Chapter 26 Ross: I Really Want to Try the Medicine, Really

Mentioning how Beast Hunters are not as pure as they used to be, Baron sighed with emotion, clearly disgusted by the situation.

Zhou Jing's eyes suddenly darted around, "Speaking of which, is it necessary for the lord to recruit Alien Blood Warriors? If he wants them as his guards, who is he guarding against?"

"Who knows." Baron scratched his head, then his face turned stern: "Don't even think about accepting the lord's recruitment. If you get bought off for a little money, I'll look down on you too."

"That won't happen."

Zhou Jing waved his hand, secretly analyzing in his heart.

The lord recruiting transcendents as guards is definitely not for collecting money.

The reasons seem to be just a few: fearing Beast Hunters, fearing other lords, guarding against assassination attempts, expanding their own armed forces, etc…

He strongly suspected that one lord recruited Alien Blood Warriors, and the other lords took a look — Oh ho, recruiting a transcendent for no good reason, what's your intention, trying to mess with us?

So the lords all followed suit, recruiting Alien Blood Warriors, and started an "arms race," that's how competitive it became!

‘Hmm, although the overall environment of this world is united, Terra has been established for forty years, so the seeds of internal strife should have emerged.’

Zhou Jing secretly speculated.

He had inquired that the lords of the Terra Empire generally only govern a town and surrounding villages, but the source of the lords is divided into two types… If the town was rebuilt from a tribal settlement, then the lord is mostly a blood relative of that tribe; if the town was newly built after the establishment of the empire, then the lord is mostly an appointed imperial official.

It has the shadow of enfeoffment, and also the shadow of prefectures and counties. He felt it was a bit strange when he first learned about it, but now that he thinks about it, it seems to contain some kind of game.

When the Terra Empire was first established, it was in the form of a league of tribes, not a unified empire. Therefore, the power of the tribes still remains within the empire, becoming regions with a certain degree of autonomy, only obeying the orders of the "royal family."

Lutecrow, the lord of Baiyuan Town, is a tribal blood relative, and Baiyuan Town was originally a tribal settlement — in a sense, the city and surrounding villages belong to Lutecrow's tribe first, and then to the empire.

Zhou Jing has also figured out the meaning of tribal blood relatives these days.

In the past, humans multiplied in the form of tribes. In the long development, some clansmen branched out and formed huge families within the tribe, so they took surnames to pass on, making it easier to identify each other — this is the origin of tribal blood relatives.

Each surname represents a large family in a tribe, with many people and powerful influence. They generally have a higher status in the tribe, equivalent to a faction branch within the tribe. But in the barbaric era, because survival was difficult, everyone focused on sticking together for warmth, and there was little difference between tribal blood relatives and other tribe members.

But after the establishment of the Terra Empire, the major tribes allied and merged into the country, and the living environment gradually stabilized. Some tribal blood relatives began to be active in various fields such as politics, commerce, and military.

Relying on the advantages of numerous family members, networking, and control of tribal resources, they gradually accumulated power and wealth, gradually distinguishing themselves from ordinary people… In Zhou Jing's view, this is the early origin stage of the world's aristocracy.

Baron doesn't care much about politics, only knowing some superficial things, but based on the known situation, Zhou Jing thinks that these tribal blood relatives who are gradually forming aristocratic interest groups are likely to be one of the ruling problems facing the Terra Empire.

‘So this mixed lord system of both enfeoffment and prefectures and counties is probably some kind of counterbalance deliberately made by the rulers of the Terra Empire…’ Zhou Jing speculated wildly in his heart.

Although alien beasts are the main threat to humans in this world, and the overall environment is consistent against outsiders… he doesn't believe that after multiple tribes established a country, there would be no internal strife at all. That doesn't quite conform to historical laws.

‘Don't think about these for now…’ Zhou Jing shook his head, he was just habitually analyzing, and he also felt that these were a bit far away from him. Now he just wants to obtain transcendent power.

…

The town was quite lively. The three turned a few streets and soon came to a building with a beast head wooden sign hanging on the door, with two guards beside the door.

