Chapter Twenty-Three: Demonic Fish Flesh, the Emergence of a Formidable Foe

"Since I arrived in this world, I have always kept a low profile, acting with caution. Rarely have I engaged in deadly combat with anyone; if I have ever killed, it was only because the other brought it upon themselves." Bai Xuan sighed softly. "Now, I wonder just how strong I truly am. Even I am eager to test my limits!"

...

In the city district, inside a bustling tavern.

"Come, Brother Bai Xuan, try this fish dish. It took me quite some effort to procure it—no one else would dare serve such a delicacy." Bai Xiaozhen said cheerfully.

Since leaving the whaling ship, his mood had been excellent. He appeared more handsome, his face radiant as jade, clad in fine brocade, exuding the air of a noble youth.

"You wouldn't serve this to anyone else?" Bai Xuan’s gaze sharpened.

During his recent seclusion, Bai Xuan had declined Bai Xiaozhen's invitations ten times. Now, finally, they sat together. Bai Xuan knew well who Bai Xiaozhen’s parents and grandfather were: the old man held a prominent position in the East Sea Trading Company, a major figure in the Bai family. Bai Xiaozhen would casually spend a hundred taels of silver, yet even he hesitated to share this dish—what sort of delicacy could it be?

He picked up a piece of the meat, which looked crystal clear yet tinged with blood, as if barely cooked. Upon tasting it, a strange, fishy aroma rose, causing Bai Xuan to frown. But then, a surge of powerful heat rose from his abdomen, quickly blending into his body. His vitality grew imperceptibly stronger, and the hunger in his limbs and veins vanished.

Bai Xuan’s expression changed subtly.

"What kind of meat is this, with such remarkable effects?" Bai Xuan was deeply shaken.

He could feel his skin subtly nourished from within, as though it wasn't he who was eating, but his body itself absorbing the vitality, as if his martial cultivation was feeding!

"This is the legendary demon fish," Bai Xiaozhen whispered mysteriously.

Seeing Bai Xuan’s astonishment, Bai Xiaozhen felt smug, fanning himself as snowflakes drifted outside, creating an air of elegance tinged with humor.

"Demon fish? I saw they were discarded on the ship, not truly fished." Bai Xuan asked in confusion.

"Of course," Bai Xiaozhen replied, lowering his voice. "Demon fish from the sea have tainted flesh. Eating them can cause grave problems. These demon fish are raised by our clan, purified by specialists with medicine. They’re priceless and never sold outside, forming the foundation of our family."

"When one’s martial cultivation reaches a certain level, ordinary food no longer suffices to replenish vitality. Only demon fish or demon beast meat can further your progress. Regular consumption increases your chances of breaking through the third barrier of vitality, even achieving mastery."

"I’ve given up martial cultivation, so eating this would be excessive. I invited you to share in it. How was the effect?"

"So that's it," Bai Xuan finally understood.

Why was ordinary martial cultivation common, yet so few could break through the third barrier? Without resources, what use is talent?

"Is there any other way to acquire demon beast meat?"

Unable to resist, Bai Xuan swept up the remaining demon fish meat, savoring its lingering sweetness and feeling his cultivation edge forward. Day by day, his advance toward the third breakthrough grew closer.

"There is a way," Bai Xiaozhen replied. "Do you remember the white-scaled fish we ate on the ship? Those alien fish are small and lack sufficient vitality, but in the deep sea, larger varieties possess tremendous vitality, nearly equal to demon beasts. If cooked with special methods, their meat rivals that of demon beasts."

"But such cooking methods are rare," Bai Xiaozhen added.

Just then, a commotion arose below the tavern.

Dozens of horses thundered past, their riders clad in green, faces tense and anxious. Behind them, wounded men were slumped across saddles, blood seeping through armor and leaving crimson marks on the stone road.

For months, the Star Hunter bandits had been terrorizing the region, each appearance bringing death and slaughter, the scent of blood drifting on the air.

