Feng Shui Chapter 172: The Glowing School of Fish

The Chongxuan Spirit Tea that Xi Yunqing personally crafted was made entirely by hand, picked, processed, and roasted without any mechanical aid. So when he said he had a good grasp of controlling fire-elemental true energy, it wasn’t an empty boast. But applying that skill to cooking was a first for him. Without Chen Xiao, Xi Yunqing might never have thought to try such a special technique to fry bird eggs.

Though Xi Yunqing’s expression was calm, he was actually a bit nervous inside. He used his spiritual energy to precisely monitor the heat, and when the bird eggs were half-cooked, he pinched a little fine salt from the seasoning supplies nearby and sprinkled it evenly over the surface. Then he lightly dusted a layer of sesame seeds. The high heat toasted the sesame, releasing a fragrant aroma that mingled with the egg’s scent, making it especially appetizing.

Chen Xiao swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the process. When Xi Yunqing flipped his palm, the fully cooked egg gently landed in a shallow wide bowl.

Xi Yunqing exhaled slowly, the heat from his hand dissipating. “Brother Xiao, give it a try. This is my first attempt, so forgive me if it’s not perfect.”

Chen Xiao, unable to wait any longer, picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of the tender, springy egg. The moment he took a bite, he was won over by its delicate texture and soft flavor. Combined with the perfect amount of saltiness and the rich aroma of sesame, he said with certainty, “This is the best fried egg I’ve ever eaten! Big Brother, you’re truly talented, your very first attempt at frying eggs turned out this delicious.”

Xi Yunqing’s lips curved slightly with a smile. “I’m glad you like it, Brother Xiao.”

A huge weight lifted from his heart, and without pause, he fried the rest of the bird eggs, continuously experimenting until he found the perfect level of doneness and seasoning that Chen Xiao liked best.

After eating ten bird eggs in one go, though smaller than chicken eggs by two sizes, Chen Xiao was already about seventy to eighty percent full.

By then, the pot of seafood soup had started boiling. Chen Xiao ladled a bowl, tasting the broth with just scallions and ginger, no salt added, and found it refreshingly delicious. The soup was a success.

Chen Xiao only ate a little more before feeling full, leaving the rest to Xi Yunqing. Their dinner was an interesting one, neither of them ate much of their own cooking, preferring instead to enjoy the other’s culinary efforts.

The Yumen Water Domain was free of dangerous beasts, and many cultivators camped on the island. That night, Xi Yunqing didn’t assign night watches. Instead, he set up a warning barrier around the camp. The two of them each spread a blanket inside the tent and rested.

The next morning, Xi Yunqing went off for his morning training, while Chen Xiao cooked porridge using the leftover soup and some rice for breakfast.

The sun rose early over the island, and by around seven or eight in the morning, its warmth could be felt shining down. Chen Xiao pulled the blanket out from the tent, spread it on the sand, took off his shirt, rolled up his pants, and lay down to sunbathe.

For Chen Xiao, this trip felt like a vacation. It had been a long time since he’d felt so relaxed, stretching out, every bone in his body wanting to sigh with comfort.

He didn’t care what the passing cultivators thought of him; when it was time to enjoy himself, he wanted to fully enjoy it without worrying about others’ opinions.

When Xi Yunqing returned and saw Brother Xiao sprawled on the blanket, he walked over and asked curiously, “Brother Xiao, what are you doing?”

Chen Xiao turned his head to look at him. “I’m sunbathing... The sunlight warms my whole body, it feels so good and comfortable. Getting some sun is good for strengthening bones and improving health.”

Xi Yunqing was silent for a moment, not quite sure what to say. Sunbathing wasn’t something known in the Heavenly Realm world, probably a habit from Brother Xiao’s past life. After considering it, he said, “The sun’s rays here are strong. If you’re not careful, they could burn your skin. You should be cautious.”

Chen Xiao smiled. “I know. It’s just that the UV rays aren’t very strong right now, so I’m only sunning myself for a bit. I’ll get up once you’re back.”

After breakfast, Chen Xiao packed up the blanket, tent, and cookware. Xi Yunqing set up a wooden stake near the fire pit to mark their territory, so others would know the spot was taken and avoid it.

Chen Xiao asked, “Where are we headed today?”

Xi Yunqing thought for a moment. “We’ll head deeper into Yumen.”

It had been many years since his last visit. He recalled that the depths of Yumen held rare treasures and exotic herbs, as well as a modest-sized cave.

Chen Xiao, thinking about the fat, fresh fish and crabs crawling along the seabed there, eagerly nodded in agreement. “Sounds good.”

The two of them dove back into the water and swam for over an hour before reaching the vicinity of Yumen. Chen Xiao smoothly made his way to the seaweed forest nearby. Xi Yunqing glanced at him for confirmation, and Chen Xiao nodded. Together, they slipped into the seaweed thicket.

Chen Xiao pulled out a fish-catching arrow and shot at a nimble fish darting through the weeds. The fish seemed to have never encountered human hunters before; Chen Xiao’s first shot hit its mark.

The struck fish slowly sank toward the seabed. Chen Xiao quickly swam over and scooped it up. Just then, a huge lobster, about half a person tall, appeared in his sight, instantly thrilling Chen Xiao.

