Mortal: I have a Spirit Gathering Cauldron

Three years have passed, neither a long nor a short time.

For ordinary people, a thousand days and nights are enough for an infant to learn to walk and talk. For Lin Feng, however, he has already broken through to the twelfth level of Qi Refining.

The fourth minor realm, on a genius with a unique spiritual root or a dual spiritual root, would take more than three years. But on Lin Feng, with four spiritual roots, without the Spirit Gathering Cauldron, that time would be at least several times longer.

Fortunately, he had the Spirit Gathering Cauldron.

The supply of premium Yellow Dragon Pills never ceased, and the spirit-gathering array made of mid-grade spirit stones operated day and night. With this double blessing, Lin Feng's cultivation speed reached more than three times that of ordinary disciples with four spiritual roots.

Since returning from the market last time, five years have passed, and he has broken through from the peak of the eighth level of Qi Refining to the twelfth level of Qi Refining.

He is only one step away from the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

That morning, Lin Feng sat cross-legged in the spirit-gathering array deep inside the mine, slowly finishing his practice.

His dantian was brimming with spiritual energy, and the spiritual power in his meridians surged like a river. The spiritual power at the twelfth level of Qi Refining was nearly double that at the eighth level.

He opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of stale air, and his breath lingered.

"Twelfth level of Qi Refining," Lin Feng murmured, clenching his fist and feeling the surging power within his body. "Now, if I go to the market again and encounter a group of Qi Refining cultivators attacking me, even if I can't win, I can still escape."

He stood up and stretched his limbs.

Three years of working as a miner made him much stronger.

In the Crimson Forbidden Land, cultivation level alone is not enough. What truly determines life and death is combat prowess and intellect.

Han Li was able to escape unscathed from the Crimson Forbidden Land thanks to his caution and the use of magical artifacts and talismans. Lin Feng is still lacking in some areas and needs to hurry.

"I still need to learn some martial arts skills," Lin Feng muttered to himself.

Cultivators mostly rely on magical artifacts and spells in combat, but in close combat, mortal martial arts techniques can often have unexpected effects. In the original novel, Han Li learned mortal martial arts and repeatedly dodged fatal attacks in the forbidden area by using his agility.

Lin Feng didn't want to copy Han Li's approach exactly, but it wouldn't hurt to learn from it.

He spent three days searching through the scripture pavilion in Yellow Maple Valley for jade slips containing mortal martial arts techniques.

The Yuelu Hall's Sutra Repository has three levels. The first level contains basic cultivation techniques, miscellaneous notes, and ordinary martial arts skills. The second level contains spells and cultivation techniques. The third level contains core cultivation techniques, all of which require contribution points to exchange. Ordinary martial arts skills are worthless and are mostly placed in the corners of the first level, covered in dust.

Lin Feng searched high and low, and finally chose two items:

"Dragon's Step" is a common movement technique that emphasizes agility and elusive footwork, making it suitable for dodging attacks in complex terrain.

"Rain of Pear Blossoms Spear" is a common spear technique known for its speed. A single thrust is like a torrential downpour, making it suitable for use in conjunction with a magical spear.

The two martial arts skills together cost only two contribution points, which is outrageously cheap.

"You get what you pay for." Lin Feng carefully put the jade slip away. "But these two items are enough."

Back in the mine, Lin Feng began practicing.

The Dragon Step may seem simple, but it's not easy to master. The footwork requires maintaining balance at all times, leaving room for maneuver with each step, allowing for free movement forward and backward. Fortunately, Lin Feng is now a cultivator, possessing physical attributes far exceeding those of ordinary people. With the spiritual power of the twelfth level of Qi Refining, his reaction speed and flexibility have reached an astonishing level.

After practicing for half a month, my "Dragon Swimming Step" is already quite good.

As for the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Spear, Lin Feng happened to have a top-tier magic weapon he had crafted himself, the Wind-Breaking Spear. He practiced each move according to the diagrams in the jade slip, starting with the most basic thrusting, picking, parrying, and sweeping, gradually mastering the essence of the spear technique.

Martial arts training is different from cultivation; there are no shortcuts. Even with the blessing of spiritual power, the fundamental skills still need to be practiced.

Lin Feng practices shooting for an hour every morning, footwork for an hour every evening, and spends the rest of his time cultivating and refining weapons.

Life was more tiring than that of a miner, but very fulfilling.

