Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Ambushed
Shen Yuan was lying on his not-so-comfortable bed with one hand under his head and the other holding a thick book. It was the middle of the day, but Shen Yuan had nothing else to do since he was already set for the whole month with his quota.
It had already been more than ten days since he had accepted the missions. It was already half of his lifespan.
Even though Shen Yuan did not have to cut anymore for a while now, he would go out every day to keep appearances to the goons of Peng Ho that he was still struggling to meet the quota.
He was getting better at dodging them in the forest if they would try to follow him.
Even his trips to the forest were not wasted; Shen Yuan would train his attribute points in the day to increase the strength of his body.
The stronger his body was, the higher his lifespan would be.
Now, training the movement technique allowed him to increase his dexterity and agility. He would use heavy boulders or axe-battle manuals to increase his strength and physique.
While he was doing other things, Shen Yuan was grinding "The Sacred Scripture Of The Bloody Moon".
Currently, Shen Yuan is on a break. He knew his body was his temple and he had to take good care of it, especially in a perilous situation such as the one he was in.
With one hand still behind his head, he turned the page of the book with the ring finger after several failed attempts.
βIβm not moving the other arm.β
The title of the book was Myriad herbs and pills.
It was the book he had bought from the Treasure Trove about the knowledge on generic herbs and pills. Shen Yuan was already more than halfway through the book.
Even though the book was thicker than his arm, it was only filled with information about low-level herbs and pills. About a 3-star level.
Star level was a distinction criterion for many things, like herbs, pills, weapons, artefacts and even talismans in this world.
From 1 star to 9 stars, each one corresponded to each stage of cultivation.
1 Star pills were most insignificant. They were used by the body refining cultivators such as Shen Yuan.
They were not hard to find.
But their prices were no less than 500 Girds for even the most basic of pills.
Shen Yuan did not want to let anything he had go to waste. He would spend an hour every day to read this book as a way to relax and let his body relax apart from the two-hour sleep he takes for his mental health.
As for the Lingzhi Mushroom he had purchased along with the book... Shen Yuan had long taken it.
He had boiled the herb in water along with several other materials he found in the forest and formed a sticky mixture.
Had it not been for the memories of former Shen Yuan, he would not dare to drink that stinky medicinal liquid.
But once he drank it, Shen Yuan instantly noticed some changes within his body.
He felt healthier.
The slight ache in his veins had disappeared over time. His muscles felt less sore from training. He did not feel tired as easily as before.
"It should be enough for today." Shen Yuan finished another Chapter on βEarth elemental herbs and pillsβ and closed the book.
After forcing himself to sit up, Shen Yuan summoned the familiar transparent screen.
[Name: Shen Yuan]
Age: 16
Level: 7/10 (Late Stage of body Tempering ) XP: 2,275/7000
[Techniques Comprehended: Expand>]
[Strength (STR): 32
Agility (AGI): 31
Dexterity (DEX): 33
Physique (PHY): 30 ]
[Stat points: 0]
[Current Status: Shattered Dantian, slowly being poisoned]
[Lifespan: 28 days]
"The suggestion tab changed, huh?" Shen Yuan did not seem surprised by the increase in his lifespan. Not only did he break through in the last ten days, but he also had taken medicinal herbs that strengthen the body.
Today he had finally digested it completely. But his life was still slowly slipping away from his grasp just like sand.
"Even though I have reached the proficient stage in mastery of my cultivation technique and Master stage in the two yellow-rank techniques, I cannot let myself slow down."
Shen Yuan had given himself a challenge; he wanted to reach the perfection stage of the cultivation technique within a month.
If the well-known genius Peng Ho had heard his self-declarations, he would have rushed to kill him himself without thinking of the consequences.
After all, even he barely managed to reach the proficient stage after years of hard work and training.
"I have to do something about the dantian. Cannot let it go on like this for long. There is also that poison." Shen Yuan bit the inside of his cheeks. A habit he had formed whenever he was lost in thinking.
Maybe it was the pain or the act itself that helped him to focus.
"I should gather information about the poison first." Shen Yuan picked up a bag instead of an axe and carried it on his back. With the coin pouch tied to his waist, he stepped towards the gate, "and I know just the place."
"Oh..." Shen Yuan had opened the door when he saw someone reaching out to knock on his door. "You are going out?"
He did not let the annoyance he was feeling show on his face; after all, it was the man Shen Yuan least wanted to see at the moment.
That lazy yet sly arc on his face gave off a laid-back impression to others. The way he subtly tried to manipulate him.
Everything about the man made Shen Yuan feel disgusted towards him.
He had seen many people like that in his previous life, and most of them had either ended seven feet under the ground or splashed around in his kill room.
"What a great timing. I have something important to talk about. Do you have a moment?" With his ever-retaining sly smile, Shi Jin stepped aside and gestured for Shen Yuan to come out.
