Liu Zheng exited his mind space and said , "Status window." The changes in his status were evident:
Race: Human, Hybrid Soul Race (Shinigami, Hollow, Quincy)
Special Physique: Unyielding Golden Skeleton, Quincy Cultivation Body
Martial Skills: Blut Vene, Blut Arterie
Cultivation: Tempered Body 7th Stage
Using his Quincy cultivation body and True Yang Secret Art simultaneously, Liu Zheng was pleased to achieve his second drop of liquid yang essence the same day. White had advised him to try balancing yin and yang within his body, warning that relying on just one could lead to a berserk state.
"Remember, if you use only one energy type with me, it could lead to you going berserk," White had cautioned.
Liu Zheng nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. However, when he attempted to combine yin qi from his golden skeleton and yang qi from his dantain, it resulted in a significant explosion. Despite repeated, careful attempts with smaller amounts, the results were still disastrous.
"Damn it," Liu Zheng muttered after yet another failed attempt. "Even Yang Kai achieved this at the 3rd Order Saint Realm. It's too soon for me."
He decided to abandon the effort for the time being but vowed to achieve it faster than him.
Returning home in tattered clothes, Liu Zheng took a much-needed bath. When he went to prepare food, he found his bag empty. Sighing, he decided to go get some rice, knowing he had enough coins exchanged from his contribution points.
High Heaven Pavilion provided free contribution points to new disciples for the first six months to allow them time to start cultivation. After that, they had to complete challenges and tasks to earn contribution points. Since Liu Zheng had only been at High Heaven Pavilion for two months, he was still in the free period.
On his way, he encountered Su Mu, who was trying to gain reputation but ended up ruining it, with Liu Zheng being the cause this time, not Yang Kai. This incident earned Liu Zheng Su Mu's enmity.
(Insert Liu Zheng instead of Yang Kai in this incident and Read Martial Peak 14-18)
After eating, Liu Zheng remembered the incense and decided to inquire about the three-leaved spirit flower and the forbidden grass at the contribution hall. Instead of Treasurer Meng, he found a girl in purple clothing, her face covered, sleeping with her head on the table. Liu Zheng immediately recognized her as Xia Ning Chang. She was even more beautiful than in the manhua, though her face was still covered.
Setting aside such thoughts, Liu Zheng tapped on the desk to wake her.
She quickly opened her eyes, looked surprised, and upon seeing Liu Zheng, asked, "Ah, sorry for the inconvenience. What are you here for, Trial Disciple...?"
"I am Liu Zheng," he introduced himself. "I'm here to see if there are three-leaved spirit flower and forbidden grass in stock."
Her eyes showed a spark of curiosity, but she first checked the records. "Sorry, but none of these herbs are available right now. May I ask what you need them for? I might be able to suggest alternatives," she inquired, trying to hide her curiosity.
"Oh, I actually wanted to use those as incense," Liu Zheng explained. "I read somewhere in a book that they help with cultivation, though I'm not quite sure about the effects." not wanting to say everything about it but also had no intention of hiding much.
Xia Ning Chang nodded, then searched for a book on the shelf. After a while, she handed it to him, saying, "Though I do not have those herbs, you could look for them elsewhere with the information given in this book."
Liu Zheng took the book and thanked her. As he walked away, she watched him leave and murmured, "He has such pure yang qi; maybe he is suitable for that task. I should consult Master about it."
********************
Back in his room, Liu Zheng realized he would need to venture into the forest to search for the herbs. Lacking combat experience, he decided to challenge a few peak Tempered Body Stage cultivators to prepare.
He found a cultivator named Chen Feng, who was at the peak tempered body stage, and challenged him. They both got into stance, and Chen Feng initiated the attack, assuming Liu Zheng's lower cultivation meant weaker strength. Chen Feng's punch seemed so slow to Liu Zheng, It was even worse than Peter Parker effortlessly dodging Flash Thompson's punch. Liu Zheng moved aside, easily avoiding the attack.
Continually dodging Chen Feng's strikes, Liu Zheng noticed his opponent growing increasingly frustrated and annoyed. "IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT, FIGHT LIKE A REAL MAN AND STOP DODGING, YOU RAT!" Chen Feng shouted.
Liu Zheng ignored the shout, but being called a 'rat' greatly annoyed him. Deciding it was time to end the fight, he flashed in front of Chen Feng and delivered a punch to his stomach. Despite using minimal strength, it knocked Chen Feng out. Disappointed, Liu Zheng decided to stop challenging others, knowing that fighting inner disciples would attract too much attention.
"Well, that was underwhelming," Liu Zheng muttered as he walked away, leaving Chen Feng unconscious on the ground. "I need to find stronger opponents."
(Trial disciple < Ordinary disciple < Inner disciple < Elite disciple < Core disciple)