Living as a Mortal: Grinding Experience Starting from the Underworld

At night, after bidding farewell to his master, Zhang Feng returned to his cave dwelling, where he lived during the Qi Refining stage.

The current island lord and deputy island lord of Suihan Island will certainly not defend it to the death like their master did when the beast tide breaks out, especially since the two have a grudge against each other before.

The likelihood of a backstabbing is extremely high.

Facing both an early-stage Core Formation cultivator and a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at the same time, there would probably be no way to survive.

However, the appearance of the Spirit Fish is likely to bring with it ghostly shadows, and once the ghostly shadows appear, the ghostly mist will follow.

If they can all be swept into the Netherworld by the ghostly mist, then things will be much easier.

……

Inside Zhang Guihe's cave, a female cultivator in red sat gracefully beside a stone table; she was none other than Wan Qing, whom Zhang Feng had encountered twice.

"Does Fellow Daoist Zhang not explain his plans to his disciples?"

"No need. Getting involved with the Reverse Alliance would be difficult to shake off."

Zhang Guihe stood to the side, his tone resolute.

"Very well, in that case, are you sure you can produce what I need?"

"Of course, take it! This is a record of my observations of the ghostly figures on Suihan Island over the past few decades, as well as the ghostly mist records left by previous island lords!"

Zhang Guihe took two books out of his storage bag and threw them on the table.

Wan Qing tapped her finger lightly, and two books floated to her face, unfolding one by one.

After a moment, Wan Qing's expression became slightly excited:

"Good, good, if these records are true, then the Ghost Mist, one of the three great natural disasters of the Chaotic Star Sea, can indeed be used by me."

She asked again, as if to confirm, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, are you sure these records are authentic?"

"It's absolutely true. From the fact that my disciple safely returned to Suihan Island from the Ghost Mist, I can confirm that this legendary Ghost Mist can be lured and manipulated."

"If you can kill the Level 5 Spirit Nether Fish that was born in the beast tide, you might be able to use its inner core to refine a magic weapon that can lure ghost mist."

"However, even Zhang Feng, who had reached the peak of Qi Refining, was able to break free from the Ghost Mist. Are you sure this will be effective against the Reverse Alliance?"

Zhang Guihe explained each sentence in detail, and then asked a question.

"That's true. The Zhang family's records as the lords of Suihan Island for the past few hundred years are unlikely to be wrong."

"Whether it works or not, you'll only know after trying it!"

Wan Qing's lips curled slightly. From what Zhang Guihe said, she was certain that Zhang Feng had not revealed any information about the Underworld.

She was someone who had escaped from the underworld and knew all too well how terrible that place was.

If this journey allows us to forge a magical artifact capable of luring ghostly mist, it will be a game-changing weapon when the Reverse Alliance and the Star Palace engage in full-scale war.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, state your needs. Those who perform meritorious service within the Reverse Alliance will be rewarded."

"I only ask that Steward Wan protect the safety of the Suihan Island people and my disciples amidst the chaotic beast tide."

"make a deal!"

Wan Qing nodded without hesitation. This little thing was very simple for her. Perhaps an ordinary early-stage Core Formation cultivator would have to fight with all his might to face a level 5 beast tide.

All she needed to do was throw out a Heavenly Thunderbolt given to her by her father.

However, in order to verify some records, we should observe first.

……

At the heart of Suihan Island, on the most spiritually rich mountain vein.

"So? Did that old bastard Zhang Guihe accept it?"

Dressed in a blue and white robe, with a deathly pale face, Feng Xianghan asked.

"Father, he accepted it."

Feng Zhengxing stood respectfully to the side.

"Hmph, the Zhang family, a bunch of incompetent cultivators, thinking only of protecting mortals all day long. They've occupied Suihan Island for so long, yet they can't even support a single late-stage Core Formation cultivator!"

The wind blew coldly, showing great disdain.

"Father is right. Even though they've cultivated themselves from mortals to immortals, they still follow the morals of mortals."

"As the master of Cold Winter Island, instead of exploiting rogue cultivators to accumulate spirit stones and improve his own cultivation, he's researching some kind of Ghost Mist Calamity!"

"They deserved to die because of our father-son's petty scheme!"

Feng Zhengxing looked arrogant and showed no remorse whatsoever.

