It turns out...

A hundred years ago, ten Golden Scales descended from the sky and fell into Pond Lake. The century-old aristocratic clan drained the water and dug the ground in search of the [Essence Treasure].

However, the "Golden Scales" seemed both tangible and intangible, no matter what methods the aristocratic clans employed, they couldn't find them.

Later, the clans discussed and discovered that the "Golden Scales" liked to consume the talent of prodigies.

Using this as bait, they might lure them out.

The century-old aristocratic clan of the Prefecture City spent money annually to host the "Heavenly Talent Feast," painstakingly creating a scene, crafting exquisite dishes, to inspire the prodigies to showcase their talents and unleashing their potential.

Below the Heavenly People Tower is an ancient Copper Tripod used to store the talents of these prodigies.

Years passed, ten years, even decades... countless prodigies and heroes drank and feasted in the tower, fully displaying their talents. Their words and actions scattered their talents, gathering in the Copper Tripod at the lake's bottom.

In exchange, the Golden Scales leaped out of the lake, casting golden light everywhere.

The golden light scattered, and a serene silence fell over everything. Those golden fish swam swiftly in the lake, leaving colorful trails.

All the prodigies in the tower looked towards the lake in astonishment, exclaiming incessantly. A prodigy shouted, "The one hundred and sixth Human Yellow, the Golden Scales in the lake! It's the Golden Scales in the lake!"

"Such a rare Essence Treasure, it's said to contain the Magic Dao, and there is a chance to comprehend Miracle Skills!"

The golden light was enticing. There are countless strange events and objects in the world. The golden light illuminated Li Xian's face. He gazed at the Golden Scales for a long time, pondering:

"The appearance of these Golden Scales is no coincidence. The flesh of demons, after being boiled in fierce flames, can have its toxicity removed and transform into pure [Essence of Heaven and Earth], thus also being called [Essence Treasure]."

"However, all demon flesh is only considered a lower Essence Treasure. A true Essence Treasure must be nurtured by heaven and earth, taking on various forms. This... [Golden Scales] is an excellent Essence Treasure. Being able to witness it today is truly my fortune!"

Li Xian sighed deeply...

Atop the Dragon Gate Tower.

Ou Yezi laughed heartily a few times and said loudly, "The one hundred and sixth Human Yellow Golden Scales in the lake. Such heavenly treasures, who gets it, and who uses it, ultimately comes down to the word 'fate'. I just arrived at Qiong Heavenly City, and immediately witnessed such an Essence Treasure, a sign that fate is deeply connected to me."

He had waited long for this moment. Instantly, he leaped up, flipping through the air, flying towards Pond Lake, reaching out to grab it.

The Golden Scales swished its tail with a flick and darted to the side, avoiding the grasping hand with incredible speed, like a flowing light.

Ou Yezi laughed and cursed, "Good fish, don't run!" He wanted to grab again. Yet he saw a soft whip lashing out, dodging to the side. The tip of the soft whip had a small silver cone. As it struck the lake's surface, there was a "boom" sound, and water waves rolled, reaching over ten feet high.

Ou Yezi shook his hand, scattering the water curtain, taking advantage of the moment to grab the soft whip and pulled hard.

The one wielding the soft whip was an old woman from the Cao Family. Her strength was profound, and her whip technique was high-skilled, like a spirit snake. This martial art was known as 'Tail Pointing Whip'.

When the whip hit someone, the power traveled along the whip, the closer to the end, the stronger it became! She wielded the whip as if it were her own hand, not striking with the body of the whip, but the small silver cone at the tip. Her means were extraordinarily skillful.

But Ou Yezi's martial arts, cultivation, experience, and knowledge surpassed hers by several levels. She missed with one strike, and it was too late to withdraw the whip. Ou Yezi knew that anyone wielding a whip would have great power, but the shortcomings were equally obvious:

The whip was too long, transmitting force required intervals, making it difficult to strike instantly. He seized the gap, grabbed the whip's body, and pulled hard. The old woman cried out in danger, about to fall into the lake.

Several from the Cao Family rushed out, stepping on boats, catching the old woman. The old woman reacted quickly, abandoning the whip to escape, thus avoiding the risk of falling into the lake.

