The Name of Eternals

Chapter 23: Rapid Experience Gain

Li Hao didn't hide anything and truthfully told the old man.

Upon learning it was the Mighty Bull Technique, Li Muxiu nodded slightly, not commenting further. He tossed a backpack to Li Hao:

"There's bait in there for you to use. Monsters at the Tongli Realm level love it. What you catch depends on your luck."

With that, he motioned for Li Hao to follow him downstairs.

"What about my fish basket?" Li Hao asked.

"Hah..." Li Muxiu chuckled, saying, "Catch something first, then we'll talk. If you do catch anything, we'll share mine."

"Alright."

Li Hao didn't insist.

As they descended, they found Li Fu waiting outside the building.

"Second Uncle, what are you..."

Noticing the fishing rod in Li Hao's hand, Li Fu was momentarily stunned, his eyes widening slightly.

"Need you ask? We're going fishing." Li Muxiu cast him a glance, clearly not interested in talking to this wooden-headed man.

Li Fu looked as if he were about to cry, "Second Uncle, Hao'er learned the Mighty Bull Technique in just three months and reached mastery. His talent for body refinement is incredible. You can't hold him back!"

"You said that yesterday. Got anything new?"

Li Muxiu dug at his ear, saying, "What's the use of body refinement? At best, you'll reach your level, right? Tell me, are you so powerful? Can you withstand ten thousand soldiers?"

Li Fu was speechless.

Li Muxiu's reference to ten thousand soldiers wasn't about ordinary troops but the Li family's Yuanzi battalion. They were the most elite warriors, capable of breaking through half a city. Li Fu couldn't hope to withstand them.

"Hao'er, ignore him. Let's go."

Li Muxiu seemed afraid Li Fu might influence Li Hao's decision, and he pulled Li Hao along with him.

"Fu Bo, don't worry."

Li Hao waved at Li Fu. Although the man was strict and rigid, his care was something Li Hao appreciated.

"Hao'er..."

Li Fu opened his mouth to persuade them, but seeing Li Hao's bright, cheerful face as he was pulled away, the words caught in his throat, unable to come out.

"Can't the grand God General's residence support one child?"

The words from yesterday seemed to echo again in his ears.

Li Fu fell silent.

Maybe, at this moment, Hao'er was happy.

At least he could have a joyful childhood...

The old and young figures soon disappeared, leaving the man standing there. After a long gaze, he let out a gentle sigh...

...

...

Experiencing what felt like riding the clouds, Li Hao was led by Li Muxiu as they flew through the air.

The various courtyards of the God General's residence flashed by beneath their feet. Li Hao saw maids and servants drawing water and cooking early in the morning. He saw the grand lady already up and strolling in her courtyard and the fifth lady sending her child to the martial field, giving final instructions at the gate...

These scenes rushed past, making Li Hao marvel at the world's vibrancy at a time he would normally be asleep.

"Afraid?"

Li Muxiu asked calmly, looking down.

"Afraid of heights? Not really." Li Hao replied.

He felt no difference underfoot compared to standing on solid ground, as if a solid force was supporting him.

The cold morning wind that came toward him seemed to be filtered, leaving only a cool breeze that caressed his face and ruffled his hair.

Li Muxiu smiled slightly, saying, "I'm going to speed up."

As he spoke, the scenery before Li Hao blurred rapidly, becoming a whirlwind.

In an instant, they had soared out of Qingzhou City, heading toward the vast wilderness beyond.

Half an hour later, Li Muxiu brought Li Hao down to a vast lakeshore.

The lake stretched endlessly, its waters dark and deep.

Green water is deep; black water is an abyss.

This lake was clearly bottomless, with only gentle ripples on its surface, appearing calm and tranquil.

But precisely because of this, it carried an eerie, abyssal feeling.

Around the lake were several large mountains, some steeply rising by the lakeshore, others broad and low.

At this moment, they landed at the foot of a mountain. Li Muxiu looked around and, with the eye of an experienced fisherman, said, "The water's shallow here. You can fish here. I'll go to the center and fish for the big ones. Here, take this. If anything happens, it'll help protect you. Don't worry; if anything stirs here, shout, and I'll be here in no time."

"Okay."

Li Hao nodded, accepting the golden talisman the old man handed him.

"Know how to bait? Let me see you cast your line."

Li Muxiu didn't rush off. With a sweep of his hand, a large rock nearby weathered into a fishing platform.

He waved again, clearing away the surrounding grass and shrubs to prevent the line from snagging on branches and weeds, saving Li Hao, a beginner, from wasting time untangling.

Li Hao jumped onto the stone platform, opened his backpack, and found a package of damp, red dough.

"Dead bait's fine for these Tongli Realm small monsters. Once you're stronger, I'll give you live bait for better results," Li Muxiu said.

Li Hao didn't mind, nodding as he pulled out a clump of bait, smelling its fishy scent.

He molded the bait onto the hook, which was the size of a fist, using quite a bit to cover it completely.

Li Muxiu was surprised by Li Hao's adeptness and asked, "You've fished before?"

