Chapter 738: First Bloom's Sword Practice Record (12)

He paused briefly, then continued: "But the path of cultivation is like climbing a mountain, step by step, each rung must be taken by oneself. External medicines can assist, relieve fatigue and illness, making the traveler feel a bit lighter, but if one completely relies on miraculous pills…"

Zhongli gently lifted the teacup, the swirling heat blurring his golden eyes.

"I'm afraid that's like looking for fish on a tree."

——

"By the way… these herbs are quite expensive, aren't they?"

Jiao Qiu shoved the food box into San Yue's arms: "Not expensive—just about the cost of the next meal at the restaurant. Come, come, San Yue Xiaojie, please don't be formal…"

"Forgive my bluntness, these dishes are a bit too innovative…" San Yue Qi shook his head repeatedly, "No—! No no no no absolutely no!"

"When we met last time we promised, I will bring the medicine you want, you must never refuse…"

At the same time, San Yue's uncooperative stomach made a "gurgle gurgle" sound.

"Ugh… fine, I'll try…"

Xing and San Yue Qi anxiously ate a full meal, deeply experiencing the essence of the Ranzhi Sect.

Because…

It's just too delicious!!

"Is this really medicine?"

After tasting, Xing only felt radiant, and looked in disbelief at the "miraculous pill" in the food box.

"So tasty! Mr Jiao Qiu really is a chef."

"I'm a medical officer!" Jiao Qiu emphasized repeatedly, "A chef who doesn't want to be a medical officer isn't a good general aide… Why am I explaining all this to you?"

"…So if I eat these, will my swordsmanship improve?"

Jiao Qiu calmly shook his head: "San Yue Xiaojie, the herbs I chose are indeed rare, but ultimately they are common items you can buy anywhere; at most they strengthen the body and supplement nutrition… In other words, they won't greatly aid your swordsmanship."

"That's not what we agreed on, is it?"

Jiao Qiu admitted: "From the perspective of the herbs, they already qualify as 'miraculous pills'."

"Then I have some things in my bag that can add critical hits…"

——

Maze Rice.

"The medicinal properties of ingredients… is there even such a notion?" Lai Ousi stopped his carving knife, his eyes glittering in the firelight, "Ma Lusi Er, we've never considered the 'medicinal' aspect of monsters before; seems worth a try."

"For example this—" Lai Ousi raised the scorpion tail still dripping oil, "We've neutralized its toxin with high heat, but after processing, could the toxin have other effects? Could we even add it to food?"

"Lai Ousi—!"

Ma Lusi Er impatiently cut him off, a vein pulsing on his forehead: "We're in a maze right now; we should focus on filling our stomachs and surviving, not opening a monster pharmacy!" She waved her staff, "And besides! Instead of wasting time researching the uncertain 'medicinal value' of monsters, we'd better properly learn a few healing spells; at least once you're proficient, magic is stable and controllable!"

"Ma Lusi Er is right." Qi Er Cha Ke also agreed, "Although this medical officer Jiao Qiu knows a lot about the medicinal value of food, summarizing pharmacology may take generations to compile. The few of us… definitely aren't enough, and accidents could happen during the process."

——

"Who knows which trash can it was dug out of…" San Yue Qi muttered silently.

"Are there any herbs that can't be bought?"

"You hit the nail on the head." Jiao Qiu swayed his fan, "Both of you are eager for medicine; I also have new dishes I want to test as medicine, so we instantly clicked… I never promised that 'eating them will increase your power'."

San Yue Qi: "It always feels like a rip‑off."

"But… I heard Luofu Immortal Boat has a prescription, but it's not for people, it's for 'snakes in deep mountain forests'."

"…Snakes?"

"Exactly." Jiao Qiu nodded, "This prescription is for feeding spiritual snakes. Supposedly that snake was entirely gray‑black at first; after twenty years of consuming rare herbs like lingzhi and ginseng, it turned entirely red."

"The black snake became… a Red Dragon?" San Yue Qi asked in disbelief.

"Right, the 'Mysterious Snake' eats spiritual grass and becomes a 'Red Dragon'. This is a herb worth a fortune. Supposedly sipping Red Dragon's blood can transform a person, multiplying their power. Since we're on that topic, let me reveal more—inside Luofu Dan Ding Si lies a Red Dragon…"

——

Xiao Lin's dragon maid.

"Red Dragon…"

Xiao Lin silently looked at Tuo Er nearby.

"Hmm~ Does that mean Xiao Lin finally agrees to accept my flesh and blood?" Tuo Er shyly covered himself, a faint pink flush on his fair cheeks, "Don't just say blood, my meat can also be eaten by Xiao Lin~ If that's okay, I will—"

"Hey hey, wait for me—!"

Xiao Lin grabbed Tuo Er's back collar, forcing him to halt abruptly and bounce back onto the sofa. If not stopped in time, this guy would go to the kitchen and cut off his own tail again.

"Tuo Er, does dragon flesh really have that effect?" Xiao Lin asked seriously.

"Well~ actually Xiao Lin can try it yourself? But strictly speaking, it doesn't have the power to transform a person. After all, I didn't grow up eating rare herbs; I'm probably just a special breed of the Immortal Boat."

"…That's also true."

If a snake could truly become a Red Dragon by ingesting herbs, then dragon blood must contain twenty years' essence of those herbs. But then, aren't snakes supposed to eat meat? How could they eat lingzhi?

——

San Yue Qi and Xing quickly entered the Dan Ding Si and found Miss Ling Sha, informing her of the "Red Dragon" matter Jiao Qiu mentioned.

Upon hearing this, Ling Sha's eyebrows twitched slightly, then relaxed, returning to her usual pleasant demeanor.

"Hehe, a miraculous pill that boosts power? Jiao Qiu this guy…" Ling Sha sighed lightly, looked up at San Yue, "San Yue Xiaojie, if 'Red Dragon blood' truly exists, would you really dare to drink it?"

This question made San Yue Qi uneasy, so he turned to Xing: "Um, uh… Xing, would you dare?"

"What's there not to dare? The infirmary is right next door." Xing confidently placed both hands on his hips, his main trait being his hardiness.

San Yue Qi couldn't help admiring: "As expected of Xing, you easily achieved what I couldn't."

Ling Sha smiled faintly: "San Yue Xiaojie's reaction is quite cute, I'll tell you, Mr Jiao Qiu's 'Red Dragon' does exist."

"…Then, Lord Ling Sha, where is the 'Red Dragon'?"

"'Red Dragon' is just a silent riddle set by Jiao Qiu; if I'm not mistaken, what you seek is both far beyond the heavens and right before you."