Chapter 270: Mid Sixth-Rank Vital Qi!

A single pill... could increase Vital Qi by 500 points?

A flicker of disbelief flashed through Yang Ling's eyes. Where did this Zhao Qing get such a good thing?

This was an even greater enhancement than a three-hundred-year Crimson Blood Vermilion Fruit.

Xu Wuji said thoughtfully:

"Director Zhao, this is a Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill, which a royal member can only receive once in their lifetime. Are you really willing to stake it on a bet?

If you lose, you'll never be able to consume this pill again."

Qian Dalong's expression turned grave. "Director Zhao, please think twice."

"What's there to think twice about? Didn't Director Yang say he would deal with the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile within ten days?

If he truly can resolve it, consider this pill a reward for him.

After all, this Blazing Gold Mine belongs to our Zhao State.

If it serves the state, what are a few personal gains or losses?"

Zhao Qing looked at Yang Ling with a half-smile:

"Director Yang, you might lack experience and not understand the value of this Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill.

Let me explain it to you. This Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill can boost your Vital Qi by an enormous amount.

For royal clan members like me with the surname Zhao, we are only granted one after advancing to Seventh-Rank.

This pill doesn't circulate in the outside market.

I just recently advanced to Seventh-Rank, and the Capital sent me the Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill by swift courier.

I was planning to temper my Vital Qi further and only take it when my Vital Qi couldn't rise anymore.

Now, I'm offering this pill to spur you on. How about it?"

"All this nonsense just to hand something over..."

Yang Ling almost couldn't resist the urge to announce that the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile was already dead.

After all, consuming this Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill would raise his Vital Qi from 2,500 points to 3,000 points!

That was Mid Sixth-Rank Vital Qi!

If he had that level of Vital Qi back then, he could have lasted at least another quarter of an hour against Mingxin!

Zhou Zheng watched the scene quietly, a mix of emotions stirring within him.

"This pill is so precious, I'm afraid you might not keep your word. Let's just forget the bet."

Yang Ling waved his hand. "I'll rest a bit and then go back down the mine."

Xu Wuji looked at Yang Ling with a hint of approval in his eyes.

Being able to remain restrained in the face of such temptation.

This was exactly the kind of talent the Fourth Prince needed.

He believed that any newly promoted Sixth-Rank martial artist, in such a moment of triumph, would find it difficult to resist the allure of this Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill.

The players present, seeing this scene, had already concluded that the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile was indeed still alive.

The fact that the other party had leveled up twice in a row down there must have been due to some other opportunity.

"Director Yang, if you lack confidence, then why did you claim you could kill the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile within ten days?"

Zhao Qing's tone was somber. "So the Director of First Division, Public Security Department, Changhe Prefectural Capital Ironclad Department is just a braggart."

Everyone present exchanged glances, their looks toward Yang Ling turning strange.

The Sect Master of the Angry River Sect, who appeared to be around fifty years old, couldn't help but laugh:

"I thought all directors of the Ironclad Department were like Director Zhao here, men of their word."

The Sect Master of the Divine Fist Sect chuckled at that. Though he said nothing, the mockery in his laughter was unmistakable.

"It's not that I lack confidence, but rather I don't believe you'd actually stake such a precious pill on a bet."

Yang Ling said with a faint smile. "What if you lose and refuse to honor the deal?"

"Alright then, I'll leave this pill in the care of Eunuch Xu first."

"If you don't trust me, you should at least trust Eunuch Xu."

With that, Zhao Qing closed the wooden box and casually handed it to Xu Wuji.

He wasn't afraid Xu Wuji would pocket his Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill.

Seeing the pill land in Xu Wuji's hands, Yang Ling nodded thoughtfully:

"In that case, I'll take you up on that bet."

Zhao Qing's smile widened:

"Excellent. I'll be waiting for Director Yang's good news."

With that, he turned and left with his subordinates.

It was getting late, so he was going to sleep first.

Qian Dalong and Juewang didn't stay either, each returning to recover from their injuries.

At the entrance of the Blazing Gold Mine, the three sect masters had stationed people to keep watch in shifts.

"Director Yang, taking this bet... if you lose, it won't be easy to explain to the Fourth Prince."

Xu Wuji stared at Yang Ling:

"Within a short ten days, the Fourth Prince won't be able to find a suitable replacement for you.

You've been a bit reckless."

Yang Ling pulled Xu Wuji aside, away from the others, and whispered a few words.

Xu Wuji's eyes first showed a flicker of surprise, then some suspicion, then thoughtfulness, followed by a hint of a smile, and he couldn't help but nod quietly.

"Since the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile is already dead, just bring its head up when the time comes."

"Eunuch Xu, I'll need those horns to smelt and forge armor."

Yang Ling said frankly.

This was something he had already planned.

He couldn't hide this matter from Xu Wuji.

Otherwise, when he wore the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile defense suit, it would be exposed anyway.

It was better to use this opportunity to gauge the man's attitude.

"Kid, although the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile isn't bad, it's nothing in my eyes. Use those horns however you want. I just need you to win."

With that, Xu Wuji casually handed the wooden box to Yang Ling.

Yang Ling was stunned. Just like that, he was giving it to him?

"Since you're certain to win, take the Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill and consume it first. Having it in your stomach is the only way to be at ease."

Xu Wuji patted Yang Ling on the shoulder, turned, and walked a short distance away.

He didn't go far, apparently intending to keep watch near the mine entrance.

Yang Ling put away the wooden box, a wave of emotion washing over him.

If Zhao Qing knew his Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill had already fallen into his hands...

He'd probably be so furious he'd have a cerebral hemorrhage.

After resting a while, he and Zhou Zheng continued down the mine.

They went back and forth several times, all the way until noon the next day.

The Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's corpse was finally fully dismantled.

The scales, sinews and bones, and horns were all piled up in the secret forging room.

The meat was discarded.

"The corpse will stay here for now. When the agreed time approaches, we'll call them down to take a look."

With that done, Zhou Zheng began working on the defense suit.

Yang Ling, meanwhile, consumed the Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill.

As soon as the pill entered his stomach, it felt like a flame was burning within.

His Vital Qi surged steadily upward.

On the data panel, the Vital Qi number kept jumping.

2,600, 2,700, 2,800...

It just kept climbing, as if money was no object, all the way to 3,000 points!

"The standard for Mid Sixth-Rank Vital Qi..."

A flicker of emotion passed through Yang Ling's eyes.

His current strength was still Lower Sixth-Rank, not yet at the Mid Sixth-Rank level, but his Vital Qi had already reached that level first.

From now on, even if he encountered a Mid Sixth-Rank expert, he could fight them head-on with this Vital Qi.

Next, Yang Ling began searching for Blazing Gold ore on his own.

He didn't disturb Zhou Zheng's forging.

The direction Yang Ling chose was behind the lava pool.

There were several more tunnels behind it, places Zhou Zheng hadn't explored before.

He suspected that since there was a lava pool here, these tunnels might be closer to the Fire Vein, making the appearance of Blazing Gold ore more likely.

With a light leap, he jumped over the lava pool. Looking at the several tunnels before him, Yang Ling slowly closed his eyes, focusing all his perception on his nose.

About a minute later, he caught an extremely faint smell of rust!

This trace of smell was mixed within the dense scent of sulfur, so subtle that even a hunting dog couldn't detect its presence.

[Fourth update! Brothers, keep asking for more!]