There Are Other Drugs

On his way back, Xue Yi felt wonderful and was in high spirits.

Getting on the Young Lady's fast ship was really awesome!

Not only did he get a little treat at night, he also had more time to cultivate and got free precious medicinal herbs.

What a blessed life was this? He didn't even dare to dream about this before!

After taking a trip to the manor lord's study and treasure pavilion, which took about an hour, he came back very early.

After he returned, Young Lady went back to her room to "cultivate" again.

Xue Yi still didn't understand how she could persevere in reading books and studying scriptures every day without feeling bored.

Others could cultivate after studying and their improvement in strength was obvious. But she was a waste!

How could reading books possibly improve her ability to withstand attacks?

After the two returned to the room and closed the door, everything outside was shut out.

Xue Yi put away his humility as a lapdog and sat lazily on a chair with two wooden boxes on the table. He felt a little excited.

Xiao Qingruo casually grabbed a book and threw it to him, saying: "This is a superior-grade Heart Method, 'Crimson Flame Rage', which is somewhat similar to the Vermilion Bird's characteristics in your Five Beasts Heart Method. Study it yourself so you'll have a basis when fighting in public."

"Thank you, Young Lady!" Xue Yi received it happily.

Although he couldn't use this Heart Method, he certainly had to understand it to avoid exposing his own secrets. That would be very troublesome.

His techniques had many forms. As long as he only used the Vermilion Bird's energy during normal times and not the others, people basically wouldn't see through him.

He was a little curious and asked, "You only watched me cultivate for a while yesterday. How could you even discern the characteristics of my Heart Method?"

"How else could I be the number one beauty in the Divine Dynasty?" Xiao Qingruo asked rhetorically, full of unparalleled self-confidence.

Then she took out a very thick book and threw it to him, saying, "This is the book I just mentioned, 'Diverse Sayings of the Martial World's Thousand Clans', gifted by Jiang Yunhuan, the heir to the Divine Martial Manor. It records the analysis of martial arts characteristics of the world's major factions, as well as methods to break them. There are also seven quick mastery martial skills inside. Read it when you have time, there may be gains."

"What a good book!" Xue Yi was pleasantly surprised as he received it.

"Of course, how could anything Jiang Yunhuan gifts be bad?" Xiao Qingruo said arrogantly.

Xue Yi couldn't refute her words.

The Divine Martial Manor was one of the Eight Great Sects on par with the Holy Might Manor, and was even ranked first with the greatest power.

Its current heir Jiang Yunhuan was even hailed as one of the "Three Great Prodigies of the Divine Dynasty", on par with the current Crown Prince and Young Emperor Yan of the Flame God Palace. Their fame was thunderous.

Of course, all three were still lower than her, Xiao Qingruo, the number one beauty of the Divine Dynasty.

Xue Yi sighed with emotion.

This young lady did have some capabilities after all, and was not simply a complete waste.

Although only seventeen, her discernment of herbs and knowledge of martial arts indicated she was extremely learned! Moreover, she remained calm under pressure. Apart from being a little flustered when he exposed her secret yesterday, she never revealed anxiety and had strong psychological endurance!

There was no hurry to slowly study the Heart Method and books.

Xue Yi opened the box on the left and took out the thousand-year Red Blood Ginseng inside.

There was a note in the box explaining how to use the medicinal herb: Those at the Qi Condensation Realm could take it, dividing it into thirds to be decocted in boiling water for an hour in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Taking it internally after sitting in meditation to absorb the effects could strengthen one’s physique and generate ample blood qi.

Blood qi was the source of qi condensation. This single ginseng could at least increase Xue Yi's strength by 30%! Moreover, the effect was lasting and sustained - his improvement speed would be much faster in the next half month. When the medicine's effects were exhausted, entering the ninth level of the Qi Condensation Realm would be effortless.

"Xiao Chan," Xue Yi called out, wanting to order the maid to help decoct the herbs.

"Wait a moment," Xiao Qingruo stopped him at this time.

"What is it?" Xue Yi asked, puzzled.

"I just recalled something."

Xiao Qingruo walked into the inner room, took out a jade box from her private stash, and placed it on the table.

