birds with soft down. "These are fifth-rank Radiant Sparrows."

The man’s eyes narrowed, focusing special energy on them. The birds flashed white light in displeasure; the energy dissipated.

"These sparrows have good talent. So young, yet able to cast Radiant Barrier."

Radiant Barrier? Qing Zhen didn’t know but smiled foolishly.

The man then looked at Qing Jin.

Qing Jin released a white cat.

"This is a white light tiger cub."

"I see," the man nodded. White tiger cubs are easiest to spot; though rare, white wildcats are more common.

"Why’s your cat so fat? Being overweight isn’t good for future growth or energy accumulation. You better put it on a diet after today."

The little white cat bristled indignantly.

Why should she diet?

"Too fat affects your speed and bone growth. Lose weight or your master might abandon you. Then good meals will be hard to find," the man warned sternly. "Who wants a Beast Tamer’s beast that won’t fight or improve? Protect your master and your food source, then you’ll have a future."

The cat whimpered, as if taking the advice seriously.

"How about you?" the man looked at Ning Qi.

Ning Qi quickly took out his small white turtle.

"Alright, the Light Sound Turtle is rare. You can take the exam. Here’s your jade token. When your number is called, enter for the exam. Pass it, and you get the qualification token to enter Xuantian Tower."

He said no more and told them to wait.

Soon, a young attendant led out a group of boys and girls, some dejected, some excited, and sent them out. Then continued calling numbers.

Newcomers followed her into the hall’s back door.

After they left, only thirty to forty remained.

Ning Qi saw about twenty-two entered next. So soon their turn would come.

The previously aggressive horned boy also entered with the attendant. He had arrived early.

Once he left, the hall's atmosphere relaxed.

A human boy in a simple black robe approached.

"Great to see fellow humans here. Don’t mind that Red Horn guy; he’s all talk. He has no status in the Red Horn clan, just a rich grandfather."

"Sounds like you’re inciting us to rob him? Seriously? As humans, what are you thinking? Using cunning for the wrong things and trying to use us as pawns? When that kid came at us, where were you? If you’re not scared of him, why hide in the crowd like a coward?"

Qing Jin immediately retorted coldly and harshly.

The boy’s face darkened.

"You... we’re just trying to be nice."

"Sounds just like Dao Court people," Qing Zhen said. The boy’s face changed again. "You’re Dao Court, aren’t you? Dao Court is best at scheming."

"Oh yes, Dao Court is notorious for trickery. Our fish tribe’s lands were once human territory, but you schemed and took them, displacing many of our tribes."

"Why don’t you fish just stay? Dao Court should welcome you. Fish are usually tasty," Qing Hu asked.

The speaker, a boy with three blue scales on his forehead, immediately turned pale. Seeing Qing Hu, his expression was strange.

"If we stayed, wouldn’t we be waiting to be eaten to extinction?" he said.

"Dao Court is despicable. Eating must be sustainable; if extinct, there’s nothing left to eat," Qing Hu said.

"Cough, cough," the boy coughed. "We’re stronger than Dao Court. If Dao Court weren’t good at scheming and eroding our lands, why would we relocate?"

"The Eastern Wilderness is huge. Why not just move to another lake?" Qing Hu asked.

"Every water area in the Eastern Wilderness is claimed. We’re not a strong tribe; we can’t take them by force," he said.

"Where do you live now?" Qing Hu asked again.

"We live in... are you tricking me?" The boy flipped, angry.

"Why would I? What’s wrong with you?" Qing Hu retorted.

"Try walking your Light Sword Fish through our territory and see how many fish remain."

"Then why don’t you hatch more fish?" Qing Hu suggested.

"Don’t even think about it! Impossible."

—End of side note—

Reached 450 chapters, happy to add two thousand more.

Le Wen

Page (3/3)