Magic Artifact?
Li Quanqing was quite puzzled, as there were several magic artifact shops in the workshop, which were not uncommon.
These guys really seem abnormally excited.
"Magic artifacts are astonishingly expensive, worth at least twenty to thirty Spirit Stones, and are usually consigned for sale in shops."
"Selling magic artifacts on the street, there has only been one possibility over the years..."
The solemn-faced cultivator kindly explained, his eyes brimming with intense admiration:
"It means a clan member has advanced to become a formal First Rank Artifact Refiner, announcing it to everyone in this manner."
Li Quanqing was slightly shaken.
These fellows from the Artifact Refining Hall are really making quite a statement.
He now understood that people were not interested in just an ordinary magic artifact, but in an Artifact Refiner about to soar to great heights.
Curiosity also filled Li Quanqing's heart as he followed the crowd, and he finally saw the honorable presence of this mysterious Artifact Refiner.
If he had to describe the other person with words, only four would fit.
Unremarkable in appearance.
A middle-aged man looking to be in his forties, with strands of white hair already showing at his temples.
The Daoist robe he wore was similarly worn, but the Dragon Fish patch encircled by flames highlighted his identity as a member of the Artifact Refining Hall.
"My fellows! My fellows! As per the tradition of the Artifact Hall, today I will sell my first refined magic artifact here..."
Contrasting with his tattered robe, the man's eyes were bright and spirited, his entire being in an extremely excited state.
There was no need to specifically inquire, someone in the crowd immediately recognized his identity, so everyone learned about the life story of this Artifact Refiner.
Born of humble origins, with a poor Spirit Root, no background, but with perseverance and a resilient character, he eventually—
Achieved greatness despite a late start, leaping over the Dragon Gate!
Li Quanqing cleared his ears, feeling like he was listening to a feel-good story from a storybook.
Warm and comforting.
Finally, the Artifact Refiner presented his work, a longsword shimmering with cold brilliance that seemed to be made up of countless stacked blue fish scales.
Magic Artifact—Green Carp Sword!
The Li Family started with the Green Jade Carp, and they had developed the value of this type of Spirit Fish to the extreme.
The Green Carp Sword, the Green Scale Shield, the Green Jade Armor.
These three kinds of magic artifacts, which are the Li Family's golden signs, are bestsellers across dozens of islands, famed far and wide, making a huge amount of Spirit Stones each year.
The Artifact Refiners' status in the family increased along with this prosperity, with all young men and women eager to enter the Artifact Hall to learn.
However, the Green Carp Sword was generally a Mid Grade Magical Artifact, and the one before them was merely Low Grade, showing the craftsmanship was indeed not refined.
Even so, it still sold for a high price, ultimately bought for sixty Spirit Stones by a well-off clan member, to cultivate good relations.
"Indeed, there's no future in fish-keeping; being an Artifact Refiner is the real deal!"
Li Quanqing was filled with emotion, a single Low Grade magic artifact was worth how many big green fish he could sell.
After watching the excitement, the crowd gradually dissipated, and Jade Dragon Pond returned to its usual quiet, with the waves silently lapping against the shore.
As time passed, Li Quanqing once again lived a fisherman's life, tranquil as water.
Zone B fishpond.
"Geng Metal Finger!"
Li Quanqing sat cross-legged on the lotus platform, shaping a spell with his hands, his finger as if a sword.
Mana surged, circulating through his meridians in a mysterious way, finally erupting like molten lava from a volcano.
Swoosh!!
A golden light burst from Li Quanqing's index finger, launching a Golden Needle that raised an imperceptibly tiny wave in the water.
"I've finally made it to the threshold!"
Seeing this, Li Quanqing couldn't help but smile slightly, quite pleased with himself.
Since returning from Qingyu Island, half a month had passed.
He had practiced day and night, ultimately cultivating and gaining a thorough understanding of this spell.
Gurgle!
The water surface bubbled and popped as a large green fish with a white belly surfaced, a gaping hole in its forehead, blood steadily oozing out.
