Living as a Mortal: Grinding Experience Starting from the Underworld

In terms of weapon crafting, it was just a small-scale experiment.

Zhang Feng gradually integrated the ten-thousand-year-old ice marrow into his natal magic weapon, the Langshui Xuanyu Sword.

The attempt to gradually stimulate the natal magic weapon to generate a cold comparable to the power of the Ice Marrow was largely unsuccessful. To unleash the ultimate cold, one still needs the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow.

Regarding talismans, Zhang Feng studied the talisman books left behind by Elder Fu.

Elder Fu was able to form a nascent soul using this method, and the talisman also possessed considerable power.

Zhang Feng is determined to study hard.

With the continuous training of Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong, Zhang Feng's beast-taming skills gradually improved.

Of course, these were just minor incidents during Zhang Feng's free time from cultivation.

The most important thing is to improve one's cultivation level.

In the fifteenth year of his secluded cultivation, Zhang Feng opened his eyes to a pleasant surprise, as his natal magic weapon underwent a transformation.

Through Zhang Feng's unremitting efforts, his natal magic weapon, the Langshui Xuanyu Sword, was finally able to activate the extreme cold on its own.

Although it only has half the power of the Ten Thousand Year Ice Marrow, as long as Zhang Feng continues to integrate with the Ten Thousand Year Ice Marrow and continue to stimulate it, he will eventually reach the extreme cold power of the Ten Thousand Year Ice Marrow.

There is also good news: after ten years of continuously absorbing the spiritual energy of high-grade spirit stones for cultivation,

At this moment, Zhang Feng finally reached the threshold of the mid-stage of Core Formation.

Without a moment's hesitation, Zhang Feng took out the top-grade wood-attribute spirit stone.

Even though the attributes don't match, the rich spiritual energy contained within is enough to help Zhang Feng break through his bottleneck.

In the sixteenth year of his seclusion, Zhang Feng broke through to the late stage of Core Formation without any hindrance, thanks to top-grade spirit stones.

But Zhang Feng did not stop; he wanted to cultivate until he could no longer make any progress.

In the seventeenth year, Zhang Feng began taking pills to improve his cultivation, along with high-grade spirit stones.

……

In the twentieth year, Zhang Feng, who was cultivating, received a telepathic message from his master.

For the first time, a complex expression appeared on Zhang Feng's face.

My master is about to pass away.

Zhang Feng transformed into a streak of light blue and appeared in his master's cave.

Inside the cave, Mei Qing'er and her family were all gathered around Zhang Guihe's bedside.

Mei Qing'er and Mei Ning sobbed softly, while Mei Feng's eyes reddened.

Mei Lin waited quietly for Zhang Feng to arrive.

"Uncle Zhang, you're here! The old man is waiting for you!"

Upon seeing Zhang Feng arrive, Mei Lin hurriedly stepped forward.

Zhang Feng raised his hand to stop him from speaking and walked straight to the bedside.

"Feng'er, you've come!"

Zhang Guihe opened his blurry eyes, which were cloudy and lifeless.

"You guys go out first!"

Zhang Feng addressed the four people.

Since Zhang Feng went into seclusion, the four of them were invited by Zhang Feng to Zhang Guihe's cave to take care of the elderly Zhang Guihe.

Mei Qing'er, who had originally been accepted as a disciple by Zhang Guihe, naturally did not refuse.

Mei Lin was delighted, and the Mei siblings, Mei Feng and Mei Ning, were also very pleased.

"Yes."

Mei Qing'er responded and led the group out of the cave.

"Master, I'm here."

Zhang Feng sat by the bed, his face filled with sorrow.

"Haha, don't be sad, your master should have died long ago."

"I'm only alive today because of you."

Zhang Guihe's lips moved, and he managed to utter two sentences with difficulty.

"Master..."

Zhang Feng's voice trembled slightly, and for a moment he was speechless, unsure of what to say.

"Heh, it's alright. I still have things to tell you, so I won't die easily."

