Living as a Mortal: Grinding Experience Starting from the Underworld

"Haha, where's the exchange? Fellow Daoist, don't forget our agreement on Cold Winter Island!"

Wan Qing laughed loudly, his aura surged, and the pressure of a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator swept towards Zhang Feng.

"Fellow Daoist, you dare to mention the Pact at Cold Winter Island? Do you really think Zhang Feng is easy to bully?"

Zhang Feng did not flinch at all, his spiritual power accumulating layer by layer, easily dispelling Wan Qing's intimidation with a single breath.

The Thousand Waves Technique is truly useful.

Wan Qing was slightly surprised to find that Zhang Feng had easily dispelled the pressure of his full-force spiritual energy.

Having just entered the Core Formation stage, I observed that he had no spiritual light from his natal magic weapon, indicating that he was a cultivator who had not yet refined his natal magic weapon. How could he easily withstand the intimidation of me, a cultivator in the mid-Core Formation stage?

Although the Myriad Laws Sword Technique that I gave him was powerful, it wouldn't have such power.

This person must have had other fortuitous encounters or opportunities.

When Wan Qing thought about the purpose of his trip, he couldn't help but adjust his mindset a little.

"That day, when the ghostly mist attacked, I didn't even need to lift a finger, and the level six spirit fish couldn't even reach Suihan Island. How can that not be considered fulfilling the agreement?"

Wan Qing paused for a moment, then explained.

"Ha, Fellow Daoist Wan, do you intend to get something for nothing? That's a gross underestimation of me!"

Zhang Feng mercilessly shattered Wan Qing's illusions.

"Alas, Fellow Daoist Zhang is truly heartless! All my repeated efforts to help you have been in vain!"

Wan Qing shook his head and sighed.

"Alright, let's stick to the facts. If Fellow Daoist Wan still wants to make a deal, let's not bring up anything else."

Zhang Feng frowned slightly. What Wan Qing brought him was a mixture of danger and reward.

"Alright, let's get straight to the point. I want the Netherworld Beast Crystal and the Netherworld Water that Fellow Daoist Zhang brought from the Netherworld."

"What will you offer in exchange?"

"Ten Thousand Years Xuan Jade."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng's heart tightened. No wonder Wan Qing wanted the Yin Chen Water; it was for mining the Ten Thousand Year Mysterious Jade.

This substance is extremely cold and yin, making it a rare and valuable material for refining weapons. In the original story, it was found in only one place, and it is unknown where she obtained it.

If one cultivates water magic and adds ice attribute to their natal magic weapon, it would greatly increase their destructive power.

"How do I change it?"

Zhang Feng got straight to the point: he had plenty of beast crystals and didn't need them now, so exchanging them was a good idea.

"Fellow Daoist actually knows about the Ten-Thousand-Year Mystic Jade; you are truly knowledgeable!"

"In that case, let's exchange the agreed-upon reward for a piece of ten-thousand-year-old black jade."

Wan Qing calculated in his mind that, given Zhang Feng's strength when he entered the Netherworld last time, it would be good enough if he could fulfill the agreed reward.

Zhang Feng was secretly pleased. Wan Qing didn't know how many beast crystals and Yin Shen Water he had, and the price he offered was entirely up to him.

"No, one piece of ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Jade is not enough to refine a magic weapon. Besides, you can definitely continue to mine ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Jade after you exchange it back."

"At least ten dollars are needed to exchange for the agreed-upon reward."

Five dollars!

Nine pieces.

Six pieces.

"Eight pieces."

"make a deal!"

Just as Zhang Feng shouted out eight yuan, Wan Qing suddenly announced the deal.

Then, Wan Qing took out a palm-sized piece of ancient jade and placed it in front of Zhang Feng with a smile.

Oh no, she underestimated the amount of Ten Thousand Year Jade in Wan Qing's possession. But just as she thought, she also underestimated the Beast Crystals in her own possession.

Zhang Feng readily took out twenty second-tier Yinming Beast Crystals and two small bags of Yinming Water.

"I wonder how many ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Jade you possess, fellow Daoist?"

Upon hearing Zhang Feng's question, Wan Qing's eyes darkened. Given the other party's personality, he probably still had quite a few Yinming Beast Crystals in his possession.

Thinking of the task assigned by the ancestor, Wan Qing was overjoyed again:

"Fellow Daoist, you are truly skilled, managing to hunt so many Netherworld Beasts. I also possess twenty-eight Ten-Thousand-Year Mystic Jade stones; may I ask what they are?"

