Flame-Backed Turtle, Qing Tan's Shock!

However, Qing Tan had no cultivation to rely on. Even if she ventured deep into the mountains, her chances of finding medicinal herbs were extremely slim.

After all, the beasts deeper in the mountains had practically become spirits. They understood the benefits of graded Spirit Medicine, so they usually guarded them closely.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianci suddenly had an idea. He took out a First Grade Spirit Medicine and handed it to Qing Tan.

This Spirit Medicine had naturally come from the White Bone Wolf he had killed earlier, and it happened to possess the Fire Attribute.

"Brother Tianci?" Qing Tan looked at Lin Tianci in confusion and did not reach out to take it.

"Aren't you looking for Fire Attribute Spirit Medicine? I happened to pick one earlier, so take it and use it first," Lin Tianci said.

"Then thank you, Brother Tianci." Thinking of the pain she suffered whenever her Cold Qi Outbreak occurred, Qing Tan finally blushed and accepted the Spirit Medicine Lin Tianci offered her.

This small gesture made Lin Tianci realize that Qing Tan's guard against him had almost completely disappeared.

Such an adorable Qing Tan naturally needs me to personally raise her.

I'll treat it like a Cultivation System game. Perfect!

"Brother Tianci, shall we go together?" Qing Tan carefully placed the Spirit Medicine into her handwoven bamboo basket, then looked at Lin Tianci and asked softly.

She seemed worried that she would hold Lin Tianci back, so she added another sentence.

"If it isn't convenient for you, that's fine too. I can manage on my own."

Qing Tan's suggestion was naturally exactly what Lin Tianci wanted.

Even if Qing Tan had not brought it up, he would have found an opportunity to suggest it himself later.

"It's convenient, of course it is." Lin Tianci said, "Places with Spirit Medicine usually have beasts nearby as well."

The two of them headed deeper into the forest.

Qing Tan had already searched this area thoroughly, and there was no Spirit Medicine here.

Lin Tianci glanced at the handwoven bamboo basket hanging from Qing Tan's arm.

He found that the basket was exquisitely made. Qing Tan had carefully divided its interior into small sections to prevent Spirit Medicine of different attributes from mixing together and weakening their medicinal effects.

Aside from the Fire Attribute Spirit Medicine Lin Tianci had just given her, the basket contained only a small shovel for digging up Spirit Medicine and two dry flatbreads.

Clearly, if Lin Tianci had not been there, she would likely have returned empty-handed again today.

Since Qing Tan was not very fast, they walked until the sun was high in the sky without finding a second Fire Attribute Spirit Medicine.

However, they did come across several Spirit Medicines still in their early growth stage. Qing Tan carefully marked each one, planning to pick them once they matured.

"Brother Tianci, have some provisions. Then we can rest for a while and replenish our strength before continuing."

Qing Tan came to a small stream, washed her hands, then took out a dry flatbread from her little shoulder bag and handed it to Lin Tianci.

As for herself, she ate the other dry flatbread in small bites, washing it down with the clear, sweet stream water.

"Wait!" Lin Tianci had just taken the flatbread when his ears twitched. His sharp gaze immediately turned in a certain direction.

Lin Tianci's reaction made Qing Tan somewhat nervous. After swallowing the flatbread in her mouth, she stood up and obediently followed behind him.

Though she was curious, Qing Tan sensibly refrained from asking questions, afraid of disturbing Lin Tianci.

Lin Tianci was acting this way because he had vaguely heard a series of "grrr-grrr" sounds.

That sound resembled an Exotic Beast recorded in the Lin Family's Compendium of Exotic Beasts: the Flame-Backed Turtle.

This type of Exotic Beast usually preferred hot places and was renowned for its powerful defense. Even a full-force attack from a Yuan Realm expert would feel like a scratch to an adult Flame-Backed Turtle's Turtle Shell.

However, the sound was still too far away for Lin Tianci to be completely certain. He needed to observe it from closer range.

Soon, the "grrr-grrr" sounds grew louder and louder.

Lin Tianci stopped walking and gently parted the bushes before him.

His view suddenly opened up.

Not far away, a massive turtle lay lazily on the ground. Its Turtle Shell was entirely crimson, covered in strange patterns that occasionally flashed with golden light, giving it an exceptionally hard appearance.

"Found it, an adult Flame-Backed Turtle!" Lin Tianci's eyes lit up.

The Flame-Backed Turtle possessed incredible defense, but its massive body made it rather clumsy. It was the most suitable opponent for him to practice against right now!

However, Lin Tianci knew well that he absolutely could not be fooled by the Flame-Backed Turtle's seemingly honest appearance. It was naturally vicious and enjoyed slowly tormenting its prey.

Not far from the Flame-Backed Turtle stood a bright crimson flower.

The flower was in full bloom, and a flicker of flame occasionally flashed across its pistil.

Second Grade Spirit Medicine, the Illusion Flame Flower!

Qing Tan, following behind Lin Tianci, also spotted the Flame-Backed Turtle and the Illusion Flame Flower ahead.

If she could obtain this Second Grade Illusion Flame Flower, she would surely be able to endure this Cold Qi Outbreak with ease!

However, the longing in Qing Tan's eyes lasted only half a second before it turned into reluctance.

"Brother Tianci, that's a Flame-Backed Turtle. Let's leave quickly while it hasn't noticed us yet."

Seemingly afraid that Lin Tianci would charge forward, Qing Tan tugged at the corner of his clothes and spoke softly.

She did not want to see Lin Tianci risk his life against the Flame-Backed Turtle for her sake and get injured.

If that happened, she would rather slowly endure the Cold Qi Outbreak herself.

"Too late." Lin Tianci shook his head.

The moment he spotted the Flame-Backed Turtle, it had noticed him as well.

"Qing Tan, stay farther away later. I'm afraid you might get caught in it by accident."

He gently patted Qing Tan, then used a deft force to push her aside without hurting her in the slightest.

A bloodthirsty light flashed in the Flame-Backed Turtle's eyes. With "grrr-grrr" cries, it charged straight at Lin Tianci.

Trees and bushes in its path were all violently smashed aside.

"Be careful!" Qing Tan's pretty face turned pale at the sight, and her mind went completely blank.

The Flame-Backed Turtle was equivalent to a Yuan Realm expert. Brother Tianci was surely in danger this time!

"Good timing!" Lin Tianci sneered.

Then, instead of advancing, he retreated and rushed toward the Flame-Backed Turtle.

Just as he was about to collide with it, Lin Tianci lightly sprang upward and arrived above the Flame-Backed Turtle.

Then he threw a fierce punch at the Flame-Backed Turtle's Turtle Shell, its strongest point of defense.

Boom!

A tremendous crash immediately rang out. Smoke and dust rose everywhere, and many trees were shaken down at that moment.

When the smoke cleared, Lin Qingtan saw a sight she would never forget for the rest of her life.

Lin Tianci had actually punched straight through the Flame-Backed Turtle's Turtle Shell!

A single blow killed it!

Even after Lin Tianci returned to Qing Tan's side, she remained frozen in stunned disbelief.

"What are you standing there for? Isn't there an Illusion Flame Flower over there? Hurry up and pick it." Lin Tianci wiped the blood from his fist and smiled.