this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!
“New disciples must go to the Tranquil Heart Hall at mao shi1 each day to study theoretical cultivation methods. At wu shi, they return to their respective peaks for contemplation and reflection. At shen shi, they begin learning the duties assigned to them. After sunset, they return to their residences to review what they learned throughout the day… This lasts for one month. As for meals, there’s no need to worry. Before achieving grain abstinence, white cranes will deliver three meals a day to you on time.”
Mao shi… 5 a.m.; wu shi… 12 p.m.; shen shi… 3 p.m…
Ning Youli furrowed her brows as she calculated, feeling that this didn’t seem like a schedule fit for a human being. She couldn’t help but look up and ask, “How long do I have to live like this for?”
Pei Jue was taken aback. This was the first time a new disciple had asked such a question. Usually, they would simply nod in agreement, not daring to say another word.
Could it be…?
“Junior Sister, do you regret refusing Peak Master Yin’s offer?”
Ning Youli choked for a moment but patiently replied, “Senior Brother, you’ve misunderstood. I truly only wish to raise fish within the sect for the rest of my life.”
Her ambition indeed wasn’t in raising fish, but since it concerned her life or death, she was very firm in tactfully declining the invitation from the Peak Master of Chongliang Peak, spinning her lies into the truth.
Fortunately, this Peak Master wasn’t a stubborn person. Seeing her firm attitude, she turned and left without looking back.
…Surely she hadn’t offended her, right?
But then, she heard Pei Jue sigh, “This is the first time I’ve seen someone who doesn’t want to advance to the inner sect but instead chooses to stay in the outer sect and do these tasks.”
“Well, now you’ve seen it, Senior Brother,” Ning Youli said calmly, showing no shame at being called unambitious. “No matter where one is, they can still contribute to the sect. Why must one insist on going to the inner sect?”
“…” A moment of silence followed.
Ning Youli wondered if she had said something wrong, but then she saw a hint of shame appear on Pei Jue’s gentle face. “I was narrow-minded,” he said, looking completely convinced by her reasoning.
She couldn’t help but glance at him in surprise.
How easy to fool.
Pei Jue answered her earlier question, “New disciples must cultivate like this for a month in order to memorize the sect rules and foundational cultivation techniques. Outer sect disciples are naturally no exception to this rule either. Even if they cannot focus on cultivation like inner sect disciples, they cannot neglect their cultivation entirely.”
But Ning Youli still had doubts. “But my aptitude is mediocre. Why would Peak Master Yin still want to take me as a disciple?”
Pei Jue sighed softly. “Ice spiritual roots are rare. Peak Master Yin is simply worried that no one will inherit her mantle. Although she already has a direct disciple, having only one, no matter how talented, will always be a cause of concern.”
Ning Youli suddenly understood. She hadn’t expected this Peak Master Yin to be someone who wouldn’t be the type to put all her eggs in one basket. It was just a pity… In the original story’s plot, she ultimately only had one direct disciple, and in the end, that disciple failed to live up to her expectations.
She smiled. “It’s my lack of talent and ambition that has let down Peak Master Yin’s kindness.”
As evening approached, she had already missed today’s cultivation session and would have to wait until tomorrow to join the other disciples.
After listening to Pei Jue explain the daily routine in Clear Balance Sect, she was taken by him to the second pool in Spirit Cloud Pool, located in a depression below the mountaintop.
Here stood a simple yet spacious room, its furnishings prepared just that afternoon. It was to be her home from now on, inscribed with the name “Cloud Abode.” Right beside it lay a vast celestial pool, stretching hundreds of meters long as far as the eye could see. Above her, layers of clouds drifted across a jade-blue sky, while white mist curled around the surroundings. The environment was elegantly serene and cool, a breathtakingly beautiful scene rarely to be seen by ordinary people.
Yet this was merely the smallest of the seventeen celestial pools, assigned to her for practice.
“Rest well. Tomorrow will be the day where you’ll truly be exhausted,” Pei Jue said. “As a newcomer, Junior Sister might find it hard to adjust.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother,” Ning Youli replied, though her gaze remained fixed on the pool.
“Then I won’t disturb your rest any longer.” Pei Jue bid her farewell, his figure soon vanishing from sight.
The lingering glow of the setting sun fell upon the water’s surface, casting a warm light that shifted from pink to orange over the crystal-blue pool, its surface dotted with dazzling, shimmering reflections.
So beautiful.
Ning Youli sighed.
But the thought that such a beautiful scene would be destroyed in the future—especially since it would be a project she would pour her heart into—made her heart ache.
[System, proceed with planned development,] Ning Youli decided to begin preparations before starting work. [What is the most pressing issue with the fishpond right now?]
Based on what the system had mentioned earlier, introducing new species wasn’t urgent, but improving the water quality could be included in the plan.