"The murky water is gone, but the beast crystal is still there!"

Zhang Feng took out eight third-tier Yinming Beast Crystals.

"Okay, deal!"

Wan Qing's face lit up with joy.

This was a deal that satisfied both parties.

"Since the Ghost Mist of Cold Island, Fellow Daoist Zhang has been all alone. Why not join my Myriad Laws Sect?"

After the transaction was completed, Wan Qing couldn't help but mention it.

"Ha, Fellow Daoist Wan, you jest. How could a rogue cultivator like myself possibly be worthy of joining the number one righteous sect in the Chaotic Star Sea?"

Zhang Feng resolutely refused. The situation in the Chaotic Star Sea was unstable, with the Reverse Alliance and the Star Palace secretly fighting each other. How could he get involved in such a mess?

"Alas, what a pity. If you wish to find your master, you are welcome to visit my Myriad Laws Sect!"

Wan Qing put away the beast crystal, turned around and escaped out the window, leaving Zhang Feng completely bewildered.

Wasn't Master Zhang Guihe secretly protected by the Star Palace?

How did it become a myriad of methods again?

Could the intelligence from Baimen Pavilion be incorrect?

Zhang Feng fell into thought.

No matter where he is, his master is safe and sound. Besides, given his master's severely injured body after decades of seclusion, I'm afraid...

Zhang Feng didn't think too deeply about it. His master had already fulfilled his obsession, and he himself had also fulfilled his duty of loyalty and affection.

His master has severed all ties with him; he should focus on cultivation and live up to his expectations.

……

When Zhang Feng returned to the thirty-third floor of the cave, he found that someone had been waiting there for a long time.

"Greetings, Senior! I am Wen Siyue from the Miaoyin Sect, here to congratulate you on successfully achieving the Core Formation!"

Looking at the pretty girl dressed in pink.

Zhang Feng was puzzled. Why were the people from the Miaoyin Sect looking for him?

What brings you here?

"Ah, Siyue is acting on the orders of Sect Master Ziling of the Miaoyin Sect, and wishes to invite you to the Miaoyin Sect for a chat!"

Upon hearing Zhang Feng's question, Wen Siyue hurriedly replied.

Considering the subsequent struggle between Miaoyin Sect and Jiyin Island, as well as the Jiyin Ancestor who possessed Wu Chou, Zhang Feng decided to refuse directly.

He thought he could escape using the "Thousand Waves Technique," but that's not how you play with your life.

If there's no benefit, why would anyone bother to make a move?

"Senior, please wait. The sect leader once said that you have just formed your core and probably haven't had time to refine your natal magic weapon yet. If you agree to meet me, please do so."

The Myriad Sounds Sect guarantees that all materials within the sect are available for the seniors to choose from.

Seeing that Zhang Feng was about to leave, Wen Siyue hurriedly spoke up.

Zhang Feng paused, thinking that the Miaoyin Sect might be able to help him with the high-level water-attribute monster materials he needed.

Moreover, it will be two years before Han Li successfully forms his core, and the war between Miaoyin Sect and Jiyin Island will still be some time away.

All I need to do is take advantage of these two years to cooperate with the Miaoyin Sect and acquire the high-level water-attribute monster materials I need.

After two years, I can go into seclusion again under the pretext of refining my natal magic weapon. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

"Very well, I agree. I will go to the Myriad Sounds Sect tomorrow to meet the legendary Sect Master Zi Ling."

Upon hearing Zhang Feng's agreement, Wen Siyue's face lit up with joy. As long as she could help the sect leader recruit a Core Formation cultivator, the sect leader would be able to contend with the two elders within the sect.

This would greatly ease the sect leader's situation within the sect.

"Thank you so much, senior! Thank you so much, senior!"

Wen Siyue thanked him repeatedly, her heart filled with longing to return home. She hurried down the steps and descended on her sword.

Zhang Feng paused, retrieved the communication jade slips left by the other cultivators outside the formation, and turned back to his cave.

Having dealt with the most important Wan Qing, it's time to make connections with the other Core Formation cultivators in the city.

Let's exchange some ideas, otherwise we'll become complacent and stagnant.

Furthermore, to forge one's own natal magic weapon, one must first learn some weapon forging techniques; otherwise, how can one forge a magic weapon that is as easy to use as one's own arm?

To learn weapon crafting, one needs a complete set of basic weapon crafting techniques.

When I go to see the sect leader of Miaoyin Sect tomorrow, I can ask her to help me find the refining materials as well.