Chapter 77 - 76: I’m Finally Considered Top-Tier Too!

Chapter 77: Chapter 76: I’m Finally Considered Top-Tier Too!

When Princess Wencheng of Jiang Country’s poem, "Going Old," oppressed the scholars of the Great Saint Dynasty’s Jiangnan to the point where they couldn’t lift their heads, Zeng Anmin’s "Two Rivers Ode" appeared out of nowhere.

In just two short, inexplicable days, it spread to the outside world like wildfire. Now, everyone on Fengqi Road praised Zeng Anmin’s poetic talent to the skies. Some even claimed that this single "Two Rivers Ode" could suppress Jiang Country’s literary circles for fifty years... Who knew what would happen when it reached Jiang Country after a while...

Whenever subordinates praised Zeng Anmin, Zeng Shilin always maintained a calm expression, waving his hand nonchalantly as he replied, "Nine out of ten rumors in the outside world are false. There is no need to pay them any mind."

However, it was precisely this kind of answer that sparked even more heated discussions among others. Only after the officials left did his father reveal a smile, spacing out in a daze. The best way to protect his good son’s identity as the Black Cat Martial Artist was to completely establish his reputation as a Confucian Dao genius.

Meanwhile, Zeng Anmin, the much-discussed protagonist of the outside world’s rumors, was currently standing on the deck of a large ship. Beside him, Shen Jun and Dachun stood respectfully. The wind gently ruffled a lock of hair on Zeng Anmin’s forehead, revealing the youth’s spirited and straightforward demeanor.

"Stone Mountain is just ahead," Shen Jun said respectfully, pointing at a mountain peak that faintly appeared in the distance. It was a rare occasion for him to be so close to Zeng Anmin.

"Oh." Zeng Anmin looked into the distance, a sense of brisk lightness welling up in his heart.

The royal families of both the Northern Holy Dynasty and Jiang Country each possessed a copy of the "Record of Strange Herbs." This record, which could only be read by the direct descendants of the two royal families, documented the locations of all the exotic herbs in the entire Central State. The information about the exotic herbs that Nan had provided him was the exact purpose of this trip.

Nearly two months had passed since the dust settled on King Jiang’s rebellion. According to the calendar of his previous life, this should be the time for a fresh start for the New Year. However, the Great Saint Dynasty didn’t seem to have the concept of "celebrating the New Year." The position of Left Chief Clerk in the Observation Department was not too busy, so he took advantage of his rest days to go on a spring outing to Stone Mountain. Though he called it a spring outing, his true objective was the exotic herbs.

Over the past two months, the Martial Pill in his body had become completely full. Now was the time to find exotic herbs and break through to the Seventh Grade. According to Nan, the exotic herb on Stone Mountain was located inside a cave and was called the Red Flame Spirit Fruit. However, he didn’t need the Spirit Fruit itself, but rather its leaves. The power of the fruit was still too overbearing for him; he wouldn’t be able to control it. The Red Flame Fruit Leaf was just right.

"Choosing this area for a spring outing..." Dachun grumbled. His injuries hadn’t fully healed yet. Although he no longer limped when he walked, the bandages on his face hadn’t been removed.

After disembarking, he took the lead, hacking through the dense undergrowth for the group. Despite being injured, he chopped down the weeds at an extremely fast pace. Ignoring Dachun’s muttering, Zeng Anmin continuously directed him according to the route Nan had provided.

Finally, as Dachun’s last machete swing fell, the view ahead suddenly cleared. An open clearing appeared before them. Although it was early spring, the green pines in this area stood tall and straight.

"To think that Stone Mountain actually has such beautiful scenery!" Shen Jun’s eyes lit up when he saw it, and he subconsciously praised, "While all things wither, this place is brimming with the vitality of spring."

"Heh." Zeng Anmin waved his hand. "I also just happened to hear that this place was unique."

The group slowly unloaded their supplies in the clearing. Warm wine was prepared, and pastries were laid out. Drinking the fine wine, the few of them engaged in spirited conversation.

Eventually, Zeng Anmin stood up, told the others that the urge to urinate had struck, and left the area. As the Governor’s son, his every word and action was watched. Therefore, using the excuse of a spring outing to come to Stone Mountain hadn’t attracted any undue attention. Fortunately, this place wasn’t far from the cave Nan had pointed out. In just a few moments, Zeng Anmin spotted the pitch-black cave entrance amidst the weeds.