"In the Bloodstained Forbidden Land, the more prepared you are, the more chances you have to survive," he told himself.

Time flies like water.

this day

Lin Feng sat on a rock outside the mine, swallowed a Bigu Pill, and stared blankly at the main peak of Huangfeng Valley in the distance.

The day the Crimson Forbidden Land opens is drawing ever closer.

According to the original story, Han Li would go to the market during this time. On his way back, he would happen to witness Senior Brother Lu raping and murdering Chen Qiaoqian. He would be forced to take action, kill Senior Brother Lu, touch Chen Qiaoqian, and obtain two Foundation Establishment Pills.

Two Foundation Building Pills.

Lin Feng licked his lips.

Foundation Establishment Pills are extremely rare and expensive in Yellow Maple Valley. Even with spirit stones, they can't be bought; they can only be obtained through sect contribution points or by acquiring them from the Crimson Forbidden Land. One Foundation Establishment Pill costs three thousand contribution points, and Lin Feng, after saving for so many years, only has a little over three hundred.

If he could steal Han Li's opportunity, then those two Foundation Establishment Pills would be his.

"It's worth a try." Lin Feng stood up and dusted himself off.

However, in the original work, Han Li's time and route to the market were not fixed, and his return time and route were even more unclear.

There seems to be only one way: follow Old Devil Han.

Subsequently, Lin Feng spent three days figuring out Han Li's daily routine.

In reality, it didn't take three days, because Old Man Han didn't leave the house at all, and after three days of waiting, he didn't even see a hair.

Lin Feng decided to try a different approach. After accepting a quest in the miscellaneous goods hall that allowed him to go out and collect herbs, he left Huangfeng Valley and then squatted down in the area that was the only way to the market.

One day, two days...

Lin Feng leaned against a big tree, watching idly. There were many cultivators coming and going, but none of them had Han Li's dark face.

"Is this kid not going to come?" Lin Feng muttered.

Until there were only half a month left before the opening of the Crimson Forbidden Land

A figure appeared in the distance.

He was dressed in black robes and wore a straw hat to conceal his face. He was thin and moved around furtively.

Judging by physique and cultivation level,

It's Han Li.

Lin Feng's spirits lifted, and he retreated behind the tree, holding his breath.

Han Li walked at a moderate pace, his steps steady, his eyes alert. As he walked, he would occasionally scan his surroundings, his divine sense also scanning the area around him.

Lin Feng clicked his tongue in amazement. This kid is only at the eleventh level of Qi Refining, yet he's so vigilant. No wonder he's called Old Demon Han.

He waited until Han Li was far away before emerging from behind the tree and quietly following him.

Lin Feng hung far behind, maintaining a distance of several hundred feet, not daring to get too close.

After walking for about an hour, it began to get dark.

Han Li stopped in front of a mountain hollow, looked around, and suddenly turned a corner, disappearing into a dense forest.

Lin Feng frowned and followed.

The forest was dimly lit, with dense trees and poor visibility. Lin Feng followed for less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before suddenly realizing that Han Li had disappeared from sight.

"Lost them?"

He stopped and scanned his surroundings with his divine sense, but found nothing.

"This level of vigilance..." Lin Feng smiled wryly and shook his head.

Han Li had obviously discovered that someone was following him, so he deliberately went into the dense forest and used the complex terrain to shake off his pursuers.

Given Han Li's personality, he would definitely change his route once he realized he was being followed. And it would probably be impossible to catch him again.

"Forget it, waiting is just a waste of time." Lin Feng turned and walked back.

The stakeout plan has failed.

Lin Feng wasn't too frustrated.

He hadn't held out much hope to begin with. Someone like Han Li wouldn't be Han Li if he could be easily defeated. The two Foundation Establishment Pills were tempting, but not absolutely necessary.

He possesses a Spirit Gathering Cauldron and high-quality pills. Even without those two Foundation Establishment Pills, exchanging them for a few more shouldn't be a problem, given the spiritual herbs he collected in the Crimson Forbidden Land.

"I'll walk my own path; there's no need to fixate on Han Li's opportunities." Lin Feng understood this, and his mind cleared. He wondered if this would change Chen Qiaoqian's fate. It would be a pity if she were ruined by Senior Brother Lu. Oh well, good luck to her; it's none of my business!

There are less than two weeks left before the Bloodstained Forbidden Land opens.

Lin Feng decided to go directly to the market.

This time, it's not to sell magical artifacts to exchange for Yellow Dragon Pills, but to acquire equipment.

