Longevity with a Turtle

Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Fateful Opportunity

The port assembly grounds.

Dozens of Senior Fishermen and Farmers left without the slightest hesitation, steering their boats back toward the Inner Waters.

By this point, any Senior Fisherman and Farmer who intended to leave had already gone. Since they were still with the Yun Family, they had already resolved to share its fate.

Most of these dozens of Senior Fishermen and Farmers were at the Mid-Stage of Qi Refining; only seven or eight were at the Late Stage.

They knew full well that if they left the Yun Family without finding a suitable new patron, their lives in the Cultivation Realm would be miserable.

Their talent was in husbandry, but they possessed no other skills.

If they went to the Marketplace, they would most likely become Demon Hunters. Then they would truly be risking their lives every single day.

The Honored Guest Elders were more opportunistic. After a moment of hesitation, six Guardian Guest Elders and two Hundred Arts Guest Elders departed.

They had many options.

The Guardian Guest Elders were all at the Seventh-Layer of Qi Refining or higher. After leaving the Yun Family, they could not only find work in a Guard Team at the Marketplace, they could also become Demon Hunters, or serve as Honored Guest Elders for other Foundation Establishment Immortal Races.

If they had enough savings, they could even go to another region and establish their own Qi Refining Family.

The Hundred Arts Guest Elders had even more prospects.

With a trade skill, they would be highly sought after, whether at the Marketplace or with another Foundation Establishment Immortal Race.

”Daniu, have you heard what the Yun Family is planning to do with the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers?” Zhou Miaoyun asked in a low voice.

By now, the Senior Fishermen and Farmers and the Honored Guest Elders were gone, leaving only the four hundred or so Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers in the assembly grounds.

Everyone was whispering with those they knew, discussing why the Yun Family had kept the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers behind.

”I only know there’s a major change coming that’s supposed to benefit the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers. I don’t know anything else,” Yu Daniu replied.

「A quarter of an hour later.」

The Yun Family’s Fifth Elder, Yun Zhonghou, coughed lightly and raised his hand to quiet the assembly. Once everyone was silent, he announced, ”Those of you from Qi Refining Families may leave.”

”Hm?”

Zhou Miaoyun’s heart tightened, a trace of disappointment in her eyes. ’Everyone knows there’s a big change coming, one that benefits the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers.’

Naturally, she wanted to benefit from it as well.

”Yaoyao, I’ll wait for you outside.”

In that moment, nearly a hundred Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers left the assembly grounds, their expressions full of disappointment and reluctance as they went.

On the dais, Yun Zhonghou and Yun Bufan conferred in low voices for a moment, after which the Outer Waters Steward announced, ”Next, those who meet the requirements may take one step forward.”

”Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers whose total yield of Large Cyan Fish is two thousand six hundred jin or more, with an average weight of at least three jin and seven liang.”

Chen Jianghe glanced around and saw that more than thirty Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers had stepped forward.

This meant that there were more than thirty Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers who earned an annual salary of over ninety grains of Spiritual Sand.

Although he didn’t know what the Yun Family was planning, Chen Jianghe still took a step forward.

His total yield of Large Cyan Fish this year was two thousand eight hundred jin, with an average weight of three jin and nine liang, which met the requirement stated by the Outer Waters Steward.

Besides, this was no secret; the Yun Family could find out simply by checking the fish collection records.

Trying to hide it would do more harm than good.

The Outer Waters Steward’s voice rang out again. ”Males between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five, who were able to begin their Immortal Path thanks to the benevolence of the Yun Family.”

Instantly, more than ten other Fishermen and Farmers stepped forward.

Yu Daniu was among them.

’What is the Yun Family planning?’

Chen Jianghe glanced at the thirty-odd Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers who had moved first and saw two of them take another step.

After only a moment’s hesitation, he also stepped forward again in response.

”Alright, those who did not meet the requirements may leave the assembly grounds. You are dismissed,” the Outer Waters Steward said, waving his hand to dismiss the two hundred or so remaining Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers.

