144: Chapter 144 A New Position!

Peak Master Su Hanyan picked up a piece of letter paper from her desk, smoothed it out, lifted her brush, dipped it in ink, and the tip of the brush danced across the paper.

Her handwriting was slender and powerful, every stroke exuding a coldness, identical to the annotations on the Thunderclap Sword Technique scroll.

After finishing, she lifted the letter, gently blew on the wet ink, folded it, placed it in an envelope, and handed it to Lin Tian.

"This is a letter of recommendation. Take it to the Yunhai Fishery and give it to the Fishery Master."

Lin Tian took the letter and carefully tucked it into his robes. Peak Master Su Hanyan took a map from her desk, unfolded it, and pointed to a red dot marked with cinnabar: "This is the Yunhai Fishery."

Lin Tian took the map, his gaze falling on the red dot, and he was suddenly stunned.

The location of the red dot was outside the Qixia Sect's mountain gate, to the northwest, not very close, with several mountain ridges and a dense forest in between.

"It's not inside our Qixia Sect?" He looked up, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

He had previously taken a task guarding Spirit Medicine, which was inside Baicao Valley within the Sect.

Medicinal Pill fields, pill rooms, and Spirit Beast pens—the Sect's own industries were all within the mountain gate.

He had originally assumed the fishery was the same kind of place—just digging a pond behind Bixia Peak, channeling some mountain spring water, and raising a few Treasure Fish.

Peak Master Su Hanyan glanced at him, likely guessing what he was thinking, and she shook her head: "Treasure Fish are different from Spirit Medicine."

She walked to the window and reached out to point northwest; the mountain wind rushed in from outside, blowing her sleeves gently.

"Spirit Medicine grows in the soil; as long as the soil is suitable and the Spiritual Qi is abundant, it can live anywhere.

The medicinal fields of Baicao Valley have a Spirit Gathering Array laid out underneath, and the concentration of Spiritual Qi is several times higher than outside, which is why Spirit Medicine can grow there. But Treasure Fish live in water; they cannot be raised just by digging a pond and filling it with water."

"Water quality, water temperature, and the concentration of Spiritual Qi in the water all have strict requirements. Most importantly, the water for raising Treasure Fish must be flowing water, and it must be the kind of flowing water that has Spiritual Veins and spiritual springs underground.

Ordinary mountain spring water lacks sufficient Spiritual Qi, and the Treasure Fish would turn belly-up within three days if placed in it."

She turned around and looked at Lin Tian: "Our Sect does not have such a water source inside. Although there are underground streams flowing beneath the seven peaks, there are no accompanying Spiritual Veins, and the water quality does not meet the standards for Treasure Fish to survive.

Therefore, we can only look for suitable water sources in the area near the Sect.

Although this Yunhai Fishery is not within the mountain gate, that lake and the surrounding dozens of miles of mountain forest are all the territory of our Qixia Sect; it is the Sect's domain."

Lin Tian nodded, folded the map, and put it away with the letter of recommendation. He cupped his hands at Peak Master Su Hanyan: "This Disciple understands. Thank you, Peak Master."

Peak Master Su Hanyan nodded slightly, saying nothing more. Lin Tian turned and walked out of the main hall.

The hall doors closed behind him.

Morning light spilled through the branches of the pine and cypress trees, casting patches of light on the mountain path. Lin Tian walked down the mountain path, his pace much faster than when he had arrived.

Returning to his small courtyard, he pushed the door open and began to pack his things. Actually, there wasn't much to pack—a few changes of clothes, Medicinal Pills, silver bills, his cold moon bow and quiver, his autumn water sword hung at his waist, and the thirty-two moyuan flying dagger blades strapped to the inside of his forearms.

He did not take the Secret Manual for the Dragon Roar Iron Shirt; he pressed it under his pillow and covered it with some old clothes.

This Secret Manual was too valuable; carrying it on him would be unsafe.

After packing, he pushed the door open and was just about to head down the mountain when a chaotic sound of footsteps came from the path outside the courtyard gate.

