Living as a Mortal: Grinding Experience Starting from the Underworld

Throughout the entire transaction, Zhang Feng never left his cave dwelling; the entire process was completed through the Miaoyin Sect acting as an intermediary.

After all, Zhang Feng doesn't yet have the strength to directly confront a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The three bottles of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow were quickly delivered to Zhang Feng's cave, along with the two bottles of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow that Zi Ling had promised as payment.

Only now did Zhang Feng fully understand that the thirty-six pieces of ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Jade allowed Wan Qing to separate six bottles of ten-thousand-year-old Ice Marrow.

Three of the bottles were traded to the Miaoyin Sect, and she kept three for herself.

Wan Qing was willing to put in the effort to test the remaining Yinming Beast Crystals in his possession.

Unfortunately, information asymmetry puts one at a disadvantage.

The spiritual materials for refining magical artifacts and the pills for enhancing cultivation are all complete, in addition to the already abundant high-grade spirit stones.

Zhang Feng once again considered going into seclusion.

With ample resources, after decades of seclusion, one can break through to the late stage of Core Formation and begin preparing for entering the Void Heaven Palace and matters related to Nascent Soul formation.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. A secret order was sent to Zhang Feng's cave through the Star Palace Guard.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, Elder Jin Kui requests your presence!"

A guard commander at the late Core Formation stage, along with several Star Palace guards at the early Core Formation stage, suddenly appeared in Zhang Feng's cave.

Zhang Feng sighed. Fame brought not only benefits, but also endless troubles.

If only demonic cultivators from Scorpion Island and Extreme Yin Island had been present that day, they could have been killed and no one could have sent out any news.

Unfortunately, those present were from the Miaoyin Sect and the Inner Sea cultivators who were there to assist.

Even if Zhang Feng doesn't actively promote it, these people will spread it anyway, so it's better to let Zi Ling handle it and gain some benefits.

"Fellow Daoist, may I ask your name?"

Zhang Feng didn't rush to answer, as he didn't know much about the Star Palace.

Apart from a few well-known Nascent Soul elders who had heard of it, most Core Formation cultivators knew very little about it.

"My surname is Jin, and my given name is Li. Fellow Daoist, you're too kind. Please come in!"

Jin Li's tone was stiff, giving off an unapproachable vibe.

"Greetings, Commander Jin. May I ask what business Elder Jin Kui has with me?"

Zhang Feng bowed respectfully, knowing there was no need to provoke a conflict with the guards in Tianxing City.

"I was unaware; I was merely following orders. Please forgive me, fellow Daoist."

Jin Li expressed her apology in a stiff tone.

That sounds weird.

Zhang Feng didn't make things difficult for him; it was clear that this person had a slightly withdrawn personality.

His surname is Jin, which likely indicates a close connection with Elder Jin Kui.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Jin, please lead the way!"

Zhang Feng said nothing more and followed Jin Li to the Star Palace.

……

Inside the Star Palace, Zhang Feng immediately spotted a cultivator sitting on a throne, exuding a profound and vast aura.

He wore a white robe with gold trim from the Star Palace, covered by a hooded cloak. A face shield covered half of his face, and his expression was cold and stern, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

"Reporting to the Grand Elder, Zhang Feng has been brought here."

Jin Li clasped his hands in a fist salute and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.

"Okay, everyone else can go down first. Jin Li and Zhang Feng, stay here."

Jin Kui waved his arm, clearing out the others.

"Yes."

Several guards in the early stage of Core Formation bowed and slowly withdrew from the main hall.

"Zhang Feng, a rogue cultivator, greets Elder Jin Kui."

Zhang Feng bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

As long as he wants to stay in Tianxing City, he must treat the Star Palace with courtesy.

"Oh, so you're Zhang Feng, the one who recently killed the Crimson Fire Old Monster of Yuan Turtle Island, the Sect Master of the Hidden Fiend Sect of Scorpion Island, and even forced back the Extreme Yin who used possession techniques, severely damaging Extreme Yin Island's vitality?"

Jin Kui's voice echoed in the empty inner hall.

"It is indeed I, the junior."

Zhang Feng responded politely.

The Star Palace should have investigated these matters long ago, and there's no need for them to be modest and conceal them.

