Living as a Mortal: Grinding Experience Starting from the Underworld

Wan Qing knew perfectly well what was most important, but she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

What should I do? How should I bring it up?

You're so dense, think of something already!

Wan Qing couldn't help but pat his forehead.

Suddenly, Wan Qing recalled a scene from her father, Wan Tianming, resolving a conflict between his subordinates.

Suppress the conflicts, offer benefits, and create a grander goal that is acceptable to both parties.

Got it!

"Ahem! Fellow Daoist Zhang, Sister Mei, after listening for a while, I've come to the conclusion that the reason for your discord is the Foundation Establishment Pill."

"In that case, I will offer two Foundation Establishment Pills to ask you to escort me up Storm Mountain."

Wan Qing imitated his father's tone, trying his best to create an atmosphere of authority and dignity.

"What?"

Zhang Feng was slightly surprised. Who was this person? How could he so easily promise two Foundation Establishment Pills?

"Sister Wan, you..."

Mei Xin was somewhat surprised. After nearly a year of getting along, she had always thought that Wan Qing was just an ordinary rogue cultivator like herself. She never expected him to be so wealthy.

"What? You two don't believe me? Then I'll tell you the truth. I am the illegitimate daughter of Wan Tianming, the leader of the Wanfa Sect."

"I went out to sea alone to gain experience, but accidentally fell into the ghostly mist and came to this dark and gloomy place."

"Rest assured, both of you. Even if she is an illegitimate child, I still have ample resources for cultivation. If you agree, I can provide two Foundation Establishment Pills."

Wan Qing's voice was clear and resonant, carrying an aura of righteousness.

Zhang Feng's pupils contracted slightly. Wan Tianming, the sect leader of the Wanfa Sect, was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

This was the first time he had heard the name of a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Chaotic Star Sea since his transmigration; it felt both familiar and unfamiliar.

Mei Xin's mouth gaped slightly; she hadn't expected Wan Qing to be the illegitimate daughter of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

It is extremely difficult for a Nascent Soul cultivator to conceive offspring; there is no difference between an illegitimate daughter and a legitimate daughter.

"Here! This is my identity token. If you don't believe me, you can check it yourselves."

Wan Qing took out a token and gestured to the two of them.

Zhang Feng got up, jumped off the platform, and took the document from Wan Qing to examine it.

Made of black jade, adorned with gilded patterns, and featuring auspicious beasts hidden within, plus a large seal script character "万" (wan, meaning ten thousand).

Zhang Feng, though inexperienced, could tell that the token was genuine.

But the memory of the betrayal during our last team meeting is still vivid, and my junior sister, one of the culprits, is right in front of me.

Now, when it comes to teaming up, we have to be careful!

As for Mei Xin, Zhang Feng didn't care about her situation. Since it was already confirmed that Mei Xin had betrayed him out of greed, he had nothing to say.

Let's just consider our twenty years of friendship as being wasted on dogs, and from now on we'll be strangers.

However, he was truly tempted by Wan Qing's invitation, and his trip to the outside world was for the purpose of establishing his foundation.

How can one resist the temptation of receiving Foundation Establishment Pills as a gift?

However, the matter of forming a team still needs careful consideration!

"Fellow Daoist Wan, do you intend to climb Storm Mountain and escape the Netherworld?"

Zhang Feng casually returned the token to Wan Qing.

"That's right. I accidentally fell into the Netherworld nearly three years ago, and I've been thinking about escaping from here all the time."

Wan Qing withdrew the token, his expression indifferent.

"Fellow Daoist Wan's terms are very tempting, but my strength is too weak, and I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you!"

The offer was tempting, but forming a team was risky, so Zhang Feng decided it was best to observe first.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, why be so modest? Putting aside the second-tier Yin-Yang Beast Crystal in your possession, your composure in the face of danger alone suggests you possess formidable protective measures. Moreover, my compass can still gauge some of your strength!"

Wan Qing held a black compass in his left hand, the pointer pointing at Zhang Feng, the character "贰" slightly raised.

"Can your compass determine Zhang's strength?"

Zhang Feng's expression shifted slightly; there were such good things.

"That's right, my compass indicates that you are quite strong, and I would like to invite you to escort me on this journey!"

Seeing that Zhang Feng's attitude had changed, Wan Qing was overjoyed, realizing that her father's method had indeed worked.

"Haha, that's right. I know a little about formations. After spending several years in this Netherworld, I've developed this compass to avoid Netherworld beasts and climb Storm Mountain."

Wan Qing raised the black compass in his hand with a smile.

Zhang Feng couldn't help but marvel. Cultivators were indeed incredibly skilled; they could even create such an object in this Yinming Land, where spiritual energy was scarce.

With the help of such an object, climbing Storm Mountain would be much easier.

