Just one bite increased Zhao Xing's Primordial Energy by 25 points.
His body, like a thirsty sponge, greedily absorbed the energy.
"Crunch, crunch, crunch~" Zhao Xing quickly devoured the Tianyuan Pear, even breaking the core to suck out its juice. The Tianyuan Pear's core was useless to him; he couldn't grow third-tier seeds at this point.
Soon enough, the panel kept recording with rapid updates, and Zhao Xing felt a strange sensation in his body, as if he had overeaten!
"Hiss, so cold." After gorging himself, Zhao Xing felt a chill throughout his body, shivering.
The Tianyuan Pear had a cold nature, and he ate it quickly to prevent its effects from dissipating.
The third-tier superior cold-attribute Primordial Energy made him feel like he was in an ice cellar.
"Calm the mind, focus, and let Gathering Essence into the body!" Zhao Xing hurriedly sat cross-legged and began to digest it.
Blood and energy surged within his body, and the Primordial Energy started to be neutralized by his vigorous internal fire.
Round after round, Zhao Xing's previously pale face turned rosy.
It took a whole hour for him to mostly digest the energy, finally opening his eyes.
"Phew~ Wow, it's indeed a third-tier superior item." Zhao Xing exhaled a long breath of cold air.
He had eaten too quickly. If he had done this at Gathering Essence First Rank, he would have likely developed a cold ailment, damaging his body.
At Gathering Essence Second Rank, it would be safer to cut it into pieces, but leaving it out would weaken the Tianyuan Pear's effect. Zhao Xing didn't want to waste it and opted for a 'cold bucket challenge.'
"Cold as it was, the effect is very noticeable. Just from this one pear, I've completely digested and gained 195 points of energy!" Zhao Xing checked the panel.
Gathering Essence Second Rank: 955/1000
"The Tao Embryo Pill is really impressive." Zhao Xing wasn't praising the pear but the Tao Embryo Pill.
He had eaten plenty of Tianyuan Pears in his previous life; it was no big deal.
For Gathering Essence Second Rank consumption, the Primordial Energy increase standard was around 70 points. This data was validated by countless players.
Because individuals have different physical qualities and absorption efficiencies, Primordial Energy would dissipate and be expelled after consumption.
An absorption efficiency exceeding the standard by 70% was considered excellent, and more than double was exceptional.
The Tao Embryo Pill allowed Zhao Xing's absorption efficiency to reach three times the standard, nearing the limit of the Primordial Energy contained in the Tianyuan Pear!
"Could I have reached the legendary leakless body?" Zhao Xing daydreamed for a moment, but soon dismissed the idea.
The Tao Embryo Pill wasn't capable of such an extensive transformation; it was just the treasure's quality that had such an almost 'perfect absorption' effect.
"Looks like I'll reach Gathering Essence Third Rank in a few days." Zhao Xing contentedly covered the box, preserving the remaining Tianyuan Pear.
This thing shouldn't be eaten continuously; one every two days was optimal.
Otherwise, Chen Shijie wouldn't only give 15 per month. He considered Zhao Xing's current capacity; otherwise, with the Tianyuan Pear orchard, giving 30 wouldn't be a problem.
...
Since earning the nickname 'Zhao Erjia,' Zhao Xing's house had become much livelier, with frequent visits from colleagues to build connections.
As Zhao Ruide had said, social interactions were unavoidable. Visitors always brought gifts.
He couldn't just let them leave without offering a meal or a drink.
At home was fine, but going out incurred higher costs.
"Mom, mom, big brother said to prepare lunch for four more people." Zhao Zheng found Mrs. Cai, tugging at her skirt.
"What? Again?" Mrs. Cai's brows furrowed immediately, "It's one thing for him to eat by himself, but now he's bringing people home. I tolerated it twice, but now he's sending you to boss me around? Ridiculous!"
"You go and tell him, I..."
Before she finished speaking, Zhao Zheng took out a small bag, containing some broken silver.