Help me up.

Zhang Guihe struggled to get up, and Zhang Feng immediately reached out to support him.

"Ahem, I've drawn quite a few talismans over the years, they're all in my storage bag, you should keep them safe."

"I know that my own strength is too weak to help you, so I can only gather some talismans for you."

"Resources are indispensable when cultivating outside. These talismans should be able to be exchanged for some spirit stones."

With trembling hands, Zhang Guihe stuffed a storage bag into Zhang Feng's hands.

"I raised you and watched you cultivate, and you surpassed me all the way to become a Core Formation cultivator."

"I am gratified that I have not failed your parents' expectations."

"You haven't seen the family tree and identity token left by your mother, have you?"

"You've already formed your core; take a close look, it will be helpful to you."

Zhang Guihe brought up the family genealogy token again, and Zhang Feng nodded in agreement.

"Also, what I told you before the last beast tide."

"This time, it's finally going to be finished."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng's expression darkened. Once his master passed away, he would indeed have no more ties in the Chaotic Star Sea.

But are cultivators truly without desires or wants?

"Haha, it's really frustrating. Ever since I found out that I was a lock on your Star Palace, I've been feeling really stifled."

How could I become a shackle that binds you?

"Thank goodness, thank goodness, we can remove our shackles today."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guihe's face actually became a little rosier.

"Master!"

Zhang Feng couldn't help but cry out in sorrow. The stubborn old man had already realized why Zhang Feng had been coerced by the Grand Elder.

"Ha, no need for that. Dying of old age is a joyous occasion!"

Zhang Guihe patted Zhang Feng's hand to comfort him.

"Feng'er, I know you have extraordinary potential; otherwise, how could you have successfully formed your core with your four spiritual roots?"

"But we must not become arrogant; we must guard against pride and impetuosity."

"For high-level cultivators, Core Formation is just the beginning."

"The Nascent Soul is the foundation for survival in the Chaotic Star Sea. You must successfully form your Nascent Soul."

"When you become a Nascent Soul cultivator, you must inform your master."

"Even in the afterlife, I can smile and tell my elder brother and sister-in-law this..."

Zhang Guihe murmured his last words, then slowly closed his eyes, his hands slipping from Zhang Feng's palms as he peacefully departed.

Zhang Feng sat there for several hours, then let out a long sigh.

He sent a telepathic message to Mei Qing'er, allowing her to see her master one last time.

Afterwards, Zhang Feng had no intention of arranging a funeral. Most of his master's friends had already passed away, and his descendants had gradually lost contact with them.

Normally, only Mei Qing'er's family comes and goes.

Zhang Feng and Mei Qing'er calmly buried their master next to their parents' graves.

From then on, all of Suihan Island's relatives passed away, leaving only Mei Qing'er, her niece with no blood relation.

Only a lingering thought remains on Suihan Island.

Zhang Feng stood silently atop the peak.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared in his consciousness; Liu Qingfeng arrived on his escape light.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, has Fellow Daoist Guihe already passed away?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng nodded slightly.

"Alas, Fellow Daoist Zhang, please accept my condolences."

"It's a pity. Fellow Daoist Guihe cared deeply for Suihan Island and contributed a great deal to my governance of it."

"It's just that the injury he sustained when he was young was too severe, which affected his lifespan."

"Even if the Star Palace bestows healing pills and longevity pills, it will be of no use."

Liu Qingfeng glanced at Zhang Feng and carefully explained.

Zhang Feng waved his hand, dismissing them.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, there's no need for explanation; I, Zhang, naturally understand."

"If there is nothing else, you may leave on your own."

"Zhang wanted to be alone for a while."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingfeng bowed with his hands clasped.

"In that case, I will not disturb you any further. However, a few days ago, an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling appeared in the snowy mountains north of Suihan Island."

"If Fellow Daoist Zhang wishes to explore, he may accompany me, Liu."

"There's someone to look out for each other."