CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 195: THE ELIMINATED ESSENCE DEMON MEAT

The fish soup was incredibly delicious. Although only salt was added, the fishy taste of the Little Silver Fish was quite faint, creating a rich and savory flavor similar to chicken soup. After taking a couple of sips, Sheng Qing felt a warm sensation in her abdomen, and the cold chill of the night was instantly dispelled.

"Have some fish," Qian Qi offered a small spoon before getting busy heating up his portion of the boxed meal.

Sheng Qing took the clean small spoon and scooped off half a slice of Little Silver Fish. The spoon was what Qian Qi would use to eat his self-heating rice later, so she didn’t touch it with her lips. Instead, she gently tilted her head back and let the fish piece fall directly into her parted lips.

The tender and soft fish meat lightly chewed between her teeth, with the fragrant scent of fish mingling with the aroma of the soup. As the silvery-tender fish slid down her throat, her mind suddenly cleared up, as if all fatigue was washed away, and her thoughts became vibrant and agile.

It was Essence Demon Meat.

Sheng Qing could almost be certain.

Essence Demon Meat is one of the most beneficial parts of a Magic Beast for humans, capable of providing temporary boosts to spiritual power, rapid recovery of Elemental Power, and increased energy absorption speed. However, it typically comes with intense side effects. For Advanced Awakeners, Low-level Essence Demon Meat isn’t particularly useful, consuming same-level Essence Demon Meat bears significant side effects, and eating meat from a higher level than oneself can result in severe side effects, potentially leaving hard-to-heal sequelae if unlucky.

Moreover, Essence Demon Meat is usually energy-rich. Its energy starts to dissipate and return to nature upon the death of a Magic Beast. It must be dissected and extracted promptly and placed in a special device, but even then, the energy of the Essence Demon Meat slowly leaks and cannot be stored for long periods.

According to historical records, "Essence Demon Meat" was highly popular during tumultuous periods involving Magic Beasts. As S-Class Magical Beasts were gradually hunted down and the era moved towards peace, Essence Demon Meat—which naturally loses energy and is difficult to preserve—eventually fell out of favor in society. Related experts even researched several special potions that could be used at any time from Essence Demon Meat, but due to their high cost and rarity, even the upper echelons competed over them.

Dean Fan had told her this secret as a way to encourage her to join the Reform Faction. This way, even if she suffered a fatal injury in the future, she could rely on her abilities and contributions to receive such potion treatments.

Holding a small bowl with both hands, Sheng Qing’s beautiful dark eyes intently watched Qian Qi begin to sprinkle salt on the fish he was grilling, unsure what she was thinking. After a moment, she gently stirred the fish soup with the small spoon and placed it near the bonfire, ensuring it wouldn’t cool after Qian Qi finished grilling the fish.

Little Silver Fish cooks quickly; the fish oil drips down the body into the fire, creating a sizzling sound. The aroma of fish oil and firewood mixed together soon wafted far away.

A team resting nearby couldn’t resist the scent for long, and five of them walked over. A person who appeared to be the leader stepped forward, glanced at the fish grilling over the fire, and lightly swallowed before introducing himself, "Hello, I’m Xu Yingtai from the Command Department. May we discuss something?"

Han Li looked around, seeing Qian Qi busy grilling fish, Xu Jinghong with a face saying "Strangers, stay away," Zhang Yun drooling over the grilled fish, and Sheng Qing not even bothering to lift an eyelid.

So, he stood up, "Hello, Han Li from the Command Department."

Teams usually default the Command Department student to be the leader, and it indeed made sense for him to assume the responsibility of communicating with other teams.

Xu Yingtai glanced at the grilled fish and inquired, "Hello, Han Li. We arrived late at the supply station and missed out on self-heating meals and sleeping gear. We’re starving now, so we’d like to ask if we could buy some of your grilled fish to fill our stomachs?"

Han Li quickly shook his head, "Sorry, but I can’t make that decision. This fish was caught from the river over there; you can try catching some yourselves."

Xu Yingtai looked towards the Black River. The black, abyss-like water surface made him shiver under the night sky; he didn’t even dare to think about catching fish himself. He tentatively asked, "Are there no Magic Beasts in there?"

Han Li honestly shook his head, "I don’t know. The Black River can block the probing of spiritual power, so I’m unclear if there are Magic Beasts inside."

Qian Qi’s ears couldn’t help but perk up.

Blocks spiritual power probing?

Xu Yingtai, being a student of the Command Department, naturally knew that the Black River impeded spiritual power probing. Otherwise, he would’ve gone fishing like Qian Qi. Seeing Qian Qi finished grilling the fish, he reluctantly asked, "Hey, are you selling this fish?"

"Yes! Of course, I’m selling!" Qian Qi nodded his small head, thinking why not earn some easy money, "Are you looking for the 100-option or the 2000-option?"

Xu Yingtai: "Huh?"

Looking at the Little Silver Fish in Qian Qi’s hand, Xu Yingtai was a little puzzled. Aren’t they the same? Why divide them into 100 and 2000?

"The 100-option is 1 freshly caught fish, then you’re on your own. For 2000, you get the full dragon service set, eat your fill with added salt~" Qian Qi enthusiastically introduced the package service, "My friend, we recommend the 2000 quality service package~ Live life to its fullest; don’t leave the gold cup empty for the moon. Enjoy it properly!"

Xu Yingtai: ...

Fan Jinghai, outside the screen: ...

"Why does this tone sound familiar?" Fan Jinghai finally sensed something, turned his head suspiciously towards the principal.

Principal: "I don’t know, not familiar, you heard wrong, don’t ask me."

Upon hearing the price, Xu Yingtai turned to discuss with his teammates. The Little Silver Fish was a novel species to them, and they didn’t know how to handle it. Besides, one Little Silver Fish surely wouldn’t satiate them; the 2000-option seemed more cost-effective.

Before they could find any edible fruits or rabbits, it was best to opt for the available food in front of them.

"We’ll take the 2000-option, just make sure we eat our fill!" Xu Yingtai turned to Qian Qi and said.

"Alright~" Qian Qi divided the grilled Little Silver Fish among Xu Jinghong and the others, stood up, and headed towards the Black River. Xu Yingtai, wanting to confirm if the Black River posed any danger, followed along.

As Qian Qi stood by the Black River, just when Xu Yingtai thought she might dip her head into the river, he saw her pull out a bundle of burlap sacks from her pocket. She shook them a few times billowing them with air and then tossed them into the river like casting a fishing net.

After a hearty haul of water, she dragged the sack ashore and dumped out both the water and some Little Silver Fish.

Looking at the ten or so lively Little Silver Fish jumping on the ground, Xu Yingtai: ...

Damn, it was his first time seeing fish caught with burlap sacks!

Apparently feeling that over ten fish weren’t enough, Qian Qi changed positions several times, caught a few more bags of Little Silver Fish, but the last time, with bad luck, caught a vicious sawtooth fish that bit a hole through her sack.

The sawtooth fish was too hideous, so Qian Qi placed it on the sack, turned and asked Xu Yingtai if he wanted it.

Xu Yingtai shook his head, "No, throw it back into the..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Qian Qi pull out half a small iron shovel from a pocket below her right leg and slam the sawtooth fish into smithereens with a single "smack," then poured it back into the Black River.

Xu Yingtai: ...

He watched as Qian Qi squatted by the river, washing the bloody sack and small shovel, gradually comprehending.

Folks, whose nice person brings sacks and shovels into an instance! Even the fish slaughtering is so crisp and clean; isn’t there some side business going on!