Living as a Mortal: Grinding Experience Starting from the Underworld

go!

A slight unease in his heart urged Zhang Feng to leave.

He has no shortage of resources, he just lacks time.

He is fully capable of breaking through to the late stage of Core Formation, or even attempting to reach the peak of the late stage of Core Formation, before the Void Heaven Palace opens.

"Fellow Daoists, let's rest on this island for a while and get to know each other so that we can cooperate more smoothly in the future."

Burning Tiger addressed the crowd.

"Brother Jin, you have a high level of cultivation and are the commander of the Star Palace Guards. It's a good opportunity for us to discuss how to launch an attack together."

"Junior Sister Wan, you and Fellow Daoist Zhang are of similar cultivation levels and are old acquaintances, so why don't you two act together!"

Burning Tiger acted as if he were the leader of the team and began assigning personnel.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng was overjoyed, as separating from Jin Li suited him perfectly.

More importantly, Zhang Feng realized that the two cultivators from the Myriad Laws Sect, Wan Qing and Fen Tianhu, did not get along.

So, just like Jin Kui, Wan Tianming sent two people to carry out the same mission, but assigned them different objectives.

"Alright, Brother Fen, this arrangement is good. Brother Zhang, you and Junior Sister Wan can go together."

Jin Li spoke up at the opportune moment.

The two took the initiative to divide the cultivators into two teams.

The two men chatted happily, truly birds of a feather.

Zhang Feng and Wan Qing exchanged a glance and had no objection.

Several days later, the group arrived at an unnamed island and set up a cave to rest.

During this period, under the instruction of Fen Tianhu and Jin Li, the small team intentionally or unintentionally isolated Zhang Feng and Wan Qing.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, as the young sect leader of the Myriad Laws Sect, your status isn't very high, is it?"

Zhang Feng privately teased Wan Qing via telepathy.

"Hmph, isn't Fellow Daoist Zhang the same?"

Wan Qing retorted.

"Zhang is a lone cultivator, used to being alone, and feels uneasy in a group."

"But Fellow Daoist Wan is the young sect master of the Myriad Laws Sect, how dare this Burning Sky Tiger?"

Zhang Feng asked again, though he had a vague idea of ​​what was going on.

He learned from Jin Li that Fen Tianhu was a direct descendant of a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Wanfa Sect.

Wan Tianming, the current leader of the Wanfa Sect, is nearing the end of his life, and the Supreme Elder, Wan Sangu, is someone who does not concern herself with worldly affairs.

The position of leader of the Wanfa Sect is very likely to fall to that person.

The power struggles among the higher-ups are particularly evident among Core Formation cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, there's no need to test him. My father truly intends to take this man's life on this trip."

"With Fellow Daoist Zhang's intelligence, he has probably already seen through this entire operation!"

"I have a favor to ask."

Wan Qing's sudden lowering of his stance made Zhang Feng feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Since it's an unreasonable request, Fellow Daoist Wan, it's best not to mention it."

Zhang Feng declined without hesitation.

"You—sigh~"

Wan Qing sighed.

"I met Fellow Daoist Zhang in the Netherworld, and we've known each other for decades now."

"Fellow Daoist Zhang is truly heartless!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng calmed down. Indeed, for decades, the two had maintained a relationship based on transactions.

Thinking back to the first time I escaped from the Netherworld, Wan Qing lifted me up, and later gave me the Foundation Establishment Pill.

When they met again later, although Wan Qing was after the Yinming Beast Crystal in his possession, he did not threaten her with his life.

Zhang Feng also benefited greatly from the transaction between the two parties.

Seeing Zhang Feng remain silent, Wan Qing was overjoyed. Upon meeting him on Suihan Island, she was surprised to discover that Zhang Feng was a man of deep affection and loyalty.

During her time in Tianxing City, she tried several times to deepen their relationship, but was always turned away.

Only their business dealings maintained their fragile relationship.

However, since Zhang Feng achieved the Core Formation, even such meager transactions have become difficult to sustain.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, do you know why I, as the daughter of Nascent Soul cultivator Wan Tianming, would risk my life to venture alone into the Netherworld?"

"And why did you trade Yinming Beast Crystals with Fellow Daoist Zhang several times?"

"Most cultivators are ruthless, especially high-level Nascent Soul cultivators."

