Living as a Mortal: Grinding Experience Starting from the Underworld

In Tianxing City, Zhang Feng was unaware of the aftermath of Biling Island's events. Upon returning, he first went to Miaoyin Sect to report back.

After that, he declined all engagements and began a period of seclusion.

As for the magical treasures and talismans borrowed by Zhao and Fu, Zhang Feng had no intention of returning them since he had not met them.

Zhang Feng has been in seclusion for several months in the thirty-third level of the sacred mountain's cave, absorbing the spiritual energy of high-grade spirit stones to cultivate.

Several telepathic talismans flew to Zhang Feng's cave.

Zhang Feng tossed aside a high-grade spirit stone that had lost all its spiritual energy and stretched his body.

A few months of cultivation by absorbing the spiritual power of high-grade spirit stones is almost equivalent to decades of arduous training.

Zhang Feng felt that his early Core Formation stage cultivation was stable, and he vaguely felt that he was approaching the middle stage.

Using high-grade spirit stones for cultivation is indeed fast!

But looking at the few spirit stones scattered on the ground, their spiritual energy depleted, Zhang Feng couldn't help but gasp: it must have cost a lot.

A single high-grade spirit stone is worth tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones, and Zhang Feng spent tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones in a single seclusion.

Zhang Feng's dantian was starting to sting from the rapid expansion of spiritual energy, forcing him to stop cultivating.

My cultivation level has increased too quickly, and my dantian can't handle it. I'll rest for a few days before continuing.

Zhang Feng went outside the cave to check the messages.

Several transmission talismans kept flying around erratically.

Zhang Feng stepped forward, channeled his spiritual energy through his fingertips, captured one, and probed it with his divine sense.

"Elder Zhang, something big has happened. A large high-grade spirit stone vein has been discovered on Biling Island in the outer sea. It has been occupied by demonic beasts. The Star Palace has summoned cultivators to go and subdue it."

"Elder, once you emerge from seclusion, please come to the Myriad Sounds Sect for a chat!"

This was Zi Ling's telepathic message, and Zhang Feng frowned upon hearing it.

My heart skipped a beat; something was wrong.

The large, high-grade spirit stone vein on Biling Island was discovered ahead of schedule.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, Fellow Daoist Zhang, big news, big news! A large high-grade spirit stone vein has been discovered on Biling Island in the outer sea."

"I heard from a family source that this high-level spirit stone vein is a genuine top-grade spirit stone vein."

"It contains countless high-grade spirit stones!"

"Should we form a team to collect and mine spirit stones?"

This was Jin Qing's telepathic message.

"Brother Zhang, Brother Zhang, have you received any news about the spirit stone mines in the outer sea?"

"The Star Palace is calling on cultivators to compete for it. It's a rare opportunity. Old Jin, Old Jian, and I have already formed a team."

"Brother Zhang, would you like to come along?"

This is Hu Yue's voice transmission.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng felt a sense of foreboding.

Could it be that because I mined high-grade spirit stones ahead of time, the high-grade spirit stone veins on Biling Island were exposed?

No! Even without him, Qin Man would have exposed the spirit stone mine.

But Qin Man was already dead, and he was very secretive and careful, even setting up an array to cover it up.

So who exposed the spirit stone mine?

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, a large spirit stone vein has appeared on Biling Island! This matter is of utmost importance; you must not rashly go to compete for it, lest you endanger your life!"

"If you wish to know the details, fellow Daoist, you are welcome to visit my cave dwelling. I happen to be looking to exchange some items!"

This was Wan Qing's voice transmission.

A large high-grade spirit stone vein has been discovered on Biling Island. Even though it is in the open sea, the Star Palace will definitely send people to occupy it.

After all, high-grade spirit stones are of great help to both demonic beasts and cultivators in their cultivation.

Whichever faction obtains this high-grade spirit stone mine will experience a qualitative leap in strength.

None of the factions are willing to sit idly by and watch their opponent grow stronger.

Star Palace and Reverse Star Alliance, Demon Race and Human Race.

Is the great war between humans and demons in the Chaotic Star Sea about to begin ahead of schedule?

Zhang Feng couldn't help but think of it.

If the war between humans and demons really starts ahead of schedule, will the conflict between Miaoyin Sect and Jiyin Island still occur?

Will the battle between the Star Palace and the Reverse Star Alliance still occur?

After all, the battle between humans and demons will inevitably involve all forces and affect all cultivators.

Chaos! Chaos! Utter chaos!

Zhang Feng couldn't help but scratch his head. After a moment, his thoughts cleared and he sorted out his ideas.

No matter how chaotic the outside world is, it has nothing to do with him. The right path is to quickly improve his cultivation by collecting high-grade spirit stones.

To participate in various wars with the cultivation level of the early stage of Core Formation is tantamount to suicide.

After making up his mind, Zhang Feng began to leave a message using his divine sense.

