Xiao Ling glanced at Ye Tianchen, then explained, "I heard some martial artists discussing it when I went to the market before. Dragon Whisker Fish is a very spiritual creature. Although it's a fish, it's very intelligent, and its meat is succulent, filled with various life essence energy. Consuming it can help martial artists in cultivation. Also, Dragon Whisker Fish is a creature with cultivation methods, similar to how a gecko can naturally change its body color with the surroundings. No wonder we couldn't see any fish in the water just now. Who would've thought we'd be so lucky to feast on such delicacies today!"

Ye Tianchen looked at Xiao Ling, who had the demeanor of a little glutton, and couldn't help but smile and shake his head. He was even more curious about this small pond, as the things within were unusual. Not only did the water have life-prolonging and rejuvenating effects, but it also contained the legendary Dragon Whisker Fish. No wonder the old fisherman lived unknowingly for 7,000 years; it was due to the long-term consumption of the water here and the Dragon Whisker Fish from this pond. It's like eating life-extending divine medicine daily. If even this can't grant eternal life, what could?

Throughout history, countless martial arts experts, even those at the Martial Arts Peak, have experienced unknown times of dedication, sacrifices, and efforts to extend life or become immortal. Yet, they all died with unfulfilled desires, returning to dust. In contrast, the old fisherman, an ordinary man without many desires or ambitions, ended up with great fortune and blessing. The world's unpredictability is truly unfathomable.

"Wait, how can there be Dragon Whisker Fish here?" Xiao Ling suddenly furrowed her brows, feeling incredulous as she muttered.

"What's the matter?" Ye Tianchen, seeing Xiao Ling's expression, asked, sensing there must be something up.

"I once heard a legend. Dragon Whisker Fish got its name and powerful spiritual energy because it used to follow beside the Immortal Dragon for many years and gradually absorbed much of the Immortal Dragon's immortal energy. It then developed tendrils similar to the Immortal Dragon, hence the name Dragon Whisker Fish!" Xiao Ling pondered for a moment before speaking.

Ye Tianchen frowned. Yet another thing related to "Immortal" in the legends, why is it that in this martial arts world, although there's never been a case of immortality, there are so many legends about immortal things? Is it because millions of cultivators, over the course of a million years, have reached an unquenchable desire for immortal that they fabricated so many legends about immortals? Or are these legends truly real, but this martial arts world has changed, making many things untraceable now?

"It's just a legend. It may not be true!" Ye Tianchen thought for a moment before saying.

"Brother Ye, I've heard this legend too. I think it might be true. I've lived on this Penglai Fairy Island for 7,000 years. Though I've never seen a real immortal, I believe immortals exist in this world. We just haven't found them, nor found the right way to find them!" The old fisherman looked seriously at Ye Tianchen as he spoke.

Ye Tianchen was surprised. He looked at the old fisherman and asked, "Old sir, why do you say that?"

"I'm just an ordinary person, not even a martial artist. But I have my own views. Throughout history, there have been many legends about immortals in the martial arts world. Take Penglai Fairy Island, which many strong individuals have worshipped and tried to enter as a holy land. Some things aren't without meaning. So many legends about immortals can't all be false. Perhaps, we now haven't found the right method or way, which is why we can't enter the dreamt-of immortal realm!" The old fisherman began to speak.

I have to say, the old fisherman's words gave Ye Tianchen a sudden enlightenment, a sense that there might be another path of thinking. Perhaps, as the old fisherman said, it's not that the true immortal realm doesn't exist, but for some reason, the martial artists in this martial arts world can't find the path to the immortal realm. Or perhaps no one has realized the true method to reach the immortal realm, leading to countless martial artists over millions of years, only able to gaze at the heavens, turning back into dust. A lamentable fate.

"Xiao Ling, you and the old sir go cook first; I need to think about some things here!" After pondering for a while, Ye Tianchen addressed Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling nodded. She knew Ye Tianchen was serious and didn't want to disturb his thoughts. So she followed the old fisherman to the thatched kitchen behind the bamboo house, leaving Ye Tianchen alone by the pond.

Ye Tianchen glanced at the small pond but didn't jump in hastily to explore. After hearing the old fisherman's words, he decided not to act recklessly. Instead, he sat cross-legged by the pond, slowly closed his eyes, and immersed his mind into a particular state. His Divine Thought emerged from his brow like a soul emergence, entering the pond. This was a marvelous phenomenon and an application of martial arts divine power. Ye Tianchen's physical body remained seated by the pond, but his Divine Thought had fully entered the pond, descending constantly. Using his Divine Thought to explore was the best method, as it was invisible and intangible. Even if there were any dangers at the bottom, it wouldn't face any physical attacks. Ye Tianchen had such a plan, which is why he used this approach.

At this time, Ye Tianchen's Divine Thought, invisible and silent, formed into another version of himself, slowly sinking to the pond's bottom. He observed the surroundings and didn't sense anything amiss. The pond was surrounded by stones and moss, a result of years of water erosion, which puzzled Ye Tianchen. When he dove into the pond, he didn't experience what the old fisherman described, feeling something was off. Could it be because of his Divine Thought's entry?

Suddenly, when Ye Tianchen's Divine Thought reached the pond's bottom without finding anything strange and was about to withdraw, he sensed a slight gleam heading toward him. This startled him — what kind of place was that? Could there be a hidden realm beneath the pond?

With this thought, Ye Tianchen's Divine Thought moved toward the brightness. Upon reaching it, he saw a spring of life flowing from a crevice, making him very delighted. He seemed to have found the source of this life-extending divine water. By following it, he could discover its origin. But just as he attempted to use his Divine Thought to trace the water's path, he trembled all over. It felt like a pair of giant eyes were staring at him from behind, giving the impression that he was entirely exposed, with no thoughts hidden. This was the first time Ye Tianchen experienced such discomfort.

"No, I feel a sense of danger. I can't use my Divine Thought to pursue the source of this life-extending divine water, as it might lead to a threat to my soul and form. I need to plan thoroughly!" Ye Tianchen thought, slowly retracting his Divine Thought from the pond.

Ye Tianchen opened his eyes, recalling everything his Divine Thought had seen in the pond, different from what the old fisherman described. He considered the possibility that physical entry and Divine Thought entry into the pond could reveal different things, which was unexpected for him. To confirm, he would need to enter the pond physically next.

"Hey, it's time to eat!" Xiao Ling called out as she emerged from the thatched kitchen, seeing Ye Tianchen still sitting by the pond.

"Hmm." Ye Tianchen nodded, thought briefly, and headed to the thatched kitchen.

The old fisherman was very hospitable. Although just an ordinary person without martial arts cultivation, he had been drinking the life-extending divine water and eating the Dragon Whisker Fish Essence for years, staying remarkably fit and maintaining a youthful condition. He also caught some game beside stir-fried vegetables, including wild rabbit, wild boar, and snake meat. Of course, what made Xiao Ling drool the most was the Dragon Whisker Fish meat. Even Ye Tianchen could smell its fragrance and feel the essence energy within the meat, confirming what Xiao Ling had said about its benefits for the body and martial arts cultivation.

"Brother Ye, Xiao Ling girl, I've been alone all my life. Having you here is a delight. I don't have much to offer, just some small dishes and rice wine. Let's drink together!" The old fisherman smiled warmly and kindly as he spoke. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at Qidian [qidian.com]. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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