This is the Hunter Workshop of Baiyuan Town.

Compared with other bustling streets, it was much deserted here. Ordinary residents of the city generally don't come here.

At this moment, a cart was parked in front of the Hunter Workshop, with the corpse of a silver-gray giant wolf tied on the cart. A Beast Hunter carrying a spear was bargaining with a workshop staff member.

Discovering Zhou Jing and the others approaching, the Beast Hunter subconsciously turned his head and glanced at them, then raised a smile and waved hello.

"Hey, Baron, long time no see."

"Haha, it's you, Weiss."

Baron laughed. The two were obviously acquainted.

Walking to the side of the cart, Baron glanced at the giant wolf's corpse and said:

"Another harvest, Crescent Wolf… not bad prey."

The Beast Hunter called Weiss laughed when he heard this: "Good luck, this monster wanted to pounce on me, but I ducked under it and stabbed its egg sac with a backhand shot, making it easy to take down."

Saying that, Weiss glanced at Zhou Jing again, curiously asking: "Is this a new Beast Hunter who came to Baiyuan Town?"

Baron shook his head: "His name is Jason Wood, he is a genius I met. He has been training with me for the past few months. This time I came to town to take him for Alien Blood Enhancement."

"Genius?"

Weiss became very interested, sizing up Zhou Jing.

"I…" Zhou Jing opened his mouth, intending to say hello.

However, suddenly, Weiss in front of him lowered his body and disappeared from sight with a whoosh.

In the next instant, Zhou Jing felt a pair of muscular arms wrap around his waist from behind, erupting with great force, wanting to lift him up and throw him out.

Want to give me a backbreaker? Is this how hunters greet each other?

Almost subconsciously, Zhou Jing immediately pressed his hands on the arms around his waist, then spread his legs apart, took a horse stance, and used one leg to block Weiss's foot behind him, preventing himself from being lifted up.

The two suddenly fell into a grappling position.

Weiss couldn't help laughing: "Oh, kid, you have guts, dare to compete with a proper Beast Hunter in strength, you…"

Before he could finish his words, his face suddenly changed.

He suddenly realized that with his strength, he couldn't even move Zhou Jing.

Although he is not a strength-type enhancement direction, his strength is also at the transcendent level, how could he not be able to suppress even an ordinary person!

Zhou Jing tightly gripped Weiss's arm, slowly but steadily prying it open from his waist.

As soon as the entanglement was broken, he suddenly let go, his body bursting backward, his shoulder and back forcefully hitting Weiss's chest.

Boom!

The thick muscles collided, making a muffled sound.

Weiss stumbled back several steps before standing firm, grimacing and looking at Zhou Jing in surprise.

Baron had been watching without stopping him, until now, he laughed gloatingly:

"How is it, Weiss, did you get a taste of defeat? Don't look at Jason without Alien Blood Enhancement, your strength may not be greater than his."

"…What's up with this guy?"

Weiss rubbed his chest, his tone surprised.

He originally wanted to test the physical fitness of the "genius" in Baron's mouth, preferably throwing the guy down, and then shaking his head and educating him, saying some encouraging words like "the future is yours," but he didn't expect this result.

An ordinary person is almost stronger than him, it's outrageous!

If this kind of gifted person receives Alien Blood Enhancement, wouldn't their combat power be close to a second enhancement?

Weiss's scalp tingled a bit. Only now did he understand which aspect Baron was referring to when he said "genius."

At this time, Zhou Jing shook his hand, staring at Weiss: "Your way of greeting is quite unique."

He didn't mind much. Most Beast Hunters are martial, and although it's a bit strange to start testing each other as soon as they meet, it might be a common occurrence in this world's more primitive hunter culture.

In the past few months, Zhou Jing has learned to do as the Romans do, trying not to use the concepts of the interstellar era to evaluate their behavior.

Weiss rubbed his pectoral muscles, grinning: "Haha, don't mind, I just wanted to see how strong you are, whether you can withstand Alien Blood Enhancement… it seems you definitely have no problem, you almost flattened my chest muscles."

