Suijun starts with the principle of rewarding diligence.

Deep within Blackwater Lake. Dark clouds obscure the sun, and a misty rain shrouds the scene.

Buqu sat quietly on the awning boat.

As the rain fell, it changed its trajectory as it approached him, landing on the lake beside him and creating ripples.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze reflecting the slanting wind and drizzle, as if the spiritual energy of heaven and earth were flowing into his heart.

"It's perfect."

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Although there were some minor incidents, they did not prevent Bu Qu from successfully cultivating his spiritual power to perfection.

With eyes closed and eyes focused inward, one could see abundant spiritual energy, like blue blood, flowing quietly through the meridians.

He glanced at the panel and saw that all water control abilities had been upgraded to level six.

Compared to water pressure and precision, the water control range is the most difficult to master.

It's difficult to master, but it's practical.

Whether it's the waves or the ever-expanding view in the water, both are greatly beneficial to his fighting and fishing.

Even with abundant spiritual energy, he still chose to advance all three abilities simultaneously.

With his current spiritual power, even if he fully activates his water control ability, he can maintain it for a whole day.

This level of battery life is sufficient for now.

Of course, as the water control technique continues to improve, the consumption will continue to increase exponentially.

Buqu was not too worried about this.

"In another half month, I'll be participating in the Dragon Gate Election! After I complete the Spirit Awakening Ceremony, my spiritual power will increase further, enough to cover the expenses of my water manipulation technique!"

He smiled, lay down on the boat, and watched the drizzle fall from the sky and slip away before his eyes.

"Once I become a disciple of the sect, I can officially embark on the path of immortality and cultivate various immortal techniques and wondrous arts. How could a mere ability to control water possibly satisfy me?"

Buqu closed his eyes, dispelled his water-controlling technique, and let the rain hit his face.

"It's time to go back to the county town." He sneered, a smirk playing on his lips. "The Jiang family actually dared to send people to Blackwater Lake to ambush me. I wonder what they'll think when they see me at the peak of spiritual power?"

He didn't row, but the awning boat spontaneously turned around and sped towards Heishui County on a wave.

......

Two hours later.

Bu Qu, controlling the awning boat, arrived at the Zhong residence and delivered the third red-scaled sturgeon to Zhong Ling.

Seeing Zhong Ling's excited expression, Zhong Su was filled with satisfaction and thanked Bu Tong: "Young brother, you are truly an extraordinary person. When we first met, I knew you were no ordinary person. But seeing you again today, I realize I was mistaken. If we are fortunate enough to meet again in the future, I'm afraid I'll have to address you as 'Daoist Master'."

Bu Qu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "Master Zhong, you are too kind. People often judge social status by family background, but your discerning eye surpasses that of ordinary people. Why be so modest?"

Zhong Su stroked his beard and smiled as he changed the subject: "Young brother, I imagine you'll be going to the Righteous Path Sect to participate in the Dragon Gate Grand Selection in about half a month."

"Hmm." Bu Qu nodded. This was no secret; with Zhong Su's influence in Blackwater County, knowing his cultivation progress wouldn't be difficult.

Besides, he had already sold him three red-scaled sturgeon.

As fellow cultivators, they also possessed the Crimson Scale Sturgeon. With Zhong Su's discerning eye, he could easily see that Bu Qu was capable of cultivating his spiritual power to perfection before the Dragon Gate Grand Selection.

"I have a favor to ask of you, young brother, and I hope you will agree," Zhong Su said earnestly. "In exchange, if you have any requests for my help, I will do my best."

Bu Qu smiled and said, "You're too kind, sir. Tell me what you'd like to do. If I have the ability, I will certainly do my best."

Zhong Su hesitated for a moment, his gentle gaze filled with worry: "Although Ling'er is about the same age as you, she is far less mature than you and is still just a child. You two are from the same hometown, so I hope you will take good care of her after she arrives at the Righteous Path Sect."

Zhong Ling has returned to cultivate, preparing to perfect her spiritual power.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will be newcomers in the same year of the Lungmen Election.

"this....."

