Common low-grade spirit fish are priced between 8 and 15 low-grade spirit stones.
As for the Hanblood bass being so valuable, it's because its blood contains a special cold property, making it top-grade material for crafting talismans.
Ji Yuan didn't expect that this upgrade would evolve the only semi-spirit fish in his fish pond into a spirit fish.
It seems to be a bonus from the pond upgrade, resulting in a critical hit.
But no matter what, with this Hanblood bass, the current predicament is solved.
Ji Yuan doesn't want to take out a high-interest loan, but he also doesn't want to die... He has transmigrated once and ended up in the cultivation world that every man dreams of. No one wants to die here.
That being the case, the current issue is to take the Hanblood bass to the fish cage to sell and exchange for spirit stones.
Ji Yuan sat by the fish pond, looking at this spirit fish trapped in the shallow pool... Directly selling it certainly wouldn't work; if someone with malicious intent saw it, it would likely arouse suspicion.
Having come to this unpredictable cultivation world, before reaching a certain level of strength, it's best to be cautious.
So the best solution is to first make a trip to Cloud Rain Marsh, pretending to have just caught it.
Just do it.
If it were in the vast Cloud Rain Marsh, just a flick of the tail from this Hanblood bass and Ji Yuan would never catch up. But unfortunately, it's now trapped in this small fish pond.
So Ji Yuan used the "Water Arrow Technique," which the original owner had not completely mastered, and easily pierced and killed the Hanblood bass with one shot.
After the spirit fish died, he hurriedly dragged the corpse ashore and even used hemostatic powder on it to prevent further blood loss.
Then he glanced outside the door, and after seeing no one, he carried the body of the spirit fish onto that old fishing boat, hiding it in the water tank.
There used to be a primary magical artifact level fishing boat at home, but it was also lost in Cloud Rain Marsh.
Thinking it over, Ji Yuan knocked on Old Man Huang's yard door next door.
"What, made up your mind to find Liu Lai?" Old Man Huang asked, grinning with his toothless mouth.
"I've made up my mind. I'll try going back to Cloud Rain Marsh. I'll trouble Elder Huang to look after the house. If anyone comes looking, just say I'm out fishing."
"Alright, try to stay alive."
Knowing he wasn't going to find Liu Lai, Old Man Huang's interest waned.
"Hm."
Ji Yuan boarded the fishing boat, pushed the oars, and the old boat sailed into the vast Cloud Rain Marsh.
Old Man Huang leaned against the door frame, watching his back, sighed deeply.
"Heartless Cloud Rain Marsh is about to claim another drowned ghost."
"..."
After a while, Ji Yuan glanced back, and once he could see no trace of the shore, he found a small island nearby and cultivated there for half a day before sailing straight to the fish cage in Zengtou City.
If one were to say where the liveliest place in Zengtou City is, firstly it might be the men's brothel.
Secondly, it would be this fish cage.
Especially this fish cage located by the shore, where fishermen returning from trips generally come here.
Although it's still early, around three or four in the afternoon, this place is already crowded.
"Brother Ye, you've had a good haul, catching a sword yellow fish, earning another ten spirit stones. How about treating the brothers to some fun tonight?"
"There was a mid-stage first-level spirit fish in Huishui Bay. It injured several people."
"Did Han Feiyu break through to the eighth level of Qi Cultivation? Then he must be joining the Water Dragon Sect, another talent coming from Zengtou City."
"..."
With so many people talking, Ji Yuan couldn't afford to delay. He carried the Hanblood bass straight to the Water Dragon Sect disciple in charge of receiving fish and placed the spirit fish into the fish basket.
Seeing the Hanblood bass appear, the surrounding chatter lessened significantly.
"Hanblood bass? Haven't seen that in a while, right?"
"Damn, caught by someone at the second level of Qi Cultivation? Must have stepped in a pile of dog shit for luck!"
"..."
