CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER 226: THE FIERCE MOUNTAIN GHOST

Han Qiwu drank his bowl of soup too, nodding with satisfaction.

This was truly delicious.

After finishing two bowls in a row, system notifications popped up.

[You consumed Bamboo Shoot Snail Duck Egg Custard, Foraging Level +4]

[Foraging Level 5 Bonus: You may select a specialization from the following professions for permanent transition]

[Forest Ranger Info: Omitted]

[Profession: Beginner Mountain Spirit]

[Specialization - Mountain Spirit’s Instinct: Foraging gains +1 extra yield]

[Profession Skill: Mountain Spirit’s Call (Within mountain environments, can randomly reveal locations of high-quality items)]

Since he had previously chosen to be a Forest Ranger, this time Han Qiwu decided to try out the effects of being a Mountain Spirit.

It was perfect now that they were in the mountains—maybe he could discover something particularly special.

[You have chosen the profession: Beginner Mountain Spirit]

[You have obtained the specialization - Mountain Spirit’s Instinct]

[You have learned the profession skill: Mountain Spirit’s Call]

The moment his selection was completed, Han Qiwu felt his senses sharpen considerably.

In the depths of his perception, he could feel the rustling of leaves around him, the swaying of grass, the rippling of water surfaces.

"So this is the Mountain Spirit’s effect? It really is quite unique." Han Qiwu’s eyes lit up as he continued to explore the distinctiveness of the Mountain Spirit profession.

A few minutes later, he gradually adapted to the feeling.

"What’s going on with you?" Tang Qingying asked curiously. She could sense that something about Han Qiwu seemed a little different.

In simple terms, he seemed more harmonious.

"Nothing much. The fishbone’s cooked—go ahead and try it." Han Qiwu smiled and handed Tang Qingying her fishbone, also roasting one for Aunt Hong Mei in the process.

"Thanks." Tang Qingying took the fishbone, blowing on it and carefully munching away, "If there’s anything on your mind, just let me know. Don’t keep it bottled up."

"Yeah, we’re all family here," Aunt Hong Mei added with a cheerful laugh.

Hearing this, Han Qiwu and Tang Qingying turned simultaneously toward Aunt Hong Mei.

"Teachers guide, educate, and dispel doubts—aren’t they family?" Aunt Hong Mei retorted confidently, "We should head down the mountain after eating. Carrying back all this stuff will take some time, and we’d best avoid traveling through the mountains at night."

"You’re absolutely right." Han Qiwu smiled, stood up, and poured several pots of water onto the charcoal to extinguish the fire completely.

Just then, he faintly heard ducks quacking from the southeast direction.

[Mountain Spirit’s Call has been triggered]

[Location of Female Fire Duck (Gold Star Quality⭐⭐) has been marked on the map]

Looking at the system notification, Han Qiwu quickly opened the map.

By estimation, the Gold Star Quality Female Fire Duck was straight southeast of him, at a distance of just over 160 meters.

"Mr. Tang, Auntie, wait for me here. I’ll be back in a bit." Han Qiwu gave them a quick heads-up, grabbed his sickle, and began cutting through the grass toward the direction indicated.

This was a Gold Star Quality Fire Duck!

And it was female.

Think about how many duck eggs this could produce!

If he could find a way to catch a male duck later...

The entire hatchery might end up overflowing with baby Fire Ducks.

And voilà, roast duck for everyone!

Han Qiwu tracked its location while moving forward quickly.

He didn’t head straight southeast but took a slight detour, walking south for a while before closing in on the Female Fire Duck’s location.

Catching ducks required some strategy.

As Han Qiwu closed in within 30 meters of the Female Fire Duck, it seemed to sense something and began moving swiftly northward.

Noticing this, Han Qiwu promptly adjusted his direction, continuing to push toward the Female Fire Duck’s position.

Soon, under Han Qiwu’s persistent pursuit, the Female Fire Duck arrived at a creekside.

Peeking through the grass, Han Qiwu finally caught sight of it.

Compared to regular ducks, the Female Fire Duck was much larger, with a head resembling a chicken comb and claws more like eagle talons. Overall, it exuded an adorably goofy vibe.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m not here to hurt you." Han Qiwu sheathed his sickle and slowly approached the Female Fire Duck.

The duck clearly felt threatened, retreating several steps, but when it neared the creek, it instinctively avoided getting closer to the water.

Indeed, the goofy Fire Duck was afraid of water.

Maybe it was due to human domestication, or perhaps its living environment didn’t involve water much. In any case, though Fire Ducks had the instinct to swim, they actively avoided entering the water.

This was precisely why Han Qiwu had made a detour earlier to drive the Female Fire Duck toward the creek.

Although he held the upper hand, Han Qiwu continued approaching slowly from behind the Female Fire Duck.

No need to rush—while Fire Ducks don’t go into the water, they can fly.

Initially, he considered luring it with food.

But Fire Ducks’ sense of smell and taste weren’t sharp. Even with good food, it probably wouldn’t notice. Better to grab it directly.

Han Qiwu had already closed the gap to within five meters, still wondering to himself: "Why isn’t it flying yet? Could it be that this one doesn’t know how?"

The Female Fire Duck was visibly becoming more uneasy. Suddenly, it turned and flapped its wings, flying toward the opposite bank of the creek.

"Good flight!"

Seeing this, Han Qiwu immediately dove into the water, swimming quickly toward the creek’s opposite bank.

While Fire Ducks could fly, their flight speed was slow.

Thanks to the swimming buff from his grilled river bass, Han Qiwu swam at an incredible speed and quickly reached the opposite bank.

But rather than rushing ashore, he stayed in the water, quietly observing where the Fire Duck would land.

"Flap flap flap."

Soon, feeling it had escaped danger, the Female Fire Duck perched on a rock by the shore.

The instant it landed, a hand emerged from the water and grabbed its neck.

[Female Fire Duck (Gold Star Quality⭐⭐)]

[Ready for collection; suitable for rearing]

[Animal Product: Fire Duck Egg, Double-Yolk Fire Duck Egg]

[Dietary Need: 2 portions of duck feed]

[Special Effect - Double Yolk: Produces Double-Yolk Fire Duck Egg every two days]

[Note: Fire Ducks possess strong survival capabilities]

[Extra yield via Mountain Spirit’s Instinct]

[Fire Duck Egg]

[Can be hatched]

[Special Effect - Robust: Hatch success rate raised to 80%]

[Hatch Outcome: Male Baby Fire Duck, Female Baby Fire Duck]

[Note: Precious Fire Duck eggs, please cherish them]

Hit the jackpot!

Han Qiwu happily placed the Female Fire Duck into his inventory, planning to build a duck coop back home and settle it there.

As for the additional Fire Duck Egg obtained, it could serve as an explanation for why he had gone into the water.

Looks like he’d need to sneak off to gather a bit more stuff too.

Mountain Spirit’s Instinct sure had its perks.

If only catching this Female Fire Duck had somehow resulted in catching two.

Following the path back, Han Qiwu returned to the waterhole.