I Became a Rare Species in the Immortal Cultivation World

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Chapter 8: So Many Fish!

You You followed the sound of flowing water for several hundred meters until spotting a narrow river ahead. Below it lay a small pool, its cool air greeting her face.

She pulled the stopper from her water pouch at the pool’s edge, only to find the water unexpectedly murky. Swirling sediment clouded the surface in yellowish haze, obscuring the bottom. Unconcerned, she moved upstream past the pool, stopping beneath a small waterfall where clearer water flowed. As her pouch began filling with a gurgling sound, a sudden splash erupted behind her.

A gust of damp wind brushed her neck as an oval shadow appeared underfoot. Reacting instinctively, You You whirled and snatched at the air, her hands closing around something slippery that slapped against her arm.

She found herself holding a massive aquatic creature – a fish! Its bluish-gray scales gleamed, tail broad as a washbasin, two fleshy whiskers twitching by its mouth. Though caught by the tail, the thrashing creature kept battering her arm.

(⊙o⊙)

You You gaped in disbelief. Fish in this tiny river? This specimen alone could feed their eight-member team twice over! And she’d caught it barehanded so easily?

She glanced back at the pool. The previously still water now bubbled violently, yellowish clouds parting to reveal shadows – more fish! Dozens of them, each as large as her catch, swarmed toward her position.

You You’s eyes sparkled with realization. Jackpot!

╰（☆▽☆）╯

Abandoning her water pouch, she kicked off shoes and waded into the pool. The fish seemed to welcome her approach, their movements growing frantic. No sooner had she entered than multiple silver shapes burst from the water – fish leaping straight at her!

Before she could roll up her pants, three more fish flew through the air. She grabbed at the flapping shadows, catching two while a third thudded onto the bank. Each wriggling catch weighed over twenty pounds. Soon four more fish joined the growing pile ashore.

These creatures showed no fear, their school thickening around her. You You laughed breathlessly, now kicking fish ashore when her hands overflowed. The bank became a chaos of thrashing silver scales.

When Lin Feng’s team arrived panting at the riverside, they found the noble lady standing barefoot amidst a mountain of flopping River Beasts, sleeves rolled up and eyes shining with triumph.

Lin Feng: "…"

Liu Qing: "…"

Teammate: "…"

They rubbed their eyes. Either they’d gone blind or run completely astray.

（￣△￣；）

“Hey? Lin Feng, you’re here!” You You instantly noticed the group, waving eagerly with an excited grin. “Come quick! There’s a ton of fish here!”

Fish?

The group glanced at the mountain of River Beasts piled nearby, then at the slender figure by the water.

“……” Meow-meow-meow?

Confusion painted every face!

Perhaps finally learning caution, the River Beasts had stopped leaping ashore. You You waded back, apologizing as she approached, “Sorry! Got carried away catching these. Forgot about fetching water. You waited long?”

The group gaped silently. Liu Qing pointed at the monster heap, eyes darting between it and You You before stammering, “You… you did this?!” But Lin Feng said River Beasts were Tier Four Monsters!

This?!

“Not exactly ‘caught’.” You You shrugged. “These fish jumped ashore themselves! I just collected them.” More like suicidal delivery service.

“……” Delivered… or attacked?!

“Never seen this fish type. Wonder if they’re tasty?”

“……” Eat… monsters?!

“Hey Big Brother Liu, think we can braise such big fish?”

“……” Braise… with spiritual flames?!

“Fresh fish makes best sashimi. Wanna try some now?”

“……” Try… courting death?!

When You You turned toward the monsters, Liu Qing snapped to action, grabbing her arm. “You can’t eat those!”

“Huh?!” Her smile vanished. “Poisonous?” All that work wasted?

“No! These are River Beasts—monsters!” Liu Qing blurted. Monster parts were for alchemy, not cooking!

And how’d this female drag so many ashore anyway?!

w（Д）w

“What?” You You blinked. “Monsters?!”

Memories of stampeding beasts flashed through her mind. These normal-looking fish were monsters?! Aside from their kamikaze tendencies, they shared nothing with those terror herds!

Were monsters… this weak?!

“These are Younglings,” Lin Feng examined the pile, voice low. “Their markings show they recently hatched.” While adult River Beasts were Tier Four, newborns barely matched Tier One.

“Ohhh!” The group exhaled in relief after confirming You You’s safety. Then the self-blame began:

“Thank heavens they’re Younglings! Had You You been hurt…”

“Fetching water’s our job from now on!”

“My fault! Had I checked the water pouch sooner…”

“This pool’s a hatching ground—we must stay vigilant!”

“No more slip-ups!”

“You You, we promise—”

“Wait!” You You cut through their fussing, raising a hand. “One question!”

“Yes?”

“This pool… hatches monsters?”

“Clearly, given the Younglings.”

“Then… who’s hatching them?”