Cultivation Begins with Skill Points-Chapter 172: The Old Fox

Swoosh!

Accompanied by a clear sound, the long-armed golden-backed ape was split in half before it could even scream, and scarlet blood splattered everywhere, with some of it splashing onto the Xu father and son.

The Xu father and son also stopped in their tracks, standing rigidly on the spot, their faces full of terror as they watched Zhong Lin sheathing his sword in the distance.

The terrifying sword Qi had just swept past their ears, and at that moment, they both thought the Grim Reaper was waving at them, with no chance of survival.

Xu Kelin instinctively swallowed his saliva, fearfully looking at Zhong Lin.

"True Qi, this is True Qi, this young man is actually a First Grade Martial Artist."

Xu Kelin was shouting wildly in his heart, completely incredulous.

After a moment, Xu Kelin finally stood upright, trembling, with a slight return of color to his face.

"Thank you... thank you, young master, for your life-saving rescue."

Xu Kelin cupped his hands in a salute, bowing deeply, not daring to show any trace of neglect, feeling anxious inside. After all, he had harbored malice, thinking of dragging Yin Daoyan into the fray to fend off the long-armed golden-backed ape together.

Zhong Lin did not say much, while Yin Daoyan stepped forward with a concerned expression, "Brother Xu, are you alright? Get up, get up quickly."

As Yin Daoyan helped Xu Kelin, he also circulated his inner breath, which made Xu Kelin’s body stiffen again, realizing that this elder in front of him was also an Upper Third Grades Martial Artist, and much stronger than him.

Xu Kelin almost cried out. He had offended two Upper Third Grades Martial Artists in one go, both stronger than him, and one of them was an unparalleled expert in the First Grade of the Pure Essence Realm. Now, he just wanted to die.

Suppressing his inner fear, Xu Kelin humbly said, "Thank you, senior, for your concern. It’s nothing, it’s nothing."

"How can it be nothing? Your ribs are broken, Qi-Blood is lost, and your inner breath is chaotic. I have some Healing Elixir here; take one to heal."

He then took out a Jade Bottle from his arms, poured out a Fourth Grade restorative Elixir, and handed it over, also giving one to Xu Sijin.

"Senior, this Elixir... is too precious."

"It was just casually refined. Brother Xu, there’s no need to be polite, or are you worried that it’s poisoned?"

Yin Daoyan looked at the Xu father and son with a smile.

Xu Kelin shivered upon hearing this, looking up at Yin Daoyan in disbelief.

He refined it himself?

Still a Fourth Grade Alchemist?

Xu Kelin showed a face that was unsure whether to cry or laugh. He just wanted to dig a hole and bury himself, ending it all.

Forcing down his inner fear, he took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Senior overthinks it. If senior wanted to kill us father and son, why use poison?"

Saying this, he tilted his head back and swallowed the Elixir into his stomach, with Xu Sijin at the side, not daring to neglect, also swallowing the Elixir.

He’s just inexperienced, not a fool. He had already noticed the unusual atmosphere in front of him. At this moment, he just needed to follow his father closely, doing whatever his father did, as long as he said nothing, just followed.

After a while, Xu Kelin slowly opened his eyes, his breath becoming steady, his face a bit more flushed than before. Except for some horrific wounds, he was otherwise fine, just some superficial injuries.

Xu Kelin cupped his hands again, "Thank you, senior, for saving our lives. Otherwise, we father and son would have been devoured by that beast. I am the Family Head of the Xu Family in Lilang County. The grace of saving our lives will be repaid tenfold."

Xu Kelin’s words were sincere, while also subtly indicating that he was the Family Head of the Xu Family in Lilang County, having enough value.

"Brother Xu, you’re too polite. Even without this event, this beast wouldn’t have lived long. As the saying goes, ’a person without a fault but guilty by association.’ The long-armed golden-backed ape is just a small Mutant Beast, yet it occupied such a heavenly Spiritual Object as the Vermilion Fruit. Little did it know how important the Vermilion Fruit is to us Pill Masters. Earlier, I had urgent matters to attend to, so I spared its life temporarily. Now that I have returned, I naturally need to slay it. I didn’t expect the beast to provoke you, Brother Xu. Truly deserved to die," Yin Daoyan said with a smile.

Yin Daoyan’s words directly highlighted the Vermilion Fruit, causing Xu Kelin to be shocked, his mind racing with thoughts, and a surge of anger emerged in his heart, but was quickly suppressed.

"I see. Please forgive me, senior, as I didn’t know the Vermilion Fruit was already claimed, nearly ruining your plans."

Saying this, he consciously took out a jade box from his arms. The jade box opened, revealing five red fruits lying quietly inside, accompanied by a slight fragrance that made one feel refreshed, even speeding up the circulation of inner breath a bit.

"I didn’t expect Brother Xu to get there first. Ah! Fate has played a trick on us! Brother Xu, there’s no need for this. The Vermilion Fruit was unclaimed, and since Brother Xu acquired it, it naturally belongs to you,"

Yin Daoyan sighed, his face full of regret.

This startled Xu Kelin, who was now not angry about handing over the Vermilion Fruit, but rather fearful that Yin Daoyan might refuse to take it.

In this barren wilderness, it’s too easy for someone to die without anyone knowing. No need to dig a hole; in a couple of days, the corpse would become a feast for wild beasts, and after a trip through their system, it would nourish the mountain forest.

"Senior, you mustn’t."

Xu Kelin quickly said, "The Vermilion Fruit was the senior’s marked item, only taken by us in passing. There were originally six, but due to disadvantageous combat, we lost one, delaying the senior’s important matters. A thousand deaths can’t atone for our mistake. Now, returning it to its original master, I hope the senior won’t refuse."

Yin Daoyan showed a conflicted expression, then sighed after a moment, "Alright, the Vermilion Fruit is greatly beneficial to me, but as you’ve lost six attendants for it, let me exchange it for this Bone-breaking Pill, how about that?"

Soul Cleansing Pill, a Fourth Grade Elixir, somewhat similar to a Breakthrough Pill. However, the Breakthrough Pill is used by First Grade Martial Artists, while the Soul Cleansing Pill is for Fifth Grade Martial Artists. Just one can help a Fifth Grade Martial Artist breakthrough to the Fourth Grade Divine Power Realm.

As soon as Yin Daoyan finished speaking, Xu Sijin, who hadn’t said a word, suddenly looked up, his eyes eagerly fixed on the Jade Bottle in his hand.

Xu Sijin was at the Fifth Grade within the Middle Third Grades Inner Strengthening Realm, needing only this small Elixir to help him break into the Fourth Grade Realm.

"Father..."

Xu Sijin lightly tugged his father’s sleeve, his tone carrying a hint of urgency.

Xu Kelin sighed. How could a Soul Cleansing Pill compare with the Vermilion Fruit? After all, the Soul Cleansing Pill is only useful for Fifth Grade Martial Artists, whereas the Vermilion Fruit can enhance the Power of Upper Third Grades Martial Artists.

But now, they’re at the mercy of others. It’s already fortunate to have such compensation. Can you really think of resisting and courting death?

"In that case, thank you, senior."

Xu Kelin respectfully presented the Vermilion Fruit, then accepted the Soul Cleansing Pill.