C21 Nirvana Rat Green Lizard Leg!

"Oh my God! Is that really the same loser?"

In the span of a single day and night, Lu Xiaoyun underwent a psychological transformation so profound that she struggled to recognize or even believe it herself.

Before witnessing the unblocking of her meridians and the loser's stunning reversal, Lu Xiaoyun could never have envisioned Lin Xi entering her life, much less becoming her spouse.

This had nothing to do with promiscuity.

At the very least, Lu Xiaoyun wasn't about to suddenly fall for Lin Xi, but she couldn't help but regard him with newfound respect.

Feng Jiaju, who had been closely observing Lu Xiaoyun's expressions, felt a surge of revulsion. He was itching to take some kind of action.

"Damn that loser..."

"Damn that little bitch from the Lu family..."

At that moment, Feng Jiaju noticed many people streaming out of the tavern, all in pursuit of Lin Xi, who was still on the run. He found himself inexplicably joining the throng as they spilled out onto the street.

Once on the main street, Feng Jiaju heaved a long sigh and raged internally:

"Loser, trash! You won't be smug for long. I swear it!"

...

Meanwhile, as numerous warriors, including Half Step Warriors, set out in search of clues for the bounty, Lin Xi sat calmly in his chair, his eyes slightly narrowed and a glint of cold determination flickering within.

He sat in silence, occasionally lifting a spoon to sip the remaining broth from the pot, his mind racing with thoughts, exuding an air of depth.

At this time, those who remained seated in the great hall were individuals of high status and advanced cultivation.

Take Qin Sihuang or Lu Xincheng, for example.

As the second-in-command of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group and a Martial Master of the Realm of Essence, Qin Sihuang wouldn't personally seek information about Lin Xi. However, that didn't prevent him from quietly issuing commands, dispatching his subordinates to assist Lin Xi.

He wasn't motivated by Lin Xi's blood, though he wasn't disinterested either.

He was betting on Lin Xi's potential. As long as Lin Xi survived, he was bound to be like a hidden dragon that, once ascendant, would dazzle the world.

What truly caught his attention was Lin Xi's character.

Despite Lin Xi's seemingly carefree and disheveled appearance, which often drew the scorn of passersby as if he were a street thug, he understood that this was a stance only a former no-hoper could maintain.

This stance was a message to all those who had bullied and humiliated him: "You can insult me, beat me, shame me, and abuse me all you want because I'm powerless to stop you. But I refuse to submit. Even if I'm broken and battered, I won't dignify you with a proper conversation or even a direct look. My defiance is in my scornful glare."

Lin Xi's treatment of Reed, to the point of nearly killing a prodigy from a prominent family over a remark about his mother, was a testament to his fierce loyalty. These events, unfolding in mere moments, earned Qin Sihuang's respect, and he was ready to extend his friendship to Lin Xi.

However, Lu Xin City harbored no such benevolent intentions.

He had previously intervened when Qiao Huiming attempted to harm Lin Xi, a clear overture of goodwill. But once Lin Xi was poisoned, he coldly remained seated, offering no assistance.

Such vile and opportunistic behavior left Lu Xin City squirming with discomfort.

"This kid is actually immune to all poisons, his blood can detoxify, and it can even help others level up. He cannot be overlooked..."

With this in mind, he commanded his Lu family Warriors to exhaust all resources in gathering information on Lin Erpo, aiming to be ahead of all other families and to minimize Lin Xi's animosity towards the Lu family.

Even if he uncovered who Lin Erpo had been in contact with and the puppeteer behind the scenes, he would reject Lin Xi's reward.

What was a bowl of blood compared to a walking blood bank or a son-in-law with the potential to soar to great heights?

Yet, the Hua family, Feng family, and other powers near the Weeping Mountains largely refrained from seeking clues.

These families and forces were resolute in their decision to seize Lin Xi at the opportune moment and keep him captive. Whether they would use Lin Xi for his blood or strip him of his serendipitous encounters was a matter for later consideration.

At that moment, a rotund man with a Buddha-like smile rose and positioned himself before Lin Xi, capturing the attention of all present.

At the gathering, a rotund figure rose to his feet and approached Lin Xi, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. This portly man was well-known among the attendees.

He served as a deacon for the Treasure Gathering Trading Company, the most prominent trading firm in Rosehaven City, within the Rosehaven Prefecture. His duties included procuring vast quantities of demon beast pelts, bones, and unique spirit herbs from the Weeping Mountains.

His name was Qu Shui Lai, and his perpetual smile gave off an air of infectious joy. His doughy face was always adorned with a genuine grin, leading many to speculate whether his facial muscles had lost their ability to contract.

"Young Master Lin Xi, here is my card. My name is Qu Shui Lai, a name you might have heard before. Should you find yourself in the prefecture city in the future, I warmly invite you to visit the Treasure Gathering Firm. Additionally..."

With hands dimpled by flesh, Qu Shui Lai presented a finely crafted storage bag.

"This is a token from the Treasure Gathering Trading Company, congratulating Young Master Lin Xi on your escape from hardship and your entry onto the martial path. I hope you will graciously accept it!"

Lin Xi set down his soup spoon and promptly stood up, careful not to overstep.

"Deacon Qu, greetings. I am Lin Xi, no young master, and I cannot accept such a generous gift without merit. Your high regard is a blessing to me, but I must insist... I cannot accept this congratulatory gift."

Lin Xi, having been exposed to the world alongside Chef Lin, understood the importance of courtesy. However, he felt it was inappropriate to accept Qu Shui Lai's gift.

