Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 12: Ice Crab

"Big teeth, activate, search, lock spirit."

Tong Bingfeng used the same trick again, actively inhaling a breath of cool air into his mouth and circling it around his molars, once again trying to lock onto a target that met his requirements.

Under the second onslaught of the cold air, the four central molars on both the upper and lower sides were once again subjected to its chill, and a slight tremor could even be felt.

This is a sign that Big Teeth's endurance has reached its peak. Perhaps due to the constraints of Tong Bingfeng's cultivation, Big Teeth can only complete two searches per day. If it exceeds that, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"Although it has a slightly fishy smell, the taste is much milder, and it also has a faint fragrance. It is obviously not the first-grade low-quality crystal shrimp that I hunted yesterday."

As the saying goes, perseverance pays off. On the second attempt, the two pairs of big teeth successfully locked onto a rather special spiritual energy contained within the cold air.

Of course, beneath his seemingly resolute face, there was also a hint of panic hidden in his heart, after all, this was an unfamiliar monster.

"Since we're already here, we might as well make the best of it. If we're going to snatch food from the jaws of beasts, why should we hesitate because of a few potential dangers?"

As a qualified cultivator, he immediately banished the slight fear in his heart, and with firm steps and a determined expression, strode forward in the direction locked by the big teeth.

To deal with the demonic beasts lurking in the shadows, Tong Bingfeng resorted to his old trick, attaching a mid-grade first-tier ice needle talisman to each of his hands, which was already on the verge of activation. Once he encountered an enemy, he only needed to use a small amount of divine sense to activate it.

Beneath his heavy robes were rows of neatly arranged talismans, ready to be unleashed. This was his only means of defense and combat at this stage.

"The aroma is strong and the stench is lingering. Based on yesterday's experience hunting a low-grade first-tier crystal shrimp, the target monster should be within a hundred feet."

A moment later, Tong Bingfeng stood on a boundless ice field. Based on the scent that Big Tooth had locked onto, the demon beast should be hiding in the nearby area.

Most water-attribute demonic beasts, thanks to the natural concealment of the ice domain, are impossible for most cultivators to detect, provided they possess even a slight understanding of stealth and concealment techniques.

Although Tong Bingfeng is different from the past and is determined to snatch food from the beasts' mouths, he has only hunted his first monster yesterday since he began refining his Qi. His lack of experience is obvious, and his experience in finding monster tracks is almost zero.

"Shh, gurgle"

Today, Tong Bingfeng seems to be blessed with good fortune. Before he has even taken any action to hunt the beast, strange noises have already been heard from the ice surface not far away.

A block of ice, about ten feet in diameter, protruded from the surface of the ice field. A pair of large pincers, more than half a meter in diameter, gleamed with a cold light and moved back and forth. A thick carapace appeared particularly smooth and hard under the sunlight reflected off the ice field, and its strong and powerful lower limbs stood firmly on the ice surface.

"A low-grade Tier 1 ice crab?"

When Tong Bingfeng saw the true face of the demon beast, he showed a mixture of surprise and delight.

The first-grade low-level ice crab has a pair of large pincers that are indestructible, exceptionally sharp, and incredibly lethal under the nourishment of spiritual energy. It can also be used as the main material for refining first-grade low-level water-attribute magic weapons, so its value is not small.

Although crab shells cannot be used as the main material for crafting defensive magical artifacts, they still have corresponding value and a certain degree of defensive power. At the same time, crab meat is also known for its unique aroma and sells for a high price.

However, this giant crab also possesses considerable combat power. It is a genuine top-tier first-order low-grade demonic beast, and its demonic bloodline is even purer, giving it the potential to advance to first-order high-grade in the future.

"Kakaka"

In the blink of an eye, after locking onto its target, the Ice Crab opened its mouth and shot out a water arrow. Although both were innate spells, the Ice Crab's speed and lethality were clearly superior to the Crystal Shrimp's.

Meanwhile, the ice crab's attack did not end with the water arrow. Its strong and powerful body was mobilized at the same time, and its two large pincers were the first to swing, covered with dense yet sharp barbs that made people feel a sense of fear.

"The domineering crab is indeed as rumored—temperamental and aggressive. Today's battle will likely be tough."

Tong Bingfeng had a clear understanding of the value of the ice crab in front of him, and also had a sufficient understanding of its combat power.

Seeing the water arrow quickly solidify into a more lethal ice arrow, he remained calm, drawing on his experience from yesterday's battle. He dodged left and right, rolled around like a lazy donkey, and used a series of moves that, while appearing clumsy, were extremely effective.

The distance between Tong Bingfeng and the Ice Crab rapidly shortened in this swift movement, and the two large pincers were so detailed that even the finest hairs could be seen. When they swung up and down, gusts of cool wind would blow.

Compared to the ranged attack spell Water Arrow, these two large pincers are the real killing move. Once they land on his body, he will be seriously injured at best, and die on the spot at worst.

"Ice Needle Talisman, Imperial Edict"

Tong Bingfeng remained relatively rational throughout. He decisively activated the two first-tier mid-grade ice needle talismans, and under the forceful guidance and fusion of his divine sense, each ice needle talisman transformed into three large ice needles, each as thick as three fingers, which shot out in two triangular formations.

The first ice needle went straight for the ice crab's head, which is one of the ice crab's unavoidable weak points. If it could hit the head, it would achieve twice the result with half the effort.

"Click"

As the ice needle approached the ice crab, the crab's left claw slammed down with tremendous force, striking the center of the ice needle.

With a clear and crisp sound, the ice needle failed to achieve its intended goal. The ice crab's large pincers, though seemingly bulky, were actually quite agile.

The second and third ice needles followed closely behind, suffering the same fate; the two large pincers on the left and right exerted force simultaneously, easily destroying them in the near future.

The offensive methods transformed from the first Tier 1 Mid-grade Ice Needle Talisman have been completely destroyed, their only function being to consume a small amount of the Ice Crab's power.

The three ice needles formed from the second ice needle talisman were equally sharp. Two of them fell as the crab claws swung, but the last one slipped through the net.

"clang"

The crisp sound of the ice needle colliding with the crab shell rang out. Thanks to the effective defense provided by the crab shell, the ice crab did not suffer any significant damage, only leaving a white mark on the shell.

However, apart from the external injuries, the most direct impact of such a collision is the collision and wear down of forces. The ice crab, despite its strength, also experienced a slight tilt and imbalance in its entire body.

Under normal circumstances, such tilting would not cause any additional trouble for the usually domineering ice crab; it could simply adjust its body to return to normal.

"By my command, with the Fire Serpent Talisman, I hereby order..."