Living as a Mortal: Grinding Experience Starting from the Underworld

During these five years, Zhang Feng received messages from various cultivators.

Among them were reports of peace from Jin Qinghu Yue, as well as various messages of harvest.

And Wan Qing also heard the news.

In addition, there is the annual offering from the Miaoyin Sect, which even includes several high-grade water-attribute spirit stones.

What surprised Zhang Feng the most was the various resources Zhao Zheng sent. He didn't mention the magic treasures he had lent out, and even generously gave him experience in breaking through to the mid-stage of Core Formation, showing a strong intention to win him over.

hum!

Just as Zhang Feng was engrossed in testing his flying sword, a communication token broke the silence.

"Elder Zhang, a shipment of goods belonging to the Miaoyin Sect has been hijacked in the Inner Sea. The situation is urgent. Please come to the sect immediately!"

The message came from Zi Ling, her tone tinged with anxiety.

Zhang Feng sighed softly upon hearing this. Trouble had come, but after receiving offerings from the Miaoyin Sect for several years, it was time to repay them.

Perfect timing, it's also a good opportunity to test my combat strength at the mid-stage of Core Formation.

Zhang Feng strode into the secret chamber. The high-grade spirit stones had disappeared, and Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong's auras had already entered the category of level five demon beasts.

This made Zhang Feng somewhat suspicious of the two demons' bloodline. Their advancement speed was so fast that they must be descendants of some high-level demon beasts with exceptional talent.

Perfect timing! If there's a battle this time, we can test their abilities and strengths.

On the top floor of the Miaoyin Gate pavilion, a beautiful figure in purple was quietly waiting.

Led by Wen Siyue, Zhang Feng arrived as promised.

"Ha, Elder Zhang, you've arrived!"

Zi Ling bowed slightly with her hands clasped.

Zhang Feng nodded slightly: "Sect Master Ziling, what happened? Please speak freely!"

"Zhang has been receiving offerings from the sect for several years, so it's time for him to do something."

"Thank you for your understanding, Elder. Please take a look, this is the battle report from the front lines of Miaoyin Sect."

Zi Ling took out a jade slip and used her spiritual power to send it to Zhang Feng.

Zhang Feng reached out and took it, probing it with his divine sense, and a massive amount of information flooded his mind.

"Elder, the Star Palace, together with the righteous and demonic paths, is joining forces to resist the outer sea demons."

"During this period, several Nascent Soul cultivators even took action to compete for the high-grade spirit stone mine, including the Extreme Yin Ancestor of Extreme Yin Island."

"My Miaoyin Sect did not participate in the battle; we merely acted as intermediaries."

"We transport the materials from the monsters hunted by the cultivators and the high-level spirit stones they have collected back from the outer sea, and then transport the various war supplies from the inner sea to the outer sea."

"The commissions are exceptionally generous, and the Miaoyin Sect has accumulated a large amount of resources and spirit stones."

"This also attracted the attention of pirates in the Inland Sea."

"One batch of goods that Elder Zhao was escorting was stolen by the villains of Scorpion Island."

"Elder Zhao sent word that he wants Elder Zhang to come and provide support in order to discuss how to deal with the villains of Scorpion Island."

"Zi Ling wants to ask the elder's opinion!"

While Zhang Feng was processing the information from the outer seas, Zi Ling explained the purpose of their trip.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng frowned slightly. Without a doubt, Zhao Zheng had ill intentions; one of his magical treasures was still with him.

As for Zhao Zheng's attempts to win him over...

After the incident involving the spirit stone mine on Biling Island in the outer sea, the feud between Miaoyin Sect and Jiyin Island continued.

This was exactly what he expected.

But what does it mean that Zi Ling is asking about her wishes at this moment?

Zhang Feng pondered for a moment and replied:

"Zhang is a guest elder of the Miaoyin Sect."

"Zhao Zheng is also an elder of the Miaoyin Sect, so whether or not to provide support is Zhang Feng's decision, which is subject to the orders of the Ziling Sect Master."

"Alright, thank you for your trust, Elder Zhang. I will tread carefully and consider this matter thoroughly."

Upon hearing this, Zi Ling was overjoyed. Over the years, she had kept her promise and regularly contributed the income of Miaoyin Sect every year, even giving away the high-grade water-attribute spirit stones treasured within the sect.

Originally, winning over Zhang Feng would have been a natural thing to do, but Zhao Zheng interfered. She had already secretly discovered that Zhao Zheng had sent supplies to Zhang Feng several times to win him over.

