The Marsh Cauldron! The Cauldron that commands all the waters of the world!
Mysterious information flooded into Liang Qu's mind, leaving him stunned—had his golden finger appeared?
The cauldron had an ancient design, its color a deep greenish-black, with a square and upright form.
Because the Marsh Cauldron existed within his mind, there was no point of reference to estimate its size, but its presence was undeniably powerful.
On the surface of the cauldron were numerous patterns, the most striking being a giant ape and a coiled heavenly dragon, followed by various other figures like a creature with a human face and bird body, and a dragon head with a human body.
On the opposite side was a figure of a black-robed emperor, dominating nearly half of the cauldron's surface, alongside a not-insignificant spear-wielding deity, with many other humanoid figures etched nearby.
One side bestial, the other human? Just as Liang Qu attempted to ponder this, his attention was pulled elsewhere.
[Cauldron Master: Liang Qu]
[Available Marsh Spirit: Water Monkey (White)]
[Acquiring]
[Acquired, would you like to refine?]
[Marsh Spirit: Spirit of Waters, refining grants its fate, bloodline, and talent.]
Damn, it really is a golden finger!
But why a Water Monkey?
Is it because I drowned?
A popular phrase flashed through Liang Qu's mind: "Old man, the subway, cellphone."
No, it can’t be related, Liang Qu shook his head vigorously, refocusing his attention.
Refine the Marsh Spirit or not? He glanced at the walls around him, then felt his recently filled stomach.
Did he really have a choice?
Having come this far, how could he be satisfied with being ordinary?
Clearly, everyone has two eyes and a mouth, yet some are noble by birth, others of low status, some sip meat broth while scolding others, and some, starving, get scolded.
He could never forget that Martial Master who punched through a person-high boulder.
What exactly is a Martial Master!?
Refine!!
As Liang Qu made his decision, a half-real, half-illusory white Spirit Monkey emerged from the Marsh Cauldron, merging into his body as if leisurely swimming through the air.
A surge of warmth spread from Liang Qu’s spine to his entire body.
If earlier his life was like a flickering candle in the wind, this warm flow was as if another piece of wax had been added, making it steadier.
Yet, before he could experience it fully, the warmth dissipated, leaving him wanting more.
[Refinement Successful!]
[Cauldron Master: Liang Qu]
[Refined Marsh Spirit: Water Monkey (White) (Fusion Rate: 5%)] [Water Essence: None]
[River Affinity: None]
[Evaluation: The Water Monkey’s Marsh Spirit originates from the great Huai Whirlpool Lord, providing limited potential and a modest existence.]
"Using Water Essence can increase the fusion rate of the Marsh Spirit and upgrade its quality. But who is this Huai Whirlpool Lord? Why does it sound so familiar? And where do I find this Water Essence?"
Liang Qu still had many questions lingering in his mind, but he wasn’t in a hurry.
He would take it step by step and first see what the Water Monkey could do.
[Water Monkey (White): A water-loving spirit monkey favored by rivers, with the ability to manipulate water.]
[With the current low fusion rate, it reduces water consumption, allowing control over thirty pounds of water, detailed perception within three meters, vague perception within five meters of aquatic territory, and reduced presence in water.]
[With Water Essence consumption, it may upgrade to Marsh Monkey (Blue), mastering water riding, or Water King Monkey (Purple), capable of ocean-turning feats.]
Liang Qu felt overwhelming joy.
The name of this Marsh Spirit might be minor, but its abilities were not! It was a natural at navigating waters!
The Jianghuai Water System spans thousands of miles, nurturing the land and supporting countless creatures.
The Jianghuai Marshlands is a vast super lake spanning multiple prefectures, filled with endless aquatic plants, treasure fish, and minerals.
Yet, aquatic treasures are extremely difficult to obtain; first because deep waters harbor great demons, human practitioners struggle against them, secondly because the water is murky, its aura obscure, making treasures hard to find, only occasionally do fishermen catch one or two in shallow waters by luck.
Last month, someone at the neighboring dock caught a Tigerhead Grouper and sold it for a hefty three taels and five maces of silver!
If I truly possess this ability, wouldn’t I have access to an undeveloped treasure trove?
Moreover, if five percent fusion allows control of thirty pounds of water, wouldn’t one hundred percent mean no less than six hundred pounds?
To ordinary people, it would be like a Water God walking the earth.
