Zhu Ziyang and Zhu Changhe returned to Anyang City from Dragon City.
They had barely arrived home when a guest came knocking.
"Hong-ge! What brings you here?" Zhu Changhe asked in surprise.
"What? I'm not allowed to come?" Hong Zhen replied with a smile.
"No, no, that's not what I meant." Zhu Changhe waved his hands quickly in denial.
"Hello, Uncle Hong," Zhu Ziyang also greeted politely.
"Aye! Good!" Hong Zhen's face lit up as soon as he saw Zhu Ziyang. He walked up and excitedly patted Zhu Ziyang's shoulder. "Xiao Yang, you're a Soul Grandmaster now?"
Hearing this, both Zhu Changhe and Zhu Ziyang immediately understood why Hong Zhen had come.
"That's right!" Zhu Ziyang nodded with a proud smile on his refined face.
"This is really..." Hong Zhen couldn't help but sigh in amazement. His rugged face filled with excitement. "This is amazing! Xiao Yang reached Soul Grandmaster level at just eight years old—probably the only one in the entire Northern Province!"
"Exactly!" Zhu Changhe beamed with pride at his son being praised, a wide smile spreading across his face.
"Changhe, my brother, Ziyang is now our Anyang City's greatest hope. You mustn't let him be neglected!" Hong Zhen said seriously.
"Hong-ge, what are you saying? Ziyang is the only son of me and Xiao Ying. How could we ever mistreat him?" Zhu Changhe said, a bit exasperated.
"Haha, what I mean is—you need to prepare more soul beast meat and medicinal herbs for him. Right now is the prime time for his cultivation. You absolutely cannot let his resources fall behind!" Hong Zhen said with a laugh.
"Naturally!" Zhu Changhe replied, but the corner of his mouth revealed a helpless smile. "Even if you didn't mention it, we've already been doing our best. But there are some herbs and resources we just can't afford or access."
For soul masters, innate talent was the foundation, but cultivation resources were essential support. Soul beast meat and medicinal herbs were the most basic resources, yet crucial to a soul master's growth.
Soul beast meat contained rich energy and had multiple uses. Any slightly wealthy soul master family would have their children eat it regularly.
Though the Zhu family were commoners, generations of accumulation had left them decently well-off. Every couple of days, there'd be soul beast meat in their meals.
Medicinal herbs were similar—just more rare and expensive.
The ones commonly sold on the market were all basic in quality and had limited benefits.
Truly beneficial soul beast meat and medicinal herbs were monopolized by the empire and aristocratic families. Without a noble title or clan backing, the only way to acquire such exclusive resources was by reaching Soul King level.
That was why Zhu Changhe gave such a bitter smile.
As an imperial baron, Hong Zhen naturally understood. Seeing Zhu Changhe's expression, he grinned and said, "That's why I came!"
Both Zhu Changhe and Zhu Ziyang were stunned by his words. But Hong Zhen didn't care about their shock. He simply took out five or six wrapped bundles from his soul tool ring.
"Take a look!" Hong Zhen said, filled with pride.
"What's all this?" Zhu Changhe asked, confused as he stared at the bundles.
Zhu Ziyang, more direct, stepped forward and opened all six bundles. Inside were five types of fresh meat and a packet of dried purple herbs.
"This is... Crimson Ox Tendon?!" Zhu Ziyang recognized one type immediately and exclaimed in surprise.
"What?" Zhu Changhe turned to look at Hong Zhen, his face full of shock. He realized Hong Zhen's intention and was both moved and conflicted. "Hong-ge, are you sure about this?"
"What's there to be unsure of? I'm not doing this just because Ziyang is my nephew. I'm doing this because he's the most promising student in Anyang City with a real shot at getting into Shrek Academy!" Hong Zhen waved his hand, tone firm.
"Thank you!" Zhu Changhe finally stopped declining and responded earnestly.
"Haha! Come on, let's go through them together." Hong Zhen smiled and pointed at the resources, introducing them one by one. "One hundred-year Crimson Ox Tendons, fifteen catties. One hundred-year Deep Sea Cod, fifteen catties. One hundred-year Iron Armored Crocodile meat, fifteen catties. One hundred-year Golden Winged Sparrow, fifteen catties. One thousand-year Heavy Armored Dragon Rhinoceros meat, five catties. And this—fifteen catties of one hundred-year Bone Tempering Flower."
As Hong Zhen spoke, Zhu Ziyang quickly recalled what he knew about these soul beasts.
The Crimson Ox was a domesticated offensive-type soul beast, great for strengthening tendons and bones—its tendons especially effective.
The Deep Sea Cod, a rare marine soul beast, was rich in soul power and delicious. Consuming it could significantly boost soul power.
The Iron Armored Crocodile, a powerful amphibious soul beast, enhanced a soul master's physical resilience.
The Golden Winged Sparrow, a small but fierce bird-type soul beast, excelled at flying and its meat helped nourish the lungs and spleen.
The Heavy Armored Dragon Rhinoceros, with dragon bloodline, was incredibly tough and had remarkable vitality. Its meat enhanced qi and blood and strengthened the body.
Lastly, the Bone Tempering Flower, as the name suggested, improved a soul master's physical body.
All five soul beast meats and the herb were exclusive resources—unavailable in regular markets, possibly only appearing on the black market. But as an imperial baron, Hong Zhen didn't need to deal with that.
"How's that? These were distributed by Dragon City and were originally meant for Anyang Academy. But I figured, instead of giving them to those kids, I might as well give them to Ziyang. After all, he has the talent," Hong Zhen said. "There will be a supply like this every month, so don't worry, Changhe."
"This... thank you, Hong-ge!" Zhu Changhe couldn't refuse. With resources like this, Zhu Ziyang's cultivation would progress even faster.
"Aye, what are we even talking about? We're like family!" Hong Zhen waved it off casually.
After sitting for a short while, Hong Zhen stood up to leave. Zhu Changhe walked him out the door.
Looking at the resources before him, Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but smile. Among all these, the most valuable was definitely the thousand-year Heavy Armored Dragon Rhinoceros meat. With its dragon bloodline and ability to strengthen the body and enhance qi and blood, it was exactly what Zhu Ziyang needed.
Hong Zhen had truly done them a huge favor.
——
That evening.
Liang Ying made stew using the Iron Armored Crocodile meat and Deep Sea Cod.
The family sat around the dining table, eating and chatting.
"Mom, were you a disciple of Earth Dragon Sect?" Zhu Ziyang suddenly asked, recalling the encounter with Liang Yu in Dragon City.
"Huh?" Liang Ying paused mid-motion, turned to look at him, and asked, "Why ask that all of a sudden?"
"We met Liang Yu in Dragon City," Zhu Changhe quietly added.
"Oh!" Liang Ying suddenly understood and said, "No, I'm not part of Earth Dragon Sect. Your grandfather used to be, but he left a long time ago."
"This..." Zhu Ziyang blinked but didn't ask further.
Clearly, there was a story there.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.