After sending out the reconnaissance straw man, Zhao Xing turned his gaze to the recently acquired Lingzhi.
“Low-grade Lingxiu, I wonder if it adds to lifespan or vital Qi.”
The spiritual energy emitted a fragrant aroma. He took a bite and soon learned the name and effects of the Lingzhi.
[You have consumed the low-grade Lingxiu 'Purple Lightning Lingzhi', lifespan increased by 2 months, vital Qi increased by 100 points, Thunder Law proficiency increased by 150 points.]
“Hmm? Why did it also increase my comprehension of Thunder Law?” Zhao Xing felt a current flowing within him.
After taking a bite, he discovered that this Purple Lightning Lingzhi increased lifespan, vital Qi, and comprehension of Thunder Law.
“It seems this Lingzhi is not far from becoming a mid-grade Lingxiu. If given a bit more time, it might truly reach mid-grade.”
As for why it increased comprehension of Thunder Law, that was not random.
Zhao Xing had observed that the piece of decayed wood had been broken after being struck by lightning.
The Purple Lightning Lingzhi that grew from the lightning-struck wood naturally enhanced comprehension related to Thunder Law.
After consuming the entire Lingzhi, Zhao Xing glanced at his status panel.
[Name: Zhao Xing]
[Realm: Not Entering Grade]
[Fortune: Yan Er]
[Gathered Essence: Sixth Level (1156/10000)]
[Extra Lifespan: 35 years]
[Spell: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)]
[Thunder Strike (Beginner): Seventh Turn (7784/9999)]
[Attract Lightning (Intermediate): First Turn (1955/9999)]
After fully consuming the Purple Lightning Lingzhi, his lifespan increased by 2 years, nearly a thousand points of vital Qi, and over seven hundred points of Thunder Law comprehension.
Since the increase was in Thunder Law comprehension, both [Thunder Strike] and [Attract Lightning] spells benefited from it.
Thunder Strike was close to the eighth turn, and Attract Lightning was nearing the second turn.
“Lifespan only increased by two years, but it's still a pleasant surprise.”
After all, defeating Qin Feng was essentially a free gain; any increase was welcome.
“Thump~”
His heart suddenly raced.
After reaching the Gathered Essence Sixth Level, absorbing the Lingzhi only took a quarter of an hour.
Zhao Xing noticed that the reconnaissance straw man had approached the cave entrance.
“It seems there’s nothing unusual. Could it be that the fierce beast has left?”
Controlling the straw man to look around, he found no trace of the fierce beast, which made Zhao Xing a bit bolder.
“Whoosh~”
The straw man stopped pretending and quickly dashed into the cave.
Since the reconnaissance straw man did not inherit Zhao Xing's Bright Eyes spell, its vision suddenly darkened upon entering the cave.
“Using a First Level East Lake Pearl as eyes is still insufficient; in such a complex environment, it can't cope.”
“Next time, I should consider using a Night Pearl or other treasures that enhance vision in darkness.”
Fortunately, the cave was relatively large, with decent lighting, so he could still see somewhat.
The cave was not damp and was well-ventilated.
The straw man had only moved five meters inside when, due to the reduced visibility, it stepped on a dry branch, making a cracking sound.
Zhao Xing controlled the straw man to look down and discovered that what he stepped on was not a dry branch at all, but a bone as thick as an arm!
“This cave is quite deep.”
Zhao Xing continued forward, advancing another ten meters without incident, but he still saw no end. It was pitch black inside, and the slope descended, with the height of the cave increasing to over 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 a fierce beast.
Moreover, the bones on the ground were getting larger.
Initially, it seemed to be just the bones of small rabbits and wild chickens.
But gradually, the remains of larger fierce beasts appeared.
When the reconnaissance straw man ventured twenty meters in, it unexpectedly saw a relatively intact skeleton over five meters tall ahead!
“What species is this? Could it be the remains of a Grade One strange beast?”
Without a skull and with many ribs missing, Zhao Xing could only deduce that this was likely a Grade One strange beast.
It might even be more than Grade Nine!
“The East Lake Mountain has birthed powerful Grade One strange beasts, but few have seen them alive. Generally, after the autumn equinox, they are dealt with by the authorities.”
“Could it be that a Grade One strange beast resides here?”
Zhao Xing became increasingly cautious, controlling the reconnaissance straw man to carefully pass through the skeleton.
At that moment, the East Lake Pearl emitted a flash of light, and the perspective returned from the reconnaissance straw man, becoming a bit brighter.
Two sources of light appeared ahead.
Upon seeing the glow, Zhao Xing's excitement surged, doubling in intensity.
“Could it be high-grade Lingxiu?”
He immediately controlled the reconnaissance straw man to rush over, intending to grab it and flee.
However, the two sources of light flickered and, like lightning, charged toward the reconnaissance straw man.
“Buzz~”
In the next moment, Zhao Xing lost contact with the reconnaissance straw man.
Immediately after, a roar echoed faintly from within the cave.
“Good heavens, mistaking the eyes of a strange beast for Lingxiu,” Zhao Xing realized belatedly.
What he had seen earlier was not a treasure at all; it was likely the eyes of the strange beast.
Its speed was so fast that the reconnaissance straw man had no time to react, and it didn’t even see what happened before being destroyed.
“If a Grade One strange beast is guarding this place, it will be quite troublesome.”
“Moreover, I still don’t know what this strange beast looks like or what realm it is in,” Zhao Xing pondered.
Zhou Gang and Fang Jie had indeed provided him with a surprise, but this surprise was too great, and he was unsure if he could handle it.
“Let’s explore again!”
This time, Zhao Xing sent in three Great Strength Vajras, five Binding Straw Men, and one reconnaissance straw man into the cave.
The three Great Strength Vajras and five Binding Straw Men were merely to cover the reconnaissance straw man for observation.
The purpose of the second exploration was to confirm the species and strength of the strange beast, so there was no need for concealment.
He directly let the straw men charge in boldly.
Zhao Xing jumped onto a high branch, facing the cave, watching from a distance.
As soon as the straw man team entered the cave.
“Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh~”
A vague shadow appeared, almost like lightning.
In Zhao Xing's view, he could hardly see the movements of the strange beast.
He only observed the leading straw man.
The foremost Seventh Turn Great Strength Vajra was cut in half with a single encounter.
The Binding Straw Men were completely shattered.
In the end, the reconnaissance straw man only saw a blurry shadow and two glowing orbs.
“Buzz~”
The vision was interrupted again.
Roars echoed from within the cave.
Zhou Gang and Fang Jie, who were healing, felt their hearts tremble, their hearts racing, and they were drenched in sweat.
Zhao Xing also felt as if his heart was being gripped, unable to calm down.
“It must be a Grade One strange beast, either more than Grade Nine or a naturally born variant with a powerful bloodline.”
Even without seeing it, Zhao Xing understood the terror of the mysterious strange beast within the cave.
“Large in size, and so fast?”
“The strength of ordinary strange beasts is often linked to the treasures they guard; there must be high-grade Lingxiu inside,” Zhao Xing's eyes burned with desire.
Fortune Lingxiu was something he deeply yearned for; the benefits brought by his Yan Er fortune were substantial. The warnings for avoiding calamities were more precise, and he had an advantage in battles. Even when entering the Spirit Mountain, staying at the foot of the mountain to farm could yield Zhu Fruits!
“With such a massive strange beast, it will surely come out to hunt. Now that dawn has just broken, it has spent the night; it should be coming out to look for food. Perhaps I can use the straw men to lure it away,” Zhao Xing's mind began to devise a plan.
(End of Chapter)