Besides, not everyone’s missions were so successful. Far too many had died at the hands of the Demon Evil Cults.

...

The trio returned to the official Post Station, where Fang Xing sent Feng Xiu to the County Yamen to report on the situation.

Upon learning of the events, the County Magistrate rushed to the Post Station to express his gratitude in person.

Inside a room at the Post Station, the County Magistrate looked at Fang Xing and bowed. "On behalf of the people of Yong’an County, I thank you, my lord, for taking action and eliminating the threat of the Demons and Monsters."

Gazing at the respectful Lin County Magistrate, Fang Xing remained impassive. "Lord Lin, have there been any other incidents of Demons and Monsters causing trouble within Yong’an County?"

Lin County Magistrate shook his head. "None that I have heard of for the time being."

’None, huh...’

Fang Xing sighed internally.

Nearby, Feng Xiu and Xu Yao saw Fang Xing’s expression and exchanged a subconscious glance.

’Why does he look a little disappointed?’

"Lord Fang, if I may be so bold, I would like to invite you into the city for a meal. I have no other intentions; I simply wish to express my gratitude."

Lin County Magistrate said in a low voice, looking at Fang Xing.

"That won’t be necessary. I must return to my post to report. The mission just concluded, and I am a bit tired."

Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed the Lin County Magistrate’s eyes. He cupped his hands. "In that case, I won’t disturb your rest, my lord."

Fang Xing gave a slight nod, and the Lin County Magistrate promptly left the room.

After the Lin County Magistrate left, Fang Xing turned to the other two. "It’s getting late. You two should go rest as well."

"Yes, sir!"

The two nodded and left the room.

As they departed, Fang Xing’s gaze fell upon a cloth bag to the side.

It contained the corpse of the Weasel Demon.

He walked over and inspected it carefully.

’My first demon kill!’

He was still quite excited.

This time, he had truly seen what the Demons and Monsters of this world were like.

Compared to fighting Martial Artists, killing Demons and Monsters was far more rewarding.

A single Spirit Monster Level demon provided nine hundred Enhancement Points.

’Then a Great Demon...’

The thought flashed through his mind, but Fang Xing quickly brought himself back to reality.

’Killing a Great Demon is out of the question for now.’

’Without reaching the True Qi Realm, I’m not qualified to even try.’

After all, even the weakest Great Demon was stronger than a True Qi Realm Martial Artist.

After tying the bag with the demon’s corpse securely, Fang Xing took a quick hot bath in his room and went to rest.

The next day, the trio set out on their return journey.

「Three days later.」 The group returned to the Observatory. Their mission had gone smoothly and they had acted quickly.

Back at the Observatory, they found that Shen Ye and the others had not yet returned.

The group went to turn in their mission first.

Mission turn-ins also took place at the Celestial Hall.

Feng Xiu and Xu Yao walked him through the process, as they were already familiar with it.

Completing the mission improved their team’s overall record.

They also received three hundred Merit.

"Three hundred Merit... That’s amazing."

As they walked out of the Observatory, the two were beaming with joy.

Fang Xing looked at them. "Is that a lot?"

"It’s quite a bit, my lord," Xu Yao said. "We usually only get one or two hundred. Missions involving Demons and Monsters offer more Merit."

"How many resources can that be exchanged for?"

Fang Xing asked.

"If you exchange it for Body Refining Pills, one pill costs ten Merit. Three hundred Merit can get you thirty Body Refining Pills."

"Thirty Body Refining Pills... That’s quite a few." Fang Xing nodded slightly, then looked at his two subordinates. "Three hundred Merit is perfect. One hundred for each of us."

"My lord, we didn’t really do anything, this..."

"It’s decided."

Fang Xing couldn’t be bothered to argue and simply split the Merit evenly.

The two were overjoyed and thanked him profusely.

Fang Xing smiled, said a few words, and left.

Merit was important, but he wouldn’t stoop to hoarding it all for himself.

There would be plenty of opportunities to earn Merit on solo missions in the future.

He wasn’t the type to shortchange his subordinates over a hundred or two hundred Merit.

—

A moment later, Fang Xing arrived at the Merit Hall and used his one hundred Merit to exchange for ten Body Refining Pills.

Body Refining Pills were more potent than Qi Blood Pills, providing a significant boost even for a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist.

They tempered the flesh, muscles, and bones.

And increased one’s Power!

Back at his residence, Fang Xing took out a small porcelain vial and tipped out one Body Refining Pill.

The white pill exuded a faint, clean fragrance.

[One Low Grade Body Refining Pill. Enhancement Cost: 200 Enhancement Points]

’Two hundred Enhancement Points... Is it really that expensive to enhance just one pill?’

Fang Xing’s brow furrowed.

Although he still had plenty of Enhancement Points, the two-hundred-point cost to enhance a single Body Refining Pill made him wince.

’I’ll try it and see what the effect is first.’

With a thought, Fang Xing chose to enhance it.

A crimson light enveloped the pill before quickly receding, revealing a milky-white elixir.

[One Low Grade Body Refining Pill, enhancement successful. Acquired one Upper Grade Yellow Dragon Pill!]

