Well done!

The warm current in his belly slowly faded.

To make sure it had not been his imagination, Zhang Jing picked up another piece of translucent spirit beast meat from the jade plate before him.

That indescribably wonderful aroma wafted out again, making his mouth water.

Perhaps it was because the meat had been thoroughly steeped in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy, or perhaps the Spirit Cuisine Hall had some special technique.

The spirit beast meat was now so exquisitely tender that it seemed the slightest touch of his tongue would turn it into juices that burst in his mouth.

After a couple of chews.

The spirit beast meat turned into sweet juices, which Zhang Jing gently swallowed.

Just as I thought!

Zhang Jing's eyes lit up.

As expected, a warm current rose in his belly, steadily replenishing his Qi and Blood. In an instant, he felt another portion of his depleted mental energy recover.

"Brother Ji, do you usually eat this spirit beast meat?"

Suppressing his astonishment, Zhang Jing asked as he continued taking large mouthfuls.

"We certainly do. Is it to your liking, Brother Zhang?" Ji Bochang nodded, his mouth unconsciously spreading into a broad grin as he answered in a deliberately casual tone.

At some point, however, he had opened the painted fan in his hand and begun gently fanning himself.

He was positively dripping with swagger.

"It is, it is!" Zhang Jing answered without even looking up, as though he had not noticed Ji Bochang's gestures.

His chopsticks moved so fast they left afterimages.

"Good, then."

With that, Ji Bochang picked up his chopsticks as well.

Yet the next moment, his chopsticks froze in midair.

Ji Bochang's two little eyes stared fixedly at the scant spirit beast meat remaining on the table, the muscles in his cheeks twitching involuntarily.

In the end, he gave a helpless smile.

He simply put his chopsticks away.

Across from him.

"No wonder the instructor thinks so highly of you, Brother Ji." Zhang Jing wiped his mouth and sighed. "Spirit beast meat at every meal, plus you were already quite familiar with practicing the Visualization Method. With all that, it would be hard to fail the assessment even if you tried."

"Brother Zhang, passing the assessment through your own talent alone is already quite impressive."

Ji Bochang offered him reassurance.

"Oh, Brother Ji."

Looking at the spirit beast meat on the table, Zhang Jing changed the subject and asked seriously:

"How many Spirit Stones are you planning to raise the stakes to?"

At this, Ji Bochang first gave Zhang Jing a surprised look, then thought for a moment before answering directly:

"Well, that depends on how many Spirit Stones Wu Mingyuan-no, the God of Wealth-can produce. They say the fellow has deep pockets. I reckon raising the stakes to thirty Spirit Stones won't be a problem."

"Thirty... thirty..."

Recalling the price of spirit beast meat he had just seen, Zhang Jing froze for a moment and murmured:

"I could get fifteen of those, enough to buy spirit beast meat. But time waits for no one..."

Now that he had confirmed spirit beast meat could help restore mental energy, that meant that as long as he had a supply of it, he could gain more proficiency each day.

It really might be possible to reach the beginner level of the Visualization Method within seven days.

Provided he had Spirit Stones!

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Jing looked at Ji Bochang and said solemnly:

"Brother Ji, I have a presumptuous request."

"Please tell me, Brother Zhang. As long as it's within my power, I certainly won't refuse." Ji Bochang closed his fan, his expression turning serious.

"Didn't you just say you would give me half the winnings? How about this: could you advance me ten Spirit Stones today, Brother Ji, and then you won't need to give me a share of the winnings later?"

Zhang Jing spoke with considerable embarrassment.

"Well..." A trace of difficulty immediately appeared on Ji Bochang's face. "Strictly speaking, Brother Zhang, you would be giving me Spirit Stones for nothing. I really shouldn't refuse."

"It's just-"

Ji Bochang paused, then said with a wry smile:

"To tell you the truth, Brother Zhang, I forgot to bring Spirit Stones when I came to the Dao Academy. The few I had on me have all gone toward my lodging courtyard and the Spirit Cuisine Hall. That's precisely why I specifically came to confirm the wager with you today, to see whether I could make a tidy sum off Wu Mingyuan."

