"Rare Beasts" are a species unique to this world, their specific origins unknown. Their forms and power are different from those of ordinary wild beasts, and they possess extreme Physical Ability.
Most importantly, for Martial Artists, the blood, marrow, flesh, and organs of Rare Beasts can all be used in Secret Medicines, greatly enhancing their effects. Some extremely powerful and unique Martial Arts Secret Transmissions even require parts from specific Rare Beasts as a catalyst to be mastered.
At the same time, the tendons and hides of Rare Beasts are also extremely high-quality natural materials. You could say their entire bodies are treasures. However, Rare Beasts have a low reproduction rate and are few in number. Since the Great Song era, most were collected by the Royal Family and raised in the Imperial Garden to control the world's Martial Artists. Privately raising Rare Beasts was a serious crime in ancient times.
Later, when the Qian Dynasty collapsed, the majority of the Rare Beasts in the Imperial Garden were divided among the eight great Warlords, while a smaller portion fell into the hands of other Martial Arts Schools. With the eight Warlords now each controlling their own territory, it is difficult to completely prevent private breeding. Thus, even common Martial Artists have a chance to use Secret Medicines made from Rare Beasts.
The Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, evidently, also has its own channels for acquiring Rare Beasts. Otherwise, its Secret Medicine couldn't possibly be so potent.
'What I got from the Cang Mountain Gang's leader should also be some kind of Rare Beast's Blood Powder. I just don't know the specific species or its effects. Still, it's worth a try...'
Zhao Xuanqi thought to himself, recalling the basic Secret Medicines passed down in the Hundred Beasts Sect.
The Hundred Beasts Sect had a long history and produced a continuous stream of powerful experts, including many geniuses. The formulas for its core Secret Medicines had been constantly modified and perfected, and there were no fewer than a dozen basic Secret Medicines alone.
As the last great expert of the Hundred Beasts Sect, and one who had reached the pinnacle of its history, Zhao Xuanqi had a deep understanding of the sect's Secret Medicines. He had even modified the core Secret Medicine formulas himself to suit his unique digestive talents, so he was very experienced in this area.
With a few experiments, it wouldn't be impossible for him to re-concoct a formula, combining this unknown Rare Beast's Blood Powder with the sect's Secret Medicines to create something even more potent.
'Six-Flavor Blood Melting Powder...'
Ultimately, Zhao Xuanqi settled on a basic Secret Medicine formula from the Hundred Beasts Sect.
This Secret Medicine was made from a blend of six nourishing and strengthening medicinal ingredients, using beast blood like that of a deer or tiger as a catalyst. It had a powerful effect of replenishing Qi, strengthening the blood, and enhancing Physical Ability.
Among all the basic Secret Medicines of the Hundred Beasts Sect, this one was only considered middle-of-the-road in terms of efficacy. However, its greatest advantage was its stability, and since it used beast blood as a catalyst, it was the most suitable for modification.
Something like the "Eight Ferocious Blood Dispersal," a highly potent Secret Medicine that used a blend of eight toxic ingredients to stimulate the body's latent potential, was another matter. If he messed up the modification, Zhao Xuanqi would probably kick the bucket instantly.
'The question is where to get the Medicinal Materials...'
Nourishing and strengthening medicines were controlled substances. Moreover, the six Medicinal Materials for the Six-Flavor Blood Melting Powder were all quite valuable. This wasn't just a matter of money; you couldn't necessarily buy them even if you had the cash.
The Martial Arts Hall should have similar channels, but buying these kinds of medicinal ingredients privately would easily arouse suspicion.
It seemed he'd have to try his luck on the black market and pay a high price.
But there was no rush. With the Martial Arts Hall's daily ration of Secret Medicine, plus the ten doses Liu Changfeng had given him all at once, he had more than enough to burn through for now.
「The next day」
He trained at the Martial Arts Hall as usual. When his session ended, someone came looking for him.
Cai Mingliang.
After several days of rest and recovery, Cai Mingliang was back on his feet. His square face still looked a bit pale, and you could faintly see the outlines of bandages under his clothes.