He had never seen such a large lobster before, this one must have been growing for at least a hundred years. Without time to remove the chain net, Chen Xiao adjusted his fish arrow and aimed it at the lobster.

The lobster was much more alert than the fish, and its thick, rounded shell deflected the arrow to the side. Lobsters were naturally aggressive, and Chen Xiao’s attack instantly enraged it. The creature fiercely snapped its claws as it charged toward him with lightning speed.

Brother Chen Xiao don't dare underestimate it. He knew all too well how powerful a lobster’s pincers could be, a single hit could break bones at best, or be fatal at worst.

He dropped his fishing arrow and quickly switched to water arrows, aiming straight for the lobster’s head.

The heavy water arrow struck the lobster’s head hard, causing its forward momentum to falter. Chen Xiao fired a second arrow, hitting its chest and forcing it to tilt backward. Seizing the moment, he aimed a third arrow at its belly, punching a large hole through the shell.

But Chen Xiao wasn’t relieved, the lobster was badly wounded, but still alive. Seeing his hesitation, Xi Yunqing, who had been nearby protecting him, immediately cast a metal-true energy spell, piercing through the lobster’s skull.

Chen Xiao retrieved the lobster’s corpse. Though mangled, much of its body remained intact, so he stuffed it into his storage pouch without complaint.

Only then did he realize: a lobster half a man’s height was basically a water beast-level creature in this aquatic realm. Yet besides water arrows and his fishing spear, he had no other means of attack. Paper talismans were even less effective underwater, dissolving instantly.

Aware of the danger, Chen Xiao shed his playful mood. He gripped a water arrow in one hand, his spear in the other, and secured his fishing spear at his waist.

From then on, he stopped chasing fish and lobsters recklessly, instead swimming quietly beside Xi Yunqing as they ventured deeper into the Yumen.

The thick seaweed forest grew denser, and visibility dropped sharply. The water darkened to a deep blue; the bottom was churned up with sediment stirred by marine creatures, turning everything murky and gray.

Swimming alongside Chen Xiao, Xi Yunqing hesitated, then reached out and grabbed his hand. Transmitting his voice directly into Chen Xiao’s mind, he said, “Brother Xiao, the visibility ahead is poor. Let me lead you.”

Surprised, Chen Xiao glanced at him, it was the first time he’d received telepathic communication from someone else, which felt wonderfully novel. When Xi Yunqing repeated himself, Chen Xiao nodded, stowing away his water arrow and grasping Xi Yunqing’s hand firmly.

Xi Yunqing knew Chen Xiao couldn’t send telepathic messages himself, so he used it only when absolutely necessary.

Holding Chen Xiao’s hand carefully, Xi Yunqing guided him toward the cave he remembered. The entrance to the Yumen was surrounded by reefs, and few knew of the hidden cave nestled among the rocks.

The cave led to a fairly large underwater chamber filled with aquatic spirit plants and a rare kind of fish that glowed softly from within.

Even in his past life, Chen Xiao had never seen such fish, tiny creatures emitting light in the darkness, swimming in schools that sparkled like a cluster of stars.

The glowing fish darted about in the cave, lively and nimble like playful spirits. Their movement patterns were chaotic, weaving east, then west, painting strange, shifting light patterns.

Chen Xiao gripped Xi Yunqing’s hand excitedly, bubbles spilling from his mouth as he longed to shower the scene with praise if only he could speak.

Xi Yunqing tilted his head to watch him. The fish’s glow illuminated Chen Xiao’s joyful expression, more beautiful to Xi Yunqing than any other scenery, filling him with warmth.

Chen Xiao tugged at his hand, wanting to swim closer. Of course, Xi Yunqing agreed, and together they approached the glowing fish.

Unfortunately, the fish scattered immediately when disturbed, vanishing into the dark depths.

Chen Xiao was stunned, but Xi Yunqing gently patted his hand and telepathically reassured him, “They’ve likely fled into a nearby connected cave.”

He then led Chen Xiao downward to a dark entrance at the bottom of the cave, a place difficult to spot if Xi Yunqing hadn’t been here before.

Without the glowing fish, the cave was pitch black. Chen Xiao’s night vision was not as strong as Xi Yunqing’s, and now he could see nothing at all. Surrounded by endless darkness, he felt something lurking, ready to strike at any moment.

A chill of foreboding ran through him. He wanted to tell Xi Yunqing to stop, but underwater, he couldn’t convey his thoughts. He tugged on Xi Yunqing’s hand, only to be held tightly in return. With no choice, Chen Xiao pressed on.

As they swam toward the other cave, suddenly a flash of light appeared, a massive school of glowing fish surged toward them, covering everything.

Startled, Chen Xiao wrenched free of Xi Yunqing’s hand, and the panicked fish collided against his body and face. He raised his hands to shield himself, but soon his arms ached from the relentless impacts.

“Brother Xiao!!!” Xi Yunqing’s voice rang in his ears, both shocked and urgent.

Brother Chen Xiao doesn't dare lower his guard or look back. Instead, he swung his arm holding the spear and shouted, “Don’t move, ”

But the warning came too late. Before Chen Xiao could react, a sudden tug at his waist spun him around, and he was dragged down into the depths.