txolops Chapter 67: Gathering
Chapter 67: Gathering
The Spirit Rain Technique, a low-grade first-order spell, is one of the essential introductory spells for the Spirit Plant Master lineage. Rainwater contains a small amount of spiritual energy, which is an indispensable component during the germination and growth of spirit seeds.
Of course, the inheritance of the Spirit Rain Technique is not exactly a secret; it is sold in shops of all sizes, and he also bought it.
Although Tong Bingfeng had not studied the Spirit Rain Technique in depth before, it was still based on the same principle, and since it was a water-attribute spell, he only needed to study it a little to be able to cast it smoothly.
As the spiritual rain was evenly distributed, a misty aura composed of water vapor and spiritual energy covered a three-inch area above the spiritual field.
From the location where the Jade Pearl Rice Spirit Seeds were sown in the spirit field, thin, thread-like tendrils of attraction emanated, greedily drawing in the misty aura.
"The spiritual field has been opened up and the jade pearl spiritual rice has been planted. From now on, we only need to use the spiritual rain spell to irrigate and nourish it on time. Everything is back on track, and cultivation should once again occupy the main part of our daily time."
A day later, all the busy work came to a successful end, and as the seedlings of the Jade Pearl Rice sprouted one after another, the small courtyard was filled with vigorous vitality.
His attention naturally shifted to his own cultivation. His successful advancement to the sixth level of Qi Refining was not the end, but just a brand new beginning.
However, at present, the most troublesome problem is that all the Hunyuan Pills that were seized from Liu Guangqing's storage have been used up, including the first-grade mid-level Zengyuan Pills that Tong Bingfeng purchased through normal channels, and even the first-grade mid-level leech spirit water obtained by hunting red willow leeches.
With a cultivation level of six in Qi Refining, and with the help of a mid-grade first-tier magic weapon, the Azure Water Sword, hunting down some mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts with high added value is naturally not a question.
However, relying solely on this method is still far from sufficient for his desire to advance to the seventh level of Qi Refining and enter the late stage of Qi Refining in the shortest possible time.
"We should find a more trustworthy trading channel as soon as possible to sell all the spoils except for the crystal gourd."
With resources running low in his storage bag, Tong Bingfeng naturally began to focus his attention on the unprocessed spoils still stored inside.
More than a year has passed since the crystal gourd was seized. Although there are still cultivators from the Chen family secretly watching, the time and energy they have invested in it have naturally become increasingly scarce as time goes on.
Even though the Chen family is the local lord and can control all the transaction details on the entire Ice Spirit Island, such a large-scale investigation still requires time and effort and cannot be sustained indefinitely.
In addition, the spiritual items that Liu Guangqing carried with him were relatively rare for a rogue cultivator like him, but in the context of the entire Ice Sea Market, they were just some valuable and not uncommon first-grade spiritual items.
Who could possibly know the exact types and grades of all the spiritual items in Liu Guangqing's storage bag? As long as Tong Bingfeng is careful and sells them in batches, there should be no problem with their safety. What's lacking at this stage is a trustworthy channel.
"Is Fellow Daoist Tong at home? I've come to deliver an invitation."
At noon that day, Tong Bingfeng was circulating his energy in the room, greedily refining the ever-dissipating spiritual power, when suddenly a rather familiar voice came from outside the door.
This was twenty days after he moved into the courtyard. During this time, he changed his original behavior and took the initiative to visit people in the vicinity, and got to know several Qi Refining Level 6 cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Liu, your presence is truly an honor to my humble abode. May I ask what brings you here today?"
Tong Bingfeng warmly stood up to greet him. Outside the door was a middle-aged cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining, who was also the first neighbor he had met. He lived in courtyard number seventeen, not far from courtyard number twelve.
This cultivator, named Liu Zong, was also a rogue cultivator. According to his self-introduction, he had lived here for nearly ten years, progressing from the fourth level of Qi Refining to the present. He was a warm-hearted person and was willing to lend a helping hand to the surrounding cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Tong, with your diligent cultivation every day, no wonder you've already reached the sixth level of Qi Refining at such a young age. Advancing to the seventh level of Qi Refining in the future will just be a natural progression."
Liu Zong clearly appreciated Tong Bingfeng's dedication to rigorous training, spending more than two-thirds of his day on it, and his praise for him was evident in his words.
Of course, how much of it is true and how much is false is a matter of opinion, and there's no need to delve too deeply into it.
"Fellow Daoist Liu is too modest. My cultivation has only just advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refining. I have only been trying to further solidify my foundation these past few days. I am far from being able to compare with you fellow Daoists who have been immersed in this realm for several years."
The saying "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down" applies equally to the group of independent cultivators. Of course, displaying one's strength at the right time is also a necessary way to earn the respect of others, but the balance between the two needs to be grasped more carefully.
"Three days from now, Elder Meng will be leading an annual gathering for us mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators. We can freely exchange cultivation experiences and trade spiritual items. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Tong would be interested in participating?"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Liu Zong explained the ultimate purpose of his trip and extended a formal invitation.
"I am naturally willing to participate in such a gathering. Is this Elder Meng the one you mentioned in your previous conversation?"
This gathering was a timely boon for him. If he were to sell some common first-grade high-quality spiritual items at such a gathering, it probably wouldn't attract much attention.
"Naturally, in this mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation area, only he is qualified to organize such a large-scale gathering. One who can gain the recognition of other fellow cultivators will gather in Elder Meng's courtyard in three days."
Every time Liu Zong mentioned Master Meng, his words were filled with unprecedented respect, and this respect was not forced upon him by others, but came from the bottom of his heart.
"Since it is he who has organized the gathering, I will certainly go to pay my respects on time and will not be late. Please rest assured, Fellow Daoist Liu."
Tong Bingfeng also had some curiosity about this legendary old man Meng, and naturally patted his chest to assure him.
Elder Meng, though also at the sixth level of Qi Refining, is proficient in both weapon crafting and talisman making. He can craft mid-to-low-grade first-tier magic weapons and produce a variety of common mid-to-low-grade first-tier spirit talismans.
According to common sense, such a cultivator, even with the aptitude of five spiritual roots, should have advanced to the late stage of Qi Refining long ago with an abundant supply of spiritual resources. However, for some reason, this Elder Meng has never taken that step and has been living in the Qi Refining cultivation area for more than thirty years.
The true underlying reason is unknown to others, and no cultivator will delve deeper into it.