Mortal: I have a Spirit Gathering Cauldron

He is currently at the peak of the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Five years from now, one must reach at least the twelfth level of Qi Refining to be eligible to enter the Crimson Forbidden Land to compete for Foundation Establishment Pills.

"Simply focusing on cultivation won't work," Lin Feng muttered. "The potency of the Qi-Nourishing Pill is no longer sufficient for my needs; I need to switch to a better one."

The Qi Cultivation Pill is a standard elixir for cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, but its effectiveness is greatly reduced for those in the late stage. For him, taking a high-quality Qi Cultivation Pill now feels like pouring water into a vat with a ladle – extremely inefficient.

He needs to switch to a different kind of medicine.

The Yellow Dragon Pill is a medicinal pill taken by cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining, and its potency is several times that of the Qi Cultivation Pill. In Yellow Maple Valley, one Yellow Dragon Pill costs sixty contribution points, which is five times more expensive than the Qi Cultivation Pill.

There's a reason why it's expensive. The recipe for Huanglong Dan contains several rare herbs that are nearly a hundred years old. It's difficult to refine and has a low yield, so naturally, it's expensive.

"Sixty contribution points for one pill..." Lin Feng checked his contribution point balance, which was a little over one hundred points, just enough to buy two pills.

Two Yellow Dragon Pills, how long will that be enough for him to cultivate? At most two months.

What about two months later? Continue exchanging contribution points? His current income mainly comes from selling magical artifacts and mining, averaging around forty points per month. After deducting daily expenses, he can save twenty points each month. It will take three months to accumulate enough for one Yellow Dragon Pill.

One pill every three months, twenty pills every five years.

Are twenty Yellow Dragon Pills enough for him to advance from the eighth to the twelfth level of Qi Refining?

That's unlikely.

"We need to change our approach." Lin Feng stood up and paced back and forth in the cramped wooden house.

"Looks like I'll have to make a trip to the market."

Huangfeng Valley Market is located in a valley 300 miles west of the sect. Because the Taiyue Mountains where Huangfeng Valley is located are close to the Yuanwu Kingdom in the north, and the two countries have no hostile relationship, as a border area between the two countries, cultivators from both countries often trade here, making it the largest trading place for cultivators in the surrounding area.

Lin Feng had heard of the market town before, but had never been there.

The reason is simple: it's unsafe.

With only a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation level, traveling six hundred miles alone, including several forests infested with demonic beasts, would leave him no chance to escape if he encountered a cultivator undergoing a tribulation.

But it's different now.

Lin Feng examined his cultivation level internally: peak of the eighth level of Qi Refining. This level was already quite good for the Qi Refining stage; as long as he didn't encounter any Foundation Establishment stage monsters, he could easily protect himself.

Moreover, he possesses several high-grade magic artifacts he crafted himself, as well as three mid-grade spirit stones. If he were to encounter a foolish cultivator robbing him, it's uncertain who would steal from whom.

"I have to go." Lin Feng made his decision.

Before setting off, Lin Feng made thorough preparations.

After leaving the valley, he changed his attire. He replaced his outer disciple robe with a gray long robe, and hung a self-made "Ye Family" token at his waist. He planned to impersonate a Qi Refining elder of the Ye family in Qin Ye Ridge.

From Huangfeng Valley to the market town, a distance of three hundred miles, Lin Feng, whose Qi Refining stage cultivation level was insufficient to sustain continuous flight and which was extremely unsafe, used his Lightness Technique to move with light and swift steps, making him several times faster than ordinary people.

When passing through several forested areas, he deliberately slowed down, keeping his senses constantly alert to his surroundings.

Fortunately, we were lucky and had a safe journey.

Just past noon, Lin Feng spotted a valley in the distance.