After speaking, he paused, and poked his chest with his thumb, happily saying:

"I'm Weiss, an old friend of Baron, and I also operate around Baiyuan Town for a long time, maybe we will have times to hunt side by side in the future."

"Maybe."

Zhou Jing nodded.

Baron raised his chin: "We will be staying in town for these few days, see you at the Hunter Tavern then."

"Okay, then you guys do your business, I'll continue to sell my prey."

Weiss nodded, turning back to continue bargaining with the workshop staff.

"Let's go, let's go in."

Baron patted Zhou Jing and walked towards the Hunter Workshop.

…

The two entered the workshop. The entrance was a hall with alien beast specimens hanging on the wall and equipment made of different alien beast materials placed on the shelves.

The Hunter Workshop's duty is to process the prey submitted by Beast Hunters, manufacture Alien Blood Potions, make various equipment, and then provide them to Beast Hunters.

According to the laws of the Terra Empire, each town must have a Hunter Workshop, and the imperial central government will allocate funds, but the lord is also responsible for maintaining it and needs to be responsible for a part of the funding.

The most important support of the empire for the workshop is actually providing technicians.

Because not every town can recruit qualified Alien Blood Apothecaries and craftsmen, the important technical personnel of each workshop are cultivated by the empire or transferred from large tribal craftsmen, and parachuted down… In other words, the level is somewhat guaranteed.

Seeing someone coming, the workshop staff behind the counter immediately walked up, greeting with a smile:

"Two hunters, what do you need?"

Baron nodded: "I'm Baron from Frostwood Village, I have submitted many prey here, there is my record here, I plan to exchange for Alien Blood Potion."

Hearing this, the workshop staff asked the two to wait a moment and went to the back room to report.

After a while, a thin man walked out, wearing exquisite robes, seemingly of high status.

"Baron, it's good to see you again, I almost can't remember when your last visit was." As soon as the thin man saw Baron, he opened his arms and made a welcoming gesture, his tone smiling.

"I was injured some time ago and was recuperating."

Baron explained, then whispered to Zhou Jing to introduce that the person in front of him was the Baiyuan Town Workshop Manager.

"So that's how it is." The Workshop Manager nodded, then changed the subject: "You said you wanted a new Alien Blood Potion, are you finally ready to try a second enhancement?"

"Not me, it's for him to enhance." Baron pointed to Zhou Jing.

The Workshop Manager's gaze fell on Zhou Jing, curiously asking:

"This is?"

"Jason Wood…" Zhou Jing had to introduce himself once again.

The Workshop Manager looked at Zhou Jing with a slightly curious look, but didn't say anything. After a brief self-introduction, he agreed to Baron's request.

"Baron, you have seven records in the workshop, you can take the potion whenever you want. Come with me, I'll take you to see the inventory, see which potion you want to choose."

After speaking, the Workshop Manager made a gesture to invite, leading the group to the workshop's warehouse.

Passing through winding corridors, the group arrived at a warehouse full of boxes.

The Workshop Manager picked up a thick notebook from the shelf at the entrance, flipped to a page, and handed it to Baron and Zhou Jing.

"We currently have eleven Alien Blood Potions in stock, the materials used and possible enhancement directions are all written on it, take a look at which one you want."

Exchanging for Alien Blood Potion mainly depends on what inventory the Hunter Workshop has. Of course, if none of them are to your liking, you can make an appointment and come back when the workshop has stock.

Or more directly, go hunt your favorite alien beast yourself and bring it over to the workshop for processing.

Zhou Jing glanced at the list.

Ironclad Beast Potion, Flipback Dragon Potion, Strange Bird Potion…

Besides physical training, he has also learned some knowledge of alien beasts from Baron these days. At this time, he recognizes most of the alien beast names.

"How is the quality of this batch?" Baron asked casually while flipping through.

The Workshop Manager: "Three are made by novices, seven are works of skilled apothecaries, and one is an apothecary's exceptional performance, of excellent quality."

"Then we're lucky." Baron laughed, turning to look at Zhou Jing: "Take a look, is that excellent quality Alien Blood Potion the enhancement direction you want? If there is no problem, then choose it."

