"Blub blub blub..."
In the Changle River section outside Changping Village, a black shadow gradually surfaced. It was covered in black scales, with transitioning red edges along the scales. The strange fish reluctantly emerged from the depths, looked toward Master Fox on the shore, and greeted him with a "blub blub."
"Is that... an arapaima?"
As the strange fish gradually surfaced, Chen Zhiyu, who had a good knowledge of animals, recognized the fish's characteristic flat head and lack of jawbone, immediately identifying it as belonging to a specific species.
Arapaimas are invasive species, with adults ranging from two to six meters in length. Their scales are incredibly thick, with the thickest recorded up to six millimeters, making them one of the largest freshwater fish in the world.
"Hmm?"
Ansheng looked at Chen Zhiyu, "Do you know it?"
Though Chen Zhiyu didn't understand fox language, she could decipher some of Master Fox's body language and expressions to derive meaning.
"It should be an arapaima, commonly known as the 'Jin Long' fish in Xia Country," Chen Zhiyu mused, looking at Master Fox. "The one in the river might not have the best ornamental color, but if we put it up for auction at a fish exhibition, with its appearance and size, fetching over ten million would be easy."
Although the Jin Long fish market has collapsed, those with excellent appearance and meaningful colors, otherwise known as 'king fish,' can still reach prices in the millions.
The strange fish in the river has an excellent appearance and lacks the common droopy eye problem, with its happy color and record-breaking length. Its auction price exceeding ten million is quite normal.
And if considering the strange fish's Spirit Beast status, the price would steadily exceed a billion.
"Blub?"
The strange fish looked at Chen Zhiyu, its face clearly showing a mix of confusion and fear.
No, Fox, what are you up to?
It's one thing to bully me daily, but now you're bringing humans to gawk at my looks? Have you all gone mad with poverty?
"What? This thing can sell for over ten million?" Ansheng was startled by what Chen Zhiyu said, never expecting the strange fish to fetch such a high price.
Over three million is the limit for the yellow croaker, not all fish species.
"Master Fox..."
Chen Zhiyu assessed Master Fox and the strange fish for a moment before silently asking,
"Didn't you say you'd give me a fish last month? Is that Overlord Level Spirit Beast fish you mentioned actually it?"
"!?"
The strange fish instinctively sank slightly, looking warily at Master Fox.
That's too much!
No wonder they rammed me last time; they've been planning to package and sell me all along.
"Come up here first!"
Ansheng rolled his eyes, scolding, "An doesn't even have a bank card to receive payment, can't sell you, you wretched fish!"
"Our meeting today is to discuss serious matters. This person beside me is the village chief of Changping Mountain, and you're the ruler of this river section. I'm planning to set you up so we can do business here together, including introducing you to a big brother from the ocean."
"Blub blub..." The strange fish was skeptical, clearly not having much trust in Master Fox.
"Don't make me sound so bad. I assure you, I'll sell the Fish Catcher at the second-hand store tonight, alright?"
"You saw the bustling scene by the river yesterday. Those people are wealthy, with their fishing rods worth enough to buy two hundred kilos of fish feed each, understand?"
"We can completely collaborate, with me as the guarantor, then Sister Zhiyu operating it, while you herd fish in the river. We'll set up a fishing location. We'll profit, and the fish in the river will receive plenty of fish feed."
"After earning money, whatever you want can be bought through Sister Zhiyu, whether it's food, underwater villas, ROG computers, or even foot massage services."
"Of course, don't spoil the fishermen too much. Let the big fish spit at them on the surface and occasionally pull a big fish into the water for intense PVP."
"Then provide them with protection animals, like river dolphins and sturgeons. They can't take the fish, but they can go to the forestry bureau to claim bonuses, you understand, right?"
Master Fox stood up, conducting a pond marker introduction for the strange fish from atop a stone railing.
Recreational fishing in private ponds is kind of interesting, but just a little.
But marking a pond is an upgrade, with the big fish in the pond being tagged. Catch one, and you can exchange it for items or cash with the pond owner.
With our way, we can completely lure the fishermen to come and feed the fish.
Then, arrange for big fish to humiliate them, and when they're red-hot with rage, offer them a prize.
Like a huge fish the size of the sky, but the fish shouldn't be easily taken away.
But that's the feeling we aim for, having caught a big fish over a hundred kilos only to fall short or not win in the water.
It's only through these regrets that they can reminisce, making them slap themselves in their sleep.
Hating themselves for not using thicker fishing lines.
Master Fox depicted a bright future to the strange fish, where all fish would have enough to eat, never needing to wander, luring eager fishermen with just a flick of a tail.
The fishermen aren't here to fish.
They're here to pay tribute!
And the strange fish could earn money from it, buying whatever it wants, spending at Sea Exquisite, relaxing its scales with a professional vet, or importing foreign arapaimas as brides.
"Blub blub..."
The strange fish called underwater, summoning a few giant carps to hop onto its head, scratching its itchy niggling brain with knocks.
Is it real... Can it buy a wife?
"Does Master Fox look like he would deceive you? Move your fish head closer!"
Ansheng opened a shopping platform, snapped a picture of the strange fish to find similar items.
"Look, 30 centimeters for only 780, and just over 20,000 for two meters."
"Blub blub blub..."
The strange fish stood upright, paddled its tail vigorously, and pawed at the stone railing with its fins, peering into the fish displayed on the shopping platform.
The strange fish watched in amazement, as if seeing aliens, with a face full of enjoyment.
"Blub blub..."
Ansheng scrolled to the big fish section, but the strange fish, using its feelers, expertly scrolled back to the small fry section.
Those tiny arapaimas, just 30-40 centimeters long.
"Huh?"
Ansheng was puzzled, looking at the strange fish full of question marks.
"Can you assimilate a bit, and stop spreading your foreign quirks here?"
"Blub..."
The strange fish was unruffled, continuing its browsing.
"So... What's happening now?" Chen Zhiyu looked at both the fox and the fish, watching short videos together, and couldn't help but have a slight twitch on her cheek.
Animal experts aren't wizards.
Deciphering animal body language requires understanding their habits.
How could she know what a fish is trying to express?