Chapter 66: Terrifying Beast, Heart Racing

Zhao Xing dispatched the scout scarecrow and then turned his attention to the newly acquired ganoderma.

"It's a low-grade spiritual wonder," he thought, "I wonder if it increases lifespan or vital energy."

The spiritual energy emanated a pleasant fragrance. He took a bite and quickly learned the ganoderma's name and effects.

A notification appeared: "You have consumed the low-grade spiritual wonder 'Purple Lightning Ganoderma.' Your lifespan has increased by 2 months, vital energy by 100 points, and lightning cultivation proficiency by 150 points."

"Hmm? Why did it also increase my understanding of lightning cultivation?" Zhao Xing felt a current flow through his body.

After just one bite, he realized the Purple Lightning Ganoderma boosted his lifespan, vital energy, and lightning cultivation comprehension.

"It seems this ganoderma is not far from becoming a mid-grade spiritual wonder. Given a bit more time, it could genuinely reach that level."

As for why it increased lightning cultivation comprehension, it wasn't random.

Zhao Xing had observed the piece of decayed wood from which it grew; it had been struck by lightning and broken.

Naturally, a Purple Lightning Ganoderma growing from lightning-struck wood would enhance lightning-related comprehension.

After consuming the entire ganoderma, Zhao Xing checked his status panel.

Name: Zhao XingCultivation Stage: UnrankedFortune: Derived TwoVital Energy: Six-Tier (1156/10000)Extra Lifespan: 35 yearsSpells: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)Thunderclap (Low-Tier): Seven-Revolutions (7784/9999)Lightning Attraction (Mid-Tier): One-Revolution (1955/9999)

The complete consumption of the Purple Lightning Ganoderma added 2 years to his lifespan, nearly a thousand points to his vital energy, and over seven hundred points to his lightning cultivation comprehension.

Since it enhanced lightning cultivation comprehension, both the Thunderclap and Lightning Attraction spells benefited.

Thunderclap was now close to Eight Revolutions, and Lightning Attraction was nearing Two Revolutions.

"Only two years were added to my lifespan," he thought, "but it's still a pleasant surprise."

"Since defeating Qin Feng was basically a freebie, any bonus is welcome."

*Thump~*

His heart suddenly pounded.

After reaching Six-Tier Vital Energy, it took him only a quarter of an hour to absorb the ganoderma.

Zhao Xing noticed the scout scarecrow was approaching the cave entrance.

"There seems to be nothing unusual," he mused. "Did the beast go out?"

Controlling the scarecrow, he looked left and right. Finding no beast, Zhao Xing grew a little bolder.

*Whoosh~*

The scarecrow no longer lingered; it quickly rushed into the cave entrance.

Since the scout scarecrow didn't inherit Zhao Xing's Clear Eyes spell, its vision suddenly darkened upon entering the cave.

"Using a first-tier East Lake Pearl as its 'eyes' isn't quite enough; it can't cope with such complex environments."

"Next time, I should consider using a luminous pearl or other treasures that enhance vision in darkness."

Fortunately, the cave was large enough, and with some ambient light, he could still barely see.

The cave was not damp; it was well-ventilated.

The scarecrow had barely moved five meters inside when, due to diminished vision, it stepped on something dry, making a snapping sound.

Zhao Xing controlled the scarecrow to look down, only to discover that what it had stepped on wasn't a dry branch at all, but a bone as thick as an arm!

"This cave is quite deep," he murmured.

Zhao Xing continued forward, advancing another ten meters without incident. He still couldn't see the end. The interior was pitch black, sloping downwards, and the cave's height increased, exceeding seven or eight meters.

"This cave is too vast. What kind of fierce beast could be living here?"

Such a large cave inevitably made one think of the size of the beast inhabiting it.

Moreover, the dry bones on the ground grew progressively larger.

Initially, they appeared to be bones of small rabbits or pheasants.

But gradually, bones of larger beasts began to appear.

After the scout scarecrow ventured twenty meters deep, it astonishingly spotted a relatively complete skeleton ahead, over five meters tall!

