Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 81: Local Cultivators

In comparison, finding the traces of local cultivators and entering the trading point through their introduction is truly twice as effective with half the effort, and is undoubtedly more efficient.

"Big teeth, search, lock, command."

After leaving the ten-mile ice zone of the Spirit Ice Mine, Tong Bingfeng finally unleashed the Big Fang. He had always maintained the highest level of vigilance and secrecy regarding this powerful weapon that was a formidable asset in the Northern Ice Region.

It was thanks to the appearance of Big Teeth that his subsequent cultivation was able to proceed smoothly all the way to his current Qi Refining Level 6 state.

As Tong Bingfeng's cultivation level improved, Da Banya's tolerance for extreme cold weather naturally increased as well. Although he still had to endure the pain, he could endure it for a longer period of time. He also gained a clearer understanding of the differences between the various sources of ice-attribute spiritual power.

Under Big Teeth's in-depth analysis and targeting, streams of ice-attribute spiritual energy with different auras flashed by after being identified one by one. Only when a stream of ice-attribute spiritual energy, which was not particularly outstanding but had a faint fragrance mixed in with the stench, was it decisively locked onto.

"As expected of the Spirit Ice Mine, located deep within the Ice Domain, although the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Chen family patrol it at fixed times, they clearly don't care much about hunting demonic beasts."

"After a quick search, Big Teeth discovered at least ten unique auras from different species and types of demonic beasts. Demonic beasts clearly have a significant advantage in numbers here. This last wisp of spiritual energy is somewhat special, as it seems to be accompanied by a high-quality spiritual herb."

As he finished his analysis, Tong Bingfeng's eyes flashed with greed and hope. After all, compared to simply hunting monsters, he was more eager for a top-grade first-rank spiritual herb.

Moreover, these companion herbs often grow because they are nourished by the beast's own aura or some kind of secretion. For the beast itself, they do not have the effect of helping to improve its cultivation. Therefore, the beast does not value these kinds of herbs enough.

For example, the famous Snake Birth Grass grows only because of snake venom. This medicinal herb is of no use to snake-like monsters, but it has a wide range of uses for cultivators.

Pulled by the large teeth, Tong Bingfeng's figure transformed into a streak of light, following the pure ice-attribute spiritual power.

"Bang"

Suddenly, a crisp clanging sound rang out, the sound of magical artifacts striking the thick-skinned, defensively-minded carapaces of certain demonic beasts after a battle had broken out.

"Other cultivators actually got there first? It seems the spiritual herbs growing here are quite valuable, not the kind you usually see."

Based on Big Teeth's assessment of the spiritual energy source, he was still about a hundred feet away from it. The fact that such a sound could be clearly heard from here shows how intense the battle was.

"It's truly like finding a needle in a haystack without even looking for it, yet it comes to me effortlessly. Although I may not be able to obtain the spiritual herbs that grow here, it is the best way to befriend local cultivators and gain their trust."

While the corpses of demonic beasts and spiritual herbs are extremely important, they can be readily exchanged for resources needed for one's cultivation.

However, the purpose of this trip is still to find a trading point, and this goal can be achieved smoothly through these local cultivators, allowing one to blend in calmly and without any disturbance.

Entering the market in this way naturally earns the trust of the trading point, which is much easier and more convenient than blindly searching for trading points on your own and starting from scratch.

After all, these trading points were established by local cultivators and were not large in scale. They were often quite vigilant, fearing that they might attract the wrath of the Chen family.

Tong Bingfeng proceeded cautiously, finally hiding behind a protruding ice block a hundred feet away from the battlefield, where he witnessed the most realistic scene of the battle not far away.

Two mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, a man and a woman, were wielding two standard first-grade mid-level magic weapons—a sword and a saber—and were engaged in a fierce battle with a water rat that was over ten feet long, with pointed ears, monkey-like cheeks, and eyes the size of mung beans that darted around. Ironically, the water rat was also protected by a tortoise shell on its back.

Although the aura emanating from this water rat was still within the range of mid-grade first rank, it was clearly at its peak. It was agile and versatile, and its movements within a small area were particularly nimble.

Sometimes they charged forward, sometimes they retreated, interspersed with attacks using innate spells. Although there was only a difference in numbers, they held a significant advantage in this battle.

Occasionally, the two cultivators would temporarily thwart the water rat's attacks using other means. Their swords and magical artifacts would strike the rat's body, but even with the help of its incongruous tortoise shell, they could not cause any real damage.

Not far behind the water rat, a clover protruding above the water's surface is growing freely, stretching out and exuding its own unique vitality.

"Little sister, this rat carries the plague. Be careful and absolutely avoid being bitten. This level of plague is extremely difficult to deal with; ordinary antidotes and miasma-repelling pills are completely ineffective."

A burly, medium-height cultivator wielding a sword gave instructions from the side, while simultaneously thrusting forward rapidly, serving as the main force in the battle against the water rats.

"Brother, is this Three-Leaf Rat Spirit Treasure truly effective for Father's severe frostbite? Is this source accurate?"

She was pretty, slender, and obviously young. During the battle against the water rat, she showed a fleeting hint of fear, clearly indicating that she had been under some kind of protection and had never encountered such a troublesome monster before, so she could not unleash her full strength.

The Three-Leaf Mouse Spirit Treasure is the name of the three-leaf clover-shaped herb that stands alone on the ice not far away, still bursting with vitality.

This relatively obscure remedy is produced by transforming and nourishing the plague contained in water rats through a special process, and it has a significant effect on frostbite.

Such injuries might be unheard of for cultivators in other regions, but they are not too rare for cultivators in the Northern Ice Domain.

This could be caused by various reasons, such as going to a frozen place to collect medicinal herbs or spending too much time exploring beneath the ice.

However, most frostbite cases are not this difficult to treat; only deep frostbite that has been left untreated for a long time requires the use of such a miraculous medicine.

"Be careful, elder brother."

Suddenly a scream rang out. It turned out that the ice field beneath the feet of the burly cultivator in the midst of the fierce battle had suddenly melted over a large area. Due to lack of preparation, the cultivator's foot had twisted, and the water rat took the opportunity to spit out a mouthful of red saliva that smelled of fish and plague.

"A mere water rat dares to act so arrogantly here. Be careful, sir, this is the water rat's innate spell, Ice Melting Technique."

With a loud shout, Tong Bingfeng revealed his identity and at the right moment summoned the first-grade mid-level magic weapon, the Xuan Shui Shield, which transformed into a shield as tall as a person. It blocked the burly male cultivator's red saliva, which was laced with the plague, ensuring his safety.