The delicacies of the heavens begin with obtaining gem meat.

After determining his Nen affiliation, Jiang Yan put aside his basic Nen training and devoted himself entirely to developing his Nen abilities.

Jiang Yan was very clear about the 'Nen ability' he wanted to possess, and he also set strict constraints and oaths.

Finally, on the day before the Hunter Exam began, he successfully developed the 'Nen' ability he wanted.

Jiang Yan then walked out of the hotel in a cheerful mood.

According to the address that was previously purchased.

After many twists and turns, we arrived at a seemingly ordinary barbecue restaurant.

The restaurant was filled with the rich aroma of meat, and diners were making a great commotion, clinking glasses and chatting.

No one would have guessed that this barbecue restaurant was actually the entrance to the Hunter Exam.

After giving the pre-existing code, the barbecue restaurant owner naturally led Jiang Yan into the innermost room.

Of course, although it looks like a room, it is actually an elevator.

After the elevator descended some unknown distance, the elevator doors opened.

A short man with a head that looked like a bean was already waiting there.

He is the exclusive guide for the Hunter Exam, Beanman.

"Hello, please take your number."

Please wear it around your neck and do not lose it.

The man with the bean-faced expression calmly handed over a number plate.

Jiang Yan glanced at the bean-faced man with curiosity, then reached out and took it, looking down at the number on it—103.

Judging from the numbers, he arrived relatively early.

Jiang Yan casually pinned the number tag to his clothes and looked around.

At this time, a number of people who came to take the exam had already gathered in the underground hall.

His gaze quickly swept over the number tags pinned to everyone's chests, silently memorizing those numbers.

He remembered that in the later stages of the Hunter Exam, there was a stage that involved number plates.

..............................

Jiang Yan soon saw the number 44 license plate.

The owner of the number plate was leaning lazily against the wall, his red hair standing on end, his face painted with teardrop and star-shaped makeup, a playful smile on his lips, but his eyes occasionally flashed with a hint of madness.

Hisoka!

Jiang Yan's pupils contracted slightly, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

He glanced at it briefly before quickly looking away.

He didn't want to be targeted by this perverted "fruit farmer" and cause himself a lot of trouble.

Besides Hisoka, Jiang Yan was also secretly keeping an eye on another person, who went by the alias Shutaraku but was actually Illumi, the eldest son of the Zoldyck family.

However, he looked around but couldn't find the other person.

I suppose they haven't arrived yet.

Jiang Yan continued to observe the crowd without making a sound, while taking out a bag of dried meat and eating it slowly.

This is jerky made from the meat of the Ligaluru mammoth; it's high in energy and has a satisfying chew.

Since awakening his gourmet cells, his appetite has become astonishing; he can eat eight meals a day and still not feel satisfied.

We don't know what will happen next, so it's essential to maintain sufficient physical strength.

Just as Jiang Yan was chewing on dried meat and observing everyone, a man with a kind smile on his face walked over.

"Young man, is this your first time taking the Hunter Exam?"

The man's voice was gentle and sounded exceptionally kind.

"It's really impressive that you found this place so early."

Jiang Yan looked up and immediately understood.

Tonpa, a perennial repeat student in the Hunter Exams, enjoys doing things like using various methods to sabotage newcomers to the Hunter Exams and watching them break down in despair.

Therefore, he is also known as a "newcomer killer".

Sure enough, this guy couldn't hold back and came knocking on my door.

..............................

Jiang Yan calmly observed Dongba, a half-smile playing on his lips, and asked in response.

"Oh? How did you figure that out?"

Although I knew the details of the Dongba, I was just a little bored before it started.

I could chat with Dongba.

Dongba's smile widened, tinged with a hint of barely perceptible smugness, as he patted his chest and said.

"Heh, to be honest, I've taken the Hunter Exam 35 times."

If you said this to other newcomers, it would likely draw disdain and ridicule, since failing the test 35 times is hardly something to be proud of.

But Jiang Yan seemed to have heard of some remarkable achievement, and praised him earnestly.

"35 times? You're really impressive."

Jiang Yan's words weren't entirely perfunctory.

To have persisted for so many years, even if the starting point wasn't honorable, truly shows great perseverance.

If Tonpa could channel that perseverance in the right direction, he might very well become an outstanding Nen user.

Dongba's smile froze for a moment, and he was at a loss for what to do.

He had anticipated Jiang Yan's various reactions—disdain, contempt, or curious questioning.

But I never expected to receive such a sincere compliment in return.

A complex light flashed in Dongba's eyes, but it disappeared in an instant, and his kind smile returned to his face.

"By the way, my name is Dongba. If you want to know the ins and outs of the Hunter Exam, just ask me."

Dongba took the initiative to extend his hand to Jiang Yan.

"Jiang Yan".

Jiang Yan smiled and gave his name.

...........................

After a few perfunctory pleasantries, Dongba took out two cans of drinks from his backpack.

"I just happened to have some drinks on hand, would you like one?"

As Dongba spoke, he handed the drink, which had been laced with a strong laxative, to Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan reached out and took the drink. At that moment, his gaze suddenly passed over Dongba and landed on the direction behind him. His eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

"That guy..."

Seeing Jiang Yan's actions, Dongba subconsciously turned his head to look.

There stood Hisoka, the flamboyant red-haired man, leaning against a corner of the wall not far away, toying with a playing card in one hand, observing everyone with a half-smile.

In the instant Dongba turned his head, Jiang Yan swiftly switched the two cans of drinks, a move so fast it was invisible to the naked eye.

Tonpa, however, was focused on Hisoka and therefore did not notice anything amiss.

At this moment, Tonpa's expression instantly turned serious; he knew Hisoka well.

Turning back, Dongba said solemnly.

"That's Hisoka, a very dangerous guy."

"Oh, right..."

As they were talking, they saw Jiang Yan pull the tab on the beverage can and take a big gulp.

This left Dongba speechless, his words of persuasion stuck in his throat, and he was completely stunned.

Is this guy really that easily wary?

Jiang Yan put down the beverage can, smacked his lips, frowned slightly, then relaxed, his tone tinged with regret.

"The taste is passable, but the quality isn't very good; it seems like there's something extra in it."

After all, Dongba is mainly used to cheat new students, so naturally they can't use very good drinks.

Despite saying that, Jiang Yan took another big gulp without a care.

I was feeling a bit thirsty after eating the dried meat.

Dongba's face stiffened.

That's not right! The laxative he added was colorless and odorless, so how could it be detected by taste?

Dongba's heart was in turmoil, but he forced himself to remain calm.

He must be overthinking it. If he could really taste the difference, why would Jiang Yan drink it?