Seeing Zhang Feng deep in thought, Wan Qing knew that success was just one step away; with a little more effort, they could gain a great boost.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I have climbed Storm Mountain no less than ten times in the past three years, and even reached the mountainside several times, but I failed to reach the summit because of my low strength and the danger I encountered."

"Judging from your attire, fellow Daoist, you must be preparing to climb Storm Mountain. With your guidance, you will achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"I hope you will consider this carefully. If you feel the reward is insufficient, I can promise to add another Foundation Establishment Pill once we successfully escape Storm Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng felt his breathing become heavy. After thinking it over, he seemed to have no reason to refuse.

Furthermore, in this dark and gloomy place, his strength at the thirteenth level of body refinement was enough to resolve the risk of being backstabbed.

"Alright, I am willing to climb Storm Mountain with you, fellow Daoist. As for the reward, it shall be as you have suggested."

"Alright, fellow Daoist, you're so generous. Let's seal our oath with a high five and make it a deal."

Wan Qing extended his right hand, and Zhang Feng did the same.

Snapped!

Mei Xin looked dejected. Since Sister Wan already knew that the two of them needed Foundation Establishment Pills, she must have guessed their cultivation levels.

Should she remind Sister Wan that her senior brother was only at the Qi Refining stage and didn't have any real strength?

But the reward is Foundation Establishment Pills...

"Senior brother, you..."

Mei Xin couldn't help but remind Zhang Feng that this matter was of utmost importance.

"Junior sister, there's no need for further words. Our camaraderie as fellow disciples has ended; let's consider ourselves strangers from now on!"

Zhang Feng turned his back to Mei Xin, dispelling her desire to continue the conversation.

Wan Qing was slightly taken aback. Her father's method was indeed effective, but the conflict remained unresolved. However, she was fortunate that she had achieved her goal.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, let me first tell you about my experiences climbing Storm Mountain several times, so you can be mentally prepared..."

……

Zhang Feng and his two companions rested in Hongtu Village for two days, packed up their supplies, and agreed to form a team to climb Baofeng Mountain on the third day.

During this time, Mei Xin tried several times to repair her relationship with Zhang Feng, but he coldly rejected her each time.

Zhang Feng, on the other hand, has been studying the various information about Storm Mountain that Wan Qing has collected, and designing a more suitable climbing route based on Wan Qing's climbing experience.

Storm Mountain is generally divided into three areas:

The first area, at the foot and waist of the mountain, is frigid and attracts most low- and mid-level Netherworld Beasts and Monsters, whose strength does not exceed that of Level 1 Monsters.

The second area is a thousand feet above Stormwind Mountain, filled with eerie winds and psychedelic fog, and also inhabited by a large number of flying eerie beasts and demonic creatures.

The third area is the summit of Storm Mountain, which is mostly inhabited by level two Nether Beasts, and even level four and five Nether Beasts or monsters exist here.

The spatial rifts are generated in the peak area, and their location is random and uncertain, entirely dependent on luck.

However, the formation of spatial rifts is traceable. Small-scale spatial rift clusters will form every few months, and large spatial rift clusters will form every few years.

To be honest, I didn't realize how terrifying Storm Mountain was when I read novels and watched anime in my previous life.

When Zhang Feng personally investigated and climbed the mountain, he suddenly realized that his cultivation at the thirteenth level of Body Refinement seemed insufficient.

Even level two Yinming Beasts and demonic beasts are a bit too much for me to handle.

But his improvement in the Underworld was limited to this extent.

There is only one path left: climbing.

Fortunately, Wan Qing's compass guided them, allowing them to avoid those high-level Yin beasts and demonic creatures.

On the third day, after preparations were completed, the three met outside Hongtu Village.

The temperature in Storm Mountain was extremely low, so all three of them wore thick animal skin clothing.

Wan Qing led the way, Mei Xin was in the middle, and Zhang Feng kept watch from behind.

In the first area, thanks to the level-two Yin Nether Beast Crystal in Zhang Feng's hand, the three of them passed through the gathering area of ​​low-level Yin Beasts and demonic beasts without any major incidents.

Three days later, Zhang Feng and his two companions arrived at the second area.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, you lead the way, while Sister Mei and I will keep watch from behind!"

"The fog here is extremely terrifying. Inhaling too much of it amplifies evil thoughts and destroys the soul's defenses. Once the soul weakens, it will be invaded and frozen by the yin wind, and one's life will be in danger."

Wan Qing made the arrangements and handed Zhang Feng a handkerchief.

"I applied a potion to the handkerchief, which can temporarily resist the invasion of the mist, but it has no better protection against the cold wind."

"I just hope we're lucky and that our route avoids areas ravaged by the cold winds."

Zhang Feng took the handkerchief, covered his mouth and nose, and noticed a faint, pleasant fragrance.

The road conditions in the mountainside area are complicated, and Wanqing has come here several times but has given up and returned each time.

Zhang Feng has the strongest physical body and the sharpest perception, so being at the forefront is the best arrangement.