Duke, based on the information he had previously gathered, arrived in front of a five-story building, the headquarters of the Flying Eagle Commerce Association.
The Flying Eagle Commerce Association was somewhat renowned throughout the Vera Kingdom, with business spread nationwide, dealing in various types of commodity trades.
The first-floor lobby displayed all sorts of goods, weapons, armor, potions, food, cotton fabrics, and more, all available.
Duke approached a counter and stated his requirement: "Do you have Magical Beast Meat for sale?"
Behind the counter was a fat middle-aged man named Al, almost two meters tall, sitting there like a mountain of flesh.
Al looked down, chuckled, his facial fat and body fat both starting to tremble: "Are you from Nightingale? There is indeed Magical Beast Meat, five gold coins per pound."
Duke wore the Nightingale leather armor to avoid unnecessary troubles.
In Fengqiu City, Earl Hardy was the most prominent force, and wearing this attire could deter people from getting any ideas.
"That's expensive," Duke couldn't help but mutter.
Al laughed: "Judging by your aura, you must be a beginner. You must understand that not all Magical Beast Meat can aid cultivation."
He continued, "Generally, at least mid-tier Magical Beast Meat is valuable, corresponding to the strength of mid-tier Knight Attendants. Also, of a 200-pound Magical Beast, only around 20 pounds of the most essential flesh is useful."
Hunting Magical Beasts is extremely challenging and fraught with danger, which makes the materials related to Magical Beasts very expensive.
Magical Beasts generally dwell deep in the forests, their natural home ground, putting humans at a disadvantage naturally.
Besides that, Magical Beasts usually possess stronger physiques, generally slightly stronger than Knight Attendants of the same tier.
Typically, to safely hunt a mid-tier Magical Beast, at least two or three mid-tier Knight Attendants working together are required.
So, five gold coins per pound of Magical Beast Meat is not actually expensive and is entirely worth its value.
"I'll buy one pound to try first," Duke thought for a moment and said.
Due to budget constraints, he needed to try it first before deciding whether to continue buying.
Al immediately reached under the table and pulled out a piece of dark meat, throwing it on the table, causing it to shake.
"This is the meat of a mid-tier Gale Wolf, already cured for long-term preservation."
Duke picked up this piece of meat and smelled a spice aroma, indicating it had been cured for a long time from the outer surface.
Once ready to eat, the outer skin should be cut off as it is inedible.
"Not bad, but this seems to be more than a pound," Duke asked.
Al replied, "This can't be cut; if cut, it can't be preserved long-term. It must be consumed within a month. It weighs just over two pounds. As it's your first visit, I'll count it as two pounds for you. If you want it, take it."
Duke didn't hesitate, gritted his teeth, and pulled out ten gold coins to buy this piece of Gale Wolf Meat.
He wasn't afraid Al would deceive him since he had been wearing Nightingale's leather armor, identifying himself.
If Al purposely cheated Duke under such circumstances, he'd only be causing trouble for himself.
Al took out an oiled paper bag to wrap the meat before handing it to Duke.
Duke, leaving with the meat, didn't rush back to the manor but instead visited another place, the Adventurer Association.
The Adventurer Association is an organization older than the Vera Kingdom, and no one can clearly say when it originated.
This organization exists in many kingdoms and is recognized by the royal families of various kingdoms.
The registered information with the Adventurer Association can be used across many kingdoms.
The Adventurer Association mainly handles accepting various commission tasks, then assigning them to various adventurers to complete.
The Adventurer Association in Fengqiu City is essentially a tavern, which is also a feature of the Adventurer Association.
The Adventurer Tavern is very spacious, with many people drinking and chatting there.
Duke, upon entering the tavern, felt something was off, as the tavern momentarily fell silent, with many people turning their heads to look at him.
He then realized that entering here in Nightingale leather armor was indeed inappropriate.
Many inside weren't good people and often operated in gray areas.
Followers of Earl Hardy are often at odds with these adventurers.
Realizing this, Duke quietly retreated.
Originally, he wanted to try registering as an adventurer and then take some commission tasks to earn money but overlooked his identity issue.
Next time, even if he comes again, he needs to change his appearance, at least not directly wearing Nightingale leather armor, lest he stands out too much.
Becoming familiar with the environment in Fengqiu City and taking a distant glance at Earl Hardy's castle, Duke then left.
Habs Manor.
Duke took out the wrapped meat, cut a small piece with a dagger, ate it, and then began to practice the Giant Whale Breathing Technique, attempting to refine and absorb the blood essence within this meat.
After the Magical Beast Meat entered the stomach, the immense blood energy contained within it released into the entire body, continuously being refined and absorbed under the influence of the Breathing Technique, integrating into the body.
[You have completed one session of Giant Whale Breathing Technique practice, proficiency +3]
[You have completed one session of Giant Whale Breathing Technique practice, proficiency +5]
...
Duke looked at the skill tree in his mind, noticing the rapid growth rate of the Giant Whale Breathing Technique, three to five times faster than before.
He estimated that it would take just half a month to practice it to the second level.
The two pounds of Gale Wolf Meat would be just enough, and then he would have to buy some more.
Now Duke had only over twenty gold coins left, enough to buy at most four pounds of meat, sufficient for two months.
Once this money runs out, he'll revert to his previous snail-paced practice speed.
Half a month later.
[Giant Whale Breathing Technique level up, Constitution +0.6, Strength +0.4, Agility +0.5]
[Giant Whale Breathing Technique: LV2 (1/1300)]
[Constitution: 7.7]
[Strength: 8.1]
[Agility: 7.7]
[Spirit: 8.1]
Duke glanced at his physical attributes; finally, after so long, other attributes had caught up with his Spirit.
Strength had surpassed eight, and he could feel noticeable changes in every muscle in his body.
Clenching his fist, he could feel that, if he wanted, he could gather the strength of every muscle into one point, releasing explosive power.
Moreover, the amount of Fighting Spirit within him was substantial.
His physical strength, combined with the boost from Fighting Spirit, could unleash power far beyond his past level, surpassing an entire tier of strength.
Duke faintly felt that even Wood and George, standing in front of him, might not withstand more than three rounds.
Both were mid-tier Knight Attendants, but they no longer posed any threat to him now.