Chen Chuan pinched a handful of fish food between his fingertips and sprinkled it out over the water. Ripples spread across the pond as the golden-red shadows of fish below flicked their fins and tails, darting over to compete for the meal.
He said, "Someone told me about Pure Essence. Because the World Ring has been damaged recently, quite a bit of Pure Essence has leaked out. That's why I was asked to run some tests with a few other people."
Cao Guiqi said in surprise, "Pure Essence has leaked?" He then shook his head. "It will be sealed up soon enough."
After sprinkling another handful of food, he handed the container to Uncle Ding. He then took a cloth from the older man, wiped his hands, and said, "Follow me." With that, he began to walk away.
Chen Chuan followed him to the pond's outlet. A river meandered away from it, its banks lined with a row of lush, green weeping willows. Moored by the embankment was a small but exquisitely crafted painted barge.
