54: In Lin Gui City

Time flew by. Qin Feng had already spent three full months in this world. From the severely wounded, dying, and bewildered young laborer he once was, he had now become a Personal Disciple of the Huichun Medical Hall, a hidden Martial Master Peak powerhouse, an Alchemy apprentice who had glimpsed the threshold of the Dao, and even bore the name 'Ghost'. He maneuvered between forces like the Purple Robe Bandits, the Blood-Filled Tower, and the Hundred Flowers Palace. The sheer strangeness of these encounters and the magnitude of the risks involved were far beyond what an ordinary person could imagine.

At the zi hour, the intelligence refreshed, and the light screen appeared as promised.

[(White) Squire Zhao in the east of the city had his rice shop smashed by an angry mob for hoarding and profiteering. He is currently entangled in disputes with the Six Fan School.]

[(Yellow) The city lord's treasury holds the secret medicine 'barrier breaking pill', which can help a Martial Master Peak expert Breakthrough the Bottleneck to Grand Martial Master. However, it is only available for exchange by elite City Guard members who have performed meritorious service and is strictly not circulated externally.]

[(Blue) On the edge of the mass graves in the western suburbs, a fifty-year-old 'Dragon Elephant Fruit' has ripened. This fruit's medicinal properties are overbearing. Consuming it can greatly enhance the strength and toughness of one's Physical Body, but carries a slight risk of tearing one's Meridians.]

The first two pieces of intelligence did not cause much of a stir for Qin Feng. Street dramas were commonplace. Although the city lord's barrier breaking pill was good, the conditions of joining the City Guard and performing meritorious service to exchange for it imposed too many restrictions on him. 'Suddenly exposing my identity and true cultivation level would be far too inappropriate.' He immediately dismissed the thought.

However, the third piece of blue intelligence invigorated his spirits!

'Dragon Elephant Fruit! Strengthens the Physical Body!' A look of pleasant surprise appeared in Qin Feng's eyes. His Internal Energy cultivation had now reached Martial Master Peak, but although his Physical Body strength had a foundation from his Sword Bone and medicinal baths, it ultimately could not compare to those Martial Artists who specialized in external training techniques. This Dragon Elephant Fruit was the perfect Opportunity to make up for his shortcoming!

'Every piece of blue intelligence truly never disappoints me!'

Without the slightest hesitation, the next day he quietly headed to the mass graves in the western suburbs as guided by the intelligence. In a hidden crevice within that gloomy and desolate place, he indeed found the plant with a body of fiery red, bearing a fist-sized, strange fruit shaped like dragon scales and an elephant's gall—the Dragon Elephant Fruit.

He carefully plucked the fruit and returned to his room at the medical hall. Looking at the fruit radiating a primal aura in his hand, he took a deep breath and consumed it directly. The fruit tasted bitter upon entering his mouth, then transformed into a scorching, violent torrent, as if countless tiny dragons and elephants were stampeding and trampling within his body! Muscle fibers were forcibly torn and restructured, his bones emitted groans under the strain, and his Meridians throbbed with a distending pain!

He firmly guarded his mind, operating the Primordial Unity Qi Art at full power to guide this overbearing medicinal potency. Simultaneously, his Sword Bone talent was also stimulated, greedily absorbing the tempering energy contained within. The agony lasted for a full hour before gradually subsiding.

When everything calmed down, Qin Feng opened his eyes, sensing the changes in his body. Clenching his fist, the muscles in his arm bulged, containing explosive power. A faint golden luster shimmered beneath his skin, its toughness far surpassing before! He casually threw a punch, and the air emitted a faint crackling sound!

'My Physical Body strength has increased by at least thirty percent!' He was inwardly delighted. The effects of the Dragon Elephant Fruit were indeed astonishing!

Although it had almost exhausted all his money, the sense of security brought by the increase in strength was far beyond what gold coins could compare to.

On this day, the Ghost Market opened again. Qin Feng, holding the mindset of broadening his horizons and perhaps hearing some rumors, once again entered that dimly lit underground world relying on his token.

The Ghost Market was still bustling, with the sounds of hawking incessant.

'High Grade Yellow Rank sword 'Autumn Water', cuts iron like mud, only eight hundred gold coins!'

'Ancestral armor 'Black Rhino Armor', impenetrable by Martial Masters, fifteen hundred gold coins!'

'Incomplete movement technique Secret Manual 'Phantom Steps', suspected to be Profound Rank, goes to the highest bidder!'

Qin Feng was short on funds and could only browse. Just then, a rough voice called out to him.

'Brother Shadow!'

Qin Feng turned his head. It was the stall owner 'Ghost Head' from their previous transaction involving the golden silk soft armor. He was still wearing that ferocious Ghost mask and warmly beckoned Qin Feng over.

'Brother Ghost Head, it's been a while.'

'Hehe, Brother Shadow, I see your complexion is even better than before.' Ghost Head sized up Qin Feng for a moment, then lowered his voice, 'This old brother has an unreasonable request... Could you... help me refine a pill?'

'Refine a pill?' Qin Feng's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. 'What kind of Medicinal Pill?'

Ghost Head carefully took out a tattered beast-skin Pill Formula from his bosom, his eyes burning with eagerness: 'It's the 'Blood Bodhi Berserk Pill', a Medium Grade Profound Rank one! If you can refine it, you can pick any piece of protective gear from my stock!' He pointed at the coldly gleaming armors and inner armors on his stall behind him.

Blood Bodhi Berserk Pill? Medium Grade Profound Rank!

Qin Feng's pupils contracted slightly. Just from the name, this pill was clearly a potent drug that stimulated potential and temporarily boosted combat power. Its refinement difficulty was undoubtedly extremely high. However, the condition Ghost Head offered was also highly tempting. A high-quality piece of protective gear could be a second life at a critical moment.

He pondered for a moment, not immediately agreeing, but said solemnly, 'Let me see the Pill Formula. For a Medium Grade Profound Rank Medicinal Pill, I dare not guarantee success.'