Luxury

In the backyard of the grand mansion.

Yi Feng settled into a large chair in the courtyard.

With his back against an ornate pavilion and facing an elegant koi pond, he radiated an indescribable air of leisure and contentment.

Watching nearly a hundred Dao-Transforming Sturgeons swimming freely in the pond was enough to lift anyone’s spirits. The tension in the eyes of the two sect leaders gradually gave way to joy over their bountiful haul.

Xu Baichuan stood by the pond with his hands behind his back, clicking his tongue in admiration like a newly wealthy landlord, while Luo Pengfei couldn’t stop marveling and offering his commentary.

Seeing their excitement, Yi Feng chuckled and reassured them.

"Brothers, you can see the pond just fine while sitting. I suppose we made a decent profit from this fishing trip?"

Luo Pengfei beamed, his face blooming with delight.

"Profit? Oh, we struck gold!"

"Your fishing skills, sir, are nothing short of divine!"

Dao-Transforming Sturgeons were treasures beyond measure.

Catching even one was a windfall.

A mere million Celestial Crystals were hardly worth mentioning.

Now, with nearly a hundred in their possession—most of them millennia-old specimens—this haul was unprecedented, its value beyond estimation.

Xu Baichuan’s aged face flushed with excitement.

"Sir, your fishing technique is truly unheard of. We are in awe!"

Out of courtesy, Yi Feng offered a modest reply.

"Not at all, not at all. Fishing just requires a bit of patience. You could do it too."

Seeing Yi Feng in good spirits, Luo Pengfei dared to ask for guidance.

"You jest, sir."

"We prepared extensively yet came up empty-handed every time. But you? Never a miss. The gap between us is like heaven and earth."

"Might you enlighten us, sir? What is the essence of true fishing?"

With such politeness, Yi Feng couldn’t bring himself to withhold his wisdom.

"Truthfully, it’s simple—the key is patience."

Patience?

The two men froze, staring blankly.

"That’s all there is to it?"

Yi Feng nodded with a smile.

"Exactly. Fishing is that straightforward. Pick a good spot, have a rod in hand, and wait patiently. The rest takes care of itself."

"You two prepared thoroughly, but you focused too much on auxiliary methods and overlooked the core of fishing. That’s putting the cart before the horse. As they say, 'poor students have the fanciest tools.'"

The two sect leaders flushed with embarrassment, momentarily speechless.

In their pursuit of Dao-Transforming Sturgeons, they’d tried every trick—except honing their actual fishing skills. Truly, poor students and their fancy tools...

But could patience alone really yield results?

They’d cultivated for nearly ten thousand years, returning to fish every century, attempting dozens of times. Surely they had patience—yet they’d always left empty-handed.

Gazing at the pond teeming with sturgeons, the two could only sigh in resignation.

Indeed, no two people are alike.

Even patience has its degrees!

Just how profound must Yi Feng’s state of mind be to reel in over a hundred Dao-Transforming Sturgeons so effortlessly? The phrase "patience" sounded simple, but mastering it was another matter entirely.

Easy to understand, impossible to replicate.

Pondering the deeper meaning behind his words, the two grew even more convinced of Yi Feng’s unfathomable depth. The truth of fishing, like the Great Dao itself, was deceptively simple—far beyond what mere words could convey.

Noticing the awkward silence, Yi Feng smoothly changed the subject.

"Gentlemen, with this small windfall of ours, your island master must be furious by now, no? Just how formidable is his cultivation?"

Yi Feng’s sudden fishing spree had been a deliberate provocation—to anger the unscrupulous island master and secure his own demise. Gathering intel was essential.

Luo Pengfei snapped out of his daze.

"Sir, you mustn’t take this lightly."

"Though Sunlight Island is an outer island, it’s a place where dragons and tigers hide. Every island master has inherited secret techniques, allowing them to fight above their realm. Even with fifth-tier cultivation, your chances of victory are slim..."

Yi Feng’s eyes sparkled.

"So, within the island, your master is the strongest?"

Xu Baichuan nodded gravely.

"Correct."

"Our island has no shortage of reclusive experts, but whether it’s the hidden masters or the other four great sects, none can compare to the island master. He is unquestionably the strongest."

Yi Feng was overjoyed.

After a brief pause, he seemed to realize something amiss.

"Other four great sects? I thought including the island master’s sect, there were only four in total?"

Xu Baichuan blinked, then chuckled.

"Ah, you must not have heard of the Five Elements Sect."

"The Five Elements Sect stands alongside our three great sects. Its disciples specialize in divination and fate-reading, rumored to glimpse heavenly secrets and comprehend the shifts of yin and yang. They’re all enigmatic figures—but their gifts come at a cost. Most are bound by the 'Five Misfortunes and Three Deficiencies,' living reclusive lives. Even ordinary islanders rarely know their whereabouts."

"Since you’ve only recently arrived, it’s no surprise you haven’t heard of them."

Yi Feng nodded in understanding.

So, there was a fortune-telling sect too.

Old Bao’s intel was as unreliable as ever!

This mysterious sect sounded full of extraordinary individuals. If he could get a reading, maybe they’d point him toward the perfect way to die?

Curious, Yi Feng pressed further.

"Truly a sect of masters. Where might these Five Elements disciples be found?"

The two sect leaders wore regretful expressions.

"The Five Elements Sect has always been elusive. Only the fated can seek them out. Even if you find their sect, gaining entry is near impossible."

"Indeed, lately they’ve vanished entirely. Even their usual disciples are nowhere to be seen. Who knows what they’re up to..."

Yi Feng accepted this with a nod.

Dragons are glimpsed but never fully seen—seems these fortune-tellers won’t be found anytime soon.

For now, he’d already picked a fight with the island master. His death-seeking prospects looked promising. Setting aside other plans, he continued probing for details.

"When will your island master emerge from seclusion?"

Xu Baichuan thought for a moment.

"Island Master Sa retreated into seclusion immediately after returning from Black Island—likely a sudden decision to prepare for a breakthrough. He should emerge in a few days. You must be cautious, sir."

A few more days, and he’d face the island’s strongest existence.

Yi Feng felt life’s hope swelling within him.

This time, success was assured.

As they say, joy brings vigor.

Glancing back at the pond, Yi Feng’s appetite stirred.

"Right, right."

"We’ve worked hard and caught so many fish. Let’s cook a few and taste them—no sense letting our efforts go to waste!"

The two sect leaders brightened, ready to summon exquisite cutlery to properly prepare the legendary Dao-Transforming Sturgeons.

But Yi Feng was quicker—pulling out a firestarter!

"I’ll grill a few for you. Guaranteed to leave you speechless!"

The two sect leaders nearly choked.

Grilling Dao-Transforming Sturgeons—these priceless treasures?

This was sheer sacrilege!

Yet, having witnessed Yi Feng’s unfathomable prowess, who were they to object?

Besides, these sturgeons were his to begin with. If he wanted to waste a few for his own enjoyment, so be it!

Screw it!

Today, they’d indulge in extravagance!

Gritting their teeth at the pond brimming with sturgeons, one fetched sacred firewood while the other scooped up fish, soon bustling with activity.

Before long,

Chef Yi had gutted several fresh fish and laid them over glowing embers for a slow roast. The two sect leaders sat obediently nearby, their noses twitching—whether from imagination or reality, the aroma was intoxicating!

Just as the trio’s mouths watered, Bao Congxin rushed over in a panic.

"Benefactor! Honored sect leaders!"

"There’s a crowd—a huge crowd—at the gates, begging for an audience!"