Chapter 55: The Secret of the Sunflower Sea!

The person behind replied respectfully, though his words carried a trace of hesitation:
"Controlling the fishermen is not difficult, but once the secret treasure emerges, it will surely attract contenders from all directions. I'm afraid our disciples will not be able to match those cultivators."
"That is not your concern," Xu Shengnan said, not even turning her head.
"Do what you are supposed to do. There are others to deal with those people."
"Yes!"
Another day passed, and the winter grew colder.

Aruo carefully placed the freshly caught lake fish into her basket.
Only after completing this did her taut nerves relax, and her body began to feel the chill that seeped through from the lake water and biting wind. Her skin, once wheat-colored, now appeared pale and bloodless from prolonged soaking. The northern wind made her shiver uncontrollably.

She trembled, grabbed her gourd, and poured its contents into her mouth.
The liquor was warm, and the taste fierce—like a burning blade slicing down her throat and settling in her belly.
This was the fiery spirit beloved by fishermen.
Their work was arduous, battered by wind and rain, plagued by dampness day and night. By middle age, many were beset by illnesses, both minor and grave.
Strong liquor chased away the cold and fortified the body, making it a staple among fishermen. Especially in winter, without a dram of spirits, none would dare fish for winter catch; a single misstep could mean plunging into the lake.

Though Aruo was a woman, fisherfolk daughters learned to shoulder responsibilities early, and she had long mastered the art of drinking.
A few gulps sent a rush of warmth through her, reviving her from head to toe.
But even this was not enough. She wiped her nose, brushed herself off, then picked up her basket and entered the cabin.

Inside, a stove had been lit, barely radiating warmth to combat the relentless cold.
Aruo set down the fish basket, then approached the stove, wrapping her thin, frail body in a tattered cotton quilt. Gradually, lost warmth returned to her limbs.

"Where exactly is this so-called secret treasure?"
Once her temperature had recovered, she hung an oil lantern at the bow. Ahead, darkness stretched endlessly.
Only a few large boats in the distance shone brightly, and some other fishing boats, similarly adorned with oil lamps, glided and darted across the waters.
Clearly, she was not the only one hoping for luck.

"No, there are too many people— even if I stumble upon it, I won’t be able to seize it."
"I’ll have to go where there are fewer people, but the black-scaled fish are active in the lake’s center."
"Wait…"
Something occurred to her, and Aruo turned her boat toward another stretch of water.

The fishing boat glided farther away, with lights growing sparse all around.
It was a barren waterway, suspected to have an underground current—one that only flowed inward and never out—so fish were scarce, and fishermen seldom ventured here.
When she was younger, lacking the boldness and ferocity to compete with others, she could only fish in such places, and over time, she became familiar with them.
Now, with even fewer fishermen around, it might offer an opportunity for one so alone as herself…

Suddenly, a splashing sound echoed.
Aruo looked toward it and saw a fishing boat stopped atop the lake, its bow adorned with a lantern. Unlike her own pitifully small fish-oil lamp, this lantern was bright and radiant, like a miniature sun.
Could it be…
Her heart skipped a beat. She stared intently and saw, beneath the lantern’s glow, a young man seated at the bow—Shen Yan.
He wore a raincoat, a bamboo hat on his back, his face cold and stern as ice, making her uneasy.
Shen Yan sat at the bow, his fingers stirring the lake water.
Beneath his touch, shadows moved in the water, dancing with the light.

This…
Aruo stood frozen, bewildered.
Black-scaled fish!
Her pupils contracted as she stared at the black-scaled giants, a look of terror in her eyes.
Their scales were like armor, teeth sharp as daggers; they were infamous monsters of Qinglian Lake.
Strong as oxen, fiercer than tigers or leopards in water, they often attacked fishermen and could capsize boats. Many lost their lives to them every year.
Yet now, these black-scaled fish were being directed by a human—an unbelievable sight.

Could he be one of those legendary immortals?
Rumor had it that lately, many immortals had arrived at Qinglian Lake…
No, best to keep my distance.
Aruo snapped back to herself, grabbed the oar, and prepared to leave.

Spirit fish! Driven here by the black-scaled fish?
Her heart raced, and she nearly jumped into the water, but reason restrained her at the last moment.
Though there was light in the darkness, it was not by her boat, but at the lake’s heart, before the young man.
So-called spirit fish were not magical creatures, but lake catches imbued with spiritual energy.

Spirit fish weren’t as fierce as black-scaled fish; their speed was their only advantage.
Yet this man could command black-scaled fish to drive spirit fish into his basket—astonishing!
Wait, a basket?

Her heart skipped again. She stared and saw, by Shen Yan’s side in the fish cabin, a basket—one that shimmered with spiritual light.

That was…
Spirit fish?
So many spirit fish?
He’d caught so many spirit fish?
She gaped at the basket, utterly shocked and unable to comprehend.

At that moment…
"Who would have thought Friend Yan possessed such a secret technique!"
"Remarkable, remarkable!"
"The world is full of wonders—tonight is truly eye-opening."
Loud voices rang from all directions.
Aruo started, awakened, and looked around.

From all sides, lights brightened, and boats converged rapidly, surrounding Shen Yan in an instant but keeping their distance, bowing respectfully toward him.
After exchanging greetings, Shen Yan made no reply.
The atmosphere became awkward, then tense.
Finally, Han Yin spoke up:
"Friend, with your ability to command black-scaled fish, you must have a good chance of finding the secret treasure. Would you allow us to accompany you?"
Shen Yan did not turn, his tone indifferent:
"Wherever you came from, go back. If you want the treasure, find it yourselves."
"This…"
The group exchanged glances, all frowning, but pressed on:
"To be frank, this matter concerns all cultivators here, not just our personal interests. If you insist on refusing to cooperate, then we’ll have no choice but…"
"What will you do?"
Shen Yan interrupted.
"If you’re going to act, do it quickly."

Silence fell, tension thickening.
Finally, Han Yin took the lead:
"Since you refuse, I won’t stand on ceremony."
With that, she leapt from her boat, sword drawn. Though it lacked the legendary blade’s aura, its sharpness was evident as it thrust toward Shen Yan.

As she’d said before, who wouldn’t covet the Qinglian Sword Sect’s ruined mountain gate?
She had taken the lead among so many; now she must stand at the front, or how could she win their respect?
Even knowing her opponent was formidable, Han Yin had to muster her courage and make a move.
She struck with all her strength, her magic sword flashing like lightning from its sheath.
But at the bow, Shen Yan merely raised his hand ever so slightly.