These days, Zhou Jing has heard Baron talk about the mechanism of Alien Blood Enhancement. Choosing the first Alien Blood Potion is very important, it almost determines the future enhancement route.

The first potion Baron used mainly strengthened strength and defense, good at head-on confrontations, a material for a tank.

In addition, the better the quality of the potion, the less likely it is to inherit the weaknesses of the alien beast.

Zhou Jing looked at the materials of this excellent quality potion.

— Lightning Leopard Potion.

This is an alien beast known for its speed and burst, and also has the special ability to discharge electricity, belonging to the ranks of high-risk alien beasts. The enhancement direction is agility, reaction, explosiveness, and a certain amount of electric shock resistance.

‘A high agility and high burst route… seems pretty good.’

Zhou Jing was a little tempted.

Compared to pure strength, being agile and fast in combat might be more useful.

However…

Zhou Jing pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke:

"Baron, this request may be a bit sudden, but… can I take two potions? Just consider it as me borrowing from you."

Baron was stunned.

"What do you want two Alien Blood Potions for?"

This thing is useless if you take too much, you can only use one… Could it be that you want to strengthen twice in a row? Isn't that courting death?

Even if you are gifted, you can't do that!

Seeing Baron's expression of "are you kidding me," Zhou Jing knew that the other party had misunderstood, and immediately waved his hand to explain:

"I don't plan to strengthen continuously, I just want one more choice… You are willing to help me exchange a potion, I already owe you a favor, I definitely can't use this second one for free, consider it as me borrowing it."

He did take a fancy to the Lightning Leopard Potion, but he didn't intend to use it directly.

The danger of Alien Blood Potions is still unclear, he decided to take another Alien Blood Potion to satisfy Ross's wish, so that this loyal follower can obtain the long-awaited opportunity to try the medicine and make a contribution to the organization.

He will observe the effect and performance after taking the medicine, so that he can be sure.

Although "Jason Wood" can inherit the ability even if he dies, it will take a lot of effort to reconnect with Baron with a new persona and get him to the point where he is willing to exchange potions for himself, so Zhou Jing feels that he should be more careful when facing Alien Blood Enhancement for the first time.

Baron touched his bald head, still not understanding Zhou Jing's reason.

What's the point of having one more choice? In the end, you still use the best potion.

However, he didn't delve into it — since his worldview was subverted by Zhou Jing, this has become his habit towards Zhou Jing.

"Okay, just consider it as you borrowing it… although I still don't quite understand what you mean, but just don't use the potions consecutively." Baron agreed.

He actually didn't care. He had accumulated a lot of records, and he didn't plan to strengthen a second time, so it was no problem for Zhou Jing to exchange another one.

Moreover, people said it was considered a loan and would pay it back in the future, so Baron had no objection.

Zhou Jing was not sure whether Baron would agree. Seeing that he didn't refuse, he felt relieved.

He glanced at the list again, then spoke: "Then give me this Lightning Leopard Potion, and… Black Hand Fox Potion."

The enhancement direction of most Alien Blood Potions is qualities such as strength, endurance, and agility, but the Black Hand Fox is an alien beast that is good at hiding and stealth, and its enhancement direction is special.

The Workshop Manager quickly dragged out two wooden boxes from the warehouse, opening them to display.

Each box contained a bottle of bright red potion, with the potion name marked on the bottle.

"These are the two Alien Blood Potions you want." The Workshop Manager handed the box to Zhou Jing, asking: "Are you going to strengthen now? We can provide a room."

"No need, I'll go back and prepare."

Zhou Jing shook his head.

Using Alien Blood Potion is just drinking it, there are no other procedures, so using it privately is not much different from using it here… both belong to "no problem, no need to save; problem, can't be cured."

Going back to find Ross to test the medicine, there is no need to let Baron know for the time being.

The Workshop Manager smiled: "Okay, then I look forward to seeing you again… of course, as a Beast Hunter."

"Thanks." Zhou Jing nodded.

Looking down at the Alien Blood Potion in the box, his heart was pounding.

