"The rest was divided among the other brothers who participated in the hunt. Since I contributed the most, I got the head—the most valuable part."
"Can you tell which part of this wicked beast’s head is the most valuable?"
Although Zou Feng had never hunted a Demon Beast, he had been away from the Yang Mansion for a while and had picked up some knowledge.
He knew perfectly well that, at least for now, Demon Beasts that could be hunted by Low Grade or even Middle Grade Martial Artists didn’t have things like Inner Cores or Demon Cores.
Demon Beast Meat and some of their special organs were already rare enough treasures.
In response to Bian Yixia’s question, Zou Feng studied the Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer’s head for a moment before saying, "It must be the third eye on its forehead, right?"
But to his surprise, Bian Yixia shook her head. "No. The third eye on the Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer’s forehead contains a great evil power and cannot be eaten directly."
"Perhaps some Evil Cultivators have ways to use it, but normally, even if people from the Celestial Essence Sword Sect hunted this beast, they wouldn’t use this Evil Eye."
"The other two eyes, however, are not evil and can be eaten directly."
"Also, the beast’s antlers are a great prize, second only to the eyes."
’Evil power?’
Hearing this perked Zou Feng’s interest.
’Why not just say it’s poisonous? Why call it an "evil power"...’
’It must be something more troublesome than ordinary poison to be described as having an "evil power."’
’And even a Major Sect like the Celestial Essence Sword Sect has no way to use this thing?’
’One could only imagine how potent this so-called "Celestial Eye" was.’
"Miss, since this third eye is useless, could you let me have it for research?"
His request wasn’t strange. After he took over the medicine hall, everyone knew that he, the Medicine Hall Master, researched all sorts of uncommon medicinal herbs and poisons, often losing himself in his work.
Bian Yixia didn’t answer right away. Instead, she reached out and cleanly plucked the two normal eyes from the Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer’s head.
"One of these two eyeballs is for Uncle Xiang."
"I’ll use the other one to vent some of the anger the Mountain and River Association has been causing me lately." Bian Yixia placed each eyeball into a prepared wooden box, then spoke in a casual tone as she wiped her hands.
Although she hadn’t said it outright, Zou Feng already understood what she meant.
"Miss, this..."
Bian Yixia nodded. "That’s right. The rest of it, including the antlers, is yours for the taking!"
"If you really are on the verge of advancing your Tribulation-Indestructible Body to the Refined Realm, then this meat and the antlers should be a great help."
Putting aside the value of the antlers, the head alone provided well over ten pounds of meat.
At that moment, Zou Feng was so grateful he could have wept.
Previously, Chen Jingsheng had also been very good to him, but that was ultimately for the sake of the competition over the Immortal Treasure.
But Bian Yixia was kind to him with no obvious ulterior motives.
It was the kind of casual help one offers when a friendship is strong enough.
"Miss, I truly have no way to repay you for recognizing my worth..."
Zou Feng didn’t make a show of refusing; he knew Bian Yixia disliked such empty formalities.
"That’s enough. The best way to repay me is to continue serving the gang with all your heart."
Bian Yixia smiled dismissively. "Honestly, I’ve eaten plenty of Demon Beast Meat before. It doesn’t help me much anymore."
"Advancing to the Gang Qi Realm isn’t something that can be solved just by eating more Demon Beast Meat..."
As she said this, a shadow of gloom passed over Bian Yixia’s eyes.
This reminded Zou Feng of the complaints he had heard from Bian Yixia while she was cultivating alone.
Her adoptive father, Deng Guangxin, had very likely held something back when teaching her the Six Harmonies Reincarnation Skill.
All six of his disciples had the Six Harmonies Reincarnation Skill as their Primary Cultivation Skill.
If their Primary Cultivation Skill had a significant flaw, it was no wonder that even a Martial Fool like Bian Yixia had been unable to advance to the Gang Qi Realm.
"Go on. Your master has gotten pretty good at cooking Demon Beast Meat. This stuff has a strong, gamy taste, so it needs to be prepared carefully before you can eat it." Bian Yixia waved her hand, dismissing him.
Zou Feng thanked her again, then grabbed the antlers and lifted the head.
