Li Kang stared at Bai Yuan in surprise.

He knew Bai Yuan was a disciple of the Divine Mansion Sect, but he never imagined the young man was actually Dong Wanjun’s apprentice!

Dong Wanjun’s reputation in Huanglong Prefecture was simply immense.

It had reached the point where the mere mention of his name could stop a baby from crying.

His surprise wasn’t because Bai Yuan had joined Wan Jun Peak—after all, Fang Ya before him had also been a disciple of Wan Jun Peak.

This was because being a disciple of Wan Jun Peak and being Dong Wanjun’s apprentice were two completely different things.

Only Inner Sect Disciples were qualified to call themselves the Peak Master’s personal disciples.

Bai Yuan, too, was surprised.

’This Old Zhou lives in a small cabin deep in the mountains, yet he even knows about matters of the Divine Mansion Sect. His reach is long indeed.’

His acceptance as an Inner Sect Disciple by Dong Wanjun after the Wooden Man Alley incident was an open secret.

’So he must have a contact within the Divine Mansion Sect.’

But that wasn’t anything new. Many disciples of the Divine Mansion Sect, aside from being sect members, also came from various major powers. Exchanging intelligence was a common occurrence.

"That is correct."

Bai Yuan answered frankly, as there was no point in denying it.

Zhou Siming’s old, wrinkled lips twitched. "Dong Wanjun has something I need. Help me get it, and the Tier Six Monster Flesh is yours."

Bai Yuan: "Farewell."

Before the word was even out of his mouth, he was already turning to leave.

Bai Yuan’s decision was so swift and decisive that both Old Zhou and Li Kang were momentarily stunned.

Zhou Siming spoke, a hint of annoyance in his voice, "Hold it, kid."

Bai Yuan’s right foot, which had already crossed the threshold, paused before pulling back. The corners of his mouth lifted in a slight smile.

’When doing business, you naturally want to hold all the cards.’

’Haggling is actually quite simple. It all comes down to who can’t afford to lose.’

Clearly, Zhou Siming’s need was more urgent. He was getting anxious, and once someone gets anxious, the price becomes negotiable.

In truth, Bai Yuan’s interest had already waned significantly.

’If I could just find Old Dong, I would ask him directly. Why go through all this trouble with Zhou Siming?’

"Change the condition,"

Bai Yuan said lightly.

Zhou Siming stared at Bai Yuan with his hollow eyes. After a long moment, he uttered three words: "I can wait."

Bai Yuan frowned. "What is it that my master has that you need so badly?"

He was curious what kind of treasure could make Zhou Siming this obsessed.

Zhou Siming took a deep breath. "The Demon Hunting Order."

"Back then, I lost to Old Thief Dong, and I lost the Demon Hunting Order to him as well."

The corner of Bai Yuan’s mouth twitched.

’In the mini-game from my past life, there was a brief introduction to Zhou Siming. It mentioned that he was expelled from the Demon Hunter lineage for losing the Demon Hunting Order.’

’To think it was Old Dong who made him lose the Demon Hunting Order.’

’Just how many people has Old Dong beaten up?’

"Fine."

Bai Yuan nodded slowly after a moment of thought.

’Since there’s no time limit, this is much more manageable.’

’I’ll just get the Demon Hunting Order when I’m strong enough to beat Old Dong. If I can never beat him in my lifetime, then failing to retrieve it wouldn’t be a breach of contract.’

Zhou Siming: "Very good. Dong Wanjun’s disciples are known to be true to their word."

With that, he slowly stood up.

He rummaged through a nearby cabinet and pulled out a piece of dried meat. A strange fragrance wafted from it—it was the Tier Six Monster Flesh!

He knew, of course, that no matter how you looked at it, he was getting the short end of the stick in this deal with the kid. But that damn Dong was just too ferocious; he was certain he’d never be able to beat him in this lifetime.

Bai Yuan was perhaps his only hope.

’Trading a piece of Tier Six Monster Flesh for a sliver of a chance... when I put it that way, it’s not such a bad deal after all.’

