Chapter 6: Gift to Wan Yu and Festival

The sound of bones cracking echoed inside the forest, and the wolf, who was howling and acting like the strongest thing around, was no longer. I wasn't the best cultivator, but my Thundery Palm was no joke, especially with a clean hit like that. It broke the wolf's spine, and tiny lightning traversed its body, causing even more damage - enough to seal the deal.

"Oh, please," Kang Duyi said, kneeling before me, "Spare me, Senior!"

It was just one move, and this bastard called me Senior. What was up with these people? How could I be his Senior when I was younger and only two layers above him?

"Cut the crap," I said, staring into his eyes, "You don't need to call me that."

I could tell Kang Duyi felt more relaxed, but him not calling me Senior was one thing, and him spilling out my secret was another.

With long steps, I stopped before him, grabbing his collar. He was shaking before I uttered a word.

"This," I said, signing with my left hand, "Is a secret, right? I don't want people knowing I'm a cultivator, or else..."

"Of course! This youth's lips are sealed."

"Good."

The expression on Kang Duyi's face made it clear he would keep my secret. That was good. My peaceful life remained intact.

"Is there something we can do with the pelt or...?" I asked.

Despite being weaker, Kang Duyi had more knowledge, a result of his long years as a cultivator.

"I can make you an awesome fur cloak with it for the winter! What do you say?"

I could see Kang Duyi transition from being scared to "I want to please this cultivator," but I said nothing. A fur cloak made from such good materials would be cool as heck, and I liked the idea.

"Drop it off at my farm," I said.

The hunting trip was over. When we returned to the village and everyone saw both me and Kang Duyi carrying that massive wolf, they all yelled, jumped, and it turned into a whole festival that night!

No one slept well knowing there was a mysterious creature lurking in the forest. They feared it might show up during the night and harm their sons and daughters.

Late afternoon, I returned to my farm. I had earlier cleaned the crops, so they looked fresh and healthy - a good sign.

The new buildings on my farm were almost finished, which meant I would soon have cows and chickens! It was progress, something I enjoyed immensely.

As I opened the front door of my wooden cabin, I wasn't alone. Big T and Big F were there, as always, but Wan Yu was also present. She stood, watching Big F inside his aquarium.

"How was your day?" I said.

Wan Yu almost jumped, placing her soft right hand on her chest, "You scared me!"

How could a cultivator be so unaware? Deep down, I wished that after Wan Yu returned to her sect, she would practice more. I knew how dangerous and dark the world truly was, and I didn't want her to perish.

"Sorry," I said, moving to her side, "Isn't it beautiful?"

I was referring to Big F.

"Yes," Wan Yu replied, "I feel like he emanates intelligence."

Naturally, Big F was intelligent. After all, he was my fish! How could he be anything but clever? I couldn't help but feel proud of him for winning the girl's heart.

"He's quite smart," I remarked, grabbing a handful of worms and gently pouring them into his aquarium. "Did your training go well today?"

Wan Yu had spent the day immersed in meditation and practicing her cultivation arts. Or at least, that's what she had told me.

"Yes, it went well," Wan Yu replied, her expression saddened as she looked down. "My Senior will be coming tonight to fetch me."

Her words caught me off guard. The realization that her departure was imminent raced through my mind, and a sudden surge of agitation took over.

"First things first, would you like to accompany me to the village festival tonight?" I suggested. "It might be our last chance to spend some time together."

Wan Yu appeared intrigued, recognizing the significance of the invitation as the potential end of our shared moments.

"Of course, but why do you seem so restless?" she inquired, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Wait here, I have something to attend to," I replied hastily.

Leaving my cabin in a rush, I grabbed my fishing gear and hurriedly made my way. Big F was no ordinary fish; I had acquired him using my special system. While his true potential remained unknown, Wan Yu seemed to have developed a fondness for him.

However, I couldn't simply give Big F away. He was my trusted companion, alongside Big T, the toad. Nevertheless, finding a fish similar to Big F would not pose a problem.

The sun was almost setting as I arrived at the lake where I had caught Big F. With a worm on my hook, I cast my line, hoping to catch a fish as quickly as possible.

To my surprise, it seemed like fate was being generous to me, as a fish with a faint Qi aura appeared on my first attempt! It was simply unbelievable. After catching the spiritual fish, which had a similar aura to Big F but a different appearance with an orange hue, I made my way back to my farm.

Everything happened so quickly, and when I returned, Wan Yu seemed even more confused.

"Where were you?" she asked, her gaze directed towards a small bucket I had in my hands.

"Well, I know it might seem like a strange gift, but take it. It's a relative of my little fish," I said.

Wan Yu looked at the fish inside the bucket, and her eyes welled up with tears. I couldn't tell if it was a good thing or not, but judging by the tight hug she gave me, it must have been great.

"Thank you so much, Tian Li. This little one will keep me company at the sect!"

She truly seemed to have fallen in love with her new fish, and I was happy about that.

"Well, shall we go to the festival?"

"Let's go!"