The warmth in his belly gradually vanished.
In order to ascertain that he wasn't mistaken earlier, Zhang Jing picked up a piece of luminescent spiritual beast meat from the jade plate in front of him.
The indescribable exotic aroma surged once again, inciting salivation uncontrollably.
Perhaps it was because the meat was saturated with nature's spiritual energy, or it could be a unique skill of the Spirit Food Hall.
At this moment, the spiritual beast meat had become so delicate that it seemed to burst into juice the moment it was touched by the tongue.
After chewing it a couple of times,
the spiritual beast meat turned into a sweet liquid which Zhang Jing swallowed down gently.
"Just as I thought!"
Zhang Jing's eyes brightened.
As expected, a warm flow gradually filled his qi and blood from his belly. In an instant, he felt a slight regain of his expended mental energy.
"Brother Ji, do you usually eat this spiritual beast meat?"
Zhang Jing suppressed his astonishment and asked while continuing to eat mouthfuls.
"Yes indeed, not sure if Brother Zhang is accustomed to it?" Ji Bochang fluttered his fan and responded with pretended nonchalance.
However, he had actually opened his Painting Fan at some point and was fanning himself with a distinctly flippant air.
"I am, I am!" Zhang Jing responded without lifting his head, seemingly oblivious to Ji Bochang's action.
He was wolfing down his food so fast that his chopsticks were a blur.
"That's good then."
Having said this, Ji Bochang picked up his chopsticks as well.
But in the next moment, his chopsticks paused mid-air.
With his little eyes fixed firmly on the almost depleted spiritual beast meat on the table, Ji Bochang's cheek muscles twitched uncontrollably.
In the end, he could only laugh helplessly.
He put down his chopsticks.
Across the table,
"No wonder Teacher values you so highly." Zhang Jing wiped his mouth and said admiringly: "With spiritual beast meat at every meal, and already being quite familiar with the Visualization Method cultivation, it would be hard not to pass the test."
"Brother Zhang, you managing to pass the test with your own talent is already quite impressive."
Ji Bochang consoled.
"By the way, Brother Ji,"
Zhang Jing looked at the spiritual beast meat on the table, changed his tone and asked seriously:
"How much spirit stone are you planning to raise for that bet?"
At this, Ji Bochang looked at Zhang Jing in surprise, then, after pondering a bit, he said directly:
"Well, it depends on how much spirit stone Wu Mingyuan, uh no, the God of Wealth could put up. I hear he's quite loaded. I reckon raising the stake to thirty spirit stones shouldn't be a problem."
"Thirty pieces... thirty pieces..."
Zhang Jing recalled the price of the spiritual beast meat he had just seen, his expression turning stunned as he muttered:
"I could have fifteen of the pieces, enough to buy the spiritual beast meat, but time waits for no man..."
Now that he confirmed that spiritual beast meat could help restore his mind, it meant that as long as there is a supply of spiritual beast meat, he could gain more practice in a day.
He could possibly master the Visualization Method within seven days.
The precondition being having Spirit Stones!
After contemplating for a moment, Zhang Jing looked at Ji Bochang and said seriously:
"Brother Ji, I have an impolite request."
"Speak, Brother Zhang. Anything I can do, I definitely won't refuse." Ji Bochang collected his fan, his face serious.
"You mentioned earlier about splitting the bet with me right? How about this, can you give me ten spirit stones today, and then you won't need to split the winning bet with me."
Zhang Jing said somewhat awkwardly.
"This..." Ji Bochang's face immediately revealed some difficulty as he said: "In principle, I shouldn't refuse since it's like getting Spirit Stones for free."
"But—"
Ji Bochang paused for a moment, then said with a bitter smile:
"To be honest with Brother Zhang, I forgot to bring Spirit Stones when I came to the Dao Institute. The few that I had with me were all spent on lodging at the small courtyard and the Spirit Food Hall. Moreover, this is why I specifically came to confirm the bet with you today, hoping I could get some from Wu Mingyuan."
