Chapter 10: Training
Chapter 10: Training
Li Qian arrived at the outskirts of Lingwater City, where a river named Ling Water River flowed through the city. The river's name was the origin of the city's moniker.
According to the information he had gathered beforehand, there was a hydroelectric dam built on the Ling Water River near the city.
The dam spanned across the river, forming a kilometer-long embankment. On the side of the embankment was a floodgate, and the water gushed out, creating an artificial waterfall.
Li Qian had come to the Ling Water River specifically for this artificial waterfall. From a distance, the sound of the water was a roaring rush, but up close, it transformed into a thunderous roar as the water surged through the floodgate, cascading over a drop of more than ten meters to form a basin below. It was a spectacular and awe-inspiring sight.
Parking his bicycle by the embankment, Li Qian jogged to the basin's edge and took a look at the artificial waterfall, nodding in satisfaction.
Without hesitation, he took out the Beast Ball containing Ah Fu and released him into the basin.
Having been confined to the narrow space of an aquarium for nearly twenty years, Ah Fu was delighted to be in the vast waters. He swam around excitedly.
After a few laps in the basin, Ah Fu swam to the shore and looked at Li Qian with a pair of human-like fish eyes.
Li Qian nodded slightly, and Ah Fu didn't swim away, which wasn't surprising to him. After all, the Li family had raised Ah Fu for almost twenty years, and there was some emotional connection, and the prospect of evolution and an extended lifespan after evolution were additional reasons for Ah Fu to stay.
Seeing Ah Fu not far from the shore, Li Qian spoke sternly, "Ah Fu, listen. If you want to continue living, you must evolve."
"And if you want to evolve, you have to follow my instructions." He pointed to the waterfall in the distance and continued, "Now, swim over there, yes, under the waterfall, and then swim upstream with all your might."
"Remember, to evolve, you must learn the Climb Waterfall Technique."
After saying this, Li Qian raised his arm and shouted, "Ah Fu, go for it!"
Ah Fu looked at the waterfall, his eyes determined. He transformed into a streak of water and dashed towards it. Upon reaching the bottom of the waterfall, he followed Li Qian's instructions and struggled to swim upstream.
Unfortunately, the force of the water rushing down from a height of over ten meters was terrifying. Ah Fu tried his best to swim upstream, but he was often swept back after swimming less than a meter.
However, Ah Fu didn't give up. He kept trying to swim upstream, persistently repeating the attempt.
Li Qian could only stand by and silently encourage Ah Fu. When Ah Fu's energy was depleted, Li Qian would feed him energy-rich fish food, which he had purchased at the Pet Beast Marketplace during the day.
Li Qian shifted his gaze from the waterfall and scanned the surroundings. Soon, he spotted a small puddle.
Taking out another Beast Ball containing Ah Fu's friend, Li Qian released him into the puddle.
Ah Fu, upon exiting the Beast Ball, realized he was in a puddle. He glanced at Li Qian.
Li Qian remained silent, took out a tablet, and showed Ah Fu the video of the carp evolving into a Green Scaled Dragon.
Unlike Ah Fu's initial indifference, Ah Fu reacted after watching it once. His tail flicked excitedly, and his eyes were filled with anticipation.
Compared to Ah Fu, Ah Fu had more ambition and drive.
After playing the video seven times, and Ah Fu's restlessness became visible. Li Qian paused the video and began to persuade him, "Ah Fu, I know your potential is greater. Learning the Climb Waterfall Technique proves your talent, but to evolve into the Green Scaled Dragon I showed you, this is not enough. You must follow my instructions."
Li Qian furrowed his brows and looked at Qizi, his tone sincere as he continued, "Next, I'll put you in the basin. If you trust me, train with Ah Fu. If you don't, you can follow the current downstream and leave. I won't stop you."
If possible, Li Qian didn't want Qizi to leave, but without a contract and any emotional foundation, he was about to put it into the basin, which was connected to the downstream river. If it wanted to leave, Li Qian couldn't stop it.
Now he could only hope that Qizi truly had a desire to become stronger, moved by the video he had just shown. Otherwise, Li Qian would have to accept that his 42,000 credits were gone.
After speaking, Li Qian didn't hesitate. He took out the Beast Ball again and put Qizi inside, then walked to the basin's edge and released it.
Qizi entered the basin, flicked its tail, splashing water, and then disappeared without a trace.
Li Qian stood by the basin, watching quietly. After about five minutes, there was still no sign of Qizi in the basin. He shook his head and sighed, "Oh, I must have misjudged the Pet Beast's desire for freedom. It's a pity, for you've lost the chance to become stronger."
After this sigh, Li Qian already had his answer—Qizi had chosen to leave. He didn't feel sad anymore and withdrew his gaze, looking towards the waterfall.
Just as he focused on the waterfall, a line of water flowing upstream caught his attention. "Wait, what's that?!"
The line of water flowing upstream wasn't something else; it was a fish, a seventy-centimeter-long carp—Qizi.
Unlike Ah Fu, Qizi had learned the Climb Waterfall Technique, so its upstream speed and height were far beyond Ah Fu's abilities. It could climb to a height of about five meters.
However, at this height, it couldn't continue, just like Ah Fu, and was soon washed away by the current.
Li Qian stood by the basin, his voice excited, "Qizi, you didn't disappoint me!"
Like this, Ah Fu and Qizi persevered, climbing upstream against the waterfall, getting washed down again and again, only to try again.
After the two fish tired, they came to the shore, and Li Qian fed them Energy Fish Food.
Time passed, and it was already 10 p.m. It was time to leave, and Li Qian's parents had called several times to urge him to come home.
Li Qian called Qizi and Ah Fu over, thought for a moment, and then said, "I know staying in the Beast Ball isn't comfortable, and there's only one aquarium at home. Since this basin is deep enough, I won't take you two back."
"There might be people here during the day, so hide at the bottom of the basin and rest. After school, I'll come to find you, and we'll train together. If you think it's okay, we'll give it a try."
As Li Qian finished speaking, Qizi didn't hesitate at all. It immediately spun in the water, while Ah Fu hesitated for a moment, then spun after being tapped by Qizi's tail.
Seeing this, Li Qian couldn't help but smile. Ah Fu, the old fish, seemed to be under Qizi's control.
After this consideration, Li Qian didn't delay any further. He returned to the dam, got on his bicycle, and with a pedal, he was soon gone.
What he didn't know was that after he left, not far from the waterfall, another line of water started climbing upstream, quickly becoming two lines...
(End of Chapter)
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