Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 124: First Encounter with an Evil Cultivator

In the eyes of these heretical cultivators, other cultivators are not their own kind, but rather essential resources for their cultivation advancement. This is a completely irreconcilable contradiction between the two sides.

More than 90% of the evil cultivators on the icy northern frontier live in this lawless icy region, and they are the biggest adversaries that Tong Bingfeng needs to be wary of.

These bits and pieces of information were obtained by Tong Bingfeng at great expense from various shops, and their authenticity is unknown.

However, although he was wary of these evil cultivators, he was not afraid of them. After all, he had also fought his way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, encountering all sorts of demonic beasts along the way.

The next day, Tong Bingfeng continued to travel two hundred miles into the icy region. Along the way, he needed to avoid areas inhabited by some obviously powerful monsters, which naturally took some time.

According to Big Tooth's investigation, these demonic beasts have not yet reached the second tier; they are still genuine first-tier high-grade demonic beasts. However, the malevolent aura they exude is far beyond that of ordinary demonic beasts of the same tier.

The reason these demonic beasts are so powerful is twofold. First, their superior bloodline inheritance; for demonic beasts, bloodline is a rather magical component. Second, their own strength; although they haven't yet reached the second tier, they have already reached the peak of the upper-grade first tier.

"Deep within the ice domain to which Ice Spirit Island belongs, there are some outstanding first-tier high-grade demonic beasts, but on the one hand, their numbers are not large, and on the other hand, once they appear, they will face a swarm of cultivators hunting them down."

"These powerful monster lairs likely contain other loot, so let's mark their locations for targeted hunts later."

Tong Bingfeng made a decision in his heart, but his steps continued forward without any pause, as he followed a faint footprint.

These footprints must have been left by a cultivator living in the Outer Ice Domain. What he needs most now is to quickly search for more information about the Outer Ice Domain.

Although having the big teeth as a backup can effectively help avoid the icy areas inhabited by some powerful monsters, recklessly forcing one's way in is still not an option.

If he accidentally steps into the territory of a second-tier demon beast, there is no way he, a cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining, can escape. Under the absolute crushing power, he can only be devoured by the beast.

Since entering the lawless ice domain, Tong Bingfeng has traveled more than four hundred miles through the ice domain. Along the way, the footprints in front of him are the only traces of cultivators he has found so far.

Since cultivators have passed through before, it should be relatively safe. As long as you remain vigilant, your safety should be assured.

He needed the guidance of the monk's footprints to reach a stable trading post, gather more information, and gain a deeper understanding of the place before he could begin a series of subsequent explorations.

The lawless ice zone is also boundless; as far as the eye can see, not even a single island can be found. Apart from the endless ice, there is nothing else.

Following the trail, Tong Bingfeng quickly moved forward along the footprints he had left behind, and as time passed, the footprints became clearer and clearer.

Tong Bingfeng got closer and closer to the unfamiliar cultivator, but instead of showing joy, his face showed more and more hesitation.

Why are there bloodstains on the footprints? If the bloodstains are too faint, it seems more like a mark left from within.

Looking at the faint yet undeniably real red bloodstains on the footprints, Tong Bingfeng, as a legitimate cultivator, was utterly perplexed.

With doubts lingering in my mind and no other choice, I could only suppress them and continue following the footprints.

As dusk fell, the afterglow shone on the ice, and suddenly a giant tree, with lush foliage, thick and strong, and somewhat similar in appearance to a poplar, appeared on the ice in the distance.

But on this giant tree, near the very top, every leaf was blood red, as if it had just grown from a pool of blood.

On the main branches of the giant tree, bones of different sizes and shapes were drying, and a strong smell of blood emanated from their roots.

"A heretical cultivator... they actually infiltrated the lair of a heretical cultivator?"

Suddenly a bright light flashed, and all the useful information was connected. Tong Bingfeng immediately realized what was happening.

However, his first instinct was to activate the "Concealing Breath Technique" to suppress his aura, fearing that it would attract the attention of the owner of this place, and he quietly retreated.

These evil cultivators living on the lawless ice realm use bizarre methods, and Tong Bingfeng naturally doesn't want to get into trouble with them unless there's a direct conflict of interest.

"Hahaha, you've chosen the path to hell when there's one. As fate would have it, I've crafted a necklace of 108 skulls, but I'm still missing the main skull. Have you come here today to deliver the skull you need?"

Fate was against them. Accompanied by a hoarse sound like two stones rubbing together, a figure appeared, holding a white bone staff, wearing a leather coat made of layers of human skin, and boots made of relatively soft flesh extracted from the abdomen.

Around his neck hung a necklace made of hundreds of fist-sized skulls, undoubtedly identifying him as a genuine heretical cultivator.

"I am new here and have no grudge against you, fellow Daoist. How about we each take a step back, and I will leave now?"

Although she knew the chances were slim, Tong Bingfeng still maintained a positive attitude and tried to communicate in an attempt to avoid an impending conflict.

"Hehehe, I never let meat delivered to my door pass by. Fellow Daoist, why not surrender? I guarantee you won't feel the slightest pain, and in return, I'll let your soul reincarnate."

This evil cultivator, whose body was covered in the blood, flesh, and bones of other cultivators, seemed to be displaying his own benevolence.

"Hmph, if you want to take my life, then go ahead and attack. We are both at the late stage of Qi Refining, and the outcome is still uncertain. Water Fork, go!"

Seeing the other party's resolute attitude, Tong Bingfeng naturally would not continue to dawdle or compromise. Throughout his journey, he had never felt fear in any battle.

He had firsthand experience of the principle that "the first to strike wins, the last to strike suffers," and he always regarded it as a motto that he had to follow.

Although the evil cultivator in front of me speaks arrogantly, his skills are certainly not to be underestimated. Just by looking at his bones and flesh, one can guess at his strange methods.

"I love skulls and souls filled with resentment and bitterness. Only in this way can they be compatible with the cultivation techniques I practice. My dear child is not worthy of being in this bone necklace, much less a part of it."

Upon witnessing this scene, the evil cultivator showed no fear whatsoever; on the contrary, he appeared even calmer and overjoyed.

"Ten Thousand Ghosts Devour Souls, Go!"

The evil cultivator did not unleash any magical artifacts; as soon as his voice fell, grotesque black phantoms shot out from different parts of his body.