Just one bite instantly increased Zhao Xing's Origin Qi by 25 points.
His body was like a thirsty sponge, his flesh and blood greedily absorbing this energy.
"Chomp, chomp, chomp~" Zhao Xing quickly ate the Heaven Origin Pear clean, even crushing the core to absorb its juice. The Heaven Origin Pear's core was useless to him; he couldn't grow a High Grade Tier 3 seed right now anyway.
Soon, the panel kept flickering with records, and Zhao Xing also felt a strange sensation in his body, as if he had eaten too much!
"Hiss, so cold." After feeling full, Zhao Xing felt a chill all over his body and shivered.
The Heaven Origin Pear was cold in nature, and he ate it very quickly to prevent its effects from dissipating.
The cold Tier 3 High Grade Origin Qi instantly made him feel as if he were in an ice cellar.
"Concentrate, calm your mind, gather Origin Qi into your body!" Zhao Xing quickly sat cross-legged and began to digest.
His blood and Qi surged within his body, and the Origin Qi began to be neutralized by his vigorous internal fire.
Round after round, Zhao Xing's originally pale face turned rosy.
It took him a full half an hour to mostly digest it before he opened his eyes.
"Hoo~ Good heavens, it truly is a Tier 3 High Grade." Zhao Xing exhaled a long stream of cold air.
He had eaten too quickly; if he had eaten it during Tier 1 Origin Gathering, he might have contracted a cold illness and damaged his body instead.
Even at Tier 2 Origin Gathering, it would have been safer to cut it into pieces and eat it, but cutting it open and leaving it would reduce the Heaven Origin Pear's effectiveness. Zhao Xing was unwilling to waste it, so he could only endure a 'ice bucket challenge'.
"It was a bit cold, but the effect was very obvious. Just this one pear, after I fully digested it, increased my points by 195!" Zhao Xing looked at the panel.
Tier 2 Origin Gathering: 955 / 1000
"The Dao Embryo Pill is truly exaggerated." Zhao Xing was not praising the pear, but the Dao Embryo Pill.
He had eaten Heaven Origin Pears many times in his previous life, so they were nothing special.
For Tier 2 Origin Gathering, the standard increase in Origin Qi after consumption was around 70 points. This was data derived from countless verifications by millions of players.
Because individual physical Aptitudes vary and absorption efficiency differs, Origin Qi would dissipate and be expelled after consumption.
An absorption efficiency exceeding the standard by 70% was excellent, and over 100% was superb.
The Dao Embryo Pill allowed Zhao Xing's absorption efficiency to reach three times the standard, almost reaching the limit of the Origin Qi contained in this Heaven Origin Pear!
"Could it be that I have already achieved the legendary Leak-Free Body?" Zhao Xing couldn't help but fantasize, but quickly dismissed it.
The Dao Embryo Pill wouldn't transform him to such an extent; it was simply that the treasure's quality wasn't high, which resulted in a nearly 'perfect absorption' effect.
"It looks like I'll reach Tier 3 Origin Gathering in just a few days."
Zhao Xing contentedly closed the box and stored the remaining Heaven Origin Pear.
This item couldn't be eaten continuously; eating one every two days was optimal.
Otherwise, Chen Shijie wouldn't have given only 15 per month. He also considered Zhao Xing's current tolerance, otherwise, with Chen Shijie's pear orchard, giving 30 wouldn't be an issue.
Since earning the nickname 'Zhao Erjia', Zhao Xing's home had become much livelier, with colleagues often visiting to foster relationships.
It was indeed as Zhao Ruide said; social interactions were truly unavoidable. When people visited, they usually brought gifts.
They couldn't possibly not even offer a meal or a drink.
Eating at home was still fine; if they went out, the expenses would be even greater.
"Mom, Mom, Big Brother said to prepare food for four extra people for lunch." Zhao Zheng found Madam Cai and tugged at her skirt.
"What? Again!" Madam Cai's brows instantly furrowed. "It's fine if he eats by himself, but bringing people home? I tolerated it the first two times, but now he's sending you to order me around? How preposterous!"
"You go tell him, I..."
