Wind, Moon, and a Thousand Miles

Yun Lake lies at the very center of the Nine Realms.

Originally, it was the border between the Immortal Realm and the other eight realms.

As the emergence of a Sage drew near, the heavens and earth grew turbulent, giving rise to numerous opportunities and perilous lands.

Yun Lake was born in this manner—appearing overnight.

When Yi Feng arrived at Yun Lake with Piaomiao Hong, even he couldn’t help but marvel at the sight before him.

The vast lake stretched beyond sight, its surface shimmering with ripples and veiled in a faint mist, resembling a paradise on earth.

Along the shore, birds sang amidst fragrant blossoms, and the land was lush with vegetation. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell—these plants were all priceless spiritual herbs.

Merely taking a deep breath near the lake was enough to invigorate the soul, filling one with unparalleled comfort.

Cultivating here would undoubtedly yield twice the results with half the effort.

Given Yun Lake’s geographical significance and sheer size, its existence was no secret among the circles of powerful experts.

Thus, masters from all walks of life flocked here to fish—for within its waters swam the legendary Dragonfish.

No one knew the origin of the name "Dragonfish," only that it was small in size, adorned in gold and scarlet, bearing some resemblance to an ordinary carp. Yet, it possessed unparalleled miraculous properties.

Legends claimed that the flesh of a Dragonfish could revive the dead and regenerate bones.

Not only that, but it could also vastly increase one’s chances of attaining the Dao.

Even more maddening was the rumor that it served as a crucial ingredient in a pill capable of aiding one’s ascension to Sagehood.

Catching a single Dragonfish would undoubtedly mark one as a child of fortune.

Of course, the lake housed other fish as well. Though they paled in comparison to the Dragonfish, reeling one in would still count as a considerable opportunity.

Many believed this was a gift bestowed by the heavens as a reward for the birth of a Sage.

Thus, most who came to Yun Lake were here for the fishing, while the spiritual herbs along the shore remained largely untouched—unless someone happened to need one.

For one, though these herbs were precious, they were nothing extraordinary to the powerful experts gathered here.

Secondly, rumors circulated that the opportunities in a blessed land were fixed for each individual—meaning that plucking a single herb might reduce one’s chances of catching a Dragonfish.

Whether this rumor held any truth, no one was willing to gamble on unnecessary herbs.

The fishermen kept their distance from one another.

After all, the odds of two people catching Dragonfish in the same spot were slim.

Moreover, if one truly hooked a Dragonfish, they’d prefer to keep it hidden—no one wanted to invite trouble by flaunting such a treasure.

The principle that "a man’s wealth is his own ruin" was well understood by all.

"Wow, what a massive lake."

Yi Feng stretched lazily, his mood lifted by the ethereal scenery, momentarily dispelling the frustration of his undying nature.

"Master Yi, perhaps we should part ways for now?" Piaomiao Hong suggested softly.

"Hm?"

"Why?" Yi Feng asked, puzzled.

"With the struggle for Sagehood underway, countless eyes from major factions are watching each other. I don’t wish for Master to be exposed in their sights," Piaomiao Hong explained. "First, it might attract unwanted pests. Second, a trump card like Master shouldn’t be revealed so soon."

"I see."

Yi Feng scratched his head. "Alright then."

"Then, Master, let us bid farewell for now. We shall meet again here in half a month!" Piaomiao Hong smiled. "Hong'er wishes Master the best in catching a Dragonfish."

"I couldn’t care less about that thing."

Yi Feng rubbed his nose.

For one, after his death and rebirth, he had already achieved immortality—what use did he have for some stupid Dragonfish?

Secondly, with so many people eyeing this so-called fish, he didn’t believe his luck was good enough to catch one.

"I’ll just fish for some ordinary ones to pass the time!"

Yi Feng chuckled. "There are ordinary fish in this lake, right?"

"Ordinary fish?"

Piaomiao Hong assumed he meant fish other than the Dragonfish and replied, "Of course there are."

"Then it’s settled. Let’s go our separate ways."

Yi Feng was already eager to cast his line.

After parting with Piaomiao Hong, Yi Feng began wandering along the shore.

Though he wasn’t a professional angler and had only fished a handful of times in his past life, he knew one thing—fish tended to gather in schools. In his previous world, fishermen often clustered together in certain spots while other areas remained empty.

Sticking to this logic, Yi Feng sought out the crowded areas.

Southeastern Yun Lake.

Feng Qianyue sat motionless on the shore, clad in pristine white robes, holding a crystalline jade fishing rod. Beside her lay an exquisitely crafted brocade box containing a single portion of bait.

This bait was formed from million-year-old amber, naturally condensed in a land brimming with spiritual energy, having absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, the sun and moon.

Only two portions of such quality existed.

One was already on the hook beneath the water, while the other remained in the box.

Using such rare treasures as bait was no exception here—nearly everyone fishing for Dragonfish had gone to great lengths to procure extraordinary lures.

Even those targeting lesser spiritual fish used bait crafted from rare materials or condensed natural essences.

Not far to her left sat an elderly man in a straw raincoat and bamboo hat.

Feng Qianyue had been here for half a year and had never exchanged a word with him.

Yet she knew this old man had been here since Yun Lake’s creation.

Rumors claimed someone had once caught a Dragonfish here—Feng Qianyue suspected it might have been this very man.

However, she didn’t recognize him, nor could she recall any figure from her memory matching his description. Still, she understood this old man was no ordinary individual.

Her presence here wasn’t without purpose.

First, she wanted to uncover the old man’s identity. Second, she hoped to learn from his methods.

Yet despite her proximity, the old man neither drove her away nor acknowledged her—hence her half-year vigil.

In all that time, the old man had never shifted his posture or lifted his rod.

The same went for her—her float had remained undisturbed.

But she knew patience was key.

Catching a Dragonfish might require sitting here for a hundred years.

Just then, a white-robed young man seated himself between her and the old man.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

With one more person in the same spot, her chances of catching a Dragonfish dropped by thirty to forty percent. Thus, she was far from pleased with this clueless newcomer.

Everyone else deliberately avoided occupied areas, for their own sake and others’. Only this youth insisted on squeezing into a crowded spot.

If he claimed to be here for fishing, she wouldn’t believe it.

After a brief thought, disdain welled up in her heart.

Yet another case of "the drinker’s heart is not in the cup"—using fishing as a pretext to approach her.

Not that she considered herself above others, but she had encountered such situations far too often.

As one bearing the title of "Fairy" in the Heavenly Domain, countless young men had employed all manner of bizarre tactics to catch her attention—from overt greetings to covert schemes.

Some even resorted to unscrupulous means.

She glanced again at the straw-cloaked elder.

The old man remained as still as ever.

The arrival of the white-robed youth seemed to go unnoticed.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Feng Qianyue made no move to shoo him away, instead focusing on fishing—though not once did his gaze stray to the side again.