Junior Sister Zheng Xiaoyun walked in the front, Senior Brother Li followed beside her, and behind them were the siblings Zhao Mingyang and Zhao Mingyue, along with several new Disciples who had gone to Taixuan Mountain to collect Spirit Medicine with him last time.

The group surged to the gate of Lin Tian's courtyard. Junior Sister Zheng Xiaoyun had a smile on her face and was about to speak, but seeing Lin Tian with a pack on his back, a sword at his waist, and looking like he was going on a long journey, her smile immediately turned into confusion.

"Junior Brother Lin, where are you going?"

"I accepted a task and need to carry it out." Lin Tian said concisely.

Junior Sister Zheng Xiaoyun and Senior Brother Li exchanged a glance. Tasks—there were indeed many tasks in the Sect: running errands, escorting caravans, guarding industries, going into the mountains to collect Spirit Medicine, everything.

Since Lin Tian said he had accepted a task, it was not appropriate for them to ask what kind of task it was.

"We originally wanted to ask you to go to Taixuan Mountain to collect Spirit Medicine again." Junior Sister Zheng Xiaoyun's tone carried a hint of regret, "We had a great harvest last time, and everyone felt that teaming up with you brought good luck. We wanted to pull you in again this time. Since you have a task, then never mind."

"Next time." Lin Tian nodded at the group and walked down the path with his pack on his back.

His back soon disappeared into the shadows of the pine and cypress forest, the sound of his footsteps fading, and finally completely drowned out by the mountain wind and the sound of the pine waves.

Zhao Mingyang stood in the crowd, watching the direction where Lin Tian's back had disappeared, the corners of his mouth curling up involuntarily.

Great. Lin Tian isn't going.

Last time in Taixuan Mountain, Lin Tian had divided 12,000 taels of silver for himself, nearly double what he had received.

Although he didn't know what methods Lin Tian used to get that much—at the time, he was only focused on collecting Spirit Medicine and didn't notice Lin Tian secretly killing the Vicious Beast—the gap in silver was real.

Since Lin Tian wasn't going this time, he, Zhao Mingyang, would be the absolute main force in the team. Collect more Spirit Medicine, get more silver, buy more Medicinal Pills, and push his Cultivate Realm up.

He was currently at the Fourth-Rank Warrior Early Stage. If he could find some high-quality Spirit Medicine and take it with Medicinal Pills, he might be able to reach the Middle Stage.

By that time, he would be able to lead Lin Tian.

During the last assessment, although Lin Tian also displayed a Fourth-Rank Warrior Early Stage cultivation, Zhao Mingyang considered his own Foundation to be more solid, having broken through earlier.

As long as he stepped into the Middle Stage first, the position of number one among the new Disciples would still be his.

"Let's go." Zhao Mingyang withdrew his gaze, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement, "Let's collect more this time."

The group bustled down the mountain, the sound of footsteps and laughter mixed together, gradually moving away.

Lin Tian left the Qixia Sect's mountain gate and walked all the way northwest along the mountain path.

On the map given by Peak Master Su Hanyan, the route from the Qixia Sect to the Yunhai Fishery was marked very clearly—exit the mountain gate, cross the Bluestone Bridge, climb over Eagle's Beak Cliff, pass through a pine forest, and then follow the stream upstream to see the lake.

He did not walk fast, but he never stopped.

Climbing over mountains and crossing ridges, passing through forests and streams, he walked from early morning to afternoon, and from afternoon to dusk. When the twilight spread down from the mountain ridge, the terrain ahead suddenly opened up.

The forest came to an end, and the scene before his eyes suddenly brightened.

It was a huge lake.

The lake surface was so wide that one could barely see the opposite shore; in the dusk, only a blurry blue-gray line could be seen where the sky and water met in the distance.

The lake water was clear, and the afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the water surface, cut into millions of pieces of broken gold by the fine waves, swaying gently with the water ripples.

Occasionally, a fish would leap out of the water, bringing up a spray of water, then fall back with a splash, ripples spreading out in circles, hitting the stones on the shore and shattering.

