The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Chu Qiao tucked the stone hammer into his waistband, loosened his wrist, and was completely unaware of what extraordinary thing he had done.

"We've started catching the fish, otherwise it'll refreeze very quickly. The ice heals very fast, in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

He squatted down beside the ice hole and peered down.

"Don't miss this opportunity. Those fish down there are very cunning; they swim faster than arrows and won't be easy to catch."

"oh oh."

Feng Zhu leaned closer and looked down, his eyes widening in surprise.

Beneath the ice, the water of the underground river is as dark as ink, yet golden streaks of light weave through its shadowy depths.

Not just one or two, but a whole group.

The golden shadows swam nimbly in the water, their scales shimmering with a metallic sheen in the dim light, each as long as an arm.

It's an arowana.

"Huh? There are dragonfish down there, so this dragon's nest isn't the nest of a divine dragon, but the nest of a dragonfish."

Tang Xixue walked to the side of the ice hole, leaned down and looked at the golden light below. Her peach blossom eyes reflected the dazzling light, and she couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Dragonfish are only recorded in ancient books, and it is said that they have been extinct for thousands of years.

According to the "Records of Strange Beasts of the Nine Provinces", the dragonfish is covered with golden scales, has dragon whiskers, swims like lightning, and is fierce and cunning.

This is a magical spirit fish that can enhance a cultivator's cultivation level.

Eating its flesh can increase qi and blood, drinking its soup can strengthen the body's foundation, and if used in alchemy or medicine, it will be twice as effective.

In the dark river before them, golden scales surged and shimmered, numbering at least a hundred.

"This is an incredible opportunity!"

Tang Xixue's eyes lit up, and the corners of her lips curved upwards, revealing an eager expression.

"Let's have a competition and see who catches more."

Before she could finish speaking, the little white cat Yin Kong at her feet had already transformed into a white shadow and leaped into the glacial crevice with a whoosh.

It entered the water silently, leaving only a tiny splash before disappearing into the deep blue river.

"Okay!"

"Watch my performance, Xue!"

"Let's go, be careful, that fish can slap a person underwater with its tail."

Feng Zhuo and Mu Liang also jumped into the river with Chu Qiao.

After all, the ice layer is a full ten meters thick. Standing on it and reaching out to grab something? That's impractical.

Ten meters deep in the ice hole, the fish swim happily at the bottom, while those above can only stare blankly; that's called watching the fish, not catching them.

"Be careful."

The snow in Tangxi did not fall.

If this ice layer refreezes, someone will have to stay on it to guard it.

Otherwise, if all four of them were submerged in the water and the ice were sealed off, it wouldn't be fishing; it would be digging themselves into an ice coffin.

But she didn't give up on catching fish.

She walked to the other side of the ice cave, found the place where the dragonfish were most concentrated, and summoned the Wind and Snow Silver Dragon Xingmi from the space of the Heart of Azure Snow.

"Xingmi, wake up."

"Master, what's wrong? Why did you call me?"

A silvery-white dragon shadow emerged from the void, and Xingmi transformed into a small dragon about the thickness of a forearm, coiling around her wrist. Its silver scales shimmered faintly in the icy light.

His spirits are much better than before.

"Well, nothing much, just letting you know that dinner is ready."

Tang Xixue pointed to the group of golden lights below.

"And catch me a few fish while you're at it."

Xingmi raised its dragon head and peered into the ice hole; its silver dragon eyes instantly lit up.

"Wow! Master, there are so many arowanas down there!"

This dish ranks in the top three on the Dragon Clan's list of delicacies.

The last time he ate dragonfish was before he came down to the mortal realm, which was many years ago.

"Yes, Master, I've got your back."

Xingmi lowered her voice and replied, then gently tapped her wrist with the dragon's tail, and the entire dragon body transformed into a streak of silver light and plunged into the water.

The moment he entered the water, he completely concealed his dragon aura, not even letting out a trace of it.

Are you kidding me? This is food that's practically in my mouth! What if it scares me away?

He Xingmi is, after all, an adult dragon, and he has some wisdom in hunting.

The Snow Dragon reverted to its original form underwater, its silvery-white body, spanning dozens of feet, occupying half of the underground river.

The silver scales shimmered with a moonlit glow in the water, and with a gentle slap of its tail, a powerful undercurrent surged toward the group of dragonfish.

In an instant, countless dragonfish were swept upwards by this undercurrent.

Golden scales streaked across the deep blue river, creating countless streaks of light, like a golden downpour pouring upwards.

"They're here."

Tang Xixue stood on the ice, already prepared.

She formed a hand seal, and the Heart of Azure Snow glowed faintly in her chest. A gentle suction force enveloped the dragonfish that had been slapped up, drawing them one by one into her space.

One by one, the golden fish shadows disappeared into the blue halo, like a silent firework blooming on the ice.

"Could we see if we could bring some river water in?"

Tangxi Xuexin had a sudden thought.

There is no suitable water for raising fish in the space of the Heart of Snow.

Arowanas are picky eaters and cannot survive in ordinary water; they can only survive in the original water of the Dragon Nest Underground River.

The Heart of Azure Snow was originally the sacred object of the Weaving Moon Sea Kingdom, possessing a natural power to control water.

As her thoughts shifted, the sacred object emitted a soft blue halo, the light spreading from her chest and enveloping the surface of the dark river below.

In an instant, the river water surged upwards.

