At night.
Su Mo sat on the reclining chair on the balcony of his room, looking at the full moon, lost in thought, enjoying the beauty of the silent night.
"I wonder if I would get anything useful in the next check-in."
He whispered to himself as he exhaled a deep breath.
On the third day of the novice reward period. Su Mo got an Insect Cultivation Technique, a Healing Technique (A-Rank), 1000 Points and a Cultivation Upgrade.
Insect Cultivation Technique is useful, but the Healing Technique… Although it's A-Rank, he doesn't know what to think of it.
If you say it's useful, he doesn't have much use for himself. If you say it's useless, that's not the case either, as he can save many lives with this technique.
The super regeneration that comes with the Primary Immortal Body is way too awesome. Even his broken limbs could be restored in a few seconds. So, the Healing Technique would only be useful when healing others.
After that day, the quality of the daily rewards also declined significantly.
…
[Day: 4]
1) 50 Points
2) Fire Ball Technique (D-Rank)
…
Soon, it was midnight, and the system reminder sounded in his mind.
"Check-In."
[Ding!]
[Check-In successful!]
[Rewards: 1) 65 Points,
2) Ghost Apple Twig (x1)]
…
He was a bit disappointed but came to terms with the fact that, from now on, the rewards would probably stay that way.
"So, what exactly is this Ghost Apple Twig? Some kind of plant?"
Curious, Su Mo read the description given by the system.
"Ghost Apple Twig is a rare treasure from the netherworld. Plant it in a place with rich Yin Energy. Then, the Ghost Apple Twig will absorb the surrounding Yin Energy and refine it to grow into a small apple plant. It would bear a Black Apple Fruit containing a large amount of refined Yin Energy."
"Is this for real?!"
Su Mo was surprised, and a wonderful idea came to his mind. 'Can this thing help me upgrade my Devil's Eyes?'
In the system store, Su Mo needs to spend 5000 points to upgrade the Devil's Eyes to the second stage. At present, he only has 2815 points.
The system is not even rewarding 100 points after the novice period. With the current speed of points accumulation, he doesn't know how many weeks it would take for him to collect enough points for an upgrade.
As for the devil's method, he would need to refine 10 virgin women into pills and eat them. Which he can't do and doesn't want to do.
His morality doesn't allow it, and he doesn't know alchemy.
"In the end, it's all about the Yin Energy. So, this method should also work, right?"
As for the warning about the Yin and Yang energy imbalance in the body. He ignored it. He has a Primary Immortal Body, giving him abundant Yang energy. No need to worry about the Yin Energy being in excess and harming himself.
"Where is the place with rich Yin Energy? Of course, it's the tomb we are going to. I hope it works."
Su Mo wasn't worried about failure. Even if he fails, the high recovery of the Primary Immortal Body and the A-Rank Healing Technique is his double insurance.
***
The next morning.
Su Mo, Yang Qingxi, and Zhang Xulin set off together for the Stone Spring Mountains.
Their first stop along the way was Tianzai Village, a remote settlement that marked the end of the road, quite literally. Beyond that point, they would have to continue on foot, as the area was rarely visited and lacked any proper paths. It was almost like a forbidden zone.
The range of Stone Spring Mountains starts several dozen miles beyond Tianzai Village.
Much of the information Zhang Xulin had gathered about the mountains originated from that very village.
As the car left Jiangnan City, Su Mo, who was leaning by the window, enjoying the breeze, turned his head to look at Yang Qingxi, and asked.
"Miss Yang, is Sister Xulin coming with us, or will she be waiting at Tianzai Village?"
"Of course, I'm going too!" Zhang Xulin said, glaring at him.
"You want to follow us?" Yang Qingxi asked, showing an unexpected look.
"Miss, were you planning to leave me behind?" Zhang Xulin looked at Yang Qingxi through the rearview mirror, her eyes glistening with tears as if she might burst into tears at any moment if the answer was yes.
Upon seeing her pitiful look, Yang Qingxi felt a little embarrassed because that's what she had in mind. However, she couldn't reject her because Zhang Xulin had worked extra hard these few days because of her orders to keep everything secret.
At this moment, she couldn't decide on what to do.
Su Mo saw her predicament and gave her a suggestion.
"Miss Yang, I think she should follow us. If you want to adapt your previous plan, she needs to experience some dangers... Though with me present, it's not really dangerous, but still... You know."
"I guess you are right!" Yang Qingxi nodded, then said. "Oken, then fine. You can follow along, Sister Xulin."
"Thank you, Miss." Zhang Xulin thanked her with a sweet smile. However, her attention was now attracted to Su Mo's words, so she asked.
"What plan are you talking about, Su Mo?"
Su Mo glanced back and said ambiguously.
"Oh, you will know in the future. It's a big surprise that Miss Yang is planning for you. Do you want to know?"
"Su Mo!" Yang Qingxi's stern voice sounded.
"Okay, fine, I was just kidding. I won't tell her." Su Mo pouted. He just wanted to tease them. He didn't expect her to react like that.
"Miss, are you planning to surprise me?" Zhang Xulin asked, feeling touched in her heart.
Yang Qingxi sighed and nodded.
"This big mouth is right. But don't ask about it now. I will tell you when the surprise is ready."
"Okay, Miss."
A wide arc appeared on Zhang Xulin's face. It was obvious that she was in a happy mood.
Su Mo, on the contrary, could feel a cold gaze staring at his back. He pretended not to notice and changed the topic.
"By the way, what arrangements have you made, Miss Yang?"
Yang Qingxi rolled her eyes and answered.
"I've contacted some experts for remote support. They'll be staying in Tianzai Village and guiding us online."