Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 5: Oppression

"This courtyard was rented by Xiaoxiu from the market management office. As a mere ice harvester, I cannot afford to compensate for even the slightest damage. Please, sir, be lenient."

Tong Bingfeng's face was filled with endless bitterness. He knew that the other party's real intention was not what it seemed, but faced with this situation, he could only reluctantly offer up a small repair bag.

It contained a spirit stone and fifty spirit crystals, hoping to get rid of this group of evil spirits. Although the price was not small, it was still within his means.

"Bah! We patrol guards represent the Chen family and the Binghai Market. Bribing patrol guards is an even greater crime. After the search is complete, take us back to the patrol station for questioning."

The man with the triangular eyes weighed the bag in his hand for a moment, then threw it on the ground. His words were righteous and indignant, but the underlying threat was not concealed in the slightest.

The patrol station is where patrol guards rest daily. It has temporary prisons. Once you enter it, your life or death is entirely at the mercy of others.

Once you fall into such a state, not to mention the spirit stones and spiritual items you've painstakingly accumulated, you'll probably lose your life without a trace.

If one were to actually step into the guard post's cell, a mere ice harvester at the third level of Qi Refining would vanish without a trace, like a drop of water merging into the ocean, unable to stir up even the slightest ripple.

The true purpose of the triangular-eyed guard in front of them was crystal clear: to squeeze the last drop of oil out of Tong Bingfeng's body.

Such blatant oppression and extortion, while not happening every day in the Ice Sea Market of the cultivation world, does occur from time to time; it's just that today, the protagonist is himself.

"Gentlemen, please do not misunderstand. I have been collecting ice for the clan for many years, working diligently and conscientiously. Please understand the truth."

Those who understand the times are wise. When one's own strength is weak and one cannot resist head-on, one can only choose a roundabout strategy to save oneself.

Once the spirit stones, spirit crystals, and various spiritual items are exhausted, they can be earned back in the future as long as there is time. However, once one's life is lost, it is truly irretrievable.

"As an ice harvester, my income is limited. After deducting daily expenses, I have only accumulated three spirit stones. This bottle of Qi Refining Powder was just purchased, and I have only refined one pill today. Consider it as payment for the tea you all need."

Tong Bingfeng suppressed his anger, his face displaying a fawning and submissive pleading expression as he tremblingly handed over another cloth bag.

At this moment, besides anger, his heart was bleeding every moment. These spirit stones and elixirs were the last bit of his savings.

Having exhausted all my resources for today, I still have no way of paying the monthly rent of one spirit stone. However, there are priorities, and I have no choice but to prioritize my own survival in the face of such blatant extortion.

"You're so stubborn, you won't give up until you hit a brick wall, you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin. You just want to cause this patrolman so much trouble. It's just three spirit stones and a bottle of Qi Refining Powder."

The triangular-eyed patrolman was clearly satisfied with this tribute. As a local patrolman, he had witnessed similar scenes countless times and was naturally quite familiar with the financial situation of each ice harvester.

"If you are dissatisfied, you may file a complaint with the patrol station or the market management office. This patrol officer awaits the family's punishment."

The triangular-eyed guard's already ugly face now appeared even more deranged, spewing wild words and spitting saliva, while his left middle finger tapped his forehead.

The last sentence, though ostensibly a reminder, was more of a warning. In this situation, the victim could only swallow their anger and could never expect any fairness or justice in the cultivation world where strength reigns supreme.

"It is the duty of the patrol officers to search for suspects, and there is nothing wrong with that. We are here today only to deter villains and prevent us lowly cultivators from being harmed by others. We are extremely grateful and would never dare to have any complaints."

"Even if Xiao Xiu goes to the patrol station, he will only express his gratitude and present a letter of commendation; nothing else."

At the last moment, Tong Bingfeng barely managed to suppress the endless rage in his heart, completely lowered his posture, bowed and scraped, showing respect and reverence. His only wish was to get rid of the evil spirit in front of him as quickly as possible and prevent it from causing any further trouble.

"To realize one's mistakes and return to the right path is the greatest virtue."

"Though a bit unruly, he's ultimately a prodigal son who has turned over a new leaf. We patrolmen are dedicated to healing and saving lives; this is a trivial matter, no need for a commendation letter. Hahaha, let's go."

With a triangular-eyed cultivator's long, triangular roar, feeling exhilarated, he put the cloth bag containing spirit stones and Qi-refining powder into his pocket, then turned and left.

As for all the oppression, it seemed as if it had never existed. As for the anger from oppressed low-level cultivators like Tong Bingfeng, it was not even worth the attention of the patrol guards.

"Xiao Xiu, see you all off to your duties."

Tong Bingfeng stood beside the broken courtyard gate that the patrol guard had kicked open, smiling as he saw them off. Anyone who didn't know the situation would surely mistake this friendly scene for a close relationship between the two.

After an incense stick had burned, Tong Bingfeng was still standing by the courtyard gate, but his fawning smile had disappeared, leaving only an icy coldness.

With his hands clenched tightly and his legs straight, he had become an unmeltable block of ice, and tremors occasionally emanated from different parts of his body.

His eyes were fixed on the distance, and his gaze was so cold it seemed to devour people. The hatred and humiliation within him erupted completely at this moment.

"I swear I will not rest until I avenge this humiliation. One day I will surely take his life. Otherwise, I must release this pent-up anger no matter what."

"What is the point of immortal cultivation if we allow others to bully us without any reaction? To act swiftly and decisively, and to have a clear mind, is the proper state for us cultivators."

After a long while, Tong Bingfeng finally snapped out of his anger, and the anger that had been on his face was once again suppressed and retreated into a corner of his heart.

After this incident, he finally came to his senses. As things stand, relying solely on the meager earnings from ice harvesting is far from enough to support his daily cultivation and rent, let alone pursue the Great Dao.

"So be it, so be it. Life is unpredictable, and fortune and misfortune are intertwined. It's time to take this step."

After tidying up the messy courtyard, Tong Bingfeng made her final decision and prepared to embark on a completely new journey unlike any other.

"Although the Chen family has occupied a location that may possess spiritual veins, grow spiritual herbs and spiritual ice, and can take Ice Spirit Island as its core, encompassing a sea area of ​​thousands of miles, how could a single Foundation Establishment stage family possibly dominate it all?"

"Many shops in the market rely on buying spiritual herbs and hunting animals from independent cultivators at low prices as their main source of income. The Chen family should be well aware of this situation."

Tong Bingfeng muttered to himself, thus completely dispelling the few remaining doubts in his heart and making his final decision.