Bai Xuan felt a sense of impending storm, his expression sharpening.

He quickly finished his meal.

In a small courtyard.

"How can I get demon fish meat?" Bai Xuan wielded his cold iron harpoon, each strike infused with his entire strength. A simple thrust unleashed the Whirlpool Force, capable of piercing anything.

This "Whirlpool Force" comprised three levels.

The first was "Whirlpool as Water," where the spear technique contained a powerful flexible force, used for attack or defense, channeling vitality through the weapon to make it difficult to resist.

The second level was "Whirlpool as Tide," mimicking the rhythm and ebb of tides. Each spear thrust contained multiple layers of force, multiplying its power several times.

The third level, known as "Whirlpool Sky-Sea," envisioned a single giant whirlpool connecting heaven and earth, concentrating all one’s vitality into a single spear strike—its power unimaginable, capable of killing opponents above one’s level.

Bai Xuan’s current mastery was only at the first level; his force flowed like water, growing more refined with time. Each strike carried a potency that left even himself slightly chilled.

By the standards of the Longevity Path, his Whirlpool Force was already at the proficient stage.

"Deep-sea alien fish... I’ll have to venture out to sea," Bai Xuan mused.

His small boat lacked the ability for deep-sea fishing; he needed to find a larger vessel and join an expedition.

Suddenly, he frowned.

"Uncle Li hasn’t come today?"

He took medicinal diets daily. Though their effect on his cultivation had lessened, they still provided some benefit.

A few days ago, old Li had told him he was trying to procure a stronger prescription, the “Three-Turn Snake Bone Paste,” considered a grade medicine with fierce potency—only those with robust bodies could withstand it.

Such a prescription was exceedingly rare, yet old Li claimed he could get it. Now, his supply had run out, and Li had yet to appear. Bai Xuan’s vigilance grew.

"I should check," Bai Xuan decided.

He refused to wait idly. After several days with no sign, something must have happened—perhaps he’d discover the truth himself.

Soon.

With his abundant vitality, Bai Xuan sped across land as swiftly as a galloping horse, covering dozens of miles in moments.

After knocking, the door was opened by an elderly woman.

"You’re here for old Li?" she asked, sighing with tears in her eyes. "He’s gotten himself into terrible trouble and dragged his granddaughter down with him!"

"Tell me everything," Bai Xuan said, his heart sinking.

Old Li was indeed in trouble.

"Ah, what sins has he committed..." The old woman wept, recounting the whole affair.

It turned out that a few days ago, old Li had encountered several martial artists from out of town, who supposedly carried a rare prescription that greatly benefited martial cultivators.

He tried to negotiate, hoping to trade some valuable items for the prescription.

Such a prescription meant a steady supply of medicine—a veritable goldmine.

Unfortunately...

Something went wrong; the outsiders turned violent, severely injuring him and abducting his seven-year-old granddaughter.

They left a message: meet them on a small island near Thousand Mountain Island, bring three hundred taels of silver to ransom her.

Otherwise, he would find only a corpse.

"So that’s what happened," Bai Xuan lowered his gaze.

Hearing the story, he was almost certain—old Li had been conned again.

Why would outsiders possess such a prescription, then kidnap Li’s granddaughter and demand three hundred taels? Clearly, they were bandits, seeking ransom.

"Where is he now?" Bai Xuan asked.

"He spent all his savings, barely scraped together a hundred taels, and found a familiar hired fighter. They’ve just left by boat to meet at the island, not more than a quarter of an hour ago," the old woman sobbed. "What sins have we committed? If anything happens to Ying’er, I won’t live..."

Bai Xuan nodded slightly.

Old Li had the sense to bring a hired fighter, clearly wary of danger.

Still, that might not be enough.

"Should I go, or not?" Bai Xuan pondered.

Old Li hadn’t told Bai Xuan of the matter, perhaps believing Bai Xuan’s strength insufficient for the trouble.

If he went, his life could be at risk.