The Crimson Forbidden Land is fraught with danger. Not only must one face demonic beasts, but also disciples from other sects. Murder and looting are commonplace in the forbidden land; without a few handy magical artifacts, entering is tantamount to suicide.

Lin Feng's current wealth is much greater than it was three years ago.

Inside the storage bag: eight mid-grade spirit stones, more than two thousand low-grade spirit stones, twenty premium Yellow Dragon Pills, more than ten mid-grade and high-grade magic artifacts, and three top-grade magic artifacts.

Two of the top-tier magical artifacts were his proudest creations, crafted over the past two years.

One is a top-tier offensive magic weapon called the "Wind-Breaking Spear." It is seven feet two inches long, and the spearhead is infused with a small amount of iron essence, a material used in magic weapons upgraded from the Spirit Gathering Cauldron. When the spear is thrust out, spiritual power is infused into the spearhead, making it easy to pierce through high-grade defensive magic weapons.

The other is the top-tier offensive magic weapon, the "Soul-Bewitching Bell." It's about the size of a palm, and its sound can reduce an opponent's five senses and paralyze their consciousness.

These two top-tier magical artifacts represent the pinnacle of Lin Feng's current artifact crafting skills.

But he still lacks two things: a defensive magic weapon and a talisman.

Defensive artifacts are obviously for survival. Talismans, on the other hand, are consumables, but they are incredibly powerful and can turn the tide of battle in crucial moments.

Lin Feng changed into a disguise mask, put on a gray robe, and suppressed his cultivation to the ninth level of Qi Refining, dressing up as a rogue cultivator.

The journey was uneventful, and we arrived at the market at noon.

Wanbaolou remains unchanged, with two stone lions at the entrance, a plaque with gold lettering, and smiling waiters welcoming guests.

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

"What would you like to order, sir?"

"I'm looking for your manager," Lin Feng said calmly.

The waiter quickly invited him upstairs and served him some fine tea. Soon after, Manager Qian arrived.

"What would you like to buy, esteemed guest?" Manager Qian asked with a broad smile, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Shopkeeper, I'd like to sell some things and buy some things as well," Lin Feng returned the greeting.

"Please speak."

Lin Feng took out more than ten magical artifacts from his storage bag and placed them on the table.

Several mid-grade flying swords, five high-grade flying swords, three high-grade shields, one high-grade flying boat, and one top-tier magic weapon, the Golden Pattern Sword.

This is one of the best pieces he has created in the past five years. They are of superior quality, radiating a spiritual light, and each one is a masterpiece among masterpieces.

Manager Qian stared wide-eyed.

"These... these were all refined by Fellow Daoist Xiao?"

Lin Feng nodded.

Shopkeeper Qian picked up the gold-patterned sword and examined it from all angles. The sword's array patterns were exquisite, shimmering with spiritual light; it was truly a masterpiece among top-tier magical artifacts.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao's weapon-refining skills are truly admirable," Shopkeeper Qian exclaimed sincerely. "I'll take all of these magical artifacts. Here's my price: seventy spirit stones for each mid-grade flying sword, one hundred and fifty for each high-grade flying sword, one hundred and fifty for each shield, one hundred and ninety for each flying boat, and one thousand and five hundred for the gold-patterned sword. The total..."

He calculated: "Three thousand three hundred spirit stones."

Lin Feng estimated in his mind that the price was about the same as it was five years ago.

"Okay." Lin Feng nodded.

Manager Qian immediately instructed his assistant to fetch the spirit stones.

Lin Feng took the storage bag, scanned it with his divine sense, and confirmed that the number was correct.

"Manager Qian, I'd like to buy a few more things this time," he said seriously.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please speak."

"Top-tier defensive magic artifacts, auxiliary magic artifacts, and... talismanic treasures."

Manager Qian's pupils contracted slightly.

Talismanic treasures are rare items. They are treasures created by cultivators at the Core Formation stage or above who seal the power of their own magical artifacts within talismans. They possess immense power but can only be used a few times. The entire Wanbao Pavilion doesn't have many in stock.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, defensive and auxiliary magic artifacts are easy to discuss, but as for talismans..." Shopkeeper Qian pondered for a moment, "Our shop currently only has two talismans. One is the 'Blazing Fire Talisman,' sealed by an early-stage Core Formation cultivator, and its power is decent. The other is the 'Ice Sword Talisman,' sealed by a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, and its power is greater, but its price is also higher."