With that, Ji Bochang scratched his head.

"Could you wait a little longer, Brother Zhang? Once I pass the assessment, I can notify my Lineage to send over some more Spirit Stones."

After passing the assessment? That would be far too late!

A flicker of regret crossed Zhang Jing's face. Unable to think of any good solution for the moment, he rose to take his leave. "There's no need for that. In any case, thank you, Brother Ji. I'll head back first."

"Take care, Brother Zhang." Ji Bochang rose.

"Haha, no need to see me out, Brother Ji."

Inside the Spirit Cuisine Hall.

Watching Zhang Jing's retreating figure gradually disappear, Ji Bochang turned and ordered another serving of spirit beast meat, then sat back down and muttered to himself:

"Why does he need Spirit Stones so urgently? Is it because of... spirit beast meat?"

The next moment, seemingly struck by a possibility, a shocked expression appeared on his face.

"Brother Zhang is clearly confident he can pass the assessment, yet he still needs spirit beast meat to aid his cultivation. That means he wants to earn a grade C rating in this assessment?!"

He drew in a sharp breath.

"It seems Brother Zhang's talent is even greater than I estimated. True enough, there's a world of difference between a grade C rating and a grade D rating. It's hardly surprising he would have such an ambition. In that case, I might as well give him a hand."

"But who has plenty of Spirit Stones on hand right now?"

"Wu Mingyuan!"

"Why did you bring me to the Spirit Cuisine Hall? I don't want to eat right now."

Chu Lingyun looked calmly at Wu Mingyuan before her and asked.

"Lingyun, I had someone get me some meat from an Azure Immortal Sparrow spirit beast. I've already asked the Spirit Cuisine Hall to prepare it. That's why I brought you here."

Wu Mingyuan spoke with a hint of grievance.

"Ah, Mingyuan, all my thoughts are on cultivation right now. You... Brother Bochang is here too?"

As she walked, Chu Lingyun tactfully hinted at her meaning.

But upon seeing Ji Bochang, a flash of delighted surprise crossed her eyes, and her steps abruptly quickened.

"Lingyun, I understand your feelings, but I'll wait... Who? Ji Bochang!"

Where he stood.

Wu Mingyuan was still explaining quietly before he immediately caught on, watching helplessly as his "future dao companion" ran toward Ji Bochang.

With no other choice, he could only hurry after her.

A short while later.

Watching Chu Lingyun and Ji Bochang chatting so happily, Wu Mingyuan's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and a trace of resentment rose in his heart.

Then, as though he had suddenly remembered something, he said loudly:

"Oh, Brother Bochang, I suddenly remembered-don't we still have a wager? From what the instructor said today, it seems that 'Brother Zhang' of yours doesn't have much chance of passing the assessment."

"If you admit defeat now, I'll pretend none of this ever happened. How about it?"

At this, Ji Bochang froze for an instant.

He had been wondering how to steer the conversation toward the wager, and how to raise the stakes without making Wu Mingyuan suspicious.

But who could have predicted that this fellow would deliver himself right to his door?

More importantly, the other man had even set the stage for him. This...

Well done!

Ji Bochang's eyes darted around, then, right in front of Wu Mingyuan, he "secretly" glanced at Chu Lingyun beside them and said, his gaze wavering:

"Haha, Brother Wu, how could I possibly lose?"

Then, as though bolstering his own confidence, Ji Bochang gritted his teeth and said, "How about this? Let's raise the stakes to fifty Spirit Stones. What do you say?"

"Fifty Spirit Stones? Brother Ji, that's enough to buy two bottles of Pure Origin Pills!" Chu Lingyun exclaimed in surprise beside him.

"You're on! Brother Ji, you can't scare me. There's no backing out now!"

Believing he had seen through Ji Bochang's bluff, Wu Mingyuan hurriedly spoke in excitement.

"Brother Wu, could we lower-"

"No! Brother Ji, are you going to go back on your word?"

Wu Mingyuan could not conceal the smugness on his face.