After all, to cultivate fish, one must first cultivate the water.
[Please wait a moment, Host. Initiating scan of ‘Spirit Cloud Pool’…]
[Current optimization survey will be based on signals from aquatic life in the pool, translating signals with over 50% resonance.]
“What does that mean? Speak normally,” Ning Youli said directly to the system, seeing as there was no one else around.
[Meaning: The system will gather opinions from the aquatic life in the pool.]
Ning Youli fell silent. Such an advanced system, yet it still required farming to upgrade?
After a short while, the system returned with a response.
[Host, they say: The water is too murky. It’s uncomfortable.]
Ning Youli paused for a moment, then rolled up her sleeves with determination. “Let’s do it!”
[Do what?]
“Build a filtration system.” Ning Youli recalled that the novel had mentioned that Spirit Cloud Pool had a remarkable feature: it had a waterfall that flowed upwards with immense force—perfect for turning into a water pump.
System: [???]
…
That night, a crane indeed brought her a food box. Opening it, she found simple, bland fare, perfectly suited to the style of a cultivator.
Ning Youli quickly finished her bland dinner and then groomed the crane’s feathers to build rapport with it.
Out of the corner of her eye, something shimmered. She noticed waves of phosphorescent light rippling across the water’s surface, shifting in color and dazzlingly beautiful. Only then did she realize that what she had seen at dusk wasn’t the glow of the setting sun but the light emitted by the creatures within the pool.
All drowsiness vanished.
She threw on her outer robe and stepped outside. Her dwelling was only a hundred meters from the second celestial pool, its surface eerily still. If not for the undulating ripples and rising bubbles, it would have looked like a perfectly smooth mirror.
No wonder Pei Jue had warned her not to wander near the celestial pool at night… Even if the water at the edges wasn’t deep, visibility like this was dangerous.
Ning Youli stepped onto the raised bluestone platform surrounding the pool. Her cloth shoes felt no trace of slipperiness beneath her feet. The platform’s edge was about three feet wide, rough and damp, making it just right for walking. But with no lamps around, only the shifting glow from within the pool illuminated her path, making it seem like just one misstep would plunge her into a bottomless abyss.
Hmm, was this fishpond really ten thousand zhang2 deep?
Ning Youli wasn’t afraid of heights, so she deliberately glanced down to take a look.
The water was pitch black, making it hard to tell just how many hidden currents were surging beneath the surface.
[Measurements indicate that this mountain is approximately 3,300 meters high, and the deepest celestial pool is nearly 10,000 meters deep—]
“That high?”
[Of course.] The system’s tone was serious. [The Celestial Pools connect directly underground, linking to lakes and seas beyond, spanning a breadth beyond your imagination.]
Ning Youli pondered and asked, “Then… wouldn’t everything raised in the fishpond escape?”
[There’s a barrier.]
Those three short words clarified everything for Ning Youli. She suddenly thought of a way to increase the fishpond’s species diversity. “In other words—if I break the barrier—”
[Please immediately cease this dangerous line of thought.]
The system’s voice trembled slightly. It had thought raising fish would be a very suitable task for its low-key host, so why were her ideas and methods always so extreme??
“Fine, let’s focus on the filtration system first.”
Ning Youli considered what materials and how wide the pipes should be. She crouched by the pool’s edge, wanting to scoop up some water, but the stone platform was too high. With the night dark and the wind howling, she thought better of it, shook her hands dry, and stood up.
Just then, a crane’s cry echoed from the cliffside. Before Ning Youli could turn, a massive creature leaped from the water. Its enormous silhouette, bathed in moonlight, traced a graceful arc before crashing back down.
“Splash—”
A curtain of water cascaded down, drenching Ning Youli’s face.
“Let’s go. We’ll deal with this tomorrow.” Ning Youli wiped her face calmly and turned toward the faint white shadow near her hut. The crane she used for transport flapped its wings, as if satisfied it no longer needed to make a sound since she was now safe.
The system watched with growing concern. Normally, it would be urging its host to quickly upgrade the system, but seeing her plan something so ambitious, it was immediately filled with a sense of unease.
What if they were discovered?
…
The next day, Ning Youli was awakened by the crane alarm outside her window. Opening her eyes, she saw the silver moon hanging high, stars still twinkling in the night sky.
Instinctively, she pulled the covers over her head, ready to go back to sleep.
[Host, it’s mao shi. Please rise promptly and begin today’s cultivation.]
The system’s reminder completely jolted Ning Youli awake.
Right. Yesterday, she had ascended the mountain and become an outer disciple of Clear Balance Sect…
Ning Youli couldn’t suppress a yawn as she slowly got up. Outside, the crane was already impatient, tapping insistently on the door.