"No."

Li Hao asked, "Isn't this how you do it?"

"Yes, it is." Li Muxiu nodded, glancing at Li Hao. He didn't dwell on it, having already noted the child's cleverness from yesterday's brief interaction.

"This will mask your scent."

Li Muxiu pulled out a handful of powder from somewhere and patted it onto Li Hao before saying, "Cast your line. If you catch one today, I'll bring you here again tomorrow."

"Alright."

Li Hao nodded.

He swung the rod, casting the line as far as possible, sending it a hundred feet out to sink into the lake.

As the hook hit the water with a "plop," text appeared before Li Hao's eyes:

[Fishing Path: Level 0 (1/100)]

[Fishing Experience +2]

Li Hao smiled to himself. As expected, the fishing skill from the game could be integrated into the panel.

And surprisingly, just casting the line earned him 2 points of experience! To know that playing a game of chess usually only earned him one point.

Only slightly more challenging games gave him 2 points of experience.

It seemed fishing was like chess, meaning this lake was a rather dangerous one, posing a significant challenge for fishing.

"Remember, be patient, don't make noise, and don't startle the creatures below."

"Don't look around; focus on the float."

"Fishing might seem dull at first, but when you catch one, you'll find the wait was worth it."

Li Muxiu instructed earnestly, concerned that Li Hao, being a child, might lose interest quickly.

After all, fishing was mostly an activity for older folks. How could a seven- or eight-year-old be expected to handle the boredom?

"Okay."

Li Hao nodded.

Seeing Li Hao's calm demeanor, Li Muxiu smiled slightly, refraining from saying more and quietly observing.

Since he hadn't cast his line, he covertly used his spirit to check the water's activity, seeing two small fish at Tongli Realm Level 4 and Level 7 approaching.

"Newbie protection period, indeed. Let's see if he can catch one."

Li Muxiu felt a twinge of envy. Although he could use his skills to make the fish bite directly, thus greatly fostering Li Hao's interest in fishing, his own love for the sport wouldn't allow him to engage in such trivial tactics.

Soon, Li Hao saw the float bob.

His eyes lit up, and he resisted the urge to pull immediately. As the float sank halfway, he swiftly lifted the rod.

The line instantly went taut, the hook snaring something that fought back fiercely.

Yet this strength felt like nothing more than feathers brushing against Li Hao's hand. He tugged forcefully, dragging the other end toward him.

"Don't rush. You'll lose the hook." Li Muxiu advised.

Li Hao was alarmed, quickly slowing his pace. Under Li Muxiu's guidance, he began to reel in the fish with more control.

The black water churned with splashes and waves.

After ten minutes, Li Hao finally landed the exhausted monster fish. It was four or five meters long, with sharp, toothy jaws capable of swallowing an adult whole.

If someone fell in, they'd be this fish demon's feast.

Monstrous fish of the Tongli Realm hadn't yet learned to shapeshift and had only the slightest intelligence, dominated by bloodthirsty savagery.

As the fish came ashore, text appeared before Li Hao:

[Fishing Experience +37]

Li Hao's eyes widened. Wow, almost half a bar of experience at once! The fish demon thrashed on the ground, snapping viciously at Li Hao, eager to devour the human.

Li Muxiu flicked a finger, and the fish demon shrank, turning into a small fish like a pellet. He scooped it up and tossed it into his basket.

"Kid, didn't expect you to catch one so soon."

Li Muxiu chuckled, saying to Li Hao, "How does it feel? Tired? That fish is a Tongli Realm Level 7. Its strength underwater is even greater. Not everyone at Tongli Realm Level 8 could hold the rod steady. You've got some skill!"

"Not tired."

Li Hao grinned.

"Good. Keep at it. I'll use this fish as bait."

Eager to get back to fishing himself, Li Muxiu grabbed the basket and, with a step, vanished into the distance, soon becoming nothing more than a black dot.

Li Hao squinted into the distance, spotting the old man at the lake's center. Even with his eyesight, he could barely make out a speck.

Shaking his head, Li Hao refocused on gaining experience.

He baited the hook again and cast the line.

[Fishing Experience +2]

Li Hao sat on the fishing platform, eyes fixed on the float.

The earlier catch showed that bringing a fish in earned much more experience, so he remained focused.

Time passed slowly.

Perhaps the previous catch had made too much noise, scaring away nearby fish. Li Hao sat for an hour without seeing any movement.

Maybe the bait had already been quietly eaten?

The thought crossed Li Hao's mind, and he almost pulled up the line to check, but he resisted.

Earlier, he had tried exploiting a glitch by repeatedly casting, which was quicker than fishing.

But on the second cast, he gained only one experience point.

By the third, he got none.

Clearly, casting too frequently without actual bites limited the experience gained.

Just then, the still float bobbed suddenly.

Li Hao's eyes, almost numb from waiting, brightened, but before he could hold back, the float disappeared underwater.

Li Hao quickly pulled the rod, the line tautened with a hum, and a massive force, several tons strong, surged from the other end.