"An Upper Grade Yellow Dragon Pill!"

Fang Xing’s eyes lit up as he stared at the milky-white pill in his hand.

He happened to know about this particular elixir, the Yellow Dragon Pill.

It was a rare and valuable high-grade elixir.

It also had the effects of tempering the Flesh Body and increasing Power. And while he had never tried a Body Refining Pill, he knew the effects of a Yellow Dragon Pill were far beyond what it could offer.

After taking a sniff, Fang Xing swallowed it in one gulp.

As he circulated the Longevity Technique Heart Method, a vast medicinal power spread throughout his body.

The power was immense, yet gentle.

The absorption process was surprisingly comfortable.

"ROAR—!!!"

As Fang Xing continued to absorb the Yellow Dragon Pill’s medicinal power, the wisp of Golden Dragon Qi inside him roared, letting out a Dragon’s Roar. A portion of the medicinal power was absorbed by the Dragon Qi, causing it to grow stronger.

’Hmm?’

Sensing the abnormality in his Dragon Qi, Fang Xing’s eyes snapped open.

’Could it be that the Yellow Dragon Pill provides a powerful boost to the Dragon’s Roar Iron Cloth Shirt?’

A look of astonishment crossed Fang Xing’s face as he felt the changes within his body.

He quickly regained his composure.

He began circulating the Dragon Roar Heart Method, and the Dragon Qi in his body immediately began absorbing the Yellow Dragon Pill’s power at an accelerated rate.

’It worked!’

Feeling the Dragon Qi grow, Fang Xing focused his mind and immediately went all out, circulating the Dragon Roar Heart Method to absorb the Yellow Dragon Pill’s medicinal power with all his might.

His Longevity Technique had reached its current limit; it would only undergo a qualitative change once he broke through to the True Qi Realm.

Since the Yellow Dragon Pill could enhance his Dragon’s Roar Iron Cloth Shirt, he absolutely could not miss this opportunity.

A breakthrough in his Dragon’s Roar Iron Cloth Shirt would accelerate his progress, allowing him to reach the True Qi Realm sooner.

If the Yellow Dragon Pill worked, he could save a huge amount of resources.

At least for the first stage of the first three layers of the Dragon’s Roar Iron Cloth Shirt, he would no longer need to rely on various complex Treasure Medicines for advancement.

He could just pop Yellow Dragon Pills.

As Fang Xing sat cross-legged, a faint golden light appeared on his skin.

The Dragon Qi inside him grew steadily stronger.

He was absorbing the medicinal power of the Yellow Dragon Pill!

...

Two hours passed, and Fang Xing slowly opened his eyes.

He went out into the courtyard and stretched his limbs, a pleasant warmth spreading throughout his body.

After absorbing one Yellow Dragon Pill, he could feel the physical enhancement.

His Golden Dragon Qi was stronger!

His Power had also increased somewhat.

Concentrating and calming his mind, Fang Xing stood in the courtyard with his eyes closed.

Abruptly, his eyes snapped open.

He raised his hand and executed the first form of the Dragon Roar Palm.

A faint Dragon’s Roar echoed from within his body.

Dragon’s Roar in Nine Heavens!

Immense Power fused with Dragon Qi, making the air tremble as a formidable might enveloped the entire courtyard.

A sonic boom erupted!

With this single move, Dragon’s Roar in Nine Heavens, a shockwave of Power blasted forth. It was as if an illusory, dragon-shaped force surged out, resembling a galloping dragon’s shadow.

The air seemed to ripple in concentric waves!

The powerful aura shook the large tree in the courtyard.

’The power of this strike has increased by thirty percent...’

Retracting his palm, Fang Xing slowly exhaled a foul breath.

With his Extraordinary Perception Ability, he could clearly sense the change in the technique’s power.

’It seems cultivating with Yellow Dragon Pills is quite effective indeed.’

Gazing at the sky, Fang Xing felt very satisfied with the strike’s power. He then practiced the Dragon Roar Palm, his qi and blood churning as he more perfectly absorbed the Yellow Dragon Pill’s medicinal power.

After practicing for some time, Fang Xing finally stopped. The medicinal power of the Yellow Dragon Pill was almost completely absorbed. Drenched in sweat, he rinsed himself off with cold water before heading back inside.

Looking at the nine remaining Body Refining Pills, he enhanced them all in one go.

Eighteen hundred Enhancement Points vanished in an instant.

Staring at the newly enhanced Yellow Dragon Pills, Fang Xing summoned his status panel.

Name: Fang Xing

Cultivation: Peak of Neutralizing Force!

Enhancement Level: Three-Star (6%)

Enhancement Points: 7,546

’They’re great, but just too expensive... At this rate, a bottle of these elixirs will only last me ten days.’

Looking at his remaining Enhancement Points, Fang Xing sighed internally.

Over seven thousand Enhancement Points seemed like a lot, but at this rate of consumption, it wouldn’t last long.

The cost of the Yellow Dragon Pills alone was immense.

But while the cost was immense, the effects of the Yellow Dragon Pills were undeniable. They were leagues more powerful than the Treasure Elixirs he had taken before.