The "key" is already in his hands.

Next, try whether you can use this "key" to open the door to the transcendent world.

…

It was already afternoon after exchanging the potions. The two left the workshop and found a hotel in the city.

Baron paid for three days' accommodation and looked back at Zhou Jing:

"You rest first, I'll go out to see some friends. You better wait for me to come back before using the potion, so I can keep an eye on you, so that no one disturbs you."

"Okay, I also need some time to think again and adjust my state."

Zhou Jing nodded, saying plausibly.

Watching Baron leave, Zhou Jing took Ross back to his room, refused the hotel maid's implied special service, and closed the door.

For a time, only two people were left in the room.

Zhou Jing confirmed that the doors and windows were closed, then took out the Black Hand Fox Potion and handed it to Ross, earnestly saying:

"Brother, now is the time for you to contribute to the organization."

Ross glanced at Zhou Jing, then looked down at the potion in his hand, without action.

No objection, that means agreed!

Zhou Jing pressed on Ross's shoulder forcefully, solemnly saying:

"Be good, drink it all in one gulp."

Ross silently nodded, pulled out the bottle stopper, raised his head and chugged, drinking the Black Hand Fox Potion in one gulp.

Zhou Jing watched without blinking, waiting for the next reaction.

However, after waiting for more than ten minutes, Ross still stood straight in place, nothing happened.

Zhou Jing: …

The two stared at each other, Ross's eyes were quite innocent.

Did the potion expire without reacting, or is the follower's physique special?

Zhou Jing scratched his head.

Just as he was preparing to check if there was a problem –

Crack, crack, crack –

A dense sound of bones moving came from Ross's body.

Black blood vessels quickly bulged on his face, twisting like small snakes, and his body twitched from time to time, as if it was an unconscious nerve reflex.

However, Ross was expressionless, his eyes always fixed on Zhou Jing.

If he didn't know the details, Zhou Jing would almost think this was a cold-blooded killer without pain or emotion.

"It seems that the potion takes a certain amount of metabolism to take effect! The big one is coming!"

Zhou Jing suddenly became energetic.

He quickly observed Ross's body changes with a research mentality.

In these three months, he has grown rapidly, but Ross's attributes have not increased at all, they are the same as when he first started, completely at the level of ordinary people.

The stronger the body, the higher the success rate of using Alien Blood Potion. Although it is not completely impossible for ordinary people to undergo Alien Blood Enhancement, the success rate is very slim.

But Ross's aptitude, when will he naturally grow up?

So supernatural items like Alien Blood Potion, it's a waste not to use it!

Zhou Jing let Ross undergo Alien Blood Enhancement first, in addition to the purpose of testing the medicine, he also let Ross gamble.

Anyway, each Star Realm Apostle has one free chance to revive a follower. If Ross dies because of this, he can also pull him back once.

And if it succeeds, wouldn't it be a huge profit?

If he wins, he will gain a powerful follower, if he fails, he will still have the original stupid one.

With such a trial and error opportunity, when is the time to gamble if not now!

…

Time passed by minute by minute. The dim yellow sky outside the window was gradually replaced by night.

The bulging blood vessels on Ross's face gradually subsided, and his body also stopped twitching.

In this process, the muscles on his body vaguely became larger, but they did not swell too much. If you don't look carefully, it is not easy to notice.

Zhou Jing poked Ross's pectoral muscles. Unlike the previous shriveled feel, it is now full of elasticity.

"Did it succeed?"

Ross's eyes still followed Zhou Jing, nodding with an imperceptible amplitude.

Zhou Jing was pleasantly surprised and opened the follower's attribute panel to take a look.

[【Ross (Primary)】Obtained Transcendent Power System 【Alien Blood Warrior】!]

[【Alien Blood Warrior】: First Enhancement (Black Hand Fox)]

[Effect: Physique +9, Resistance +7, Perception +5]

[Current Attributes: Physique 14, Resistance 12, Perception 10, Spirit 5, Energy 0]

[Attached Traits: 【Night Vision】, 【Light Action】, 【Night Camouflage】]