Refining the True from the False: Becoming a God Starting with Devouring a True Dragon

"So capable!"

Wang Qi grabbed the dying snake's head with one hand and pulled it off the hawk's talons.

He never expected that the kestrel, which wasn't very big, could actually catch such a large snake.

In my memory,

Although the common kestrel is a bird of prey, its diet should mainly consist of sparrows, mice, frogs, and insects. It is truly remarkable that it could catch such a large snake.

It can only be said that birds are indeed the natural enemies of snakes.

Racial oppression is ingrained in their very being.

"Ah Qi, you're even skilled at raising falcons?"

Ge Daniu looked surprised, as he did not recall ever seeing Wang Qi interact with birds.

Wang Qi remained calm and thought for a moment before saying, "I've always been close to animals since I was a child... I don't know how this kestrel started following me."

It's plausible that he raised them in the past, but he'll definitely subdue many more birds and beasts in the future.

Instead of trying to fix things later, it's better to give yourself a talent now.

When you are out and about,

You give yourself your identity.

"Your skills are truly remarkable. If you could catch a gyrfalcon and present it to those important figures in the military government, you would rise to the top in your career."

Lu Shun also looked surprised.

He originally thought Wang Qi was just an ordinary person who was favored by Zhang Zaotou and worked hard.

I never imagined they had such skills.

Could it be that... Zhang Zaotou thinks highly of him because of Wang Qi's ability?

The relationship between those two is anything but simple.

Wang Qi smiled and shook his head, "The gyrfalcon is the king of all eagles, it's not so easy to catch. Besides, gyrfalcons generally live by the sea, in mountains, on islands..."

"There are quite a few rivers around Heihe County, but it's completely flat, so there's no way we could have any."

Lu Shun laughed heartily, "It will happen, it will definitely happen in the future."

Gao Ya, standing to the side, looked a little awkward. He forced a smile, glanced at the three people at the table, and silently lowered his head to drink his tea.

As Wang Qi spoke,

He took a thin rope from his waist and tied the snake's head to the windowsill.

Then he suddenly pulled tight, grabbed the snake's body, and slashed it with his knife.

The green snake's head immediately drooped down, swaying from side to side with the thin rope.

The headless snake's body continued to writhe wildly.

Wang Qi showed no fear. In his previous life, he often went to those uninhabited areas in the mountains to play and exercise his body. He had killed more than a dozen wild snakes and was already skilled at it.

They plucked the snakeskin from head to tail, cleaning the green snake completely.

A purple snake gallbladder was visible, stuck to the white flesh.

Wang Qi removed the snake's gall and threw it to the kestrel.

With a steady, short thrust, the latter swallowed the snake gall bladder into its stomach.

"Clears heat and detoxifies..."

"Waiter, make this snake meat into soup!"

Wang Qi shouted.

"Alright, sir! You brought this snake yourself, so the shop will only charge you ten coins for firewood." The waiter was sensible and took the rest of the snake body before heading to the kitchen.

The kestrel flew proudly around the lobby twice, as if showing off, before landing on Wang Qi's shoulder.

Seeing how intelligent Wang Qi's kestrel was, people in the restaurant immediately started bidding.

"I'll offer three taels; would you be willing to part with it, brother?"

"Not for sale!"

Wang Qi's decisive refusal.

"I'll offer ten taels!" a middle-aged man dressed like a wealthy merchant said.

Wang Qi remained resolute: "Not for sale."

The hawking noises in the restaurant fell silent.

"Qi's got guts!" Ge Daniu gave Wang Qi a thumbs up. "A kestrel usually costs only two or three taels, but that person offered ten taels and he still wouldn't sell it."

"I have a bond with the kestrels, and how can a bond be measured in money?"

Wang Qi remained calm.

Falcons are still not common in the city. If I sell them, I will lose my snake catcher, and I don’t know when I will get another one.

Furthermore, a green snake would fetch at least seventy or eighty coins to sell, and earning ten taels would simply take a little more time.

Moreover, with the recent snake infestation, the kestrels will definitely come in handy.

Not long after,

The snake soup was then served.

"Brothers, let's eat together. This is my way of showing my appreciation."

Wang Qi shook off his earlier gloom and greeted everyone.

"Look at the mess you've made. I invited you guys to dinner, and now you've ended up getting involved with a snake," Ge Daniu said, a little embarrassed.

Although this green snake doesn't have much meat, snakes are rare to see and hard to catch.

"Hey, we're all on the same side, let's not talk about this!"

Wang Qi waved his hand.

"The snake soup is delicious; drink it while it's hot."

After all,

Everyone picked up a spoon and scooped out a large bowlful.

