The beautiful woman said gravely, "Of course!"
"Do you remember what I taught you about the bloodlines of the Demon Race?"
The girl nodded and replied, "Of course I remember! You only taught me about them a little while ago."
"The strength of a demon's bloodline is directly tied to its power. The higher its bloodline rank, the greater its potential and the more terrifying its combat strength."
"That is why demons place such importance on passing down their bloodlines. To preserve the purity of their clan's bloodline, most choose to breed within their own kind, lest their bloodline be weakened."
"There are countless demons, but their bloodlines fall into only five ranks."
"They are lesser demon bloodline, greater demon bloodline, royal bloodline, imperial bloodline, and emperor bloodline."
"Higher-ranked bloodlines suppress lower-ranked ones, and of all those countless demons, more than ninety-nine percent possess only a lesser demon bloodline..."
The beautiful woman nodded in satisfaction. "Good. It seems you haven't let everything I taught you go in one ear and out the other."
"This Netherworld Beast possesses a true royal bloodline!"
"It's that powerful?!" The girl was stunned. "No wonder you lost your composure, Master."
"A demon with royal blood will reach at least the middle stage of the Heavenly Balance Realm upon adulthood," the beautiful woman added.
Looking at the Netherworld Beast in the stable, the girl unconsciously took several steps back, fear showing on her face.
"Heavens! Then why is it staying here..." she murmured.
In her mind, demonic beasts of this caliber were great monsters that ravaged entire regions, the kind that could swallow hundreds or thousands of people in one bite.
"Perhaps some terrifying being is lodging at this inn right now." The beautiful woman looked back toward the main building.
She carefully probed with her senses, yet detected nothing.
"For someone to use a Netherworld Beast as a mount, their strength must be beyond imagining. Most likely, they're some old monster," she added.
"Such old monsters are usually moody and difficult to deal with."
"They might launch a massacre on nothing more than a passing whim."
"We mustn't linger here. Let us leave at once!"
She immediately returned to the Flame-Scaled Beast, hauled it to its feet, and forced it to overcome its fear and walk out of the stable.
At that moment, Fang Ling still had no idea someone had recognized the Netherworld Beast. He was wandering through the bustling market streets.
As a child, he had dreamed countless times of visiting a market in the human world. Yet now that he was actually there, he felt a touch of loneliness.
After walking for a long time, he gradually began to understand why.
Most people in the market were in groups of two or three, while he was all alone.
Rather than wallow in melancholy, he wanted to become part of the crowd.
In First Master's words, I suppose I'm tempering my heart now? he thought.
He drifted with the current through the noisy lanes, no longer knowing which street he had reached.
Every so often, however, someone pushed past him, rousing him from that mysterious, dreamlike wandering.
"What's causing all this excitement?" He looked in the direction the crowd was flowing and discovered a great many people gathered there.
Moving closer, he saw that a wealthy household was handing out charity.
Tray after tray of large white steamed buns still gave off steam, their fragrance wafting for miles.
Whether beggars or children, anyone who waited patiently in line could receive a portion.
Fang Ling certainly wasn't bored enough to stand in line for steamed buns. His attention was drawn instead to a notice on the platform.
It turned out that the buns were being distributed by the White Family of Dragon City.
The White Family was doing this good deed partly to accumulate merit for their young lady.
Their other aim was to attract the attention of passersby and find someone capable of removing the poison from her body.
"Successful treatment will be rewarded with one Bodhi Fruit or something of equivalent value."
Bodhi Fruit... I think my barbarian master mentioned that before.
It comes from the Western Desert Region. It's an extremely rare medicinal treasure that can directly increase physical strength.
To think Dragon City has something this good! Fang Ling's interest was immediately piqued.
He leaped into the air, flying straight over the crowd and landing on the charity platform.
Seeing him arrive through the air, the White Family guards stationed there naturally dared not slight him.
A square-faced middle-aged man approached and cupped his hands. "May I ask your name, young master?"
"Fang Ling!" he replied.
"Then, Young Master Fang, do you possess skills in removing poisons and treating illnesses? Would you like to try your hand at the White Estate?" the man asked.
Fang Ling gave a slight nod. "I know a little. Perhaps I can help."
"Dayong, take Young Master Fang back to the estate to examine the young lady!" The man immediately summoned a guard to guide Fang Ling.
The White Estate was only one street away from the charity site, very close by.
Following the guard named Dayong, Fang Ling soon arrived at the White Estate.
Before even entering, he could already sense several powerful auras within.
There were actually four Heavenly Balance Realm cultivators stationed in the White Estate.
Three were at the early stage of the Heavenly Balance Realm, and one was at the middle stage.
With that strength alone, the White Family could swagger unchecked throughout the Southern Sun Kingdom.
"With strength like this, no wonder they dare announce openly that they have a Bodhi Fruit without worrying about anyone coveting it," Fang Ling said with a smile.
He followed Dayong, the White Family servant, through the central hall and into a small reception room.
Quite a few people sat inside, most carrying a strong medicinal scent.
Dayong said respectfully, "Since so many physicians have come, I'm sorry for the trouble, but you'll need to wait here."
"If you need anything, just call on the servants in the room. Thank you for your efforts, Young Master Fang!"
Fang Ling nodded slightly and chose a seat at random.
"Heh, the White Family really is so desperate for a cure that they'll turn to anyone. They'll let just anybody into their home," a brash young man sneered.
He had not addressed Fang Ling directly, but his words were undoubtedly meant for him.
After all, Fang Ling was far too young. Nothing about him suggested he could treat illnesses or save lives.
"Mo'er, mind your words. The White Family is a distinguished clan of Dragon City. You mustn't speak recklessly of them." The gray-robed elder seated beside the brash youth suddenly opened his eyes and rebuked him.
His gaze swept toward Fang Ling, as though he found something odd, but the feeling passed in an instant, and he paid him no further attention.
Just then, two more people entered the small reception room.
It's her? Fang Ling was slightly surprised. He had not expected her to come as well.
The two newcomers were precisely the master and disciple he had encountered while leaving the inn.
The beautiful woman was elegant and dignified, with an unrivaled bearing. The moment she appeared, she drew everyone's attention.
Yet they dared not look at her for long. Some even deliberately lowered their heads, treating her with great reverence.
"Master, look!"
"Isn't that big brother the one we met at the inn?"
"Is he a physician too? Then why doesn't he smell of medicinal herbs at all?"
After sitting down, the little girl leaned close to her master's ear and whispered.
"Enough. Have you forgotten what I told you before we left? Speak little and do little!" The beautiful woman gave a soft snort, signaling her to quiet down.
The girl pursed her lips, then sat obediently.
"Since Physician Dou has arrived, let us discuss this peculiar poison," said the gray-robed elder.
"Whatever your thoughts, please speak freely."
In fact, they had all already examined the White Family's young lady. They had merely been waiting for this eminent figure to arrive.
The attendant standing to one side glanced at Fang Ling, hesitating to speak.
He knew Fang Ling had not yet examined his young lady, but those present seemed unconcerned about that and paid him no heed at all.
Before you continue