She used the pharmacological knowledge awakened in her mind to sort the Spirit Plants.
The next moment, Ye Qing pressed his hand directly against her collarbone!
Thud!
The Shennong Cauldron landed on the ground!
Immediately afterward, Ye Qing tossed the Spirit Plants inside and began refining medicine!
This time, Ye Qing learned his lesson from last time, finding a lid and placing it on top.
In this way, not only would the medicinal properties not escape,
but it could also absorb the surrounding ambient energy in the end.
Afterward, Ye Qing and Zhou Lingxue sat down nearby to wait,
looking forward to the medicine they were refining this time, since the materials were much better than before.
Night fell.
Inside the Li Family estate,
Li Mubai sat on the sofa, his mind still unable to calm down.
"What's wrong? You look so glum. You just cheated death, you should be happy."
A voice rang out, and Li Zijin strode over to Li Mubai's side on a pair of long legs.
"Hey, what's this Ye Qing's background?"
"Do you know?"
Li Mubai: ".........." ???
What does that mean?
Huh? What do you mean by that, Sis?
Could it be!
"Don't even think about it, Sis. That guy already has a Weapon Spirit, and a very strong one at that!"
That single sentence made even the corners of Li Zijin's mouth twitch!
How could she have meant it that way just now!
Ah?!
Where on earth did your mind wander?!
I was just asking around!
"What do you mean by that? Am I not strong?"
Li Zijin put her hands on her slender waist, looking fierce and imposing.
"You?" Li Mubai chuckled instantly.
His big sister certainly worked hard enough; she had forcefully pushed an E-rank Weapon Spirit all the way to the level of a Tier 3 Weapon Spirit!
That was a remarkable achievement.
However,
when it came to Weapon Spirits, acquired effort simply couldn't compare to innate talent.
So how could her little wooden bow possibly compare to someone else's divine sword?
"You!"
Seeing the look on Li Mubai's face, Li Zijin felt like she was going crazy!
She immediately lunged forward to grab him!
"What are you doing! Hey, hey, hey!"
Li Mubai scrambled to dodge out of the way.
He didn't dare fight back either, because bloodline suppression wasn't just for show!
He could only duck and weave, waiting for his older sister to tire herself out so she would stop acting up.
His big sister was blessed with an abundance of curves, and that kind of exertion was no joke!
"You brat, are you part monkey?!"
Li Zijin panted, thoroughly exhausted.
"Still, Sis, you're right about one thing. I really need to look into this Ye Qing fellow, because I've never heard of anyone by that name."
"You keep calling him 'this guy' and 'that guy'—he's your savior, show some respect! Otherwise, if Dad hears you, he'll definitely straighten you out!"
Li Mubai: ".........."
Show him respect?
You have no idea what he did to me!
Still, there was no use talking about that now.
"Huh? Right! Dad seems to know Ye Qing, but Dad is sleeping at the Military Department tonight and won't be back. Looks like I'll have to investigate myself." Li Mubai rubbed his chin in thought.
He couldn't stop thinking about Ye Qing and his combination of spirits.
The main reason he was so formidable was probably that divine sword!
Being able to crack open the head of a Twin-Winged Silver Tiger in such a short time was no ordinary Weapon Spirit!
Hmph!
If you didn't have that sword, let's see me teach you a real lesson!
Li Mubai let out a soft huff!
The next moment!
A surge of force wrapped around his neck from behind!
Oh crap!
A naked choke!
"Heh heh, got you!" A voice like a netherworld judge whispered right in his ear!
Li Mubai: "............" Ah, ah, ah!!!
Chapter 24: Liu Lianmeng is pregnant, and a divine-grade reward is obtained!
Meanwhile, in front of the villa, even with the lid on, Ye Qing could smell a rich, intoxicating aroma.
If he hadn't put the lid on, the fragrance probably wouldn't have just filled the entire campus!
The range would have likely spread even further!
After all, this batch of Spirit Plants had been carefully selected by the Twin-Winged Silver Tiger.
However, the medicine was almost ready now!
Ye Qing and Zhou Lingxue waited nearby, and a moment later—
Whoosh!
In an instant, the surrounding air trembled violently!
Then!
The energy in the atmosphere swept inward like a massive vortex,
surging frantically toward the Shennong Cauldron!
Seizing the right moment, Ye Qing
lifted the lid right off the cauldron!
Instantly, the energy that had been locked outside found an outlet,
pouring en masse into the Shennong Cauldron!
