Chapter 4: Senior Brother Zhou, Do You Like Silver Hair?

At Yan Xiao’s words, Zhou Qing was momentarily stunned.

Soon, he understood the full story.

Three days ago, an earthquake suddenly struck the rear mountain of Shen Yue Peak, followed by a flood of underground water seeping out.

Within a single day, a vast lake had formed.

Soon, people noticed that spiritual energy vortices occasionally formed on the lake’s surface, and sometimes parts of the water would freeze briefly.

The Sect Master himself went to investigate and, after careful examination, was delighted to discover the presence of Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish.

Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish are an extremely rare type of spiritual fish, prized not only for their delicious flesh but also as a natural medicinal herb.

A single fish is worth a fortune; if cultivated, it can solidify one’s foundation and nurture the origin, and with good fortune, even offer a chance to break through one’s cultivation realm.

For this reason, the Sect Master directly gifted the lake to Lu Yaoyao as a Baishi gift.

Unexpectedly, Lu Yaoyao did not keep it for herself but shared it, inviting all core disciples to come and fish.

Whoever catches a fish keeps it, and she also prepared small gifts, food, and bonfires for the night, formally introducing herself to everyone.

One must admit, Lu Yaoyao is not only beautiful but also makes others feel at ease.

“Come on, come on—Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish are priceless! If we’re lucky and catch two, it’ll be a huge boon to our cultivation!” Yan Xiao grabbed Zhou Qing and pulled him along.

Zhou Qing really wanted to refuse—he still didn’t understand Lu Yaoyao’s true intentions, and what if she was setting another trap for him?

But the temptation of the Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish was too great, especially after he had cultivated the Spirit-Invisibility Worm and surged to Qi Condensation ninth layer, just one step away from Foundation Establishment.

He understood the Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish well—it was a natural tonic, especially for solidifying the foundation and nurturing the origin, offering immense help to someone like him who had just broken through.

Besides, with so many people there, he might even gain a few Ignore Points.

“Let’s go. I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry—we won’t provoke her. If she comes to us, we can always avoid her,” Yan Xiao said.

After a brief hesitation, Zhou Qing agreed.

Soon after, when the two arrived at the rear mountain of Shen Yue Peak, a vast lake indeed stretched before them.

Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a mysterious deep-blue glow, its surface calm and still; only when a light breeze passed did faint ripples ripple like the fluttering sleeves of a celestial being.

Spiritual energy rose in wisps, forming a faint, ethereal mist above the water, dreamlike and illusory.

Even the wild grass around the lake emitted a soft, warm luster.

Along the lake’s shore, core disciples from various peaks sat or stood quietly, fishing.

Their fishing rods varied widely—some were jade rods emitting a faint spiritual glow, others were ancient, heavy wooden rods.

Each face bore focus and anticipation, silently praying that the plump Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish would bite.

After all, according to Lu Yaoyao, there were only two or three such fish.

“Damn, we’re late!”

Seeing this, Yan Xiao panicked—there was nothing to be done; Xiao Ling Peak was simply too far from Shen Yue Peak.

“Quick, find a spot!”

After tossing Zhou Qing a fishing rod and a bucket, Yan Xiao hurried off toward a certain direction.

Zhou Qing looked around and soon spotted Lu Yaoyao, eyes closed, fishing at a distance—she stood gracefully, like a blue lotus, drawing occasional furtive glances from nearby core disciples.

Zhou Qing immediately crouched low and, while she hadn’t noticed him, hurried toward a secluded spot.

Whether he caught a fish didn’t matter—he just needed her to stop drawing hatred his way so he could quietly gain Ignore Points.

Of course, if he was lucky enough to catch an Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish, it would be a bonus.

Soon, Zhou Qing chose a spot surrounded by thick weeds, clearly not a good place to fish.

Its only advantage was that he couldn’t see Lu Yaoyao, and across from him were two other core disciples.

He avoided the girl without hiding outright.

Then he slowly stepped back, twisted his waist, and swung his rod forward with all his strength.

The rod bent under strain, curving like a great bow, and the fishing line arced through the air before landing squarely in the lake ahead.

After that, he sat down and waited.

Time passed slowly, and soon the familiar voice sounded, making his lips curl upward.

[Ignore Point +1]

[Ignore Point +1]

[Ignore Point +1]

…………

Lu Yaoyao opened her eyes and scanned the surroundings, quickly locking onto Yan Xiao in the distance.