The Prefecture City... the Cao, Chu, Yuwen, and Lin families all boarded boats, confronting Ou Yezi, their brows tightly furrowed.

The Cao Family dispatched three clan elders, dressed in splendid clothes, majestic as heavenly beings. Cao Shuang said, "Senior Ou Yezi, we respect your skills, but your sudden move, are you planning to seize by force?"

"False accusations, the Golden Scales are waiting for me, I'm just taking them as agreed, how can it be seizing by force?" Ou Yezi stood on the water, drinking wine, his beard stained with alcohol, appearing very disheveled.

"You... you... shameless old man, truly despicable!" The old woman who had suffered a loss was furious.

Ou Yezi said, "What, am I wrong? You tell me, the Golden Scales didn't appear earlier or later, but just when I traveled here, they showed up. What a coincidence there is in this world."

"If this isn't fate, what is it?"

"You're obviously plotting..." The old woman said angrily, provoked to expose Ou Yezi's intentions.

But halfway through, Cao Shuang had already pulled her back. The matter of the Golden Scales in the pond was a secret among the Cao, Lin, Yuwen, and Chu families. Every year there was the Heavenly Talent Feast, but few knew the relationship between the feast and the "Golden Scales".

Cao Shuang thought to himself, "Although this Ou Yezi seems rough, he is actually cunning and treacherous, thoroughly understanding that we dare not make it public. Yet he is extremely powerful, showcasing a few moves earlier that were already very formidable, making it difficult to deal with. Our various family elders in the Prefecture City aren't a match for him in single combat."

"Truly unlucky, spending over ten years accumulating, finally getting the Golden Scales from the lake, and encounter this person."

Thinking through various possibilities, Cao Shuang said, "Senior Ou Yezi, are you determined to enjoy the Golden Scales alone?"

"Crude, truly crude."

Ou Yezi said proudly, "The way you put it, it's as if I'm seizing your precious opportunity by force. Who am I, Ou Yezi, I've forged countless Treasure Artifacts and divine instruments, respected by the world, loved by the people. It's not that I want to hog the Golden Scales, but that they're enchanted by my talent, wanting to follow me."

"Such Heaven and Earth Treasures will naturally choose their master."

The Yuwen, Chu, Cao Family, and Lin were left speechless.

The Golden Scales liked to consume the aura of talented prodigies, preferring youthful figures full of promise and ambition.

Ou Yezi is indeed talented and full of spirit, but he is no longer young and cannot be considered "young and promising". Therefore, while Ou Yezi forcibly tried to capture it, Golden Scale desperately evaded.

Lin Bei from the Lin Family said, "According to Senior Ou Yezi's words, if Golden Scale does not choose you as its master, will you truly not lay a finger on it?"

"Who do you take Ou Yezi for? Of course, I stand by my word," Ou Yezi replied with a smile.

Cao Shuang said, "Very well, then we shall stand here and see whom this golden fish chooses as its master." The clan elders, stepping on their boats, stood in the lake.

The Golden Scale, lively as the newborn bright sun, soon noticed the crowd and swam towards a Cao family elder. Ou Yezi suddenly struck, sending a palm from ten zhang away, shattering the boat beneath that elder's feet. Startled, the Golden Scale fled to the distance.

The elder leapt over to another's boat, furious with shame.

"What is the meaning of this, Senior Ou Yezi?" the Cao family angrily asked. "Didn't you say Golden Scale would choose its master?!"

"Hmph! You all bully me too much!" Ou Yezi said, filled with resentment. "Seeing me alone, you scheme to deceive me and cheat in the dark!"

"What cheating? You mustn't speak nonsense," the Cao family retorted, feeling guilty within. The Cao family members had an exotic fragrance on them, indeed drawing Golden Scale close.

"With my vigorous demeanor, the Golden Scale doesn't choose me but chooses your Cao family. If that's not cheating, then what is?" Ou Yezi retorted, pausing for a moment before saying, "Let's try again, let Golden Scale choose again."

Hearing this, the Cao family felt both happiness and anger. Happy that their trick was undiscovered, angry that Ou Yezi was being unruly and wouldn't relent.

The Golden Scale may choose a thousand times over. As long as that person is not him, he will intervene until the Golden Scale chooses him as its master.

