From waterfowl, it began to transform into the Great Sun Golden Crow.

Is this the Qi Refining Realm?

"Breathing exercises, gathering energy in the dantian, opening up the eight extraordinary meridians. How did my vision broaden so much?"

Gu Heting looked excited.

His eyes could see a distance of nearly a hundred feet. He could see every blade of grass and every tree on the island across the water clearly.

Even more terrifying was the presence of a two-toothed tiger on the island.

Every breath of the sharp-toothed tiger reached Gu Heting's ears.

"This is the difference between the Qi Refining Realm and ordinary people—the clarity of consciousness. Unfortunately, there are no sects within a hundred miles, and I am a demon. There are no cultivation techniques I can learn from."

At this point, Gu Heting's eyes dimmed considerably.

Without cultivation techniques, he could only rely on his strong physique to act recklessly. Everything is difficult at the beginning, but he didn't even have a direction to begin with.

Although the Marrow Cleansing Method and its exercises are recorded in books

But Gu Heting possessed only a strong physique. In this perilous and mysterious Dongting Lake region, survival would be extremely difficult.

"Let's see how strong my physique is now."

With his feet firmly planted on the ground, Gu Heting's mind was fixed on what lay ahead. He pressed his body down and exerted force with his feet.

It streaked through the air at an extremely high speed, leaving a trail of afterimages.

With a light touch of the soles of his feet on the water's surface, he kicked with lightning speed. His body vanished in a flash, leaving only ripples on the water's surface.

"Holy crap, it's almost there, too fast, too fast, I can't stop it."

Swish.

Gu Heting fell headfirst, tumbling from one wetland by the river to another, crossing the entire river.

It only took the blink of an eye.

"My first attempt was terrible; my self-control was just too poor. My body coordination simply couldn't keep up with that speed. Oh my god, it hurt so much!"

"We still need to practice."

"System, where am I?"

This is Shenzhou Island, one of the nine islands of the Dongting Secret Realm.

Each island possesses unique spiritual plants and herbs.

[Characteristics of Shenzhou Island.]

[The terrain is predominantly wetlands and marshes.]

[There are many aquatic fruits, lotus roots, and other plant-based organisms.]

The Phoenix Carrying Book collection has been updated.

[The probability of a magical treasure appearing in this area.]

【One: Thousand-Year-Old Ice Lotus. Appearance probability: 0.003%. Note: Pure white like jade. Possesses the effect of calming the mind and promoting clarity. Can awaken skills such as Spiritual Vision.】

[Growth Environment: Places where spiritual energy gathers, primarily swamps, wetlands, and lakes.]

[Second: Hundred-Year-Old Water Grape. Appearance probability: 0.015%. Note: Can be used to enhance one's own water elemental energy. Increases the purity of water elemental roots and can awaken the skill, Water Power Technique.]

[Growth environment: Dark areas with large areas of algae.]

"This...this...the Phoenix-carrying Book actually has a treasure-hunting function. It even indicates the probability of its appearance. It's like a treasure-hunting mouse!"

But isn't that probability a bit too low?

0.003% and 0.015%, even winning the lottery wouldn't yield such low odds.

What's the difference between this and grabbing lucky bags in a live streamer's chat room?

Thinking of this, Gu Heting, like a waterbird, frowned. After observing the surrounding environment, Gu Heting suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He blinked and began to ask the system questions.

"Are there any other treasures that the system will appear? I mean, those that won't be included in the Phoenix-Bearing Book."

[Note: The Phoenix-carried Book will not be included, but it will be recorded. Recorded items will not be converted into magic items.]

[One: Water Spirit Fruit: 18% chance of appearing. Note: Aquatic spirit fruit, rare, but not unique in the world. It usually grows in places with abundant spiritual energy and water. It has the effects of purifying water spirit roots, removing impurities from water spirit roots, and enhancing the internal strength of spirit roots.]

[Growing Environment: It often twines its tree-like branches around dead wood, producing water-like fruits. It only appears in places with abundant water-like energy.]

"This thing is great, it's perfect for me."

Gu Heting is right. It's not that this thing is actually a good thing. It's just that the probability of getting it is 1/5, and there's still hope. The probability of the first two appearing is practically child's play. He doesn't need to waste his time on it.

Gu Heting opened his palm and turned the page to the Phoenix-carrying Book.

Above the book in the phoenix's mouth is written "Unable to be included." But below it, a water spirit fruit is thoughtfully drawn.

