First Taste of Exotic Beast Meat

After washing up, Fang Mo ate breakfast outside, then hurried to the Martial Hall to begin a new day of training.

With his body strengthened, his stance became steadier, and his breathing deeper and longer.

His awareness wandered through his body, sensing his qi and blood flowing through his meridians. Every breath seemed to echo with heaven and earth, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort.

[Tiger Subduing Stance: Beginner Practice (26/100)]

After half a day of training, the Tiger Subduing Stance's proficiency had already reached 26. At this rate, he would soon enter the next realm.

His heart was full of anticipation. He longed for greater strength and faster progress.

At lunchtime, Fang Mo arrived at the Martial Hall's Dining Hall. He discovered that the atmosphere today was different from usual; every student seemed rather excited.

The moment he sat down, Ding Zhiyuan leaned close and said, "Junior Brother Fang, you're in for a treat today!"

"What treat?" Fang Mo asked doubtfully.

Ding Zhiyuan smiled. "There's Exotic Beast Meat today. You've only been here one day, and you already get to eat it!"

"Exotic Beast Meat!" Fang Mo's eyes lit up. Though he was somewhat dull, he was not stupid. He had heard quite a bit about cultivation before.

Exotic Beast Meat came from powerful beasts. In the past, such creatures had existed in deep mountains and ancient forests, but they had long gone extinct in the technological age. It was only after the arrival of the Interstellar Era, when vast numbers of Exotic Beasts were discovered on other Earth-like planets, that Exotic Beast Meat began flowing onto the Homeworld.

The martial arts of this world had once declined just as they had on Earth. Only with the appearance of Exotic Beast Meat and Spiritual Medicine from other planets did martial arts flourish again. After two or three hundred years of development, the present prosperous age of martial arts had emerged.

For martial artists to cultivate, the intense demands placed on their bodies could no longer be sustained by ordinary ingredients. Only powerful Exotic Beast Meat could nourish the flesh, strengthen the qi and blood, and cultivate strength.

His heart was filled with interest. He had never eaten Exotic Beast Meat before.

Although he was the eldest young master of the Fang Group, his status had left him with no chance to eat it. Today, he finally had the opportunity to taste it.

Everyone entered the Dining Hall and took their seats. Fang Mo could clearly sense the excitement on the students' faces. There were still only two dishes on the table, one vegetarian and one meat dish. Though puzzled, he followed the others' example and left his bowl untouched.

After a while, two chefs emerged from the kitchen carrying basins. They first entered the Inner Hall, where one of them placed a piece of meat from the basin onto each person's plate.

After the Inner Hall disciples had received their portions, it was the Middle Hall's turn, and only then the Outer Hall's.

Fang Mo remained seated without moving, waiting until the chef placed a piece of meat on his plate. It looked like a steak, but though it was only about two taels of meat, it gave off a faint fragrance of fresh grass that drifted through the room.

"Begin!" Once every plate had been served, the two chefs withdrew, and Guan Lie spoke.

Only then did everyone move. One after another, they wolfed it down as if they had never eaten before.

Fang Mo picked up his piece and took a bite. The meat was firm and springy, yet not as difficult to chew as he had imagined. On the contrary, it tore apart easily. Its fragrance filled his mouth, as though a clear spiritual breath had moistened everything from his mouth to his throat.

Unable to resist, he quickly began eating as well. The two taels of meat were swallowed in only a few bites.

A moment later, he felt warmth in his stomach. That warm energy seemed to flow from his stomach into his limbs and every meridian, bringing a sensation beyond description.

He saw the others quickly scooping up rice. They ate much faster than usual, so he followed suit.

Normally, meals took half an hour. Today, however, some people had finished in only two or three minutes, then ran outside to practice their stances in the courtyard.

"Junior Brother Fang, hurry and eat. Practice your stance while the Exotic Beast Meat's energy is still active—it can stimulate your qi and blood!" Ding Zhiyuan nudged Fang Mo and said.

Fang Mo sped up as well. After finishing his meal, he ran into the courtyard and began practicing his stance. After only a few breaths, he felt the difference. His qi and blood seemed to circulate much faster, and he did not tire as easily. Before long, he effortlessly completed two cycles.