It wasn't a matter of courage; he simply recognized that such a storage bag was not commonplace in Rosehaven Town.

Even Lin Batian, the patriarch of the Lin family, might not possess a storage bag of this caliber.

The material alone, sourced from the hide of a rare demonic beast, was not something one would encounter without effort.

The mere sight of a Nirvana Rat, a demonic beast seldom seen and coveted for its rarity, could turn onlookers envious, wishing such a gift were for them.

The Nirvana Rat is a type of demonic beast that rarely evolves to a high level. However, these creatures inherently possess a trace of spatial power, granting them not only swift movement but also a modest ability to traverse through the void.

Ordinary hunters stand no chance against such beasts. To date, no hunter or mercenary group in Rosehaven has ever managed to capture a Nirvana Rat.

The mere sight of a storage bag caused the patriarchs of the three great families, including Lu Xin City, Hua Rong, and Feng Buyi, to gasp in astonishment.

Their own storage bags were already considered quite impressive in Rosehaven, capable of holding a small demonic beast. But anything larger would certainly be out of the question.

It was rumored that Lin Batian, the patriarch of the Lin family, owned a storage bag that could fit two three-foot-long demonic beasts, a fact that filled him with immense pride.

Yet the storage bag presented by Qu Shui was evidently superior, its capacity surpassing that of any storage bag owned by those present.

"Qu Shui must really value that good-for-nothing Lin Xi to bestow such a precious item upon him," some muttered with a mix of envy and disdain.

Others speculated with a cold laugh, "Perhaps Qu Shui harbors ill intentions. Lin Xi has become a target for numerous families and powerhouses. Giving him such a valuable gift now is like signing his death warrant."

Powerful independent cultivators watched with covetous eyes, their minds racing with malicious thoughts of how to plunder Lin Xi's newfound wealth.

Setting aside Lin Xi's serendipitous adventure, the storage bag alone made him a tempting target.

Qu Shui chuckled and remarked, "The gift I've given is meant solely for Lin Xi. I trust the Treasure Gathering Pot would not be pleased to see this storage bag hanging from the waist of some unrelated individual one day..."

His words were an overt warning. Yet to the formidable figures of Rosehaven, the Treasure Gathering Pot was an untouchable behemoth. Who would dare to provoke it?

Sure, there were those unafraid to meet their end, but to flaunt such a theft or to use the stolen item openly? Did they take everyone for fools?

Lin Xi sensed the intense, avaricious stares subside as he reconsidered his position. Accepting the storage bag, he affixed it to his waist and bowed respectfully to Qu Shui.

"I'll shamelessly accept this generous gift," he declared with a grin.

Lin Xi had previously acquired a storage bag from Lin Huan, but its interior was modest, barely a foot in dimension, and filled to the brim with a few books.

Lin Xi held a storage bag he had received from Lin Huan, which was not very spacious, barely a foot in size. It was already crowded with just a few books inside. He realized that he might need an abundance of demonic beast meat, elixirs, and pills at any moment, so a larger storage bag was actually his most pressing need.

Qin Sihuang chuckled heartily as he approached. "I must seem rather stingy. Brother Lin Xi, being reborn as a human, you should be commended for cultivating and practicing martial arts. I don't have much to offer, but I'll give you the thigh of a Quasi-Level Four Demonic Beast."

With that, he pulled out an enormous beast's leg from his storage bag. "This is the leg of a Quasi-Level Four Green Lizard. My Wild Wolf Mercenary Group was hunting in the Weeping Mountains a few days ago and encountered two Quasi-Level Four Demonic Beasts. After a fierce battle, one escaped, and the other was slain by us. I got this Green Lizard thigh, and I want to give it to you as a congratulatory gift. Please, brother, don't refuse it..."

Qin Sihuang gave Lin Xi a meaningful glance and firmly placed the Green Lizard thigh in his hands, then patted the back of Lin Xi's hand. "Brother, take care of yourself."

Lin Xi remained silent. Having spent so many years in the tavern, he was well aware of the value of the Green Lizard thigh. The most powerful demonic beast he had ever seen there was only Level Three. The hunters of Rosehaven Town wouldn't dare provoke a Level Four Demonic Beast, let alone a Quasi-Level Four; they would steer clear at all costs.

A Quasi-Level Four Demonic Beast could easily kill a Peak Initial Stage Martial Master from the Realm of Essence. And this giant lizard was a dominant force among its peers, fearless of a Peak Initial Stage Martial Master even at Level Three. Quasi-Level Four... even a Mid-Stage Martial Master would have to flee at the sight!

Lin Xi felt deeply moved. Qin Sihuang's actions clearly showed his concern for the challenges Lin Xi would soon face. The gift of the precious Quasi-Level Four Giant Iguana leg was a gesture meant to help Lin Xi advance quickly and gain the strength needed to protect himself.

"I will not forget this kindness," Lin Xi acknowledged with gratitude.

...

Just then, a Warrior appeared in a swift leap and approached Lin Xi, his eyes alight with intensity as he glanced at Lin Xi's wrist.

"Lin Xi... Young Master Lin, I've discovered that Lin Er was out this morning purchasing Demonic Beast meat and had entered the storeroom of the butcher, Lin Yongsheng. Lin Yongsheng has been found dead. Witnesses reported seeing an elderly man entering and exiting Lin Yongsheng's place. However..."

The Warrior's expression turned wary, his eyes darting around cautiously.

"However, this individual seems to be quite extraordinary..."