Wang Qi's eyes welled up with tears again as he looked at the oil droplets on the plate and the snake meat in the bowl.

I, a 1.8-meter-tall tough guy, have developed sensitive skin from just a few pounds of fat.

What a terrible world!

"Gentlemen, is the food alright?"

The manager of Shiyang Restaurant walked over to their table, rubbing his hands together with a smile, and asked.

"Great! Your beef is truly exceptional. My second uncle has often mentioned it before—cheap and delicious—and it certainly lives up to its reputation!"

Ge Daniu gave a thumbs up.

"That's good. That kid didn't know the rules. This snake was killed by this young master, how could we let you officers pay for it? Nothing else... please enjoy your meal, gentlemen..."

After a few more polite words of "you're too kind" and "you're too kind," the manager of Shiyang Restaurant finally left.

"Look at how honest and kind that person is!"

Ge Daniu praised.

This was his first time eating out; he had always lived a frugal life.

Wang Qize stared blankly at the shopkeeper's right hand, which was wrapped in a thick layer of bandages.

Because many of the diners in the restaurant looked energetic and vigorous, but they were all wrapped in bandages.

Some are on the legs, some on the shoulders, and some on the neck...

Speaking of injuries,

These people had rosy complexions and showed no signs of being deprived.

This scene is quite rare in Heihe County.

Especially after learning that Master Huang was coming to Heihe, the county town has been very quiet these past few days.

"Brothers, why are so many of you wearing bandages?"

Wang Qi asked.

"There are too many demons lately," Ge Daniu replied, then noticed Wang Qi's bewildered look.

"You don't know yet? Our cultivation method requires us to eat the flesh and blood of demons and devour their essence."

"Uh-huh."

Wang Qi listened attentively.

"But once you embark on the path of martial arts, there is no turning back."

"After arriving at the outer training ground, if one does not consume demon flesh for a long time, does not practice cultivation techniques, and does not make any breakthroughs, one will be devoured by the demon essence remaining in the body."

"A strange change will occur on their bodies, and they will grow skin that resembles that of demons."

"If they continue to degenerate, then martial artists will become monsters that are neither human nor ghost."

"Therefore, many people who embark on the path of martial arts will face an unfortunate end in their later years."

"Huh?" Wang Qi was startled again. This was the first time he had ever heard that there was such a price to pay for practicing martial arts.

If the martial arts of this world are truly like this...

Martial arts cultivation is not as simple as rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind.

Instead, if you're in a demonic realm and don't kill the demons, you'll die!

"Look at that man, his face is covered in toad bumps. He probably ate the flesh of some poisonous toad." Ge Daniu pointed to a man wearing a straw hat whose face was covered in black bumps.

Wang Qi looked at it and immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

"So, this person is a master of the external cultivation realm?"

Ge Daniu shook his head. "Not necessarily. Some people will take shortcuts in pursuit of quick results, while others will buy unknown types of meat on the black market to increase their qi and blood. It's possible that they'll end up like that."

"But people like that are usually crazy! They're desperados!"

Ge Daniu changed the subject and comforted her, "Don't be too scared."

"Even so, as long as you diligently cultivate for a short period of time and consume a large amount of demon flesh, the backlash from the demonic essence will be dissipated or hidden through the channeling of your cultivation technique. The mutated skin can still be restored."

"Oh……"

Wang Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though the martial arts world here is so dangerous, he has no intention of backing down.

If you repair it, you might turn into a demon, or your later years might be bleak.

If it is not repaired, it will be like fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others.

Rather than being someone else's prey, take a gamble!

Wang Qi gritted his teeth and, along with the others, devoured the ox-snake "feast" before them, leaving it completely clean.

"From now on, my second uncle will send me money every month, and I'll bring my brothers to this restaurant next time!"

After eating and drinking his fill, Ge Daniu made some grand pronouncements.

"Master Huang is on South Street!"

Someone outside shouted something, and in an instant, a group of people rushed out.

After settling their bill, Wang Qi and his companions hurried off towards South Street.

Everyone wanted to meet this military leader who could slay the giant dragon.

Wang Qi was a step behind and touched the head of the kestrel on his shoulder at the door.

He muttered to himself,

"You actually have the bloodline of the Fire Phoenix. Your current predicament is due to a plot by your family. With hard work and perseverance, you will surely regain your glory... Catch more snakes and conserve your energy."

The kestrel seemed to understand the true meaning of Wang Qi's words and nodded.

"From now on, your name will be... Ten Taels."

After all,

Wang Qi released the ten taels of silver and continued searching for the snake.

He then followed the three men to see the demeanor of that Master Huang.