Seeing the Hanblood bass, the Water Dragon Sect disciple became somewhat interested. "The quality's not bad, the blood's well-preserved too; let me offer you 18 low-grade spirit stones for it."
What?!
18 stones!
This price surprised Ji Yuan. He had thought that 15 low-grade spirit stones would be more than enough, but it turned out to be 3 more.
Only when the Water Dragon Sect disciple placed the handful of spirit stones in his hand did he come to his senses and quickly asked:
"I want to pay the Immortal Residence fee. Can I do that here?"
The fish cage and Immortal Residence fees are both officially managed by the Water Dragon Sect. Usually, fishermen intending to head into the deeper waters of Cloud Rain Marsh pay their next month's Immortal Residence fee here in advance.
"Yes."
The Water Dragon Sect disciple responded expressionlessly.
"Room number B16."
Ji Yuan reported his residence, and the Water Dragon Sect disciple took out a jade scroll and scanned it briefly. "You've been in arrears for two months, that's six spirit stones in total."
"Here."
Handing over a third of the spirit stones he had just received, Ji Yuan didn't feel any heartache. Instead, he felt relieved of a burden.
This way, at least he wouldn't have to worry about being evicted from Cloud Rain Marsh and having nowhere to stay.
After paying the rent, Ji Yuan cupped his hands with a smile towards the nearby fishermen who came to watch the excitement.
"Fortunate, just fortunate."
With that, he melded into the crowd, deftly weaving his way through and disappearing.
After walking a certain distance from the fish cage, Ji Yuan looked back, and only after making sure no one was following him did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the market is relatively safe, especially during the daytime.
Feeling the spirit stones in his pocket, Ji Yuan glanced at his interface. If he only wanted to upgrade buildings, his current assets would allow him to upgrade quite a few.
But upgrading buildings alone without other resources is not enough.
For example, for the fish pond, having enough semi-spirit fish is necessary for better functionality.
The spare "pigsty," which gives a hundred pounds of muscle in seven days while also tempering the body, requires spirit dolphins... which is another expense.
The best course of action now seems to be to purchase some semi-spirit fish first to utilize the "fish pond" functionality.
After all, even if they don't evolve into spirit fish, the 20% increased growth speed would ensure no loss.
As for buildings, Ji Yuan plans to upgrade the "chicken cage" next.
Buying a few Qinghuang chickens would mean the spirit eggs produced would not only sustain his daily cultivation but also enable fasting.
It would save a significant expense.
Just do it. In the past, most of these spirit stones would have been used to buy talismans or elixirs to venture into Cloud Rain Marsh for life-and-death struggles.
As for now... Ji Yuan stated.
Let the life-threatening adventures be yours. I'll just stay home, raise some fish, and feed some chickens.
Not long after, Ji Yuan brought back five semi-spirit fish and three Qinghuang chickens with hints of demon beast blood, all on that old fishing boat, to his doorstep.
Old Man Huang, who was smoking a dry cigarette at the door, looked at Ji Yuan, who returned fully loaded, and got up, startlingly asking:
"You brat, sold your ass?"
You're the one who sold his ass, your whole family sold their ass... Ji Yuan tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Fortunate, encountered a severely injured early-stage spirit fish."
"You really stepped in a heap of dog shit."
Old Man Huang's voice was filled with envy.
What Ji Yuan said wasn't unheard of in Zengtou City, just rare.
Watching Ji Yuan enter the house with fish and chickens, Old Man Huang inwardly ridiculed him... Ah, youth, really too young, having some money just makes one think of feasting and drinking, without saving for paying the Immortal Residence fee next month.
Does he really think he can always be this lucky, finding an injured spirit fish every month?
But turning to look at the misty Cloud Rain Marsh, Old Man Huang couldn't help but have a bold thought.
Maybe, I should try going to Cloud Rain Marsh too?
——
(The first book of an 18-year-old newcomer, please support it with lots of attention, recommended votes, and monthly votes.)