Chapter 84: The Taste Isn't Bad

The atmosphere by the Inch Pond was tinged with an eerie tension. Everyone gazed at the young man calmly eating roasted meat before them, stunned by the scene. Especially upon hearing that he had roasted and eaten the Six-Winged Water Lizard, disbelief rippled through the crowd.

A demon beast at the peak of Foundation Establishment, devoured just like that? Whether it was Chu Yichen, Liu Junhou, or the furious disciples of the Northern Marsh Sect, all were rendered speechless at this moment. They wanted to doubt what they saw, but the beast’s corpse and severed head lying on the ground were undeniable proof.

Liu Junhou now realized that this mysterious youth was not quite as he had imagined; there must be some background to him. Even so, he did not shrink back. As a leading figure among the younger generation of the Northern Marsh Sect, he was confident in his own strength. With Seven-Star Foundation Establishment, half a step from the Golden Core, his reputation would be formidable in any sect.

Thus, he believed that even if this youth called Wang Ran could slay a peak Foundation Establishment demon beast, it was nothing remarkable—he himself could do the same. Long accustomed to flattery and praise, Liu Junhou quickly regained composure after his initial astonishment. His tone, however, was now somewhat restrained.

For the first time, he regarded the young man seriously, speaking gravely: “No wonder you are so confident. It seems you do have some means at your disposal. Still, I repeat: offending a disciple of the Northern Marsh Sect here is most unwise.”

“I don’t demand that you withdraw from this place. So long as you hand over the Inch Grass, I promise you will not be troubled further.”

Hearing Liu Junhou’s words, still laced with veiled threats, Wang Ran shook his head, replying in a cool, indifferent voice: “Let me be clear as well. It matters not which sect’s prodigy you are. You have repeatedly offended me—my restraint in not killing you is already merciful. Dare to offend again, and you overestimate yourself.”

Beside him, the little junior sister clenched her fists, mimicking Wang Ran’s posture, her face showing proud defiance that somehow remained adorable. “Exactly! We’re prodigies too, and we’re not afraid of you. Besides, we’ve never even seen this Inch Grass you mention. How could we give it to you? Hmph!”

The disciples of the Northern Marsh Sect exchanged bewildered glances, while Liu Junhou’s expression turned dark. He was about to act, intending to teach this insolent youth a lesson, when he suddenly noticed the boy picking up a pale blue blade of grass, crushing it with spiritual power, and sprinkling the fragments onto the roasted meat.

Liu Junhou froze, staring intently at the blue leaves, then gasped, trembling as he retreated in shock. “You… you actually used Inch Grass as a seasoning for your roast?!”

“Damn it! Have you lost your mind? That’s a heavenly treasure!”

Liu Junhou was nearly driven mad. He had endured countless hardships to come here for the Inch Grass. With it, he could cleanse his meridians, temper his bones, and greatly enhance his cultivation, increasing his chances of forming a Golden Core.

The importance of the Inch Grass to him was greater than anyone else present. He had hoped to buy it with spiritual jade, but it was so rare and precious that it was never available for sale—at least in Yun Prefecture, no market offered it. Only after much searching did he learn that a single stalk grew deep within this vast forest, by the Inch Pond.

Now, to see the coveted spiritual herb destroyed before his eyes by an ignorant youth was more painful than death. Even the others, hearing Liu Junhou’s outcry, felt a pang in their hearts, thinking Wang Ran was far too wasteful.

Chu Yichen was utterly dumbfounded, his mind reeling as he staggered backward, exclaiming in disbelief: “Wang… Brother Wang, you used Inch Grass as a barbecue seasoning? That’s a spiritual herb of heaven and earth! And… and it must be refined with secret arts before consumption—it must never be eaten raw!”

Liu Junhou, eyes bloodshot, laughed in anger. “Exactly! You foolish rustic, Inch Grass is a rare treasure. Its medicinal properties are fierce and potent—if not balanced with secret arts, it will rampage through your body, destroying your meridians and vitality, even consuming your lifespan. Not even a Golden Core cultivator could withstand it, let alone someone at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment!”

“You will die a horrible death—worse than death itself!”

Liu Junhou laughed wildly, unable to vent his fury, cursing bitterly at the end.

Wang Ran frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected this herb, which looked much like ordinary coriander, to be a heavenly treasure. Indeed, he now felt something amiss within him—a violent, overwhelming power was rampaging through his body, striking his meridians and consuming his vitality.

“System, is there any way to resolve what’s happening inside me?” Wang Ran asked silently.

The system swiftly replied: “Inch Grass is a medicine for rebirth and transformation, its nature fierce and consuming. However, host need not worry. The ‘Eternal Life Divine Art’ is the most vitalizing cultivation method in existence. Simply circulate your power, and the Inch Grass’s properties will be harmonized.”

Relieved, Wang Ran maintained his outward composure, appearing nonchalant as he continued eating roasted meat, while secretly activating the ‘Eternal Life Divine Art’ through his meridians.

As vitality surged within him, the tumult caused by the Inch Grass was instantly suppressed. His meridians and bone marrow were rapidly cleansed and transformed, bringing about profound changes within his body.

Not far away, the disciples of the Northern Marsh Sect watched with cold smiles.

“This kid actually ate Inch Grass as if it were coriander—he’s doomed!”

“Indeed, we needn’t even lift a finger. The fierce properties of Inch Grass will tear him apart!”

“Hmph, lucky fool, but blind to opportunity—a country bumpkin is always a country bumpkin!”

Chu Yichen watched, heart pounding, thinking it was time to slip away. He, too, doubted that Wang Ran could survive the power of a heavenly treasure consumed raw.

Liu Junhou’s eyes gleamed with greed, unable to let go of the Inch Grass’s allure. He pondered whether, once Wang Ran was dead, he might take the body back to the sect and use secret arts to extract the medicinal power for a second use.

As everyone’s thoughts swirled, they suddenly noticed the youth still sitting calmly, eating roasted meat with apparent ease, as if nothing had happened. In contrast, the girl beside him flushed, cold sweat pouring from her brow, looking poisoned. But in the next moment, an astounding scene unfolded: the youth stood, placed a palm on her back, and, after a few breaths, she was fully restored.

All present stared wide-eyed, minds unable to process what they had witnessed.

Liu Junhou, utterly incredulous, roared: “You actually harmonized the medicinal power of Inch Grass? Impossible!”

He could not fathom how Wang Ran had achieved this—not only suppressing the herb's power within himself, but even helping his junior sister do the same. Such defiant means were beyond his imagination.

“Wang… Brother Wang, you’re all right?” Chu Yichen gaped, asking dazedly.

Wang Ran smacked his lips, unconcerned: “I’m fine. Actually, the Inch Grass tastes pretty good.”

Hearing this, everyone’s vision darkened, nearly coughing up blood on the spot.