Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Chapter 1643: Chapter 605: Great Zhou Imperial Family, Encounter with a Dragon at the Lake Bottom_3

Luo Chen frowned as he stared at the straightforward information on the bamboo slips.

The model of sects controlling mortal nations was not unfamiliar to him.

Back in the Yu Ding Realm, Qingdan Valley governed a state called Yuanzhao Kingdom.

As far as he knew, other sects similarly controlled several mortal kingdoms of varying sizes.

The primary function of these mortal nations was to cultivate populations, provide Immortal Cultivation talents with Spirit Root aptitude, and collect basic but high-demand resources for the Great Sects.

However, the Great Zhou Kingdom described on the bamboo slips clearly exceeded the definition of an ordinary mortal kingdom.

”Our ancestor actually produced a Nascent Soul True Master?”

...

”Hurry up, hurry up!”

”The Family Head has instructed that this batch of fish fry must be released at specific locations, with precise control over quantities in each area.”

”Handle them gently. These are Golden Dragon Carp; once mature, they become First Order Demonic Beasts. If properly reared, they might even advance to Second Order. If you damage even one fish fry, be prepared to compensate at least five hundred Spirit Stones!”

”Don’t tell me the fry aren’t worth five hundred Spirit Stones. I’m calculating based on the value of a mature First Order Golden Dragon Carp!”

On the boundless lake, boats spread out from Lotus Picking Island in all directions.

Every ten li or so, a batch of fish fry was carefully released into the water.

At the same time, large amounts of feed were scattered into the water below.

This feed was crafted by grinding Spirit Qi-infused herbs into powder and mixing it into pellets, one of the Golden Dragon Carp fry’s favorite foods.

Consistent consumption could accelerate their growth, allowing them to mature earlier.

The feed itself was outrageously expensive!

For this aquaculture endeavor, Zhang Jiadi emptied his savings and still couldn’t afford even one-tenth of the necessary costs.

At the critical moment, Tianxuan Fairy from Peng Island stepped in and provided fifty thousand Spirit Stones, enabling the first batch of Golden Dragon Carp to be cultivated.

With such heavy investment, there was no room for sloppiness.

The Zhang Family Clan from Lotus Picking Island had mobilized every single member for this undertaking!

Other than Wen Xiu, who needed to remain stationed at the Qingyang Store in Longyuan Immortal City, every other cultivator—from Foundation Establishment to mortal warriors—was dispatched.

Zhang Jiadi carefully released a batch of fish fry into the water from his small boat.

As he straightened up, his face was illuminated by a hopeful smile.

The flesh of the Golden Dragon Carp was delicious beyond compare, containing immense Spirit Qi, making it one of the North Sea cultivators’ favorites for a Spirit Meal.

If not for its harsh cultivation requirements—the carp must be raised in places abundant with Spirit Qi—it might have been as commonplace as Spirit Rice.

Initially, Zhang Jiadi hadn’t even entertained the idea.

It was only after a casual conversation with a patron of the Qingyang Store that he learned details about their master’s battle on Coldlight Island that he began considering it.

Reportedly, during that battle, a fishing farm belonging to a Golden Core Family was severely damaged.

The destruction was so catastrophic that all Golden Dragon Carp in the farm perished, causing a widespread shortage that led to the market price of Golden Dragon Carp soaring several times over.

After learning the details, Zhang Jiadi’s mind started turning.

The lake of Eight Hundred Li Penghu had excellent water quality, abundant Spirit Qi, and countless underwater plants, making it an ideal environment for Golden Dragon Carp cultivation.

Previously, no one had attempted this for several reasons: lack of expertise in rearing methods, high initial investment costs, and the nomadic habits of rogue cultivators, who rarely set up permanent industries.

But for the Zhang Family, aiming to thrive as an Immortal Cultivation Clan, these obstacles were insignificant.

More importantly, his wife Wen Xiu understood the art of rearing Golden Dragon Fish!

