Chapter 57: The Demonic Cultivator!

"What is it?"
The young Daoist glanced at her.
"Compassionate heart, unable to bear it?"
"No, that's not it!"
Xu Shengnan shook her head, protesting,
"I just think that if too many fishermen are killed or wounded at this moment, future fishing may suffer. It might be better to hold off for a while, wait until the warmth of spring..."
"Entering the path of immortality, all worldly creatures are but livestock!"
The youth let out a chilling smile, his gaze icy as he looked at her.
"Do you understand?"
Xu Shengnan fell into silence, then nodded.
"I understand!"
"As long as you understand, that's good, very good... Ha ha ha!"
Dressed in fiery red robes, the strikingly handsome young Daoist Xu Jingyang sat at the center, surrounded by Xu Shengnan and others. They raised their cups, exchanging drinks with high spirits.
Though his cultivation was profound, he showed not a hint of aloofness, but rather a carefree, unrestrained demeanour, drinking heartily and sampling delicacies.
"This flavor truly is remarkable!"
"If you enjoy it, that's all that matters."
"Sister, you should try some as well."
"It is indeed exquisite..."
"The spirit fish of Qinglian Lake lives up to its reputation. I wonder what the legendary King of Spirit Fish tastes like."
"The King of Spirit Fish?"
Hosts and guests reveled, laughter filling the air, soon turning to the critical topic.
At this moment, Xu Jingyang's eyes sharpened. He rose, disregarding the astonished gazes of those around him, and turned to Xu Shengnan,
"Spirit fish are born from hidden treasures, so naturally there is a King of Spirit Fish..."
As he spoke, his body suddenly paused, then he spun around and transformed into a streak of crimson light, flying straight toward a large vessel.
"Xu Jingyang greets his fellow Daoist. May I ask your esteemed name?"
The man appeared young, his expression cold as if forged from northern ice, with a hint of solitary pride.
"Zhao Ruoxu."
"So it's Brother Zhao!"
Xu Jingyang saluted, his words respectful but not servile.
Beside Zhao Ruoxu stood a woman, resplendent in bright red palace robes, stunning in her beauty.
Unlike Zhao Ruoxu's icy arrogance, the woman assessed Xu Jingyang, then spoke in a sweet, alluring voice,
"So, it's Xu Jingyang. I've long heard that in Xiaolan Mountain, few can match the prowess of the Xu family’s Xu Jingyang—truly a foundation-building talent. Now that I see you, the rumors are not exaggerated."
Xu Jingyang smiled,
"Not at all. With such grace, you must be Daoist Chen Hongyu of the Chen family?"
The woman smiled radiantly,
"Just call me Jade Lady."

"Fairy, you are indeed approachable."
Xu Jingyang shifted his gaze, looking around,
"Are only you two here this time?"
"Hmm!?"
Zhao Ruoxu's face remained cold, while Chen Hongyu gave a soft laugh,
"What, are the two of us not enough? Does Daoist Xu Jingyang intend to claim the hidden treasure for himself?"
"Of course not. I am hardly qualified to monopolize such a treasure."
Xu Jingyang shook his head, explaining,
"It's just that, with the treasure appearing and foundation-building cultivators unable to intervene, Daoists in Qinglian Lake possess extraordinary methods and are determined to seize it. A fierce struggle is inevitable. Though you two are strong, two fists cannot fend off four hands..."
"Hmph!"
Before he could finish, a cold snort sounded, and Zhao Ruoxu spoke arrogantly,
"Even if ants swarm, they're of no concern."
Chen Hongyu smiled,
"Yet Daoist Xu's words aren't without reason. If you help us, aside from the treasure, I can grant you a thirty percent share of all other spoils."
"Agreed!"
"It's settled."
Xu Jingyang readily accepted, laughing,
"I will do my utmost to assist you both in winning the treasure."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As his words fell, the northern wind stirred, and Zhao Ruoxu and Chen Hongyu both turned their gaze.
Xu Jingyang sensed it too, looking back. In the snowy distance, a fishing boat was approaching.
How could such a small boat dare venture to the lake’s heart?
Shen Yan stopped rowing, sat at the bow, and drew a fishing rod from who knows where, beginning to fish under everyone's gaze.
"It's him?"
"Yan Sheng!"
"That man again!"
Upon witnessing this scene, all powers clenched their teeth in frustration, yet were powerless to act, not daring to make a move.
Lately, Yan Sheng’s name had spread throughout Qinglian Lake.
Everyone knew Yan Sheng was formidable, even Xu Shengnan, the eldest daughter of the Xu family, was no match for him.
Who would dare provoke such a figure?
In the end, they could only let him brazenly snatch food from their bowls.
But to their surprise, he was not content and had come to fish in the lake’s center.
Wasn’t this going too far?
Yet no matter how outrageous, none dared act rashly, instead casting their eyes toward the dragon-patterned ship.
"Hmph!"
"What audacity!"

"In broad daylight, under the scrutiny of all, he dares steal from Xiaolan Mountain!"
Zhao Ruoxu snorted coldly, about to strike.
"Wait!"
Chen Hongyu beside him stopped him,
"I’ve heard this man possesses secret arts—let him try. If he truly has skill, perhaps he can be of use, maybe even help us locate the treasure early."
"Fairy Hongyu speaks wisely."
Xu Jingyang smiled in agreement,
"His secret techniques are indeed rare; he can catch a hundred spirit fish in a single night. He must have unique methods. Perhaps he can capture the King of Spirit Fish and find the treasure."
With both supporting this view, Zhao Ruoxu restrained his impulse,
"Let him try, then!"
Unhindered, Shen Yan sat calmly at the bow, urging the black-scaled fish to seek the hidden treasure.
"The terrain of Qinglian Lake is peculiar; underwater currents branch everywhere. If the King of Fish is startled and escapes, who knows when the treasure will reappear?"
"Let him catch the King, and we’ll be the birds behind the cicada!"
Excited yet rational, everyone quickly grasped the situation and refrained from rash action, their eyes fixed on the fisherman, waiting for the outcome.
Shen Yan did not disappoint them. In less than half a day, the water exploded as a dazzling golden light shot forth, a long shadow like a dragon or serpent.
Shen Yan raised his hand, sweeping the golden light into his fish basket.
"The King of Fish!"
"He’s taken it!"
"Stop him!"
"Seize the basket!"
"Attack!"
Seeing Shen Yan take the King, the various powers could no longer restrain themselves. Immediately, cultivators began to stride across the water toward his boat.
These were death warriors trained by the three major families, already prepared for sacrifice, each fearless and charging at Shen Yan’s boat.
"Attack!"
Aboard the dragon-patterned ship, Zhao Ruoxu and Chen Hongyu exchanged glances. Zhao Ruoxu leapt forth, transforming into a streak of icy light from the ship.
Now, at the lake’s heart, amidst the battlefield.
Facing the oncoming death warriors, Shen Yan shook his head, unleashing Yuan Xuan Ice. In an instant, blood splattered, the hot crimson staining the cold snowstorm, adding a more tragic hue.
A hundred cultivators could not withstand even a casual blow from Shen Yan and perished instantly.
Yet this did not quell the greed in their hearts.
"Leave the spirit creature behind!"
"Turn water into ice!"
Shen Yan drew upon the Heavenly Emperor’s Seal within, casting a spell that froze the lake instantly, turning the battlefield into a world of silver crystals.
Zhao Ruoxu, the late-stage Qi Refining cultivator of the Zhao family, was frozen in an instant, like a sculpture of ice.