Chapter 269: Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill

"Qian Dalong and Juewang are Lower Sixth-Rank experts. Based on our earlier estimates, these two's attributes probably exceed two hundred points!"

"If even they can't handle the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile, how did Yang Ling solo this big boss?"

"Maybe our estimates were wrong? Otherwise, Yang Ling's only level sixty—where would he get that many attribute points? It can't be that his Cultivation Technique and Martial Arts Technique give him a much bigger Boost than us, right?"

"This matter... we'll probably have to wait until he comes out of the Blazing Gold Mine to ask him. But he probably won't tell us..."

These players, who weren't familiar with Yang Ling, now desperately wanted to see him.

"That beast's roar just now was a bit strange."

Qian Dalong stared at the entrance to the Blazing Gold Mine, lost in thought.

Was the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile injured?

The moment this thought arose, he lightly shook his head, a hint of self-mockery flashing in his eyes.

How could he have such a thought?

He knew full well how tough that Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's scales were.

Even an ordinary Sixth-Rank crossbow bolt couldn't pierce them.

It would probably take a Divine Crossbow to break through the armor.

"Yang Ling is just a Newly Promoted Sixth-Rank—weaker than me and Juewang. There's no way he could injure the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile."

"So that roar was probably the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's victory cry?"

Apparently, Juewang and Zhao Qing also sensed something off about the roar, each harboring their own thoughts.

Shi Xin grew increasingly worried about Yang Ling's situation down below.

On the other hand, Qin Mo and the other players were already certain that the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile was probably dead.

Chen Xu and the others could make a judgment from this.

"Brother Yang's strength surpasses that of two Lower Sixth-Ranks combined?!"

"It looks like we can start mining the Blazing Gold Mine smoothly this time."

They were both stunned by Yang Ling's strength and inexplicably excited.

The stronger the team's Boss, the faster their group could develop!

Everyone could benefit!

Deep within the Blazing Gold Mine.

Zhou Zheng carefully examined the area before finally confirming that the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile was dead.

"Oh my dear mother."

Zhou Zheng gasped sharply. A martial artist who could solo-kill a Fire Vein Poison Crocodile was definitely not Lower Sixth-Rank!

He couldn't help but look at Yang Ling's youthful face.

"So young and already Mid Sixth-Rank? If he keeps this up, breaking through to Fifth-Rank and becoming a Lesser Master is practically guaranteed..."

As a master blacksmith, he knew many friends, including quite a few Sixth-Rank experts. Naturally, he understood that the most important thing from Sixth-Rank to Fifth-Rank was accumulating Vital Qi!

If one was too old and couldn't break through to Fifth-Rank before Vital Qi began to decline, they would miss the optimal timing for breakthrough.

So age was also key to breaking through to Fifth-Rank!

Cases where someone extremely old unexpectedly broke through to Fifth-Rank were too extreme.

"Master Zhou, what do you think we can do with the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's corpse?"

Yang Ling asked with a smile. "If possible, I'd like a set of armor—Helmet, Bracers, Chest Piece, Pants, Boots—the whole set."

"Oh, and can its flesh be used for soup? Last time we were on a boat, we encountered a Crimson Blood Salamander, and its meat made a soup that nourished Vital Qi."

Zhou Zheng smiled bitterly. "Director Yang, the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's flesh carries fire poison. Eating it will cause fire poison to attack the heart and kill you. It can't be made into soup."

He paused, then added, "Other than that, its entire body is treasure. I already have an idea—give me seven days, and I'll forge a full set of armor for you, Director Yang!"

"Seven days?"

Yang Ling was pleasantly surprised. He'd thought it would take much longer and was worried he might miss the opening of the Bone Grotto dungeon.

"The Fire Vein Poison Crocodile is so huge—it should be enough for several sets of armor..."

Thinking this, Yang Ling asked Zhou Zheng how many sets of armor these materials could make.

The answer he got was surprising.

"Director Yang, don't be fooled by all those scales. They need to go through several refining processes. In the end, not much is actually usable."

"In my experience, one Fire Vein Poison Crocodile can barely yield a single complete set of armor."

"However, its bones can also be refined and forged into weapons. That will require Blazing Gold, Centenary Refined Vermilion Gold, and other minerals."

"I'm not sure exactly how many weapons we can make, but it won't be less than ten."

"As for the weapon grade, it should be stronger than the Seventh-Rank Official Saber you're carrying."

"Only one set of armor? But at least ten weapons—that's not bad."

Yang Ling thought for a moment, then his gaze fell on the pair of horns.

These things could unleash a fireball. They were definitely not ordinary materials.

"As for these horns, if we smelt them into the armor, they might give it special effects."

Zhou Zheng seemed to have an idea, his eyes lighting up as he said impatiently:

"Director Yang, let's start butchering. We'll take these materials to my forge, and I'll begin working on them immediately!"

"Master Zhou, do you have all the other materials ready?"

Yang Ling asked curiously.

Zhou Zheng smiled faintly. "They're all stored in the forge. I keep those materials on hand at all times."

Yang Ling couldn't help but nod slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

Then, together with Zhou Zheng, he began to butcher the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's corpse.

This process took even longer than killing the beast.

Since they couldn't stay underground for long, they worked for a while before choosing to return to the surface to rest.

When everyone saw Yang Ling and Zhou Zheng climbing out of the Blazing Gold Mine Shaft, they immediately looked Yang Ling over for injuries, completely ignoring Zhou Zheng.

Injured!

A glint of secret delight flashed in Zhao Qing's eyes. Yang Ling's face was deathly pale, and there was a clear scorch mark on his chest.

This was a decision Yang Ling had made before coming out.

He didn't plan to tell these people that the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile was already dead.

With his Micro-Management power, pretending to be injured was effortless.

Qian Dalong and Juewang had expected such an outcome and weren't surprised.

Xu Wuji asked, "Little Yang, what's the situation down there?"

Yang Ling clasped his fists and bowed. "Eunuch Xu, the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile is extremely powerful. It can even spit fireballs—not easy to deal with at all."

"I can only try to wear it down and see if I can kill it within ten days."

"Once it's dead, we can proceed with mining the Blazing Gold Mine as usual. Otherwise, no matter how many Miners we send down, they'll end up in its belly."

The Fire Vein Poison Crocodile wasn't dead? The players present were momentarily stunned. Then they pondered carefully—how exactly had he managed to level up twice in a row?

"Kill the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile within ten days? Hahaha, Director Yang, you're really shooting your mouth off."

Zhao Qing couldn't help but laugh loudly.

Yang Ling glanced at him.

"Director Zhao, do you have any suggestions?"

Zhao Qing said seriously, "Director Yang, around here, we need people who get things done, not blowhards."

"If you can't kill the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile within ten days, I suggest you pack up and leave. Don't embarrass the Fourth Prince by sticking around."

"And if I can? Will you get the hell out of Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital? You're really getting on my nerves."

"You? Hahaha! If you can kill the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile within ten days, I'll give you this 'Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill' that was sent to me from the Capital—how about that?"

Zhao Qing suddenly pulled out a wooden box and opened it. Inside lay a blood-red pill, gleaming like a crystal jewel.

Qian Dalong, Juewang, and even Xu Wuji all narrowed their eyes.

Zhao Qing noticed their reactions, a hint of a smile flickering in his eyes as he stared intently at Yang Ling.

Using a single pill to tempt the other party into leaving on his own was well worth it—and he wouldn't lose anything.

Yang Ling looked at the pill, and details appeared before his eyes:

"Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill: Increases Vital Qi by 500 points. Cannot be taken repeatedly."