Stronger with Crimson Modifier-Chapter 56: Setting Off

After leaving the Red Scale Club, Hu Qi didn’t linger and headed straight for his hotel, planning to get something to eat first.

However, just as he entered the hotel lobby, he saw a brisk figure walking toward him.

It was a woman in her thirties, tall and well-proportioned.

Her chestnut hair was tied in a bun. She wore a black business suit over a white shirt, with a colorful silk scarf at her collar, giving her a very professional look.

She was the lobby manager of this very hotel.

"You’re saying the hotel acquired an Exotic Beast?" Hu Qi asked the hotel manager, a hint of surprise in his voice.

It was simply because she had brought him a pleasant surprise.

"Yes, Mr. Hu. We’ve acquired a rather special fish that might be the Exotic Beast you’re looking for," the woman said with a smile.

"Take me to see it!"

Hu Qi said.

Soon, the two of them crossed the lobby and arrived at an area filled with various fish tanks.

The tanks held all sorts of seafood like fish and shrimp, with hand nets hanging beside them.

At that moment, a few customers were there, making their selections.

Soon, Hu Qi followed her to one of the tanks.

"This is a Dragon Horn Fish. They usually live in the dark depths of the sea.

"Most Dragon Horn Fish are white, but this one is an extremely rare crimson color. It should be the Exotic Beast you’re looking for."

Inside the tank was a strange fish about the length of a forearm, weighing roughly four or five pounds.

Unlike the flat, rounded bodies of normal fish, this so-called Dragon Horn Fish was long and slender, similar to an electric eel, with two long whiskers growing from the sides of its mouth.

Its entire body was crimson, and as it moved, it looked like a flickering flame burning in the water.

What caught Hu Qi’s attention the most was the forked, thumb-sized horn on the fish’s forehead, which was currently emitting a faint, weak glow.

The sight was truly bizarre. It did bear some resemblance to the dragons of legend, so it was no wonder it was called a Dragon Horn Fish.

The only problem, however, was that the fish seemed a bit listless. There was a gash on its belly, with faint traces of blood seeping out.

"This fish isn’t poisonous, is it?"

Hu Qi asked worriedly, looking at the brilliantly colored Dragon Horn Fish.

In the natural world, after all, animals and creatures with more vibrant and beautiful colors were often poisonous to some degree.

Although his Physique was now far beyond that of an ordinary person, there was no telling how he would fare against toxins.

"You can rest assured. This isn’t the first crimson Dragon Horn Fish; others have been caught before. You can look it up online. It even sold for a pretty good price back then!"

the woman explained with a smile.

Hearing this,

Hu Qi’s expression shifted.

He asked, "Oh? Then how much are you selling this fish for?"

"The last one sold for over thirty thousand, but as you can see, this one is injured and won’t live much longer. So, just ten thousand," the woman said, pointing to the wound on the Dragon Horn Fish’s belly.

After getting this fish, the hotel hadn’t originally planned on selling it.

They wanted to keep it as an ornamental fish, since it was so beautiful.

Unfortunately, it had been wounded on its belly during its capture. Although not immediately fatal, it didn’t look like it would live much longer. Death was just a matter of time.

Given the circumstances, it was better to just sell it.

"Your fish is about to die. Cheaper. Three hundred. Take it or leave it."

Hu Qi’s expression was impassive. He had completely ignored her asking price, delivering a ruthless counteroffer.

"Mr. Hu, that price is too low. Our cost was more than that." The woman’s smile was a bit forced.

"How about you add a little more?"

After some negotiation, they finally settled on eight hundred.

After paying, Hu Qi went to the restaurant area to wait.

Customers could usually have the hotel cook their selection directly, which ensured it was fresh.

Meanwhile,

he searched for information about the Dragon Horn Fish.

Although this species lived in the deep sea, it wasn’t particularly rare.

The common white Dragon Horn Fish sold for about thirty-some yuan per jin.

The one he just bought was three or four jin at most. If it were a common Dragon Horn Fish, it would have cost just over a hundred yuan.

About half an hour later, the fragrant, steamed Dragon Horn Fish was brought to his table.

Since it was steamed,

its slightly curled skin glistened with a light sheen of oil. Shredded scallions, minced garlic, and slices of ginger adorned the top, making the aroma even richer.

The sauce at the bottom of the plate, a pale golden color, was a fusion of the fish’s essence and the seasonings.

Hu Qi picked up a piece of the fish with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. A fresh, savory flavor instantly exploded on his palate.

As the fish meat went down, the modification panel automatically appeared. The characters in the modification column pulsed slightly as the value increased.

Before long, the entire plate of fish had entered Hu Qi’s stomach; he even drank all the broth.

Feeling a faint warmth spread from his stomach, Hu Qi looked at the panel.

————

Modification Point: 7 (12%)

Hu Qi’s expression flickered when he saw the numbers after "Modification Point."

This was the second time he had eaten Exotic Beast Meat. The two swamp eels he ate before had only given him a little over two Modification Points each.

Subtracting the one-point-something he had left over, this single fish had given him nearly six full Modification Points.

For him, that many Modification Points were undoubtedly a ’fortune’.

"Too bad. It would’ve been great if there were a few more," Hu Qi sighed. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

But he knew that was just wishful thinking.

He shook his head.

Full and content, he took the elevator back to his room, showered, and fell straight asleep.

He’d been so busy getting the hang of the four Entry-Level Fighting Techniques these past few days that he hadn’t really rested well.

...

「The next morning.」

The morning sun rose from the horizon, its pale golden light pouring down through a thin mist.

Reflecting off the glass surfaces of steel skyscrapers, it created a hazy interplay of light and shadow.

In front of the Red Scale Extreme Fighting Club.

When Hu Qi arrived with breakfast in hand, the other four were already there.

They all had backpacks and were carrying suitcases.

Sims was leaning against a wall; when he saw Hu Qi arrive, his face tensed, and he looked a little nervous.

Hu Qi paid him no mind, found a step to sit on, and took off the new backpack he was wearing.

The backpack was covered in a breathable mesh, with a small window at the top from which the Camphor Tea Duck’s head was poking out.

Upon seeing the food in Hu Qi’s hands, the Camphor Tea Duck immediately went GAK GAK.

Its meaning was obvious.

"You’ve got a bigger appetite than me!"

Hu Qi chuckled and chided it affectionately, tearing off a piece of a plain steamed bun from a side bag and tossing it into the duck’s mouth.

Then, he picked up another bag of steamed buns and started eating them himself.

It was the breakfast provided by the hotel, and it wasn’t bad. The skins were thin and the fillings were generous; one bite filled his mouth with savory juices.

Seeing this, the others all had strange expressions. They had all brought large and small bags packed with changes of clothes and daily necessities.

’But this guy didn’t bring anything except a duck?’

However, though they were baffled, they figured it might just be his hobby and didn’t dare ask any questions.

After all, Hu Qi’s strength was plain to see.

He finished the buns and downed his milk.

Just then,

a gray bus drove up from the distance and stopped in front of the Red Scale Fighting Club.