At that moment, deep in his sleep,
Principal Li Peng suddenly felt that something wasn't right!
He flipped upright in a single motion, looking out the window and sensing the surging energy!
Beside him, his Weapon Spirit also awoke.
"What's wrong? Wait—this energy!"
"It's all rushing toward a single location!"
Li Peng looked at where the energy was converging and sighed. "I'll have to have a word with that kid later. Tell him not to refine medicine in the middle of the night—how are people supposed to sleep?"
"Still, why is there no medicinal fragrance this time?"
Li Peng wondered aloud.
The woman beside him chuckled softly. "If it were me, I wouldn't let you smell it either; I'd definitely find a lid to cover it up, or else all the medicinal properties would dissipate!"
"I can totally see Ye Qing doing something like that."
Li Peng sat on the edge of the bed. "This kid is probably heading to the Purgatory Training Camp in a couple of days, right? He's got quite a jumpy personality. A kid like that will get some solid character development in the Purgatory Training Camp!"
A smile crossed Li Peng's face as he spoke.
The woman watched him. "What is it? You're happy knowing your student is going to get bullied by those scions from major families?"
"Nonsense! How could I be!"
"Still, it's true. In every Purgatory Training Camp, the prodigies from these schools always get suppressed by the disciples of major clans."
"Because those major family disciples have massive amounts of resources piled onto them, their tiers are higher than ordinary school students. Tiers 6 and 7 are probably pretty common."
"Oh well, whatever. Back to sleep." Li Peng figured the Purgatory Training Camp was a closed facility; even if he wanted to help, he didn't have the power to interfere, so there was no point in borrowing trouble.
Over here, quite a few people had sensed the surging energy
and woken from their sleep.
Unaware that he had caused such a disturbance, Ye Qing was currently immersed in the joy of a successful brew.
"Done and done!"
"Come on, let's roll the pills!"
Ye Qing called out to Zhou Lingxue, and the two of them immediately began rolling the medicine.
A short while later,
the medicinal pills were dropped one by one into porcelain bottles.
As for the remaining medicinal dregs, Ye Qing tossed them into a bottle of high-end white liquor.
That could be considered medicinal wine now!
A fabulous, highly nourishing tonic!
"Whew! Shift's over."
Liu Lianmeng logged out of her materialized state, her face relaxed and cheerful.
She even scampered over and leaned right in front of Ye Qing. "Darling, how is it? Can I clock out now?"
"Clock out? Have you ever heard of the evils of capitalism?"
Ye Qing looked at Liu Lianmeng with a smile on his face.
"What... what do you mean?"
Liu Lianmeng couldn't help but take half a step back. What was Ye Qing getting at?!
Could it be!
"Ah, ah, ah!" Before Liu Lianmeng could escape, Ye Qing lunged forward in a single bound and hoisted her over his shoulder.
Then, he delivered a slap right to her backside.
"Ow!"
That instantly made Liu Lianmeng obedient!
"Why? Why is it always me?!"
"Why you?" Ye Qing looked at her, his annoyance flaring up. Don't you know why?
Why was it that despite having similar frequencies, Zhou Lingxue could get pregnant, while you didn't show the slightest sign of change?
Shouldn't a poor student stay after class for tutoring?
Ye Qing muttered inwardly. If he said that out loud, Liu Lianmeng would probably protest and talk back!
This kind of thing relied entirely on timing!
There were only a few days of opportunity each month!
It wasn't her fault, either!
Afterward, Ye Qing handed some of the medicine over to Zhou Lingxue.
Then, taking the remaining medicine and the Beast Core, he headed upstairs.
"I—I'm going to take a shower first."
As soon as she entered the room, Liu Lianmeng requested time out.
"Fine."
Ye Qing relented a little, turning his attention to the Tier 6 mid-stage Beast Core and the medicine.
Then, he activated Vajra Indestructible!
Clang!
Almost instantly, a layer of brilliant golden light coated Ye Qing's skin,
emitting a faint, radiant glow!
"This is the fifth tier of Vajra Indestructible."
Ye Qing brushed his hand across his shoulder, and the sound of colliding gold and jade echoed out!
That texture!
That hardness!
Feeling the density of his body, Ye Qing knew that relying purely on his physical physique alone, he could probably fight across tiers against high-tier combinations.
With the Xuanyuan Sword added to the mix, it went without saying.
