As the sun rose, its golden rays bathed the earth. After three days of heavy rain, everything seemed renewed and refreshed. The distant mountains were a lush green, and the trees and flowers bloomed vigorously. Dewdrops sparkled among the grass, and creatures of all kinds emerged to enjoy the rare good weather. Butterflies fluttered, cicadas chirped, fish leaped, and birds sang, creating a lively atmosphere.

On a narrow, winding path, a man appeared, traveling alone. Dressed in a blue tunic and a small hat, he carried a bundle on his back. It was Gongsun Liang. In his heart, he replayed the events of three days ago. When he picked up the fishing rod, knowing the slim chances of success, he still decided to give it a try.

The old fisherman thought that the rod without a hook would make Liang give up, but unexpectedly, he cast his line and began fishing. Even more surprisingly, when the fisherman confidently assumed that no fish would bite, Liang somehow managed to catch five black ghost fish in succession! These fish were not ordinary; legend has it that the thousand-year-old black ghost fish are spiritual beings in the water, possessing innate supernatural powers without the need for cultivation.

The old man had been fishing for seven days and yet had nothing to show for it. Yet Liang, in his initial attempt, had such a bountiful harvest. The fisherman was astounded and peered into the water, seeking to understand the mystery. Liang's heart surged with excitement as he continued to catch the large fish one after another.

A gentle breeze blew, ruffling the surface of the water with fine ripples. The underwater creatures stirred, and the green algae swayed. The fisherman stared, a slight smile playing on his lips. He discovered that the line without a weight somehow penetrated deep into the riverbed, attracting numerous black ghost fish. This phenomenon was unusual, and the fisherman was determined to delve deeper into its secrets.

The old fisherman caused a ripple to spread, slow and shifting like the wind but thicker and calmer than water. The grass around rustled as its tips tilted upward, creating a vacuum-like sphere. If Gongsun Liang had been more attentive, he would have noticed the fisherman's eyes suddenly glow, piercing the water's depths.

Something was indeed happening in the water. Why else would the elusive black ghost-fins gather in such numbers? This lake sat between the Celestial Sea and Crimson Gulf, bordered by the Cloud Sacrifice Mountains. Each year, the mountains' melting snow flowed into the lake, enriching its marine life with the warm, humid climate. Among these creatures, the Green-Scale-Shrimp thrived.

Small, about the size of a finger, the Green-Scale-Shrimp sported a bright green hue and a nearly transparent body. Despite their size, they preyed on the fish in this waterway, an unusual sight for shrimp. With large, red-tipped claws and whiskers wrapping around their bodies, they terrified most fish.

However, nature maintains a balance. The fierce Green-Scale-Shrimp had a natural enemy: the voracious black ghost-fin. These fish consumed up to thirty Green-Scale-Shrimp in a meal. With four tubular appendages beneath their bellies, they could spray dark ink, obscuring their prey's vision while hunting with sharp senses. When a Green-Scale-Shrimp encountered a black ghost-fin, its fate was sealed.

Green-Scale-Shrimp were rare, and the ones in Cui Lake, Lieyu Mountains, were exceptional. Wherever they were, black ghost-fins followed, but the old fisherman had never seen so many gathered. Peering into the water, his beard trembled and eyebrows rose. Over a hundred black ghost-fins swarmed around a massive Green-Scale-Shrimp King!

The fisherman had once seen a Green-Scale-Shrimp King with his master in the Shadow-shell Beach. His master treasured the ten-foot-long Shrimp King, and the jubilation on his face left a lasting impression. He learned then of the Shrimp's rarity. His master said only three treasures in the world matched its detoxifying and purging abilities. And this Shrimp King was over twenty feet long!

The fisherman's piercing eyes revealed the Shrimp King's crystal body, glowing faintly green and encased in a hard shell. Black ghost-fins' sharp teeth only clicked against it, explaining its resilience.

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The Shrimp King's long, barbed legs glinted pale blue-white. Strangely, the ghost-fins avoided them. Its seven-foot-long whiskers waved like whips, sending any ghost-fin in contact spinning out. Fortunately, the ghost-fins' tough skin allowed them to recover and continue their furious assault.

The pitch-black waters were caused by secretions from the black ghost-fins, strangely confined to the bottom, refusing to rise. Black ghost-fins thrown out of the battle by the shrimp king's whip landed near Gongsun Liang's fishing spot. They bit his fishing line, explaining his luck in catching five consecutively. If this continued, catching ten more would be easy.

