https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-15-Big-Fish-The-Magical-Fish-Stone/13688150/
Chapter 16: Red Moon Carp
The sudden bite caught Lu Qing off guard.
But thanks to years of fishing experience, his reflexes were sharp. In an instant, he gripped the Fishing Rod tightly and steadied his stance—just in time to avoid being dragged into the water along with his rod.
The pull was no weaker than the one from the earlier Green Armor Fish!
“Damn, are all the fish in this world fond of ambush attacks?” Lu Qing couldn’t help but laugh, a little exasperated.
As a seasoned angler, he’d nearly been caught off balance twice today—almost turning into a “human bait” himself. These fish from another world really had no honor. No warning. No buildup. Just a sudden, brutal strike.
If not for his experience, he’d have been taken down for sure.
But since the first ambush failed… then it’s time for you all to come up!
Lu Qing tightened his grip on the Fishing Rod, fully focused on every twitch and shift of pressure. He was ready for the next round of battle with the fish beneath the surface.
After a fierce struggle, Lu Qing sensed something was wrong.
At first, he’d assumed this new catch was another massive fish like the Green Armor Fish—after all, the initial pull had been immense.
But now, the feel of the fight was different.
Unlike the Green Armor Fish’s crushing, relentless power, this one’s strength was explosive… but short-lived.
As long as Lu Qing held firm during the first burst of resistance, the fish’s strength began to fade quickly.
It was clearly a creature built for speed and sudden bursts—strong in sprint, but lacking endurance.
Based on instinct, Lu Qing guessed the fish below wasn’t as large as he’d first thought.
Rather, it was a small, fast-swimming predator—powerful in bursts, but not built for long fights.
That realization eased his mind.
Fish that relied on speed were far easier to handle than massive, powerful beasts like the Green Armor Fish.
Those giants were terrifying—each surge of strength demanded absolute caution. And their endurance was legendary, turning the fight into a test of wills.
But this one? Once he weathered the initial storm, its strength would dwindle. It couldn’t escape.
And sure enough, as Lu Qing held firm through several more violent surges, he felt the fish’s power fading.
Then, after a tense pull, he finally saw it—the outline of the fish breaking the surface.
“A red fish?”
Lu Qing paused, stunned.
The fish was dazzling—bright, fiery red from head to tail.
An oddity. Definitely a rare fish!
The vivid crimson hue sent a thrill through him.
And as he looked closer, he realized it wasn’t very large—only about twenty to thirty centimeters long.
Now that he had a sense of its size, Lu Qing felt even more confident.
He began to play the fish with ease, guiding it with steady pressure.
Not long after, the fish was spent, its energy completely drained.
With a final tug, Lu Qing hauled it out of the water.
“Brother, this fish is so beautiful!” Xiao Yan’s eyes sparkled as she stared at the red creature lying on the grass.
“It really is,” Lu Qing admitted, smiling.
The fish was about a foot long, slender and elegant—reminiscent of the carp from his old world.
It had two long, flowing whiskers near its mouth, and its tail fanned out like a blooming flower.
But it was the crimson scales—like living flames—that made it truly stunning.
As he stared, the fish’s details began to appear before his mind’s eye:
[Red Moon Carp: Rare Fish. Covered in fiery red scales, capable of astonishing speed.]
[Contains a trace of spiritual essence. Meat is exceptionally nourishing and delicious. Scales can be used as medicine.]
[If properly nurtured, there is a faint chance it may evolve into a Spirit Fish.]
Alongside the descriptions, a faint glow pulsed from the fish—white, but tinged with a delicate red hue.
“Red light?”
At first, Lu Qing thought he was mistaken.
But after a closer look, he realized it wasn’t just a reflection from the scales.
No—this was the real thing.
The glow that only his Abilities could perceive—the mark of an item’s rank.
So this Red Moon Carp wasn’t just a common white-rank item.
It was something rarer—caught between white and red in rank.
That explained why there were three entries instead of two.
Ordinary white-rank items only had two.
His eyes immediately fixed on the third line.
“A faint chance of evolving into a Spirit Fish…”
Lu Qing studied the words, lost in thought.
Could a Spirit Fish be a step above a Rare Fish?
He suddenly remembered the Snow Silk given to him by Chen Laodaifu.
That had been a red-rank treasure.
If Snow Silk came from a silkworm… could that silkworm have been a Spirit Worm?
But the question would remain unanswered.
Even Chen Laodaifu didn’t know the origins of the Snow Silk.
So there was no one to ask.
For now, the second entry held more immediate value.
“Meat is exceptionally nourishing and delicious…”
Lu Qing smiled.
Tomorrow’s gift to Chen Laodaifu was finally decided.
He’d originally planned to bring the Green Armor Fish if nothing better came along.
But now, this Red Moon Carp was clearly more valuable—and much more suitable as a gift, given its modest size.
Without hesitation, he pulled the Green Armor Fish out, then carefully placed the Red Moon Carp into the bucket.
Gifts had to stay alive.
And sure enough, the Red Moon Carp proved its worth.
Even after being exhausted from the fight and lying on the grass for a while, the moment it touched water in the bucket, it surged to life—swimming with renewed vigor.
Remarkably resilient.
With the Red Moon Carp secured, Lu Qing had no desire to keep fishing.
Two intense battles had drained his strength.
Even if he caught another fish, he wouldn’t have the stamina to play it.
Best to call it a day.
“Xiao Yan, let’s head back,” he said, gathering materials to make a grass rope.
He tied the Green Armor Fish securely to his back.
Then, with one hand holding the bucket, the other clutching his knife and Fishing Rod, he turned to Xiao Yan.
“Brother, let me help carry something,” Xiao Yan said, watching him struggle under the weight.
“Alright,” Lu Qing agreed.
He took a few steps, then nodded. “Yeah, this is too much for one person.”
He first hung the Bamboo Tube of Earthworms around Xiao Yan’s neck.
Then, he placed the Fishing Rod across her shoulders.
“Xiao Yan, you carry this rod—be careful, don’t drop it.”
“Okay! Xiao Yan understands!” she said, nodding seriously.
And so, the two of them set off—him carrying the fish, her carrying the rod—walking slowly back through the woods, burdened but determined.
As they passed the small fishing spot, the villagers stopped in shock, staring at the sight of the tall boy and little girl, one laden with fish, the other with gear.
(End of Chapter)
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