Chapter 97

This couldn't help but make Xu Jianxing sigh again at the wonder of the "Experience Pill." If it were an ordinary pill of the same level, it would be impossible to break through after a difference of two major realms. Probably, taking one would be like eating a sugar bean, at most giving a sweet taste.

Immediately after, the sacrifice began again.

The second round ended, and he was very lucky to obtain two Experience Pills, which filled Xu Jianxing with surprise. He then took another Experience Pill.

After consuming the pill's power, his cultivation reached the third level of the Innate stage.

In the third round of sacrifice, he harvested one Experience Pill.

After taking it, his cultivation reached the fourth level of the Innate stage.

In the fourth round of sacrifice, he didn't get any Experience Pills. However, even so, he still had one Experience Pill left.

According to Xu Jianxing's calculations, the probability of obtaining an Experience Pill from sacrificing the Tree-Climbing Dragon was about one in fifty-five, which was nearly half lower than that of the Jade. However, in terms of cost-effectiveness, there was a huge difference.

Looking at the remaining Experience Pill, Xu Jianxing began to hesitate. According to the game's rules, one person could only take three Experience Pills a day. If this number was exceeded, the system would give a warning. However, in reality, this situation was impossible, so Xu Jianxing was hesitating whether to take this fourth Experience Pill.

In his heart, Xu Jianxing was not very inclined to take the fourth Experience Pill because he felt that the true qi in his body was fuller than ever before, and he had a slight feeling of losing control. Even his meridians and acupoints felt a bit sore. However, subconsciously, he wanted to take it. After all, if he could take one more each day, the long-term accumulation would definitely lead to a significant increase in cultivation.

After a brief hesitation, Xu Jianxing patted his head and called out, "Xiaobao."

"Here, Master." Instantly, the illusory yet real figure of the little panda appeared before Xu Jianxing.

"Xiaobao, based on the energy reaction in my body, is it suitable to take another Experience Pill?" Xu Jianxing asked solemnly.

"Very unsuitable," the little panda shook its head and said, "Master, although I cannot detect the power of the Experience Pill, based on your body's health reaction, if you take another one, you might not be able to withstand the terrifying power, ultimately leading to a violent death. Of course, this is not absolute. If you use so-called blood medicine to suppress it, your body might be better off, but the damage to your soul might be irreparable."

"I understand," Xu Jianxing nodded. Not to mention that he didn't have many blood medicines, even if he did, he wouldn't waste them, let alone risk soul damage.

Subsequently, Xu Jianxing ignored the little panda, sat down on the ground, and began to meditate...

It wasn't until around six in the morning that Xu Jianxing stopped meditating. He got up, did a set of boxing to adapt to the enhanced strength, and then jogged home. On the way, he bought some good vegetables from a few stalls not far from his house.

When Xu Jianxing was not far from his building, he saw Isabel and Aina holding several plastic bags, which contained some soy milk, buns, and lunch boxes. They were looking at his building from time to time, as if hesitating about something.

Xu Jianxing couldn't help but laugh. He didn't need to think; these things were probably used as an excuse, and nine out of ten times, they were for the breakfast he had made. Otherwise, these two wouldn't have come so early.

"It seems my cooking has really addicted these two," Xu Jianxing chuckled. In fact, it wasn't just addiction; it was more like obsession. After eating Xu Jianxing's dishes yesterday, the two had reminisced for a long time at the restaurant and talked a lot about it. They even racked their brains to eat today's breakfast.

As soon as he approached them, Xu Jianxing chuckled, startling Isabel and Aina. They turned around, and their cheeks turned slightly red, a bit embarrassed.

Seeing their reaction, Xu Jianxing confirmed that these two were indeed here for breakfast. He teasingly looked at the things they were holding and said with a smile, "You two have put a lot of thought into this."

Hearing this, Isabel and Aina knew that Xu Jianxing had guessed their thoughts. Their faces turned red, like a monkey's bottom, but in their mouths, Isabel stammered and stubbornly defended, "What, what thought? I and Aina went jogging this morning and saw some good breakfast, so we thought of bringing some to Uncle and Aunt as a thank you for their hospitality last night."

"Wow... That's a good excuse. You must have thought about it for a while," Xu Jianxing teased.

"What's it to you," Isabel glared, embarrassed and angry. Although she always told herself to stay calm and not be affected by Xu Jianxing's provocations, seeing his face made her furious, even wanting to kick him a few times.

"It's none of my business, then I'll go," Xu Jianxing laughed and walked into the building.

"Jerk," Isabel gritted her teeth, looking at Xu Jianxing's back.

"Miss, what about us?" Aina looked at Xu Jianxing's back, thinking of last night's dinner, and couldn't help but lick her lips.

"We'll follow him," Isabel said angrily and chased after him.

"Miss, you're wise," Aina grinned and followed closely behind. She was afraid that Isabel would leave in a huff. As for the war between Xu Jianxing and Isabel, although she didn't want to see the miss being bullied, she also didn't want to get involved too much. After all, it was inappropriate for her to say anything, and for the delicious food, she even hoped they would argue more, so she could enjoy more.

Xu Jianxing naturally noticed the two behind him, smiled, and didn't say much. He opened the door and returned home, finding his parents already up.

"Good morning, Mom and Dad," Xu Jianxing said with a smile.

"You..." Yang Yulan was about to say, "You didn't come back all night," but then she saw Isabel and Aina behind Xu Jianxing and stopped. She looked at them with a strange expression and then warmly said, "Isabel, you two got up early."