The clan elders' faces turned cold, and an elder from the Yuwen family coldly said, "Since Senior Ou, you rely on your high martial skills to forcibly snatch, why not be straightforward? Your cultivation is indeed superior, but do you think we fear you when our families join forces?"

"Hmph, then I look forward to a good lesson," Ou Yezi replied.

"Hold on!"

Lin Bei stepped forward. Seeing that Ou Yezi showed signs of halting after he shouted "Hold on", he speculated inwardly.

He guessed: "This Ou Yezi looks fierce but doesn't want to fight with us for Golden Scale. His actions are merely to gain a share of the spoils."

He evaluated both sides' strengths.

Given the Prefecture City's power, Ou Yezi's seizure by force is by no means easy. Although his martial arts realm is a notch higher, the city's clan elders, soldiers arranged in formations, and endless techniques would also be difficult for Ou Yezi to handle.

Martial Artists are endowed with great might and enjoy a long lifespan. They stand like towering mountains, guarding a region. Yet, the power of many united can also move mountains!

Moreover, Ou Yezi, though seemingly coarse, is actually meticulous. At this moment, he appears aggressive, striking at the slightest disagreement, but it is truly to take the initiative and demonstrate his stance, merely awaiting negotiation.

Lin Bei saw through his thoughts and said, "Heaven and Earth Treasures belong to those fated. Everyone present can be considered fated people. Senior Ou, why not...we all share it equally?"

Ou Yezi's expression greatly eased, and he awaited these words. He asked, "How to share it equally? If you explain reasonably, I might not disagree."

Lin Bei said, "The forces here include the Lin Family, Cao Family, Yuwen Family, Chu Family. Adding Senior Ou, that makes five."

"Since Golden Scale has emerged, it can be divided into five parts: fish eyes, fish head, fish belly, fish body, fish tail. We each take one part. What do you think?"

Ou Yezi was secretly pleased, nodding slightly, stroking his beard, and said, "Fine, fine, I am not a tyrant. What you said is reasonable, I might agree."

Though the clan members were displeased, they had no objections to avoid trouble.

"Everyone, allow me to interject. From my perspective, it's still somewhat inappropriate," suddenly a voice came. Zhou Shijie stood on the rooftop, loudly speaking to everyone.

Ou Yezi, Lin Bei, Cao Shuang, and Yuwen Hou were all taken aback. Zhou Shijie said, "This Golden Tail Scale contains a Scale Pearl. In my view, it could be divided into one more portion."

"Since the fish body, eyes, belly, tail, and head are all taken, shouldn't the [Scale Pearl] by rights have a share for us?"

"Scale Pearl?" Everyone was stunned.

The Golden Scale in the pond glowed and shimmered, holding a golden pearl, unnoticed by anyone.

The Golden Scale in the pond, bearing a golden pearl, should be [Golden Scale] of upper quality, containing denser magical essence.

"Redistribute!" the Cao family said.

"Perhaps inappropriate," Zhou Shijie said proudly. "Though young, Zhou Mou does possess some knowledge. The Golden Scale is an [Essence Treasure] nurtured by Heaven and Earth, fond of human talent and spirit. In the end, this Golden Scale is for our young talents, and even...not to be humble, it's here for Zhou Shijie."

"Just now, the clan elders and seniors spoke of distributing based on fate. I believe my fate with this item is not shallower than yours. Since you have divided the fish head, tail, and body...logically, this Scale Pearl should be mine, right?"

He spoke neither obsequiously nor impatiently, with sharp words.

"Youngster, what does this have to do with you?" Ou Yezi scolded.

The Qiong Heavenly Mansion had a "Zhou Clan", but Zhou Shijie was not part of it. His roots were elsewhere, but in the vast Qiong Heavenly Mansion, he was not without support.

Zhou Shijie loudly said, "Senior Ou Yezi, is what this junior said not reasonable?"

"I don't care about your nonsense reasoning." Ou Yezi's eyes were heated for the Scale Pearl.

"Is that so?" Zhou Shijie smiled. His shoulders shook, emitting a unique charm all over.

He had used "luck" as a scale to weigh the reasoning of this matter.

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