"You've been here the whole time?"

Wang Mu reeled in his fishing line, looking surprised.

He remembered this Little Jiao Huo quite clearly. Without it, he wouldn't have the plethora of resources now amassed in his Space Bracelet.

"I've been coming for several days now!"

Little Jiao Huo's lower half was submerged in the water, with only its upper body visible. Compared to a little over a year ago, it didn't seem to have changed much, except for its hairstyle. When they had last met, its hair was loose and disheveled; now, it sported an intricate little princess hairstyle, magically neat despite it swimming in water.

A true Water Clan Spirit.

What an enviable ability!

This also led Wang Mu to conclude that it probably hadn't run away from home this time.

"If I hadn't found you today, I was going to go back!"

Little Jiao Huo giggled. "When I came over, I even lured some of the strange fish from near Glazed Lake, especially for you to catch. But since you weren't here, those strange fish ran away."

"..." Wang Mu.

It seemed he had missed something.

"So you didn't sneak away from home this time?" Wang Mu asked.

Little Jiao Huo blushed and shook its head. "Not at all. They are all preparing for the Immortal Realm's sacred ceremony. I swam out fair and square."

"Specifically to hang out with you!"

"Just to hang out? That simple?" Wang Mu was skeptical.

This Little Jiao Huo definitely has something up its sleeve.

"Alright, I actually do need your help with something..." Little Jiao Huo's cheeks turned red as its intentions were seen through.

"That's more like it!" Wang Mu nodded. "Go on, tell me!"

"Mhm!" Little Jiao Huo swam closer to the shore and started chattering away. "You know about Immortal Bi You, right? According to the schedule, she will be visiting our village soon to guide the cultivation of us Water Clan Spirits."

"During our ceremony, we will present offerings to Immortal Bi You, representing the sincere feelings from all the tribes of us Water Clan Spirits. These treasures don't have to be very valuable; they just need to convey our heartfelt regards to Immortal Bi You."

"I really admire Immortal Bi You!" As Little Jiao Huo spoke, its eyes sparkled. "I know of a wonderful treasure, but I can't get it myself. After much thought, I thought of you!"

"Me?" Wang Mu asked.

"That's right!" Little Jiao Huo nodded, looking like it had figured everything out. "You might be able to help me retrieve that treasure."

"Why?"

"Because you are exceptionally good at fishing!"

"..."

Wang Mu pondered. Immortal Bi You, sacred ceremony, cultivation guidance...

Looking at Little Jiao Huo, Wang Mu thought, It really does need some guidance.

"So, let's go treasure hunting together!" Little Jiao Huo looked at Wang Mu with hopeful eyes.

This is probably when a 'Travel' event choice would arise.

"How long will it take?"

"That depends on your abilities! If you're quick, about ten to fifteen days. If it takes a bit longer, no more than three months, because Immortal Bi You will be here in three months," Little Jiao Huo explained.

A thought struck Wang Mu. There seemed to be plenty of time.

"Tell me more," Wang Mu said as he sat down, crossed his legs, and listened attentively.

"Mhm."

Little Jiao Huo began to explain its plan to Wang Mu.

Immortal Bi You was one of the top experts in Huangtian Continent. Having weathered many worldly changes, she naturally lacked no treasures.

"But you see," Little Jiao Huo continued, "since I can remember, the Great Immortal has always been alone, protecting us—the spirits of all the great lakes and seas on Huangtian Continent. When the Heavenly Sea crumbled, the people of the waters in the various continents suffered greatly. It was Immortal Bi You who went to the perilous Devil Abyss to retrieve the Wooden God Pillar. She then bravely ventured into the Heavenly Sea Spirit Vortex to obtain the Sea Sand Divine Essence. With these, she forged an Ocean Stabilizing Divine Pillar and placed it in the Heavenly Sea. This calmed the turmoil and has sheltered the lives of countless lake and sea creatures ever since."

"Despite all this," Little Jiao Huo recounted in detail, "I've always heard that Immortal Bi You has cultivated alone for so many years, never joining any human sects or clans."

"At her age, to be without a partner, she must be very lonely, right?"

"…" Wang Mu.

"There's a Broken Abyss at the center bottom of Yunlai Creek."

"This abyss is named Linglong Love Abyss. It is said that over six hundred years ago, a Clam Girl and a human cultivator fell in love but were rejected by society. In the end, both sank into Yunlai Creek. Their Essence Blood and souls then transformed into two Linglong Bilateral Fish that settled at the bottom of the creek. These two Linglong Bilateral Fish swam for hundreds of years, and their swimming carved out this Broken Abyss."

"And that is the Linglong Love Abyss."

"Why is it always you Water Clan Spirits who fall in love with humans?" Wang Mu wondered upon hearing this.

"I don't know," Little Jiao Huo said, swishing its tail, perhaps also feeling a bit disgruntled. "My grandma says that long ago, when the world was first changing, this was common. She mentioned that the rules were chaotic back then, and the world was tumultuous. Many newly sentient beings were quite ignorant. There was strong rejection towards members of Foreign Clans."

"It's much better now."

"Like us Mermaids, if a Mermaid falls in love with a human, they only need to pass a series of trials in Glazed Lake, and Glazed Lake will accept them."

"Has anyone managed to get through them?"

"Um... the last one who tried was Yu Dingtian from Anle Village. He was quite capable and nearly made it. Unfortunately, he still didn't succeed."

"…"

"Oh dear, I digressed!" Little Jiao Huo said, then continued, "Legend has it that if one manages to catch those two Linglong Bilateral Fish, their Flatfish pearl will manifest the image of your fated lifelong partner. It's one of the legendary Exotic Treasures of Huangtian Continent, although it doesn't sound particularly useful..."

"…"

"So, you want me to catch these two fish and then offer them to that Immortal Bi You?" Wang Mu mused.

"Yes, exactly!"

"I refuse!" Wang Mu flatly rejected.

You've got to be kidding. If the rumors were true...

If that Flatfish Pearl was actually given to Nanrong Biyou and it showed my likeness...

My identity would be exposed!

"Why not!" Little Jiao Huo looked completely bewildered. "Isn't this a good thing?"

"What do you know about Taoist couples at your age?" Wang Mu replied irritably. "Why should you, a Little Jiao, worry about Immortal Bi You's happiness?"

"But I always see Immortal Bi You alone, and it makes me sad." Little Jiao Huo looked downhearted.

Good grief, are you some kind of fan trying to ship your favorite idol?

Wang Mu rolled his eyes at Little Jiao Huo's childlike perspective.

"Eh..." Little Jiao Huo wiggled its fish tail, visibly disappointed. "I was even going to give you this Glazed Marrow Jade Fruit I brought. Even if you didn't succeed in helping me, I'd still give it to you."

Wang Mu's interest was piqued. "Wait, what was that?"

"Glazed Marrow Jade Fruit! Haven't you heard of it?" Little Jiao Huo dipped below the water surface for a moment, then emerged holding a bright red, softly glowing fruit. "This is a treasure from our Glazed Lake. Grandma told me that many years ago, human cultivators like you often came to Glazed Lake to fight over these fruits. Apparently, they can improve one's constitution or something..."

"…" Wang Mu.

"Wait, well, perhaps I can consider it," Wang Mu said thoughtfully.

That fruit... it must be one of those Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, right?

"Really? Are you serious?" Little Jiao Huo grinned. "Then it's a deal!"

This little one isn't so naive after all!

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