"Ling Feng?"
Zhou Changqingās face turned sour. Ling Feng was actually sitting by the river fishing. From his relaxed demeanor, it seemed like after achieving first place, he didnāt regard any competitor seriously.
"Changqing, tell him loudly, you rank number..."
Old man Zhou was full of pride, but before finishing his sentence, he caught a glimpse of the Dharma Martial Artist Badge freshly pinned to Ling Fengās chest.
He was once a Dharma Martial Artist too, but later his abilities declined, coupled with an injury, his Combat Power no longer reached the Dharma Level, but his Dharma Aspect remained. Ordinary Catfish Demons couldnāt hurt him even if they bit him.
"Grandpa, heās this yearās top-ranking martial arts student."
Zhou Changqing said blushing.
His own strength was insignificant before Ling Feng.
And he understood why his grandpa often liked to brag about his achievements; now heād hit a wall.
"Even if you got first place, you shouldnāt be wasting time here. Donāt assume that after becoming a Dharma Martial Artist you can do as you please. Only when you truly awaken Dharma Power are you considered a qualified Dharma Martial Artist."
Old man Zhou stiffly said, taking out a fish-slicing knife and slashing the back of his hand with force, leaving a white mark for Ling Feng to see.
Ling Feng knew what the old man wanted to convey, quickly rubbing the back of his own hand hard against a protruding rock, leaving a similarly clear white mark.
Old man Zhou instantly swallowed back his words.
Zhou Changqing made his escape on his flying skateboard, quickly disappearing from view.
"Your grandson seems to have been frustrated by you and ran off."
Old man Xu reminded.
Old man Zhou often bragged to them about his grandsonās prowess, but now seeing him floundering, the other old men couldnāt help but laugh secretly.
Old man Zhouās face flushed with embarrassment, stubbornly said, "A momentās success or failure means nothing; shame leads to courage. My grandson will sooner or later surpass him."
"Unless he spends all his days fishing here."
Old man Xu pointed at Ling Feng, laughing.
Ling Feng hesitated. He wanted to say that the more he hid here fishing, the more unlikely it was for Zhou Changqing to beat him, but he didnāt want to provoke old man Zhou, nor escalate things, so he remained silent.
He showed old man Zhou his badge mainly to prevent the manās incessant babbling.
He could understand why everyone around him, every time they saw him idling away, got indignant and couldnāt refrain from preaching.
The biggest reason wasnāt goodwill.
As a martial arts student, he enjoyed many benefits in todayās society, like receiving cultivation resources and living allowances, participating in ranking competitions, and winning a few rounds to get bonuses, among others.
People couldnāt tolerate anyone squandering benefits they couldnāt have, nor could they stand seeing precious cultivation and living resources consumed by someone living aimlessly.
Especially someone like old man Zhou who had participated in battle on the front line and got injured; he couldnāt possibly tolerate a social parasite like Ling Feng.
Now, learning that Ling Feng took first during the final exams, and even his prized grandson was no match for him, old man Zhou could only quietly sulk.
He wondered how his grandson, who usually cultivated earnestly and diligently, could lose to someone preferring to waste time.
Thus, upon hearing old man Xuās words, he told Ling Feng, "If you have the guts, come here to fish every day, weāll keep you company."
"As long as the seniors donāt mind me being an eyesore, Iāll be here every day."
Ling Feng nodded.
"Young man, donāt take that seriously."
Old man Xu kindly reminded.
"No problem, schoolās on break, aside from spending two hours a day cultivating at Dharma Hall, I have plenty of time to come here."
Ling Feng said nonchalantly.
"Just donāt regret it later."
Old man Zhou snorted coldly.
"Iāll be grateful to you instead!"
Ling Feng laughed.
Old man Zhou felt Ling Feng was mocking him, thus went silent, secretly thinking, "Dear grandson, Iām trying to hold up this opponent for you, you better make me proud."
"But this guy, fishing so casually, maybe in a few days heāll find it boring. No way, I must make him addicted, teach him how to fish. As long as he catches a few, not returning empty-handed, I donāt believe he wouldnāt get hooked."
Old man Zhou had a mind full of plans.
"Since weāre talking about gratitude, Iāll teach you a few tricks. To fish, you must first learn how to bait and cast the line, and know the depth of the water and fish habits."
Old man Zhou changed from his previous angry demeanor, voluntarily approaching, teaching Ling Feng how to cast the fishing line, when fish would bite, and how to bait, among other things.
"What kind of bait are you using, the fish here wonāt eat this stuff."
"And your bait is problematic too."
"Alright, since youāre classmates with my grandson, Iāll give you a set of bait, use these materials for baiting."
"Fish here are scarce, bait must be enough, otherwise they wonāt bite."
Old man Zhou was enthusiastic, not only helping Ling Feng bait but also changing his bait, instructing Ling Feng on steps to take when fish bite the line.
Hand-on teaching, even more than treating his own grandson.
"Thank you, senior!"
Under old man Zhouās guidance, Ling Feng caught a mutated African fish, weighing over thirty pounds, scales protruding like armor, eyes blood red, mouth full of yellow spots.
Special treatment was needed before the fish meat could be eaten, and average people couldnāt even cut through its scales.