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This was everyone’s second New Year since moving into Qingshan Village.
However, times had changed, and this year’s atmosphere was indescribably better than the last.
Traditionally, the New Year was spent behind closed doors with one’s own family, but this year, the village chief had gathered everyone together.
No one was unwilling to go, especially since the meat from over a dozen wild boars, each weighing a hundred pounds or more, slaughtered by the martial artists, was used for the feast. There was so much meat that, while it wasn’t unlimited, there was definitely enough to eat to one’s content.
Wang Sheng also joined in. He sat at a table with a group of martial artists, where, apart from ordinary dishes, there was plenty of demon beast meat.
Wang Sheng had thought that the meat was all from the Evil Flood Dragon and wild wolves, but when he tasted some chicken, he found it was no ordinary meat, and it was also very tasty.
Li Yongfeng, seeing this, said, “How is it, Yun Sheng? Tastes good, right?”
Wang Sheng nodded.
“This is something I encountered while patrolling. It’s a wild chicken with colorful plumage, very fast in flight. It was quite a hassle to catch it, but the hunting techniques my old man taught me are really effective.”
Li Yongfeng was evidently proud. The forest was rich with resources and teeming with wild beasts, but it was rare to encounter anything on the level of a demon beast or a spirit beast. He was lucky to have come across this one.
Not to be outdone, Xu Qu said, “Also, try this. This is a great find I came across, and I prepared it myself.”
The item in question, presented by Xu Qu, was a plate of white mushrooms, looking tender and slick.
Drawn by Xu Qu’s words, everyone at the table reached out and took a bite, including Xu Qu himself.
The mushrooms had a delightful texture, full of flavor, as if one could taste the breath of the forest. Not only that, but their Qi Blood Power began to stir subtly, inducing a unique sensation.
It was only then that Xu Qu said, “Oh right, these things are poisonous…”
“… ”
There was a moment of stunned silence.
Then Zhou Gu scratched his head and said, “I don’t feel anything though?”
Xu Qu laughed, “Of course you don’t feel anything. The toxicity doesn’t affect martial artists. In fact, it can even activate Qi-Blood and promote strength advancement. The most important thing is, they taste great. I didn’t expect to find such things nearby. This place is truly amazing!”
He was truly moved. The mushrooms weren’t spiritual medicine, but they were no less rare, and it was sheer luck to have found them.
“They really are delicious!”
Despite the initial scare from Xu Qu, everyone had to admit that the mushrooms were indeed delicious and had a noticeable effect.
Even Li Yongfeng, a Peak of Second Grade martial artist, felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough.
While the others were chatting, Wang Sheng had already helped himself to several more bites.
Seeing this, others at the table also began to compete for more.
The food at the martial artists’ table was excellent, but the other tables were not lacking either, offering various kinds of meat, most of which was in fact meat.
Since heading into the mountains, most of the fields had been used for growing grains, with little vegetable planting.
Most of the vegetables on the tables were wild greens.
However, considering this year’s harvest, it looked like they could start growing some vegetables next year.
Of course, to the people of Qingshan Village, who weren’t excessively impoverished but for whom eating meat was a luxury prior to this, the meat-centric feast was almost beyond imagination.
The village chief was discussing something with several elders at one table.
When most people were done eating, the village chief stood up and stepped onto a prepared platform. Many people noticed this and knew he had something to say.
The village chief was highly respected, so when he stood up, many naturally fell quiet and even reminded those around them to listen.
“My fellow villagers, this is our second New Year in Qingshan Village. I believe you all have seen the changes in the village. Despite moving into the mountains, our lives have actually improved since coming here. As for why we have such a good life now, I believe everyone has a good idea…”
Although of advanced age, the village chief’s voice was still robust and could be heard by all.
He began with some pleasantries, but instead of praising Wang Sheng directly, he made veiled references.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to praise Wang Sheng directly; in fact, he had invited Wang Sheng to say a few words.
But since Wang Sheng wasn’t adept at handling such situations, he had flatly refused.
Nevertheless, even without the village chief’s explicit words, everyone knew who he was referring to, so the result was the same.
He then expressed his gratitude towards Xu Qu, who had provided the cultivation technique for the martial artists.
“In just over a year, five new martial artists have joined our village, and they are now all Second Grade martial artists… In addition, a school has been established in the village, with a total of 12 children of appropriate age studying there, promoting both literacy and martial prowess… Also, you’re all aware of the previous use of the Body Tempering Liquid, right?
I have asked Doctor Xu and Mr. Zhang, and they said there’s a high possibility that these children who have used the Body Tempering Liquid will become martial artists!”
The words of the village chief left all the villagers somewhat astonished, while those at Wang Sheng’s table showed little reaction, already in the know and aware that becoming a martial artist was only the beginning.
But the rest of the villagers didn’t see it that way.
They knew that attending the school was beneficial, but had no idea it was related to becoming martial artists.
All twelve children might become martial artists!
The village chief didn’t wait for villagers to ask questions before he spoke again, “And that’s why I’ve decided that all children of the appropriate age will enter the school from now on to receive education, just like the current group, and each will be provided with Body Tempering Liquid.”
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