Dragon Scale Island, East Coast.
Jiang Ming stood at the edge of the beach, stunned by the sight before him.
At the distant edge of the sea, two giant beasts emerged amid crashing waves and began to battle fiercely.
Gales swept in from afar. The sea, once calm, churned violently under the force of their clash.
Though they were far away, Jiang Ming could still feel the shockwaves generated by the two giant beasts as they fought.
The spectacle was so magnificent that Jiang Ming was completely transfixed.
Unlike watching a 3D movie, the immersive experience made him feel utterly insignificant.
It even left him with the nerve-racking sense that the shockwaves might tear him to pieces at any moment.
The battle grew increasingly intense. Behind each beast, red and blue waves surged up and swept forward.
The moment the two enormous waves collided, a towering column of water shot into the sky. The sea became a swirling, red-and-blue yin-yang symbol that spun at dizzying speed.
A colossal whirlpool soon formed at its center, spanning ten thousand meters in diameter and dragging the sea around it into a frenzy.
The thunderous crash of the colliding waves finally snapped Jiang Ming out of his daze.
He immediately opened his friends list and tapped the avatar of his best friend, Huang Yan.
A chat window appeared.
Jiang Ming: Fatso, where are you? Get to the East Coast, quick. This is insane! (Shared coordinates)
Huang Yan: No time. I'm on the second level of the Abandoned Mine, watching the Fire Wolf Alliance hunt giant wolves. Thousands of people surrounding a giant wolf—it's spectacular. The boss of the second level should go down soon, and then there'll be more places to mine.
Jiang Ming: (Screenshot.jpg) It's even crazier over here. Two thousand-meter-tall beasts are fighting. Maybe we can loot their corpses and strike it rich again!
Huang Yan: Holy crap, bro, I'm on my way. Wait for me!
Jiang Ming closed the chat and had just raised his head when—
A small yellow fish with a smooth, yellow body flew out of the sea. Trailing spray, it whipped its tail across his face.
"Smack!"
[Game Notice: You have been attacked. HP -4.]
The slap caught Jiang Ming completely off guard, leaving him dazed.
He glanced at the little yellow fish flopping on the ground and, stunned, instinctively used his analysis ability.
[Ice Yellow Fish (Tier 1 Spirit Fish)]
Creature Details: A fairly common Tier 1 Spirit Fish in the sea, widely distributed throughout the Star Sea. A Spirit Stone forms from condensed spiritual energy in its belly, which is why it is also known as the Ice Stone Fish. Its flesh is delicious and favored by the powers of various sea regions.
Effects of Consumption: Grants 300 Soul Power and permanently increases Stamina by 2. (Long-term consumption causes resistance. The permanent stat increase diminishes after eating 20 fish, until it disappears.) It can also be cooked with other spiritually infused ingredients, significantly enhancing the medicinal effects of Spirit Materials and Spirit Fish. The white swim bladder in its belly can be made into fish glue, which can stop bleeding, boost virility, and dispel poison.
Spirit Fish Consumption Note: Long-term consumption of the same species causes resistance. The permanent stat increase diminishes after eating 20 fish, until it disappears.
Game Store Price: 300 Divine Power
Jiang Ming's angry expression gradually softened.
He immediately stepped forward and scooped up the yellow fish, which was still flopping on the ground.
Mine!
But to Jiang Ming's surprise, the fish was incredibly strong. A few flicks of its tail sent him flying, and he couldn't hold on to it at all.
Undeterred, Jiang Ming got up, ready to try again.
Just then, the sea began to boil, and splashes erupted everywhere. Jiang Ming looked up.
He saw countless fish leaping out of the water and hurtling toward the shore.
Among them were plenty of Spirit Fish like the Ice Yellow Fish.
After scanning the fish with his analysis ability, Jiang Ming stared in disbelief, as if he'd suddenly stumbled upon a mountain of gold.
More fish leaped from the water and flew toward the shore, stirring up wave after wave.
Before Jiang Ming could react, a barrage of slaps rained down on him.
"Smack! Smack! Smack!"
Jiang Ming was knocked to the ground, and his HP plummeted.
He didn't dare stay where he was. Scrambling backward, he crawled dozens of meters before finally reaching safety.
"I almost got killed! That was close!"
Looking at the growing pile of Spirit Fish along the beach, Jiang Ming's expression changed.
He knew he'd gotten lucky.
But the shore was far too dangerous, and he didn't dare approach. He didn't want to get slapped to death on the beach.
If he died now, his three-hour Resurrection Cooldown would mean he'd probably miss out on everything.
The feeling of seeing treasure within reach but being unable to take it was unbearable.
So he immediately opened his Divine Realm and summoned three Blood Gladiators to retrieve the fish.
But as soon as the three Blood Gladiators approached the school, a crimson Spirit Fish breathed fire at them, turning them into gray mist that flew back into his body.
Jiang Ming was so startled that he nearly jumped. He immediately used his analysis ability on the red fish.
[Crimson Flame Fish (Tier 2 Spirit Fish)]
Creature Details: A Tier 2 Spirit Fish that lives in the depths of the sea and in nearshore waters with sandy, muddy bottoms. It survives by absorbing spiritual substances spewed out by undersea volcanoes. It hates strong light and prefers murky currents. It occasionally rises to the surface when an undersea volcano erupts. It contains a searing spiritual core and can spew high-temperature flames.
Effects of Consumption: Grants 1,000 Soul Power, permanently increases Fire Resistance by 2, and permanently increases Strength by 3.5. It can also be cooked with other spiritually infused ingredients, significantly enhancing the medicinal effects of Spirit Materials and Spirit Fish. Its spiritual core can be used to cultivate fire-element troops.
Game Store Price: 1,000 Divine Power
"Holy crap!"
Jiang Ming's eyes widened as he read the fish's attributes.
There was more than one Crimson Flame Fish among the fish flopping on the beach. A quick scan showed him five or six.
"I'm rich! I'm rich!"
If he could claim all the fish on the beach, Jiang Ming could already imagine how wealthy he'd become.
Then he could buy anything he wanted from the Game Store.
He could even buy the first three chapters of the Giant Spirit Rage technique, which he'd coveted for ages.
But he didn't dare approach the shore.
Spirit Fish weren't harmless.
If he got too close, he might end up like the Blood Gladiators—reduced to ash.
Besides the Crimson Flame Fish, the other fish flopping and whipping their tails on the beach looked just as dangerous.
Just then, a shout came from the distance.
"Old Jiang, I'm here!"
Jiang Ming turned and saw Huang Yan running toward him in a hurry.
As soon as Huang Yan reached him, his gaze was drawn to the fish on the beach.
After using his analysis ability, he stared just as wide-eyed as Jiang Ming.
"Holy crap, we've hit the jackpot!"
"Don't go!"
Seeing Huang Yan jog toward the beach and reach for the fish, Jiang Ming immediately tried to stop him.
But Huang Yan had already picked up a strange fish covered in crackling arcs of electricity and lined with sharp teeth.
Then, right before Jiang Ming's stunned eyes, Huang Yan turned into light, engulfed by blinding purple lightning, and finally became black mist.
A gust of wind swept in, scattering the black mist.
Only Jiang Ming remained, standing there in stunned disbelief.
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