He handed the Tier Six Monster Flesh to Bai Yuan.

He wasn’t the least bit worried that the young man would go back on his word.

Because as long as Bai Yuan was in Huanglong Prefecture, no matter where he hid, Old Zhou could find him.

Demon Hunters weren’t just skilled at finding demons; their ability to find people was second to none.

Bai Yuan gazed at the Tier Six Monster Flesh in his hands, his heart racing.

This was the final component for a legendary-tier skill. How could he not be excited?

"Senior, I will do my utmost in this matter."

He said with a sincere expression.

Zhou Siming nodded. "A disciple of Dong Wanjun... yes, I can trust that."

Both wore solemn expressions, though just how much of it was genuine, no one could say.

...

Bai Yuan and Li Kang walked along the road back to Huanglong Prefecture.

With the deal successfully made, Li Kang felt he had gained some face.

Besides, Bai Yuan was the disciple of that Peak Master Dong from the Divine Mansion Sect. Perhaps in the future, he could use this connection to get closer to that great figure.

"Brother Li, thank you for everything today."

The two had reached the gates of Huanglong Prefecture City when Bai Yuan spoke with sincerity.

Li Kang chuckled and waved his hand. "We’re brothers, don’t mention it. Come by my place some other day, and I’ll have your sister-in-law cook up a couple of nice dishes."

Bai Yuan: "Definitely."

He meant it sincerely, unlike the freeloaders from his previous life.

Bai Yuan always distinguished clearly between kindness and grudges. Li Kang was a capable man; though smooth in his ways, he was also decent. He was someone worth befriending.

After bidding farewell to Li Kang,

He went straight back to his courtyard on Wan Jun Peak and placed the dried Tier Six Monster Flesh on the table.

The courtyards for Wan Jun Peak’s Inner Sect Disciples were well-equipped, even featuring a private training room, but they were conspicuously missing a kitchen.

Each of the Divine Mansion Sect’s Thirteen Peaks had its own dining hall, where everyone from disciples to Elders ate their meals.

Almost no Martial Artist was willing to waste time on cooking.

Therefore, no one—not Inner Sect, Outer Sect, or even servants—had a kitchen.

Left with no choice, Bai Yuan could only build a bonfire in his own courtyard.

The conditions were a bit crude, but they would suffice.

On his way back to the Divine Mansion Sect, he had stopped by Huanglong Prefecture City to buy a large iron wok.

He set the large iron wok over the bonfire and, once the water boiled, added the various supplementary ingredients he had already prepared.

Bajitian, Heaven-Reaching Pillar, Yangqi Stone...

And last, of course, was the hard-won Tier Six Monster Flesh.

After learning the "Fierce Fire Renders Oil" technique, his control over fire had reached a sublime level. He gripped the wok’s handle, shaking it gently to ensure the heat perfectly extracted every last bit of essence from the Tier Six Monster Flesh.

After stewing for a full six hours, it was finally ready.

Instantly, an exotic fragrance filled the courtyard—the rich scent of a powerful tonic, enough to make one feel ecstatic.

If this bowl of soup were poured into the wells of Huanglong Prefecture, half the city would probably be up all night in a frenzy.

When ordinary Martial Artists got their hands on demon flesh, most would just roast it and gulp it down.

In Bai Yuan’s eyes, such a method was a blasphemous waste.

He knew at least a hundred ways to prepare demon flesh.

A hundred!

Each method could more than double the efficacy of the demon flesh, and this potent tonic soup was one such method.

Smelling the refreshing fragrance wafting to his nose, Bai Yuan could no longer resist. He lifted the large bowl and drank it all down in great gulps.

Before long, he had devoured everything, meat and broth alike. Even the bones of the demon flesh were treasures that couldn’t be wasted.

Bai Yuan felt a heat spreading through his entire body, as if he had boundless energy.

He gazed up at the moonlight and couldn’t help but sigh.

"If only Sister Qiao were here... that would be perfect."