After consulting Tianxuan Fairy, the grand endeavor of cultivating Golden Dragon Carp was launched in full swing.

”Although the primary venue and Spirit Stones were provided by our master, my Zhang Family Clan contributed manpower and effort. We’re entitled to share one-tenth of the earnings.”

”Once this operation scales up, that one-tenth portion could be worth tens of thousands a year.”

Zhang Jiadi’s face brimmed with joy as the vision of casting large nets to reap countless lively, mature Golden Dragon Carp danced in his mind.

Suddenly.

As if something came to his mind, he glanced around.

”Where’s Qingqing?”

A low-order cultivator at his side replied, ”The young miss went off to play on the Puppet White Horse you gifted her. She didn’t board the boat earlier.”

”Off playing again?” Zhang Jiadi frowned, regretting the small gift he’d given her.

That Little White Horse, a Second Order Puppet, had the ability to gallop across waves and traverse the air.

Its simple controls made it an excellent flying tool for North Sea cultivators.

With Spirit Stones installed, even mortals could operate it to some extent.

His daughter Qingqing, though not yet five years old, was already lively and intelligent. Ever since receiving the Puppet White Horse, she had been running about endlessly.

”Family Head, should I go fetch the young miss back?”

”Let her run wild!”

Zhang Jiadi waved his hand dismissively. Since she was only playing within the Eight Hundred Li Penghu, and Tianxuan Fairy had granted her a protective artifact, as long as she didn’t venture into Peng Island where the master cultivated, there wouldn’t be major issues.

Once tasks here were completed, he would retrieve her himself.

Such was the way of fathers raising children.

Especially when the Eight Hundred Li Penghu was now family territory, Zhang Jiadi kept himself busy sustaining the clan’s livelihood and simply let the little one amuse herself.

...

On the calm lake surface, emerald green lotus leaves stretched endlessly, connecting heaven and earth.

Pink flower buds dotted the scene, waiting to blossom.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through.

In the next moment, a figure leapt out from the depths of the lotus leaves.

”Giddyup! Giddyup! Giddyup!”

A childish voice rang out joyfully, indistinguishable between boy or girl at first listen.

A tiny, exquisitely cute girl rode a white horse, galloping across the waves, cutting through the swells with speed.

Leaving the dense lotus leaves behind, she flung her hand backward.

Whoosh!

A kite soared into the air, catching the wind.

The girl’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she gripped the Puppet White Horse and tugged at the kite’s handle, only feeling that the speed wasn’t fast enough.

She twisted the horse’s mechanism.

”Faster, horsie, faster!”

”If mother finds out, she’ll forbid me from playing like this.”

As the mechanism turned, the white horse sped up increasingly. Soon, the girl began to feel the strain.

Though nourished from birth by Spirit Medicine and daily drenched in Spirit Qi, making her healthy and robust beyond her years, she was still just an under-five child in the end.

Without moderation, the kite suddenly climbed higher, and its handle slipped from her grasp into the lake.

The girl froze, instinctively turning to grab it.

A loud splash.

The girl fell into the water.

As she submerged, she flailed and struggled, while water surged toward her from all directions.

But as soon as the water touched her, it rebounded, blocked by a layer of azure light.

”Huh?”

The girl paused and pulled something from her pocket.

It was a feather, a gift from Aunt Tianxuan who frequently visited their household.

At this moment, the feather radiated layers of azure light, gently pushing the water away.

”How fun!”

The girl grew further excited, completely ignoring the fallen white horse.

Her large, glimmering eyes darted around. Clasping the feather, she swam deeper into the lake.

”Mother never lets me go underwater. Hmph, today, I’ll see what’s down here myself.”

Holding the feather tightly, the girl dove like a fish, descending deeper and deeper.

The further she ventured, the heavier the water pressure became. Yet, under the azure light’s protection, she felt no discomfort.

Unknowingly, she began to tire.

Just as she considered returning to the surface, she froze.

”What is that?”

In the lake’s depths, two lantern-like glows suddenly appeared, blooming vividly.