Chapter 37: Gathering Essence Stage Three
Just one bite, and Zhao Xing's Yuan Qi [vital energy] increased by 25 points. His body, like a parched sponge, greedily absorbed this surge of energy.
"Slurp, slurp, slurp~" Zhao Xing quickly devoured the Tianyuan Pear, even biting into the core to extract every drop of juice. The core of the Tianyuan Pear was useless to him; he couldn't plant seeds of a third-stage superior-grade fruit.
Soon, the constantly fluctuating panel recorded Zhao Xing's changes, and he felt a strange sensation in his body, as if he had overeaten!
"Ah, so cold." Zhao Xing shivered, feeling a chill spread through his body after consuming the pear too quickly. The Tianyuan Pear had a cold nature, and to prevent its effects from dissipating, he ate it hastily.
The third-stage superior-grade cold Yuan Qi made him feel as if he were in an ice cave.
"Calm the mind, gather the essence into the body!" Zhao Xing quickly sat cross-legged, beginning to digest the energy.
His Qi and blood surged within, and the Yuan Qi started to harmonize with the vigorous fire energy. Circle after circle, Zhao Xing's originally pale face turned rosy.
After a good half an hour, he had mostly digested the energy and opened his eyes.
"Phew~ What a powerful fruit, truly a third-stage superior-grade." Zhao Xing exhaled a cold breath.
He had eaten too quickly; if he were at the first stage of Gathering Essence, he might have caught a cold, damaging his body instead. At the second stage, he should have cut it into pieces to eat slowly, but leaving it idle would weaken its effects. Zhao Xing didn't want to waste it, so he endured a wave of 'ice bucket challenge.'
"Cold as it was, the effect was remarkable. Just this one pear increased my Yuan Qi by 195 points!" Zhao Xing checked the panel.
Gathering Essence Stage Two: 955/1000
"The Dao Embryo Pill is truly amazing." Zhao Xing wasn't amazed by the pear but by the Dao Embryo Pill.
He had eaten many Tianyuan Pears in his past life, and they weren't considered extraordinary. At the second stage of Gathering Essence, the standard increase in Yuan Qi was around 70 points, a figure verified by countless players through billions of trials.
Due to individual differences in body constitution and absorption efficiency, Yuan Qi would dissipate and be expelled after consumption. An absorption rate exceeding 70% was considered excellent, and double that was superb.
The Dao Embryo Pill allowed Zhao Xing's absorption rate to reach three times the standard, nearing the limit of Yuan Qi contained in this Tianyuan Pear!
"Could it be that I've reached the legendary flawless constitution?" Zhao Xing couldn't help but wonder, but quickly dismissed the thought.
The Dao Embryo Pill couldn't transform him to such an extent; it was just that the quality of the treasure wasn't high, resulting in an almost 'perfect absorption' effect.
"It seems I might reach the third stage of Gathering Essence in just a few days." Zhao Xing contentedly closed the box, preserving the remaining Tianyuan Pear.
This delicacy couldn't be consumed consecutively; eating one every two days was optimal. Otherwise, even if Chen Shi's Pear Garden could produce 15 pears a month, Zhao Xing considered his current capacity to endure. Otherwise, with Chen Shi's Pear Garden in hand, even 30 pears wouldn't be a problem.
...
Since acquiring the nickname 'Zhao Er Jia,' Zhao Xing's household had become quite lively, with colleagues frequently visiting to strengthen relationships.
As Zhao Rui De had said, social interactions were unavoidable, and visitors often came with gifts. It wouldn't do to not offer a meal or a drink.
Eating at home was manageable, but going out would incur even more expenses.
"Mother, mother, Brother said to prepare lunch for four people today," Zhao Zheng found Madam Cai, tugging at her skirt.
"What? Again!" Madam Cai's eyebrows shot up. "He can eat by himself, but bringing people home? I tolerated it the first two times, but now you're here to inform me? How unreasonable!"
