Chapter 172: Keep Drinking and You’ll Always Feel Good
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“After you get the jade token, I’ll match it again.”
Chen Fei smiled and shook his head. This Bacca had eight hundred eyes all over his body. At that time, if he did not retrieve the jade token and Chen Fei had prepared the medicine, Bacca would probably try to take it by force. Chen Fei wouldn’t be able to stop him.
Of course, the chances of that happening were quite low. However, Chen Fei’s intention was not to prepare the medicine in advance. He wanted Bacca to stay motivated to complete the task.
Bacca hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, “Then stay here. I’ll be back shortly.”
“I’ll wait here.”
Chen Fei smiled and nodded. This was the result of understanding the other person’s needs. Just two hours ago, Bacca was indifferent to Chen Fei. Now, he was concerned about Chen Fei leaving.
“Alright, wait for me.”
Bacca nodded and darted off into the distance.
Chen Fei watched Bacca’s departure. Although he hadn’t changed in size, Bacca’s speed had increased significantly. He had even overtaken Chen Fei.
Of course, without his enlarged form, Bacca’s threat level was significantly lower. If a conflict arose between them, Chen Fei could easily escape.
True safety in a transaction meant equality. Otherwise, the other party could turn things around at any point without fear of consequences.
After Bacca left, Chen Fei began to organize the herbs on the ground.
These were rare medicinal herbs that he rarely encountered. While he had read about them in medical books, this was his first time seeing them in person. They were quite fascinating.
However, Chen Fei’s primary reason for sorting the herbs was to determine what other medicinal concoctions he could create later on.
Relying solely on two types of medicinal concoctions might briefly captivate Bacca’s interest, but continuously offering only those two options would become monotonous and eventually bore Bacca.
Introducing new elements was key to maintaining Bacca’s engagement. This would eventually lead to gaining access to other desired items.
Even though a lot of thought had gone into the creation of the two initial concoctions, they were relatively straightforward to formulate. Chen Fei had only used three types of herbs to create those two mixtures.
Now, he could incorporate more herbs to create concoctions with diverse flavors.
Chen Fei organized the herbs and looked toward the distant cave.
Initially just a passing curiosity, Chen Fei’s interest in the cave had grown substantially.
Was there a medicinal garden inside? Was that why Bacca could provide such a variety of herbs?
Or did Bacca collect these herbs himself?
If so, it would be reasonable. If not, the implications were intriguing—there might be unmutated mystical ingredients hidden within.
Despite his curiosity, Chen Fei decided against exploring the cave for now. Bacca could return at any moment, and if he saw Chen Fei entering the cave, trust could be shattered.
Cooperation was a long-term prospect; there was no need to rush.
As he pondered this, a silhouette rushed over from the distance. Chen Fei looked up to see Bacca returning unexpectedly quickly.
However, Bacca appeared slightly worse for wear compared to when he left. Numerous whip marks adorned his body, and a scar marred his cheek.
“Are you hurt?” Chen Fei asked softly.
“That Strange Locust Tree was being so stingy. It’s just a useless jade token. It could’ve just given it to me. Instead, it refused, and we ended up fighting.”
Bacca’s words tugged at the scar on his cheek, causing his mouth to twitch involuntarily.
“Don’t think I’m weak just because I’m injured. That Strange Locust Tree didn’t fare well either. I tore off one of its main branches,” Bacca spoke in frustration.
Chen Fei remained silent, observing as Bacca’s injuries gradually healed. The lighter whip marks had already vanished.
Bacca was indeed formidable, possessing not only great strength but also exceptional regenerative abilities.
“Thank you for your efforts. I’ll give you eleven bowls of each medicinal liquid later,” Chen Fei offered his gratitude.
“Good, good, good. That’s great!”
Bacca’s expression brightened, his anger fading. At the same time, a hint of pride flashed in his eyes.
Chen Fei couldn’t help but smile at the sight. The objective was to make Bacca feel like he had gained something.
Chen Fei began grinding the herbs. Though he could accelerate the process using his inner strength, he opted to grind them by hand.
Hand-grinding demonstrated craftsmanship and value, aspects that would be lost if he used his inner strength. Chen Fei had no intention of devaluing the final product.
Bacca’s attention was caught, and he watched in awe as Chen Fei employed five different methods of grinding.
Chen Fei’s ingenuity left Bacca unsure how to proceed with his plan to steal the concoction.
Moreover, during the mixing process, Bacca detected Chen Fei’s core soul energy. It was evident that Chen Fei’s Mind Power was involved. This further complicated Bacca’s intentions.
An hour passed, and Chen Fei had prepared the twenty-two bowls of medicinal concoction that actually required less than a quarter of an hour to make. He presented them to Bacca.