Meanwhile,
Liu Lianmeng was humming a little tune as she enjoyed her shower.
Then, she heard a clanging sound echoing from outside!
Her breathing hitched instantly!
What!
What was that sound?
What was Ye Qing fiddling with out there?
Could it be?
Was he doubling down tonight?!
Did he come up with some other tricks?
No way, I can't go out there!
That's too terrifying!
Out in the room,
once Ye Qing had everything prepared, he looked at the Beast Core and the medicine, then began absorbing them!
Whoosh!
Energy like a raging tsunami poured instantly into Ye Qing's body,
washing over his meridians time and time again!
Under the relentless baptism of energy, the glow on Ye Qing's skin grew brighter and brighter.
Thud!
Following a muffled explosion,
Ye Qing felt a wave of absolute comfort wash over him!
He dismissed Vajra Indestructible
and checked his current boundary.
Tier 5, mid-stage!
He had leaped two tiers in one go!
"I have to say, once your tier gets higher, advancing requires an ocean-sized pool of energy to support it!"
Ye Qing sighed with emotion.
This time, it took a Tier 6 mid-stage Beast Core and all those spirit medicines just to break through two tiers!
From here on out, it was only going to get harder!
He glanced toward the bathroom.
That girl was taking forever.
A moment later,
Ye Qing walked in, hoisted the hiding Liu Lianmeng up over his shoulder, and carried her out.
Then, he drew the curtains.
............
[Compatibility increased! Vajra Indestructible upgraded to Tier 6!]
Tier 6!
It had finally reached this level!
Ye Qing savored the sensation coursing through his body!
Pure bliss!
...........
[Detected Weapon Spirit pregnancy, rewarded with Divine-Grade Movement Technique!]
Divine-Grade Movement Technique!
Streams of movement technique insights flooded directly into his mind!
Ye Qing then checked his personal stats.
[Name: Ye Qing]
[Spirit Tamer Level: Tier 5 Mid-Stage]
[Contracted Weapon Spirits: Xuanyuan Sword (SSS-rank), Shennong Cauldron (SSS-rank)]
[Ability: SSS-rank Divine Awakening]
[Skills: Divine-Grade Hunting Skill, Tianxiao Vigorous Qi 6th Tier, Rapid Core Absorption Skill, Infinite Contract, Divine-Grade Movement Technique, Vajra Indestructible 6th Tier]
[Items: Divine-Grade Control Pills x 5]
[Martial Art: Prison-Suppressing Crouching Dragon Fist]
"Not bad. Tonight, I'll push a little harder and strike while the iron is hot to see if I can break through to the 7th tier of Vajra Indestructible!"
Ye Qing muttered to himself.
At the same time.
Within the Barrier,
outside the campus grounds,
in a dark corner, several figures sat on the outer edge of a building roof, dangling their legs back and forth.
"It's been a long time since we in the Demon Spirit Guard suffered a loss like this. Never expected a mere student to teach us such a lesson this time."
"Still, I feel like headquarters is making a mountain out of a molehill. How much capability can a student possibly have? Did they really need a few Tier 7 combinations like us to come here?" A man nearby chuckled softly.
The others cast a glance at him. "This time, it's not just about dealing with that student—it's about establishing our dominance!"
"Once we execute him, we can leave his head right at the entrance of the Barrier."
"Let all the Spirit Tamers and Weapon Spirits inside this Barrier see what happens when they cross the Demon Spirit Guard!"
"On top of that, it'll boost our ferocious reputation even further, making future raids much more convenient."
...........
As their voices trailed off, the sound of footsteps approached from behind.
They turned their heads to look at the newcomers.
Leading the group was a young woman dressed in tight-fitting night-wear. Her figure was tall and slender, yet even under the restriction of the tight outfit, her curves were explosive.
If those restraints were undone, there was no telling what level she might reach!
She wore a black mask over her face.
However, from her brows and the shape of her face, it was clear she was an absolute celestial beauty!
In stark contrast to her looks, however,
was the hint of bandit-like lawlessness in her eyes!
She walked forward on long legs, followed closely by two other figures.
None other than Wang Tingting and Lü Li.
However, they didn't look nearly as composed; instead, they appeared rather apprehensive.
Especially upon truly seeing the members of the Demon Spirit Guard, a sense of terror welling up from the depths of her soul instantly washed over Wang Tingting.
Yet, thinking of Ye Qing, Wang Tingting clenched her fists and forced herself to walk forward.
