After clearing the level, the fairies were reborn!

I see it every day, why didn't I think of it sooner?

Is this what is often referred to as "the darkest place under the lamp"?

I'll think about it.

Xu Ze silently walked to the edge of the pond and began to roll up his trouser legs little by little.

Beneath the surface, the fish was still blowing bubbles.

It looked curiously at the humans on the shore, seemingly completely unaware of the impending danger.

……

An hour passed.

Soaked to the bone, Xu Ze held a pitchfork in his hand, looking somewhat dazed.

He looked at the dozen or so carp thrashing about in the wooden bucket, but the one that had stood out from the crowd was nowhere to be seen.

This guy is incredibly fast. Every time Xu Ze gets close, he either uses one of his own kind as a shield or swims into the crevices at the bottom of the pool, making it difficult for Xu Ze to find him.

I tried several times, and once I even managed to glide past it with a pitchfork, but I just couldn't get my hands on that fish.

"This is outrageous!" Xu Ze's anger surged.

I could tolerate being humiliated by a powerful cultivator, but now I have to be toyed with by a fish like you.

He decisively threw down the pitchfork and decided to give it a big whack!

Chapter 10 Qi Refining? Body Refining!

That day, a major project was underway in the backyard of the house.

Xu Ze worked from sunrise to sunset, and even called Xiao Li to help—this guy was born a farmer and was very good at plowing and weeding.

They dug several irrigation ditches, each about the width of a hand, and used the difference in elevation to divert all the water from the pond into the sacred field.

In this way, not only is the soil being irrigated, but more importantly, the water in the pond is decreasing at a visible rate!

The carp that had often provoked it gradually became terrified.

A smug smile appeared on Xu Ze's face.

You think I can't handle you?

Pump the water! We absolutely must pump the water!

After thinking about it, he became even more motivated to work.

As night fell, most of the water in the pool was drained, and after Xu Ze frantically scooped water out with a ladle, the pool finally reached its bottom!

The spirit carp, which could leap ten feet high in the water, was now stuck in a crevice between rocks, writhing desperately.

"Jump! Why did you stop jumping?"

Xu Ze threw away the water ladle, easily picked it up with his hands, and a satisfied smile finally appeared on his face.

He felt an indescribable sense of relief at having avenged his great grudge. He simply put the fish on the ground and even helped it turn over. "Come on, let me see you splash some water."

Xu Ze burst into laughter.

Without water, what good is it if you can jump around? Can you still evolve?

The carp gasped for breath on the shore, its gills opening and closing violently. Soon, it had no strength left.

If it could swear, it would probably want to curse Xu Ze's ancestors for eighteen generations right now.

There's a dog!

After venting his frustration, Xu Ze lit the fire again, set up the pot, and began skillfully preparing the fish while humming a little tune.

The inedible gills and liver are removed and buried in the soil along with the scales as fertilizer, making the most of the fish and squeezing out its last bit of value.

Beside him, Xiao Li, who had helped out all day, saw that there was fish to eat. He glanced at the dozen or so fish left in the basket and said cautiously:

"Second Brother Pig...can I...can I have one?"

"Eat!" Xu Ze was in a good mood and threw two of them to him.

Both morally and logically, we shouldn't let them help us for nothing.

The remaining carp, although not as full of spiritual energy as the one in Xu Ze's hand, were still of much higher quality than the spirit rice.

"Thank you, Second Senior Brother!"

Under the cover of night, all that could be seen when Xiao Li, with his dark skin, smiled was his two rows of white teeth.

He happily picked up the carp from the ground, quickly started a fire, and planned to roast it directly.

Xiao Li couldn't tell the difference between these fish; he was just happy to have fish meat to eat.

My opinion of this 'second senior brother' has improved even more.

Soon, the aroma wafted from the fire and the pot.

Xu Ze cooked a pot of fish soup, while Xiao Li made two grilled fish.

He didn't forget to hand over one of them, which Xu Ze thanked him for, saying that he had many more and that Xu Ze should just eat them.

Farmers are indeed very simple and honest.

After that, the two stopped talking and began to eat heartily on their own.

"Second Brother Pig, this fish smells amazing! I've never eaten such delicious fish before!"

Xiao Li's mouth was covered in oil, and his eyes were practically shining.

He used to go fishing in the river since he was a child, and he has grilled countless fish and tried adding all sorts of seasonings.

No other fish meat can compare to what we have now!

It tastes sweet and refreshing, and leaves you feeling warm all over after eating it.

It's absolutely delicious.

"Then you should eat more."

Xu Ze smiled, glanced in the direction of the house, and didn't say anything more.

He is not capable of getting involved in the 'Preparation Gate' matter now, as it would cause unnecessary trouble.

I'll give this silly boy some pointers when I have the chance in the future.

"Second Brother, I'm full."

Xiao Li wasn't greedy; he ate both grilled fish clean, cleaned up the mess on the ground, and even used the fish scales to fertilize Xu Ze's field.

Finally, he respectfully took his leave and went upstairs to practice the "all-nighter technique" that Sun Dehai had taught him.

Xu Ze shook his head helplessly.

He finished the fish soup and his thoughts returned to his spiritual practice.

After a month of diligent study, Xu Ze had memorized the mental cultivation method of the "Mysterious Spirit Forging Pulse Technique" perfectly, and his breathing and breathing techniques had become much more natural.

This time, with the help of that carp full of spiritual energy, he felt that his internal energy was flowing continuously for several hours without any burning discomfort.

I don't know how many cycles of breathing I did, but the next morning...

Xu Ze slowly opened his eyes.

His appearance hadn't changed much, and his body remained the same, except for his bright eyes, which now shone with a sharp inner light.

Every part of his body was filled with a continuous source of power, and under the operation of the technique, his eight extraordinary meridians were constantly self-regulating.

"Finally, I've reached the Qi Refining stage!"

Xu Ze exhaled a deep and long breath.

Despite not sleeping all night, he felt refreshed.

The system panel then appears at this time.

【Character Information——】

Name: Xu Ze

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 1]

[Talent: Supreme Yang Body]

[Cultivation Technique: Profound Spirit Meridian Forging Technique]

[Magic Item: None]

……

Experiencing the wonders of cultivating immortality, Xu Ze couldn't wait to examine his own body.

First, and most importantly.

This morning, he felt a stirring he hadn't experienced in years!

That vibrant scene is still vivid in my mind.

"I can do it! As long as I continue to improve my cultivation, I'll return to my peak sooner or later!"

Xu Ze was beaming with excitement.

At that moment, he finally sensed a trace of so-called 'divine consciousness' resting on his body.

Ding Wan was resting her chin on her arm, watching him from a short distance away.

She still maintained that nonchalant demeanor, but no matter what she did, she always exuded a unique charm.

"You really know how to time things perfectly."

She said it with a hint of dissatisfaction.

I told you I'd give you a month to practice Qi, and you're stopping me on the last day, huh?

Then next time I'll just let you reach Core Formation in a month!

Xu Ze scurried over, scratching his head sheepishly: "Hehe, teacher, there's nothing I can do, I'm just a slow learner~ Please forgive me."

"You're not stupid; who can be smarter than you?"