"Nice power, looks like there's a catch for today's lunch."
Just as Li Quanqing revealed a hint of joy, he saw bubbles churning on the surface of the water.
One after another, large green fish emerged from the whirlpool, spitting water arrows so densely that they were impenetrable, making a "ptoo ptoo" sound.
These large green fish were only about the size of a palm, all spawned from that batch of breeding fish, but they were already using the Water Jet Technique masterfully.
"Is it the strong genes of their parents, or is the Spiritual Energy in Zone B's fishpond too abundant? This batch of fry has such fierce personalities, so fond of spitting at people."
Li Quanqing felt quite a headache and took out a purplish-red grass seed emitting a strange odor, smelling sweet and fishy like Demon Beast Blood.
At the whiff of this smell, the fry instantly became excited, jumping on the water surface, splashing everywhere, boiling the entire pond.
Moo Moo!
A muffled bellow, deep like thunder, echoed as two Green Jade Carps swam up, aggressively expelling all the large green fish from the area.
What Li Quanqing held in his hand was a Dragon Scale Grass seed.
Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, it had dried up and lost all vitality, unable to grow, and could only be used to feed fish.
"The last seed, let's see which of you two can snatch it."
Li Quanqing casually threw it, the seed tracing a parabola into the water.
The calm pond erupted in an instant, as two Spirit Fish fought fiercely for the food.
With the movement of their fins, Demon Energy billowed, each controlling water bullets and smashing them at one another, making quite a ruckus and battling intensely.
Unexpectedly, the male Green Jade Carp successfully swallowed the seed, excitedly slapping the water surface with its tail, going thump thump.
Although this guy hadn't matured yet, he was even larger than his mate by a size, close to two feet long.
The dense jade-like fish scales displayed a cyan-green color, wisps of Demon Energy swirling and coiling under its skin, showing a hint of nobility.
[Fish Life Slacking] Green Jade Carp: "After eating such delicious food, I feel like I'm about to rise!"
[Maturity: 95%]
Li Quanqing stroked the smooth back of the Green Jade Carp, also raising this kind of Spirit Fish for the first time, feeling somewhat unsure.
This guy outwardly seemed fine, with a demonically vibrant appearance, fat and strong.
After all, by eating and sleeping, then sleeping and eating, the flesh on its body definitely grew fast.
But it's said that Green Jade Carps can reach maturity within a year of being raised, and the large size proved this point.
However, the Golden Finger indicated that the male Green Jade Carp could still only be considered underage.
Left with no choice, Li Quanqing had to consult a professional.
"Brother Quan, what urgent business do you have calling for this old man?"
Outside the fishpond, Li Kunshui called out while propping up a fishing boat, tapping the Array with a jade pipe hung from his waist.
"Uncle Nineteen, I'm not so sure about the Green Jade Carp I'm raising, so I invited you to take a look."
Li Quanqing opened the Array.
The old man had raised fish for sixty to seventy years, a true veteran fish farmer, with boundless experience.
"So this is Zone B's fishpond? Such abundant Spiritual Energy!"
The old man showed astonishment, bending down to scoop up a handful of clear water, uttering continuous admiration.
Ptui!
A large green fish stuck its head out from under the boat, spitting out a thick and large Water Arrow at the unwelcome guest.
"Mischievous!"
Li Kunshui chuckled, his claw-like withered hand reaching forward, Mana blooming from his fingertips.
In an instant, the water arrow, suspended mid-air, was controlled by the old man, moving as he willed, and turned into a water rope that tied up the large green fish.
Water Control Skill!
Li Quanqing immediately felt relieved.
With this masterful Basic Magic alone, it was clear the old man was no mere talk.
"Uncle Nineteen, come and look at my Spirit Fish."
Li Quanqing summoned the male Green Jade Carp, its fins fluttering in the water, elegant as brocaded silk.
Li Kunshui looked for a few moments, and his weathered face exclaimed in surprise: "Incredible! Quan, your Green Jade Carp is incredible!"