A faint smile touched Chu Bai’s lips as he rowed over to collect his prize.
It was a wild carp weighing a good two or three pounds. Although it was just an ordinary river fish, not as nourishing as that mutated freak, the firm, delicious meat of this wild catch was still an excellent source of food, more than enough for a hearty meal.
He built a campfire on the bank, expertly cleaned the fish, and set it over the flames to roast.
Before long, the charred, fragrant aroma of cooked fish filled the air.
While munching on the roasted fish, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, Chu Bai called up his status panel.
[Skill:]
[Spirit Water Needle: Beginner (39/100)]
’After several days of practice, my progress increases by about two points each day.’
Chu Bai calculated silently, a determined glint in his eyes.
’Although I’m limited by my total Spiritual Power and often have to meditate to recover, at least I have Qi Recovery Pills to support me. Plus, this endless supply of fish helps replenish my stamina.’
’I’ll go all out from here on. I’ll definitely be able to grind this to the Skilled Realm before the end of the month! By then, this Magic Technique will finally have some real killing power.’
’The pay from the Zhao Mansion has gone up, and Zhao Xing is at a similar Realm to me. It’s a paid opportunity for me to train... I’ll stick to visiting twice on weekends.’
By evening, the setting sun was the color of blood, dyeing the entire Sanmu River a brilliant crimson-gold.
Chu Bai steered his small boat, rowing slowly toward the bank. The oars broke the surface of the water, sending out concentric ripples.
His day of training was over. Though his body was exhausted, as if every muscle was protesting, his mind was still buzzing with excitement—the thrill that came from growing stronger.
He stared at the line of text on his panel, which remained gray and inactive, and fell into deep thought.
[Acquired Fate Chart: Seven Kills Fate (Inactive)]
’This Fate Chart appeared after I killed that fish. But no matter how I train—even during my most intense spars at the Zhao Mansion, where I beat Zhao Xing so badly he couldn’t even fight back—it shows no sign of activating.’
Chu Bai’s brow furrowed as understanding dawned on him.
’It seems this so-called ’Seven Kills’ is no child’s play. Ordinary duels and spars, no matter how fierce, are always practice. Everyone knows to hold back. They lack the true ’killing intent’ and ’will to die’ needed to flip this Fate Chart’s switch.’
’Only a true life-or-death battle, like that night against the man-eating fish—that ruthless, do-or-die desperation—can probably awaken it completely.’
But he didn’t grow impatient. Instead, he let out a long sigh of relief.
’A Fate Chart is great, but you have to be alive to use it.’
Chu Bai was clear-headed. He wouldn’t go looking for a one-on-one fight with a Demon Beast just to activate a Fate Chart. That would be suicidal.
Last time was unavoidable; he had no choice but to fight to the death. If he had known in advance, he probably would have steered clear and only considered it after making ample preparations.
At his current Realm, laying low and getting stronger was the best strategy.
Once he was powerful enough, opportunities would naturally present themselves. Why rush things?
Fights between Cultivators were complex. Magic Techniques, Talismans, Dharma Artifacts... many factors influenced one’s combat strength. The same was true for Demon Beasts. There might be a true Demon in this water, far stronger than an ordinary Qi Cultivation Cultivator, let alone Chu Bai, who had just entered this Realm.
The days passed one by one, until only ten remained before the end of the month.
To speed up his progress, Chu Bai no longer held back on using his Qi Recovery Pills, doubling his daily training sessions. He was like a tireless machine, frantically squeezing out every last drop of his potential.
Even when it was windy and raining, he insisted on taking the boat out.
In fact, the harsh weather became his best Sharpening Stone.
One afternoon, during a torrential downpour, the sky was so overcast it felt like it would collapse, and thunder cracked overhead. Chu Bai stood at the prow of his boat, letting the cold rain soak his clothes and plaster his hair to his cheeks.
The vast curtain of rain was both the best cover and the greatest interference.
He tried to blend the aura of the Spirit Water Needle into the surrounding rainwater, making it silent and undetectable.
"SWISH!"
A Water Needle, mixed among thousands of raindrops, shot out and struck a piece of deadwood drifting in the current. Without close observation, it was impossible to tell which drop was rain and which was a deadly needle.
This difficult training caused his proficiency to skyrocket, rising from two points a day to three, and then four.
Finally, on a stormy night at the end of the month.
A fierce gale swept across the Sanmu River. Thunder rumbled continuously, as if the heavens were pouring down.
Chu Bai stood on the prow of the violently rocking boat, which pitched and rolled with the waves. He was like a statue nailed to the deck, unmoving against the wind and rain. His eyes were fixed only on the constantly changing numbers.
On the panel, the number had already jumped to [99/100].
The tipping point was here.
’One last practice.’
Chu Bai took a deep breath. The moisture-laden air invigorated him, and the Magical Power within his body seemed to answer the call of the storm, beginning to boil.
He mobilized all the Magical Power in his body, even overdrawing a sliver of his meridians’ potential, causing his Dantian to emit a low hum. This time, he didn’t deliberately control the number of needles. Instead, he followed his instincts, surrendering to the will of the storm.
"Rise!"
His roar drowned out the thunder.
Chu Bai’s hands moved in a blur. Blue light flashed from his fingertips, like the brightest stars in the night sky.
This time, it wasn’t three needles, but a full five Water Needles that formed simultaneously!
They no longer flew in rigid straight lines. Instead, they weaved an ethereal blue net in the air. Guided by Chu Bai’s Divine Sense, they carved five strange yet perfect arcs through the rain, instantly blanketing a patch of water ahead.
"Break!"
The five Water Needles struck the water’s surface at the same time.
"BOOM!"
The surface of the river seemed to have been struck by an invisible giant’s hand, instantly erupting into five huge splashes. The resulting columns of water were a full three feet high, merging with the downpour from the sky.
At the same time, a crisp hum resounded in Chu Bai’s mind, as if some kind of shackle had been broken.
That feeling of controlling the Water Spiritual Qi as if it were an extension of his own limbs, a connection of mind and will, washed over him again. It was stronger and clearer than ever before. He could even feel the joyful cheer of every single raindrop.
He slowly lowered his hands, letting the rain stream down his cheeks. The data on the panel before him had undergone a magnificent change.
[Skill:]
[Spirit Water Needle: Skilled (1/200)]
’I did it!’
A smile of immense relief spread across Chu Bai’s face, appearing exceptionally brilliant in the flash of lightning.
The Skilled Level Spirit Water Needle could finally be cast instantly.
No charging time was needed; it manifested with a single thought.
Moreover, the Water Needles had become more transparent, almost merging with the environment. Their stealth had increased dramatically. This was a true assassination weapon.
More importantly, he could now even use his Divine Sense to make them change direction and swerve in mid-air, making them impossible for an enemy to defend against!
Watching the Water Needle dance nimbly on his fingertip like a sprite, Chu Bai’s eyes shone with confidence.
’A month of bitter training wasn’t wasted after all. The upgraded Spirit Water Needle is now a true Cultivator’s technique.’
’Daoist School selection... here I come.’

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