Fortunately, Zhang Feng was not won over by them.

At least that's how it appears on the surface.

Zi Ling dared not think too deeply about what lay beneath the surface, yet she had no choice but to consider it.

Given the gravity of the matter, Zi Ling pondered whether to reveal some of the plans or keep them entirely secret.

"Elder Zhang, we definitely need to go to Scorpion Island, but not now."

"Zi Ling has sent word that Elders Zhao and Fu will return on a chosen day, and then we will discuss how to deal with the villains of Scorpion Island."

"If the elder trusts Zi Ling, please stay close to her once the battle begins. Zi Ling has a backup plan."

After thinking for a moment, Zi Ling decided not to reveal her plan.

Zhang Feng nodded slightly; he was aware of the hidden tricks behind the Miaoyin Sect's most prized treasure.

As for Zi Ling's schemes, he was well aware of them, but all the scheming was no match for strong cultivation and strength.

Perhaps she will find out after this battle.

However, Zi Ling's urgent telepathic communication was to test her attitude.

Zhang Feng had some doubts.

"Ah! Fellow Daoist Zhang and Ziya are both here!"

"That's wonderful."

Zhao Zheng led Elder Fu and quickly entered the pavilion.

Following them were two envoys, Fan and Zhuo.

And then there's Wen Siyue, panting heavily.

"You can go down now."

Zhao Zheng waved to Wen Siyue.

"Sect Master, I..."

Wen Siyue looked guilty for not being able to stop the crowd.

"It's nothing, it's urgent, you can go now!"

"Zi Ling said softly."

"The situation was urgent, and I didn't have time to inform anyone! Please forgive me, Zi'er!"

Seeing that Wen Siyue had disappeared without a trace, Zhao Zheng smiled and spoke again.

No wonder Zi Ling was so eager to see him; it turns out Zhao Zheng had already returned.

Zhang Feng pondered to himself.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, it's been several years! You've actually broken through to the mid-stage of Core Formation!"

Zhao Zheng scanned Zhang Feng with his divine sense and exclaimed in astonishment.

"What?"

Elder Fu was also shocked. Core Formation cultivators progress very slowly, and it is difficult to advance without fortuitous encounters or hundreds of years of arduous cultivation.

Zhang Feng has only been at the Core Formation stage for a few years, how come his cultivation level has increased so quickly?

A hint of surprise flashed in Zi Ling's eyes as she pinched the colorful ring on her wrist. No wonder she felt different today; it turned out she had advanced to the mid-stage of Core Formation.

Oh no, I should reveal some of the plans.

"Excellent, excellent! Fellow Daoist Zhang is indeed exceptionally talented. Our Wonderful Sound Sect has gained another great asset!"

Zhao Zheng suppressed his astonishment and praised him.

"Not at all! Fellow Daoist Zhao, you flatter me. I am truly grateful for the breakthrough experience you bestowed upon me!"

Zhang Feng agreed.

"Haha! Enough talk. Why don't I instruct Madam Fan to prepare a banquet in my humble abode tonight? You, me, and Fellow Daoist Fu can enjoy a good drink together?"

Zhao Zheng has begun to ignore Zi Ling and directly express his desire to get closer to her.

"Elder Zhao is absolutely right. Why don't I set up a banquet right here and invite a few of my most beautiful disciples? This would both welcome the two elders and celebrate Elder Zhang's arrival."

Fan Jingmei's gaze swept among the group of people before continuing her story, following Zhao Zheng's lead.

"Hehe, okay, okay! We'll do it your way!"

Zhao Zheng suddenly revealed a lewd smile and cheered repeatedly.

"Very well, let's do as Left Envoy Fan says!"

Elder Fu also smiled, clearly pleased with the gesture.

Looking at the two, Zhang Feng felt a sense of absurdity. Their goods had been stolen by Scorpion Island, and now they were being welcomed back with singing and dancing.

The intention is all too obvious.

Such actions likely stem from an overconfidence in one's own judgment.

Zhang Feng turned his gaze to Zi Ling, wondering what the sect leader was thinking.

Noticing Zhang Feng's gaze, Zi Ling's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Sister Fan, please go ahead and do it. How can the few lost goods compare to our Miaoyin Sect gaining a mid-stage Core Formation elder?"

"With three elders and several allies from the Wonderful Sound Sect, the villains of Scorpion Island will be easy prey!"

Zi Ling was still hiding, and Zhang Feng nodded upon hearing this.

The song and dance performance at Miaoyinmen is definitely worth seeing!