Everyone knew that the older the ginseng, the more astonishing its value.
Ten-year-old ginseng could sell for a few dozen taels of silver, while a hundred-year-old root could fetch at least a thousand.
A hundred-year-old ginseng was one of the main ingredients not only in Intermediate Pills but even in Advanced Pills.
It could be used to refine pills and medicines, or eaten raw, with astonishing effects. It would be of tremendous use to Qin Dongcheng, too.
The critical-hit reward from a single hundred-year-old ginseng was worth months—or even more—of herb gathering.
He'd struck it rich today. Qin Dongcheng made an exception and gave Tian Liang's grandson a few extra pointers, bringing about a noticeable improvement in the boy. With noon approaching, he finally headed back to Osmanthus Garden.
He soon reached the area near Moonlight Slope. Looking at its lush greenery, Qin Dongcheng couldn't help but grow wary.
Every time he passed through here, he was especially careful. The Patrol Team had cleared the area several times, but who could guarantee no new demons or ghosts had slipped in?
If the precious herbs in the Herb Field weren't such a draw, Qin Dongcheng would have given up on this place.
Still, this was near the headquarters of the Five Elements Sect, and the Patrol Team cleared the area from time to time. It probably wasn't that dangerous.
With that thought, Qin Dongcheng stepped onto Moonlight Slope. The bamboo grove was exceptionally dense. Though it was noon, it seemed as dim as dusk.
The moment he stepped inside, Qin Dongcheng sensed something was wrong. A wave of chill surged toward him, as if it meant to swallow him whole.
Had he not fused with the original owner's soul and gained powerful spiritual strength, he might not have noticed it at all.
The thing seemed to be waiting for Qin Dongcheng to enter the bamboo grove completely before attacking. The malice washing over him was enough to make his heart tremble.
"The sun shines bright, and the weather's fine. I might as well get in some practice."
Qin Dongcheng remained calm. He pulled his right foot back from Moonlight Slope and began practicing the Diamond Skin Refining Fist in the sunlight beside it, as if he hadn't noticed anything and had simply felt like training.
The Ghost Spirit in Moonlight Slope found this strange, but its intelligence was limited, and it feared Qin Dongcheng in the sunlight. So it didn't rush at him, remaining hidden where it was.
But if Qin Dongcheng turned and ran, the Ghost Spirit might well charge out of Moonlight Slope and hunt him down. It would need to keep itself from being exposed and bringing down a death sentence upon itself.
Qin Dongcheng's actions were certainly strange, but they also made it hesitate. It decided to watch a little longer and attack once he stepped onto Moonlight Slope.
It didn't notice the faint beads of sweat forming on Qin Dongcheng's forehead as he practiced his fist.
Qin Dongcheng himself was also hesitating. Should he turn and run, or keep practicing here for now to keep the unknown presence in Moonlight Slope at bay?
He was afraid that if he ran too hastily, he'd alarm whatever was inside and provoke it into attacking. If it were something he couldn't handle, he'd be done for.
Judging by the evil aura and chilling energy it gave off, it was no ordinary foe. Qin Dongcheng wasn't confident he could escape unscathed.
So he decided to keep it at bay for now, practice the Diamond Skin Refining Fist, and think about what to do next.
Should he run, or wait for someone to notice something was wrong and come to his aid?
Qin Dongcheng was caught between a rock and a hard place. The Ghost Spirit in Moonlight Slope was in the same bind.
Each had its own thoughts. One remained hidden, watching Qin Dongcheng closely.
The other pretended not to know, practicing the Diamond Skin Refining Fist over and over as he racked his brains for a way out. But just then, the unexpected happened.
"You completed one set of the Diamond Skin Refining Fist. Congratulations, you triggered a 666-fold critical hit and received 666 times the gains!"
At that very moment, Qin Dongcheng had actually triggered a 666-fold critical hit, gaining 666 times the benefits.
The Diamond Skin Refining Fist, which had already been close to the Perfected Realm, began improving at a terrifying pace. In just a few dozen breaths, it broke through to the Perfected Realm.
His cultivation surged as well, and the Blood Qi within him rose wildly. Qin Dongcheng hurriedly took a bite of the hundred-year-old ginseng he'd just obtained, replenishing his body's terrifying expenditure.
Just then, a strange power surged through him, pouring into his skin like an enlightenment from above. Layer upon layer of radiance shimmered beneath its surface.
Gradually, one Heaven-Reaching Rhino after another took shape within his skin. They roamed back and forth in an endless cycle, increasing its defensive power tenfold.
A Skin Refining Strange Phenomenon!
Heaven-Reaching Rhino Roam!
One of the top-tier Strange Phenomena. In myths and legends, the Heaven-Reaching Rhino had the thickest hide of all. Its manifestation meant that Qin Dongcheng's skin had been tempered to an astonishing degree.
Its special effect was to increase his defense tenfold, while also boosting his Blood Qi and other attributes.
As if stirred by Heaven-Reaching Rhino Roam, the Body Strengthening Phenomenon, Dragon Vigor Tiger Might, also appeared. Dragons and tigers swirled around Qin Dongcheng.
His pure Blood Qi radiated a terrifying heat. The Ghost Spirit lurking in Moonlight Slope let out a strange cry and fled in a panic. It had been scared away by the two top-tier Strange Phenomena.
This also showed, to some extent, that Qin Dongcheng—having awakened two top-tier Strange Phenomena—could threaten the Ghost Spirit with the scorching power of his Blood Qi.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have fled. Qin Dongcheng hadn't expected such an unexpected windfall.
Once he sensed that the enemy had left, he hurriedly absorbed his gains and moved away from Moonlight Slope. He found another place to consolidate and adjust, doing his best to digest the rewards from the critical hit.
It was more than half an hour later that he finally headed toward the nearby Patrol Team, intending to tell them about the demons and ghosts in Moonlight Slope.
He was fairly confident he could deal with the hidden thing, but since there was a better way to handle it, why take the risk?
Even if he dealt with it himself, all he'd get was some Sect Contribution. He could earn that later by refining pills and medicines, so there was no need to take a chance.
It would be better to let the Patrol Team handle it. Their job was to exterminate demons and ghosts, and this would give them a chance to earn merit and gain more Sect Contribution—a win for everyone.
The Patrol Team took Qin Dongcheng's report seriously and immediately sent dozens of experts to Moonlight Slope to search for the demons and ghosts hiding there.
Qin Dongcheng didn't go near the place. Instead, he went to stay with Lu Gen for the time being, continuing to practice, consolidate, and adapt to his increased cultivation.
After a critical hit of more than six hundred times, Qin Dongcheng's cultivation had risen by a large margin. He was now within striking distance of the Flesh Phase Realm and had awakened a top-tier Skin Refining Strange Phenomenon. His gains had been considerable.
It wouldn't be long before he could break through to an even higher level.
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