Fairy, Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Blind

Chapter 135: The Carp’s Soul; Entering the Pool

The small white fish looked like the offspring of the White Dragon Carp—no larger than half a palm, its body pure white, with round, jet-black eyes.

You Su wasn’t the only one who noticed it. The keen-eyed old man also spotted the tiny, snow-white creature among the organs.

Old Yu’s expression darkened. Carefully parting the carp’s viscera, he reached for the Little Yu—only for his hand to close on empty air.

The little white dragon carp actually flew into the air and avoided Lao Yu’s grabbing hand!

You Su stared in shock. Since the Lotus Immortal Seed took root, he had rarely perceived anything without opening his “eyes.” The only things visible to him in his natural state were malevolent spirits—or, it seemed, beings of pure spiritual essence.

Yet this small white carp was pristine and lively—could it really be evil?

As if swimming through the sky, the tiny fish fluttered its delicate fins, gliding effortlessly through the air. All three onlookers were stunned.

With a thud, Old Yu dropped to his knees, trembling as he pressed his palms together and kowtowed repeatedly to the little carp.

The massive White Dragon Carp’s corpse lay before him, its blood seeping into the deck, staining the old man’s hands crimson. Horrified, Old Yu muttered frantic prayers of repentance.

The small white carp hovered above its “mother’s” body, its tail flicking gently, as if silently observing the old man’s remorse.

But You Su, standing behind Old Yu, knew the truth—the Little Yu was watching him.

“Grandpa, it’s just a fish. Even if it can fly, there’s no need to kneel and worship it.”

Though equally amazed, Little Yu seemed more curious than afraid.

Old Yu ignored her, continuing his fervent prayers. Yet the small carp remained still, unmoved.

The old man’s wrinkles deepened in confusion. Why wouldn’t the legendary divine fish forgive him? Suddenly, realization struck, and he turned urgently to You Su.

“Young Master Xu! Quick—kneel and pay respects to the Water God! We harmed it! If we don’t atone, disaster will strike!”

The Water God—this little white carp?

You Su’s hand slipped into his robes, gripping the Evil-Repelling Token. Its icy touch confirmed the fish wasn’t a malevolent spirit.

But if it wasn’t evil, why could he see it? Was the token flawed, or was the fish special? Even Dream-Eating Ghosts and Tai Sui couldn’t deceive the token—how could this carp?

As he hesitated, the small white carp darted toward him!

Its slender tail whipped furiously, carving a white streak through You Su’s dark vision.

He raised his sword to block, Black Pine’s blade humming as it aimed to bisect the fish.

Old Yu’s cry of “No!” was too late—the little carp split in two.

Then, impossibly, the severed halves merged back together, continuing its charge unimpeded!

Before anyone could react, the fish slammed into You Su’s chest—and vanished.

Frantic, You Su patted his torso, but felt only a fleeting warmth near the Lotus Immortal Seed. No impact, no trace—as if the fish had merged into him unnoticed.

Old Yu stared in awe, his lips trembling as he prepared to prostrate again.

Baffled, You Su pulled him up. “Old Yu, what’s happening? Explain!”

The old man refused to rise, his voice shaking. “Young Master Xu, I’ve wronged you…”

“How?”

“Have you ever heard of a fish inside a fish?”

You Su paused. Fish reproduced through eggs—how could a fully formed carp exist inside another?

“Not only have I never seen it, I have never even heard of it.” You Su replied.

Old Yu removed You Su’s hand that was supporting him and apologized:

“Because it’s no ordinary fish—it’s a divine one. The big carp had no roe because the little one wasn’t born from mating. It formed from absorbed spiritual energy—the White Dragon Carp’s very soul.”

You Su was slightly stunned. It was hard to imagine that just a fish could be associated with a soul.

Old Yu continued, “These carp aren’t just delicacies. Legends say they cultivate like immortals, and at their peak, transform into true water dragons—hence their name. I never thought I’d see one nearing ascension in my lifetime!”

“So the soul means it was about to become a dragon?”

“Exactly! Dragons and fish are different. Even if a carp leaps the Dragon Gate, its body can’t change—only its soul can transform!”

To a mortal like Old Yu, this was a miraculous revelation.

He glanced at You Su, suddenly aged. “If I’d known it was ascending, I’d never have let you kill it… A future Water God, and my greed doomed you to bear its karma. When you cut its soul, you severed its path. Never enter water again—the rivers will seek vengeance!”

Fishermen have an innate reverence for water, so they will inevitably deify strange beasts that have the ability to control water, which is why they call them water gods.

You Su also came from the market, so he naturally understood this truth. He understood that the gods mentioned by these mortals were just honorific titles for powerful beings, and were not real gods with power.

Besides, You Su knew very well that he did not kill the fish soul at all, it just disappeared.

“You needn’t frighten me, old man. There are no gods—only immortals.”

You Su dismissed the warning. A single fish’s death couldn’t turn all water against him.

He wondered why Old Yu clung to such archaic beliefs in an era where immortals walked the earth.

“You refuse to listen? I can’t watch you die! Never go near water again!”

