Villa, Test, and Barbecue 3

"That's great, Brother Mo!" Zhao Peng leaned in to look at the display screen, his eyes instantly lighting up. He couldn't help but pat Chen Mo's back with more force than before. "75.23 cards! How long has it been, and you've already gained over 4 points! At this rate, you'll definitely break 90 cards before the Gaokao! And your Qi and Blood Activity is 82%, which is top-tier! Amazing! Plus, this potential B+... I think this darn machine is underestimating you! With your progress speed, you're at least an A- material!"

Chen Mo withdrew his hand, his fingertips still feeling the coolness of the sensor pad. He smiled, his tone humble, "Brother Peng, stop flattering me. I know my own level. But this machine is quite accurate. At least the Qi and Blood Value is precise, which gives me more confidence in my progress. Thank you so much for letting me use it today."

"What thanks! We're buddies, no need to be formal!" Zhao Peng was very happy, as if Chen Mo's progress was partly his own achievement. The smile on his face became even more cheerful. "Let's go, let's go! The test is over, time to refuel! You must be hungry after messing around all afternoon, right? I'll have Mama Wu make something delicious. You have to eat to your heart's content today, there's plenty!"

The two returned to the first-floor dining room, which had been completely transformed. On the solid wood dining table, about two meters long, several dishes with appealing colors, aromas, and tastes were already laid out, mostly meat dishes. The aroma was tantalizing, making one's appetite surge. Mama Wu was still busy between the kitchen and the dining room, carrying a plate of freshly baked roast meat, steaming hot.

"Come, Brother Mo, let me introduce you!" Zhao Peng pulled Chen Mo to sit down and pointed to the dishes on the table, explaining them one by one with a hint of pride in his tone. "This plate is 'Crimson Ridge Savage Beef.' It's a special supply from my family's hotel chain, sourced directly from a Psionic Cultivation Farm. Those savage bulls are fed with feed mixed with low-concentration Psionic Grass. The meat contains trace amounts of psionic energy, which is beneficial for replenishing Qi and Blood – it just takes a long time to see results with long-term consumption."

Chen Mo looked at the beef. The steak had distinct textures, the surface was roasted to a fragrant crisp, the edges slightly curled, and it was still sizzling with oil. The black pepper and sea salt granules sprinkled on it were clearly visible. Just looking at it made one's appetite soar.

"This plate is 'Clear Pond Silver Thread Fish,' from the upper reaches of the Huihe River's Qingtan Reservoir. The water there is rich in minerals, and the fish meat is tender and almost boneless," Zhao Peng pointed to another plate of steamed fish. The fish meat was as white as jade, topped with shredded ginger and scallions, drizzled with light soy sauce, and had a fresh aroma. "This fish can gently regulate Qi and Blood, suitable for consumption after cultivation, and it's not prone to causing internal heat."

"And this, 'Earth Root Stewed Pheasant,' is a genuine medicinal meal!" Zhao Peng pointed to the stew pot in the center. The soup was amber-colored, with pieces of tender pheasant meat and thick earth roots floating in it, emitting a rich aroma. "The earth roots are wild varieties dug from the mountains, and the pheasants are free-range. It's slow-cooked for three hours to replenish Qi and strengthen bones. Drink more soup, it's more effective than taking ten ordinary Qi and Blood Capsules."

In addition to these, there were several refreshing vegetable dishes and a plate of exquisite cold appetizers on the table. The combination of meat and vegetables looked very appetizing. Chen Mo was secretly amazed – just by hearing the names and origins of these ingredients, he knew they were extraordinary. Their prices were likely ten or even dozens of times higher than similar ingredients outside, unaffordable for ordinary families.

"Mama Wu, bring two more bottles of iced fruit juice!" Zhao Peng called out towards the kitchen.

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"Coming right up!" Mama Wu quickly brought over two bottles of freshly squeezed orange juice and placed them in front of the two. She then thoughtfully handed them clean tableware before smiling and stepping aside to wait.

The two no longer stood on ceremony and picked up their utensils to feast. Chen Mo was a bit reserved at first, being a guest at someone else's home, and the ingredients were too precious. But he couldn't resist Zhao Peng constantly serving him food. "Brother Mo, eat more of this beef, it replenishes Qi and Blood!" "The fish soup is fresh, try it quickly!" "The earth root is stewed until tender, it melts in your mouth, don't waste it!"

Moreover, these dishes were exceptionally delicious – the Crimson Ridge Savage Beef was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, bursting with juice with every bite, carrying a faint psionic warmth. The Clear Pond Silver Thread Fish was tender and fibrous, its delicious flavor lingering on the tip of his tongue. The Earth Root Stewed Pheasant soup was rich and mellow, making him feel warm all over after drinking it. Chen Mo gradually relaxed and ate heartily.

As the first bite of Crimson Ridge Savage Beef went down, Chen Mo immediately felt something unusual. The tenderness and juiciness of the meat were undeniable, but more importantly, with each chew and swallow, a warmth, much weaker than that from a Qi and Blood Capsule but equally real, slowly spread from his stomach, following his meridians to his limbs and bones, faintly resonating and merging with his own Qi and Blood. Although the Qi and Blood replenishment from each bite was minuscule, the sheer quantity made up for it. This steak weighed at least half a pound, and eating the whole plate provided a considerable amount of Qi and Blood replenishment.

The other dishes also had their own nourishing effects: the Silver Thread Fish soup gently regulated Qi and Blood, making the meridians flow more smoothly; the Earth Root Stewed Pheasant focused on replenishing Qi and strength, and after eating it, the Qi and Blood in his Dantian felt more solidified. By the end of the meal, Chen Mo felt warm all over, his Qi and Blood were abundant, his spirit was full, and even the slight fatigue from mobilizing his Qi and Blood during the test had completely disappeared. He secretly estimated that the Qi and Blood replenishment and nourishing effects of this meal were no less than taking one Qi and Blood Capsule! Moreover, this was food therapy, gentle and without side effects, and seemed to have subtle beneficial effects on the body's foundation, making it much more stable than simply taking pills.

"How was it? Does it taste okay?" Zhao Peng asked with his mouth full of oil, wiping his mouth with a napkin. The plates in front of him were more than half empty, clearly indicating he was also a big eater.

"More than okay, it's... amazing." Chen Mo put down his chopsticks and said sincerely, "Brother Peng, do you guys eat like this regularly? You're too fortunate."

"Pretty much. My mom always says that practicing martial arts consumes a lot, and the foundation needs to be solid, so we can't skimp on food." Zhao Peng took a sip of orange juice, his tone as casual as if he were saying "I ate rice today." But Chen Mo could hear the underlying normalcy – this level of food therapy was just a routine matter for the Zhao family.

This is the gap. Chen Mo lamented inwardly. He had to budget carefully and grit his teeth to occasionally buy a Qi and Blood Capsule, while for the Zhao family, it was just a supplement to their daily diet. How could the efficiency of cultivation, piled high with resources, not be high? Zhao Peng's current Qi and Blood foundation, besides his own efforts, was greatly indebted to this kind of innate resource support.

During the meal, the two chatted more congenially. Zhao Peng, though seemingly boisterous, was actually sharp-minded and talked about everything under the sun – from the school's Martial Arts Class to the recent popular Martial Arts Competitions, and even interesting anecdotes from the business world in Huihe City, he could comment on them. Chen Mo also gradually opened up, occasionally sharing some of his insights on martial arts cultivation. Although he spoke subtly, he always hit the mark, making Zhao Peng nod frequently.

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