After leaving Hundred Flavors Restaurant, Li Xiao did not return directly to the martial arts hall. Instead, he found a small eatery that looked reasonably clean and affordable.
After paying a few copper coins, he borrowed the kitchen stove and a clay pot. Following the shopkeeper's instructions, he carefully washed the chunk of Ironback Centipede Meat, placed it in the pot, filled it with water, covered it, and had a waiter simmer it slowly over a low flame.
More than two hours later, a strange meaty fragrance wafted from the clay pot. Unlike the rich aroma of ordinary meat soup, it carried a faint fishy tang, yet also seemed to contain something that stirred one's Qi and Blood.
Li Xiao thanked the waiter, packed the tender stewed meat and thick broth separately, and carefully carried them away.
By the time he returned to the martial arts hall, it was already noon.
He had just found a stone bench beside the Martial Arts Training Ground and sat down, preparing to enjoy this expensive "lunch," when Wang Hai walked over.
"Junior brother Li, why are you so late today?
I thought you'd overslept."
Wang Hai teased him with a smile, but his gaze soon fell upon the opened oil-paper packet in Li Xiao's hand and the jar of thick soup.
The peculiar meat fragrance and the faint fluctuations of Qi and Blood made him pause slightly.
"This is... Exotic Beast Meat?"
Wang Hai looked rather surprised. "You got silver so quickly?"
Li Xiao swallowed a mouthful of meat that was bitter yet brimming with Qi and Blood, then nodded.
"Yes. I took on work with the Hunting Team at Ke Man Lou and received part of the Settlement Fee in advance.
I wanted to improve my strength a little before entering the