Around the lake were large stretches of forest, the branches and leaves of the trees extending to above the water surface, their reflections mirrored in the lake water, twisting gently with the ripples.

The air was filled with a cool, moist vapor, mixed with the scent of soil and plants; taking a deep breath, the whole person felt a bit refreshed.

Lin Tian stood at the edge of the forest, not yet having time to take a good look at the lake scenery, when several figures rushed out from the forests on both sides.

"Stop!"

The leader was a square-faced man, about thirty years old, wearing a blue martial outfit, with a saber strapped to his waist.

Behind him followed two people, one lean and one tall and sturdy, both in the same attire, their sabers already drawn, the blades gleaming with cold light in the dusk.

The three people surrounded Lin Tian in a triangle formation, their gazes sweeping over him, carrying undisguised vigilance and scrutiny.

"This is the Yunhai Fishery, belonging to the Qixia Sect. Unauthorized personnel, leave immediately."

Lin Tian sensed the aura of the three.

The Internal Energy in their Dantian was steady and thick; although they were deliberately restraining it, the aura fluctuations unique to a Fourth-Rank Warrior could not be hidden.

All three were Fourth-Rank Warrior Inner Energy Martial Artists. A guard at a fishery was actually a Fourth-Rank Warrior.

He did not hesitate, took out his Disciple token from his robes, and handed it over with both hands: "A few Senior Brothers, don't take action. I am a Disciple of the Zixia Peak of the Qixia Sect."

The square-faced man took the token and looked at it back and forth twice. The cloud and mist pattern on the token glowed faintly in the dusk, and the mark of Zixia Peak and Lin Tian's name were carved on the back. He handed the token to the lean man behind him.

The lean man took it and looked at it again, nodded, and returned the token to Lin Tian.

All three men sheathed their sabers, and the vigilance on their faces faded.

"So it is a fellow Junior Brother." The square-faced man's tone softened a lot, even carrying a hint of a smile, "I wonder what business Junior Brother has coming to the Yunhai Fishery?"

"I am here to take up a position. I would like to see the Fishery Master of the Yunhai Fishery."

The square-faced man's eyebrows twitched, and the lean man and the tall, sturdy man also exchanged glances, a flash of surprise in their eyes.

A position at the Yunhai Fishery was one of the most sought-after jobs in the Sect.

One Treasure Fish per month—just this benefit alone was enough to make all the Disciples break their heads trying to get it.

Every time there was a vacancy at the fishery, the Disciples of the seven peaks would fight until their heads were broken.

Those who could get this kind of position were either the Personal Disciple of the various Peak Masters, the children or nephews of famous Elders in the Sect, or Geniuses with extremely outstanding talent favored by those above.

The young man in front of them was wearing the most ordinary Disciple uniform, was not very old, had been in the Sect for at most a year or two, and he could actually get a position at the Yunhai Fishery?

The attitude of the three changed a bit more. The square-faced man hung his saber back on his waist, and the smile on his face was much more sincere than before: "How should I address you, Junior Brother?"

"Lin Tian."

"Junior Brother Lin, come with me." The square-faced man turned and walked toward the forest by the lake, and after taking two steps, he turned back and gave a look to the lean man and the tall, sturdy man.

The two understood, their figures flickered, and they disappeared back into the forest. The movements were crisp and neat; the branches and leaves only swayed slightly, and the people were gone.

Lin Tian followed the square-faced man along the lakeside. The path underfoot was paved with gravel, rustling when stepped on.

The lake surface was close at hand, the water waves lapping against the stones on the shore, making a rhythmic splashing sound. He looked around as he walked.

The entire Yunhai Fishery was much larger than he had imagined.

The lake surface was divided into dozens of areas of different sizes by bamboo poles and fishing nets, like paddy fields in a rice field, one next to another, neat and tidy.

On the water surface of each area, some water plants floated, and occasionally the shadow of a fish could be seen flashing through the water plants.

In the forest by the lake, every few dozen steps there was a small wooden house, with fishing nets and wooden buckets piled at the door, and clothes hung on drying racks.