"I have rarely seen my father since I was born. Even after I was diagnosed with dual spiritual roots at the age of six, I only saw him once."

"I envy you, fellow Daoist, for being able to grow up with your master from a young age."

"I have no master, and no one dares to be my master. I grew up and cultivated with the disciples in the sect since I was a child."

"I tried to cultivate diligently to attract his attention, but his mind was completely occupied by the sect and my brother with that heavenly spiritual root."

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, you must find it hard to understand why a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't have the energy to care for their own child?"

"I also find it hard to understand, especially after one's cultivation level gradually increases."

"High-level cultivators clearly have so much time and energy, why can't they spare some for their own offspring?"

"Is it because I have dual spiritual roots that I'm less talented than those with heavenly spiritual roots?"

"I didn't believe it, so I desperately tried to prove myself. The Underworld was the first place where I proved myself."

"I learned about ghostly mists and the underworld from some lost books, and it just so happens that my great-aunt is also looking into this matter."

"With my great-aunt's help, I entered the Netherworld for the first time and was trapped there for several years. Fortunately, I was able to escape with the help of Fellow Daoist Zhang."

"The Netherworld Beast Crystals and Netherworld Water brought out from the Netherworld are exactly the materials that my aunt needs."

"As a result, I obtained a lot of resources for cultivation, and even caught my father's eye."

"I am satisfied with being able to prove myself, but as my cultivation level improves, I gradually realize that this satisfaction is of no use."

"It's not even as good as a pill that can improve one's cultivation level."

"So I sought out fellow Daoists again to make a deal, and obtained more Yinming Beast Crystals and Yinming Water from them."

"In exchange for more rare cultivation resources, I have reached my current level."

"It can be said that my cultivation is inseparable from the Yinming Beast Crystal and Yinchen Water in your possession, fellow Daoist."

"An incident that happened some time ago has further solidified my belief."

"My brother, who had the spiritual root, died during the Nascent Soul stage of the inner demon tribulation, and my father finally turned his attention to me."

"But I don't need that anymore, I just want to improve my cultivation."

Zhang Feng listened to Wan Qing's story without any emotional fluctuation.

The rogue cultivator listened as the second-generation immortal recounted his cultivation journey and the hardships he endured.

It's like a poor person listening to a rich kid recount his hardships.

My mood remained calm; I even felt a little amused.

"Alas~ I forgot that you are a rogue cultivator, and you can't possibly understand how I felt back then."

"It's okay, I can't understand how I felt back then either."

"Why abandon the proper path of cultivation to pursue the emotions of mortals and delay decades of cultivation?"

Wan Qing's voice rang out again.

Zhang Feng glanced at her casually; she couldn't even empathize with her younger self.

"When emotions are troubled, the true path is found."

"It took me decades of hardship and struggle to finally understand."

"I know that if you didn't have some lingering concerns, you would probably have already fled and found a small island to cultivate in seclusion."

Wan Qing's words accurately captured Zhang Feng's true feelings.

"I would like to ask you for help, fellow Daoist, as my position within the sect is not secure."

"This position of young sect leader was even passed down to me by my father after my brother's death."

"Several senior brothers within the sect are eyeing this position covetously, with Burning Tiger being the most prominent among them!"

"If it weren't for the fact that my aunt was still inside, the fight would probably have started inside the gate."

"This operation is proof of that."

"It was an agreement between my father and the elders that I would challenge Wen Tianren to make a name for myself without relying on the power within the sect."

"But I am well aware of my own shallow cultivation, so my goal for this trip is to seize a fragment of the Void Heaven Map for my father."

"As long as my father can obtain the Longevity Fruit in the Void Heaven Palace, I will have more time to cultivate and plan."

After going around in circles, Wan Qing finally revealed his intentions.

The affairs of sects are really complicated; it's better to be a lone cultivator.

Zhang Feng remained silent for a moment, then took out a fragment of the Void Heaven Map and gently presented it to Wan Qing.

The aloof female cultivator's face gradually flushed, and her pupils slowly dilated.

"Sigh~"

Zhang Feng withdrew a fragment of the Void Heaven Map.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, we met through transactions, and now we shall end our friendship through transactions."

Wan Qing was taken aback. After a moment, a smile spread across his face as he took the fragment of the Void Heaven Map and examined it closely.

After a long silence, he replied, "That's only natural!"