There are even other Marsh Spirits to acquire! And upgrade! If a white Marsh Spirit is this powerful, how formidable would the blue or purple variants be once upgraded?
The notion of turning rivers and seas was indeed enticing.
White, blue, purple... beyond that, is there more?
For a moment, Liang Qu felt a burning desire for this so-called Water Essence, but unfortunately, he had no means to acquire it currently and would have to postpone it.
As for why such a divine tool chose him, Liang Qu believed it was a heavenly reward for his virtuous act.
Otherwise, why else? Because I am undernourished, can't afford to eat, have no parents? With my limited skills, is it really worth pondering so much?
With a golden finger in hand, Liang Qu was not about to rest easy.
Originally, he was useless at fishing, even struggling for a livelihood, avoided by those around him, but now, relying on a mere five percent of the Water Monkey's ability, few fishermen in Righteous Prosperity City could surpass him.
Good times are coming!
Off to the docks!
In the dark of night under a slightly sinister wind, street-side buildings stood in orderly fashion.
Liang Qu glanced around, taking in this unfamiliar world.
In Righteous Prosperity City, only one true street ran from the city center to the sole Upper Prosperity Dock, paved with neat bluestone slabs; the rest were muddy paths worn by countless feet, with most residences lining this central street.
A genuinely small place.
From what Liang Qu understood, there was a bustling town nearby, followed by counties, prefectures, and capitals further up.
He was not surprised at all, it was clearly an ancient world, where a city was not bigger than a county but rather like a market slowly forming into a residential area — like the "Zengtou City" in Water Margin, called a city, but actually a small village reliant on the river.
With greater ability in the future, he wished to explore this world someday!
Arriving at the dock, a panting Liang Qu scoured the riverbank, eyes locked on a certain spot on the water.
A thumb-sized little fish suddenly surfaced to breathe.
Moved by instinct, Liang Qu reached out to catch this daring little fish.
The little fish was quick to react, darting away in fright, but an odd water pressure bore down from all around in a flash.
Before the pressure lifted, when it tried to escape again, the little fish was already in Liang Qu’s grasp.
Remarkably effective!
Liang Qu scooped up a handful of clear water, the little fish paddling in his palm, eyes wide.
Licking his lips, he plunged his hand into the water once more.
As soon as the water in his hand touched the river, the fish twitched its tail to flee, but the familiar pressure came, and it was caught again.
After repeating this four or five times, feeling he had mastered it, Liang Qu finally rose.
The fish was barely bigger than a thumb, needing little water force to control, the physical exertion manageable, but using large amounts of water in a short time proved challenging.
"Pity the Marsh Spirit's fusion rate is too low, my water manipulation remains crude, merely squeezing, unable to form a Water Blade, let alone manipulate blood, but that should be possible in the future."
Doffing his clothes in the Reed Marsh, Liang Qu waded slowly into the water.
As soon as he entered, he felt a difference—not cold!
In the late autumn night, the water in the Marshlands was indeed chilling; his "father" had perished entering it, catching a cold.
Is this the benefit of affinity with water? Liang Qu secured his hair and dove beneath the river surface.
Ripples spread, shattering the moonlight.
Completely submerged in the aquatic realm, an indescribable familiarity washed over him, compelling him to sense he had returned to his original world.
He recalled the happiness of a one-yuan bus ride to see the sunset at the city park, later nestling on the couch at home, eating noodles.
It took him a long while to compose himself.
To live better in this new life!
He collected his thoughts, diving deep for fish.
The water below was dark and profound, but with his sensing ability, he could detect life within five meters, while fish could sense him only within a meter and a half.
After wandering a bit, coming up to breathe, Liang Qu eventually spotted a suitable target.
An adult’s forearm-length, about three pounds large Yellowfish.
Yellowfish is unique to Jianghuai, its nourishment average but its taste exquisite, with many old-timer gourmets willing to pay high prices for it.
The one before him might fetch seventy to ninety wen.
The saying goes one pound of fish needs ten pounds of force—just at Liang Qu’s limit of water control.
Especially since Yellowfish scales are fine, unlike the common slippery fish.
Determined, Liang Qu inched closer until he reached the limit of his stealth range at a meter and a half, then lunged forward.
The Yellowfish startled and tried to flee, but Liang Qu flexed his fingers, and the surrounding water pressure nailed it in place.
He stroked forward, fingers curled like hooks, capturing the scale-less Yellowfish, bringing it above water, threading a reed leaf through its gills.
Eighty wen secured!