"Sure is well-hidden," he thought. If Nan hadn’t provided a detailed route, he probably wouldn’t have been able to find it even if he searched this massive mountain for a whole day.

Zeng Anmin took a few steps, parted the weeds, and entered the cave. After walking about a dozen steps, his Martial Arts Aura began to circulate, slowly flowing into his eyes. His gaze became extremely sharp, allowing him to barely see clearly in the pitch-black cave.

At last, he saw a glowing exotic herb standing gracefully ahead. The herb had a straight stem, about three feet tall, growing out of the rocks. Three extremely large leaves shimmered with a faint cyan light. The leaves were like elephant ears, and the fruit was like a bodhi fruit. This was how Nan had described it.

Zeng Anmin didn’t hesitate. Following Nan’s instructions, he took out a Jade Box from his robes, plucked the leaf, and placed it inside the Jade Box. Actually, Zeng Anmin wanted to see what the Red Flame Spirit Fruit looked like. However, he found that only two small, greenish, mung bean-like buds were hanging from the leaves.

"Didn’t they say that after the leaves take the shape of elephant ears, the fruit would also ripen? Why is it still green?" A hint of confusion surfaced in Zeng Anmin’s heart.

Could it be due to the weather? Feeling the chill in the cave, a flash of realization crossed his eyes. It was currently winter, so it was indeed a bit of a pity that the Spirit Fruit hadn’t formed yet.

Two quarters of an hour had already passed since he slipped away under the guise of relieving himself. If he didn’t go back soon, Dachun and Shen Jun would probably get anxious. He didn’t delay any further, exiting the cave and returning to Dachun and Shen Jun’s side.

Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. When the sun set over the West Mountain, the three stood up and headed down the mountain. After another two hours, the large ship docked. They finally made it into the city before the gates closed.

Governor’s Mansion.

In Zeng Anmin’s own room.

He sat cross-legged on his bed. From the outside, there was nothing unusual about him. However, an empty Jade Box lay beside him. The Martial Arts Aura within his body was already surging violently, rushing like a sharp arrow into the two meridians directly connected to his Sea of Consciousness.

"Pain! It hurts too much!!" Zeng Anmin felt waves of needle-like pain radiating from the back of his head.

This was the intense agony brought about by the Martial Arts Aura clearing his meridians. The Martial Arts Aura from the Martial Pill acted like a rampaging beast, completely disregarding the suffering of the Heaven and Earth Two Bridges as it surged forward in wave after wave. Yet, whenever Zeng Anmin felt that the two meridians were on the verge of collapsing, a warm current would slowly soothe the trauma in his pathways. This was the effect of the Red Flame Fruit Leaf taking action.

Time trickled by. Sweat was slowly squeezed out from the pores on Zeng Anmin’s forehead. Before long, it had formed a sheet of moisture, dripping down his chin and splashing onto the bed.

"Just a little more..." Sensing the somewhat depleted state of the Martial Pill in his abdomen, Zeng Anmin pursed his lips, gritted his teeth, and exerted his final ounce of strength. "Charge through for me!!!"

BOOM!!!

Finally, it was like parting the clouds to see the sun. The Martial Arts Aura finally saw the light!!

Within his Sea of Consciousness, the Dragon Inspection Map sat in the center. The Confucian Dao’s Vast Cyan Qi was on the left. The Martial Arts Aura rushing into his Sea of Consciousness grew increasingly abundant. Blocked by the phantom of the Dragon Inspection Map, it gathered on the right, growing larger and larger...

[Congratulations on breaking through your Grade.]

[Martial Arts Affixes have finished loading.]

[Please select one of the following three Martial Arts Affixes.]

[(Prismatic) Martial Artist’s Heart: For every ten feet of distance from the enemy, the power of your Martial Arts Aura increases by ten percent.]

[(Prismatic) Small but Deadly: All body parts shrink to a third of their size, permanently increasing speed by thirty percent.]

[(Prismatic) Big and Strong: All body parts grow three times larger, permanently increasing strength by thirty percent.]

[Note: Unselected affixes will permanently disappear. Countdown: 30, 29, 28...]

When Zeng Anmin’s gaze landed on [Big and Strong], his Adam’s apple bobbed.

"Are you sure absolutely every part will grow three times larger?" he thought.