"Hmm? Where did you get the silver?"
"Big brother gave it to me." Zhao Zheng confessed honestly.
"What does he mean by this?" Mrs. Cai took the money bag, then asked.
"Big brother said you've been working hard these past few days. He received support from the officials, and it seems he's now a tribute officer, with a monthly allowance of five taels of silver… This is to show his respect to you."
Mrs. Cai initially kept a stern face, but upon hearing this, she was momentarily stunned.
Seeing the silver, knowing she wouldn't be cooking for free, her attitude immediately improved.
She wasn't sure what the title of tribute officer entailed, but she remembered it came with a monthly allowance of five or ten taels of silver.
In any case, Zhao Xing could earn money now, reducing the potential for family inheritance disputes with Zheng'er, and might even help Zheng'er in the future. If he became the Minister of Agriculture Official, that was still an official position!
"Zheng'er, go tell Zhao... your big brother, I'll get started right away!"
......
A few days later.
"My cooking skills are simple. I don't know if it suits your tastes. If the hospitality is lacking, it's my fault. Please don't blame my Xing'er." Mrs. Cai said with a gentle smile to the guests.
After finishing the meal, the clerks chatting stood up and cupped their hands:
"Auntie, please don't say that. It's us who are imposing on you."
"Yes, Auntie, your cooking is excellent. I've never had such delicious food!"
"..."
Zhao Xing looked at Mrs. Cai's kind and gracious demeanor, dumbfounded.
She kept calling him Xing'er, as if he were her own son!
The power of money was too overwhelming! Zhao Xing still preferred her frugal nature; seeing her like this now was hard to adapt to.
Mrs. Cai had even been chatting with people these past few days.
"My Xing'er..."
"You don't know, Xing'er is very diligent..."
Master, please stop, please stop!
.........
Two days later, Zhao Xing ate his second Tianyuan Pear.
Exhaling cold air, he entered Gathering Essence Third Rank.
[Gathering Essence Third Rank: 10/10000]
Upon reaching Gathering Essence Third Rank, all his spells, including the Grassman Skill, saw slight improvements in proficiency.
The stronger the Primordial Energy within a person's body, the more their qualities were comprehensively enhanced, including the brain, which naturally led to deeper understanding of spells.
"Many people are obsessed with increasing the strength of their Primordial Energy, only practicing spell techniques to a usable extent."
"When it comes to confrontation, they are sloppy. It's not entirely shortsighted but a matter of personal choice. In peaceful times, there's no urgent need to refine spell techniques. Not everyone is willing to leave their comfort zone."
"If I had Zong Shichang's family wealth, relying on resources to easily accumulate Primordial Energy, I might also slack off, thinking that honing techniques could wait until tomorrow. And so on, until who knows how many tomorrows."
Zhao Xing glanced at another box on his desk, a gift sent by Zong Shichang. He was indeed generous, casually gifting a box of third-tier low-grade Gathering Yuan Pills, totaling 10 pills.
Though not as good as Tianyuan Pears, having ten of them together wasn't cheap.
Mr. Zong, despite his arrogance and dominance, was reliable and kept his word.
"Gathering Essence Third Rank, one step closer to a permanent position, and a tiny step closer to the goal of immortality."
"After the Start of Autumn comes Chushu, and then Bailu, but due to 'floating river lanterns' and 'honoring the deceased' customs during Chushu, the Chushu Festival is skipped. The next test will be during the Bailu Festival."
"The Chushu Festival not only includes floating river lanterns and honoring the deceased but also pre-exams for divine roles like 'divination' and 'priest' professions. It might be worth checking out."
"However, I need to elevate my 'Bright Eyes Night Vision' spell a bit more first, or I wouldn't see anything worthwhile, not even ghostly shadows."
"There's a high chance the Bailu Festival will involve a theoretical exam, which suits me fine as I can study and practice spells simultaneously." Zhao Xing opened his bookcase and lit a lamp, gearing up for a night of intense study.