Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 73: The Duel

Tong Bingfeng asked directly, which meant that he had agreed to the recruitment from the Chen family, and he was naturally not afraid of the risks involved.

Just as Liu Zong said, no matter what, once this news spreads, the mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators who frequent the Ice Spirit Island will definitely flock there.

Although both of them were at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and their strength was in the middle to upper range among their peers, they were not confident of winning in a large-scale competition.

"There's no news yet about the specific resource locations, but Elder Meng can take us to the Chen family first. We'll be the first cultivators to participate in the resource point competition, and the assessment will be in two days."

Upon seeing that he had agreed, Liu Zong was also quite excited and proceeded to explain the relevant basic information one by one.

"What form will the assessment take? Will it involve competition between different cultivators, with the winners becoming candidates?"

In the cultivation world, strength has always been paramount. This is especially true in the resource-scarce cultivation world of the Northern Frontier, where only strength can earn the respect of others.

"The first batch of participants consists of only twenty mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators. They only need to withstand the combined attack of two sixth-level Qi Refining cultivators from the Chen family for the duration of an incense stick burning. During the battle, they are not allowed to use spirit talismans, but can only use two magic weapons, one for offense and one for defense, and one spirit beast to fight together."

Liu Zong's information was clearly quite comprehensive, which also indicated that the old man Meng, who was hiding in a mid-grade first-level courtyard, was no ordinary cultivator.

Through decades of meticulous cultivation, these hidden networks of connections can finally come into play at crucial moments.

"I am confident that I will be able to keep the appointment on time two days later, within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn for a cultivator of the same level. I am grateful for Fellow Daoist Liu's high regard for me and will certainly not disappoint you. I only need 40% of the resource points in the future."

Tong Bingfeng made a solemn promise, and this concession was naturally expected, as the one who controlled the information should do so.

Of course, if danger arises in the future, and after a fierce battle, this concession will naturally be returned smoothly.

"Fellow Daoist Tong is indeed straightforward. If we join forces, we will surely be able to successfully capture one of the resource points."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zong's face broke into a genuine smile, a smile of satisfaction that he could not suppress.

A quarter of an hour later, the two familiar cultivators finished their conversation, bid each other farewell, and returned to their courtyards to make final preparations.

"If we're stationed at the resource point long-term, we probably won't be able to return to this little courtyard often."

Tong Bingfeng surveyed the small courtyard, which was beginning to take shape, and couldn't help but reveal a little regret in his words. After all, under the nourishment of spiritual energy, the quality of the spiritual field had improved dramatically, and the quality of the jade pearl rice produced each time was naturally rising as well. While satisfying the appetite, it also provided increasingly significant nourishment to the body.

This so-called reluctance and sighs naturally last only a very short time. If he can successfully occupy a resource point, it will be a brand new beginning for his subsequent Qi Refining stage cultivation.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. After the two cultivators met up, they carried a token provided by Elder Meng and headed straight for the core area of ​​the Chen family.

This place is located at a key node of the second-tier low-grade spiritual vein on Ice Spirit Island, and it is also the most core area of ​​the entire island. It is protected by a separate second-tier low-grade array. Ordinary cultivators who are not from the Chen family are not qualified to appear here. The rich spiritual energy here far surpasses that of other areas.

"Stop immediately! This is the Chen family territory. Anyone who trespasses without permission will be executed on the spot."

Suddenly, a cold voice appeared in their ears, making it clear that if they continued to insist on going forward, they would be met with a thunderous attack.

In the eyes of this garrisoned cultivator, the lives of two mere mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators were no different from ants that could be crushed at will.

"We two are cultivators who have come to participate in the resource point recruitment. This is our token; please verify it."

Liu Zong didn't dare to delay at all and immediately handed over a wooden plaque engraved with a key. This was the token for their trip. Without it, the two of them would not be able to enter the core area of ​​the Chen family, let alone participate in the assessment.

"So you're just some rogue cultivator looking to pick up a bargain. But be careful not to throw your precious life away here. Oh well, let's go. Go straight for three hundred steps to the first martial arts arena."

The resident monk seemed to be giving a reminder, but the disdain and contempt in his words were impossible to conceal, and there was even a hint of envy in them.

Although Tong Bingfeng and Liu Zong were somewhat dissatisfied, they dared not show it in the slightest. The journey was smooth, and when the two arrived at the martial arts arena, there were twenty Qi Refining mid-stage rogue cultivators distributed in pairs in different areas.

In another area, there were cultivators at the sixth level of Qi Refining, all belonging to the Chen family. Their faces were grim, their eyes wide with anger, as if they wanted to kill all the rogue cultivators.

Two completely different groups, with a total of more than forty cultivators, were in the same room, yet the entire training ground was completely silent, with no communication whatsoever.

"clang"

Half an hour later, with the clear sound of a bell, a Qi Refining Level 9 cultivator with white hair and beard, ruddy complexion, and a cane appeared on the training ground.

"Welcome, young friends, to this event. The sole purpose of this recruitment is to gather a group of cultivators of excellent character and outstanding combat strength to serve as guardians at resource points for our clan."

"The resource points are mostly in remote areas, often threatened by monsters, making them quite dangerous. This is precisely the reason why this competition aims to select the best of the best. Being able to withstand the combined attack of two Qi Refining Level 6 cultivators from the Chen family for the duration of an incense stick is considered a success. The longer you last, the more priority you will have in choosing resource points. I will not say any more; let the competition begin."

After a brief explanation, the old man announced the start of the competition, revealing that he did not take it too seriously.

As for the order of the competition, the order was drawn immediately upon entering the training ground, with Tong Bingfeng and Liu Zong in the third group.

"Liu Song and Liu Ting greet the two Fellow Daoists of the Chen Clan. Please show mercy in the subsequent competition."

The first group of cultivators stepped onto the arena in the center of the training ground. Their faces were somewhat similar, suggesting they were two brothers.

"When the family recruits cultivators to guard resource points, they naturally need those with outstanding strength. How can we show mercy? In such a competition, life and death are predestined and wealth is determined by fate. If you are no match for them, quickly admit defeat to avoid losing your life in vain."

The two Qi Refining Level 6 cultivators from the Chen family spoke with unbridled arrogance, seemingly confident of victory despite being mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators with similar cultivation levels.

"Let's see who's truly capable; don't look down on me like that."

The cultivator who called himself Liu Ting clearly had a more fiery temper.