"Junior Brother Zhao, thank you for saving me that night. This is the payment from the mission, all settled up. I wanted to bring it to you and thank you in person."
Cai Mingliang said with a solemn expression, placing a series of heavy wooden boxes into Zhao Xuanqi's hands.
"Senior Brother, you're too kind. We're from the same hall; it was the right thing to do."
Zhao Xuanqi opened the wooden boxes and found at least a hundred silver coins inside.
He frowned slightly. Even if the Cang Mountain Gang was selling opium, the mission payout couldn't have been this high. After all, the Martial Arts Hall and the security escort agency would take a large cut, and the rest had to be split among the mission participants.
Getting thirty to fifty silver coins per person would have been considered quite good.
"Senior Brother, this amount isn't right, is it?"
Zhao Xuanqi said to Cai Mingliang.
"My share is in there too. It's just a small token to express my gratitude."
Cai Mingliang said with a smile.
"It's not right for you to take nothing at all."
Zhao Xuanqi shook his head.
"My life is worth much more than this. Junior Brother Zhao, there's no need to refuse. If you need anything in the future, you can come to me. My father is a councilor in the Celestial Sea Prefecture Civil Affairs Department. He has some influence."
This time, it was Zhao Xuanqi's turn to be surprised. He hadn't realized this guy was the son of an official. With his family background, why would he risk his neck on dangerous missions like the one against the Cang Mountain Gang?
"I'm an illegitimate son. I joined the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall because of my love for the Martial Dao. In any case, please, Zhao, you must accept this token of my appreciation."
Seeing the look on Zhao Xuanqi's face, Cai Mingliang knew what he was thinking. Having witnessed Zhao Xuanqi's abilities, he knew this man was destined for more than mediocrity. 'A golden fish is not meant for a small pond.'
He wasn't just some simple brute; he knew there were great benefits to befriending such a person. Moreover, Zhao Xuanqi had indeed saved his life, and he was truly grateful.
"Is that so? In that case, I'll accept it."
Zhao Xuanqi mulled it over for a moment before finally accepting the silver coins. Closing the wooden box, he looked at Cai Mingliang and said, "By the way, about that night..."
He remembered that when he fought the Secret Medicine Fighter, Cai Mingliang hadn't been completely unconscious. There was a high probability he had seen something.
"That night? What about that night? I was unconscious. I don't even know when Junior Brother Zhao saved me."
Cai Mingliang said with a bewildered expression. Zhao Xuanqi couldn't find a single flaw in his performance.
'He has an honest, square face, but his acting is first-rate... Still, he knows how to play along.'
'That's right. If he had wanted to say something, he's had plenty of time these past few days to report it to the Martial Arts Hall.'
Zhao Xuanqi considered this and began to form a plan.
"Junior Brother, I still need to recover for a while, so I won't stay long. Once I'm a bit better, you and I will go to the Drunken Immortal Tower for a good drink!"
Cai Mingliang cupped his fists at Zhao Xuanqi and turned to leave.
"Senior Brother Cai, wait a moment."
Zhao Xuanqi called out to stop him.
"Junior Brother, is there something else?"
Cai Mingliang turned back and asked.
"I need some nourishing and strengthening Medicinal Materials recently. I was wondering if you might have any channels, Senior Brother?"
Zhao Xuanqi asked Cai Mingliang, his expression unreadable.
"Since you're asking, Junior Brother, even if I don't have any, I'll find some. But the price might not be cheap."
A smile appeared on Cai Mingliang's face. Relationships are built on mutual exchange. He didn't see this as a hassle at all. In fact, Zhao Xuanqi making this request was a sign of trust.
"I'll draw up a list later. You should take these silver coins back, Senior Brother. Use them as funds, and we can settle any difference later."
Zhao Xuanqi said, handing the Black Wooden Box back to Cai Mingliang.
"Consider it done."
Cai Mingliang nodded.
「Five days later」
Cai Mingliang proved to be highly efficient. Using his family's background and connections, Zhao Xuanqi soon received the first batch of Medicinal Materials.