Chapter 165: The Blood Orchid

“What cost?” Xu Feng slightly frowned and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Hu Tian laughed heartily, stood up, and pointed towards the peak of the Main Peak, saying, “Over there lies an endless supply of precious herbs and divine weapons. Once you enter, all these will be within your grasp. Are you tempted?”

“Are you talking about the Celestial Garden?” Xu Feng asked in surprise. “Isn’t the purpose of the Beast Demon Village to guard the Celestial Garden?”

“Celestials—what are celestials?” Hu Tian chuckled dismissively. “Anyone with immense power can be called a celestial. Who knows—you might become one someday.”

Looking at Hu Tian’s handsome face, Xu Feng suddenly understood.

Hu Tian was a member of the Extraterrestrial Beastkin Tribe, not one of the locals from the Beast Demon Village. He was here, likely with his own designs on the treasures within the Celestial Garden.

Xu Feng’s gaze fell upon the wound on Hu Tian’s shoulder, from which pale blue crystalline energy flowed.

“The Celestial Garden must be very dangerous,” Xu Feng remarked.

“Of course,” Hu Tian replied coldly. “As your Earth saying goes, ‘Great wealth comes from great risks.’ Without paying a price, how could one obtain great power?”

“What about the Beastkin?” Xu Feng hesitated for a moment before asking.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Hu Tian said. “I will take care of it. When the time comes, no one will stop us from entering the Celestial Garden. As long as we break through the defenses there, we can go in.”

A golden light gleamed in Hu Tian’s eyes, and an expression of excitement appeared on his face.

“Alright, I agree!” Xu Feng nodded and said.

“Good. This is a Blood Orchid. Take it. Try to improve your strength over these next few days. As you are now, you are still too weak.” Hu Tian waved his hand, and a pale blue herb with red speckles drifted out.

Xu Feng caught it, glanced at it briefly, and stored it in his ring.

“Alright, go and rest for now. Over the next few days, you may come and go freely in the Ancient City. When the Celestial Garden opens again, I will send someone to notify you.” After speaking, Hu Tian sat back down on the stone chair.

Xu Feng nodded, turned around, and walked out of the sacred hall.

Watching Xu Feng leave, Hu Tian opened his eyes and stared at the hall’s entrance.

“To enter the Celestial Garden, fresh human blood is required. With your arrival, I can break through the first layer of defense…” Hu Tian murmured softly to himself, a peculiar glint appearing in his eyes.

…

In the Ancient City, Hu Tian was not the only Priest. There were many Beastkin, and it seemed they had been brainwashed by Hu Tian. They no longer saw guarding the Celestial Garden as their duty and only obeyed the commands of Priest Hu Tian.

“Human, what abilities do you possess to have earned the Priest’s summons?” A Beastkin with a leopard’s head and a human body blocked Xu Feng’s path, roaring loudly.

Before Xu Feng could reply, the leopard-headed Beastkin reached out to grab him, laughing and saying, “Let me, Kaya, test your skills and see what makes you so special.”

This Beastkin only had Three-Star Strength, not even reaching Three-Star Peak. However, Beastkin were inherently powerful; even with just Three-Star Strength, they could hunt many Four-Star monsters. Thus, Kaya did not take Xu Feng, who had just reached Four-Star Strength, seriously.

“Flying Sword, emerge!”

A silver sword light shot out from within Xu Feng, slashing toward Kaya’s outstretched arm.

Clang!

A clear metallic sound rang out, and blood splattered from Kaya’s arm.

Xu Feng was taken aback. The bones were incredibly tough—his strike hadn’t managed to sever them.

Roar!

Kaya clutched his arm and roared in pain, fear flashing in his leopard-like eyes as he retreated repeatedly.

“Damn human, I will kill you!” Kaya shouted, making threatening noises but not daring to charge forward again.

“Human, please come with me. I will take you to your resting place.” The snake-headed Beastkin who had invited Xu Feng to the Ancient City appeared and spoke to him coldly.

Xu Feng did not pursue his advantage. He shook his head at Kaya, a look of disappointment on his face, as if he were let down by Kaya’s performance.

Watching Xu Feng’s retreating figure, Kaya gritted his teeth, resentment burning in his eyes.

“Kaya, that human is powerful and very useful to the Priest. Do not provoke him again.” Suoman shook his golden mane as he spoke.

Glancing at Suoman, who had just arrived, Kaya let out a low growl, clearly displeased.

“That human won’t live long. But for now, the Priest needs him. Do not trouble him further—this is the Priest’s command.” Suoman said coldly, a hint of killing intent in his eyes.

As if sensing Suoman’s murderous aura, Kaya’s face showed reluctance, but he still bowed his head and gave a respectful gesture of submission.

“As a member of the Beast Demon Clan, you must learn to use your brain. You are no longer a wild beast—control your instincts.” Suoman glanced disdainfully at Kaya before turning and leaving.

Kaya raised his head, watching Suoman’s retreating back. His lips trembled slightly, revealing sharp fangs as he made a tearing motion with his mouth.

…

Xu Feng lay on a bed in a stone hut, idly playing with a shimmering herb.

“It seems the Beastkin here are divided into two factions. One lives in the Beast Demon Village, claiming to guard the Celestial Garden, while the other resides in the Ancient City, seemingly following the Priest as their leader.” Xu Feng thought to himself. “The Priest said there are countless precious herbs and divine weapons in the Celestial Garden. I wonder if that’s true. But judging by his power, he seems to have surpassed Four Stars and reached Five Stars. So why does he need my help?”

“No matter. Improving my strength is what truly matters. Whatever their motives, I’ll focus on my own growth. Even if they fight among themselves and turn everything upside down, it’s none of my concern.” Xu Feng smiled slightly and tossed the Blood Orchid into his mouth.

This herb could increase eight points of constitution and six points of spirit. As he swallowed it, a warm current spread throughout his body. With Xu Feng’s current physical condition, the addition of over a dozen Attribute Points no longer brought the intense pain it once had. The power was gentle and steady, and once the warmth had coursed through him, it felt like soaking in warm water. After about ten minutes, the sensation slowly faded.

The power of mutated herbs was milder than that of Beast Crystals or Insect Crystals. The pain during absorption and evolution was much reduced, and the Attribute Points gained were higher. Comparatively, Xu Feng preferred absorbing the power of mutated herbs.

However, in his previous life, Xu Feng had never heard of herbs that could increase Attribute Points. Such rarities were even more precious than Attribute Gems. Anyone who found them would consume them immediately, so they rarely circulated.

Xu Feng closed his eyes, intending to rest, when he suddenly felt as though someone was watching him. The skin on his neck grew slightly cold, and his hairs stood on end—an unconscious killing intent emanating from the gaze fixed upon him.

Xu Feng made no move, but remained inwardly alert, wanting to see who had infiltrated his room with ill intentions.