https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-306-The-Capabilities-of-a-Spirit-Herbalist/12544281/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-308-Consolidation-in-the-Small-Courtyard/12544283/
Chapter 307: The Azure-Horned Dragon Carp
Chapter 307: The Azure-Horned Dragon Carp
On the boundless and undulating sea, Lu Chen held a fishing rod that extended several feet from the wooden tower. The silver fishing line descended into the distance.
Following the line, one could see a first-rate sea creature swimming erratically with a hook bearing faint talismans lodged in its belly.
He recalled Shi Zhong mentioning that dragon carp occasionally appeared in these waters and could be lured with live bait.
Thus, he decided to give it a try.
Suddenly, a tremendous force transmitted through the line, and through his spiritual sense, he perceived that the bait fish, hook and all, had been swallowed by a gigantic fish.
Lu Chen pulled with force, and just as the giant fish broke the surface, a blade of water formed, severing the line. The hook inside the sea creature's body was also crushed by its bite.
Regaining its freedom, a flash of azure light appeared on the giant fish's head, and with a powerful flick of its tail, it vanished instantly, employing the art of water escape.
When the giant fish breached the surface, Lu Chen managed to catch a glimpse of its entirety.
It was about ten feet long, with an elongated body covered in deep azure scales. Two dark green whiskers trailed to its tail, and a horn roughly three inches long protruded from its head, adding a touch of extraordinariness to the giant fish.
Upon the giant fish taking the bait, Lu Chen received detailed information about it.
Azure-Horned Dragon Carp, a third-rate demon beast in its juvenile phase. Possessing thin true dragon blood, it is inherently powerful and will instinctively comprehend low- and mid-tier water system techniques as it grows. Within a certain range, it can employ the art of water escape.
"Azure-horned dragon carp?"
A hint of confusion flashed in Lu Chen's eyes as he gazed in the direction where the giant fish had disappeared.
He had seen a dragon carp before at Song Sining's place, but it had only been a second-rate demon beast. Yet, the green giant fish he had almost caught moments ago was a third-rate Azure-Horned Dragon Carp.
"I recall that the true dragon bloodline in that dragon carp was extremely thin," he mused. "Perhaps this is the reason for the difference in their grades."
"A third-rate variant dragon carp in its juvenile phase—perfect for capturing and nurturing a white light sphere."
With that thought, Lu Chen took a lively spirit fish from the pond. He controlled it, carefully slit open its belly, inserted the hook, added some bait favored by dragon carp, and then used the Moon Pearl to stop the bleeding and heal its wounds, restoring it to seven or eight points of its normal state.
After that, he borrowed a new fishing rod from Shi Zhong.
The rod was crafted from third-rate spirit wood, the hook was forged from third-rate spirit ore, and the line was made from blood jade spider silk—a complete upgrade.
"Brother Lu, did you really find a variant dragon carp?" Shi Zhong asked through a sound transmission, afraid that his voice would scare away the Azure-Horned Dragon Carp.
Zhou Bingyu also stood quietly by, silent.
"Yes, it's quite different from the dragon carp I saw before," Lu Chen replied, tossing a first-rate sea fish into the distant waters.
Shi Zhong's eyes lit up with excitement as he fixed his gaze on the spot where the hook landed.
A variant dragon carp! Even if he didn't have the skill to catch it, just witnessing it would be amazing.
The bait fish swam deep in the sea, its movements slowing due to its injuries.
About half an hour later, Lu Chen suddenly sensed that the bait fish had been swallowed, and with a surge of strength, he pulled back.
The ten-foot-long Azure-Horned Dragon Carp broke the surface.
Due to the upgraded equipment, the dragon carp couldn't immediately break free from the hook and line's restraints.
Lu Chen's spiritual power surged, causing the talismans on the hook to change quietly as tendrils of spiritual power spread, entangling the dragon carp.
The Azure-Horned Dragon Carp let out a muffled roar, shooting out dozens of sharp blades of water in an attempt to quickly cut the line.
Although it was a third-rate sea creature with exceptional talent, it was still in its juvenile stage and couldn't break free as easily as before.
"Congratulations, Brother Lu, on catching such a rare dragon carp!" Shi Zhong exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with envy as he looked at the wriggling fish on the ground.
Although it was just a juvenile, catching a third-rate sea creature was still an unprecedented achievement for him.
"I have to thank you, Brother Shi, for lending me your fishing rod, which made this catch possible," Lu Chen said with a smile.
Shi Zhong's envy did not translate into any desire for the dragon carp. After all, a third-rate sea creature wasn't that valuable to him. Unless he had caught it himself, of course.
Lu Chen carefully removed the hook from the dragon carp's body. The silvery moonlight healed its wounds, after which he stored it away in a living creature bag.
The two continued their fishing expedition.
Soon, Lu Chen reeled in another spirit fish, but his expression remained solemn, devoid of any joy.
The moment the sea creature had taken the bait, he had sensed something amiss from its condition.
The information that flashed through his mind included not just the usual details about the fish's status, habits, and abilities, but also one particular line that stood out:
[Affected by sinister energy, risk of mutation.]
Lu Chen cautiously approached the spirit fish, and even from a distance, he could discern something unusual about it. Although it exuded vibrant vitality, faint tendrils of black energy could be seen seeping from its body.
From within his wide sleeves, a fourth-rate Great Sun Sword Talisman quietly slipped out. Meanwhile, the Immaculate Jade around his neck emanated a cool breeze, growing stronger as he drew closer to the fish.
"It does seem to be connected to sinister energy, as I suspected," Lu Chen thought to himself. He called out to Shi Zhong and Zhou Bingyu, his tone grave.
"Brother Lu, what's the matter? Your tone suggests something ominous has occurred," Shi Zhong inquired.
"There's something odd about this sea creature," Lu Chen replied.
Prompted by Lu Chen's warning, Shi Zhong and Zhou Bingyu noticed the abnormality of the spirit fish lying on the wooden board. The female cultivator's eyebrows furrowed, and she unleashed a chilling sword aura, instantly slicing the fish in half.
What they saw next left all three of them speechless.
Instead of normal organs, the fish's belly contained several clumps of ashy-black filth, coiled with sinister energy, that seemed to possess a life of their own as they squirmed slowly.
Shi Zhong slapped his storage bag, and a white jade talisman flew out, hovering above the remains of the fish. Sacred, pure white light cascaded down, bathing the filth in its radiance.
The filth sizzled and emitted a putrid stench. After a few breaths, it transformed into charred organs, and the surrounding sinister energy dissipated without a trace.
"This sea creature has been invaded and corrupted by sinister energy," Shi Zhong said, his usual nonchalant demeanor replaced by a serious expression.
"It's hard to tell if this is a natural occurrence or the result of human actions," he continued. "The Boundless Sea is vast and infinite, and unknown sinister entities lurk in its depths, so it's not unusual to encounter their energy."
"However, this first-rate sea creature has a limited range, and it wouldn't venture far from the archipelago."
"This implies that somewhere in the vicinity of the archipelago, there is a force capable of invading and corrupting sea creatures and beasts."
"If it's a natural phenomenon, the extent of the harm would be limited in scope and severity."
"But if it's man-made, that's a different story—a dangerous one."
"Perhaps, on one of these small islands, there's an evil cultivator practicing a sinister and toxic art, dumping large amounts of filth into the Boundless Sea, thereby causing countless sea creatures to be invaded and corrupted." Lu Chen speculated.
"Then they deserve whatever punishment they get," the three of them thought simultaneously.
(End of Chapter)
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