Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 24: News

"Drawing water to create a sharp edge, condensing energy into a gleam..."

On the third day of practicing the Water Blade Slash, Tong Bingfeng silently recited the incantation recorded in the "Water Spirit Technique." With a slight flick of his fingertips, several wisps of water vapor from the stream were forcibly pulled up and gathered into a blurry ball of water in his palm. It swayed and was uneven in thickness. As soon as it took shape, it dripped water, showing no trace of a blade.

Seeing this, Tong Bingfeng gritted his teeth and forcibly tightened his spiritual energy, trying to thin the water mass.

But things often don't go as planned. When the spiritual energy is abrupt, the water flow becomes erratic, and with a "plop," it breaks into water droplets that splash back onto the stream, leaving only a damp, cool spot on the palm of the hand.

Tong Bingfeng took a deep breath, suppressed his agitation, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing again.

This time, instead of rushing things, he simply guided the water flow gently, using the magical power in his dantian to wrap the water vapor like silk threads, gradually sorting and compacting it.

After an unknown amount of time, a faint blue light finally appeared on his palm, and a water blade, half a finger wide and as thin as a willow leaf, trembled and solidified. Although the edges were somewhat blurred, it already revealed a bit of sharpness.

"It's done..."

Upon seeing the water blade that was already vaguely taking shape, he was overjoyed. His breathing became slightly disordered, and the water blade immediately trembled.

Tong Bingfeng quickly calmed himself down and, following the instructions in the "Water Spirit Technique," gently pushed his wrist forward.

The water blade pierced the air with a soft hiss, shooting towards a soft rock on the shore. It cut in half an inch with a "whoosh" before dissipating into mist.

Although it was just a superficial strike, Tong Bingfeng showed a look of joy.

He knew that this was the first step into the Water Blade Slash, and only then could he begin to understand the mysteries of this first-tier mid-grade spell.

Of course, he only has a basic understanding of the Water Blade Slash right now, and it cannot be called a true comprehension. As for using it in battle, that is extremely far away. He needs to invest enough time and energy to continue practicing, and the whole process is destined to be something that cannot be completed in a short period of time.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh"

Seizing the opportunity, Tong Bingfeng naturally wouldn't let go of such a good chance to gain initial insight. He didn't hesitate to mobilize the magic power in his dantian and unleash the Water Blade Slash time and time again.

One by one, water blades cut into the blue stones of different sizes beside the stream, leaving marks of varying depths. With each use, the quality of the water blades improved, the time it took for the cultivator to use them became shorter, and the shape of each water blade became more uniform.

In short, thanks to Tong Bingfeng's tireless efforts day and night, the first-tier mid-grade spell Water Blade Slash has basically taken shape. As his proficiency continues to increase, he will one day be able to use it in daily battles.

"Unfortunately, the magic power of a fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator is still slightly inferior and insufficient to support long-term spell practice."

Two hours later, feeling a profound emptiness in his dantian, Tong Bingfeng had no choice but to stop practicing the Water Blade Slash, his face still showing a hint of regret and pity.

Of course, if one continues to force oneself to practice, it will deplete the cultivator's own potential, and Tong Bingfeng, being shrewd, would naturally not do such a losing proposition.

He decisively stopped practicing the first-tier mid-grade water blade slash, turned around and sat cross-legged on the blue stone in the stream. He circulated his energy according to the requirements of the "Water Spirit Technique," refining the spiritual energy wandering between heaven and earth and entering his dantian to replenish his insufficient mana.

Although there are no water-attribute spiritual veins hidden near the stream, it still belongs to the second-tier low-grade Ice Spirit Island. More or less, it carries a small amount of pure water-attribute spiritual power mixed in from its source.

Therefore, the quantity and quality of water-attribute spiritual energy near the stream are naturally superior to that in the courtyard, where there has been no spiritual energy supply from the spiritual veins for a longer period of time.

With each major cycle of spiritual energy, Tong Bingfeng transformed into a humanoid spiritual energy devourer, a monster that never knew hunger, indiscriminately refining all the water-attribute spiritual energy attached to the stream into his meridians and dantian.

As the sun sets in the west, gradually disappearing behind the distant mountain valleys, the golden sunlight begins to fade and vanish, and night begins to slowly descend without our noticing.

"Two-thirds of the mana in my dantian has been restored. The remaining part will be restored to its peak state once I return to the courtyard and refine the spiritual energy I have accumulated today."

"Today is the third day. I wonder if Liu's Grocery Store has finished communicating regarding the rental of the religious artifacts? What exactly will be the cost of the rental process?"

With the basics of Water Blade Slash now mastered, Tong Bingfeng's thoughts have shifted back to the matter of renting magical artifacts.

After all, as one's cultivation level increases, the number of spiritual items required for each stage of cultivation increases. For a rogue cultivator like Tong Bingfeng, the only way is to snatch food from the mouths of beasts and exchange the monsters he hunts for spirit stones to meet his cultivation needs.

If one could acquire an additional magic weapon with compatible attributes and of superior quality, one would naturally reap greater rewards in future battles and have a greater chance of survival in the event of danger.

Tong Bingfeng had some idea of ​​the price to pay for renting the magical artifact, and as long as it didn't exceed his personal limits, he was willing to make the payment.

Lost in these thoughts, Tong Bingfeng appeared near the courtyard with practiced ease.

"Fellow Daoist Tong, where have you been busy? It's been so long since you returned. I've kept you waiting for quite a while. I need at least a cup of spiritual tea to calm my anger."

The owner of Liu's Grocery Store greeted him with a hint of resentment and a half-joking tone.

"It was my fault. I didn't expect you to come to my humble abode in person. I apologize for the inconvenience. A cup of spiritual tea is of course no problem."

One shouldn't hit a smiling face, especially when one needs something from the other party, so Tong Bingfeng warmly led him into the courtyard.

A special piece of first-grade low-quality spirit fish tea cake, which he had treasured for a long time, was taken out. This spirit tea is famous for its shape resembling a spirit fish after it is brewed.

Spirit tea is produced from specially cultivated spirit tea trees. During its growth and processing, it retains a rich and pure spiritual energy as well as a particularly fresh and intense aroma, making it quite expensive.

Tong Bingfeng was short of money and could barely afford to eat spirit rice every day, let alone a luxury like spirit tea.

This small spirit fish tea cake was purchased by chance at a relatively low price in the Binghai Market's independent cultivator stall area, specifically to entertain distinguished guests.

It was precisely because it was not fully formed, small in size, and easy to hide that it managed to escape the vicious extortion attempt by the patrolling guards last time.

"I am short of funds and only have a few spirit fish tea cakes. Please do not be offended, Fellow Daoist Liu, and have a taste."

After Tong Bingfeng finished brewing the spirit tea, the small, exquisite tea leaves transformed into swimming fish in the pale yellow tea water, and a fragrance spread everywhere.

"Fellow Daoist Tong, you are too kind. Although this tea is not of high grade, it has a unique fragrance within it. Spirit Fish Tea, it truly lives up to its name. Please."