"Naturally, it's a good choice," Lin Feng said.

Shopkeeper Qian was taken aback for a moment: "Fellow Daoist Xiao has a brilliant insight."

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, the Ice Sword Talisman costs 2,700 spirit stones. Defensive and auxiliary magical artifacts..."

He thought for a moment: "Our shop has a top-tier defensive magic weapon called the 'Mystic Turtle Shield,' made from the carapace of a level-two Mystic Turtle. It has extremely strong defensive capabilities and costs 1,600 spirit stones. We also have an auxiliary magic weapon called the 'Gentle Breeze Flag,' which can increase escape speed, allowing you to both flee and pursue enemies. It costs 1,400 spirit stones."

"A total of five thousand seven hundred spirit stones."

Lin Feng quickly made a mental calculation.

"I'll take it." Lin Feng said decisively. He then took out a piece of iron essence the size of a walnut from his storage bag. "Manager Qian, would this be acceptable as payment for the difference?"

Shopkeeper Qian was overjoyed: "Iron essence! This is more than enough material for forging magical treasures, more than enough!"

After saying that, he went to the warehouse to retrieve the goods himself.

Before long, he returned carrying several items.

A blue talisman, exuding a chilling aura, which could be felt as if it were held in one's hand.

It was a small shield, about the size of a palm, completely black with tortoise shell patterns on the surface, and it felt heavy in the hand.

A small flag, with wind patterns embroidered on its blue surface, moves the surrounding air with a gentle wave.

Lin Feng checked each item carefully and, after confirming that everything was correct, put it into his storage bag.

"Manager Qian, it's a pleasure doing business with you."

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

After leaving Wanbaolou, Lin Feng strolled around the market again.

He bought a bottle of "Rejuvenation Pill" for healing, a bottle of "Cleansing Spirit Powder" for detoxification, and several low-level fireball talismans, freezing talismans, and golden light talismans. They were all cheap little things, but they might come in handy at a critical moment.

After everything was settled, Lin Feng settled into an inn in the market and laid out all his magical artifacts.

Xuan Turtle Shield, Qingfeng Flag, Ice-Sealing Talisman, Wind-Breaking Spear, Soul-Suppressing Bell.

Five pieces of equipment: one top-tier offensive magic weapon, one top-tier defensive magic weapon, two top-tier auxiliary magic weapons, and one talisman.

This setup is absolutely luxurious among Qi Refining stage cultivators; it's a true all-rounder.

After mastering the magical artifacts one by one, Lin Feng changed his outfit and gracefully walked towards the market exit.

He left the market full of confidence and even hoped to encounter a Tribulation Cultivator so he could practice his skills.

"No, it can't float."

He took a deep breath and warned himself not to get arrogant.

The Crimson Forbidden Land is teeming with all sorts of demons and monsters. The elite disciples of the seven sects employ all manner of insidious and ruthless methods, making them impossible to guard against. No matter how good your equipment, if you're not smart, it's all for naught. And then there's Nangong Wan and Xiang Zhili, who disguise themselves as Qi Refining stage cultivators to bully the younger ones.

"Be careful and cautious, develop stealthily." Lin Feng repeated his eight-character principle, "Avoid fighting if you can avoid it, and never engage in a head-on confrontation if you can ambush. Surviving is the only victory."

After returning to Huangfeng Valley and registering for the Crimson Forbidden Land, Lin Feng neither forged any more weapons nor cultivated any more.

He spent all his time familiarizing himself with the new equipment.

The spiritual energy consumption of the Xuan Turtle Shield, the acceleration effect of the Qingfeng Banner, the attack range of the Pofeng Spear... you must be familiar with the performance of each piece of equipment in order to unleash its maximum power in battle.

half a month later.

Everything is ready.

Lin Feng sat cross-legged in the mine, conducting a final check of his storage bag.

Spirit stones, elixirs, magical artifacts, talismans, and talisman treasures... everything was there.

He put away the storage bag, stood up, and dusted himself off.

Stepping out of the mine, the sun was shining brightly outside.

In the distance, the main peak of Yellow Maple Valley was shrouded in mist, with cranes soaring overhead. In the nearby outer sect disciples' area, some hurried by, while others buried themselves in cultivation; everything seemed normal.

Lin Feng took a deep breath.

"The forbidden area will open in a few days."

"Foundation Building Pill, here I come."