Chapter 63: Breaking Through Two Levels, Zhao Xing Ascends the Mountain
"Ugh~" Lu Qian awoke from her stupor. If Zhao Xing were here, he would surely praise her, saying that as a dancer of the enchanting Magic Arts, even her awakening murmur was so alluring.
Lu Qian discovered that the foul-smelling man had disappeared without a trace. She calculated the time and realized she had been unconscious for a full hour. First, she checked her body and found that she had not been violated, which allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief. Then, anger surged within her: "Despicable stinking man! He stole my Zhu Fruit, snatched my Method robe, and left me here to fend for myself. Truly, no man is trustworthy!"
"Heh." A mocking voice echoed from the dark forest.
"Who?!" Lu Qian was instantly alert, looking towards a wooden stake. There, she saw a straw figure, but after making a sound, it lost its luster.
"It's him? At least he kept his word." Lu Qian came to her senses and muttered to herself, "Next time, if you fall into my hands, I'll take your things and let you go..."
Zhao Xing had left an hour ago. The reason he left a straw figure behind was not out of sympathy or a soft heart, nor was it due to a rigid adherence to promises. The main reason was that the East Lake Mountain was under the watchful eyes of the Yin God, and any movement by the cultivators was observed. If he had agreed to let Lu Qian go, only for her to be devoured by wild beasts in the forest, it would not benefit Zhao Xing's subsequent climbing.
Because on the mountain, there was a Mountain God Temple, and if one wanted to gain favor, they could not offend the mountain's spirits, or they would suffer losses.
"Let's settle here." After walking for half an hour, Zhao Xing found a rocky cave. First, he let the Great Strength Gold Gang scout the path. Finding nothing unusual, he entered. Then he had the straw figure bury itself around the cave entrance to stand guard for him. He also moved a few large boulders to block the entrance, finally feeling secure enough to settle in.
It's no wonder Zhao Xing was so cautious, as he was preparing to consume the Zhu Fruit.
"A lower-grade spiritual fruit, known as the Longevity Yuan Spirit Fruit, increases lifespan and Yuan Qi."
"In my eyes, this Zhu Fruit is even more important than a high-grade Qi Luck Spirit Fruit." What Zhao Xing desired most was a treasure that could increase his lifespan.
Because he needed to endure until the future revival period, which was quite challenging, and lifespan had an upper limit. The earlier he obtained it, the better. If he reached the Great Limit, a treasure that could extend life by 800 years might only grant an additional ten years.
"I hope this Zhu Fruit can give me a pleasant surprise." Zhao Xing first consumed the smallest one.
Strangely, this Zhu Fruit dissolved into his body after just three bites, without needing to be chewed.
"Classic melt-in-your-mouth." Zhao Xing chuckled.
He then opened the panel to check the records.
[You have consumed a lower-grade spiritual fruit, Longevity Yuan Spirit Fruit, increasing lifespan by fifteen years and Yuan Qi by 20 points.]
"Fifteen years? As expected, the earlier you consume it, the better." Zhao Xing was pleasantly surprised.
Although the panel didn't show lifespan, he only needed to remember the total additional lifespan.
"In the Qi Luck Dynasty's normal operation period, a first-grade realm, 800 years is the theoretical limit, and this theory is based on the Yin Dynasty's Peng Zu."
"Even emperors only have a thousand-year lifespan, unable to truly achieve 'Long Live'."
The Yuan Qi only increased by 20 points, which was negligible. If someone else consumed it, they might spit out the fruit they ate, cursing what a useless item it was.
But with Zhao Xing's panel records, he could directly see the increase, and he only cared about lifespan, not Yuan Qi.
So he was more than satisfied with this outcome.
"The second one." Zhao Xing eagerly consumed the second Zhu Fruit.
[You have consumed a lower-grade spiritual fruit, Longevity Yuan Spirit Fruit, increasing lifespan by eighteen years and Yuan Qi by 10 points.]
This one was slightly larger than the previous one, granting an additional 18 years of lifespan, but only increasing Yuan Qi by 10 points.