"However, Father, I still don't understand why you spared Zhang Guihe's life until now? And even sent him compensation?"

"This person was, after all, a disciple of the previous island lord. Keeping him around was of great use to our rule over Suihan Island."

"But now, this beast tide still needs him to lead the rogue cultivators to the front lines and risk their lives. How can they not do it without offering some benefits?"

"Unlike my junior brother, I am not so stubborn. I insist on leading my disciples to defeat the beast tide in the sea in order to protect the mortals on Suihan Island from harm."

"We need to wait until Zhang Guihe and his group are completely exhausted, until Suihan Island is damaged, until the rogue cultivators on the island are crying out for help and begging us to take action."

"When the time comes, we'll plunder thoroughly and gather just enough resources for my advancement."

"Haha~"

As Feng Xianghan spoke, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhengxing's expression darkened, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Since his father Feng Xianghan's lifespan was nearing its end and he was still unable to break through, his inner demons accumulated more and more, and he made one foolish move after another in order to obtain resources.

His plundering of Suihan Island became even more ruthless, almost to the point of exhausting all resources.

Rogue cultivators are not ordinary people; they can't just run away whenever they want.

You must know that after his father passes away, this Suihan Island will be his island all to himself. If it is ruined like this, how will he scavenge the materials needed to form his core in the future?

However, at this stage, the father's help is needed, otherwise it will be difficult to overcome the level 5 beast tide caused by the Spirit Fish.

Sigh~ I only hope that my father and those two cultivators surnamed Zhang will die together in the beast tide.

"Oh, right, Father, a Star Palace cultivator sent a message saying that cultivators from the Reverse Star Alliance have entered our Cold Year Island!"

"Should we send someone to investigate?"

Feng Zhengxing remembered the telepathic message he had just received and quickly reported it to Feng Xianghan.

"A message from the Star Palace?"

"What were you given?"

Feng Xianghan didn't care about the content of the message; he only wanted to know if the Star Palace had offered any benefits.

"Father, no, there was only a telepathic message."

"Ignore it. How can you expect people to do things without any benefit to them?"

"Back then, when I wanted some advanced-level pills, the Star Palace refused to provide them. We're lucky we didn't join the Reverse Star Alliance!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhengxing's expression darkened further. He stopped doing business with the Star Palace and refused to join the Reverse Star Alliance, relying solely on the island's scarce resources and the few scattered cultivators.

When will we be able to gather enough resources for him to advance to the Core Formation stage?

The father and son conspired to seize the island's leadership for cultivation resources. Now, after the beast tide, how much of it will be left?

……

After much deliberation, Zhang Feng decided to discuss the matter with his master, since only by entering the Netherworld could he deal with the island lord and his son.

Only when the ghostly mist appears and devours the beast tide can the safety of Suihan Island be guaranteed.

Arriving alone at his master's cave, Zhang Feng saw a series of telepathic messages flying out from within.

"You've arrived. I've entrusted a senior to protect your safety during this beast tide."

"Don't participate in this beast tide. Just stay on the sidelines and make final notes on the calamity of the ghostly mist!"

Zhang Guihe paused suddenly as he spoke.

"So be it. Our Zhang family is gone, and there's no need to record Ghost Mist any further!"

"Master, I'm sure I'll die at the front of the battle. Don't be sad. I'm just going to fulfill a long-cherished wish."

"Now that you have achieved a certain level of cultivation, all your weaknesses and constraints will disappear after this battle."

"As for Mei Qing'er, I have already given her all the compensation I received, so you don't need to worry anymore!"

"From now on, you are a complete rogue cultivator. You must act decisively and ruthlessly, and stop hesitating and indecisive."

"Remember, hide your kindness, but show your sharpness!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng was about to ask a question when Zhang Guihe raised his hand to stop him.

"Deacon Wan, the person is now in your care!"

As soon as Zhang Guihe finished speaking, a red figure familiar to Zhang Feng appeared; it was Wan Qing.

"Young friend Zhang, don't bother your master in organizing the manpower."

"How about it? Now you understand the helplessness of having such low cultivation levels!"

"Only the strong in the cultivation world can possess everything, but you are too weak; all your sentiments are merely a burden!"

"Fortunately, it seems your master finally understood!"