She knew Zhou Qing had come—she just didn’t know where.

She was about to rise, then seemed to remember something, bit her lip, and sat back down, whispering softly.

“Hold on, you must hold on—if you change anything, I’ll disappear, and I need to find out who my mother is…”

…………

[Ignore Point +1]

[Skill Fragment +1]

Zhou Qing, who had nearly dozed off, jolted awake, thinking he’d misheard—he quickly checked his panel.

[Name: Zhou Qing]

[Age: 19]

[Cultivation: Qi Condensation Ninth Layer]

[Cultivation Technique: Taiqing Xuanyi Scripture]

[Talent Skill: Reduce Presence]

[Level: LV1 (64/100)]

[Skill Fragments: 2/3 (Unobtainable)]

Seeing two skill fragments confirmed, he was thrilled.

He only needed one more to unlock a new talent skill.

This place was truly the right choice.

Watching his motionless rod, he shifted into another relaxed posture, preparing to nap again—when suddenly, a clear voice rang out behind him.

“Senior Brother Zhou, how’s the fishing going?”

Zhou Qing sat up straight, turned around, and saw Lu Yaoyao leaning slightly forward, her eyes bright as stars, curved into crescents, her smile perfectly poised, her voice clear as a bell, playful and curious.

In the past, being approached by a beautiful girl while fishing would have made him gloat—but now, since he’d developed the thought that she was seeking revenge, he was far more cautious.

He immediately stood up and said, “Ah, it’s Junior Sister Lu. No, no—I’ve never had luck. I’m just here to fill numbers. I’m going to try another spot.”

Zhou Qing spoke, already moving to reel in his line.

Lu Yaoyao said, “This spot looks fine—maybe the Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish will swim over soon.”

Zhou Qing chuckled inwardly.

This corner? There wasn’t even a ghost of a fish here.

Before Zhou Qing could speak, Lu Yaoyao suddenly leaned closer, blinking with curiosity: “Senior Brother Zhou, what kind of girl do you like?”

Zhou Qing instinctively stepped back, instantly on guard.

Something’s off!

Definitely something major!

Is she setting a trap for me?

“Do you like silver hair?” she asked, eagerly playing with her own hair—Zhou Qing was surprised to notice that beneath her black locks lay a faint layer of silver.

Zhou Qing stepped back again—he’d been waiting for this.

He quickly said, “Junior Sister Lu, I don’t like silver hair. I like green hair.”

“Green hair?” Lu Yaoyao froze, utterly stunned.

Zhou Qing nodded, about to speak—when suddenly, rustling footsteps approached.

Li Daoxuan, the top disciple of Shen Yue Peak, along with his four junior brothers, hurried over with fishing gear.

Zhou Qing quickly laughed it off: “Yes, green hair! Junior Sister Lu, you go ahead—I’m changing spots.”

After speaking, he quickly hurried away.

Lu Yaoyao remained frozen in place, frowning deeply.

“Green hair? That’s impossible!”

At that moment, Li Daoxuan and the others ran up, seeing Zhou Qing fleeing in disarray, they exchanged puzzled glances.

Lu Yaoyao asked, “Senior Brothers, do you prefer girls with green hair or silver hair?”

Everyone was confused but quickly answered in unison: “Black hair.”

…………

Zhou Qing found another spot, confirmed Lu Yaoyao hadn’t followed, and finally exhaled in relief.

Then he felt a wave of relief.

“Heh, openly hinting like this? I’m not falling for it—I’ll drive you crazy.”

He walked to the water’s edge, studied himself carefully, then patted his chest muscles.

“I’m not bad-looking, but not so handsome that someone would fall for me at first sight. Not to mention, Li Daoxuan is better-looking than me—his status and cultivation are worlds apart from mine. Something strange is going on.”

Zhou Qing muttered to himself—he had decided that after returning, he’d ask his Master.

Had he ever killed someone who resembled Lu Yaoyao? After all, this is your karmic debt—why should I bear it?

Then he cast his rod back into the water and waited quietly.

Across the river, people occasionally caught one or two fish, but none were Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish, and they cursed as they cast their rods again.

Zhou Qing lay back Shunshi , for he no longer cared at all about the Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish; better to use this chance to properly rack up Ignore Points.

But just then, Zhou Qing suddenly felt cold, and could not help but shiver.

“What’s going on?” Zhou Qing looked around, but when he saw the lake before him, his pupils shrank.

“No way!!!”

(End of Chapter)