Chapter 66: The Terrifying Beast, Heart Racing!

Sending out the scouting strawman, Zhao Xing was examining the Lingzhi [a type of medicinal mushroom] he had just acquired.

"A lower-grade spiritual herb, I wonder if it extends life or enhances Yuan Qi [vital energy]." The spiritual energy emitted a clear fragrance. He took a bite and quickly understood the name and effects of the Lingzhi.

[You have consumed the lower-grade spiritual herb 'Purple Lightning Ganoderma'. Lifespan increased by 2 months, Yuan Qi increased by 100 points, Thunder Method proficiency increased by 150 points.]

"Hmm? How did it also increase Thunder Method comprehension?" Zhao Xing felt a surge of electricity flowing within him.

After taking a bite, he realized that this Purple Lightning Ganoderma not only extended his lifespan and Yuan Qi but also enhanced his Thunder Method comprehension.

"It seems this Lingzhi is not far from reaching middle-grade. Given a bit more time, it might truly advance to middle-grade."

As for why it increased Thunder Method comprehension, it wasn't random. Zhao Xing observed that the tree stump was split after being struck by Thunder. Naturally, the Purple Lightning Ganoderma growing from a Thunder-struck tree would enhance Thunder Method comprehension.

After consuming the entire Lingzhi, Zhao Xing checked his status.

[Name: Zhao Xing]

[Realm: Unranked]

[Qi Luck: Yan Er]

[Gathering Essence: Level 6 (1156/10000)]

[Extra Lifespan: 35 years]

[Magic Arts: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)]

[Thunder Strike (Beginner): Seven Turns (7784/9999)]

[Thunder Draw (Intermediate): One Turn (1955/9999)]

After fully consuming the Purple Lightning Ganoderma, his lifespan increased by 2 years, nearly a thousand points of Yuan Qi, and over seven hundred points of Thunder Method comprehension.

Since the increase was in Thunder Method comprehension, both the [Thunder Strike] and [Thunder Draw] magic arts benefited from it. Thunder Strike was nearing Magic Arts Eight Turns, and Thunder Draw was close to Magic Arts Two Turns.

"The lifespan only increased by two years, but it's still a pleasant surprise."

Anyway, fighting Qin Feng was essentially a free gain, so any increase was welcome.

"Thump~" His heart pounded suddenly.

After reaching Gathering Essence Level 6, absorbing the Lingzhi only took a moment.

Zhao Xing noticed the scouting strawman had already approached the mountain cave entrance.

"It seems there's nothing unusual. Could it be that the fierce beast has left?"

Controlling the strawman to look left and right, finding no sign of the beast, Zhao Xing's courage grew slightly.

"Swoosh~" The strawman no longer hesitated and quickly rushed into the cave.

Since the scouting strawman didn't inherit Zhao Xing's Bright Eyes Magic Arts, once it entered the cave, the vision dimmed.

"Using a first-stage East Lake Pearl as eyes is still not enough. In such complex environments, it can't cope."

"Next time, consider using a night pearl or other treasures that can enhance vision in darkness."

Fortunately, the cave was relatively large, and with some light, it was still possible to see.

The cave wasn't damp and was well-ventilated.

The strawman had just ventured five meters in when, due to the reduced visibility, it stepped on a dry branch, making a crunching sound.

Zhao Xing controlled the strawman to look down and discovered that what it stepped on wasn't a branch but a thick arm bone!

"This cave is quite deep."

Zhao Xing continued forward, advancing another ten meters without incident, but still couldn't see the end. Inside, it was pitch black, and the slope descended, with the cave's height increasing, surpassing seven or eight meters.

"This cave is too large. What kind of fierce beast resides here?"

Such a large cave inevitably made one think of the size of the beast.

Moreover, the bones on the ground grew larger and larger.

Initially, it seemed to be just some small rabbit or wild chicken bones. But gradually, larger beast bones appeared.

When the scouting strawman ventured twenty meters deep, it saw a skeleton over five meters tall, relatively intact!

"What species is this? Could it be a deceased ranked beast?"

Without a skull and with many missing ribs, Zhao Xing could only judge that it should be a ranked beast.

It might even be beyond Ninth Grade!

"East Lake has produced powerful ranked beasts before, but few have seen them alive. Usually, after the autumn division, they are dealt with by the authorities."

"Could it be that a ranked beast resides here?"

Zhao Xing became more cautious, controlling the scouting strawman to carefully weave through the skeleton.

At this moment, the East Lake Pearl flickered, and the scouting strawman's perspective suddenly brightened slightly.

Ahead, two sources of light appeared.

At the moment he saw the light, Zhao Xing's heart surged with excitement.

"Could it be a high-grade spiritual herb?"

He immediately controlled the scouting strawman to rush over, intending to grab it and run.

However, the two lights flickered and vanished, like lightning, actively charging towards the scouting strawman.

"Whoosh~" In the next moment, Zhao Xing lost connection with the scouting strawman.

Immediately after, a faint roar echoed from within the cave.

"Good heavens, mistaking a beast's eyes for a spiritual herb."

Zhao Xing realized belatedly.

What he saw wasn't a treasure at all; it was likely the eyes of the beast.

Its speed was so fast that the scouting strawman couldn't react, not even seeing clearly what happened before being destroyed.

"If it's a ranked beast, this is going to be difficult."

"Moreover, I don't even know what the beast looks like or its realm."

Zhao Xing pondered.

Zhou Gang and Fang Jie indeed provided him with a surprise, but this surprise was too great, and he wasn't sure if he could handle it.

"Investigate again!"

This time, Zhao Xing sent in three Great Strength Gold Gangs, five Twisting Strawmen, and one scouting strawman into the cave.

The three Great Strength Gold Gangs and five Twisting Strawmen were merely to protect the scouting strawman for observation.

The second exploration aimed to confirm the beast's species and strength, so there was no need to hide anymore.

He directly let the strawmen swagger through.

Zhao Xing jumped onto a high branch, facing the cave, watching from afar.

The strawman team had just entered the cave.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh~" A vague black shadow appeared, almost as fast as lightning.

In Zhao Xing's perspective, he couldn't clearly see the beast's movements.

He only observed the leading strawman.

The foremost seven-turn Great Strength Gold Gang was directly cut in half.

The Twisting Strawmen were completely shattered.

The last scouting strawman only saw a vague shadow and two ghostly lights.

"Whoosh~" The vision was cut off again.

Roaring sounds echoed from the cave.

Zhou Gang and Fang Jie, who were healing, were terrified, their hearts pounding, drenched in cold sweat.

Zhao Xing also felt his heart gripped, unable to remain calm.

"It's definitely a ranked beast, possibly beyond Ninth Grade, or a naturally powerful bloodline."

Even without seeing it, Zhao Xing understood the terrifying nature of the mysterious beast inside the cave.

"Such a large body, yet so fast?"

"The strength of a beast often correlates with the treasures it guards. There must be a high-grade spiritual herb inside."

Zhao Xing's eyes burned with desire.

Qi luck spiritual herbs were something he deeply desired. The benefits brought by Yan Er Qi luck were significant, making the Evil Dispelling Almanac's warnings more accurate, giving him an advantage in combat, and even allowing him to pick Zhu Fruit at the foot of Spirit Mountain!

"Such a massive beast will surely come out to hunt. Now that dawn is breaking, it should come out to find food. Perhaps I can use the strawmen to lure it away."

Zhao Xing's eyes gleamed as he began to plot in his heart.

(End of Chapter)