Then three cycles. Whenever he was about to reach his limit, the warm current flowed to the uncomfortable area, and his muscles immediately relaxed.

He persisted through four cycles before the warm current finally vanished completely.

Fang Mo felt that his qi and blood had grown stronger. When he clenched his fists, they no longer felt as weak and insubstantial as before, but powerful. His breaths had also become deep and long.

Previously, he could only hold a breath for two seconds. Now, he could manage three, his breathing deep, long, continuous, and fine.

Fang Mo finally understood why Ming Jin and Hidden Strength could not be cultivated on Earth. The qi and blood simply could not reach the necessary level.

Without Spiritual Medicine and Exotic Beast Meat, dreaming of cultivating Ming Jin and Hidden Strength was like an idiot dreaming in broad daylight. Without nourishment, the body would not only fail to grow stronger, but would instead decline from excessive exertion. It was like athletes—why did their bodies develop all sorts of problems after retirement?

The students had all digested the Exotic Beast Meat and returned to the rest hall to relax, but Fang Mo did not stop.

He knew that every opportunity to train was precious, especially with the help of Exotic Beast Meat. The results of his training had clearly improved.

Over the course of the afternoon, he completed nine cycles, and his proficiency rose to 39 points.

Fang Mo did not continue training. He went to the Medicine Hall to buy some medicine, partly to repay Ding Zhiyuan and partly for his own use that evening.

The person in charge of the Medicine Hall was a Pharmacist surnamed Xie, in his fifties. He was usually responsible for treating the students' injuries and preparing medicine, so everyone normally called him Pharmacist Xie.

Pharmacist Xie reclined in a bamboo chair, holding an ancient book and reading it. When he heard that Fang Mo wanted to buy medicine, he raised his eyelids slightly.

"What's your name?" Pharmacist Xie asked.

"Fang Mo!" Fang Mo answered.

Pharmacist Xie checked the ledger hanging on the wall, then looked up at Fang Mo. "New students may purchase at most five portions of Medicinal Liquid and one jin of Exotic Beast Meat per month. Do you know this rule?"

"I do." Fang Mo nodded.

"How much do you want?" Pharmacist Xie asked indifferently.

"Three portions of Medicinal Liquid and five taels of Exotic Beast Meat first." Fang Mo handed over the money. Five thousand five hundred yuan—together with the tuition fee, fifty thousand yuan had vanished in just two days. And this was only the beginning. Poor scholars, rich warriors; without money, one really should not walk the path of martial arts.

Pharmacist Xie accepted the money, took out three portions of Medicinal Liquid and five taels of Exotic Beast Meat from the counter, and handed them to Fang Mo.

"Senior Brother Ding, this medicine is for you!" Fang Mo caught up to Ding Zhiyuan, who was preparing to leave, and handed him the medicine.

"Just keep it. It's only a bottle of medicine!" Ding Zhiyuan said with a smile, pushing it back.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Ding. I bought three bottles, so I have enough." Fang Mo stuffed the medicine back into Ding Zhiyuan's hand. He could tell that Ding Zhiyuan came from a well-off family and did not lack money, but he did not want to owe others too much.

"Fine, I'll take it for now." Ding Zhiyuan no longer refused and accepted the medicine. "A few of us Senior Brothers are going out for a gathering tonight. Do you want to come have a drink with us?"

"No." Fang Mo smiled and shook his head. "I want to train a little longer. My body is weak, and I'm afraid I won't be able to pass the assessment in half a year!"

"All right, but make sure you rest too." Ding Zhiyuan nodded and called the others away.

"Senior Brother Ding, why bother with him? With a body like his, I doubt he'll reach Ming Jin within half a year!"

"Exactly. There's no need to treat him so well! It's a waste of effort!" Several students spoke as they walked.

Ding Zhiyuan turned back to look at Fang Mo, who had resumed practicing his stance, and said quietly, "Seeing how hard he works just makes me reflect. The martial path is too difficult. It isn't easy to be fellow travelers on this road. If we can help, then we should lend a hand."

Hearing this, everyone turned back to look at the solitary, thin figure in the courtyard, and they all fell silent.

Yes! The martial path was far too difficult!

None of them knew how many of them would be able to remain. If they could not break through, they too would probably have to leave this path.