The catch inspired my entry: Persistence will eventually lead to invincibility.

Back on shore, Chen Shi headed towards his home.

However, when he saw the scene before him, he couldn't help but frown.

About five or six sea thieves were surrounding tide Niang. Unlike the fat, big-eared sea thief who had died not long ago, they were not lusting after her beauty; they had come today to take advantage of this weak woman, tide Niang.

"This is really never going to end," Chen Shi thought to himself, and swiftly shielded tide Niang behind him.

"May I ask what brings you gentlemen to my humble abode?"

"Courtesy first, then force"—this was Chen Shi's way of dealing with people.

If those men had touched tide Niang earlier, they would be dead by now. That's why he chose to politely inquire what these water thieves wanted.

"Brother, we're not unreasonable people. If Master Lin wants the treasure fish, that's his business. Shouldn't we also..."

As he spoke, one of them twirled his fingers.

The meaning couldn't be clearer—spend money to avert disaster.

Seeing this, Chen Shi breathed a sigh of relief. Anything that could be solved with money wasn't really a problem. He figured he'd get it back sooner or later anyway. If spending a little money could buy him temporary peace, then he considered it worthwhile.

"No problem, no problem."

So Chen Shi immediately scooped a few fish from his fish tank and gave them to the group of water thieves. He then gave them a few taels of silver and handed it to the leader, whispering in his ear, "This is a small token of my appreciation."

The leader of the slicker thieves grinned and said, "You're quite the smooth operator, aren't you? No problem, no problem. Don't worry, if your little lady can't stand being bullied, I'll take care of her. As long as..."

As he spoke, he tossed the money pouch in his hand again.

Chen Shi replied with a smile, "Don't worry, don't worry. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

"Alright, that's all, let's go back now."

With a command from the leader of the flying thieves, they quickly disappeared into Ludang Village.

Chen Shi's face darkened as he watched the figures of the group disappear.

"What a bunch of robbers. I'll make you pay the price sooner or later," he thought to himself, then looked at tide Niang behind him and breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as the person he wanted to protect was not harmed, then everything he did was worthwhile, even if he paid a price temporarily.

And just like that, a few days passed in the blink of an eye.

The sea pirates still occupied Sanli Town and Baishui Town. Meanwhile, the imperial court remained silent, with no soldiers or warriors coming to deal with the sea pirates.

Of course, perhaps they had no idea what was happening. They were standing too high up to look down and see the dire straits the mortals below were suffering.

No one has yet carried out the orders given by Master Lin. That's a precious fish; it's not something you can catch so easily.

Baishui Town, Ludang Village.

As usual, Chen Shi steered his small boat to collect the nets.

These days, he continues to practice his swordsmanship. Unfortunately, the "subtle" level is not easily attained. However, he has made considerable progress in refining his physique. Following Master Shen's "Qi and Blood Tempering" method, he is currently refining his physique, striving towards the "Golden Muscle" level, and has already achieved some success.

Secondly, thanks to the "tribute money" given that day, there haven't been any sea thieves causing trouble lately. Because of this, Chen Shi has been able to have more time to fish in the Fallen Dragon Swamp and use it for cultivation.

............

A moment later, lines of golden text appeared.

[Water Control (Level 4): Controls 500 kg of water at will, completely at your disposal. Can clearly sense water within a three-meter radius and vaguely sense water within a ten-meter radius, slightly reducing your movement within the water.]

[Advanced Route: One Eel]

...

[Digestion (Level 2): ​​Your digestion speed has greatly increased, and the utilization rate of nutrients has significantly improved.]

[Advanced Path: Upgrades as the Bigmouth Catfish levels up]

[Spirit Fish: Largemouth Catfish (Tier 2)]

[Ferocious in nature, with an extremely strong digestive system, capable of swallowing prey of its own size. As its size increases, its swimming speed increases, and it can share the catch to advance in rank.]

[Advanced Path: Consume 98 fish of any kind.]

...

[Advanced path completed!]

[Great Strength (Tier 2) → Great Strength (Tier 3)]

[Great Strength (Tier 3): Grants an additional 1,000 jin of strength, abundant qi and blood, and thick skin and flesh.]

[Advanced Path: Catch 30 grass carp]

All entries are progressing steadily, with the biggest improvement being in [Great Strength].

Not only was the upgrade successful, but the effect was also greatly enhanced.

The extra strength provided amounted to a full thousand jin.

Combined with the strength Chen Shi already possessed, he could now unleash a terrifying force of nearly 1,500 jin (approximately 750 kg) at his maximum potential. Even a bull would be instantly killed by a punch of that force. Not to mention the newly added "thick skin and flesh" effect, which further enhances Chen Shi's ability to withstand blows.

It also indirectly improves his martial arts physique.

"I can now shatter rocks with a single punch, even with the strength of a thousand pounds." Chen Shi clenched his fist, feeling the surging blood and energy within his body.

"Phew~"

Then, he took a deep breath and calmed his mind again.

Although he had become much stronger, he was still far from being as good as that River-Intercepting True Monarch. However, during this time, he hadn't just been fishing and practicing his swordsmanship; he had also been studying how to have a chance of winning if he were to actually fight that Master Lin.

The only solution derived from the deduction is water control.

It's too difficult to reach the top ranks in just one month.

It's as difficult as climbing to heaven.

However, there is a slight possibility that one could improve their water control ability to the same level as that of the River-Intercepting True Lord.

If one truly surpasses that Master Lin in water control, even if their martial arts level is inferior, it will still have a certain suppressive effect. This is equivalent to stripping away the water control ability granted by the opponent's [Water Transport] without being affected oneself.

"I'm only one eel away from advancing to the fifth level of Water Control. I wonder what kind of abilities it will grant me after reaching the fifth level," Chen Shi mused to himself.

With the Big Mouth's shared catch feature, the catch requirements for advancing his stats have become much simpler. Big Mouth is like a robot, capable of working non-stop for twelve hours a day to devour its prey.

Suddenly, Chen Shi was about to return to the shore.

Big Mouth and he were of one mind; the scene before them was unbelievable.

A creature shaped like a water snake suddenly burst forth with purple light, which spread along the water like snowflakes. That purple light was none other than lightning.

"This...this is a treasure fish!"

Chen Shi was overjoyed, not only because he had discovered the treasure fish.

It's not that this treasure fish is an electric eel!

............

Inside Feishui Hall.

Lin Feng leaned back in his chair, with the elite water thieves below him.

"Oh? It seems you've gained something?"

He said in a disdainful tone, glancing at the number of people; two elite sea thieves were missing.

"Reporting to Master Lin!" one of them said with difficulty.

"Three days ago, we found Shen Lang on the outskirts of Qingshui County and fought with him. Two of our brothers died at his hands. However, before fighting with us, he seemed to have been in a fight and lost an arm."

Upon hearing the name "Shen Lang," especially since the other party had lost an arm, Lin Feng, who had been lying down, sat up straight.

He smiled with satisfaction and said calmly, "Very good."