First, a reply to Sect Master Ziling:

"Sect Master Ziling, my cultivation is still shallow, so I will not respond to the Star Palace's summons this time."

"If the sect leader intends to participate, please be cautious. The Miaoyin Sect has a weak foundation and does not have its own Core Formation cultivators to oversee it. Participating rashly would be extremely dangerous."

Zhang Feng believed that the quick-witted and intelligent Zi Ling had her own judgment.

However, Zhang Feng will definitely not be able to participate in this campaign.

As for Jin Qing and Hu Yue's invitations, Zhang Feng declined them one by one, citing that his magical treasures were not yet fully developed and could not form an effective combat force.

Finally, there was Wan Qing's invitation. Zhang Feng replied with a thank you for informing him, but as for the deal, he had no ideas yet.

The Yinming Beast Crystal and Yin Chen Water that Wan Qing obtained from him were probably not for her own use, but more likely for the use of the Nascent Soul cultivator behind her.

The Yinming Beast Crystal can be used as the driving force for the puppets in the Void Heaven Palace. It seems that only Nascent Soul cultivators with long lifespans can study these things.

As for whether it was Wan Tianming or Wan Sangu, Zhang Feng had no idea.

Furthermore, Wan Qing's research on the Ghost Mist was likely instructed by someone behind the scenes.

Zhang Feng didn't want to get too involved in these matters, but Wan Qing would probably keep his Yinming Beast Crystal and Yinchen Water in his possession.

That's fine too. When Zhang Feng needs a certain rare treasure, he can trade with Wan Qing, who is backed by the Wanfa Sect.

After the news spread, Zhang Feng planned to buy some books on techniques such as formations, talismans, alchemy, and weapon crafting.

The basic formations and talismans we used before were too simple and couldn't handle some of the more advanced formations and talismans.

It just so happens that I'm currently absorbing the spiritual energy from high-grade spirit stones for cultivation, so I need to stop and rest every now and then to take advantage of the free time to max out my skills.

……

White Gate Pavilion opened as usual, but the number of visitors this time far exceeded that of usual.

Zhang Feng strolled forward and stepped onto the first floor.

The number of cultivators on the first floor had almost doubled, all discussing the news of the discovery of a high-grade spirit stone mine on Biling Island in the outer sea.

A sweep of divine sense revealed that most of the cultivators here were in the early Foundation Establishment or Qi Refining stages.

That's true; those with slightly higher cultivation levels all went to Biling Island in the outer sea to obtain spirit stone resources.

Upon entering the second floor, there were still quite a few cultivators, some with slightly higher cultivation levels, having reached the mid or late stages of Foundation Establishment.

"Waiter, this is my family's heirloom book on formations. If I weren't lacking in talent for formations, I certainly wouldn't be selling it!"

"After this formation is set up..."

A round-faced, burly man in the late Foundation Establishment stage gave a dry, rambling introduction.

"Sigh~ Sir, there are plenty of cultivators like you this month selling ancestral formations, talismans, pill formulas, and weapon crafting techniques!"

"Everyone talks about how powerful their ancestral techniques are, but when it comes to doing business, we look at the actual results."

"I have determined that your book on formations is useless; it's just an ordinary book on formations and not worth many spirit stones!"

"Our shop can only offer forty spirit stones!"

The waiter speaking was none other than the cultivator surnamed Zhong who was promoting Zhang Feng's cultivation technique.

"Fine, forty it is!"

The round-faced, burly man gritted his teeth and agreed.

"Oh, Senior Zhang, you've arrived!"

The cultivator surnamed Zhong noticed Zhang Feng and immediately greeted him.

Zhang Feng scanned the scene with his divine sense and saw that many cultivators were selling various books and secret techniques.

"Young friend, I'd like to purchase some books on alchemy, weapon crafting, and formation techniques. Do you have any recommendations?"

Zhang Feng asked the question.

"Hey~ Senior, you've come to the right place this time."

"Recently, a battle broke out in the outer sea for control of spirit stone veins, and many independent cultivators in Tianxing City are selling their treasured books and secret techniques."

"Just to buy some combat supplies so I can gain an advantage in this battle."

"My White Gate Pavilion has collected countless secret techniques and books; our warehouses are almost overflowing."

"How much do you need, senior? I guarantee a great deal!"

The cultivator surnamed Zhong spoke up eagerly, saying that there were too many cultivators selling things and too few buying them, resulting in a decrease in income.

"The whole set, all of it!"

After a moment's thought, Zhang Feng spoke.

"Okay!"

"Um?"

The shop assistant, surnamed Zhong, doubted his ears and asked again.

"Senior, how much did you say?"

"The whole set, all of it!"

Zhang Feng reiterated his affirmation, stating that he would master all the techniques and ultimately create and summarize his own unique path of skill development.

"Okay~ Alright!"

After confirming what Zhang Feng said, the shop assistant surnamed Zhong was filled with excitement and began to organize the books in his hands.