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Chapter 9 - Chapter 8: Mermaid, Level Up

"What kind of fish is this?"

After reeling it in, Wang Mu looked towards Grandpa Yu beside him.

To Wang Mu's surprise, Grandpa Yu's face was filled with astonishment. His wrinkles deepened with this expression, making him appear somewhat older, and was that a hint of desolation?

"A Red Bream."

Grandpa Yu fell silent for a few seconds before explaining to Wang Mu, "It's a rather magical fish species from Yunlai Creek. This fish is entirely red and possesses Spiritual Energy. It emits a special scent that can influence one's mind. According to the *Huangtian Continent Strange Creatures Record*, this fish's belly contains a bead, and its meat is delicious. Eating the bead can enhance Heart Power, and its flesh can strengthen the Physique and nourish kidney essence."

Sounds quite rare? My Action Points are finally becoming reliable, and my proficiency is steadily rising, Wang Mu thought.

"Hmph, not considered rare," Grandpa Yu stroked his long beard, his voice stern. "There are hundreds, even thousands, of fish species in Yunlai Creek. This fish is merely low-grade. You mustn't get arrogant."

Wang Mu nodded repeatedly, his mind replaying the sensation of fishing just moments ago.

He suddenly felt an incredible mental exhaustion, even more draining than when he had been chopping trees earlier.

When chopping the Purple Shuo Tree, he had merely been physically exhausted.

Now, it wasn't just physical exhaustion; his mind also felt depleted, as if he had stayed up all night playing video games.

"What does 'Heart Power' mean?" Wang Mu put away his fishing rod and looked at the mere three fish he had caught—an insignificant haul compared to Grandpa Yu's usual.

Still, Wang Mu was satisfied. It's only my first day, after all.

"It refers to our mental fortitude, our spirit," said Grandpa Yu. "Your physical strength is adequate for now, but your essence is depleted and your spirit is faint. You need to replenish them. Go back and ask Aunt Hong to stew this fish for you."

Wang Mu was speechless.

Is my spirit really that weak? Wang Mu didn't quite think so.

Grandpa Yu seemed to sense Wang Mu's thoughts and warned sternly, "Mu Guy, some of the fish in Yunlai Creek are extremely dangerous."

"My father fished for forty years and prided himself on being able to catch any fish. But in his fiftieth year, he caught a special kind of fish, was lured into the creek, and ended up in its belly."

Wang Mu was startled and quickly asked, "What kind of fish was that?"

"A Manatee, also known as a Mermaid," Grandpa Yu said, a reminiscent look on his face. "This fish has a human face and a fish's body. Its beauty is unparalleled, captivating anyone who sees it. Even the most mentally resolute men find it hard to resist; many disciples from the Immortal Sects can't control themselves around them."

"A Mermaid?" Wang Mu exclaimed.

"Mermaid? Though the name is rather common, it's quite fitting. Calling it that is appropriate enough," Grandpa Yu nodded.

"Yunlai Creek has fish like that too?" Wang Mu asked, carrying the bamboo basket with his catch as he followed Grandpa Yu back to the village, peppering him with questions.

This little creek really is something else, he thought.

However, according to Grandpa Yu, even these Mermaids were only considered mid and upper grades in Yunlai Creek. The true top-grade fish species were exceptionally mystical and incredibly rare.

He mentioned that despite fishing for decades, he had only caught a little over ten top-grade fish species.

When his luck was poor, he wouldn't even catch a few Red Bream like today's for an entire year.

Sometimes, when major natural events occurred, the fish species in Yunlai Creek would also change. For example, about half a year ago, an Immortal was undergoing a Crossing Tribulation nearby, which caused most of the fish in the creek to hide deep, making it impossible to catch anything.

Wang Mu listened with rapt attention.

Back in the village, he handed all three fish to Aunt Hong. Before long, the Red Bream had been transformed into a delicious soup, which soon flowed into Wang Mu's body, nourishing him.