The old fisherman, once focused on his bet, now noticed the Green-Scale-Shrimp king's uniqueness. He'd never seen so many black ghost-fins here. Its ability to attract them without harming them hinted at a deeper purpose. Such a large Green-Scale-Shrimp king must be a spirit monster, unlikely to stir up trouble without a reason. Suddenly, the old man shuddered, turning to Gongsun Liang. Could it be that the shrimp king had come for him?

Suspicions filled the old fisherman's mind. A glow emerged, unnoticed by the battling creatures. After a tea's time, a black ghost-fin stiffened, then resumed its movements. Others soon followed, seemingly communicating. Suddenly, all the black ghost-fins fled, and the Green-Scale-Shrimp king, sensing danger, leaped away.

But the ghost-fins encountered an invisible barrier, unable to escape. The shrimp king, perceiving their failure, dug through the mud to flee.

The old fisherman chuckled, eyes fixed on the shrimp king. In an instant, the shrimp dug a deep hole. Suddenly, it stiffened, only its whiskers twitching in panic. The fisherman turned to Gongsun Liang, who had caught seven more ghost-fins without noticing the drama below.

The old fisherman waved his hand, releasing the Green-Scale-Shrimp king. "Fear not," he said. "I pose no harm. But this place holds much mystery, and you may hold the key. Are you willing to aid me?"

Released, the king trembled and transformed into a white-haired, clothed old man.

The Lobster King wiped the bruise from his mouth, bowed deeply to the Fisherman, and said, "I'm grateful for your forgiveness, Ascended One. Is the issue you're concerned about somehow linked to me?" The Fisherman nodded but didn't speak.

The Lobster King continued, "I'll answer, Ascended One, but there are difficulties."

"Difficulties? Speak up. I'll handle it. Nothing in the Lieyu Mountains scares me." The Fisherman's tone carried authority.

"Well, Ascended One, the one who sent me forbids me from saying his name. He just told me to lure the ghost-fin here for a while, and it'll all be fine. And I haven't hurt anyone. Please understand and let me go." The Lobster King spoke humbly, not wanting to lose his path to immortality. He'd been cultivating for a thousand years and needed another thousand to ascend. This chance was precious.

"Why lure so many ghost-fin? Opposing me?" The Fisherman's tone hardened. He wasn't mad about the bet; it was someone meddling with his game, afraid to face him. He pressed the Lobster King to see if the culprit would show up to protect him.

The King of Shrimps stammered, not knowing how to respond. A strange ripple spread through the water. Briefly closing his eyes, the old fisherman twirled his white beard and chuckled. "Relax," he said. "The main character has arrived. Just sit back."

Suddenly, the water's color began to change. It shifted from deep green to white, then blue, as if a blue light curtain was approaching. As it neared, the old man saw it was a giant woman's face.

Her face was feminine and ethereal. Her long hair swayed with the water. Her half-open eyes scrutinized him. He returned her gaze, sizing her up.

Finally, she spoke in a soft voice. "I know who you are, a disciple of Di Lang. The King of Shrimps is here for me and knows nothing. Please, Master Zong, let him be. Ask me if you have questions."

Surprised, Master Zong smiled. "Intriguing! I didn't expect to be recognized outside the Southern Realm. Are you related to the Great Illusionist Yue Hun?"

She smiled back. "You're perceptive, Master. I am Yue Hun."

"Oh?" Startled, Master Zong bowed. "I greet the Great Illusionist!" Yue Hun had attained immortality long ago, making her an esteemed elder.

Yue Hun chuckled, drawing the King of Shrimps' attention. Her features glowed, making her stunning. The King's mind wandered, captivated.

"No formalities, Master," Yue Hun said. "Are you taking the child to the Southern Realm?" Master Zong nodded. "Any objections?"

Yue Hun blinked. "May I ask, are you intending to take the child as your disciple?" Master Zong replied, "Yes, that's my intention."

Yue Hun stared at him. "Please don't misunderstand. I won't interfere. But before you make the child your disciple, could your master meet him?"

"In my sect, taking a disciple is reported to the master," Master Zong explained. "Even as sect head, I follow this tradition. But why do you ask?"

Yue Hun smiled. "When you see your master, you'll understand. Just know that the old Yue Hun sends her regards." She spoke, and her blue face drifted away. Her voice echoed, "Remember to greet your master and tell him the old Yue Hun sends her regards."