Although the greeting was simple, it still made Isabel's cheeks turn slightly red. She quickly raised the things in her hands and said guiltily, "Uncle, Aunt, thank you for your hospitality last night. After jogging, I and Aina brought some breakfast for you."

Before Yang Yulan could respond, Xu Jianxing chuckled and looked at the ceiling, saying nonchalantly, "I remember Yingchuan Grand Hotel is not close to here. How could it be 'on the way'?"

"You..." Isabel was extremely embarrassed and angry, her face red as if it could drip water. Yang Yulan quickly glared at Xu Jianxing and took the breakfast from Isabel, saying with a smile, "Isabel, thank you for your thoughtfulness. You came all the way to bring us breakfast."

Hearing this, Isabel's anger subsided, realizing something was off. Her cheeks turned red again, and she said awkwardly, "It's no trouble, no trouble, just on the way..."

She was about to say "on the way," but then remembered Xu Jianxing's teasing and stopped.

Xu Jianxing looked at her, trying hard not to laugh, and said to Yang Yulan, "Mom, I'll go cook."

"Cook what? Isabel has brought breakfast. What else do you need to cook?" Yang Yulan scolded Xu Jianxing, but in her heart, she knew that Isabel and Aina had likely come to eat Xu Jianxing's cooking. Although she also wanted to eat it, she wouldn't throw away the breakfast Isabel had brought, and it would be inappropriate not to eat it. The situation was very contradictory.

Most importantly, Yang Yulan had heard that Xu Jianxing used true qi to cook and was worried about the impact on his body, so she suppressed her desire to eat and decided to get through this meal. After all, there would be many more opportunities.

Actually, it was Xu Jianxing's fault for not thinking of this. If he had made up an excuse last night, Yang Yulan wouldn't have had these thoughts. This incident indirectly showed the greatness of parents.

Isabel and Aina were stunned but had no ill feelings toward Yang Yulan. They realized that bringing breakfast was a mistake, a habitual mistake, and hadn't considered the contradiction.

Seeing their expressions, Xu Jianxing chuckled to himself, "This time, you've lost more than you've gained." Then, he looked at them with a mischievous smile and said to Yang Yulan, "Mom, I'll go wake up my sister for breakfast."

"Okay," Yang Yulan nodded with a smile. Xu Jianxing took a few steps and was about to knock on his sister's door when it opened automatically. Xu Rou, dressed neatly but looking a bit listless, appeared. "Good morning, brother."

Xu Rou wasn't tired. In fact, she had slept better than any other night, feeling secure because her parents had finally put down their burdens. Her current state was due to hearing the conversation outside her room and feeling disappointed and resentful about not being able to eat her brother's breakfast.

Seeing his sister's state, Xu Jianxing affectionately patted her head and said with a smile, "Go wash your face. After breakfast, I'll steam more buns for you. We'll eat these in the morning, and I'll make more dishes for lunch. I might not come back for dinner, as I plan to go out with Brother Hang."

This "Brother Hang," whose full name was Xia Hang, was a junior officer at the Land and Resources Bureau. He came from a good family, was two months younger than Xu Jianxing, and had been his neighbor and classmate from elementary to high school for 11 years. They were very close, almost inseparable. Even after Xia Hang's family moved away in junior high, their relationship remained strong.

Not only were Xu Jianxing and Xia Hang very close, but Xu's parents and Xia Hang's parents, Xia Zhongshan and Wang Hong, were also very good friends. Although they didn't see each other often, their friendship had never faded.

Hearing this, Xu Rou's eyes lit up, but her smile faded when she heard the last part. Yang Yulan sighed, "Xiaoxing, you probably don't know, but your Uncle Xia was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer after the Spring Festival. According to Xing's call, he has only a few months left. I wanted to call you, but Xing said it was already too late and that telling you would only cause you unnecessary worry. He said he would tell you when you returned, so I didn't tell you."

Hearing this, Xu Jianxing's mind went blank, his nose tingled, and his eyes moistened. Everyone has feelings, especially for someone who had watched him grow up, someone he had called Uncle Xia all his life.

After a moment, Xu Jianxing steadied his emotions and said in a hoarse voice, "Mom, is Uncle Xia in the hospital or at home?"

"At home. You know your Uncle Xia; he's honest and straightforward, but sometimes he's stubborn. No one can persuade him to get treatment. He says it's inevitable and doesn't want to suffer through the treatment."

Yang Yulan smiled bitterly. In her heart, she knew it wasn't that he didn't want to suffer or didn't want to stay in the world, but that he didn't want to waste money, especially for Xia Hang. If it were her, she would have given up treatment too, even with health insurance, as the out-of-pocket costs would be significant, and it would only extend her life a bit.

Understanding Xia Dad's thoughts, Xu Jianxing smiled bitterly and said, "Mom, I'll go to Uncle Xia's house after lunch."

"Okay, go see him," Yang Yulan nodded and then added, "See if there's anything you can help with. It makes me feel so bad."

As she spoke, Yang Yulan's eyes reddened.

Xu Jianxing understood her meaning. It wasn't about spending money on treatment, as even with a lot of money, it was impossible to cure late-stage cancer. The only hope was a miracle, and in his mother's eyes, his true qi might be that miracle.

Seeing Yang Yulan's pained expression, Xu Jianxing quickly said, "Okay, Mom, I know what to do. Don't be sad."

"Okay," Yang Yulan nodded. Isabel, who wanted to suggest bringing foreign doctors or sending him abroad for treatment, thought it was futile for late-stage cancer and decided to leave it. However, she had a glimmer of hope that this mysterious young man might have a solution, given the mystique of true qi in her eyes. (To be continued...)