153: Red Blood Spirit Rice
It is said that this rice is grown by infusing the blood of Yao Beasts, and it's not an overnight process; it requires continuous irrigation for a year to produce. This rice can strengthen Qi and Blood, and long-term consumption is very beneficial for a Martial Artist's physique.
However, its yield is extremely low, with only ten catties of spiritual rice produced per mu of land, making it incredibly rare. In An Yan City, no power has the ability to Cultivate it.
Their spiritual rice was also acquired at a high price from Xin An Prefecture City. A portion was intended for their own children to enhance their strength, while the other portion was given to the children of powerful families as a gesture of goodwill.
“Hmm, if you’re not going, I am! Follow me!”
Shopkeeper Liu flicked his large sleeve and, with his butler, headed towards the storeroom.
“Liu Fangxi!” Madam Liu stamped her foot in anger.
“You foolish woman! Stop shouting! Read the letter, and after you’re done, remember to burn the envelope!”
At this moment, Shopkeeper Liu handed the letter paper over again. Madam Liu looked at the serious expression on her husband’s face, extended her hand, took it, and slowly unfolded it.
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Rustle
Han Yi gently turned a page, reading the book in his hand.
In the Bai Family Courtyard, the nanmu window lattice, carved with longevity bats and goldfish, was wide open. The scent of sun-baked roses permeated through the lattice, so thick it clogged the nose, and so warm it made one's head feel drowsy.
Today was a rare good day. Han Yi was reading the Bear Claw Skill he had found in a hidden compartment in Jiang Cheng's room, making use of the daylight.
Although he had a small talent in fist and palm techniques, he did not plan to practice the Bear Claw Skill. He now looked down on Cultivation Techniques that could not achieve Entering Vigor, and he truly had no extra Cultivation resources.
Moreover, this Martial Skill emphasizes straightforward, fierce, and powerful movements; the corresponding fighting style is simply one word—reckless!
But Han Yi preferred instant bursts and lasting flexibility. Recklessness was simply not his fighting style.
Therefore, he was preparing to sell this Martial Skill along with the refined iron Bear Claws he had acquired. However, where to sell them troubled him.
This kind of thing cannot see the light of day!
“How about taking it to the Black Market? No, no…” Han Yi himself rejected this idea. Although it was called a Black Market, few people would likely buy something like this. Furthermore, the Black Market was crowded and had many prying eyes. If he were recognized, it would not be good at all.
“Sigh, it seems I still need to find Sanren Bai and see if he has any good connections…” Han Yi put down the book and sighed.
However, calculating the days, the two of them should be back by now…
Coincidentally, he also prepared some rare food.
Immediately, Han Yi returned to the room, walked directly to a sack of rice, and grabbed a handful of it.
The rice was entirely blood-red, carrying a hint of fishiness that was somewhat off-putting.
This was fifty catties of crimson blood spiritual rice. Whether eaten raw, cooked, or brewed into wine, it could subtly enhance a Martial Artist's Qi and Blood. Among these methods, if eaten raw, the loss of nutrients was minimal, the effect was best, and the increase in Qi and Blood was maximized.
However, it was a pity that if this rice was not processed, it was extremely coarse to eat, had a strong fishy smell, tasted bad, and was simply impossible to swallow.
That day, after he dealt with Jiang Cheng and returned to the Black Market to continue his shift, and entrusted someone to send a reply to Shopkeeper Liu, he received Shopkeeper Liu’s return gift the next day.
Initially, he thought it was just some ordinary rice and was about to refuse, but unexpectedly, Shopkeeper Liu subtly reminded him that this rice was very valuable and greatly beneficial to Martial Artists, which was why he accepted it.
Blazing!
Inside the stove, flames fiercely licked the bottom of the pot, causing a large amount of steam to gather inside the iron pot.
Whoosh!
Han Yi lifted the pot lid, and a burst of hot steam rushed towards him. A pot of crimson spiritual rice came into view, each grain crystal clear, plump, and full.
However, as the lid was lifted, a faint fishy smell also wafted out.
Han Yi picked up a spoon, scooped out a spoonful, and tasted it, then frowned: “The texture is indeed not as delicate as regular fragrant rice, and it’s a bit fishy… It seems my cooking skills can only handle this much…”
He was a little helpless. In his previous life, he relied on ordering takeout and eating out. Even now, he was still terrible in the kitchen, completely clueless about cooking.
Now, he was starting to miss Bai Sanren. Bai Sanren's cooking skills were countless times better than his!
“Hmm, the effect is indeed good!”
After finishing the crimson blood spiritual rice, Han Yi felt a warm current rising vigorously in his stomach wall. His entire body's Qi and Blood felt lively, and the total amount of Qi and Blood subtly increased by a trace.
【Name】: Han Yi (16/121)
【Realm】: Refining Blood (30/100); Sword Realm: Ten Steps, One Kill; Blade Realm: Solid as a Mountain
【Cultivation Technique】: Han Yi Yang Yuan Skill (Incomplete, Trait: Rejuvenation, Minor Achievement 6/50, Can be improved); Golden Muscle Jade Bone Skill (Yellow Rank High Grade, Proficient 4/20, Trait: Iron Wall, Can be improved)
【Martial Arts】: Ben Lei Palm Technique (Yellow Rank High Grade, Trait: Stone Crushing Earth Splitting, Frenzied Strike, Minor Achievement (5/50), Can be improved); Flying Swallow Kick (Yellow Rank Low Grade, Trait: Gale, Minor Achievement (10/50), Can be improved); Dual Blade Sword Kill (Profound Rank Low Grade, Trait: Focus, Dual Wield, Proficient (6/30), Can be improved); Yan Shen Technique (Yellow Rank Low Grade, Major Achievement, Trait: Bone Shrinking Disguise)
【Essence Value】: 66
On the panel, his Realm also increased by a trace.
If he could eat a portion of this rice every day for a year, he believed it would definitely increase a lot of Qi and Blood.
However, Shopkeeper Liu said that this crimson blood spiritual rice in An Yan City could not be bought with money; it required significant connections and had to be specially ordered from the Fu City, with limited supply. In other words, Shopkeeper Liu implied that only prominent families with distinguished backgrounds were eligible.
“Forget it, true powerhouses never rely on external objects; they all Cultivate through their own efforts!”
Han Yi, unable to get what he wanted, consoled himself with sour grapes.
Squeak!
Just then, the courtyard gate suddenly opened, and a hearty laugh came through.
“Han Boy, have you missed us during this time!”
Bai Sanren laughed heartily and walked quickly. He was wearing his usual white robe, a smile on his face, and carried a package as he entered.
“Yi Gege, do I look good in this outfit?” Behind him, Qian Xue was not wearing her usual bright yellow ruqun, but a vibrant red chest-length tight skirt paired with a white silk shawl, making her waist appear exceptionally slender and giving her a hint of mature femininity.
Han Yi's eyes immediately lit up. In their daily interactions, Qian Xue either wore loose, bright ruqun or tight training attire that bound her chest. But now, dressed in a well-fitting outfit, she instantly had a different feel.