Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 58: Turning Against Each Other

With the help of a mid-grade first-level healing pill, Tong Bingfeng managed to suppress his injuries and looked at Liu Guangqing, who had also been targeted during the Crystal Crocodile's self-destruction.

This seemingly battered companion, though he had also paid a price, clearly suffered less injury due to his own cultivation and methods.

"It was truly unexpected that these top-grade crystal crocodiles would make such a drastic choice at the critical moment of life and death, ultimately self-destructing at the last instant."

"Unfortunately, the impact of the self-destruction reduced all the Tier 1 high-grade crystal crocodiles to pieces of flesh and blood, leaving no valuable spoils."

Liu Guangqing also looked shaken; the self-destruction of the Crystal Crocodile in its final moments was also beyond his expectations.

Of course, as a qualified cultivator, the pursuit of spoils will always exist after an exceptionally fierce battle that comes at a great cost.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, the battle is over. Both of you, a top-tier crystal crocodile, have perished. Shouldn't we go and harvest the crystal gourd?"

Despite his injuries, Tong Bingfeng still couldn't forget about the water-attribute crystal gourd that could help him advance to the later stages of Qi Refining.

"Of course, the most important thing for us on this trip is to harvest the crystal gourds. Fellow Daoist, please follow me. The gourd vines are not far ahead."

Liu Guangqing's eyes flickered, but under the urging of his allies, he hesitated for a moment before agreeing to lead the way.

The two monks stood one in front of the other, maintaining a relatively safe distance from each other.

After a cup of tea, behind the bluestone that served as the Crystal Crocodile's lair, a gourd vine, clinging to an unknown withered tree, began to grow vigorously.

The gourd vines are covered with jade-green gourd leaves, each about the size of a human head, which shimmer with dazzling light under the sun.

Of course, five first-grade crystal gourds of different colors and attributes grow in an orderly manner from bottom to top on the entire gourd vine.

At the very bottom is the earthen gourd, which is yellowish-brown. The second to last is the emerald green wood gourd, which is full of vitality. In the very center is the golden gourd, which shimmers with a metallic luster. The second from the top of the gourd vine is the fiery red fire gourd, which seems to be surrounded by flames. At the very top is the light blue water gourd, which is the most compatible with the gourd vine.

The five first-grade high-quality crystal gourds were invaluable treasures to the two Qi Refining stage cultivators, so much so that their four eyes were glued to them, unable to move.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, according to the original agreement, one water-attribute crystal gourd belongs to me, and the remaining four metal, wood, fire, and earth gourds belong to you."

Tong Bingfeng's Azure Water Sword had been fully charged, and with just a gentle swing, it could transform into a streak of light, once again displaying its sharpness in battle.

Of course, this is just a normal warning. After all, with such a treasure in front of us, a single act of greed could easily break the balance.

"This agreement is naturally without question, and since you defeated the mother crocodile on your own, you are certainly entitled to the spoils of war you deserve."

"However, I have a difficult request today. This set of five crystal gourds representing the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth) is only complete. I need to exchange the entire set of crystal gourds for an important spiritual item from the Chen family. All five crystal gourds are indispensable. I would be grateful if Fellow Daoist Liu could be so reluctant to part with them."

As expected, after the battle ended and their common opponent, the Tier 1 Superior Crystal Crocodile, died, a series of unexpected events occurred.

"A gentleman does not take what others cherish. The water-attribute crystal gourd is also indispensable for my future cultivation. Are you planning to forcibly seize it today, fellow Daoist?"

Upon hearing this, Tong Bingfeng was furious. If the other party hadn't taken the initiative to invite him, he wouldn't be here today at all. And it was he who raised objections and prepared to monopolize the spoils.

"Fellow Daoist Tong, please calm your anger. I am willing to offer a spiritual item of equal value: a high-grade first-tier magic weapon and a spiritual pill to aid in advancing to the late stage of Qi Refining."

"Furthermore, to express my apology and to compensate you, I am willing to offer an additional three hundred spirit stones as compensation. How about that?"

Liu Guangqing eagerly listed out the compensation plans he had prepared in advance, clearly indicating that this cultivator had already prepared a plan in advance.

Even from the very beginning, the shrewd owner of Liu's Grocery Store was already prepared; he would not give up the crystal gourd no matter what.

Perhaps in the initial plan, a mere rogue cultivator at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refining was always a potential sacrifice on the treasure hunt.

"While magical artifacts and elixirs are important, the primordial energy within the crystal gourd poses no threat whatsoever. With a little refinement, the crystal gourd becomes a magical artifact useful for both offense and defense. If Fellow Daoist Liu wishes to seize it in this way, I absolutely cannot agree to it."

Tong Bingfeng would not easily agree to such an unfair transaction. Not to mention the difference in value between the two parties, a single wisp of innate primordial energy was far superior to any ordinary elixir that could help one advance to the late stage of Qi Refining.

"In that case, we can only follow the most ancient laws of the Ice Domain and compete to see who prevails."

"However, now that we've made our move, it's a fight to the death. Fellow Daoist Tong, have you considered the implications?"

When communication failed, Liu Guangqing immediately switched roles and began to threaten, his fierce aura bursting forth and his eyes flashing with malice, clearly intending to intimidate others with his power.

Of course, with his cultivation level of the seventh level of Qi Refining, he would be confident of victory under normal circumstances.

"Azure Water Sword, go!"

The first strike is the best policy; the last strike will bring disaster. The first-grade mid-level Azure Water Sword transformed into a pale blue stream of light and launched the first attack. Given that its own cultivation was at a significant disadvantage and it knew that it would not give up the water-attribute crystal gourd, it was natural to try to gain the upper hand in the battle.

A mere ordinary first-grade mid-level magic weapon is naturally not enough to kill a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator. Tong Bingfeng followed closely behind with a first-grade high-level spirit talisman in each of his left and right hands.

"Click"

With his left hand, he launched the lightning-summoning talisman first, and a bolt of lightning as thick as a man's waist fell from the sky, striking the spot where Liu Guangqing was standing with lightning speed.

A stream of earth-yellow light flashed in his right hand, and a first-grade high-level earth prison talisman was silently unleashed, causing a densely packed earth prison to rise from the ground and quickly take shape.

The Lightning Talisman is primarily for offense and damage, while the Earth Prison Talisman is primarily for concealment and binding. They also differ in the scale of their attacks, making them a perfect match. As long as one of the talismans can achieve its intended goal, Tong Bingfeng can gain a certain degree of initiative in the subsequent battle.

"Breaking through the air"

Faced with his series of well-coordinated attacks, Liu Guangqing was surprised but remained calm. A streak of light flashed, and his figure disappeared into thin air before all the attacks arrived.