The system observed the girl’s unhurried movements, its data analysis leaving it deeply puzzled. This was a world where her life could be at stake. Did the host not feel even the slightest sense of crisis?
The system reflected on itself—was it because it wasn’t the type of system that erased a host’s existence for failing missions?
Soon, Ning Youli was fully dressed. The outer disciple attire issued by Spirit Cloud Peak was usually a pale cyan color. Compared to inner disciples, the cuffs and waistband were designed more practically, and the patterns shifted from intricate to simple elegance, yet the silk and gauze fabrics remained just as abundant, as if the peak wasn’t at all concerned about the disciples dirtying their clothes while doing their tasks.
Of course, the most important item was the brocade pouch at her waist, which served both as a storage space and an accessory.
Ning Youli planned to head out and take a stroll by the fishpond first, but the crane couldn’t wait any longer. Flapping its wings, it carried her on its back and took off immediately, not even letting her eat a bite of food.
Tranquil Heart Hall.
Contrary to Ning Youli’s expectations, the spacious and bright hall had very few people. She quickly realized that the disciples she had encountered earlier on the testing platform came from various peaks, and now that they were dispersed back to their respective peaks, there really weren’t many left.
Just as Pei Jue had said, all newly admitted disciples had to complete a month of theoretical study first. At the entrance, there was an attendance sheet with her name already recorded. Ning Youli chose a seat in the corner and sat down. As soon as she did, several jade slips appeared on the table.
[These are the Introduction to Qi Guidance Theory, Detailed Explanation of Meridians and Acupoints, and the simplest cultivation method for the Ice Spiritual Root,] the system detected.
Ning Youli glanced around. The others had indeed already placed the jade slips against their foreheads and were reading with their eyes closed.
She followed suit, and sure enough, a cultivation method appeared in her sea of consciousness.
“…”
By the time the spiritual energy around Tranquil Heart Hall began to thin, Xie Lingyun, far away on the main peak, seemed to sense something and glanced in the direction of Spirit Cloud Peak.
…
pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:
Unaware of her rapid cultivation progress, Ning Youli endured the monotony of memorizing theories in Tranquil Heart Hall, then endured the meditation and contemplation in her room. When the sun began to set, she finally regained her freedom and rode the crane back to the second celestial pool of Spirit Cloud Pool as quickly as possible.
[Alright, let’s scan Spirit Cloud Pool again.]
Spirit Cloud Pool Water Quality: Medium-high (Can be improved)
Total Species in the Pool: 2022
Rarity of Species in the Pool (decimal hidden): Common 50%, Good 30%, Excellent 18%, Rare 2%, Legendary 0% (Pending Introduction)
Exactly the same as before.
Ning Youli stared at the water’s surface. Perhaps because it was still early, Spirit Cloud Pool was calm and serene, lacking the commotion she had witnessed yesterday evening.
Moreover, the seemingly clear water only remained transparent for a few zhang before becoming murky and seemingly bottomless. Occasionally, a dark shadow would emerge from beneath the aquatic plants, only to merge with another patch of darkness.
Even without looking closely, the word “danger” seemed to jump out at her.
“Does this sect have a habit of letting their disciples run wild… Is no one coming to teach?” Ning Youli looked around and found only herself, the crane, and the system in the area. She sighed helplessly.
[Host, you can try using your own spiritual power,] the system reminded her in a timely manner.
Among the various spiritual roots, only the ice spiritual root is most suited for water-related tasks.
“Alright.” Ning Youli thought for a moment, then crouched down directly and reached her hand toward the pool water.
Strangely, the water level at this time was higher than it had been the previous evening, allowing her to touch it as soon as she extended her hand.
Ning Youli held her breath and focused, gathering all the “qi” within her body and condensing it into her fingers, attempting to release it.
Unexpectedly, the flow of spiritual energy was exceptionally smooth. After exhaling a breath, a trail of ice blossoms spread from her fingers toward the distance, quickly forming a thin layer of ice on the water’s surface.
It was large enough for two people to stand on.
Ning Youli roughly estimated it with her eyes, and in her peripheral vision, suddenly caught a glimpse of a snow-white figure.
She turned around warily and was surprised to find that it was actually Xie Lingyun.
In truth, the peak masters in the book were portrayed by the author as incredibly busy, appearing only in relation to the female lead. When not cultivating, they were either on their way to cultivate or managing the peaks they were responsible for during their spare time, leaving them with almost no free time.
Ning Youli instinctively hid her hands behind her back, but it was already too late for her to remove the ice.
Xie Lingyun had clearly noticed the ice as well, his expression shifting slightly. “You…”
“Peak Master.” Ning Youli greeted him politely, cutting him off. “Have you come to teach me how to manage the fishpo—Spirit Cloud Pool?”