Bacca sniffed, his impatience replaced by patience. He had intended to seize the opportunity earlier, but Chen Fei’s showmanship left him hesitating.
In the meantime, Chen Fei’s herbs transformed into a medicinal concoction that Bacca found irresistible. The scent was enticing, and Bacca’s eyes lit up.
Bacca sniffed the air, clearly impatient earlier but restraining himself. Now, seeing Chen Fei had finally completed the concoction, Bacca eagerly gulped down one bowl of the medicinal liquid after another.
In this moment, Bacca forgot about being cautious, falling victim to the allure of the concoction. It’s like a newborn foodie sometimes gets carried away.
With each bowl of medicinal liquid ingested, Bacca’s face took on an intoxicated expression. Without pause, he continued picking up bowls and drinking, his countenance reflecting pure bliss throughout.
One bowl of medicinal liquid felt exhilarating for a moment, but drinking continuously meant an ongoing pleasure!
Bacca wholeheartedly grasped this secret, proceeding to consume bowl after bowl of the concoction. His face remained in a state of blissful ecstasy throughout.
Chen Fei didn’t focus on Bacca’s actions. Instead, he observed the jade token in his hand.
It was the same kind of token every initial Visceral Tempering realm practitioner in the secret realm received. Bloodstains remained on it, possibly from the martial artist who fell victim to the Strange Locust Tree.
Chen Fei stored the jade token away and turned his attention back to Bacca. It was only now that he noticed Bacca had consumed all twenty-two bowls of the concoction, his eyes wistfully fixed on the empty stone bowls.
“You still want more?” Chen Fei asked with a smile.
“Yes, I haven’t had enough.”
Bacca licked his lips, his eyes fixed on Chen Fei. “Can you make more for me?”
“Any other jade tokens?”
Chen Fei had enough jade tokens, but he considered their potential value.
The mystic realm required five jade tokens from legacy disciples. There was no stipulation that these plates had to be personally obtained; they could be gifted by others.
Thus, the jade token became a sought-after commodity as the mystic realm neared its conclusion. It could be traded for any other desired item.
Of course, one had to have the ability to protect them as well.
Chen Fei might not have the strongest strength among the mystic realm’s trial disciples, but his survival abilities were among the best. Even if surrounded, he could hold his own.
“You still want more of this stuff? But I haven’t come across any recently.”
Bacca scratched his head, appearing somewhat puzzled.
“Haven’t seen any?”
Chen Fei was slightly surprised, but it made sense. The mystic realm was vast, and Bacca’s range of activity was likely confined to the vicinity. Moreover, Bacca seemed like the type who preferred staying at home, so naturally, he would encounter fewer jade tokens.
“Do you only want the jade token?”
Bacca inquired with concern. After today’s medicinal liquid, he didn’t want to revert to eating herbs.
“Not just that. I’m also interested in other items, like the lotus seeds and leaves you mentioned before.”
Chen Fei shook his head and shifted the conversation to the Dreamlike Lotus.
Every martial artist would welcome enhanced mental strength, even those in the Aperture Tempering realm. The lotus seeds and leaves had considerably amplified Chen Fei’s core soul energy during previous consumption.
If he could obtain more, Chen Fei’s mental strength could continue expanding, potentially resolving his mental strength concern before reaching the Aperture Tempering realm.
“That thing—I want to eat it too, but I can’t take on that lotus.”
Bacca admitted helplessly. The Dreamlike Lotus’ seeds were the only thing he craved after tasting them. They were more addictive than Chen Fei’s concoctions.
Chen Fei frowned. The Dreamlike Lotus’ threat had evidently increased. Even Bacca struggled against it, implying that no warrior in the secret realm could face it.
Chen Fei felt a hint of pity. The supreme treasure was within reach, but his insufficient strength rendered him powerless.
“There’s a tree nearby bearing two fruits. I want those two fruits.”
After considering, Chen Fei pointed to where the Zhuhong fruit tree was situated.
Though the Dreamlike Lotus was formidable, the Zhuhong fruit was enticing too. Consuming two Zhuhong fruits might propel Chen Fei to the Visceral Tempering realm, if luck favored him.
Even if he didn’t break through, he could advance to the peak of the Marrow tempering realm. Returning to the sect, the Visceral Tempering realm wouldn’t be out of reach.
“Oh, you mean that tree? I know it. I want to taste those fruits as well.”
“Yes.” Bacca nodded. “But there’s a snake guarding the tree. I can’t handle both.”
“If I lure away the snake, are you confident in dealing with the tree?” Chen Fei’s eyes gleamed.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Even if we can’t defeat them, taking the fruits and leaving should be manageable.”
Bacca nodded with confidence. In terms of resilience, Bacca held himself in high regard..