"Splash—"

The water of the vast underground river, enveloped in blue light, surged upwards into the space of the Heart of Snow, like a waterfall flowing backwards.

The arowanas in the water were also sucked in by this force.

"Master, let me help you."

Seeing this from the bottom of the river, Xingmi swung the dragon's tail again.

He no longer restrained his dragon might, but instead released it all.

The oppressive aura of the divine dragon spread out like mercury, instantly filling every inch of the entire underground river.

In an instant, the hundreds of dragonfish at the bottom of the river were terrified and turned to flee.

They no longer dared to hide at the bottom of the river, and could only desperately rush to the surface of the water, just as the reversed river water surged into Cangxue's heart.

Among them was a giant arowana that was over three meters long.

The dragonfish king was entirely golden-red, with scales as large as copper coins, and two whiskers on its mouth as thick as an arm.

Startled by the dragon's might, it darted out from the depths of its lair and plunged headlong into the blue halo.

"As expected of my dragon... Well done!"

Tang Xixue stared in disbelief as the golden water flowed into the space, carrying countless dragon fish.

She originally only wanted to catch a few to try.

As a result, her dragon wiped out the entire enemy force.

This isn't catching fish, this is a migration.

However, she always left herself an out in her dealings with others, and after accepting a portion of the reward, she stopped pursuing the Heart of Snow.

Using sacred objects to collect items is extremely taxing on the mind. Her soul is protected by the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl, but it cannot be consumed indefinitely.

Moreover, we must leave a foundation for the dragon's nest to reproduce.

She wouldn't do something like draining a pond to catch all the fish.

The remaining dragonfish scattered in fright, scrambling back into the crevices of the rocks at the bottom of the river, still shaken.

Xingmi watched all of this from the bottom of the river and flicked her dragon tail with satisfaction.

He had already had a hearty meal at the bottom of the river.

Although he didn't eat the king arowana, he ate the rest of the arowanas one by one, at least twenty or thirty in total.

At this moment, the dragon's belly bulged slightly, and its scales shimmered with a layer of satisfied golden light.

"Master, I'm full! Call me again next time there's something delicious to eat."

After he was completely satisfied, he transformed into a streak of silver light and returned to the space of the Heart of Azure Snow. He found the most comfortable position by the spiritual spring and prepared to properly digest this feast.

These dragonfish possess abundant spiritual energy, which greatly benefits his recovery.

"Sister! I'm back!"

When Chu Qiao jumped out of the underground river with a dragonfish in his arms, water splashed everywhere.

His hair was wet and stuck to his forehead, but he didn't look disheveled at all; instead, he exuded the youthful vigor unique to young people.

"I don't know what's wrong with these fish today, they're all jumping up like crazy, they're so hard to catch. They're very clever, they run away as soon as you get close. But I still managed to catch one, to give my sister an extra treat."

He was holding the dragonfish that was still wagging its tail, completely soaked, but the smile on his face was as bright as if he had found some great treasure.

There was no flattery or scheming in that smile; it was pure joy.

Like a host who is finally able to entertain guests, he serves up his best.

"Ah Xue, I caught one too!"

Feng Zhuo followed closely behind, leaping out of the water and flipping onto the ice with one hand. His red clothes were like fire, and he was dripping wet from head to toe.

But his face was full of excitement, like a young general who had just won a battle.

"Catching fish is so much fun! These fish are really amazing, they swim like arrows. If it weren't for Ah Qiao teaching me how to block their movements, I wouldn't have caught a single one. Ah Qiao used to be able to catch them, he really has some skills."

"Give."

Mu Liang was the last to arrive, silently placing her spoils at Tang Xixue's feet.

He didn't speak, but simply used his inner energy to evaporate the water stains on his clothes, and then stepped aside.

He had two spoils, more than anyone else, yet he was quieter than anyone else.

The little white cat, Yin Kong, also came up to present a small dragonfish as a treasure.

Chu Qiao shook the water off his head, took out a flint from his pocket, and quickly punched a few small holes in the riverbank. He then threaded the dragonfish onto the fish and carried them in his hand.

"Let's go back. The fire will go out if we don't go back soon, and it will be a lot of trouble to start a fire again in this freezing weather."

He spoke in a light tone, carrying three golden dragonfish as he walked ahead.

The old copper coin swayed gently at his waist, gleaming with a warm light in the twilight.

Tang Xixue watched his back as he walked in front, Feng Zhuo chattering excitedly with fish in his arms, and Mu Liang walking at the back with a steady demeanor carrying two fish. A gentle smile appeared in her eyes.

The wind and snow had not yet stopped, and dusk had already fallen.

On the way back to the cabin, the sound of their footsteps crunching on the snow gave the impression of them returning home late at night.

Chu Qiao walked briskly, turned around, and waved the fish in her hand behind her.

"I'll make you fish soup tonight, it's my secret recipe, and I guarantee you'll be full of energy tomorrow. I usually can't bear to eat this myself, but today it's all thanks to my sister."

"You have so many unique recipes. Your tea is one of a kind, your fish soup is one of a kind, what else isn't unique?"

Tang Xixue followed behind him, her tone slightly teasing.

Chu Qiao tilted his head and thought for a moment before answering seriously.

"Being handsome is one of a kind. There's really nothing you can do about it; it's just something you're born with."

Feng Zhuo was holding the fish from behind, laughing so hard he almost threw it away.

How can you be so shameless!

"His thick skin is truly unique."