When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back. "Miss..."
"Speak!"
"If you ever need me in the future, just say the word. I will not refuse!"
His words sounded perfectly normal. After receiving such a huge favor, it was only natural to offer repeated thanks and promise to repay the kindness in the future.
But only Zou Feng himself knew that for an "Evil Cultivator" like him, this was an incredibly rare promise.
After all, if even Bian Yixia found herself in a desperate situation, the wisest course of action for Zou Feng would be to flee immediately.
Bian Yixia, of course, didn’t understand the weight of Zou Feng’s words and simply took them as a routine pleasantry.
"Nonsense. Are you saying you were planning to turn me down if I came to you for treatment in the future?!"
"Now hurry up and take it to your master to have it cooked. Eat it as soon as you can. If you let it sit for too long, it will lose its nourishing effects."
Zou Feng then quickened his pace and left Bian Yixia’s room.
His body was currently severely depleted. If he didn’t properly replenish his energy, he wouldn’t be able to attempt a breakthrough to the Seventh Grade.
He had originally just wanted to get about ten pounds of Demon Beast Meat from Bian Yixia on credit. Now, not only did he have more than that, but he also had the far more valuable Celestial Eye Deer Antlers.
’And on top of that, there’s the highly evil third eye to study...’
Not long after Zou Feng left, Bian Yixia took out a small flask of Spirit Wine and swallowed one of the eyeballs raw.
After swallowing it, she chugged the entire flask of Spirit Wine.
Then, she sat cross-legged on her wooden bed and began cultivating.
A short while later, Bian Yixia opened her eyes, shaking her head with a bitter smile.
’It’s still no use...’
If this kept up, she would soon lose all confidence in advancing to the Gang Qi Realm.
After staring blankly for a moment, Bian Yixia picked up the other wooden box with the eyeball inside and quickly left her room.
Before long, she arrived at Xiang Kang’s residence.
She was clearly there to personally deliver the Demon Beast eyeball she had set aside for him.
Ever since his last injury, even though he had now mostly recovered, Xiang Kang seemed to have lost his fighting spirit. He had handed over all of the Black Flood Dragon Gang’s affairs to Bian Yixia, completely retreating into the background.
Xiang Kang didn’t stand on ceremony with the Demon Beast eyeball Bian Yixia brought. He, too, swallowed it raw with a gulp of Spirit Wine.
"Xiaoxia, it’s been hard on you lately..." A look of satisfaction spread across Xiang Kang’s face after he ate the Demon Beast eyeball.
"Uncle Xiang, with Father away, this is what I should be doing. It’s no hardship," Bian Yixia said, shaking her head.
Xiang Kang seemed to recall something, his brow furrowing slightly. "By the way, I heard Sun Kai issued you a written challenge?"
"Yes. In two days, he will die!"
"You must not be careless. That man’s Saber Skill is nothing to scoff at... and you must also be on guard against any tricks he might pull..."
Bian Yixia said, "There is indeed a traitor in the gang colluding with the Mountain and River Association. I’m investigating it now and should have results soon. Don’t worry, Uncle Xiang."
Xiang Kang sighed deeply. "These are truly troubled times. If only your father could return soon!"
Hearing this, Bian Yixia instantly grew flustered and uneasy.
Clearly, she did not want Deng Guangxin to return just yet.
"Rumors are flying all over Yuan Guang County that your father has likely met with some misfortune. But what do they know? The Gang Leader is, in fact, still in seclusion!" Xiang Kang’s tone was firm, as if he knew something.
This made Bian Yixia’s heart sink.
"Uncle Xiang... do... do you know where Father is right now?" Bian Yixia asked, her voice filled with apprehension.
Xiang Kang smiled faintly. "Rest assured. When it is time for him to emerge from seclusion, the Gang Leader will do so."
"When he returns to the Black Flood Dragon Gang, everything in Yuan Guang County is going to change..."
Hearing this, cold sweat beaded on Bian Yixia’s brow against her will.
’When Father comes out of seclusion... could it be that he’ll have broken through to the Gang Qi Realm?’
PS: Something came up, so this is the only Chapter for today. My apologies.