Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 6: Preparation

Of course, this idea took root and sprouted like a small grass after the discovery that the two pairs of front teeth on the boundless, icy sea had a clear and keen perception of the flow of ice-attribute spiritual energy.

Previously, he was limited by his own Qi Refining Level 3 strength, and although collecting spirit ice was hard work, it was enough to barely maintain his cultivation. He never took the final step, waiting to accumulate strength and then advance to Qi Refining Level 4 and enter the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

All her plans were destroyed under the oppression and extortion of the Chen family's guards, leaving Tong Bing with only this one path today.

"Considering defeat before victory, these two old buddies will likely have to reluctantly give up their plans to hunt demonic beasts and gather spiritual herbs."

Tong Bingfeng did not rush to go, after all, he was penniless and had neither a low-grade first-order magic weapon nor a low-grade first-order talisman to rely on.

Venturing into the Northern Frontier Seas empty-handed would leave one utterly defenseless should one encounter demonic beasts or other vicious cultivators. Such reckless behavior would not be a search for opportunity, but rather a futile attempt to throw one's life away.

Purchasing magical artifacts and talismans in the market requires consuming spirit crystals or other spiritual items. Tong Bingfeng still possesses only a pair of essential iron magic hammers and copper magic chisels for ice harvesters.

These two old partners who collect spirit ice have been in his possession for over two years. They were brand new, exclusive magical artifacts that he bought at a high price from the market.

Over the course of two years, countless amounts of spiritual ice have been mined, but thanks to Tong Bingfeng's regular maintenance, there is no significant wear and tear, and it still looks about 80% new.

"I'm heartbroken. These are the only things I can afford to give away right now. I hope they will find a reliable and loving owner in the future."

With a face full of reluctance, Tong Bingfeng carefully stroked his two old partners who had made great contributions to him, then resolutely turned around and headed towards the market.

As of now, there are only ten days left until the next rent payment of one spirit stone. If the deadlock cannot be broken in this short period of time, the only outcome will be to leave this second-tier low-grade spirit island in a sorry state.

After a stick of incense had burned, Tong Bingfeng stood outside a magnificent four-story shop called "Youju Pavilion," located in the heart of Binghai Market.

Youju Pavilion is not affiliated with the Chen family of Binglingling Island, but is one of the most famous chain stores in the entire Northern Frontier Sea. They are distributed in almost every regular market town.

Legend has it that the business behind it is run by several Nascent Soul stage cultivators who operate on the principles of fairness, integrity, and honesty, which is why they have been able to gain the recognition of most cultivators in the Northern Frontier over a long period of time.

"Welcome to the Secluded Abode. May I ask what kind of spiritual item you wish to purchase?"

As soon as I stepped into the secluded pavilion, a neat and efficient shop assistant dressed in a blue robe immediately came to greet me warmly, showing no impatience whatsoever due to my low cultivation level and shabby clothes.

"I have come to sell this pair of low-grade, first-tier ice-harvesting magical artifacts. I wonder if your esteemed establishment would be willing to purchase them?"

Tong Bingfeng carefully took out the refined iron hammer and refined copper chisel, seemingly still not completely recovered from the oppression and extortion by the Chen family's patrol guards, and his words carried a hint of probing.

After all, the refined iron hammer and refined copper chisel have no offensive power and offer almost no boost to a cultivator's combat strength. They are even somewhat of a stretch to call them magic weapons; they are only used by low-level ice harvesters.

"An 80% new refined iron magic hammer and a pair of refined copper magic chisels, both showing obvious wear. How about we purchase them for twelve spirit stones?"

After examining the items, the young man in the green robe immediately offered a fair price: the pair of fine iron hammers and fine copper chisels had been purchased two years ago for sixteen spirit stones.

"Youju Pavilion's reputation for fair trade is truly well-deserved. I have no objection to the twelve spirit stones. May I ask if your esteemed pavilion has any mid-grade Tier 1 Fire Serpent Talismans, Ice Needle Talismans, or Earth Explosion Talismans for sale? And at what price?"

Tong Bingfeng readily agreed, without intending to take the spirit stones with him. After all, for the new journey that was about to begin, if he wanted to gain something in the vast and boundless Northern Frontier Sea, reliable talismans that could effectively enhance his combat power were indispensable.

Before the lack of stable and reliable procurement channels, Youjuge was one of the few options.

"Ice Needle Talismans cost one spirit stone each, Fire Serpent Talismans cost two spirit stones each (three talismans), and Earth Explosion Talismans cost two spirit stones each. How many of each would you like to purchase?"

Upon hearing this, the young man in the green robe smiled slightly. Although the transaction of twelve spirit stones was not much, the return on investment doubled the value.

"Eight Ice Needle Talismans, three Fire Serpent Talismans, and one Earth Explosion Talisman."

Tong Bingfeng did not hesitate at all and directly stated his needs. Without a doubt, he sold twelve spirit stones to the Iron Hammer and Copper Chisel, thus consuming all the spirit stones.

"These are all the talismans. Please keep them safe. I hope you can successfully achieve your goal in the Northern Frontier Sea. Welcome to visit Youju Pavilion again."

Amidst the young man in the green robe's words of blessing, Tong Bingfeng turned and left without looking back. This trip to the Northern Frontier Sea was a true life-or-death struggle for him; he had no choice but to succeed.

The northern sea area is constantly eroded by cold winds and snow, and has the most cultivators practicing water-attribute techniques. Therefore, the water arrow talisman was improved here into the ice needle talisman, which has a higher lethality. It is also the most used first-order mid-grade talisman by cultivators in the early and middle stages of Qi Refining.

Water and fire are incompatible. Under the natural suppression of the climate in the northern sea area, the Fire Serpent Talisman can only exert about 70% of its power when it is used.

However, their attributes are mutually exclusive. Given the right opportunity, they naturally possess greater restraint and lethality against native water and ice attribute monsters.

The Ice Needle Talisman and the Fire Serpent Talisman are two mid-grade first-tier talismans with completely opposite attributes. If used properly, they can inflict sufficient damage on mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts.

As for the most expensive Earth Crack Talisman, it is reserved for emergencies. If the Ice Needle Talisman and Fire Serpent Talisman are all used up and have not reached their intended effective killing power, it will become Zhang's only choice to save his life.

Under the constant low temperatures and erosion of the cold winds in the northern sea area, almost the entire sea surface has turned into a bottomless ice layer. However, nature is amazing, and some land is still exposed.

Once the Earth Explosion Talisman is activated, it can break the fragile balance between the earth's veins deep underground with minimal effort, drawing out one of them and causing a violent explosion on the surface.

Moreover, this explosive force had no warning before it actually erupted, and the cultivator who unleashed it was also unable to effectively control it. He could only rely on a little divine sense to guide the Earth Explosion Talisman to define a general range.

Therefore, even though the price of a single Earth Explosion Talisman was as high as two spirit stones, Tong Bingfeng still endured the excruciating pain and bought one, just in case.