Ning Fei’s skill with his knife had indeed left everyone awestruck. The tiger that he had carved on the watermelon was vivid and life-like. Ning Fei studied his completed work and was especially pleased too.
He glanced at his screen and checked his popularity. He had 120,000 viewers now.
Thus, he picked up the second watermelon and began to carve.
Ning Fei had no idea that when he was carving the watermelon earlier on, someone had recorded him and then uploaded it online.
This era was all about the internet. Any news, information, and odd or bizarre talents would be captured and uploaded online.
And so, that video clip spread as quickly as a bush fire.
‘There is a master watermelon-carving artist!’
‘He is a real artist!’
‘God-like skills reappearing!
‘After you finish watching this video, you will be speechless!’
All sorts of headlines accompanied that video clip, which was trending all over the various social media platforms.
The beginning of the video clip showed how Ning Fei was poking and cutting the watermelon. There wasn’t anything special.
Many viewers expressed confusion.
…Until the mystery was revealed.
The moment when Ning Fei displayed the watermelon, everyone was speechless with awe.
Many commented with “f*ck”.
To the final moment of the tiger descending from the mountain being revealed, someone had added intense background music to that on Douyin1, and they added the caption of “Wild!” along with some gloomy special effects.
It was really cool.
In no time, the number of likes on that video surpassed a million.
The recorder who had uploaded the video clip also added a message, ‘I took this video clip from Battling Birds Webcast. The webcast room is named Light Breeze Temple Webcast Room. Everyone, please go have a look.’
The power and influence of social media was no joke.
Ning Fei had carved an equally majestic eagle with its wings spread on the second watermelon.
As he began to carve the third one, throngs of viewers had swarmed into the webcast room.
‘Wow. Is this the master? He’s so young!’
‘He is too handsome! Did he photoshop himself?’
‘Indeed. How could anyone be so good-looking?’
‘This webcaster has such good skills. May I know where he learned it from?’
‘Brother, are you selling this watermelon?’
‘Host, can you carve on wood instead? I really need a sculpture artist right now. If you’re indeed this skilled, I’m willing to pay you 500,000 yuan a year.’
As the viewers continued to discuss with excitement, Ning Fei’s popularity soared.
Actually, he didn’t gain popularity that rapidly, but many of his fans volunteered to promote Ning Fei. Therefore, his webcast’s popularity swelled drastically.
120,000, 140,000, and then 180,000.
After four hours, Ning Fei’s webcast dashed past 200,000 viewers.
Ning Fei was still in the midst of carving with focus when the System’s voice interrupted him.
“Ding! Congratulations to Host for completing the mission. You have obtained the new skill of bird taming.”
“I’ve fulfilled the mission?” Ning Fei was rather taken aback.
He had been nervous actually as carving was a rather boring process. There wouldn’t be many who would be willing to watch.
He had planned on his final reveal of the mystery piece to attract more viewers. He was hoping that he would surpass the 200,000 mark by then.
It had never occurred to him that as he was just starting to carve the third watermelon, the mission would be complete.
So, he continued to carve the third watermelon.
Like what he had done before, he removed the skin, and a giant wolf who was peering up at the sky met everyone’s eyes.
It was vivid and beautiful.
The viewers had no idea how they should express their amazement towards Ning Fei.
Ning Fei stopped carving as it had been four hours. He was starving and reckoned that Little Falcon would be too.
After he had obtained the skill of bird taming, Ning Fei immediately understood how he should train and feed Little Falcon.
Using the skill, he knew how different a falcon was from the rest of the birds. It was a carnivore and wouldn’t eat food like corn or grains. However, he could use bean powder, cooked egg yolks, minced meat, and cod liver oil mixed together to feed Little Falcon.
Similarly, a falcon wouldn’t thrive in a cage as, in the long term, it would damage its feathers. Also, due to lack of exercise, a falcon would lose the use of its claws and beaks.
“Hmmm… It’s indeed not easy to rear this little fellow.” Ning Fei smiled as he shook his head at the little chick. It was pecking around as it made soft sounds.
He picked up his phone and addressed everyone. “Sorry, guys. Today I have to make a trip to the town nearby to get some necessities, so I’m going to end the webcast now. I’ll see you all tonight.”
He ended the webcast.
He had to make a trip to the town as there were many things that were unavailable in the village.
He had about 2,000 yuan left in his savings. It should be enough since he could also take out some money from the webcast earnings.
Ning Fei glanced at the figure in the System.
He had gained 320,000 popularity points. He had around half of it left after spending half.
Ning Fei decided to be frugal with it.
After some contemplation, the rewards he got from the Silver lucky draw weren’t that useful. It was mainly some basic-grade seeds and tonics to strengthen his body. There wasn’t anything good.
He was anticipating the rewards from the Gold lucky draw.
In the afternoon, Ning Fei cooked a bowl of noodles hastily for lunch before he rushed out. At the end of the village, he bumped into the butcher, Zhu Yidao, who was going down the mountain too, so Ning Fei hitched a ride with him.
The roads weren’t very convenient in the mountains. There was a bus, but it only operated at dawn and returned at around 7:30 p.m. There were no other times.
There were many people who owned a car as it was more convenient for them.
However, Ning Fei couldn’t afford one.
“Hey, Ning Fei, where are you going?” Zhu Yidao asked with a smile.
Zhu Yidao was the owner of the biggest butcher shop in Taishan village. Most of its residents patronized his shop.
“I need to buy some stuff.” Ning Fei smiled back at him.
“Look at you. You have a university degree, but you came back. Why? The mountains have nothing here.” Zhu Yidao drove as he advised him.
There were only a few young people in these mountains, and they lived mainly in the towns near the foot of the mountain. The rest had all left for the cities.
It was rare for someone to come back like Ning Fei.
Ning Fei loved nature and loved to explore it too.
To the people who thrived in a new era where they lived in a concrete jungle, his beliefs and dreams were undoubtedly ridiculous.
His biggest dream was to travel around the world and to go to different places to explore.
Mountains, grasslands, valleys, caves…
Nature was so beautiful, and he wanted to explore and experience all of it. He also wanted to share this experience with others.
In the past, he thought that this would merely be a dream.
His plans were to return to the temple and to repair and reconstruct it. Then after that, he would travel out to find a job to make ends meet. He would become an ordinary man in society.
However, it was different now.
This outdoor webcast system was tailor-made for him.
He had the ability and confidence to pursue his dreams.
“Uncle Zhu, to me, every part of the mountain is precious.” Ning Fei grinned sheepishly.
Zhu Yidao didn’t press on when he saw how firm Ning Fei was.
In the afternoon, Ning Fei bought cod liver oil, minced meat, and shrimps for Little Falcon. Then he purchased some necessities before he boarded the bus back. It was a leisurely and relaxed journey back home.
The scenery of the mountains was breathtaking; it was lush and green everywhere. It looked as though they were layers of jade.
Ning Fei began to contemplate quietly on his future plans.