"You're back?"
"You two little ones, selling out your own classmate like this—what is it you hope to gain?" The leader looked at Wang Tingting, his gaze seeming capable of piercing straight through a person's soul.
He stepped closer, stopping right in front of Wang Tingting.
The oppressive weight of his presence turned Wang Tingting's face pale.
Was this the oppressive aura of the Demon Spirit Guard?
"I want him dead!" Wang Tingting raised her head and stared straight into the man's eyes.
"Tsk tsk, what kind of deep, irreconcilable hatred is this?"
"Still, we've already gathered roughly all the intelligence."
"Then did you know that this guy slaughtered a Tier 6 beast, a Twin-Winged Silver Tiger, today?" Wang Tingting's words stunned everyone present.
"Tell me more."
Without hesitation, Wang Tingting began to speak, laying out everything she knew about Ye Qing.
"And here I thought he killed it by himself; turns out he just scavenged the kill. Still, the brat's got pretty good luck."
"Alright, let's draft a plan over the next few days."
"Actually, don't wait. Let's make it quick and decisive. Letting that brat live another day is treating him too kindly."
"Luoqing, take them back. Once we kill that punk this time, your Soul-Recalling Banner will be able to absorb a pretty decent soul."
With that, the young woman in tight night-wear nodded and led Wang Tingting and the others away.
After Yin Luoqing departed,
the leader, Wang Sheng, gazed at her retreating figure. "That girl has quite a bit of bandit spirit in her. It's just a shame her Weapon Spirit rank is too low; otherwise, she'd play a huge role in the Demon Spirit Guard."
"That's true. When we get back, we could look into finding someone for her to form a contract with."
The others chimed in.
"Looks like dawn is almost here." Wang Sheng grinned broadly, then looked toward Jinling University not far away.
"Kid, you better enjoy what little time you have left."
Meanwhile—
"Darling, darling, the sun is up, can I rest now?"
"When did resting become something you get to decide?"
"My bad, my bad! I was just reminding you not to overwork yourself."
"Huh?! You think I'll get tired?"
Liu Lianmeng: "........."
Ah!
I'm not saying another word!
...........
Chapter 25: Li Mubai: You really are a dog!
The sun was high in the sky.
Ye Qing let out a soft sigh.
As expected, breaking through to the 7th tier of Vajra Indestructible was quite difficult.
It required persistent, long-term effort.
When he stepped outside,
Zhou Lingxue had already finished cooking breakfast. She looked at Ye Qing with bright, energetic eyes and a sweet smile.
"Darling, you worked hard. Come eat."
Ye Qing sat down. He was in a pretty good mood today.
After all, he was about to pocket two more Beast Cores today.
And Tier 6 Beast Cores at that!
"I'll make a trip to Jinling Spirit University later. You just stay home and rest; you used up a lot of energy in yesterday's fight."
Ye Qing said.
"Okay." Zhou Lingxue sat down to eat as well.
After finishing their meal,
Ye Qing headed out the door.
Leaving the campus gates, he walked straight toward Jinling Spirit University.
A short while later,
inside the club room,
Zheng Yuxin kept glancing toward the entrance.
Seeing a figure walk in, her eyes lit up, but when she realized it wasn't Ye Qing, her face fell as she let out a heavy sigh.
The newcomer: "........." Huh?!
What's the meaning of this?
Am I not welcome?
Should I leave? Huh? Should I leave?
After waiting for a while, Zheng Yuxin grew tired and slumped forward onto the table.
Nearby, Zheng Ji saw her and thought she was feeling unwell again.
"Yuxin, what's wrong? Is your body acting up again?"
"No, it's not that. Hey, Big Bro, why didn't the club president come today?"
Zheng Ji had already fully accepted the title of "Big Bro" by now, the words tumbling out of his mouth almost reflexively.
"He probably went to collect a debt today."
"Huh? A debt? What debt?"
"I forgot to tell you yesterday."
With that, Zheng Ji began recounting the events.
Ah?
Something like that happened?!
"Big Brother Ye is so dark-bellied!" Zheng Yuxin listened with rapt attention. She never imagined Ye Qing had such a cunning, scheming side to him!
"As for you, little girl, why have you suddenly started paying so much attention to Big Bro?"
As Zheng Ji spoke, Zheng Yuxin's face turned visibly red.
"What are you spouting nonsense about, Big Bro! I—I—I didn't!"