After entering the market's concealment array, a stone archway stands at the entrance of the valley, inscribed with the four large characters "Huangfeng Market." On either side of the archway stand a guard at the late Qi Refining stage, dressed in the robes of an inner disciple of Huangfeng Valley, with magical artifacts hanging from their waists, their faces expressionless.

Lin Feng straightened his clothes and strode towards the entrance of the market.

The market town wasn't large, with a main street running north to south for about a mile. On both sides of the street were all sorts of shops, selling magical artifacts, elixirs, talismans, materials... a dazzling array of goods, everything imaginable.

The streets were bustling with people, mostly Qi Refining stage cultivators and disciples from small families. Occasionally, one could see one or two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, whose auras were clearly different, and they walked with a swagger.

Lin Feng didn't rush to Wanbaolou, but instead strolled around the streets.

He needs to familiarize himself with the environment first, observe the layout of the market and the flow of people, so that he has a clear understanding of the situation.

After wandering around for half an hour, Lin Feng had a general idea of ​​the situation.

The most bustling area of ​​the market is in the middle of the street, where there are several large shops, the largest of which is Wanbaolou. Wanbaolou is a three-story wooden building with two stone lions standing at the entrance and a golden plaque hanging above the door, which is said to have been personally inscribed by a Core Formation elder from Huangfeng Valley.

Lin Feng stood at the entrance of Wanbaolou for a while, observing the crowds coming and going.

Most of the guests coming and going were cultivators in the late Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages, dressed in various styles, including family members, independent cultivators, and sect disciples. Two waiters stood at the entrance, both with cultivation levels around the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining, greeting the guests with smiles.

"There shouldn't be any problems." Lin Feng took a deep breath and stepped into Wanbaolou.

The lobby on the first floor was spacious and bright, with antique shelves around the perimeter filled with various magical artifacts, elixirs, and materials. Several waiters were greeting guests with great enthusiasm.

As soon as Lin Feng entered, a young waiter came to greet him.

"Senior, what would you like to order? Our Wanbaolou has top-quality magical artifacts and elixirs at fair prices, and we treat everyone fairly, young and old."

Lin Feng waved his hand and said calmly, "I want to see your manager."

The waiter paused for a moment, then looked Lin Feng up and down. Eighth level Qi Refining cultivation, a gray robe, a token at his waist... hmm, looks like an elder from a small family.

"Please wait a moment, senior. I'll go and fetch the manager right away."

The waiter turned and went into the back room. A short while later, a middle-aged man wearing a brocade robe came out.

This man's cultivation level was at the peak of the twelfth level of Qi Refining, just one step away from Foundation Establishment. He had a round face and a friendly smile, and looked like a shrewd businessman.

"I am Qian Duo, the manager of Wanbaolou. Greetings, fellow Daoist," Manager Qian said, clasping his hands in greeting. "May I ask your name, fellow Daoist?"

"Ye Fan," Lin Feng said sparingly.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, please follow me." Manager Qian gestured for him to come up and led Lin Feng upstairs.

The second floor is much quieter than the first floor, and the decor is more elegant. Several private rooms are separated by screens, providing excellent privacy.

Manager Qian led Lin Feng into a private room. After they sat down, a servant served them spirit tea.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, what would you like to buy or sell?" Manager Qian asked directly.

Lin Feng did not rush to answer, but instead took out three magical artifacts from his storage bag and placed them on the table.

One mid-grade flying sword, one high-grade defensive shield, and one high-grade offensive magic ring.

These are his recent creations, of excellent quality, especially the superior magic ring, which shimmers with spiritual light and is clearly not an ordinary item.

Shopkeeper Qian's eyes lit up, and he picked up the superior magic ring to examine it closely.

"Excellent craftsmanship," he exclaimed. "The array patterns on this magic ring are exquisitely inscribed, and the spiritual energy flows smoothly. Its quality is top-notch even among high-grade magic artifacts. May I ask, Fellow Daoist Ye, did you craft this yourself?"

Lin Feng nodded, without denying it.