The early-stage lifespan treasures didn't show diminishing returns, and continuous consumption still provided strong benefits.
A new data record appeared on the panel:
[Additional lifespan: 33 years]
"Living an extra thirty-something years directly, what a great profit, thanks to the generous gift of nature." Zhao Xing was elated.
Because this wasn't something he fought tooth and nail for, but rather a windfall from the heavens, essentially a free gift. How could he not be happy?
"The third one, also a Middle Grade Yuan Method Spirit Fruit." Zhao Xing looked at the small Zhu Fruit in his pouch, its red hue vibrant and full.
"Crunch." The fruit flesh was crisp, and compared to the previous two, the Middle Grade Zhu Fruit, with just one bite, caused Yuan Qi to explode within his body.
Zhao Xing's face flushed red, a state of extreme fullness emanating from his abdomen, indicating an overabundance of nourishment.
"Indeed, it's good stuff!"
"Much stronger than the Tianyuan Pear."
"The Spirit Mountain's fruit, produced by the Alchemy Bell Spirit Fruit, is truly different."
With a focused mind, Zhao Xing began to concentrate and operate the Gathering Essence Method, guiding the fierce Yuan Qi to flow within his body.
The Dantian Qi rotation speed directly reached its peak, like a grinding disc, crushing and absorbing the Yuan Qi brought by the Zhu Fruit.
After waiting for a full two quarters of an hour, Zhao Xing finally digested the first bite.
[You have consumed a Middle Grade spiritual fruit, Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit, increasing Yuan Qi by 2512 points.]
[Gathering Essence Fourth Tier: 2831/10000]
"A single bite increased by 2500 points? The Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit should purely increase Yuan Qi." Zhao Xing thought. If it were a Yuan Method Zhu Fruit, during the consumption process, he could also gain insights into Magic Arts.
That is, it would increase both Yuan Qi and Magic Arts proficiency.
"It seems today I can not only reach the Gathering Essence Fifth Tier, but maybe even the sixth tier."
Breaking through to the Gathering Essence Fourth Tier was just a few days before the autumn equinox, and now with a significant surge in Yuan Qi, it was simply exhilarating.
"The Fifth Tier is certain, and the sixth tier is hopeful!" Zhao Xing, having almost digested it, took a second bite.
[You have consumed a Middle Grade spiritual fruit, Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit, increasing Yuan Qi by 2542 points.]
[Gathering Essence Fourth Tier: 5373/10000]
[You have consumed a Middle Grade spiritual fruit, Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit, increasing Yuan Qi by 2642 points.]
[Gathering Essence Fourth Tier: 8015/10000]
[You have consumed a Middle Grade spiritual fruit, Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit, increasing Yuan Qi by 2588 points.]
[You have broken through to Gathering Essence Fifth Tier!]
[Gathering Essence Fifth Tier: 291/10000]
Breaking through to the Gathering Essence Fifth Tier, the upper limit remained at 10,000 points, and the Yuan Qi increase from the Zhu Fruit correspondingly decreased, but it was still considered strong.
[You have consumed a Middle Grade spiritual fruit, Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit, increasing Yuan Qi by 1728 points.]
[Gathering Essence Fifth Tier: 2019/10000]
[You have consumed a Middle Grade spiritual fruit, Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit, increasing Yuan Qi by 1611 points.]
[Gathering Essence Fifth Tier: 3630/10000]
Thus, he continued to consume, digest, and consume again. The small pouch of Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit, Zhao Xing ate through the night.
After finishing the last bite, Zhao Xing checked the panel.
[Gathering Essence Sixth Tier: 156/10000]
"Gathering Essence Sixth Tier." Zhao Xing revealed a satisfied smile.
The Pure Yuan Zhu Fruit was not a plant, had no seeds, and couldn't be replanted, so after the last bite, it completely disappeared.
But there was no need to worry about not having a record, as the gods above would tally the cultivators' acquisition of spiritual fruits in the mountains.
Commanding the Great Strength Gold Gang to move the boulders, Zhao Xing walked out of the cave, looking at the dimly lit sky, and called out:
"My followers, come with your Great King to patrol the mountain!"
(End of Chapter)