With that, Ji Bochang scratched his head.
"How about waiting a bit more, Brother Zhang? After passing the examination, I will be able to notify my family to send some Spirit Stones over."
After the examination? That would be too late!
A touch of regret flashed across Zhang Jing's face. Seeing that he couldn't come up with a good solution right now, he got up and said goodbye, "That won't be necessary. Anyway, thank you, Brother Ji. I should get going."
"Take care, Brother Zhang." Ji Bochang got up.
"Haha, there's no need to see me off, Brother Ji."
...
In the Spirit Food Hall.
Watching the gradually disappearing back of Zhang Jing, Ji Bochang turned around and ordered another serving of Spiritual Beast meat. He then sat down again and muttered to himself:
"Why is he in such a hurry for Spirit Stones? Is it because... of Spiritual Beast meat?"
The next moment, as if he had thought of a certain possibility, a shocked expression appeared on his face.
"Brother Zhang is confident of passing the examination, yet he still needs Spiritual Beast meat to assist his cultivation. Does this mean he aims to receive a grade C rating in this examination?!"
Hiss——
"It seems Brother Zhang's talent is even stronger than I expected. Well, the difference between a grade C rating and a D rating is enormous. It's not surprising he has this idea. Since it's the case, I might as well help him."
"Just, who has more Spirit Stones right now?"
...
...
"Wu Mingyuan!"
"What did you bring me to Spirit Food Hall for? I'm not hungry right now."
Chu Lingyun looked calmly at Wu Mingyuan in front of her and asked.
"Lingyun, I managed to get some meat of the Spiritual Beast Azure Immortal Sparrow, which has been prepared by the Spirit Food Hall. That's why I brought you here," said Wu Mingyuan a little aggrievedly.
"Ah, Mingyuan, all my thoughts are on cultivation right now. You... Brother Ji is also here?"
As they walked, Chu Lingyun hinted subtly.
However, when she saw Ji Bochang, surprise flashed across her eyes and she quickened her steps.
"Lingyun, I understand your feelings but I will wait... Wait, who? Ji Bochang!"
At the spot.
Wu Mingyuan was still trying to explain in a low voice, then it suddenly hit him, he watched his 'future Dao companion' running towards Ji Bochang.
With no other choice, he had to follow up closely.
Not long after.
Watching Chu Lingyun and Ji Bochang chatting happily, Wu Mingyuan's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. A hint of discontent arose in his heart.
Then he seemed to suddenly remember something, and loudly said:
"Oh, Brother Ji, it just occurred to me. Don't we have a bet between us? I hear from the teaching department that chances of your 'Brother Zhang' passing the examination are slim, you know."
"If you admit your loss now, I will pretend it never happened, how about that?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Bochang was taken aback for a moment.
Originally, he was thinking about how to steer the conversation towards the bet, and how to raise the stakes without raising Wu Mingyuan's suspicions.
But who could anticipate that this guy would deliver himself?
The key point is that he even set the mood himself, this...
Well done!
Ji Bochang's eyes rolled craftily, then he 'secretly' glanced at Chu Lingyun at his side and said, with his eyes sparkling:
"Haha, Brother Wu, how would I lose?"
Likewise, as if to boost his confidence, Ji Bochang gritted his teeth and said, "Why don't we up the stakes to fifty Spirit Stones?"
"Fifty Spirit Stones? Brother Ji, you could buy two bottles of Pure Yuan Elixir with that!" Chu Lingyun at the side exclaimed in surprise.
"I'll stake it! Brother Ji, you can't scare me, there's no backing down now!"
Wu Mingyuan, who thought he saw through Ji Bochang's bluff, quickly said excitedly.
"Brother Wu, can we reduce..."
"No! Brother Ji, are you going back on your word?"
A triumphant look was evident on Wu Mingyuan's face.