Several warriors in the same attire as the square-faced man moved between the wooden houses, some carrying fishing nets, some carrying wooden buckets, the buckets filled with chopped bait.

There were hidden sentries in the forest.

Lin Tian could feel those gazes cast from the depths of the tree shadows, pausing on him, and then moving away.

Every few dozen steps there was an aura, evenly distributed around the lake shore, surrounding the entire lake like an iron bucket.

On the east side of the lake, there was a palace built of bamboo. It was said to be a palace, but it was more like an enlarged bamboo building. The main body was built with bamboo as thick as a bowl, the roof was covered with thick thatch, and the eaves corners were slightly upturned.

In front of the bamboo building was a small wharf with a few small boats moored, the oars lying on the gunwales, swaying gently with the water waves. Around the bamboo building, a circle of bamboo was planted, the bamboo leaves green and lush, and when the wind blew, they rustled.

The square-faced man brought Lin Tian to the door of the bamboo building and nudged his chin inside: "The Fishery Master is inside. Junior Brother, go in yourself."

Lin Tian cupped his hands: "Thank you, Senior Brother."

The square-faced man waved his hand and turned away. The sound of his footsteps on the gravel road faded into the distance.

Lin Tian straightened his robes and walked into the bamboo building.

The space inside the bamboo building was more spacious than he had imagined. The floor of the main hall was paved with polished bamboo planks, which trembled slightly when stepped on, but were very sturdy.

Several fishing nets and some calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, and a copper incense burner was placed in the corner, with some unknown incense burning inside, blue smoke rising, and the smell was cool.

In the center of the main hall, a middle-aged man was sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion.

The middle-aged man was in his forties, with a thin face, high cheekbones, slightly sunken eye sockets, and a long beard on his chin. He closed his eyes, his hands resting on his knees, palms facing up, his breathing long and even.

Internal Energy flowed slowly along his Meridians in his body, his aura steady, like a deep pool of water.

Lin Tian sensed it, but he could not detect the depth of the other party—this meant that the other party's cultivation was at least one major Realm higher than his.

Hearing footsteps, the middle-aged man opened his eyes. His eyes were not big, but his gaze was extremely sharp, like two knives hidden in sheaths.

His gaze fell on Lin Tian, looking him up and down.

"Who are you?"

Lin Tian bowed, took out his Disciple token and the letter of recommendation from his robes, and handed it over with both hands: "Disciple Lin Tian, a Disciple of Zixia Peak. By order of the Peak Master, I have come to the Yunhai Fishery to take up a position."

The middle-aged man took the token and looked at it, then opened the letter of recommendation and read it from beginning to end.

Peak Master Su Hanyan's handwriting was slender and powerful, and the content of the letter was not much, but every sentence carried weight—"Lin Tian, a newly promoted Disciple of Zixia Peak, with Fourth-Rank Warrior Middle Stage cultivation, outstanding talent, diligent and hardworking, worthy of cultivation. Please, Fishery Master Zhou, arrange a guard position and pay the salary monthly." The signature was Peak Master Su Hanyan's personal signature and the Peak Master seal of Zixia Peak.

The middle-aged man folded the letter, placed it on his knees, and looked at Lin Tian again.

Fourth-Rank Warrior Middle Stage. A newly promoted Disciple of Zixia Peak, having been in the Sect for only a year or so, and his cultivation had already reached the Fourth-Rank Warrior Middle Stage.

This Cultivate speed was definitely outstanding in Zixia Peak.

What surprised him even more was that this letter of recommendation was written by Peak Master Su Hanyan herself—

He knew that person, Peak Master Su Hanyan; she was arrogant and would not easily praise people.

To be able to make her write a letter of recommendation herself, and to use words like "outstanding talent, worthy of cultivation," this young man did not carry little weight in her heart.

The middle-aged man nodded, his expression softening a bit, returned the token to Lin Tian, and pointed to the opposite side: "Sit."

Lin Tian sat down cross-legged. The bamboo planks trembled slightly, making a faint creaking sound.

"Since it was recommended by the Peak Master of Zixia Peak, you can naturally take up a position here."