"Fellow Daoist Ye is a weapon refiner?" Shopkeeper Qian's tone became even more respectful.

Refiners are highly sought-after professionals in the cultivation world, especially those who can refine high-grade magical artifacts; they are respected wherever they go.

"Clan property," Lin Feng said calmly. "Manager Qian, please name a price for these magical artifacts."

Shopkeeper Qian pondered for a moment, then held up three fingers: "A mid-grade flying sword, seventy spirit stones. A high-grade shield, one hundred and seventy spirit stones. A high-grade magic ring, one hundred and fifty spirit stones. A total of three hundred and ninety spirit stones. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Ye?"

Lin Feng quickly made a mental estimate.

This price is slightly lower than the market price, but considering the size of Wanbaolou stores, this price is already fair.

"Okay." Lin Feng nodded. Then he took out 15 low-grade flying knives, 5 mid-grade flying swords, and 3 high-grade magic weapons from his storage bag.

Shopkeeper Qian's smile widened. "Fellow Daoist Ye, what is this?"

"Entrusted by the clan, Ye has come to sell the magical artifacts made by the clan and to purchase some cultivation materials."

Manager Qian immediately stepped forward to examine each of the magical artifacts and to estimate their value.

After a while, Manager Qian quoted a price of 1640 spirit stones.

Lin Feng nodded slightly, acknowledging the valuation.

Manager Qian then said with a hint of excitement, "I wonder what supplies Fellow Daoist Lin wishes to purchase? My Wanbaolou has everything—elixirs, materials, talismans—and guarantees fair prices."

"Manager Qian, I need to purchase two items," Lin Feng said solemnly.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, please speak."

"First, Yellow Dragon Pills, as many as you can get."

Shopkeeper Qian was slightly taken aback: "How much do you want? Fellow Daoist Ye, you have quite the nerve."

Lin Feng took out five mid-grade spirit stones from his storage bag and placed them on the table.

The spirit stone is crystal clear and rich in spiritual energy.

Shopkeeper Qian's pupils contracted slightly, and his smile widened.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, please wait a moment while I go to check the storeroom."

He got up and left, and returned shortly afterward with a tray in his hand carrying a row of jade bottles.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, this is the Yellow Dragon Pill that our shop currently has in stock. There are ten bottles in total, with three pills in each bottle. The market price is 180 spirit stones per bottle, so ten bottles would be 1,800 spirit stones. Your five mid-grade spirit stones, converted at a ratio of 1:100, are worth 500 spirit stones. Adding the 1,640 spirit stones from the magic weapon we just sold, after deducting 1,800, we still have 340 spirit stones left."

As he spoke, Manager Qian meticulously calculated the accounts.

Lin Feng nodded: "The second thing is that I want to see your catalog of top-tier magical artifacts."

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Manager Qian's eyes.

The catalog of top-tier magical artifacts—that's a real treasure. Artifact refiners capable of crafting top-tier magical artifacts are extremely rare in the entire cultivation world of Yue Kingdom.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, we do have catalogs of top-tier magic artifacts, but they are not cheap," Shopkeeper Qian tentatively inquired.

"How many?"

"It depends on the type. The cheapest one costs five hundred spirit stones. The most expensive one costs over one thousand spirit stones."

Lin Feng gasped inwardly.

Expensive, damn expensive.

He had just sold so many magical artifacts and only got a little over a thousand spirit stones. Now, his savings totaled just over three hundred spirit stones, and he dared not take out any more.

I can't even afford the cheapest catalog of top-tier magical artifacts.

"Could we... use materials as payment?" Lin Feng asked.

"Of course," Manager Qian said with a beaming smile. "Wanbaolou accepts everything and can offer any kind of discount."

Lin Feng thought for a moment and took out a piece of refined iron from his storage bag.

This refined iron has been upgraded by the Spirit Gathering Cauldron, and its quality far exceeds that of ordinary refined iron, approaching the level of a rare item, and can be used to refine top-tier magic weapons.