"What species is this? Could the deceased be a ranked exotic beast?"

Lacking a skull and many ribs, Zhao Xing could only deduce that it was likely a ranked exotic beast.

"It might even be above Ninth Grade!"

"Donghu Mountain has produced powerful ranked exotic beasts, but few have seen them alive. They are usually dealt with by officials after the mountain opens in autumn."

"Could a ranked exotic beast be living here?"

Zhao Xing became even more cautious, guiding the scout scarecrow carefully through the skeleton.

At that moment, the East Lake Pearl flashed with light, and the scout scarecrow's relayed vision suddenly brightened.

Two sources of light appeared ahead.

The instant he saw the lights, the intensity of Zhao Xing's intuition instantly doubled.

"Could it be a high-grade spiritual wonder?"

He immediately directed the scout scarecrow to rush over, intending to grab it and escape.

However, the two lights vanished in a flash, then darted towards the scout scarecrow like lightning.

*Buzz~*

The next moment, Zhao Xing lost contact with the scout scarecrow.

Immediately afterward, faint roars echoed from within the cave.

"Well, I mistook the exotic beast's eyes for spiritual wonders," Zhao Xing realized belatedly.

What he had seen was no treasure at all; it was very likely the exotic beast's eyes.

Its speed was so incredible that the scout scarecrow couldn't react at all, and was destroyed before it could even discern what had happened.

"If a ranked exotic beast is guarding it, this will be difficult to handle."

"Moreover, I don't even know what this exotic beast looks like or what its cultivation stage is," Zhao Xing pondered.

Zhou Gang and Fang Jie had indeed given him a surprise, but this surprise was too significant, and he wasn't sure if he could handle it.

"Scout again!"

This time, Zhao Xing sent three Great Strength Vajra Scarecrows, five Entangling Scarecrows, and one scout scarecrow into the cave.

The three Great Strength Vajra Scarecrows and five Entangling Scarecrows were solely to provide cover for the scout scarecrow to observe.

For this second exploration, with the objective of confirming the exotic beast's species and strength, there was no need for concealment.

He simply let the scarecrows brazenly rush in.

Zhao Xing jumped onto a high branch directly facing the cave, watching from a distance.

As soon as the scarecrow team entered the cave.

*Swish, swish, swish, swish~*

A blurred black shadow appeared, moving almost like lightning.

From Zhao Xing's perspective, he couldn't clearly see the exotic beast's movements.

He only observed the scarecrows at the vanguard.

The leading Seven-Revolution Great Strength Vajra Scarecrow was cut in half at the waist in a single encounter.

The Entangling Scarecrows, needless to say, were completely pulverized.

Finally, the scout scarecrow only caught a glimpse of a blurry phantom and two ghostly lights.

*Buzz~*

The vision feed was cut off again.

Roars of fury emanated from deep within the cave.

Zhou Gang and Fang Jie, who were still recovering from their injuries, trembled upon hearing the roars. Their hearts pounded, and they were drenched in sweat.

Zhao Xing also felt his heart seize up, unable to calm down.

"It's definitely a ranked exotic beast," he thought. "Either it's above Ninth Grade, or it's a naturally rare species with a powerful bloodline."

Even without seeing it, Zhao Xing understood the terrifying nature of the mysterious exotic beast inside the cave.

"Large in size, yet so fast?"

"Typically, an exotic beast's strength correlates with the treasure it guards. There must be a high-grade spiritual wonder inside!" Zhao Xing's eyes gleamed with fervor.

A spiritual wonder related to fortune was also something he greatly desired. His 'Derived Two' fortune already brought significant benefits: more accurate warnings from the Misfortune-Averting Almanac, a greater advantage during spell duels, and even the ability to find Vermilion Fruits just by farming at the base of a spiritual mountain.

"Such a massive exotic beast will surely come out to forage," Zhao Xing mused, his eyes gleaming. "It's just dawn now; after a night, it should be looking for food this morning. Perhaps I can use the scarecrows to lure the tiger out of its mountain lair."