"What's this?" Xue Yi was surprised.

"See for yourself," Xiao Qingruo lazily declined to explain.

Xue Yi's heart stirred, feeling it must be something good, and immediately opened the jade box.

"Hiss!" He almost got frightened.

Inside the jade box were three cherry-sized red fruits!

They looked like cherries but were definitely not. A restrained yet vigorous heat rushed out.

"Thousand-year Vermilion Fruits!" Xue Yi exclaimed.

He widened his eyes and looked at Xiao Qingruo, "For me?"

Even with the young lady's status, she couldn't casually obtain such a precious spirit medicine ten times more valuable than the thousand-year Red Blood Ginseng and Heavenly Silkworm Dragon Claw Grass!

"Mm," Xiao Qingruo nodded slightly, reading her book quietly. She slowly explained, "The Sixth Prince gave them unconditionally. Don't refuse white gifts. Grind the red ginseng and dragon claw grass into powder, divide into threes, and take with the vermilion fruits once a day. The effect will be better than divine pills and holy medicines, easily breaking through the Heavenly Cave Realm."

"This is..." Xue Yi was stunned.

Was this still Xiao Qingruo?

Yesterday she still resisted him so much, wishing she could stab him to death.

Today she bestowed him with so many benefits all at once!

First, she established his might in front of the guard Zhao Xuan. Then she didn't hesitate to fall out with Xu Lingtian and Xu Lingzhi just to protect him. She even confronted the Seventh Elder to obtain two spiritual medicines for him...

And now she even took out her treasured thousand-year Vermilion Fruits!

"Why are you suddenly treating me so well? Don't want to kill me anymore?" Xue Yi asked in surprise.

Xiao Qingruo continued reading her book without shifting her gaze. She replied indifferently, "That depends on your performance. If you obediently don't make trouble and be a good dog for your mistress, I certainly won't make things difficult and will even bestow you with many benefits. If you disobey, you'll suffer sooner or later."

"Tsk... I really don't understand, where do you get such confidence from?"

Xue Yi looked at this unparalleled beauty and always felt there were still many undiscovered secrets about her.

She was so arrogant despite having no aptitude for cultivation.

She wanted to kill him yesterday, yet treated him so well today.

Just what was she thinking?

"In any case, thank you for the vermilion fruits..."

One shouldn't refuse free benefits. Xue Yi was presently lacking things to increase his strength.

The thousand-year vermilion fruit, thousand-year red blood ginseng, and heavenly silkworm dragon claw grass were all good items. Breaking through should be effortless.

Once he stepped into the Heavenly Cave Realm, the first strand of "imperial qi" would appear. At that time, his strength would undergo a qualitative leap, no longer comparable to ordinary cultivators!

Xue Yi went out to find a maid and asked for a stone mortar. He cut the thousand-year red blood ginseng and heavenly silkworm dragon claw grass into small pieces and put them in the mortar. He added a little clear water and pounded for over ten minutes.

After the two herbs were completely crushed into a sticky paste, he divided it into three portions. He wrapped two portions in oil paper and put them in boxes for later use.

He held the last portion and a vermilion fruit in his hand and directly swallowed them.

It was time to increase his strength!

Gulu~

When the spirit medicines entered his stomach, a blazing vigor instantly erupted. His stomach felt like it was on fire, even more uncomfortable than drinking strong liquor!

"Hiss... As expected of spirit medicines, such great power!"

Xue Yi sucked in cold air. His forehead was sweating and he felt pain internally, but he couldn't care about the discomfort. He hurriedly sat properly and began cultivating.

The virtual shadows of the Five Beasts appeared. The Vermilion Bird's shadow was especially bright and began helping him digest the medicine's effects.

At this time, Xiao Qingruo glanced at him and suddenly said, "Actually, I deliberately omitted something earlier."

"What is it?" Xue Yi's cultivating state stalled and he looked puzzled.

Xiao Qingruo smiled lightly, "Aren't you feeling scorching hot right now, as if your body is about to combust?"

"What do you mean?" Xue Yi's eyebrows furrowed as he sensed something was off.