txolops Chapter 32: Choices
Chapter 32: Choices
"After a single drop of mid-grade first-tier leech spirit water is refined, its effect is comparable to half a mid-grade first-tier spirit pill, and it can be refined freely without any side effects whatsoever."
"There are no impurities in these leech spirit waters, which should be one of their unique characteristics. Although I have not refined other spirit waters of the same grade but different types, based on various summaries, their quality should be outstanding among mid-grade first-tier spirit waters."
Only after completing the final cycle of the Great Heavenly Circulation, confirming that all the spiritual energy dissipated from the leech spirit water has been refined without any waste, does one begin to conclude the practice.
Feeling a slight fullness and swelling in his dantian, as well as a small improvement in his Qi Refining Level 4 cultivation, Tong Bingfeng's face clearly showed an uncontrollable joy from the bottom of his heart.
After experiencing it firsthand, he discovered that the effects of the leech spirit water from the body of the first-grade mid-level red willow leech were far superior to the rumors circulating in the market.
"If all eleven drops of leech spirit water are refined, not only will one's cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Refining advance by a crucial step, but one's physical body will also be nourished, making up for any deficiencies."
Tong Bingfeng felt an unprecedented sense of fullness and satisfaction emanating from different parts of his body. At this moment, his hopes for the future path were elevated to an unprecedented level.
Originally, this firm belief in the path had always existed and firmly occupied a corner of my heart, but under the erosion of the cruel reality of being poor and struggling, I inevitably began to have some doubts and confusion about how to break out of the current predicament.
As the saying goes, after the clouds disperse, the moon will shine brightly. These drops of first-grade mid-level leech spirit water are the best way to break through this so-called predicament.
"Although the cost of renting the Azure Water Sword was considerable, it was all worthwhile compared to what we gained today."
Tong Bingfeng examined the Azure Water Sword and finally understood the importance of an attribute-matching artifact for enhancing a cultivator's combat power.
As the sun rises in the east and the moon sets in the west, after a night's rest, Tong Bingfeng's energy and spirit have been completely restored to their peak state.
Bathed in the golden sunlight that filled the morning sky, he once again left his warm little nest on Ice Island and headed towards the boundless northern icy lands, ready to officially begin his journey today.
While mid-grade first-level leech spirit water is important, cultivation cannot rely solely on this one and only limited spiritual item. As a qualified cultivator, he still needs to acquire many other spiritual items to meet his basic cultivation needs.
The source of these spiritual items is the countless first-tier mid-grade demonic beasts hidden above the icy northern frontier. Only by defeating them one by one can one be qualified to exchange them for spirit stones and purchase spiritual items.
"If everything goes smoothly and we don't encounter any powerful mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts, with the help of the Leech Spirit Water, we should be able to hunt down two mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts today."
Tong Bingfeng gazed at the boundless ice surface before him, feeling the howling wind, but the fire in his heart could not be extinguished no matter what.
"Big teeth, search, lock."
Every day, the same trick was used again, and Tong Bingfeng's four white, flawless, and obviously protruding front teeth were removed from the protection of her lips and completely exposed in the icy and snowy world.
Today, he did not go to the Red Willow District to hunt Red Willow Leeches to obtain first-grade mid-level Leech Spirit Water. After all, the spirit water he had accumulated yesterday had not yet been used up. Since the Leech Spirit Water could not be sold to the public, it was better to hunt other types of demonic beasts first to meet his own needs.
"hiss"
Under the pull of pure water-attribute magic and the double blessing of divine sense, and with the erosion of the cold wind, all four of the upper and lower incisors suddenly felt a sharp pain, constantly testing the cultivator's endurance.
If one cannot withstand the corrosive effects of this cold wind, it will be impossible to distinguish the slight differences among hundreds of different sources of ice-attribute spiritual energy, and thus lock onto the water-attribute target monster hidden beneath the ice.
If even the slightest mishap occurs during the entire search and locking process, it can lead to failure, which is the limitation of Big Teeth.
"Such a strong, fishy stench suggests it's a filthy monster. I hope its value won't disappoint me."
Today was quite relaxing, and it didn't last long. A unique, fishy stench filled my incisor, the only downside being that it brought on waves of nausea that were hard to suppress.
Of course, at this stage, because the number of monsters hunted is limited, Tong Bingfeng cannot distinguish the type of monster represented by this scent, so he can only choose to go and hunt them.
The strong scent provided clear clues. After a stick of incense had burned, under Tong Bingfeng's precise tracking, the mid-grade first-tier demon beast finally revealed its true form. However, the cultivators hiding nearby did not rush in as usual, eager to hunt it down.
About twenty feet away from the protruding ice surface where Tong Bingfeng was hiding, a toad covered in bumps and the size of a kitten was gnawing on a rotten, low-grade first-order spirit fish.
The toad, scientifically known as Bufo bufo, has a skin covered with poisonous bumps containing potent toxins. Its innate magical abilities are quite troublesome. Despite its bloated and fat appearance, it is surprisingly agile in battle. It is a mid-tier first-class monster with relatively outstanding overall combat power and is quite a formidable opponent.
The most crucial point is that the toad's most valuable asset is the venom in its venom sac. If it cannot win a quick victory in battle, this venom cannot be preserved.
"Every toad that lives so openly and boldly on the icy plains of the northern frontier is a ruthless character who actively lures its enemies, using itself as bait."
As Tong Bingfeng gazed at the toad in the distance, a rumor he had gathered from the market surfaced in his mind. He had initially had some doubts about its veracity, but today he began to believe it.
Fortunately, he had a clear understanding of his own strength. Although the fourth level of Qi Refining was the threshold of the middle stage of Qi Refining, it was only the lowest level. Every time he hunted monsters with the help of Big Fang, he would first observe them and understand their strengths and weaknesses before making a move. As the saying goes, he would consider defeat before victory.
Today, the same caution was exercised. The protruding ice block chosen was located downwind of the toad, to prevent the cold wind from bringing the cultivator's aura to the toad.
"Very well, it's best to leave troublesome and low-value monsters like toads to fellow cultivators with higher overall strength who are qualified to quickly defeat them and obtain their venom. The best of the thirty-six stratagems is to flee."
After careful consideration, Tong Bingfeng finally made a decision: those who knowingly charge into battle despite being outmatched are not qualified cultivators, but rather reckless brutes.
Moreover, with Big Teeth's assistance, finding suitable monsters was not difficult for him, and there was no need to continue lingering here. A wise man knows when to yield.
Without disturbing the toads nearby, Tong Bingfeng quietly left. After maintaining a safe distance, with the help of his magic, he transformed into a streak of light on the ice surface.