"And tell him, I..."
Before she could finish, Zhao Zheng pulled out a small pouch containing some silver.
"Hmm? Where did you get this silver?"
"Brother gave it to me," Zhao Zheng replied honestly.
"What does he mean by this?" Madam Cai first took the silver pouch, then asked.
"Brother said you've been working hard these days, and he received support from a great person, even becoming a contributor, earning five taels of silver a month... This is his filial respect for you."
Madam Cai initially kept a stern face, but upon hearing this, she softened.
Seeing the silver, she couldn't refuse to cook, and her attitude improved immediately!
She didn't know what being a contributor entailed, but she remembered the monthly five or ten taels of silver.
In any case, Zhao Xing could at least earn money now, greatly reducing the likelihood of fighting over family property with Zheng'er. Perhaps in the future, he might even help Zheng'er, as being a high-ranking official would make him a notable figure!
"Zheng'er, go tell Zhao... your brother, I'll do it!"
A few moments later.
"My cooking is rough, and I don't know if it suits your tastes. If the hospitality is lacking, please don't blame my Xing'er," Madam Cai said warmly to the guests.
After the meal, the chatting guests stood up and cupped their hands:
"Madam, please don't say that; it's us who have imposed."
"Indeed, Madam's cooking is excellent; I've never tasted such delicious food!"
"..."
Zhao Xing watched Madam Cai's gentle and kind demeanor, feeling tongue-tied.
She even called him Xing'er as if he were her own son!
The allure of money was indeed too great! Zhao Xing was more accustomed to her previous petty demeanor; now, he found it hard to adjust.
Madam Cai continued chatting with the guests.
"My Xing'er..."
"You don't know how diligent Xing'er is..."
Master, please stop, please stop!
Two days later, Zhao Xing ate the second Tianyuan Pear.
The chill exhaled, and he had reached the third stage of Gathering Essence.
[Gathering Essence Stage Three: 10/10000]
After reaching the third stage, all his Magic Arts, including the Scarecrow Technique, showed slight improvement in proficiency.
The stronger the Yuan Qi contained within a person, the more comprehensive the enhancement of their essence, naturally including the brain, leading to a deeper understanding of Magic Arts.
"Many people are obsessed with climbing the strength of Yuan Qi, practicing Magic Arts only to a sufficient level."
"In comparison, being relaxed and casual isn't necessarily short-sighted; it's just a different personal choice. In peaceful times, the pursuit of Magic Arts isn't as urgent, and not everyone will step out of their comfort zone."
"If I were like the Zong Young Master with such a family background, relying on resources to easily gather essence, I might also slack off, thinking I could practice skills tomorrow. But who knows how many tomorrows there are."
Zhao Xing looked at another box on the desk, a gift from Zong Shichang, containing a box of third-stage inferior-grade Gathering Essence Pills, totaling ten.
Though not as good as the Tianyuan Pear, ten pills together were still valuable.
Despite Zong Young Master's arrogance and domineering nature, he was trustworthy and didn't break his word.
"Gathering Essence Stage Three, I'm one step closer to transformation, and a billion steps closer to the goal of longevity."
"After the autumn equinox comes the end of summer, followed by the White Dew, but due to the customs of 'releasing river lanterns' and 'sacrificing to the dead' during the end of summer, the festival atmosphere is suspended, and it will be reconsidered during the White Dew."
"The end of summer not only involves releasing river lanterns and sacrificing to the dead but also includes early examinations for the divine professions of 'supporting the dead' and 'sacrificing to the gods,' which are worth checking out."
"However, I still need to practice the Bright Eyes Night Vision Magic Arts to a higher level; otherwise, I won't be able to see anything clearly, not even ghostly shadows."
"The White Dew festival might be a theoretical exam, just right for reading and practicing methods without error."
Zhao Xing opened the bookcase, lighting a lamp to study through the night.
(End of Chapter)