Manager Qian stared wide-eyed.

"This...this is refined iron? No, this quality...is almost as good as rare refined iron!" He picked up a piece of refined iron and examined it from all angles.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, where did this refined iron come from?"

Lin Feng smiled faintly: "Clan property."

Shopkeeper Qian chuckled sheepishly, "This refined iron will cost you three hundred spirit stones per piece. Adding the three hundred and forty you had left, that makes a total of six hundred and forty spirit stones."

"Let me take a look at the catalog of top-tier magical artifacts," Lin Feng said.

Shopkeeper Qian pondered for a moment, then took out several jade slips from the cabinet and handed them over, immediately launching into a detailed introduction: "Fellow Daoist Ye, this is the blueprint for the 'Mysterious Iron Shield,' a top-tier defensive magic weapon. Its crafting method is simple, and its defensive effect is remarkable. It's priced at seven hundred spirit stones. This is the blueprint for the 'Azure Light Sword,' a top-tier offensive magic weapon made primarily of Azure Light Stone. When it attacks, it generates two sword shadows, making it a truly formidable weapon. It's priced at seven hundred and fifty spirit stones..."

Lin Feng took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. Information about various magical artifacts, refining materials, and refining difficulties appeared in his mind one by one.

He withdrew his divine sense, hesitated slightly, and said, "Manager Qian, why is the blueprint for the 'Wind-Escape Shuttle' so expensive? It's incredibly difficult to forge, requiring the addition of a trace of the magical artifact material, Cloud Wind Essence. Who would use such a precious item to forge a magical artifact?"

Shopkeeper Qian replied with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Ye, you are mistaken. Although the materials for the Wind-Escape Shuttle are precious, once it is refined, it can more than double a cultivator's escape speed, making it a top-tier flying magic weapon. Whether traveling or escaping, it is extremely convenient. One thousand spirit stones is well worth the price."

"Manager Qian, no matter how good the design is, it still needs to be forged. If it's really that good, why don't I see any finished Wind-Escape Shuttles for sale in your shop?"

"Fellow Daoist Ye, you may not know this, but such rare items are snapped up as soon as they become available. How could they possibly be left to be slowly sold in a shop?"

"Alright, Manager Qian, there's no need for us to test each other." Lin Feng pushed the jade slip back. "I, Ye, will offer you my exquisite high-grade flying sword, which has been with me for many years, along with the spirit stones I had saved up, in exchange for this 'Wind-Escape Shuttle' weapon diagram. Consider it adding a piece to the Ye family's heritage."

Shopkeeper Qian hesitated for a moment, then smiled and narrowed his eyes: "Alright! Fellow Daoist Ye is straightforward. I, Old Qian, will take care of this deal. I hope that in the future, when you achieve success in refining weapons, you will give priority to selling them to my Wanbaolou. The price will definitely be fair."

"Definitely, definitely."

After leaving Wanbaolou, he did not rush to leave the market, but instead strolled around the streets again.

He bought a few inconspicuous materials and found an inn in the market to stay in.

Over the next few days, Lin Feng constantly changed his attire, using crude and mundane makeup to alter his appearance, staying at different inns while secretly keeping an eye on the cultivators coming and going around him.

Three days later, after confirming that no cultivators were following him, Lin Feng slowly walked towards the market exit.

When we left the market, it was already dusk.

As the sun set, it bathed the entire mountain road in a golden-red hue.

Lin Feng immediately cast a Qi Concealing Talisman and a Azure Wind Talisman on himself, activated his Lightness Technique, and unleashed his full speed. Taking advantage of the dim light of the mountain forest, he sped towards Yellow Maple Valley.

On the way back, he kept his consciousness highly alert, constantly scanning the area within hundreds of meters around him, and no movement could escape his perception.

Fortunately, it ended without any serious harm.

