Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 94: 55

According to the most widely circulated and verified insights in the cultivation world of the Northern Ice Region, the initial stage of a cultivator's advancement to a new cultivation realm is also the best opportunity for rapid progress in cultivation.

He had a clear understanding of this point in his previous cultivation career, so he would never let go of this tiny but extremely brief opportunity.

The spiritual energy in the quiet room was plentiful and of excellent quality. With the aid of a bottle of first-grade Hunyuan Pill, and with the cultivator actively practicing and circulating the Great Circulation of the Water Spirit Technique, the mana in the dantian was naturally restored and effectively increased at a speed visible to the naked eye.

At this moment, the dantian is still in a state of being unable to get enough, and it will not let go of any bit of magical power from any source, greedily fixing it firmly in the dantian.

In the blink of an eye, a month has passed.

On this day, Tong Bingfeng finally opened his eyes, which had been closed for a long time. A dazzling light flashed by, and an aura unique to the late stage of Qi Refining burst forth from his body.

Of course, after he adapted to his new cultivation level, he returned to his previous low-key demeanor and concealed his aura.

"Crystal gourd, by imperial decree"

Tong Bingfeng's eyes were immediately fixed on the crystal gourd. The innate energy within the gourd had already become the resources for her advancement to the seventh level of Qi Refining. The gourd itself was also a genuine, high-quality, and dual-purpose first-grade magic weapon for both offense and defense.

Moreover, this kind of natural magical artifact does not require cultivators to actively refine it. Because of the natural bond of innate primordial energy, it can be easily controlled after a little familiarity.

With the summoning of magic, the crystal gourd flew back. Although it was only the first time it was refined, the whole process was without any hindrance, as smooth as an extension of its own arm.

"With the help of this treasure gourd, combat power can be significantly improved. In the future, when traveling on the icy land, you can confidently hunt first-grade high-quality demonic beasts and pick first-grade high-quality spiritual herbs."

Tong Bingfeng gently stroked the gourd with both hands, feeling the natural patterns that had grown and developed on it, his fondness for it was almost uncontrollable.

"Having successfully advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refining and stepped into the threshold of the late stage of Qi Refining, and with your cultivation foundation now initially stabilized, it is time for you to return to the Spirit Ice Mine to guard it. With Fellow Daoist Liu's intelligence, I believe he will also take the initiative to return one-tenth of the Spirit Ice Mine's share."

To express his gratitude, Tong Bingfeng voluntarily gave up 10% of the share of the Spirit Ice Mine, which was a common practice in the cultivation world of the Northern Frontier.

However, times have changed. Although there is only one step between the seventh level of Qi Refining and the sixth level of Qi Refining, the difference in their overall strength is extremely obvious.

The Spirit Ice Mine is located deep within the Ice Domain, surrounded by layers of demonic beasts. Once it encounters a first-tier high-grade demonic beast or a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, it will act as the main force and should naturally receive a suitable reward.

"Crunch"

Tong Bingfeng then manipulated the jade tablet to open the long-sealed stone door and stepped towards some shops in the Ice Sea Market that specialized in selling jade slips.

Tong Bingfeng's goal this time was not to inherit any cultivation techniques or spells, but to specifically collect jade slips that recorded strange tales and various spiritual objects.

Liu Guangqing had previously stated that the five crystal gourds were specifically intended for a transaction with a direct descendant of the Chen family, and that he had personally witnessed the chaotic scene that followed.

Although he kept a low profile and his Qi Refining Level 5 cultivation level meant he never attracted anyone's attention, this scene was firmly etched in his heart and he dared not forget it.

As the true overlord of Ice Spirit Island, the Chen family has a Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge. All the direct descendants of the family are late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. The only thing that can attract their attention is a treasure related to Foundation Establishment.

Before this, Tong Bingfeng had some doubts in his heart, but he dared not show them at all. He could only suppress them deep in his heart. Even though he knew that there might be some gaps in his understanding, he still chose to refine the water attribute crystal gourd to help him advance to the late stage of Qi Refining.

It is only natural that a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, knowing full well that the future is uncertain and the hope is slim, would still resolutely choose to strive for the mysterious advancement to Foundation Establishment.

As a genuine native cultivator of Ice Spirit Island, he was naturally quite familiar with the Ice Sea Market. After a stick of incense had burned, he appeared in a shop that specialized in selling jade slips.

Their objective was quite obvious: they hastily selected some jade slips that met the requirements, paid a certain amount of spirit stones, and then quickly disappeared into the crowd of cultivators coming and going in the market.

"He's just a rogue cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining, yet he wants to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage. He's really a toad trying to eat swan meat. But it's better to have more toads like this, as these jade slips can be exchanged for a larger number of spirit stones."

The shopkeeper of the jade slip shop was an old cultivator with white hair and beard, nearing the end of his life. Although there was disdain in his words, he still readily replenished the jade slip area that had disappeared.

These jade slips are not expensive, but they can be easily replicated without the need to spend extra spirit stones to purchase them again. For the shopkeepers of the jade slips, they are a treasure trove that can be reused repeatedly.

Tong Bingfeng, who was already far removed from the various schemes of the jade slip shopkeeper, was naturally unaware of them. Even if he heard about them, he would simply laugh them off and not pay them any further attention.

At this moment, he didn't even have time to return to the rented mid-grade first-level courtyard before he embarked on the journey back to the spirit ice mine deep in the Ice Domain.

On the one hand, there was concern that after he left, Liu Zongyi would be left alone, and if danger were to occur, his cultivation at the sixth level of Qi Refining would likely be insufficient to support the enemy. On the other hand, it was naturally to prevent any unforeseen circumstances from occurring during Liu Zongyi's advancement to the seventh level of Qi Refining due to the extended time, and to proactively request the Chen family to replace the resident cultivator.

The Spirit Ice Mine provides a stable monthly income of spirit stones, which remains a considerable resource even during the late Qi Refining stage of cultivation.

Early the next morning, Tong Bingfeng successfully returned to the Spirit Ice Mine. After his cultivation level improved, the time he needed to travel quickly was significantly shortened.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Tong, on successfully advancing to the seventh level of Qi Refining and stepping into the late stage of Qi Refining. From now on, you can aim for Foundation Establishment and pursue this path to the heavens."

Although Liu Zong's true thoughts were unknown, when the two familiar cultivators met, they gave him a warm welcome and sincere congratulations.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, with your solid foundation and the help of the spiritual ice mine resources, reaching the seventh level of Qi Refining is merely a natural progression. I was simply fortunate enough to get there first."

Tong Bingfeng remained humble, while turning his attention to the spirit ice mine in front of him.

"Thank you for your kind words, fellow Daoist. From this day forward, we will need your continued support for this spirit ice mine. The share of the spirit ice mine will be restored to 50/50, so please do not be offended."