Bu Qu didn't rush to agree. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Grandpa, aren't you entrusting this to the wrong person? I'm just an ordinary person with some talent. Even if I join the sect, I'll only be a newcomer. I can barely take care of myself, how can I possibly take care of others? If you're worried about Zhong Ling, why not entrust her to that Dao Seeker named Zhao Fan?"

Zhong Su shook his head slightly: "If we were to truly entrust Ling'er to him, that would truly be entrusting the wrong person to the wrong one."

"Old Master Zhong wouldn't entrust his granddaughter to a ready-made Seeker, but instead wants to entrust her to me, an outsider. Could it be that Zhao Fan has some strange fetish?"

Bu Qu thought for a moment and said, "I can't guarantee anything about this. But if there's anything I can do to help in the future, I certainly will."

Zhong Su cupped his hands in thanks to Bu Qu: "To receive these words from you, young brother, is enough. I thank you in advance."

'Grandpa Zhong still dotes on his granddaughter; even before her departure, he's already making preparations for the future,' Bu Qu thought to himself. 'However, Zhong Yun might also be one of the masterminds behind the assassination attempt on Zhong Ling. The old man hasn't investigated this matter thoroughly…'

Zhong Su did not mention this matter, nor did Bu Qu inquire about it.

After exchanging pleasantries, Buqu boarded a covered boat and went home.

Zhong Su watched Bu Qu leave, and only after the boat disappeared from sight did he instruct his servants, "Send Yun'er to see me."

A moment later, Zhong Yun arrived: "Grandpa, you were looking for me?"

Zhong Su, with his back to him, coldly questioned, "Why did you attack your sister?"

Zhong Yun felt a chill run down his spine and said with a fake smile, "Grandpa, what do you mean? How could I possibly lay a hand on Ling'er? She's my own sister."

Zhong Su turned around and looked at him coldly.

After a long while, Zhong Su sighed, "In a few days, Ling'er will be going to the Righteous Path Sect. From now on, the affairs of the Zhong family will have nothing to do with her, and all the affairs of the Zhong family, big and small, will have to be handed over to you."

Zhong Yun wiped away a cold sweat and bowed, saying, "Grandpa, rest assured, Zhong Yun will do his utmost to make the Zhong family prosper day by day."

"Step down."

"Here you are."

Zhong Yun verbally agreed, but his feet didn't move. After hesitating for a moment, he asked the question that had troubled him for many years: "Grandpa, I could have learned martial arts from a young age, but you insisted on making me cultivate Taoism. If I could have become a martial artist, I wouldn't still be stuck in Blackwater County."

"I'm doing this for your own good, aren't I?"

Zhong Su sighed deeply: "I am also a martial artist, and now I am over sixty years old and very old. Martial arts cannot prolong life, but cultivating the Dao is different. Even if one only becomes an ordinary disciple, one can live to be one or two hundred years old. What use is temporary power and glory in the face of immortality? I didn't expect you to have absolutely no talent for cultivating the Dao."

"So that's how it is..."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yun felt deeply regretful.

He initially thought that Zhong Su favored Zhong Ling, but he didn't expect that Zhong Su actually cared about him a lot too.

Fortunately, Zhong Ling was unharmed.

Otherwise, he would have lived a life of regret.

Zhong Yun bowed deeply to Zhong Su and slowly withdrew. He secretly vowed to ensure the Zhong family's continued growth and prosperity in Blackwater County!

.....

Buqu returned to his home fishpond, moored his awning boat, and then took a carriage to the Taoist temple.

Although it wasn't a day for spirit readings, He Qing had said that if anyone needed anything, they could just contact him.

Before long, Buqu arrived at the dojo.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with He Qing, the gatekeeper came to report: "Daoist Master, Jiang Nianyuan, the patriarch of the Jiang family, has brought Jiang Linyuan to request an audience."

He Qing asked, puzzled, "What is it?"

The gatekeeper shook his head: "I don't know. But Jiang Linyuan was brought here by Jiang Nianyuan, as if he came to apologize."

He Qing narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself, "Jiang Linyuan has always been respectful to me and has never offended me."

He glanced sideways at Bu Qu: "Could it be that they've come looking for you?"