After Hu Qi left the Red Scale Club, he didn't linger, heading straight for the hotel, intending to get something to eat first.
However, as soon as he entered the hotel lobby, he saw a figure with light steps approaching him.
This was a woman around thirty, tall and well-proportioned.
Her chestnut hair was pulled back into a bun, and she wore a black business suit with a white shirt underneath, a colorful silk scarf tied at the collar, making her appear exceptionally capable.
She was precisely the lobby manager of this hotel.
"You're saying the hotel acquired an exotic beast?" Hu Qi looked at the hotel manager before him, feeling a bit surprised.
Nothing else, just that the other party had brought him a pleasant surprise.
"Yes, Mr. Hu, we acquired a rather special fish here, which might be the exotic beast you need."
The woman said with a smile.
"Take me to see it!"
Hu Qi said.
Soon, the two walked through the lobby and arrived at an area filled with various fish tanks.
Inside the tanks were all sorts of fish, shrimp, and other seafood, with fishing nets hanging beside the tanks.
At this moment, several customers were selecting from them.
Soon, Hu Qi followed her to a fish tank.
"This is a Dragon Horn Fish, which usually lives in the dim deep sea.
Most common Dragon Horn Fish are white, but this one is an extremely rare crimson, which should be the exotic beast you are looking for."
Inside the fish tank was a strange fish, about an arm's length and weighing around four to five catties.
Unlike the flat and rounded bodies of normal fish, this so-called Dragon Horn Fish had a slender body, similar to an electric eel, with two long whiskers growing by its lips.
Its entire body was crimson, and as its body swayed, it resembled a constantly flickering and burning flame in the water.
What concerned Hu Qi the most was this.
On the forehead of this fish, there was a thumb-sized bifurcated single horn, which at this moment was emitting a faint, weak glow.
This scene was very strange, indeed somewhat similar to the legendary Dragon, no wonder it was called Dragon Horn Fish.
However, the only problem was that this fish seemed a bit listless, and there was a cut on its abdomen, with blood vaguely seeping out.
"This fish isn't poisonous, is it?"
Hu Qi looked at the brightly colored Dragon Horn Fish and asked with some apprehension.
One must know that in nature, some animals and creatures with increasingly vibrant and beautiful colors often carry a certain degree of toxicity.
Although his current Physique far exceeded that of ordinary people, it was hard to say when it came to toxins.
"You can rest assured about that; this kind of crimson Dragon Horn Fish is not the first one; someone has fished one up before, and you can check this online; it even sold for a good price at the time!"
The woman explained with a smile.
Upon hearing this.
Hu Qi's expression shifted.
He opened his mouth and asked, "Oh, then how much does this fish cost?"
"The last such fish sold for over thirty thousand, but as you can see, this one won't live much longer due to its abdominal injury, so it's only ten thousand."
The woman pointed to the wound on the Dragon Horn Fish's abdomen and said.
After acquiring this fish, their hotel originally did not intend to sell it.
They wanted to keep it as an ornamental fish, as this fish's appearance is very beautiful.
Unfortunately, due to the capture method, that wound was left on its abdomen, and although it wasn't immediately fatal.
It looked like it wouldn't live much longer; death was only a matter of time.
Rather than that, it was better to sell it.
"This fish is almost dead, make it cheaper, three hundred yuan, if not, then forget it."
Hu Qi's expression was as usual, completely ignoring the other party's offer, and directly pulled out his Dragon Slaying Blade to cut a price.
"Mr. Hu, your price is too low; our cost price is more than that."
The woman's smile was a bit strained.
"How about you add a bit more."
After several negotiations, they finally settled on eight hundred yuan.
After paying, Hu Qi went to the restaurant area to wait.
Customers usually choose their seafood and can directly hand it over to the hotel for processing, which keeps it fresh.
During this time.
He searched for information about the Dragon Horn Fish.
Although this type of fish lives in the deep sea, its numbers are not small.
The price of an ordinary white Dragon Horn Fish is probably around thirty yuan per catty.
The one just now was at most three or four catties; if it were just an ordinary Dragon Horn Fish, it would be at most a little over a hundred.
About half an hour later, a steaming plate of steamed Dragon Horn Fish, emitting a fragrant aroma, was brought to the table.
Because it was steamed.
The slightly curled skin had a faint oily sheen, and shredded green onions, minced garlic, and ginger slices adorned it, making the aroma even richer.
The soup at the bottom of the plate had a faint Gold hue, which was the Fusion of the fish's essence and seasonings.
Hu Qi picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth; a burst of fresh and fragrant flavor instantly blossomed in his mouth.
As the fish entered his stomach, the modification panel automatically popped up, and the characters in the modification column subtly flickered, with the value increasing.
Before long, the entire plate of fish was consumed by Hu Qi, and even the fish soup was drunk by him.
Feeling a faint warmth spreading from his abdomen, Hu Qi looked at the panel.
------
Modification Value: 7 (12%)
After seeing the number behind the modification value, Hu Qi's expression changed.
This was his second time eating exotic beast meat; the two eels he ate before only provided a little over two points of modification value each.
Excluding the remaining little over one point of modification value from before, this fish actually provided him with nearly six points of modification value.
Such a large amount of modification value was undoubtedly a 'huge sum' for him.
"What a pity; it would be great if there were a few more," Hu Qi sighed.
However, he also knew this was just his wishful thinking.
He shook his head.
Full and satisfied, he took the elevator back to his room, took a shower, and immediately fell asleep.
These past few days, he had been busy getting started with these four Fighting Techniques and hadn't really rested well.
...
The next morning.
The proud sun of dawn rose from the horizon, and faint Gold sunlight poured down through the thin mist.
Reflected by the glass surface of the steel buildings, the light and shadows appeared hazy.
In front of the Red Scale Fighting Club.
When Hu Qi arrived here with his breakfast, the other four had already arrived early.
Several people were carrying backpacks and luggage.
Simms leaned against the wall, and upon seeing Hu Qi arrive, his face was taut, appearing somewhat nervous.
Hu Qi didn't care about this; he found a step to sit on and took off the newly bought backpack from behind him.
The backpack was covered with breathable mesh on all sides, and there was a small window at the top, from which Zhangcha Duck's head poked out.
Upon seeing the food in Hu Qi's hand, Zhangcha Duck immediately quacked twice.
The meaning was clear.
"You eat more than me every day!"
Hu Qi cursed with a smile, took out a plain steamed bun from a side bag, tore off a piece, and threw it into the other's mouth.
Then, he picked up another bag of steamed buns and began to eat.
This was the breakfast provided by the hotel; it tasted good, with thin skin and plenty of filling, making his mouth full of oil with one bite.
Seeing this, everyone's expressions were strange. They had all brought large and small bags of changes of clothes and daily necessities.
Yet this guy brought nothing but a duck?
However, although they were puzzled, they didn't dare to ask too many questions, thinking that it might just be Hu Qi's preference.
After all, Hu Qi's strength was evident.
After finishing the steamed buns and drinking all the milk.
Just then.
A gray bus drove from a distance and finally stopped in front of the Red Scale Fighting Club.