Li Junqing said again, "Of course, Copper Skin is just defense, being more resistant to blows, but it doesn't mean it can stop strong bows and crossbows. A martial artist of the same grade holding a long spear or a sharp blade can still injure you."
Chen Tang nodded.
Cultivating Copper Skin indeed enhances defense, but the strength of a Ninth Grade Martial Artist is also significant. The destructive power unleashed is naturally incomparable to ordinary people.
Not to mention Copper Skin, even with real Bronze Armor, a Ninth Grade Martial Artist wielding a long spear with full force could potentially pierce through!
Chen Tang was still a bit puzzled.
Did he really cultivate to Ninth Grade in just over two months?
Besides the Mountain Lord Tiger Milk and Tiger Subduing Fist, the mountain ginseng he consumed over the past month probably played a significant role.
And the Mountain Ginseng Monkey Wine made by the Mountain Guest.
Chen Tang suddenly asked, "Earlier you mentioned coming to the Three Thousand Snow Ridges to gather ginseng, what kind was it?"
"Earth Ginseng."
Li Junqing said, "Generally, mountain ginseng under a hundred years is considered ordinary and referred to as ginseng. Only mountain ginseng over a hundred years old is called Earth Ginseng."
"The longer the age, the higher the grade. I came this time because I heard that someone discovered an upper-grade Earth Ginseng that is eight hundred years old in the Three Thousand Snow Ridges, so I teamed up with some hunters to enter the Snow Ridge. Unexpectedly, they had already been bribed."
Chen Tang didn't understand these sayings about mountain ginseng.
He directly took out a piece of mountain ginseng from his bosom, handed it over, and asked, "Take a look, what kind of ginseng is this?"
Li Junqing took the mountain ginseng, carefully observing it from all angles, his expression gradually changing, showing disbelief.
"This, this, this is a supreme-grade Earth Ginseng!"
Li Junqing's voice even trembled slightly.
Chen Tang asked, "How many years does a supreme-grade Earth Ginseng have?"
Li Junqing hastily replied, "Nine hundred years. Only Earth Ginseng over nine hundred years is called supreme-grade Earth Ginseng!"
Spiritual objects like mountain ginseng and Ganoderma are nurtured by heaven and earth, and most are collected by people or consumed by birds and exotic beasts before reaching such an age.
Around aged mountain ginseng and Ganoderma, there may even be powerful exotic beasts guarding!
Therefore, the older the mountain ginseng, the more precious it is, with abundant medicinal potency and spirit charm contained within.
"I wasted it before."
Chen Tang muttered.
On the Snow Mountain, he nearly treated this as a cucumber, taking a bite every day…
Later, with the Mountain Ginseng Monkey Wine, he stopped munching and casually put an Earth Ginseng in his bosom.
By the way, the Mountain Guest said the mountain ginseng soaked in Monkey Wine was even better than supreme-grade Earth Ginseng!
Chen Tang's heart stirred and he asked, "Could it be that the one better than this supreme-grade Earth Ginseng is called Celestial Ginseng?"
Li Junqing said, "Only mountain ginseng over a thousand years is called Celestial Ginseng. A thousand years, such a thing is a priceless treasure, hardly encountered by ordinary people."
Chen Tang nodded.
It seems the Mountain Lord Tiger Milk, supreme-grade Earth Ginseng, and Celestial Ginseng Monkey Wine, combined with the cultivation of Tiger Subduing Fist, allowed him to reach the 'Copper Skin' level.
Li Junqing's gaze continuously lingered on the supreme-grade Earth Ginseng in hand, as if he had obtained a priceless treasure, eyes filled with deep longing.
Chen Tang asked, "Why do you need this Earth Ginseng? Why go to the risk of venturing to the Three Thousand Snow Ridges?"
Hearing this, Li Junqing's gaze dimmed, he said softly, "My father has been ill for many years without recovery. I heard that supreme-grade Earth Ginseng can nourish the body, so I thought of picking one for him."
To cure his father's illness, he did not hesitate to risk his life.