The bead from its belly, also known as a Red Twisted Pearl, had hardly any fishy smell despite being inside the fish and even tasted a bit like a beef meatball.

Whether it was due to Aunt Hong's superb culinary skills or some other reason, Wang Mu indeed felt his mind clear and his vision sharpen after eating it.

The sensation in his head was like revitalizing rain after a long drought—incredibly refreshing.

"This is too incredible," Wang Mu patted his full stomach.

This fish is pretty amazing, he thought.

"By the way, there's one type of fish you must be particularly careful with," Grandpa Yu said with a serious expression after finishing his fish soup. "These fish are Spiritual. Even if you catch one, you must not eat it; it has to be released."

He added, "Hmm, though it's unlikely you'll encounter one."

"What kind of fish?" Wang Mu asked.

"The Jinlong Carp," Grandpa Yu replied. "It's a type of Spirit Fish, and also one of the legendary fish species of Yunlai Creek. They possess Spiritual natures and intelligence comparable to humans. They roam Yunlai Creek, cultivating themselves, and bring good fortune to their surroundings. However, if anyone dares to eat one, they will undoubtedly be cursed with misfortune."

He sighed, "These are all things our ancestors experienced firsthand."

Wang Mu became thoughtful. This type of fish should probably be classified as a Spirit or a spiritual Demon. I've been in Anle Village for over half a year, and while I don't know much about this world, I understand the basics. The Immortal World naturally has Demons. Spirits and spiritual Demons are born all over the world and often possess extraordinary abilities. Like humans, they are intelligent Living Beings of this world. Ordinary fish species, on the other hand, have no real intelligence and lack a Spiritual nature. They only possess a slight amount of Spiritual Energy due to the world's overall advancement.

"Grandpa Yu, have you encountered one in all your years of fishing?"

"...I have fished for sixty years. I am the nemesis of fish; I reckon it wouldn't dare take my hook."

Wang Mu was silent for a moment. Got it. So he's never encountered one, he thought.

In the days that followed, Wang Mu diligently learned the art of fishing from Grandpa Yu.

He learned how to identify different fish, how celestial signs, climate, temperature, and many other factors influenced various species, and the specific techniques to catch them.

And indeed, some fish, when consumed, could enhance one's abilities: Red Bream for enhancing Heart Power, Great Salamander King for increasing strength, Swimming Shuttlefish for improving Constitution...

After a month of fishing, Wang Mu finally understood why Grandpa Yu, despite not being a Cultivator, could send a column of water tens of meters high with a flick of his fishing rod when they first met.

These rarer fish... even if he only catches one every few days... after so many years... If Grandpa Yu had an attribute panel, I bet all his stats would be maxed out. His body is just too strong in every aspect!

Uncle Tie Niu, who's been chopping trees for decades... Grandpa Yu, who's been fishing for decades... They're both superhuman! Wang Mu marveled.

Moreover, the longer one fished, the higher their Heart Realm seemed to become.

For instance, when Grandpa Yu fished for Red Bream, a mere flick of his bamboo pole sent the fish flying onto the bank. He wouldn't get flustered and thrown into disarray by the fish's influence, unlike Wang Mu.

A month passed by in the blink of an eye. During this time, the fish Wang Mu caught most often was the Red Bream.

That fish truly tested one's mental fortitude.

Even more formidable than the Red Bream was the Illusion Eye Fish, which could directly bewilder one's mind, making it even more challenging.

Wang Mu had hooked one once, but unfortunately, it got away.

While he was reeling it in, it looked like a fish from a distance. But as it got closer, it suddenly took on the appearance of Yan Qingwu, startling Wang Mu so much that he instinctively let go of his fishing rod.

Yunlai Creek is truly full of bizarre wonders... Wang Mu still felt a lingering fear from the encounter.

However, over the past month, Wang Mu had gained a lot.

Just from the seven or eight Red Bream he had eaten, his essence, energy, and spirit were far different from before. He felt as if the world itself had become clearer.

It'll be next month soon, Wang Mu thought. My Action Points will be restored then.

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