Old Yu stamped his foot in frustration.

“Grandpa, dragons are dragons—fish can’t become them. And dragons are extinct, so it couldn’t have been a Water God. To us cultivators, it was just a rare spirit beast with a budding soul.”

Little Yu’s sudden interjection was startlingly firm.

Old Yu glared, hurt by her dismissal. Then, remembering she wasn’t his real granddaughter, he sighed heavily.

“My fault… all my fault…”

Muttering, he gathered the carp’s scattered organs, stuffed them back inside, and heaved the massive corpse overboard.

As it sank with a splash, the strange incident seemed concluded.

Old Yu retreated to his cabin, leaving You Su and Little Yu alone on the blood-stained deck.

“Little Yu, do you know why spirit beasts develop souls?”

Now aware of her true identity, You Su addressed her formally.

She studied him. “Only humans are born with souls. Cultivators have divine sense and sea of consciousness because of them. When beasts develop souls, they gain intelligence and meridians—they can become divine beasts. The strongest rival Void Realm cultivators.”

You Su knew this—legend spoke of the Mystic Firmament Sect’s Beast Taming Peak’s eleventh elder, who commanded a Void Realm-level divine beast. His real question was:

“Then why did it disappear?”

Old Yu hadn’t seen the soul reform, but Little Yu surely had.

After a pause, she replied, “No one fully understands souls. But don’t worry—that fish’s soul was newly formed. It poses no threat.”

Nodding, You Su wiped his sword, gazing at the invisible depths.

The Jade Ring Pool lived up to its reputation as one of the Eleven Spirit-Born Blessed Lands—even its fish could cultivate souls.

But if the carp was intelligent, why leave the pool that nurtured it?

Was it swept away by underground currents—or had it fled?

“We’re almost there.”

Old Yu emerged, carrying three bulging sacks of trinkets and spirit stones.

The boat had accelerated, wind whipping past their faces.

Ahead, the lake ended abruptly—not in shoreline, but in a thunderous waterfall.

Water cascaded endlessly into the abyss, the mist so thick it felt like rain. To mortals, this was an impassable barrier.

Even after multiple trips, Old Yu still marveled. “The Jade Ring Pool’s illusion formation.”

You Su exhaled. “So this is the guardian array.”

“Indeed. I hope you truly have ties to the pool, Young Master Xu. Otherwise, this ‘illusion’ will be all too real for you. Where it might take you, I dare not guess.”

You Su smiled. He trusted Third Elder’s judgment—and turning back was no longer an option.

Little Yu observed the falls calmly with the token from Old Yu in hand.

The tiny boat surged toward the roaring edge—

Then, impossibly, it lifted, as if held aloft by invisible hands, soaring over the precipice.

A crushing weight pressed down briefly before vanishing. They had crossed the barrier.

Before them lay the true Jade Ring Pool—no mist, just golden sunlight, crisp breezes, and elegant ink-wash mountains framing a pristine dock.

A handsome man in azure robes awaited them, arms outstretched as if guiding the boat through the mirror-smooth water.

As they docked, he greeted Old Yu warmly. “It’s been a while.”

The old man hastily presented his sacks. “Jade Immortal, I’ve finally saved enough! Please heal my granddaughter!”

The immortal smiled, levitating the offerings ashore.

“You’re a good grandfather. We’ll cure her.”

Overcome, Old Yu kowtowed. “Thank you! Your mercy is boundless!”

“Thank the Jade Ring Pool, not me.”

“Of course! Thank the Jade Ring Pool!”

You Su suppressed a frown. Charging mortals for healing hardly seemed “merciful.”

Did the pool’s immortals truly care for these trinkets? What kind of immortal sect was this?

The Jade Immortal turned to You Su and Little Yu. “And Old Yu brings us two honored guests!”

His gaze held no offense, only warmth—yet it pierced through Little Yu’s disguise effortlessly.

“Forgive our lack of welcome. Please, join me ashore.”

Little Yu frowned. “You know who we are?”

The immortal laughed. “We knew the moment you approached. In all Five Continents, few hold status like yours. To us, you are most honored.”

You Su stiffened. He was a nobody at the Divine Mountain—had the Third Elder’s mission marked him, or did the Lotus Immortal Seed betray his presence?

More startling, the Jade Ring Pool had identified Little Yu’s true identity instantly.

For all their seclusion, their intelligence network was formidable.

As You Su hesitated, Little Yu leapt onto the dock, graceful as a swan.

Following suit, You Su thanked Old Yu.

The old man ignored him, waving wistfully at Little Yu—who remained cold, her facade fully shed.

“Wait here, Old Yu. Someone will fetch your granddaughter. Unlike you, she has spiritual roots—she shouldn’t waste them fishing. Once healed, she’ll join the Jade Ring Pool. You may visit often.”

With a sweep of his azure sleeves, the immortal turned.

“Honored guests, follow me.”

As they walked toward the mountains, Old Yu’s grateful cries echoed behind them:

“Thank the Jade Ring Pool… thank the Jade Ring Pool…”