Just a moment ago, he fought for him and nearly lost his life; this woman was truly loyal and righteous.
Seeing her dejected and sorrowful, Chen Tang felt sympathetic and hesitated before saying, "How about I give you this Earth Ginseng?"
In books from his previous life, it was written that when Guo Jing first met Huang Rong, he would give this and that, treat her to meals, even wanted to give her his little red horse, and in the end, he indeed got a wife.
Of course, the Snow Mountain had plenty of Earth Ginseng; like cabbages, he wouldn't be heartbroken giving it away.
Moreover, he had Celestial Ginseng Monkey Wine and didn't need the Earth Ginseng.
"Really?"
Li Junqing's delicate body trembled, she lifted her head, her expression excited, even her breath became a bit rapid, she said in a trembling voice, "Are you really willing to give me this supreme-grade Earth Ginseng? I, I can't, I shouldn't take it..."
Li Junqing was so overwhelmed she started to speak incoherently, shaking her head repeatedly, "This Earth Ginseng is too precious, worth at least several thousand taels of silver, maybe even tens of thousands. But I, I don't have that much money, you just saved me, how could I possibly repay..."
Chen Tang was startled.
This thing is worth ten thousand taels of silver?
He didn't pay attention to anything Li Junqing said afterward.
Chen Tang reached out and took back the supreme-grade Earth Ginseng, saying, "Then it is indeed too valuable, can't give it to you."
Li Junqing: "..."
Just got excited for nothing.
Li Junqing was so close to tears after Chen Tang's action.
The joy of gaining and the sorrow of losing made her feel a wave of immense disappointment.
But afterwards, Li Junqing thought, such a precious thing, she shouldn't have any thought of greed from the start.
If it were her, she would never give away something worth thousands or even tens of thousands of taels of silver.
Moreover, they had only just met.
"Li Junqing, Li Junqing, he is your savior, how could you expect too much, it's you who should properly repay him."
Li Junqing secretly remarked, gradually calming down.
Even though she thought this way, she was still reluctant; she didn't look away until Chen Tang tucked that supreme-grade Earth Ginseng back into his bosom.
Li Junqing's reluctant little gaze was also noticed by Chen Tang.
He just secretly chuckled, pretending not to know.
Chen Tang looked up at the sky and asked, "It's getting dark, can you still walk?"
Actually, Li Junqing's ankle hurt terribly.
But she merely pressed her lips together and nodded.
Under Chen Tang's watchful eyes, Li Junqing took a deep breath, enduring the intense pain, shakily standing up.
Chen Tang sighed softly.
He wondered what this girl had gone through to have such a determined and strong-willed character, refusing to ask for help even when so severely injured.
Chen Tang shook his head, broke off a branch nearby, shaved away the side branches, and handed it to Li Junqing as a crutch.
"Thank you, Brother Chen."
Li Junqing thanked him and began to hobble, following behind Chen Tang as they headed down the mountain.
"Judging by your attire, you're married, aren't you?"
While on the road, Chen Tang, curious, asked.
After their recent ordeal, the distance between them had lessened, so they chatted casually.
In ancient times, it was very common for girls to get married in their teens.
"Yes."
Li Junqing nodded, responding with a sound.
Chen Tang noticed the off note in her tone and saw her mood was low, so he glanced back.
Li Junqing slightly lowered her head, avoiding Chen Tang's gaze, seemingly having unspeakable hardships.
"Her husband isn't much if he lets her venture into such a dangerous place like the Three Thousand Snow Ridges, nearly costing her life."
Chen Tang thought to himself.
Of course, he only thought of this in his mind; saying it out loud would sound like incitement.
"Where is your home?"
Chen Tang asked, "I'll have someone notify you later, so I won't escort you back, to avoid misunderstandings."
"It doesn't matter."
Li Junqing suddenly said, "My husband passed away long ago."
Chen Tang was slightly startled and shook his head inwardly.
She was in her prime, yet widowed, truly pitiful.
This world is not like the previous life; if a widow remarries, she will face enormous pressure and inevitable gossip.