A flicker of surprise, as if he were stuck between hesitation and contemplation, appeared in Xie Lingyun’s eyes, before he finally uttered a soft, “Mm.”
Managing Spirit Cloud Pool was not complicated. Since most of the creatures within it were docile and had never caused harm, during the first month of the probationary period, aside from studying theoretical texts related to Spirit Cloud Pool, the practical aspect only required one to conduct inspections twice a day, once in the morning, and once in the evening.
“You can ride a crane to record observations or observe from the stone platform,” Xie Lingyun explained. “However, cranes flying over the water may attract the attention of the celestial pool’s larger creatures, posing the risk of being swallowed. Meanwhile, the stone platform is damp and slippery, creating the risk of slipping and falling.”
He had essentially laid out all the potential risks.
Ning Youli blinked. “How did the previous senior brothers and sisters manage it?”
Xie Lingyun glanced at her. “Simple, they tamed a mount from one of the celestial pools.”
Ning Youli: “…”
What followed was the teaching session. Xie Lingyun meticulously explained the points to pay attention to, but his gaze lingered on Ning Youli for a long time.
He had originally come to see who was absorbing spiritual energy so rapidly. Having traced the source to the young woman before him, he wanted to ask for an explanation but was thwarted by her seemingly oblivious attitude.
Unwilling to enter the inner sect, having undergone changes in aptitude, cultivating at a speed that was astonishing… She had clearly been an ordinary mortal before this, so why had she undergone such a drastic transformation?
It seemed that once the sect leader emerged from seclusion, he would have to request a divination on this matter…
Ning Youli had long sensed the man’s gaze—it was simply too intense.
…Had she perhaps neglected some sort of sect etiquette earlier?
Unable to resist, she looked back, only to see Xie Lingyun rise abruptly. “That’s enough for today. I will send someone to instruct you later. In a month, this place will be entirely under your responsibility.”
“Alright—”
Before she could finish speaking, the man’s figure had already vanished into the distance.
Ning Youli blinked, utterly perplexed.
However, the meaningful days of learning did not last long. On a rainy morning a few days later, a crane suddenly arrived with a letter.
“This letter… The sect leader’s seclusion ends soon, and no one in the entire sect can afford to be idle. They’re requesting Spirit Cloud Pool to provide the necessary materials, and there will also be a meeting later.”
Ning Youli shook the paper in her hand. She had been pushed into this situation ahead of schedule.
Normally, new outer sect disciples were supposed to undergo a month of theoretical study first, then practice for a month with the celestial pools, and only after confirming there were no issues would they be handed the responsibility of managing all the celestial pools. Finally, they would undergo a month of observation to see if they had the ability to oversee all areas simultaneously.
The entire process was supposed to take three months, but now it had been shortened to less than seven days.
Fortunately, during this time, she had completed her daily inspections flawlessly. When faced with sudden attacks from aggressive fish, she had managed to steer the crane away each time, narrowly avoiding danger and barely passing this ordeal.
The trial had ended abruptly, and now she had obtained full management rights over all seventeen celestial pools of Spirit Cloud Peak, officially becoming the “contractor” of Clear Balance Sect’s largest fishpond.
It was just a pity that… before she could even enjoy the leisurely life of a farmer, orders from above immediately flocked in.
The Peak Master of Spirit Cloud Peak was too busy to handle everything personally and had specifically asked Pei Jue to assist her. However, Pei Jue was also busy refining pills, so he handed her a stack of auxiliary ice talismans and told her to try managing on her own first.
Should she say that it was a relief that she already memorized the appearances of all the species in the celestial pools these past few days?
“Alright, let’s give it a try.”
This was the first time Ning Youli had picked up a net since coming up the mountain. At that moment, the system in her consciousness trembled slightly.
[Please activate the special function bound to the system: Spirit Spring Eye.]
Ning Youli lowered her gaze, and a small line of text slowly appeared in her vision.
Function Description:
The ocean’s bounty is too vast for one basket to hold.
Every netful brings abundant rewards.
ugh my wordpress editor is being super whack rn, the whole screen is black so i can’t see what i’m editing so if there are any readabiliyt issues or typos, pls lmk asap QAQ
please support the author on JJWXC if possible!
(๑>ᴗ<๑)
any typos or broken links, pls comment or dm me on discord!
support mio on kofi! ◡̈
- Traditional timekeeping (Ganzhi). Refer to https://www.tumblr.com/chineseartbot/732612805354815488/%E5%8D%81%E4%BA%8C%E6%99%82%E8%BE%B0-12-shichen-24-hours-traditional if you’d like to know more about how it relates to Chinese zodiac as well. ↩︎
- 1 zhang = 3.33 metres = approx 11 feet ↩︎