"Isn't this just a blue mangosteen?"

Looking at the Water Spirit Fruit listed in the Phoenix-Holding Book, Gu Heting had a general idea. As expected, an ordinary item is just an ordinary item. The Water Cloud Fruit radiated spiritual light, its entire body snow-white, warm and smooth like jade.

It is clearly a rare and precious piece of art.

Look at this blue mangosteen; it's really oddly shaped.

"Let's take a look around first."

Taking advantage of the barely visible dawn, Gu Heting slipped into the grassy swamp. Various snakes and insects he had never seen before constantly fluttered before his eyes.

When snakes, insects, and rodents in the grass approached Gu Heting

A powerful aura of Qi Refining Realm pressure sent these wild beasts scattering like birds.

"Wait, wasn't there a snake just now?"

Gu Heting also found it strange. Just moments ago, a forest python had approached him. And at that moment, Gu Heting was preparing to flap his little bird's legs and flee quickly.

But the snake only glanced at him before darting into the bushes.

Feeling rather strange, Gu Heting wandered around the island for nearly three hours. He stopped at a low-lying, ditch-like spot.

A piece of driftwood lies half-reclined in the depths of the swamp.

"Blue mangosteen".

"No...no...no, the Water Spirit Fruit."

On the withered tree, green vines coiled around it, adorned with a few green leaves. In the middle of the vines grew a plump fruit.

The blue berries stood out conspicuously in this swampy area.

clap clap.

Gu Heting's little bird-like paws landed on the swamp, just as Gu Heting was taking steps closer and closer to the Water Spirit Fruit.

The muddy ground suddenly trembled.

The perceptive Gu Heting immediately bent down slightly. He quickly moved forward a few times and slipped into a hidden spot to the side.

"Those are crab eyes."

The crab's long, narrow, slanted eyes were scanning the nearby creatures. The mud on its body had blended into the ground.

If you don't look closely, you can't tell that it's a giant hairy crab.

Offshore swamp crab

[A water-dwelling creature, a demon cultivator, at the early stage of Qi Refining.]

[Water-based skill: Bubble Control. Releases bubbles imbued with spiritual energy, which then burst, causing significant impact damage. This is an innate skill of water-based demon cultivators.]

The system's voice rang in Gu Heting's mind once again.

"Hey, what are you doing living there? Speaking of which, this thing is just like me. We're at the same level, can you beat it?"

The crab stared intently in the direction where Gu Heting had disappeared. A moment later, it seemed to realize something. Its massive pincers snapped off the branch of the Water Spirit Fruit.

He put the juicy fruit into his mouth.

"Hey, young man, this opportunity is not something you can handle. Why not put down your current fortune and let me handle it? In the future, this little immortal can give you a great destiny."

Gu Heting grew anxious.

The duck that was almost in my grasp just flew away; there's a lingering sense of resentment. I'd searched for at least three hours. Even if I couldn't beat him, I could still escape.

The crab demon seemed terrified by the talking waterbird.

It stood there motionless for a long time.

He touched his eyes with large pliers.

[Note: Only powerful demons in human form can speak human language. This swamp crab should be fooled by you.]

"this..."

So that's how it is; only a great demon capable of transformation can achieve that. Does that mean someone like me is a genius in demon cultivation?

What am I thinking? I'm robbing someone!

"Put down the opportunity you have, I, a waterbird, am here! If you are fortunate enough to become a Taiyi Golden Immortal in the future, I can give you a great fortune."

"Hey, don't actually eat it."

This swamp crab was clearly not yet intelligent. It just stood there blankly for a while before continuing to feed it.

Gu Heting moved like a flying arrow, charging forward fiercely. Only his footprints remained on the swampy ground. In less than the blink of an eye...

The water spirit fruit in the blue crab's hand suddenly disappeared into thin air.

The waterbirds that had been there have also disappeared.

"Senior's talent and quick wit are extraordinary. You should have no need for the Water Spirit Fruit in my possession. Such an opportunity is truly unsuitable for you. Why not give it to me and fulfill my destiny?"

If a crab, which cannot speak human language, were a powerful demon in human form, it would have been furious and started cursing long ago.

It frantically spewed bubbles imbued with spiritual pressure forward, which exploded in the air, creating sonic booms like firecrackers.

But the sound waves from the explosion couldn't reach the waterbird Gu Heting at all.

One swift step.

Gu Heting had already run far away.

[Congratulations, host, you have obtained the Water Spirit Fruit.]