”Brother Jianghe, Brother Daniu, Sister Miaoyun and I will be waiting for you at Yuelai Inn.”

Gao Peiyao pursed her lips, giving a wry smile.

”Alright.”

Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu both nodded.

An irrepressible joy shone in Yu Daniu’s eyes. He knew the Yun Family’s new arrangement was aimed at the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers, and that it was very likely a great opportunity.

He never expected that he would be one of the chosen few.

A moment later, only fifty-two Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers remained in the assembly grounds, thirty-five of whom had met the husbandry requirement.

”Those who received the Yun Family’s benevolence, stand on the left. Those who met the husbandry requirement, stand on the right.”

The Outer Waters Steward’s gaze fell upon Chen Jianghe and two others; all three had taken two steps forward.

They had not only met the husbandry requirement but had also stepped onto the Immortal Path thanks to the Yun Family’s benevolence.

”You three, stand in the middle.”

The Outer Waters Steward gave the instruction, then turned and invited Yun Zhonghou to take over.

Yun Zhonghou gazed at the fifty-two Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers on the grounds. His aged eyelids were half-closed, his pupils holding a dark golden luster. His stare was as deep as an abyss yet as sharp as a blade, and the lines at the corners of his eyes were as if carved by a knife. An unfathomable pressure, wrapped in a cold glint tempered by the years, emanated from him. His sweeping glance held a natural, imposing authority.

”You are all excellent, the future mainstays of the Yun Family. Our family is now facing a crisis. Are you willing to overcome this hardship together with us?”

”We are willing to share in the family’s honor and disgrace!”

The crowd of Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers shouted in unison.

Chen Jianghe’s heart sank. He had a bad feeling. ’This feels suspiciously like the Yun Family Elder is trying to brainwash us.’

Even though something felt off, he could only bite the bullet and shout along with everyone else.

”Mm.”

Yun Zhonghou’s gaze softened. He turned to Yun Bufan at his side and said, ”Xiaofan, you can pick them now.”

Pick them?

What did that mean?

All the Fishermen and Farmers looked toward the dais in confusion, wondering what Yun Zhonghou meant by ”pick them.”

Yun Bufan stepped forward, faced the crowd, and gave a faint smile. ”I’m sure you’ve all heard some rumors. It’s true—I’ve gathered you here today to grant you all an opportunity.”

”I have recently been appointed as the Steward of the Inner Waters. Due to the current shortage of Senior Fishermen and Farmers, I proposed to the family that we select the best from among the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers to be promoted.”

”Those of you who met the husbandry requirement are, from this day forward, promoted to Senior Fisherman and Farmer. You will begin raising Little Cyan Fish.”

Yun Bufan pointed to Chen Jianghe and the other two. ”You three will stay behind. The rest of you who have been promoted may leave for now. Return in three days to gather here and follow me to the Inner Waters.”

Instantly, the faces of the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers who had produced two thousand six hundred jin of Large Cyan Fish with an average weight of three jin and seven liang lit up with delight.

Becoming a Senior Fisherman and Farmer ahead of schedule meant an extra five or six Spirit Stones of income for them.

Moreover, given the Yun Family’s current situation, the Inner Waters were far safer than the Outer Waters.

There was another point that was especially important.

The Spiritual Qi.

The Spiritual Qi in the Inner Waters was abundant, reaching a concentration equivalent to that of a Tier One Middle-Grade Spirit Vein, which was far greater than in the Outer Waters.

The main reason Senior Fishermen and Farmers had a chance of breaking through to the Late-Stage of Qi Refining was the abundance of Spiritual Qi in the Inner Waters.

Thirty-two of the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers jubilantly left the assembly grounds.

Chen Jianghe looked at the other two Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers who, like him, had also met both requirements and were left behind.

He could see the excitement in their eyes, and their anticipation for an even greater opportunity.