Breaking the Ground in a Single Night

The scene fell silent for a moment. Marquis Lingyou was the first to recover, clasping his hands solemnly and saying, "Sir, the profundity of your techniques truly leaves me in awe."

Gu Ning'an smiled and gestured toward the tea, inviting them to drink. He replied, "Marquis Lingyou flatters me."

"This is no mere flattery," Marquis Lingyou insisted. He lifted the teacup and took a deep sniff. A faint wisp of white steam entered his wide nostrils. Putting the cup down, he smiled. "Master Gu, this tea is indeed excellent... By the way, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Please speak freely," Gu Ning'an said with a smile.

Marquis Lingyou nodded. "Qiu has always been direct, so if I say anything that offends, I ask for your understanding."

Hearing this, the other City Gods immediately understood that their superior was about to broach the matter of the demonic fish. They instinctively straightened their posture, sitting up attentively.

Seeing their reaction, Gu Ning'an nodded. "Marquis Lingyou, feel free to speak."

"There's a demonic fish in the Eight-Zhang River," Marquis Lingyou began. "Its body is massive, and a single flip of its tail can churn the waters into chaotic torrents. I know it has performed good deeds in the past and possesses merit, and it seems to have some connection with you, sir.

"However, a demon is still a demon. If one day it succumbs to its feral nature, it could bring disaster to the people of Lexiang County."

"What I propose is relocating it to a larger body of water—such as the Xiangjiang River, which would be an ideal place. What does Master Gu think?"

Gu Ning'an could understand Marquis Lingyou's reasoning.

After all, one of a City God's primary responsibilities was to protect the people of the mortal realm from harm caused by demons or malevolent entities.

It was only natural for him to harbor a precautionary attitude toward the red-tailed fish.

However, this red-tailed fish was merely large in size and lacked any significant magical abilities. At most, it might be capable of blowing bubbles, but that was hardly a skill.

Without even refining its intermuscular bones, it couldn't truly be classified as a "spirit creature." Even the yellow weasel that had troubled the old tailor earlier could easily subdue the red-tailed fish.

The Xiangjiang River, as the largest river in Xiangzhou, was teeming with countless powerful aquatic demons and ferocious beings. A creature like the red-tailed fish—weak yet plump—would likely end up as someone's meal in no time.

This was why Gu Ning'an had considered helping it refine its intermuscular bones.

"Marquis Lingyou, I understand your concerns," Gu Ning'an said. "I too have thought of sending it to a larger river or lake, but given its current weakness, doing so recklessly would only doom it to death."

He paused before continuing, "How about this: once it has refined its intermuscular bones, I will personally oversee its relocation to the Xiangjiang River. Would that be acceptable?"

Marquis Lingyou did not hesitate. He immediately nodded and said, "Let it be as you propose, Master Gu."

This left the county-level City Gods dumbfounded. They had been bracing themselves for a heated argument, only for Marquis Lingyou to so easily agree after just a few sentences from Gu Ning'an.

It wasn't that they doubted Gu Ning'an's abilities, but even they didn't believe this was simply a matter of being awed by his cultivation. After all, if a provincial-level City God couldn't handle a true immortal-level figure, there were still higher authorities to appeal to—the prefectural City God, the capital City God, or even the King of Spirits, King Mingling, who oversaw the entire underworld of the Daqian dynasty.

If that august figure were ever summoned, even weaker true immortals would have no choice but to flee in panic.

Of course, such high-ranking individuals were rarely mobilized unless absolutely necessary.

Thus, in the eyes of the county-level City Gods, it was clear that Marquis Lingyou had been convinced by Gu Ning'an's demeanor and assurance that the red-tailed fish in the Eight-Zhang River would not cause future trouble. This conclusion stemmed from Gu Ning'an's character rather than any display of superior cultivation.

The one most relieved by the smooth resolution of this matter was undoubtedly City God Xu of Lexiang County. Both the red-tailed fish and Gu Ning'an fell within his jurisdiction. If Gu Ning'an had ended up in conflict with his superior, Marquis Lingyou, Xu would have found himself in an unenviable and uncomfortable position.

As his gaze unintentionally swept over City God Xu, Gu Ning'an suddenly recalled the true demon that had left this group of City Gods in disarray during their previous encounter. He decided to ask:

"Last time, City God Xu mentioned that the fugitive true demon might return. Do we have any news of it now?"

"Alas…" Marquis Lingyou sighed deeply before replying. "Since our failed attempt to capture the demon, it has disappeared without a trace. I even sought assistance from the Provincial City God for a divination, but no clues emerged.

"For now, we can only remain vigilant and prepare for any eventuality."

Gu Ning'an nodded. "If Marquis Lingyou needs my assistance, please have City God Xu inform me."

"Having your help would be a blessing!" Marquis Lingyou's expression showed genuine surprise and joy. He had not anticipated that Gu Ning'an would be so willing to assist.

Judging by Gu Ning'an's earlier method of extinguishing the demonic flames, his cultivation level clearly surpassed that of the true demon. If Gu Ning'an were willing to intervene, it would deter the demon from foolishly causing trouble.

Even demons understand the principle of avoiding danger.

Gu Ning'an simply smiled. "It's the right thing to do."

Marquis Lingyou, impressed by Gu Ning'an's sincerity, increasingly felt that fortune was on his side. Matters that had once seemed insurmountable were now seemingly resolved with ease.

Their subsequent conversation flowed naturally, with Marquis Lingyou answering all of Gu Ning'an's inquiries openly and in detail.

Initially, Marquis Lingyou intended to leave after some discussion to avoid delaying Gu Ning'an's rest. However, Gu Ning'an explained that he needed to stay awake and water the kumquat tree sapling at set intervals, continuing this process until the hour of Mao (5–7 AM).

Curious about what mystical phenomenon might occur after the watering was complete, Marquis Lingyou decided to stay and observe alongside the other City Gods, drinking more tea as they waited.

Cup after cup was poured as the night wore on, and the blackness of the sky gradually lightened with the approaching dawn.

"It's about time for the final watering," Gu Ning'an remarked as he walked to the sapling's location, picked up a full bucket of water, and slowly poured it onto the ground.

The City Gods watched in astonishment. The soil, which had been watered continuously throughout the night, appeared increasingly dry, with no sign of dampness. The final watering was even more perplexing—the clear well water was absorbed completely in an instant, as if the seed buried beneath the soil had drunk it all.

Plop!

Once the bucket was emptied, Gu Ning'an set it aside and stood silently, his gaze fixed on the area he had just watered.

Crack… crack…

The faint sound of breaking earth rang out. Before their eyes, a sapling as thick as a man's arm broke through the soil, shooting upward until it stood over a meter tall before finally stopping.

No one could have imagined that the kumquat seed planted just hours earlier at midnight would sprout and grow into a sapling overnight.