The Ancient Image Clan member was about to turn. Noticing the fish, he paused slightly. "Oh, isn't this the Red Line Mandarinfish from the Linglong Love Abyss in the Huangtian Continent? How do you possess this item..."

"Naturally, I caught it..."

Upon hearing this, the Ancient Image Clan member examined Wang Mu and suddenly said, "I hadn't realized that a mere Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator like you could be so proficient in this art..."

He accepted the fish and mused, "Since that's the case, follow me to the Fetal Breath Spring."

Wang Mu saw his chance and followed. Indeed, there was nothing a fish couldn't resolve.

"This Fetal Breath Spring is a sacred place guarded by our clan.

"Our Ancient Image Clan is different from you human cultivators. Heaven endowed us with strong bodies but rendered us unable to reproduce. We can only conceive by consuming the water from the Fetal Breath Spring and a type of Mother and Child Fish caught here. Even then, it takes thirty years to bear offspring."

Wang Mu was speechless. The Ancient Spirit State Clans were truly bizarre.

"My name is Shan Chuan, and it's not just our Ancient Image Clan; many Ancient Spirit State Clans have even lower fertility rates than human cultivators." Shan Chuan's demeanor had become noticeably friendlier after receiving the fish. "And this Fetal Breath Spring is the only treasure in Ling Province that can alleviate the population pressure on our Ancient Spirit State Clans.

"The Mother and Child Fish, after consumption and then... Dual Cultivation, will definitely allow our Ancient Image Clan to conceive.

"The same goes for other Ancient Clans, but it's ineffective for you human cultivators.

"However, over the past few centuries, the Mother and Child Fish in the Fetal Breath Spring have become increasingly scarce and harder to catch. If one tries to capture them directly from the spring, it will render the fish completely ineffective."

Shan Chuan sighed. "Moreover, the Fetal Breath Spring is a treasured land and naturally possesses a spirit. Any reckless actions will incur karmic retribution, so we can only obtain the Mother and Child Fish by fishing.

"But recently, the spring's source has been emitting an unusual light, and it's suspected that a Divine Fish has been born. Many cultivators have rushed here upon hearing the news, disregarding our Ancient Image Clan's warnings. They fish recklessly in the Fetal Breath Spring, some even attempting to use spells to blast the spring and catch fish, causing immense damage...

"It has been several months now, and we haven't been able to catch a single Mother and Child Fish...

"In recent years, our Ancient Image Clan's population has already been dwindling... With all this disruption... I fear it may be years before we can catch another. My wife and I have been Taoist couples for nearly ten years, and we haven't been allocated even one Mother and Child Fish."

His voice trailed off, heavy with sorrow as he spoke.

Ancient Spirit State Clans often possessed unique abilities and were far stronger than humans. However, humans included ordinary mortals who still had a chance to be born with Spirit Roots and become cultivators. Their Ancient Clan bloodlines were passed down directly; there was no equivalent to ordinary mortals among them. Most unions were between different Ancient Clans, and their fertility rates were even lower than those of human cultivators, making the continuation of their lineage exceedingly difficult. Furthermore, the Ancient Spirit State Clans were inherently conservative, rarely forming alliances with people from the Outer Continents, and few even attended the Magpie Bridge Festival. Consequently, preserving their heritage was naturally a challenge.

After hearing all this, Wang Mu keenly perceived that the Mother and Child Fish was likely a crucial element for his travels in Ling Province.

"Since you were able to catch the Red Line Mandarinfish, your skill in this art must be exceptionally high..." Shan Chuan said at this point. "Human cultivator, if you can help our clan catch five... no, three Mother and Child Fish, our clan will be profoundly grateful to you!"

Three? Isn't that request a bit too modest? Does the Ancient Image Clan only have a few hundred members in total? But they are indeed quite powerful. Shan Chuan's cultivation is likely at the Foundation Establishment Realm Peak, yet the pressure and profoundness he exudes remind me of a Golden Core cultivator. He feels even stronger than the Evil Flood Dragon Young Master.

"Is there a time limit?" Wang Mu asked.

If there's no time limit, I feel like I could fish the Fetal Breath Spring dry.

"Usually, we only fish for half a month, as longer periods adversely affect the spring," Shan Chuan explained. "The rest of the time, we mostly stand guard nearby or allow some fellow Ancient Clan members to fish for a few days. However, since the rumored birth of the Divine Fish, forget the Divine Fish, we haven't been able to catch even one Mother and Child Fish. Now, we don't dare let others enter the Fetal Breath Spring to fish freely."