Before she finished speaking, Zhao Zheng produced a small bag containing some broken silver.
"Hmm? Where did you get the silver?"
"Big Brother gave it to me." Zhao Zheng honestly confessed.
"What does he mean by this?" Madam Cai first took the silver bag, then asked.
"Big Brother said that you've been working hard these past two days, and he also received financial assistance from an adult. It seems he also became a Tribute Scholar, with five taels of silver per month... This is to show his filial piety to you."
Madam Cai's face was initially cold, but upon hearing these words, she was momentarily stunned.
Then, seeing the silver, which meant she wasn't cooking for free, her attitude immediately improved!
She didn't know the specific use of a Tribute Scholar, but she remembered that it was five or ten taels of silver per month?
In any case, Zhao Xing could at least earn money, greatly reducing the possibility of him competing with Zheng'er for family property. In fact, he might even be able to help Zheng'er in the future, as becoming a Minister of Agriculture would still make him an official, big or small!
"Zheng'er, you go tell Zhao... your Big Brother, I'll do it right away!"
A few days later.
"My cooking is simple, and I don't know if it suits your tastes. If the hospitality is lacking, it's all my fault. Please don't blame my Xing'er." Madam Cai said with a warm smile to the guests.
After finishing their meal, the officials who were chatting immediately stood up and bowed:
"Auntie, please don't say that; it is we who have imposed."
"Yes, Auntie's cooking is superb! I've never had such delicious food!"
Zhao Xing stared at Madam Cai's gentle and virtuous appearance, dumbfounded.
She even kept calling him 'Xing'er' as if he were her biological son!
The charm of money was simply too great! Zhao Xing was still used to her stingy demeanor; seeing her like this now, he truly couldn't adapt.
Madam Cai had even started chatting with people these past few days.
"My Xing'er, ah..."
"You don't know how diligent Xing'er usually is..."
Please, Master, stop reciting, stop reciting!
Two days later, Zhao Xing ate the second Heaven Origin Pear.
Exhaling cold air, he had already reached Tier 3 Origin Gathering.
【Tier 3 Origin Gathering: 10 / 10000】
After reaching Tier 3 Origin Gathering, the proficiency of all Spells, including the Straw Man Spell, slightly increased.
The stronger the Origin Qi contained within a person, the more comprehensively their qualities are enhanced, including the brain, naturally leading to a deeper understanding of Spells.
"Many people are obsessed with increasing Origin Qi strength, while for Spell techniques, they only practice enough to be proficient. When fighting, they are loose and sloppy, which isn't entirely short-sighted, but rather a difference in personal choices. In peaceful times, the pursuit of Spell techniques isn't as urgent; not everyone will step out of their comfort zone.
If I had a family background like Young Master Zong, who could easily gather Origin Qi by relying on accumulated resources, I would probably also slack off, thinking that I could practice refining techniques tomorrow. And with that thought, who knows how many tomorrows would pass."
Zhao Xing looked at another box on his desk. It was a gift sent by Zong Shichang. He was indeed lavish; what he casually gave was a box of ten Tier 3 Low Grade Origin Gathering Pills.
Although not as good as the Heaven Origin Pear, ten pills together were still not cheap.
Although Young Master Zong was somewhat self-centered and domineering, he was still a man of his word and did not break his promise.
"Tier 3 Origin Gathering, a little closer to becoming a full-fledged official, and a tiny bit closer to the goal of immortality."
"After the Beginning of Autumn is the End of Heat, and only then is the White Dew. However, because the End of Heat has customs of 'floating river lanterns' and 'worshipping departed souls', the End of Heat solar term is skipped, and the next examination will be held during the White Dew solar term."
"The End of Heat solar term not only involves floating river lanterns and worshipping departed souls, but also includes examinations for early-stage divine positions such as 'spirit medium' and 'ritual Master'. I can go and watch."
"However, I still need to practice the Bright Eyes Night Vision Spell to a higher level, otherwise I won't be able to see anything, not even a ghost's shadow."
"The White Dew solar term is very likely to be a theoretical exam, which is perfect for reading and practicing Spells simultaneously." Zhao Xing opened his bookshelf and began to study late into the night.