Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 36: The Crystal Gourd

After a quick inspection, the owner of Liu's General Store confirmed that it was indeed a mid-grade first-level crystal shrimp corpse and that it was not a counterfeit. He then put it directly into his storage bag, which was used to store the corpses of demonic beasts, and handed over three spirit stones. Thus, the first transaction of renting the Azure Water Sword was successfully completed.

However, the cultivator abruptly changed the subject, bringing up a completely different topic that instantly captured Tong Bingfeng's attention.

"A crystal gourd? It grows on a gourd vine, and during its natural growth, it can be nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, autonomously generating array patterns. After it matures and is harvested, it becomes a natural magical artifact, a crystal gourd?"

After pondering for a while, Tong Bingfeng hesitantly mentioned a rumor he had read in a jade slip, but due to his limited perspective and knowledge, he had never fully believed it.

After all, within its visible range, all magical artifacts are based on spiritual materials of different grades and varieties, and are refined and forged by weapon refiners using earth fire. Whether such naturally grown magical artifacts are real or fake does not require any extra effort to pay attention to.

Even if the legend is true, such naturally formed spiritual creatures are most likely beyond the reach of a rogue cultivator like him. It would be more practical to use his energy to find and hunt a few more demonic beasts to exchange for spirit stones to nourish his cultivation.

Therefore, when the owner of Liu's Grocery Store suddenly mentioned this legend, he naturally managed to divert Tong Bingfeng's attention immediately.

"Fellow Daoist Tong is very knowledgeable. I have recently received reliable information about this naturally formed crystal gourd. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Tong would be interested in it?"

The owner of Liu's Grocery Store did not try to hide anything at all, and directly and readily extended the invitation.

"If Fellow Daoist Liu had news of such rare and precious treasures, why would he invite me to go? Our relationship is limited to the rental of the Azure Water Sword and the occasional trading of a few mid-grade first-tier spiritual items."

"Since you are able to open a shop in the Ice Sea Market and earn spirit stones steadily, you must have a wide circle of friends. I am well aware that my strength is weak and not outstanding. Regardless of whether it is true or not, the reason for this is something I cannot understand. I would like to ask you, Fellow Daoist Liu, to enlighten me."

Those who are family know their own situation. Although Tong Bingfeng has hunted down several different kinds of demonic beasts, he has only been able to buy some spiritual items for daily cultivation to make up for his shortcomings.

Moreover, his cultivation level of the fourth level of Qi Refining was not outstanding in the vast area of ​​Binghai Market, and he had not escaped the ranks of the lower class. Therefore, this invitation from Liu's General Store was full of doubts and he couldn't figure it out for a while.

"Fellow Daoist Tong is indeed very cautious. The main reason I invited you to go is precisely because your cultivation is slightly inferior. I can control the subsequent exploration and take the lion's share of the profits in the end."

Although the words of the owner of Liu's Grocery Store were a stark reality that made people uncomfortable, they also carried a certain degree of trustworthiness.

The cultivation world is inherently cruel; only strength can earn the respect and recognition of others.

"Fellow Daoist Liu is straightforward. Since I have ventured there rashly, what kind and how much of a spiritual item can I expect as a reward?"

"Furthermore, fellow Daoist's strength is extraordinary. If you were to turn against me, I fear I would be unable to protect myself. Such an opportunity is probably out of my reach."

Various rumors about the crystal gourd kept churning in my mind. As a qualified cultivator, I naturally wanted to obtain such a treasure.

However, after considering the key elements, their limited rationality led them to back down. While they could cooperate sincerely during the treasure hunt, once all the hidden dangers were eliminated, this unstable alliance would completely collapse. Such scenarios were commonplace in the icy northern frontier.

"Why are you in such a hurry to refuse, Fellow Daoist Tong? The crystal gourd is still in its growth stage and has plenty of time before it matures."

"Fellow Daoist, do you know that a single gourd vine can nurture five gourds of different attributes: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth? I can give Fellow Daoist Tong a water-attribute gourd; this is my sincerity."

Upon hearing this, the owner of Liu's Grocery Store, whose face had been calm and composed, showed a hint of anxiety.

It was obvious that Tong Bingfeng's decision to retreat in the face of such a treasure was completely unexpected, shattering his original plans and various contingency plans.

"The crystal gourd is indeed valuable; once obtained, it can effectively enhance combat power. However, the dangers it contains far exceed my capacity to withstand. Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Liu, but I'm afraid I can only fail to live up to your good intentions this time."

The more enthusiastically the other party extended the invitation, the more obvious Tong Bingfeng's unease became. This time, his determination to back out became even stronger, and the slight reluctance he had felt before was completely banished from his mind.

"Fellow Daoist Tong, do you know the other truly wonderful use of the crystal gourd? Compared to magical artifacts, this is what we cultivators truly pursue."

Seeing that Tong Bingfeng was fully prepared to take his leave, the cultivator surnamed Liu could no longer hide anything and prepared to tell him the other purpose.

"I am unaware of any other uses, please enlighten me, fellow Daoist."

Upon hearing this, Tong Bingfeng indeed stopped and asked a question, clearly captivated by the secret behind it.

"Fellow Daoist Tong only knows a fraction of the wonders and preciousness of the crystal gourd. Besides being a naturally formed magical artifact, each gourd contains a pure essence of gourd energy that can assist cultivators in advancing to the seventh level of Qi Refining, with a success rate of over 80%. Would you be willing to risk going there?"

As a cultivator who makes a living by welcoming and seeing off guests and running a shop, he is naturally very clear about the most sincere and irresistible needs in the hearts of every cultivator.

Originally, I hadn't told them anything; I just wanted to use other means to manipulate the ignorant rogue cultivators in front of me and extract the most lucrative profit from them.

"Is Fellow Daoist Liu's statement true?"

Upon hearing this, Tong Bingfeng immediately asked, his initial hesitation completely replaced by a firm resolve. Compared to a simple magic artifact, advancing to the seventh level of Qi Refining was naturally the most important thing.

Reaching the seventh level of Qi Refining is already considered the late stage of Qi Refining. Although the difference in strength between the middle and late stages of Qi Refining is not as vast as heaven and earth, the threshold and bottleneck between them are not easy to overcome.

Most independent cultivators can only rely on the persistent effort of water dripping on stone, investing enough time to gradually wear down their abilities before they can possibly reach the next level.

"It's absolutely true. Fellow Daoist Tong, would you be willing to participate in this trip?"

The owner of Liu's Grocery Store once again extended a relatively sincere invitation with a solemn expression.

"Thank you for your high regard, fellow Daoist. I am willing to brave any difficulties and dangers, even mountains of knives and seas of fire, to embark on this adventure with you."

Although he was not clear about the extent of the dangers he would face on this journey, he was naturally willing to take the risk in order to build up his foundation for the future. This was the true choice of a cultivator.