Wang Mu nodded, his hands itching. It's been a long time since I last fished. On Seven Emotions Island, it was all Fierce Beasts; I couldn't catch a thing. My inventory is almost depleted. There should be many special fishing spots throughout the Nine Provinces, but most don't allow fishing.

"My skills aren't that great; I'll just catch what I can," Wang Mu said modestly.

"Just three. As long as you can catch three, our Ancient Image Clan will be satisfied." Shan Chuan's tone was somewhat deferential, clearly not holding much hope of him catching any Mother and Child Fish. "Any other fish you catch in the Fetal Breath Spring will be yours. Additionally, fishing here can temper one's Divine Sense and soul, fortify the heart, and strengthen the spirit. You should be careful."

Shan Chuan led Wang Mu to the bank. Faint traces of a past duel were still visible.

"What about that Divine Fish?" Wang Mu asked.

Shan Chuan paused for a moment, then said, "The Divine Fish... if you can catch it, it's yours too."

"There's a fishing platform right here. Would you like to find a better spot for yourself?"

Wang Mu surveyed the surroundings and waved his hand. This spot is perfectly fine.

Wang Mu took out his fishing rod and bait, pondering for a moment. The Fetal Breath Spring blocks Divine Sense, making it impossible to perceive the fish below. The Divine Skills of the Spirit of Nature are only effective on beings with Spiritual Wisdom. These fish are unique creatures; they possess a certain spirituality but lack true Spiritual Wisdom. Therefore, they can't be sensed that way either.

Just as he finished his preparations, a crisp voice came from nearby. "Shan Chuan, who have you brought? Weren't outsiders forbidden here?"

Wang Mu glanced over. On another fishing platform sat a woman dressed in a green and red straw raincoat, her head adorned with feathers. She was turned sideways, intently holding a fishing rod, and merely spared them a glance from the corner of her eye. From Wang Mu's vantage point, he could see very little; even the woman's figure was obscured by the raincoat, revealing only the approximate curve of her face. She appeared to be from another Ancient Clan, carrying an extraordinary air. Particularly striking was a bird resting on her back. To Wang Mu, the bird resembled a Phoenix Bird type of Spirit Beast, quite remarkable.

"Sister Qing, this gentleman is a human cultivator from an Outer Continent," Shan Chuan hurriedly said with deference. "His fishing skills are likely exceptional. He once fished in the Linglong Love Abyss and caught the legendary Red Line Mandarinfish; he's truly formidable."

"So, you intend for him to help you catch some Mother and Child Fish?" the woman replied without turning her head. "The Linglong Love Abyss has been closed for a long time. How could there still be any Red Line Mandarinfish there...?"

Indeed. After Nanrong Biyou released the two Divine Fish during their last visit, the Linglong Love Abyss closed for some unknown reason. It's a real pity. I fished there before its closure; this woman must have visited the Linglong Love Abyss afterwards.

At that moment, her fishing rod twitched slightly. The woman's expression brightened instantly. She channeled her Spiritual Power into the gleaming green fishing rod and pulled hard.

Only a few strands of seaweed hung from the hook.

Nothing.

The woman fell silent, then huffed softly. She removed the seaweed and cast her line again.

"Even I can't catch these Mother and Child Fish..." The woman shook her head slightly. "It seems this Fetal Breath Spring won't yield another Mother and Child Fish for more than ten years..."

Witnessing this, Shan Chuan, who likely knew the woman's skill level, looked even more disheartened.

Wang Mu mulled it over. Holding the fishing hook Yan Qingwu had given him, he contemplated for a few seconds, then cast his fishing rod.

He then entered meditation, seemingly falling into a special state.

Perhaps it's because of the Seven Emotions Sword Heart. After entering meditation while fishing, Wang Mu felt he had entered a profound state, impervious to any disturbance. A unique spiritual power began to slowly transmit upwards from the fishing rod.

Before long, the fishing line twitched. Wang Mu pulled gently, using the rod to sense the habits of this new fish species.

This blessing from the Seven Emotions Sword Heart... it doesn't just manifest in Sword techniques... it even influences many of my actions...

Almost instantly, Wang Mu understood the fish's habits. The empowerment from the Seven Emotions Sword Heart had elevated his learning and perception by several levels. Is even fishing this smooth without the shackles of emotion?

After less than three rounds of playing the line, Wang Mu gave a gentle tug, and a brand-new fish appeared before his eyes. It was a peculiar fish; its body was asymmetrical, with one side larger and slightly bulging, indeed resembling a mother and child...

"A Mother and Child Fish!" Shan Chuan stared in utter astonishment.

His exclamation also drew the attention of the woman nearby, her eyes widening in disbelief.

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