At 9 PM, Lin Feng finally returned to Yellow Maple Valley.

He pushed open the door of the cabin, plopped down on the bed, and let out a long breath.

"I'm back alive."

It would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous about traveling alone for the first time. Places like market towns are teeming with all sorts of people; if someone were to target me, the consequences could be dire.

Fortunately, he was careful enough and did not reveal any flaws throughout the process.

Lin Feng took out the ten bottles of Yellow Dragon Pills from his storage bag and placed them on the table.

The jade bottle was crystal clear, and through the bottle one could see the pale yellow pills inside.

"The Yellow Dragon Pill," Lin Feng murmured, "With you, my cultivation speed can reach another level."

He took out a Yellow Dragon Pill and threw it into the Spirit Gathering Cauldron.

"Let's try one more pill first to see the effect."

In the days that followed, Lin Feng resumed his routine of going back to his home, work, and study.

The difference is that he now has catalogs of the Yellow Dragon Pill and the Flowing Cloud Shuttle.

Upgrading the Spirit Gathering Cauldron to the Yellow Dragon Pill takes four days, one day longer than the Qi Cultivation Pill. But the effect is amazing—the premium Yellow Dragon Pill is three times more potent than the ordinary Yellow Dragon Pill, and it is completely free of impurities.

Having tasted success, Lin Feng began a new round of accumulation.

Mining, refining weapons, upgrading Yellow Dragon Pills, consuming them for cultivation...

Days passed by like this.

Spring goes and autumn comes, flowers bloom and wither.

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, Lin Feng came out of the mine, preparing to deliver a batch of newly refined magical artifacts to the Hundred Machines Hall.

Walking along the mountain path in Huangfeng Valley, he suddenly noticed a group of people ahead.

A dozen or so newly initiated disciples, dressed in outer sect robes, were heading to the Transmission Hall to listen to the monthly spell explanations. Among them, a dark-skinned young man caught Lin Feng's attention.

The young man was thin, with an ordinary, even unremarkable, appearance. He had dark skin and plain features.

Lin Feng paused.

Judging by the timeline, it should be him by now.

"Han Li".

Lin Feng stood by the roadside, watching the group of people walk past him.

Han Li blended into the crowd, completely inconspicuous. If Lin Feng hadn't known his identity, he definitely wouldn't have given him a second glance.

"He really is just an ordinary-looking dark-skinned kid," Lin Feng thought to himself.

He subconsciously touched his face.

Twenty-year-old Lin Feng had delicate features, fair skin, and a slender figure. Years of cultivation and weapon forging had given him a more composed demeanor, reducing some of his youthful naiveté.

Although he's not the kind of stunningly handsome guy who catches your eye at first glance, he's definitely above average in a crowd.

Standing next to Han Li, that's the difference between being handsome and being just an ordinary passerby.

"In terms of looks, I'm the winner right now." Lin Feng's lips curled up slightly.

However, he also knew that in the world of cultivation, one's face was the most useless thing.

Han Li was able to get to the end not because of his looks, but because of his brains, his character, and that little green bottle.

"But I'm no worse than him." Lin Feng withdrew his gaze, turned around and continued walking towards the Hundred Machines Hall. "He has the Little Green Bottle, I have the Spirit Gathering Cauldron. He has the Great Evolution Technique, I have... uh, I don't have the Great Evolution Technique yet. But I will in the future."

"He has Nangong Wan, and I have... well, never mind, I don't have that for now."

Lin Feng shook his head, trying to clear these chaotic thoughts from his mind.

"Everyone has their own path. Han Li walks his main road, and I cross my narrow bridge."

He quickened his pace and disappeared in the direction of the Hundred Machines Hall.

In the distance, Han Li seemed to sense something and turned around to look.

Behind him was empty space, with only a few fellow disciples chatting and laughing.

Han Li frowned, turned around, and continued walking towards the inner gate.