Starforce Warriors-Chapter 973: Void White Fish (3)

"Got a bite." The young fisherman beamed with joy. "Fish soup on a stormy day, what a wonderful thing."

Li Xiaofei’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the white fish. The creature’s entire body was wreathed in lightning, and an immensely powerful thunderous pressure radiated from within it, like the aura of a fearsome beast.

This wasn’t a fish at all. It was a stage nine Void Beast. So the Land of Sacred Fall wasn’t entirely devoid of life; there were Void Beasts surviving here. The young fisherman continued fishing for a while longer. In total, he caught three fish.

"Come, come, you’re in for a real treat today, young friend." Grinning from ear to ear, the fisherman took out a grill, a pile of firewood, and a black pot from his storage pouch. He began preparing the fish with practiced ease, one to be grilled, the other to be boiled.

The two large white fish were expertly gutted and cleaned. One was skewered and set to roast over the flames. The other was placed into the pot to simmer. His movements were incredibly smooth and Li Xiaofei recognized the black pot instantly.

Isn’t that the same pot from the Burial Ice Cliff?

A replica?

He couldn’t help but ask again, "Senior, are you the Sword Immortal Lin Beichen?"

The young fisherman still gave no answer. Instead, he said, "Eat the fish first. If it’s overcooked or turns cold, it won’t taste any good."

Li Xiaofei accepted half a piece of grilled fish. A rich, mouthwatering aroma hit his nose, stirring hunger deep within him. But just then, for reasons he couldn’t explain, Li Xiaofei instinctively turned to look at the third remaining fish. It was the largest of the white fish. It lay curled up inside the fish basket, which hung from a rocky outcrop at the edge of the cliff.

The fish seemed lifeless, motionless in the cramped confines of the basket. But through the gaps in the basket’s weave, Li Xiaofei happened to catch a glimpse of the white fish’s eyes.

What kind of eyes are those?

They were as clear as crystal, like polished jewels. They were lively and full of spirit. They held a profound depth, like those of an old man who had seen through the rise and fall of the mortal world.

Li Xiaofei froze. The white fish, apparently helpless and near death, simply lay there quietly and looked back at him with eyes full of pity, sympathy, and something else he couldn’t quite put into words. It showed no sign of fear for its own fate.

Li Xiaofei took a deep breath. He glanced down at the half-eaten grilled fish in his hand. It still gave off a fragrant, mouthwatering aroma, but suddenly, he no longer felt like eating it.

The young fisherman noticed but said nothing. He simply continued eating. He ate with elegance. Using a pair of pristine white chopsticks, he delicately separated the tender meat from the bones and placed it piece by piece onto a white porcelain plate beside him.

Only when the steam had faded slightly would he pick up a morsel and bring it to his mouth. He ate with care. Every bite was chewed thoroughly and swallowed before he began on the next.

Even Li Xiaofei found himself thinking that watching this young fisherman eat fish felt like watching an artist play an instrument. There was an aesthetic grace to it that was oddly satisfying. Soon, the half piece of grilled fish was completely consumed.

The young fisherman looked at Li Xiaofei, smiled gently, and said, "The last time I tasted such delicious Chaos White Fish was ten years ago. White fish may not be the only living creatures in the Land of Sacred Fall, but they are certainly the tastiest. I have a friend who loves eating fish. He used to say, ‘The finest ingredients often require only the simplest preparation.’"

Something stirred in Li Xiaofei’s heart.

"Senior," he asked respectfully, "is there any known origin or story behind this Void White Fish?"

The young fisherman said, "The Void Beasts of the Land of Sacred Fall are delicious. Just a sliver of meat is worth ten years of cultivation. For a human warrior, eating one Void White Fish is equivalent to a thousand years of bitter training."

A single fish, a thousand years of progress. It sounded exaggerated. But Li Xiaofei could indeed feel the immense, unparalleled energy contained within the half piece of grilled fish in his hand.

Is the nourishing effect of a stage nine Void Beast truly this astonishing?

"This Land of Sacred Fall wasn’t always so chaotic and dangerous. It was once a place of order, a burial ground for countless great powers. It was a land of profound spiritual significance. Later, a peerless madman came and fought a great battle against his enemies, shattering this entire realm. Now, only this fragment of cliff remains intact."

As the young fisherman spoke, he turned to Li Xiaofei and said, "If you don’t plan on eating it, hand it back to me. Don’t waste it."

Li Xiaofei handed the half piece of grilled fish back.

The young fisherman blinked and said, "Damn, you really returned it?"

Li Xiaofei replied, "After hearing your description, senior, I realize the fish is far too valuable. I feel unworthy of accepting such a gift, so I’d rather return it to you."

The young fisherman said, "Those who see it deserve a share. If you want to eat it, eat it."

Li Xiaofei shook his head. The young fisherman chuckled and said, "Interesting. I waited all this time and finally met a blockhead... well, fine then, I’ll take it."

He no longer insisted. He placed the half-eaten fish back on the grill to reheat it slightly, then resumed eating it slowly. He was still graceful and meticulous with his actions. Li Xiaofei stood beside him and watched.

The young fisherman said, "Alright then, help me tend the fire for a while. This fish soup still needs more time to simmer."

"Alright." Li Xiaofei walked over to the campfire, picked up a palm fan, and gently fanned the flames.

Of course, the fan wasn’t ordinary. Even the firewood burning beneath the pot was special. The pile of ashes obtained by Master Jin at the Burial Ice Cliff, when scattered, could obscure the vision and perception of the Heavenly Eye Guards. It possessed the ultimate stealth capabilities.

The campfire before him continued to burn. The firewood crackled and popped, releasing bursts of flame. With each gentle wave of Li Xiaofei’s palm fan, the flames danced, rising and falling, emitting intense heat that, rather than dispersing, was entirely absorbed by the base of the black pot.

Gurgle, gurgle.

The fish soup inside the pot began to boil gently. A rich, mouthwatering aroma drifted through the air. Li Xiaofei fanned the fire while keeping his eyes fixed on the soup.

He didn’t look again at that third Void White Fish. This type of Void Beast, born from the most violent and chaotic environments, somehow radiated an indescribable calm. Ever since Li Xiaofei had looked away, the Void White Fish had been quietly watching him.

Its gaze was difficult to put into words. At one point, it even seemed to carry a trace of benevolence. The young fisherman soon finished the remaining half of the grilled fish. Two neatly cleaned fish skeletons now lay quietly in a white porcelain plate.

"Void White Fish is a peculiar kind of Void Beast," he said. "It doesn’t possess much combat power but it can influence the heart.

"Meet its eyes, and it’ll peer into all your secrets. Then it makes you feel like... it’s someone close to you, someone you haven’t seen in a long time. It stirs your emotions. Many people only need a single glance before they can no longer bear to eat fish. Some even end up holding it and weeping.

"You stared into its eyes for thirty-six seconds, and so far, you’ve only lost your appetite. You haven’t been affected further. You're truly one of the most interesting juniors I’ve ever met."

The young fisherman’s voice was calm, but there was a note of genuine appreciation within it.