"Hahaha, good! To be able to eliminate two late-stage Core Formation cultivators one after another, and to make Ji Yin Na Si suffer a huge loss, not bad, not bad!"

Jin Kui burst into loud laughter, his words filled with praise.

Zhang Feng's expression remained unchanged; after the praise, he would probably make demands.

After the laughter subsided, the inner hall fell silent, and none of the three spoke.

After a long silence, Jin Kui finally spoke:

"You're quite composed; don't you want to know why I've come to see you?"

"I have cultivated in Tianxing City under the jurisdiction of the Star Palace for several years and have been protected by the Star Palace. Naturally, I should serve the Star Palace."

Zhang Feng's answer was grand and dignified.

"Oh, you are quite sensible and grateful. If all the cultivators in the Inner Sea were like you, then my Star Palace's efforts over the years would not have been in vain."

Jin Kui revealed a barely perceptible smile.

"Alright, I do have something to discuss with you."

Finally getting to the point, Zhang Feng looked somewhat reserved.

"First of all, regarding the content of this conversation, the two of you must swear an oath against your inner demons, and not reveal a single word of it."

"Is that acceptable?"

A powerful aura emanated from Jin Kui.

Zhang Feng's vision went black, and he instantly fell into a space of divine consciousness.

Zhang Feng noticed that a golden sun had suddenly risen above his head, radiating a dazzling golden light that was impossible to look directly at.

Is this the same old trick? Nascent Soul cultivators always like to suppress each other with their divine sense before speaking.

Zhang Feng unleashed his full power of divine sense and soul force, desperately resisting as he raised his right hand with fingers together, swearing an oath.

Swish!

In a daze, the golden sun vanished, space disappeared, and the real figure of Jin Kui appeared before Zhang Feng's eyes.

Zhang Feng looked to his side and saw that Jin Li had collapsed to the ground.

Treat everyone equally?

Zhang Feng was somewhat puzzled.

"Hmph, you've been lazy in your cultivation, and you can't even withstand a wisp of my divine sense."

Jin Kui snorted coldly, and Jin Li's body suddenly trembled as he stood up unsteadily.

Jin Kui was clearly disappointed with the performance of his junior.

"Zhang Feng, you are quite good. Your spiritual sense, spiritual power, and even physical body are all well-developed. It's just a pity that your spiritual root talent is a bit lacking."

"Otherwise, I would have really considered taking on a disciple."

Jin Kui looked at Zhang Feng and sighed.

Zhang Feng remained silent upon hearing this. This was after he had upgraded his spiritual root talent by gaining spiritual root talent points through his liver-grinding skills.

In the past, it was uncertain whether he would have been able to successfully form his core.

However, there's no need to worry. As long as he has enough time, he will eventually master all his skills and maximize his spiritual talent.

But now...

Zhang Feng sighed softly.

Upon hearing Zhang Feng's sigh, Jin Li glanced at him and a look of delight appeared on his face.

"Alright, it's already quite an achievement to reach the Core Formation stage. With your combat strength, you are indeed worthy of being recruited by the Star Palace."

"No wonder Wan Tianming specifically asked you to go and help."

"That's a pity."

As Jin Kui spoke, he took out two jade slips from his hand.

"This operation must be kept strictly confidential; not a single detail may be leaked."

"Neither of you can act in the name of the Star Palace."

"Once you reach the Gate of Ten Thousand Dharmas, you will naturally know how to act!"

"Furthermore, this trip is my personal business. When you two return, you will each receive a reward."

"Zhang Feng, you should know about the Void Heaven Palace secret realm more than twenty years from now. As long as you can successfully complete this mission..."

"I can grant you the qualification to enter the Void Heaven Palace."

Jin Kui then addressed Zhang Feng.

Using the qualification to enter the inner palace as payment? But Zhang Feng already has two fragments of the Void Heaven Map.

Zhang Feng is considering whether to raise an objection.

"What? The payment isn't enough?"

Jin Kui noticed Zhang Feng's silence and asked.

"Thank you, Elder, but I already obtained the Void Heaven Remnant Map."

"Hahaha, I see. You're quite lucky. Alright, do you want this map that hides the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng's pupils contracted slightly. Did this ginseng and Xuan Gu know the same branch?