The Dying Man

Yi Feng strolled leisurely toward the meeting point, carrying a fish basket.

As he walked, his hand began to ache.

He switched hands, but after a short distance, it still felt sore.

"Fine, might as well do a good deed."

Yi Feng turned the basket upside down and poured out all the fish inside, leaving only two behind.

With the basket now lighter, he continued on his way.

Before long, he arrived at the rendezvous spot where Piaomiao Hong and Luo Chen were already waiting.

"Sir," Piaomiao Hong greeted with a respectful bow.

"Oh, so you two got skunked too?" Yi Feng glanced at their empty hands and smirked.

"You jest, sir. We were just here to try our luck. With only half a month, we never really expected much," Piaomiao Hong replied with a laugh.

"You’re certainly patient," Yi Feng rolled his eyes. If he had gone fishless for half a month, he’d have probably blown up the lake by now. Yet they remained so composed—truly admirable.

"Here."

"These might not be the best catches, but take them anyway. At least you’ll get a taste of something fresh."

Yi Feng extended the fish basket casually.

"Sir, you actually caught fish?"

"And two of them?"

Piaomiao Hong stared in disbelief. She never imagined Yi Feng would have success in just half a month.

"What’s the big deal about two fish?" Yi Feng rolled his eyes again. "I’ve eaten several baskets’ worth this past half-month. I even left a full basket behind because it was too heavy to carry."

The statement left Piaomiao Hong and Luo Chen exchanging bewildered looks.

Several baskets eaten… and one discarded?

Was he serious?

Luo Chen even suspected Yi Feng was exaggerating.

Piaomiao Hong, too, was half-skeptical.

Fish from the Cloud Lake were no ordinary catches—each was a spiritual being. Catching them wasn’t about skill but sheer luck, fate, and the perfect alignment of circumstances…

Then, a splash from the lakeside stunned them both.

Yi Feng had set the basket down and crouched by the shore to wash his hands.

Amid the splashing water, he suddenly grabbed a fish that had swum right into his grasp.

"See? Just a fish. It practically jumped into my hands while I was washing them. No big deal."

Yi Feng chuckled, amused.

He found it odd—this fish had been foolish enough to swim straight to him.

But after eating so much fish lately, the sight of it turned his stomach. So, he casually released the silly creature back into the water.

His offhand remark, however, made Piaomiao Hong and Luo Chen’s faces twitch uncontrollably.

Even in an ordinary lake, such an occurrence would be bizarre—let alone in the Cloud Lake.

While others struggled to catch even one, Yi Feng had just plucked a fish out of the water while washing his hands. It was enough to make anyone green with envy.

But it also proved one thing: Yi Feng wasn’t just powerful—he was also blessed with immense fortune.

The two took a deep breath and exchanged a knowing glance.

Their thoughts aligned.

In the future, Yi Feng might very well claim a seat among the Saints.

"What are you two standing around for? Take the fish."

After washing up, Yi Feng rejoined them and gestured at the basket still on the ground.

"Sir Yi Feng, we cannot accept such a generous gift without merit. Please keep them for yourself," Piaomiao Hong declined politely.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want the fish—anything from Cloud Lake was extraordinary. But she couldn’t bring herself to take something so precious.

"Why would I keep them?" Yi Feng rolled his eyes. "I just threw one back, didn’t I?"

"Ah—" Piaomiao Hong froze.

Only then did she realize: while these fish were invaluable to others, to Yi Feng, they were nothing special.

"Very well, then. I’ll accept with gratitude."

Piaomiao Hong bowed slightly in thanks and picked up the basket.

Then, she peeked inside.

One glance.

Her entire body trembled.

Her beautiful eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

"Miss, what’s wrong?"

Luo Chen, noticing her stunned expression, took the basket and looked inside.

"Ah—!"

A sharp scream erupted, sending ripples across the lake’s surface.

"Dragonfish!"

"It’s actually Dragonfish!"

Luo Chen’s excited shouts continued before he suddenly remembered himself. Clamping his mouth shut, he glanced around furtively and clutched the basket tightly.

"Miss, Dragonfish! Real Dragonfish!" he whispered urgently.

Piaomiao Hong’s breathing grew ragged. Of course she recognized them.

Yet she could hardly believe it.

She was holding two Dragonfish in her hands…

"Oh? So these are the legendary Dragonfish you were talking about?"

Yi Feng, hearing Luo Chen’s outburst, turned back curiously.

He looked genuinely surprised.

Even he hadn’t realized what he’d caught.

Damn, I’m good.

"Sir Yi Feng, these are far too valuable. I cannot accept them."

Piaomiao Hong, regaining her composure, took the basket from Luo Chen and offered it back.

"Hmm…" Yi Feng scratched his nose, eyeing the basket.

He’d heard Dragonfish could boost cultivation, but he didn’t need that.

He was already a dead man walking.

Frankly, he’d rather lose cultivation than gain it.

"Doesn’t matter. You keep them."

Yi Feng waved dismissively.

"Sir Yi Feng, how can I ever repay you for such a gift?" Piaomiao Hong asked anxiously.

"No need. Just keep helping me figure out how to die faster," Yi Feng replied nonchalantly.

Seeing his insistence, Piaomiao Hong finally nodded and accepted the Dragonfish with gratitude.

But beneath her joy, a shadow of sorrow lingered.

"If only I’d gotten these sooner… Now, they’re of no use to me."

She murmured softly before handing the basket to Luo Chen.

"Take good care of them. Later, deliver them to the Sword Valley."

"Miss, are you sure they won’t help you?" Luo Chen pressed, his eyes reddening.

"Yes." Piaomiao Hong nodded, her face etched with bitterness.

"Wait, what’s going on here?"

Yi Feng frowned at Luo Chen’s teary eyes.

"Aren’t these fish supposed to be amazing? Why the sudden gloom?"

"Ah…"

Piaomiao Hong sighed.

"Sir Yi Feng, the truth is… I am already a dying woman."

"But rest assured—even with the time I have left, I will do everything in my power to help you fulfill your wish!"